Parky's Alty Are Back And Ready To Make Up For Lost Time

Taking over double-relegation victims Altrincham, the Sports Science lecturer needed strength of character as well as strength of mind.

Twelve months on from saying yes, leaving behind a stable job at Nantwich Town, he has no regrets taking on the task of rebuilding a club which appeared to be crumbling.

“It was something I felt I had to do,” he told us. “It was a challenge, I knew it would be and I want to challenge myself. I trusted my judgement, you've got to back yourself and your gut instinct.

“It’s all about progression. This isn’t a hobby - this is more than just a job on the side. It’s a career and I want to go as far as I can.

“I knew if I got into the club early we had a chance to rebuild it and put it back in the right direction. Yes, there were times people may have thought ‘blimey, he’s bitten off more than he can chew here’ but it’s a wonderful club with great people attached to it.

“I had a feeling we could have a good season and get back into the National League, but I didn’t think it would go as well as it did.”

It certainly did go well. Winning the Evo-Stik NPL Premier by 13 points, they developed a stylish game which had supporters cursing the season’s close.

Altrincham powered back, their absence just one year and lessons well learned.

“I think the club became a little too comfortable,” he added. “Players probably stayed longer than they should have and the I needed to clear the decks.

“Players have to look at themselves sometimes. I had no hesitation in moving many on, we needed a fresh start and we needed to start over. It’s nothing personal, but when you come in to a club you need everything to be right and everyone heading in the right direction.

“We had a fantastic season, made a bit of history and now we can’t wait for August.”

But what can Parkinson’s side hope to achieve in the National League North?

“I think we could surprise a few people,” he added. “As everyone knows this is a division where every other week you are playing against big clubs.

“The number of former Football League sides in the North is incredible really. It’s a big challenge each and every week.

“They say there are no easy games in football, but sometimes there are. But not next season, and not in this league.

“What we have in our favour is that we are used to winning matches. It doesn’t matter if you have the best players on your team sheet, if they aren’t in the habit of winning games then sometimes it’s very difficult.

“We have that, so it’s all about carrying on from where we left off. It’s exciting.”