Altrincham say farewell as non league gem joins Peterborough for six figure sum

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Altrincham say farewell as non league gem Chris Conn-Clarke joins League One side Peterborough United for a six figure sum.


Peterborough United has signed midfielder Chris Conn-Clarke from Altrincham for an undisclosed fee, reportedly around £350,000. The 22-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the League One club, with an option for an additional year. Conn-Clarke, who was named Non-League Player of the Year, is seen as a significant addition to Peterborough’s attacking lineup and is expected to further develop his skills at the club. The signing has been met with excitement from Peterborough fans and praise from various football commentators, highlighting the club’s reputation for nurturing talent from non-league football.


Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) tweeted: “Delighted to announce the signing of 22 year old attacking player Chris Conn Clarke from Altrincham FC on 3 year (plus option year) deal for high six figure sum. Non league player of year & will be a great addition to our attacking ranks & to our young squad @theposh fans 🔥”










PETERBOROUGH STATEMENT:


The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Chris Conn-Clarke for an undisclosed fee from National League side Altrincham, with the 22-year-old penning a three-year deal, with an option for an additional year, after completing the formalities at the idverde Training Ground this afternoon.


The Northern Ireland U21 international scored 22 goals in 47 appearances for Altrincham in the National League during the 2023/24 campaign. Starting his career at Glentoran in Northen Ireland, he moved to Premier League side Burnley in 2018 before moving to Fleetwood Town in 2021, taking loans at Chorley, Waterford and Altrincham before making the move to the Robins permanent in June 2023, signing for a club record fee.


Following confirmation of the signing Posh boss Darren Ferguson was delighted to get the deal over the line and is excited to have the player on board for the new campaign. “Chris is a player we have liked for a while and despite having to fight off a lot of interest from elsewhere we are pleased to have secured his services for the new campaign. He has all the attributes to step up to League One level after a fantastic season in the National League and I’m sure he will be a brilliant acquisition for the Club. I’m looking forward to working with him.”


Conn-Clarke, or Cricky as he’s known, can’t wait to get started here at Posh. “I spoke to the manager; he gave me a fantastic presentation on how he sees me fitting into the team and why he wanted to bring me to the Club. Once I’ve completed pre-season, I’ll set my targets for goals & assists and try to hit them but really I want to stamp my authority on the team and hope the fans enjoy watching what I do.


“You can see what this football club does with young players, they make them better, and that’s what I want. The manager loves working with young players and being here gives me the best chance to improve myself and kick on further.


“I had an amazing time at Altrincham but unfortunately, we didn’t quite get over the line losing in the National League play-off semi-finals. But I’m fully focused on doing all I can to achieve my goals here at Peterborough United and can’t wait to get going.”




ALTRINCHAM STATEMENT:


Chris Conn-Clarke has landed the chance to relaunch his career in the Football League after Peterborough United won the race to sign him by agreeing to pay Altrincham an undisclosed club record fee.


Alty bosses stuck to their guns over a valuation for the brilliant attacking midfielder, in the face of growing interest from a host of admirers, and were rewarded for holding their nerve when League One Peterborough finally came up with a figure that was deemed acceptable.


The 22-year old was given permission to visit London Road, and after talks over personal terms were successfully concluded, he put pen to paper to become a Peterborough player.


“Thanks to the gaffer for believing in me, trusting and giving me the platform and guidance to perform each week,” Chris said.


“A big thanks to Sorvs and the rest of the staff for giving me all the support. To my team-mates for sticking by me and giving me the best chance to help the team and to the amazing fans – you’ve been a joy to play in front of.”


It marks the end of an eventful chapter in the Northern Ireland under-21 international’s career after he made a favourable impression in an initial loan spell at Alty and then stepped it up in spectacular style after returning to The J.Davidson Stadium from Fleetwood Town on a permanent deal last summer.


Clearly benefitting from the expert tutelage and man-management skills of Phil Parkinson and Neil Sorvel, Chris illuminated the Vanarama National League with a stunning individual contribution that proved key to the Robins capping a memorable campaign with a fourth-place finish.


“It’s a very proud moment for myself, the outgoing Rob Esteva, Neil and all the staff who are all involved with the development of a player, to see them move on to bigger and better things,” said manager Phil.


“The club will get a decent fee and be recognised as a place that helps people develop, get back on track and progress. Everyone wins, exactly how it should be. Good luck CCC.”


He tormented opposing defences with his ability on the ball, scoring 22 goals along the way, and when those same clubs who had been on the receiving end acknowledged his stunning exploits in Alty colours by voting him National League player-of-the-year, the club sensed that holding on to him was going to be more difficult than ever.


So it proved, as offers and enquiries started flooding in, with Peterborough finally seeing off the competition after manager Darren Ferguson identified him as an extra injection of flair that could make a difference next season, as the Posh bid to go one better than their recent promotion near-miss.


After the impact he made on Alty fans, the club did their utmost to keep him, but Co-Chairman Lawrence Looney admitted it was always likely to be a losing battle, as he said: “We are extremely sorry to see Chris go, but he leaves with our best wishes and gratitude for the impression he made on all of us in what was an unforgettable campaign last season.


“We would loved to have kept him, but the downside of having a player who lights up the stadium to the extent that Chris did last season is that it tends to get noticed. The list of clubs showing an interest in him as the season wore on grew longer and longer, and it soon became clear there was likely to be only one outcome.


“We were adamant he would not be allowed to leave on the cheap. We set a valuation that was fair and reasonable, and I think clubs began to realise we meant what we said. To be fair to Chris, he fully understood our stance, which spoke volumes for him and gave an indication of how much he enjoyed and valued his time with us.


“He deserves the opportunity to play at a higher level, and we didn’t want to stand in his way, provided the move was right for us as well as him. That is how it has worked out, and we will be following Chris’ fortunes in League One with great interest next season. He leaves some great memories behind, and there’s every reason to believe he will create more for himself at his new club.”




CONN-CLARKE’S MESSAGE TO ALTRINCHAM:


DEAR Altrincham Football Club, I want to say thank you to everyone involved at this brilliant club from the top to the bottom. Everyone has been a pleasure to work with, from the board all the way to the fans.


Thanks to the Gaffer for believing, trusting and giving me the platform and guidance to perform each week.


A big thanks to Sorvs and the rest of the staff for giving me all the support I’ve needed to keep improving day in day out.


I would like to thank my teammates for sticking by me and giving me the chance to help the team the best way I can, scoring and assisting goals.


To the fans you have been amazing this season and it’s been a joy to play in front of you all, I will always be an Alty fan. Now it’ll be the first result I look for after my games.


Me and my family have been made to feel part of the Altrincham family and I can only thank everyone involved who helps support me on and off the pitch.


It really is a special place, Up the Robins!




















PHIL PARKINSON’S MESSAGE TO CONN-CLARKE


IT’S the statement no Alty fan wanted to hear but all knew was coming. Yes I’m afraid to say Chris Conn-Clarke has moved on.


It’s a very proud moment for myself, the outgoing Rob Esteva, Neil and all the staff who are all involved with the recruitment and development of a player to see them move on to bigger and better things.


That’s why we’re all in this job, I’d like to think all the lads who come through this Football Club go away nine times out of ten better players and most importantly to me better people.


Good people make for good players!


All Chris has needed is a manager who was willing to build a team around him. Once he had the structure and the belief was back, his ability was there for everyone to see.


He’s had a huge year, him and his partner Daisy have had their second child; Delilah-Rose. He won almost every non-league award going, but the most prestigious one for me was the National League Player of the Season. He then secured his move to the perfect team who have a track record of developing young non-league players and moving them on again.


The club will get a decent fee and be recognised as a place that helps people develop, get back on track and progress. Everyone wins, exactly how it should be.


Good luck CCC!



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