Scott Willis

— Matthew Scott (@matscott1810) April 18, 2018

I can’t have too much of a dig at the guy for his ability, I really liked Scott Willis. He was certainly all-action and a player who, at least for a while, I imagined would go on to much bigger things. However, there’s a reason he couldn’t possibly be one of the best ever.

Keith plucked Scott from non-league Droylsden after he netted three times in thirteen outings for them. He came in at the same time as a raft of other non-league hopefuls being cobbled together to save us from relegation. You know the ones, Simon Yeo, Ben Futcher, Dene Cropper and the like.

Willis had previously turned out for Carlisle but had drifted into the non-league game. It was just how Keith liked his players, coming up from the non-league and hungry for success. He’d come from good stock having been a Wigan youngster and spent time as a youth at Tranmere.

Scott was worth watching whether you wanted superb goals or biting tackles. His strike away at Carlisle could have won any goal of the season award, and his great goal against Exeter had critics applauding. However, for every positive there was a negative.

He was caught allegedly spitting at a Stockport defender which more or less ended his Imps career. I’m including him here for a kung-fu style tackle against Cambridge which saw him sent off just minutes after coming on in 2002.

He featured in that notable first season that Keith took charge and was a 72nd minute substitute as the Imps crashed out of the play off final 5-2 against Bournemouth. However, his days were numbered as the club had signed Richard Butcher to form a midfield duo with Peter Gain.

He scored three times for City in 33 appearances, predominately from the bench and I suspect his temperament was one of the reasons he was allowed to join first Northwich and latterly Hereford on loan. Two goals for them in eight games wasn’t enough to convince them the barmy scouser was worth a punt and eventually he ended up at Leigh RMI and Telford in his native north-west. He made just four appearances for Lincoln in 2003/04 before heading to Hereford. His final game for Hereford saw him score in a 2-0 win and get sent off for two bookable offences. Why am I not surprised?

He was also notable for being the nephew of Cilla Black, although I’d wager anyone who saw his kung fu kick would argue he’s probably most notable for that.

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