Words John Edwards | Picture Jonathan Moore

Highly-promising Altrincham winger Lucas Weaver is heading to Bamber Bridge on loan to gain valuable experience of first-team football at Northern Premier League level.

Lucas took the North West Counties League by storm last season, finishing as the Premier Division's top scorer with a remarkable 34 goals for Colne, and his arrival at The J.Davidson Stadium in the middle of May was hailed as a coup for Robins boss Phil Parkinson.

There were signs, in Alty's pre-season games, of the lightning pace and eye for goal that made him a target for so many clubs, and Phil is convinced the 22-year old will benefit from spending the next month with Bamber Bridge in the NPL Premier Division in a move that is subject to league approval.

"Lucas came to us as a development player, and he is certainly someone we have high hopes for," said Alty's manager. "We are looking at the Bamber Bridge loan as a real developmental one where he can experience playing at NPL level and hopefully shine as he did for Colne and then progress his Alty career from there."

The signing of Chorley-based Lucas marked the start of Alty's summer recruitment drive, but we had to fend off interest from a wide range of suitors for a player who racked up an incredible 42 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions last season.

That tally included a double that will bring back painful memories for the club he is joining on a temporary basis.

Bamber Bridge were leading the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy 2-0 at half-time, and seemingly had one hand on the silverware, only for a second-half blitz, led by two goals from Lucas, to turn the tie on its head, as Colne ran out 5-2 winners.

A few goals for Bamber Bridge, rather than against them, will be the order of the day over the next few weeks, Lucas! All the best for your one-month loan at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, and we look forward to welcoming you back after what we hope will prove a beneficial spell in the NPL Premier Division.