Joining Alfreton Town was a 'no-brainer' says keeper George Willis

George Willis in action for former club Boston. Photo: Eric Brown

The goalkeeper is desperate for more match action following a frustrating year at National League North rivals Boston United.

Twenty-five-year-old Willis was the Pilgrims' captain and Player of the Year in the 2018-19 campaign, but the arrival of stopper Peter Crook saw him reduced to just one start and two further appearances off the bench in county cup competitions for the Pilgrims last season.

But now Willis is ready to show the Reds what he has to offer after agreeing to join Billy Heath's squad.

"I'm really delighted and the fact I've got it done quickly shows what the move means to me and to Bill," he said.

"We were speaking for a couple of weeks and it got sorted straight away. He made it clear he wanted me and I made it clear I wanted to stay in this league and play as high as I can, and as well as I can, for Alfreton. It was a no-brainer."

Willis had two loan spells at Gainsborough Trinity, his former club, last season but still fell short of the game time he craved.

"I've got to be honest, last season came as a shock when I wasn't playing," said Willis, who came though the Sheffield United youth system.

"I felt, after the season I'd had before, winning the Player of the Year award and everything like that, I had a good progressive season and got better as the season went along.

"I felt deep down I deserved at least to start the season and the shirt was mine to lose.

"That wasn't the case and that's football. You have to respect those decisions but to never get the chance last year was hard for me.

"To get a fresh start somewhere was a no brainer. That got sorted, so happy days really."

Willis added: "(Playing for Trinity last season) was important, for my state of mind, as much as anything.

"I'm not the sort of person who can happily sit about and play second fiddle.

"I've had spells at clubs where I've had to fight for my place. I've done that before and I'm the type of person who gets my head down and work hard. But last year I felt there was never a way in.

"I want to play every game for Alfreton and keep clean sheets… but I’m not putting a number on that.”