GEORGE Craddock is a man of very few words but thankfully for Colne manager John Lister he's not goal shy!

For while the quietly spoken striker is hardly the life and soul of the dressing room he is fast becoming the scourge of NWCL Division Two defenders.

Craddock, 19, has given the Holt House side plenty to shout about since his mid-September move from West Lancs League side Charnock Richard. The Chorley-born striker has scored eight goals and silenced his would-be critics after a quiet start to life in the higher division.

"It was very frustrating," admitted Craddock, who hit 12 goals for Charnock Richard before his switch to the Holt House.

"I went six games without a goal and I was beginning to wonder where that first would come from. So it was great to finally get off the mark against Leek."

He added: "It took me some time to settle in to life in the North West Counties because the pace of the game is a lot faster."

Craddock owes much of his big break to the good memory of Colne keeper Ross Baxter. The pair played briefly together in the same Euxton Villa under 16s side but Craddock obviously made a lasting impression on the shot-stopper.

Craddock recalled: "Ross knew Colne were on the lookout for a new striker and he remembered me from those Euxton days. He mentioned me to John Lister and invited me to go a long to training. It went really well because I think I was in the first team for the next game."

The former St Michael's High School pupil in Chorley has never doubted his ability although question marks were raised when he was shown the door by Blackburn Rovers School of Excellence as a 13-year-old. "That was a bit upsetting," said Craddock. "I was there as a 12 and 13-year-old but then I was suddenly released."

Craddock, who is currently studying a HND in Sport Therapy at Runshaw College, admits he has never actively sought a non-League club before he got the Colne call. "To be honest I was happy playing at Charnock Richard but I did wonder what it would be like to test myself at a higher level."

Now he is glad he made the move and he is now beginning to form a handy partnership with Paul Fildes who nine goals to his name.

"We're beginning to get a good understanding and I enjoying playing alongside Paul. The team is improving all the time, even since I have been here. There is a good balance in the side and all we need to do is find some form of consistency."

Craddock reckons a top six place is possible for Colne this season while a promotion push is on the cards next year. And his own targets?

"I don't set myself goals. I take each game as it comes and I just want to score in every game."

George Craddock -- a man of few words who is letting his feet to do the talking!