WITTON Albion have confirmed the signing of former Burscough captain Anthony Brown, manager Carl Macauley’s first new recruit since the end of last season.

The defender is one of four additions announced on Saturday afternoon.

Brown, who started his non-league career at Formby, starred with AFC Liverpool for two seasons before switching to the Linnets – who finished fifth in the Northern Premier League’s Division One North last term – early in 2014.

He was a regular at the heart of their backline under manager Mark Beesley.

A second capture from the same side is Matty Devine.

A versatile attacking midfielder, he joined Burscough last summer after a spell at Marine – where he played under Macauley.

Devine joined the Crosby outfit after leaving high school, signing a contract when he was 18.

Albion have also added Wes Benjamin, who can play at full back or in the middle of defence.

The 20-year-old progressed through the junior ranks at Stockport County ahead of a switch to North West Counties League side Squires Gate at the start of last season.

However his form there attracted the attention of Clitheroe, where he completed the campaign.

He helped them finish seventh, eight points clear of Witton.

Former Blackburn Rovers scholar Bradley Bauress, also 20, is another new face.

A defensive midfielder, he was released by the Championship club last summer.

After trials at other professional clubs, including Wigan Athletic, he joined Colwyn Bay at Christmas.

The Welsh outfit, who have recruited wide man Danny Andrews and Tom Schofield from Witton this summer, were relegated from the Premier Division after finishing second-bottom.

Albion drew 1-1 at Vauxhall Motors in their first friendly of the summer in midweek.

Captain Anthony Gardner, Michael Wilson, Rob Hopley, youngster Ryan Hickman and Chris Noone – who finished last term at Wincham Park – all played.

Goalkeeper Danny Roberts has also agreed to stay.

They return to action, coincidentally at Burscough, on Friday night.