New signing will head back to LA for Galaxy trials
NEW Burscough signing Alex Pope will return to America next year to continue trials with MLS outfit LA Galaxy. Pope, 20, was snapped up by Linnets manager Nick Matthews following a period at NWCFL First Division North side Garstang.
Announcing the signing, a Burscough spokesperson explained: Alex was originally at Fleetwood Town and played for Colne last season. He played their first 10 games and they won nine of them.
“He was playing regularly in central midfield but then got a type of heart disease called pericarditis.
“Basically, it has similar symptoms to having a heart-attack and was out for around two months until he got it under control.
“He’s just returned from a month at LA Galaxy. He’s just came back, playing a couple of games for the reserves and scored a couple of goals. They’ve invited him back next year.
“Obviously he was looking for a club after leaving Garstang. He left because he wasn’t enjoying it and signed a contract for us. He knows a couple of lads and John, our goalkeeping coach, told us he was very good and tenacious.”
With former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic currently plying his trade at Galaxy – David Beckham and Steven Gerrard’s former club – the Burscough official joked a deal during the American winter break could be on the cards.
“They have invited Alex back next year so fingers crossed he can perform for us and go over there. What a story!
“We were thinking about contacting him and asking him if they would send Ibrahimovic over for the winter!”
Burscough are currently one point outside the NWCFL relegation zone following their narrow 2-1 home defeat to Charnock Richard on Saturday.
They return to action against Runcorn Town next Tuesday hoping to arrest an alarming spell of seven defeats in their last eight matches.