Workington Town have swooped to sign a second leading amateur this week ready for the start of the League One season on Sunday.

Highly-experienced Distington three-quarter Phil Lister has signed on the dotted line for the Derwent Park side.

The talented winger has impressed coaches in training, despite an injury halting him from playing in any of the pre-season friendlies.

Head coach Dave Clark believes he will be a good addition to his squad, on the back of the signing of Seaton’s Kieran Mewse earlier this week.

“Phil has impressed throughout pre-season with his strength, physicality and speed,” said Clark.

“Although he has been returning from an injury which has meant he couldn’t take part in competitive matches, his testing and training has shown what we always knew – he is a strong, powerful and fast player.

“His positive attitude, commitment and willingness to learn in a professional environment means that he will be a great addition to our squad.”

Lister has represented Cumbria as well as being in the Distington team that swept the board in the 2016 season, going unbeaten.

He is well-known to Workington’s director of rugby Les Ashe and Neil Frazer, who is also on the coaching staff at Town.

The duo coached the Cumbria team that were Tri-County winners in 2015.

That team included strong-running Lister and he became an early target for Ashe when he joined the Town board.

Lister is now raring to get games under his belt and establish himself in the Town camp.

He said: “After talking to Dave Clark and the directors, I knew that Town was the right decision for me.

“This is a huge opportunity for me to continue to develop as a player and show progression as a pro.

“I can’t wait to get among the action having missed the pre-season games.

“I’d just like to thank my community coach at Distington Carl Hewer whose guidance and support has helped make this possible.”

Town open their League One account with a home clash against Newcastle on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.