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Altrincham FC
2018-19 First-Team Squad.

For the official 2018-19 team photos, see the official site of Altrincham FC.

For details of the 2017-18 squad, click here.


First-Team Squad Members, 2018-19

For players who left the club during the season see the list of Departed Players at the foot of this page.



PHOTO/SQUAD NO.
GOALKEEPERS
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Steven DRENCH (d.o.b. 11 September 1985 in Salford)

Altrincham signed experienced and reliable goalkeeper Steven Drench from Bradford (Park Avenue) on 28 January 2019, following the Yorkshire club's unexpected decision to allow players to leave. After starting out at Blackburn Rovers (2005), where he now works as a coach, Steven played for Morecambe (2006-08) alongside Alty assistant manager Neil Sorvel when the Shrimps gained promotion to the Football League. Next, he joined Southport (2008-09), and subsequently followed Port manager Gary Brabin to Cambridge United on loan.

After leaving the Sandgrounders he signed for Leigh Genesis where he played 45 times (2008–10). A trial at York City came to nothing and, instead, he joined Guiseley, racking up well over two hundred appearances and earning promotion, before moving on loan to FC Halifax Town and then to Bradford PA in 2017, following former Lions' manager Mark Bower to the Horsfall Stadium.

He made his Alty debut against FC United of Manchester on 9 February 2019 but after two further games Steven was sidelined by injury.

Altrincham appearances to June 2018: 0.

Anthony THOMPSON (d.o.b. 4 November 1994 in Liverpool)

Liverpudlian Tony Thompson made his first appearance for Alty in a pre-season game on 8 July 2017. In 2016-17 he had played on loan from AFC Fylde for Warrington Town but he started out with Rotherham United (2012), from where he had loan spells with Chelmsford City and Southport in 2014-15 before he joined Morecambe, where he played one League Two game. Later in 2015-16, he moved to Chester FC before joining AFC Fylde in 2016. The early part of 2017/18 saw him sharing first-team duties with Tim Deasy but he soon established himself as the regular first choice for the remainder of the season.

However, he lost his place to Elliot Wynne before the end of August 2018, but won his place back, only to lose it again in February 2019 when Steven Drench was signed. However, an injury to Drench enabled Thompson to reclaim his position.

Altrincham appearances to June 2018: 49.

Elliot WYNNE (d.o.b. 6 November, 1997)

Before signing for Altrincham in late July 2018, Elliot had previously impressed when playing against Altrincham for Abbey Hey in the Emirates FA Cup in 2017. He was also Lancaster City's keeper when Alty won 2-1 at The Giant Axe in April 2018. As a teenager (2012), Elliot was with Oldham Athletic before moving on to Rochdale.

From Spotland, he joined AFC Fylde and later he gained a junior scholarship at Fleetwood Town, from where he went on loan to Lancaster City and Glossop North End. Next he joined Gorton club, Abbey Hey, where he played in 2017-18 season. Elliot won his place as first-choice keeper in late August 2018 but gave way to Tony Thompson in October. On 4 January 2019, it was announced that Elliot had gone on a month's loan to Trafford FC and this was extended in early February.

He returned to Moss Lane in early March 2019.

Altrincham appearances to June 2018: 0.

 
DEFENDERS
Shaun DENSMORE (d.o.b. 11 November 1988, in Liverpool)

Signed initially on a month's contract on 12 September 2008, Shaun is a former Everton Academy Player of the Year, who was released by the Toffees in summer 2008. After trials with Bradford City he joined Altrincham. A hardworking right-footed defender/midfielder, Shaun made his Alty debut on 16th September 2008. On 13 October 2008 he signed on for the rest of 2008-09 season, having impressed in a run of seven unbeaten games in the side.

The son of former Altrincham player of the 1980s, Peter Densmore, Shaun followed his father into the England semi-pro international side and scored on his debut for England "C" side against Malta in February, 2009. sadly, he picked up a medial ligament injury in February 2011 which sidelined him till the latter part of the season but he returned to full fitness before the end of the season.

A regular starter in 2011-12 in central midfield, Shaun was named captain on the departure of Robbie Lawton in November, 2011, a role assumed by Jake Moult in 2017. Most of his appearances have been at right-back but he is also impressive in midfield and a capable left-back. His wholehearted approach and his excellent freekicks make him a key member of the team. His 2014-15 season was disrupted by injuries as was 2015-16 when he suffered two significant injuries by mid-October and in early January 2016 it was announced that a knee operation would terminate his season. He also missed much of 2016-17 through injuryl.

Following the resignation of manager Neil Young on 28 August 2016, Shaun, along with Alan Goodall and Jake Moult, was appointed to a joint caretaker-management role before the brief tenure of Jim Harvey. Shaun made a welcome but brief return to playing action on 6 December 2016 in the FA Trophy but was then sidelined again by injury for much of the remainder of that campaign. In 2017-18 he initially started mostly played as left-back, alternating in that role with Lewis Short, before re-establishing himself at right-back with some outstanding performances. By the closing stages of the season he was back to his best but an injury curtailed his appearances in the final games and another injury early in 2018/19 season also sidelined Shaun.

2018/19 saw Shaun mainly in a substitute's role in which he was extremely dependable.

Appearances to June 2018: 341(+21), 26 goals.

Connor HAMPSON (d.o.b. 23 August, 1992)

A tall left-back who can also operate as a central midfielder, Connor joined Altrincham, initially on a month's loan, from Stockport County on 2 November 2017. He had been at Edgeley Park since February 2017, when he had joined from Curzon Ashton, but injury sidelined him before the end of the 2016-17 season at County. Connor had previously been at the Tameside Stadium since 2011. His impressive performances for Alty prompted an extension of his loan period into 2018. He missed several games in the Spring through injury before returning for the run-in where he played well at centre-back.

A broken hand kept him out of the side during August and September 2018 before he returned to be a regular starter at left-back.

Appearances to June 2018: 24, 1 goal.

Tom HANNIGAN (d.o.b. 30 June 1988)

Tom Hannigan, who was the captain of AFC Fylde, joined Altrincham on 23 May 2016. A very reliable central defender, Tom had joined AFC Fylde in summer 2014 from Vauxhall Motors who were then in Conference North. In his first season with Fylde he was named "Manager’s Player of the Season". Earlier in his career, Tom was released by Tranmere Rovers, aged 16, and then studied for ‘A’ levels before completing a degree at Hallam University.

He made his Altrincham debut on 6 August 2016 at home to Darlington. Sadly, Tom picked up a knee medial ligament injury in only his second competitive game and was ruled out for a sunstantial period. His season was further disrupted by suspension and another injury, in Spring 2017, which terminated his season. However, he recovered to start the 2017-18 campaign and put in some assured performances before injury again sidelined him in late October 2017. However he again recovered and his consistency and experience was an important factor in Alty's strong run-in for the league title.

2018/19 saw him again as first-choice centre-back. Appearances to June 2018: 52(+5), 5 goals.

Ben HARRISON (d.o.b. 29 October 1990)

Ben Harrison is a centre-back who signed for Altrincham, from Nantwich Town, on 16 May 2017. Previously he had enjoyed a lengthy stay at Witton Albion, where he racked up more than 200 appearances. Earlier he had played for two other Cheshire teams, Barnton and Lostock Gralam. He had a brief spell at AFC Telford United early in the 2015/16 season before returning to the Dabbers in September 2015. Ben soon impressed with his reliable performances in pre-season and the season proper. Having been an ever-present, a knee injury sadly curtailed his season in April 2018.

Unfortunately, the knee injury recurred in a reserve game in August 2018 and Ben faced a lay-off before signing dual registration forms and playing for Trafford FC. After returning to Altrincham, hee suffered a recurrence of his injury at FCUM and that sidelined him again. On 18 March 2019 it was announced that Ben had gone to his former club, Witton Albion on a one-month loan.

Appearances to June 2018: 44, 2 goals.

James JONES (d.o.b. 13 March 1997)

James, a 1.83m centre/right-back, who spent 2016-17 at Welsh Premier club The New Saints, played as a trialist for Alty in July 2017 but, in August, decided to try his luck elsewhere. However, he returned to Altrincham in time to make his debut on 23 August 2017.

Before joining Altrincham, James had spent three seasons with Welsh premier club The New Saints, moving through from their Academy to first team. His first season at Alty was slightly curtailed by a hamstring injury shortly before the end of the campaign. 2018-19 saw him as regular partner for Tom Hannigan at the heart of the defence.

In 2018-19 he was a virtual ever-present after reclaiming his position from Liam Goulding. Appearances to June 2018: 31(+4), 3 goals.

Andy WHITE (d.o.b 8 October 1992)

Andy was signed on 21 December 2017 from Southport, having previously played under manager Phil Parkinson at Nantwich Town. He made his Alty debut on New Year's Day, 2018. Andy can operate as a full-back or wing-back on either flank and won Nantwich's Player of the Year award three seasons running and was named in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Team of the Year for the second successive time in 2017.

Andy moved from the Dabbers to Southport in summer 2017. Two-footed Andy played at both right- and left-back during 2018 and for 2018-19 was a regular starter at right-back. Appearances to June 2018: 16(+3), 1 goal.

Ross WOODCOCK (d.o.b 25 September 1998)

Ross's signing was announced on 13 September 2018. Having progressed through the Crewe Alexandra youth system, he had a loan spell at Alsager Town in 2016-17. Ross was released by the Gresty Road club in summer 2018. After signing for Alty his first appearances were in the Reserves and, on dual registration, for Trafford FC. Appearances to June 2018: 0.

 
MIDFIELDERS
Yusifu CEESAY (d.o.b 21 March, 1995 in Barcelona, Spain)

Altrincham became pacey forward Yusifu's fourth National North club this season when he arrived on loan from Blackpool on 6 February 2019. This immediately followed a month's loan at Nuneaton, whilst earlier in the campaign he had also spent loan spells at Boston United and AFC Telford United. Earlier, Ceesay had first emerged at Sporting Khalsa, in the Black Country, before a move to Alvechurch.

Blackpool signed him in September 2018 before loaning him out for spells at the three National League clubs mentioned above, as well as a couple of months back at Alvechurch in autumn 2018. At Alty he operated primarily on the left-wing. Appearances to June 2018: 0.

Callum DOLAN (d.o.b. 29 September, 2000)

Callum Dolan made his debut as a used substitute in midfield against Curzon Ashton on 23 February 2019. He started out with Manchester United and his former clubs include Blackburn Rovers, where he was on a scholarship deal (2017). He made two appearances for Rovers that year. In 2017-18 he played for Blackburn's Academy side.

By late 2018 he was playing for Stockport Town, where he won the Macron First Division South Player of the Month award in December of that year.

Appearances to June 2018: 0.

Mason FAWNS (d.o.b, 10 January, 1999 in Manchester)

Mason's youth football was played at Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic, where he made four first-team appearances for The Latics. From Spotland he had a loan spell with Ashton United and then with AFC Fylde (from January 2018 to the end of that season) before joining Curzon Ashton. He joined Altrincham from The Nash on 6 February 2019. After two appearances from the bench, Mason was playing for Trafford FC by early March 2019. Appearances to June 2018: 0.

Dontai GABIDON (d.o.b. 15 February 2001)

A left-back or left-winger with the youth team, the pacy Dontai made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Winsford United on 21 March 2018. His league debut came as a substitute at Hereford FC on 3 November 2018.

Altrincham appearances to June 2017: 0.

Josh HANCOCK (d.o.b. 5 September, 1990)

Signed from Nantwich Town in May 2017, Josh is a midfielder who came through The Dabbers' youth set-up before moving on to Winsford United (2009-10). Next, he joined Witton Albion and made more than 150 appearances and scored some fifty times.

He next joined AFC Telford United before a return to Witton, which preceded a move to Salford City and then a return to Nantwich Town in January 2016. He started the season at Alty with four goals in his first six appearanes in league and cup matches and remained the leading scorer for the club in the league into mid-November. He continued to be a vital member of the team to the end of the season, weighing in with important goals.

By March 2018 he had become the club's leading scorer in the league with 14 goals.

Appearances to June 2018: 49(+3), 20 goals

Max HARROP (d.o.b. 30 June 1993 in Oldham)

A lively and skilful winger, who is also a capable central midfielder, Max joined Altrincham on the eve of the opening game of the 2017-18 season. His career had begun with Liverpool FC's Academy, before he moved to Bury, where he made his Football League debut in March 2011. At the end of that year he went on loan to Blyth Spartans. After returning to Gigg Lane, another loan followed, at Hinckley United.

After he had been released by Bury, he joined Nantwich Town in the summer of 2013. However, he left for Ashton United in March 2015 but, at the start of the following campaign, he was at Ramsbottom United. However, he rejoined Nantwich in 2016. His energetic performances and long-range shooting soon made him a popular figure with supporters of Altrincham.

His regular starts were curtailed by injury in February 2019.

Appearances to June 2018: 26(+13), 5 goals.

John JOHNSTON (d.o.b. 28 September 1994)

John Johnston was manager Phil Parkinson's first signing in mid-May 2017. A tricky right-winger, with electrifying pace, John finished 2016-17 season at Salford City, a club he had joined in 2016. His career started at Kidsgrove Athletic, before he moved to Leek Town in July 2013.

His good performances at Harrison Park led to a move to Crewe Alexandra in January 2014 but they immediately loaned him back to Leek till the end of the 2013-14 season. John's form was rewarded when he was named as the Evo-Stik League First Division South Young Player of the Year for 2013-14. In that same season he actually played against Alty when Leek won at Moss Lane in the FA Trophy.

At the end of November 2014, Crewe then loaned John to Alfreton Town who, in January 2015, signed him themselves. A month's loan to Salford City came in January 2016 and he signed for the Ammies later in 2016. A loan spell under Phil Parkinson at Nantwich followed before he was recalled to Salford. Four goals in his first six competitive appearances endeared him to the Altrincham faithful and his mercurial performances on the wing were a continual source of entertainment. He has also converted several penalties for the team.

2018-19 again saw his energy and dribbling skills being a vital part of the team. Appearances to June 2018: 50(+3), 20 goals.

Jake MOULT (d.o.b. 10 February, 1989)

Lee Sinnott signed midfielder Jake Moult on a 93-day loan from Alfreton Town in late August 2012. Previously, Jake had been a summer trialist at Altrincham in 2008. Born in Stoke on Trent, he joined Alfreton on 1 July 2010, before which he had been with Stafford Rangers. His earlier career was with Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle. Jake is also a very capable centre-back when required.

In early November 2012, Jake formally moved to Altrincham on a free transfer, signing a contract to the end of 2013/14 season. He is the brother of former Wrexham, Motherwell and now Preston North End striker Louis Moult and Jake himself has a powerful shot. He was rewarded for his consistently good performances in central midfield with the 2014-15 Players' Player of the Season accolade.

Jake captained the side for much of the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

Following the resignation of manager Neil Young on 28 August 2016, Jake, along with Shaun Densmore and Alan Goodall, was briefly appointed to a caretaker-management role before Jim Harvey took over. In advance of the 2017-18 season Jake was appointed team captain and led them to success with many committed performances. In October 2018 he passed the 300-appearances mark for the Club.

Appearances to June 2018: 260(+27), 29 goals.

Simon RICHMAN (d.o.b. 2 June 1990 at Ormskirk)

Midfielder/winger Simon Richman is a product of the Bolton Wanderers' academy and the Port Vale youth system. He broke through into the Valiants' first team in League One in 2007-08 and made 48 League appearances for them in all, mostly in 2008-09 in League Two, when he was voted the club's Young Player of the Season. Simon then suffered a groin injury which kept him out of action for several months and, though he made five first-team League Two appearances for Vale in 2009-10, he was released at the end of that campaign. In summer 2010, he had trials with Southport and Worcester City, before joining City and making eight league appearances in the Blue Square Bet North.

Simon became Lee Sinnott's first signing at Altrincham in summer 2011 but his early Alty career was marred by injuries and illness. Having mostly played in right midfield, Simon completed the campaign in central midfield, a position he also played in during 2012-13. Summer 2013 saw him as an integral part of the Great Britain Universities' team which won the silver medal in the world games in Kazan, Russia.

His energy in midfield is an important feature of the team. Outside football, Simon has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Manchester.

His 2015-16 season was disrupted by an injury in late August but he then re-established himself as a regular starter. 2016-17 also saw him as a regular starter, though some games were missed through injury. Early 2017-18 also saw him miss games through injury before re-establishing himself as a regular starter. Towards the end of that season he played impressively at right-back as well as in midfield.

Simon figured chiefly as a substitute during the early part of 2018-19 season and was briefly injured in late September 2018. Appearances to June 2018: 231(+49), 18 goals.

Sean WILLIAMS (d.o.b. 20 January 1992, in Liverpool) )

Sean rejoined Altrincham on 21 May 2018, having first signed for the club, from Colwyn Bay, in May 2014. Prior to that, he had another spell with the Bay, and had also played for FC Halifax Town where he was part of their promotion squad from Conference North. Earlier, he also spent time with Stockport County, Vauxhall Motors, Hyde and Skelmersdale United.

After 25(+12) appearances for Altrincham, Sean was surprisingly released by Altrincham at the end of the 2014-15 season and, like his ex-Alty team-mates Kyle Perry and David Parton, he joined Hednesford Town for 2015-16.

By the start of 2016-17 season he had moved on to AFC Telford United but, in mid-November 2016, he signed for Warrington Town where he became an important figure in their reaching the promotion play-offs in 2017-18. Sean was impressing in the Alty midfield when his season was interrupted by injury in late October 2018.

But after returning to fitness he reclaimed a starting place.

Appearances to June 2018: 25(+12) 0 goals.

 
FORWARDS
Matthew CHADWICK (d.o.b. 27 October, 1992)

Altrincham's signing of Matthew, a left-footed striker, was announced on 1 March 2019. Some ten days' earlier he had stated that he was leaving Ashton United, where he had enjoyed two spells. In 2018-19, before joining Altrincham, he had made 21 appearances for the Hurst Cross side, netting seven times. He had previously played for several clubs in the Tameside and Manchester area, including Stalybridge Celtic, Mossley, Chadderton, Radcliffe Borough and Salford City.

His debut was delayed by whiplash injuries from a car accident.

Appearances to June 2018: 0.

Ben ELLIOTT (d.o.b. 8 May 2001)

A graduate of the Altrincham youth team, Ben first made a mark in pre-season 2018 when he netted twice at Rhyl. After a substitute's appearance in the Cheshire Senior Cup, his first inclusion in the first-team squad was at Boston United on 5 January 2019 when he was an unused substitute. Before that, two goals in a mid-season friendly at Alsager Town in December 2018 had further enhanced his reputation.

Altrincham appearances to June 2018: 0.

Jordan HULME (d.o.b. 23 November 1990)

Jordan Hulme signed for Altrincham on 13 July 2017, just after he had left Salford City where he had scored ten times and provided eleven assists in 48 appearances in 2016-17 in National League North. The previous season he had netted 18 times in 54 appearances for the Ammies.

Jordan's earlier clubs include CMB Sports Club, Walshaw Sports Club, Shevington, Padiham, Ramsbottom United (2012) and New Orleans Jesters (USA). At Ramsbottom, he had scored more than thirty goals in 100 or so appearances before following the Rams' management duo of Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson to Salford City in January 2015.

A versatile player, at previous clubs he has turned out as a right-winger and right-back, as well as striker. By mid-November he had established himself as Alty's leading scorer in all competitions and crowned a fine season as Alty's top scorer, breaking the 30-goal barrier, and the NPL's Player of the Season.

He started 2018-19 with seven goals from eight starts before being suspended for a game and then missed further game time with a persistent eye problem. Nevertheless, he netted nine times in his first ten games of the campaign.

However, a flurry of yellow, and two red, cards meant that he missed more than a quarter of the club's first 30 fixtures in 2018-19 through suspension. Appearances to June 2018: 52(+2), 31 goals.

James POOLE (d.o.b. 20 March 1990, in Stockport)

James Poole is a 5ft 11inch inside-forward who Altrincham signed from Salford City on 16 May 2017.

He started out at Macclesfield Town (2005) before spending five years on the books of Manchester City (2006-11) where he was in their FA Youth Cup winning side. Whilst at City he had loan spells at Bury (2010) and Hartlepool United before signing for the North East coast club who were then in League Two. He made almost a hundred appearances for Hartlepool (2011-14), which preceded a spell at Bury in 2014–2015 season.

Whilst at Gigg Lane, he made five appearances on loan in the Conference for Dover Athletic. James then joined Salford City, in September 2015, and scored regularly for the Ammies. He missed the opening game of the 2017-18 season through a suspension but soon started to make impressive performances after that. However, injury caused him to miss a few games in September 2017, before he re-established himself as an inventive number ten. But a knee injury ruled him out for the closing month or so of the championship-winning campaign.

James was not fit to re-start the season 2018-19, following an injury in late 2017-18 season. He finally made a league start in the 13th league game of 2018-19 before missing the next ten fixtures. He then appeared as a late substitute at Boston on 5 January 2019. James went on loan to Hyde, to regain match fitness, in January 2019, but picked up a hamstring injury which further delayed his return to action for Altrincham.

Appearances to June 2018: 34(+2), 13 goals.

Joe THOMPSON (d.o.b 11 January 2000)

Joe's signing was announced on 13 September 2018. He was previously on the books of Crewe Alexandra. After netting for both the Reserves and, on dual registration for Trafford FC, Joe's first inclusion in an Altrincham first-team squad was as an unused substitute in the FA Cup versus Whitley Bay on 22 September 2018. On 11 October 2018 it was announced that Joe had signed dual registration forms with Winsford United. Appearances to June 2018: 0.

 
DEPARTED PLAYERS & STAFF - 2018 close season and during 2018-19
See Departed Players/Staff 2018-19
  • Lloyd BANNISTER
  • Owen DALE (loanee)
  • Brendon DANIELS (loanee)
  • Bay DOWNING
  • Anthony DWYER
  • Liam GOULDING
  • Callum HARRIS
  • Sam HEATHCOTE
  • Ashley HEMMINGS (loanee)
  • Josh LANGLEY (loanee)
  • Kallum MANTACK
  • Sean MILLER
  • Tom PEERS
  • Joe PIGGOTT (loanee)
  • Chris SANG (loanee)
  • Billy SASS-DAVIES (loanee)
  • Charlie SCOTT
  • Laurence TAYLOR
  • Nathan WATERSTON (loanee)
  For details of last season's squad (2017/18), visit the 2017/18 Squad Page