FORMER Burnley youngster Joel Pilkington has joined Vodkat League Premier Division outfit Ramsbottom United.

The 24-year-old midfielder – who made four Football League appearances for the Clarets – has become the first of a number of signings made by Rammy’s new management team of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.

It is not the first return to East Lancashire for Pilkington, who counts Clitheroe and Chorley among his previous non-league clubs.

He finished last season with a short spell at Runcorn Linnets, where he played an important part in getting them to the League Cup final.

“Joel is a tough tackling box to box midfielder who scores his fair share of goals,” said joint-manager Johnson.

United have also brought back midfielder Chris Mackay for a second spell at the Riverside.

Mackay, 26, was a part of the North West Counties League winning side with Trafford in 2008.

Johnson added: “He can play anywhere across the midfield and he is very dangerous with a dead ball, scoring a lot of goals from the middle of the park.

“For us to sign these two is a real coup. Both have good experience at a higher level and more importantly they both know how to win leagues.”