Workington Reds have signed teenage midfielder Keelan Leslie who has just been released by Carlisle United.
The West Cumbrian has been training with the Reds since he was allowed to leave Brunton Park over the new year.
Now Reds have signed the 18-year-old who created a favourable impression when spending a month on loan with the club earlier in the season.
He had a taste of NPL West football on several occasions, particularly a substitute’s appearance early in the game at Glossop when he had to fill in at left-back.
It is likely he will be involved at 1874 Northwich this afternoon as Reds will have some absentees.
Manager Chris Willcock said: “We will not be as strong in numbers as I was hoping. We have no COVID absentees but we do have injuries and unavailabilities which have affected the travelling squad.”
Opponents 1874 Northwich have re-signed their record goals-corer four months after he left to join Macclesfield.
Scott McGowan, 34, has had a controversial season to date having initially returned to Northwich in the summer from Nantwich Town.
But in September, after a hat-trick in a delayed Cup final and two goals in six League and FA Cup games for 1874 Northwich he joined Macclesfield.
The Silkmen had put seven days notice in on the free-scoring McGowan in a bid to boost their title push from the North West Counties Premier Division.
But it hasn’t worked out for the experienced striker and with this expected to be his last season in the game he wanted more game time – hence the move back to 1874 Northwich.
He is available for selection tomorrow when Workington provide the opposition in what will be his 200th appearance for the club.
McGowan has been talking to the club website and acknowledged the hurt he caused by the way he left the club in September.
“I do worry what people think and the way I left means I must prove myself again.
“I am to blame for the tension that caused; it’s entirely on me, although of course that wasn’t my intention.
“I went about it the wrong way, and I didn’t communicate with the people that I should have. Instead, I bottled things up.
“The worst thing about that is I ended up letting down precisely those I didn’t want to, and it’s my job to put that right. I will too.
“I’ve kept in touch with pretty much all the lads.
“The management team has checked in on me too while I’ve had personal problems that are unrelated to football, and that meant a lot during a difficult moment.
“It’s natural to reflect, and you do appreciate the loyalty of the supporters and the affection that they feel towards a club they own and run.
“That’s an environment which has brought the best out in me as a player.”
Co-manager Wayne Goodison says the club had to think long and hard about whether to take the chance to bring McGowan back.
But he has scored 137 goals for the club over the years and that appears to have decided the outcome.
