Words John Edwards | Picture Karen Clark

PHIL Parkinson has launched Altrincham's summer recruitment process by snapping up a forward with one of the most remarkable scoring records in non-League football.

Lucas Weaver underlined his unerring eye for the back of the net last season by racking up no fewer than 42 goals in all competitions in 43 appearances for Colne.

It made him one of the most sought-after prospects around, and no wonder - he's not even a striker!

That exceptional tally of goals, including two to round off a stunning second-half fightback in a dramatic Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final win over Bamber Bridge, was delivered from the flanks, where Lucas' lightning pace has also troubled opposing defences on a regular basis.

Unsurprisingly, his exploits attracted growing interest from a wide range of clubs, but Alty have seen off all the competition to complete the signing of Lucas on undisclosed terms.

In welcoming him to The J.Davidson Stadium, we can also announce that our first pre-season friendly will be away to his old club Colne at their Holt House Stadium on Saturday July 6th, kicking off at 3pm.

Lucas, who is 22, has always had goals in his locker and earned a move to Colne in July 2022 after a season in which he scored 20 times for Fulwood Amateurs in the West Lancs League Premier Division.

He took the step-up in standard in his stride, and though Colne only finished 10th in the North West Counties League Premier Division in 2023-24, his form as a flying winger with a knack for scoring goals consistently made him the division's outstanding performer.

Midway through the season, just three appearances proved more than enough to land him the Premier Division player-of-the-month award as he scored eight goals over those three games and provided two assists in a stunning individual contribution.

He maintained that level of performance right to the end, finishing four clear of his nearest rival as the Premier Division's top scorer on 34 goals, and then rounding off a memorable campaign in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy final.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time to a Bamber Bridge side from two divisions above them, Colne came storming back in the second half with two goals from Lucas to run out 5-2 winners.

That brought him a winners' medal to go with the players' player of the year and manager's player of the year accolades he received at Colne's end-of-season awards ceremony.

A warm welcome to The J.Davidson Stadium, Lucas, and all the best for a successful time in Alty colours.

*Mention of Colne may well evoke mixed emotions for many an Alty fan, particularly those who have clocked up a few years following the fortunes of the Robins.

In their previous existence as Colne Dynamoes, they rose to prominence on the back of heavy investment from property and timber tycoon Graham White and won the Northern Premier League Premier Division as a full-time club in 1989-90.

As well as lifting the title by a staggering 26 points, they also reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, with one of their scalps being Altrincham in the first round by a 5-0 margin that was the joint-worst the Robins have suffered in the competition.

By way of consolation, when the decision was taken that Dynamoes should fold after they were refused promotion to the Conference due to their ground not meeting requirements, a certain Paul Showler was recruited by John King from the defunct club to play for the Robins.

What an inspired move that turned out to be. By the end of the 1990-91 season, Showler's electrifying form had lit up Moss Lane to such an extent that he is widely regarded to this day as the best winger the club have ever had.