“I SAW on Twitter Witton had a new manager, so I sent him a message,” Joel Brownhill replies when asked how he caught Albion’s eye.

The front man had just completed the season with Rylands, in the Cheshire League, during which he scored 22 times.

Confidence boosted, he wanted to prove he could play at a higher level.

He adds: “I asked the gaffer to give me a chance.

“I told him to speak to people who know me if he wasn’t sure. He must have done, because he invited me down for pre-season.”

But Scott Dundas, who replaced Tony Sullivan as Witton boss following the club’s relegation from the Northern Premier League’s top flight, was only able to call on the 23-year-old for the first time last weekend when he sent on Brownhill as a second-half substitute.

Albion lost 3-2 against Kendal, but netted twice after his entrance.

A knee injury sustained in the summer had delayed his introduction to the club’s supporters.

“I was gutted,” he adds.

“The injury itself was frustrating as we couldn’t pinpoint when it happened – it was more a gradual thing that I started to feel pain.

“I’ve been sat watching from the sideline for more than two months since, so to get those 15 minutes [on Saturday] was great.

“I want more now, because it’s done my head in not playing.”

He has timed his return well, with Witton due at FC United of Manchester this weekend for an FA Cup tie.

Rivals on the pitch for the previous seasons, the teams are now two levels apart following the Rebels’ promotion to the National League North – the Football Conference’s second tier.

A face familiar to Albion supporters, Joel’s cousin Liam, could line up for the opposition.

“I found out we were playing them when he called my old man straight after the draw,” says the Witton player.

“He’s kept himself to himself since, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to get a bit of information out of me. Well, he can try at least!

“The lads here have talked a bit about it.

“It’s probably a good and a bad draw; good for the prestige, and a chance for the club to earn a bit of money. The bad bit is it could have been kinder in terms of having an easier tie to get through.

“We can expect a big test, but everybody is going to be right up for it.”

Brownhill admits he would love to play a part, to take another forward step on a journey he confesses has been a bumpy one.

He stopped playing for two years before signing for Rylands the season before last, only for another injury – this time to an ankle – to limit his involvement to a handful of games.

However his goals, shared between 34 starts, helped the Warrington outfit to a ninth-place finish in the Premier Division last term.

“I’d lost interest in football,” he adds.

“But I decided I’d give it ago locally to see how it went. Luckily I did well, and stayed fit.

“Now I want to make a contribution here.

“The fans hate the fact Witton have dropped to this level, and they want to get promoted again as quickly as possible.

“I like that; a club like this shouldn’t settle for being in the division they are.

“We’ve had a mixed start, and the lads aren’t happy – and they’ve got stuck into each other a couple of times to say so!

“Bu that’s because we back ourselves, and there’s no way we can be counted out of the promotion battle.”

And the Manchester-born striker, whose younger brother Josh plays for Preston North End, is planning on playing a part.

He adds: “I can’t knock the lads in front of me, so I might have to wait.

“I think I can make a difference though.”

It’s another of those messages to his manager.

Northwich Guardian:

Liam Brownhill in action for Witton Albion during an FA Trophy clash with Rushden & Diamonds in 2007. He could line up against them - and his cousin - for FC United of Manchester tomorrow.