PARKY HAS A CHRIS OF LIFE

PHIL Parkinson insists Altrincham will be a stronger side – even with the loss of talismanic top-scorer Chris ConnClarke.

- Chris Dunlavy

The skilful Northern Irishman scored 22 goals from an attacking midfield role as Alty finished fourth before losing to Bromley in the play-offs.

Subsequently named National League Player of the Year, Conn-Clarke was then signed by Peterborough for a club record fee of £350,000.

His departure left Parkinson with an almighty hole to fill, but the former Nantwich boss says the signings of Hartlepool midfielder Tom Crawford, Colne winger Lucas Weaver and Oldham forward Joe Nuttall will make Alty a better all-round outfit.

“We’ve always had players like Chris at Altrincham,” says Parkinson, below, who has overseen two promotions since taking charge at Moss Lane in 2017.

“Before him we had Ryan Colclough. Before that we had Jordan Hulme. All of them had that X-factor, that bit of brilliance.

Risks