Hitman Doran to add to Town’s firepower
RUNCORN TOWN have continued their plans apace for the 2017-18 campaign by capturing prolific marksman Rob Doran.
The 26-year-old forward has joined the Pavilions outfit from EvoStik League First Division North side Colwyn Bay.
Doran signed for the Seagulls in December last year from Prescot Cables where he had spent four seasons, interupted only by a brief spell at Droylsden.
He enjoyed a memorable season in 2015-16, where as well as finishing third-highest goalscorer in the EvoStik League with 26, he was also named Player of the Year and nominated for the EvoStik League Team of the Year.
Speaking this week, Town manager Chris Herbert was in jubilant mood with the latest addition to his squad.
Herbert said: “I’ve been tracking Rob for a while now, and to finally get the deal over the line is great.
“I feel like we have four of the very best strikers around in Craig Cairns, Simon Thelwell, Mark Reed and now Rob Doran.
“Rob is a proven goalscorer, and in his time at Prescot he was always topping the scoring charts in a team that were struggling. Everything about Rob’s game makes him a winner.
“He is aggressive in his play, at 6ft 3in he is a big and strong and he really fits the way we play football.
“He is good on the floor and can mix it in the air when we need an outlet, and can also shift for a big lad.
“The big thing for me was his work rate. It’s OK finding a striker to score goals but in this team we demand more than just goals and Rob has everything Macca (Mark McGregor) and myself were looking for. Similar to Cairnsy, Si and Reedy, Rob works hard for his goals.
“He will be a big hit at the club and it’s proving now that Runcorn Town are at a different level, because we are able to get these lads to the club.
“Lads are really seeing what we are trying to achieve and it’s all positive at the moment. With pre-season starting next weekend, even the lads have shown their excitement at getting going again, and that’s exactly what we want at Runcorn Town.” ● Awards joy at the double for Runcorn Town – see page 49. ● inset)