TRANSFER NEWS: Neil Young is celebrating a double transfer breakthrough for Altrincham after beating a host of rival clubs to the signature of Fylde skipper Tom Hannigan and also landing tough-tackling midfielder David Lynch from Clitheroe.
New Alty boss Young pounced for Hannigan as soon as he heard Fylde’s decision to go full-time was at odds with the 27-year old centre-back’s work commitments.
He wasn’t alone in offering Hannigan a fresh start but was able to announce a major coup for his rebuilding programme at The J.Davidson Stadium after the highly-rated defender accepted the offer of a two-year deal to become the cornerstone of a new-look backline.
Reflecting on a hectic spell of transfer talks that ended with Hannigan and former Burnley, Workington and Clitheroe midfielder Lynch bolstering a reshaped, rapidly-expanding Alty squad, Young said:
‘David is a hard-working, tenacious midfielder who had an excellent season last season at Clitheroe. At 22, he fits the profile of what we are looking to do, and he is very keen to come in and do well.
‘Tom is a significant signing for us and is the type of experienced player we have been looking for to help the younger lads we have recruited and will continue to recruit.
‘Tom has captained AFC Fylde at this level for the last three years and only recently missed out on promotion. I know (Fylde manager) Dave Challinor was very keen to keep him, but due to a change in their status to full-time, combined with Tom’s work commitments, the chance arose to sign him.
‘I’m very happy that Tom has chosen us ahead of a number of other clubs to play his football for the next two seasons.’
Hannigan joined Fylde from Vauxhall Motors, where he not only skippered the side but was shortlisted for non-League player of the year at the North-West Football Awards in 2013.