Lewis Brown is putting his Salford nightmare behind him to carve out a promising career with Whitehaven.

Brown is only 18 but has started the last two League One games and created a favourable impression with his coach and team-mates.

Yet the year had started badly when he should have been looking forward to a second season with Salford Under-19s.

He says: “We all got a letter to say that the club wasn‘t going to run an Academy side in 2017 which was a real knock back.

“I had gone there as a 15-year-old and played for the Under-16s and last year was my first season with the Under-19s.

"Although I was one of the youngest in the squad, I came on off the bench at prop in most of the games.

“It was really disappointing how things finished at Salford but the coach did have a word with both Workington and Whitehaven for me when I said I was going home and I was able to talk to both clubs.

“In the end, I thought Whitehaven sounded the best and I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Recreation Ground.

“I was on loan to start with and, when my Salford contract ended, I was happy to sign for Haven.”

Brown, who started with his home village club Seaton Rangers at Under-7s level, got some game time in the pre-season friendlies but has really come into his own after starting against London Skolars and Hemel Stags.

“I was really chuffed to get a start at loose-forward and then to keep my place for the home game was a big boost," he says.

“It was great because training has been really good and the squad members have been excellent with me.

“It’s all been very good experience for me because, where I was playing against boys for Salford, I have been playing against men with Whitehaven."

Brown, who works locally as an apprentice scaffolder, is hoping to stay in the squad for Sunday’s game at Oxford.