NEIL Moore could complete a remarkable rags to riches story by leading Burnley out at Wembley in the final of the Auto Windscreens Shield.

Moore was in danger of ending up on the soccer scrapheap after a promising start to his career appeared to be fizzling out.

The 25-year-old central defender was without a club after Norwich City released him last summer before Burnley boss Chris Waddle offered him a route back into the game earlier this season.

And Moore has repaid Waddle's faith with some oustanding performances which have earned him the captain's arm band.

That must have looked a long shot when a move from Everton to Norwich resulted in just two League appearances for the Carrow Road club.

He had spent five seasons as a professional at Goodison Park after coming through the youth scheme but he was limited to just a handful of senior games and loan spells to Blackpool, Oldham, Carlisle and Rotherham before his unsuccessful move to East Anglia.

"I got finished by Norwich and I was in limbo," revealed Moore, who is not surprisingly delighted by the turn-around in his fortunes.

He said: "I started to go round having trials and the manager gave me a go here.

"I came on a two-week trial then I was given month-to-month and proved I was worth a contract. "Now I have been made skipper. It's unbelievable the way it's all turned out for me.

"It's nice. From being right at the very bottom and very low suddenly you're captain of Burnley which is superb. It's all coming together well.

"And if we can start building on the confidence in the team we can start going up the League."

Even after winning his fight for a contract Moore couldn't have had a more difficult start to his Burnley career.

His first full game came in the 4-0 Coca Cola Cup defeat at home to Stoke City but he held his nerve to give a man-of-the-match display in a 1-1 draw against Preston the following game.

Since then Moore has missed just one League fixture - a 2-0 defeat by Wigan - and has scored four important goals which helped to win three points against Northampton, York and Preston.

He has stressed that staying in the Second Division is the sole priority, but victory over Grimsby Town in the semi-final of the Shield would take the Clarets to Wembley and complete Moore's rehabilitation in spectacular style.

West Brom have completed the signing of Northern Ireland striker James Quinn from Blackpool for £500,000. The 23-year-old was in line to make his debut against Bury at The Hawthorns today, after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Bolton defender Simon Coleman, 29, has joined Second Division strugglers Southend on a free transfer. Wanderers boss Colin Todd said: "Simon is a genuine and honest player who needed first-team football."

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