The Blues swooped to sign Willoughby in July 2022. A promotion winner with York City in 2021/22,

Kurt penned a one-year deal at the Deva Stadium. The 25-year-old scored 20 goals in 43 games for FC United of Manchester at this level during the 2018/19 campaign, earning him an England C call up.

A striker, who can also operate out wide, Willoughby was then signed by AFC Fylde in 2019. From Blackpool, Kurt joined the Minstermen after a two-year spell with the Coasters and was part of the side who won the National League North Play-Offs. He scored 11 goals in the 2021/22 campaign, including a hat-trick in an FA Cup victory at Morpeth Town.