Words John Edwards

Phil Parkinson has significantly bolstered Altrincham's midfield for next season by making out-of-contract Boston United powerhouse Keaton Ward his first new signing of the summer.

Keaton will be familiar to Alty fans after his 78th-minute strike last September sparked an unlikely comeback for 10-man Boston at The J.Davidson Stadium, as they overturned a 2-0 deficit to force a 2-2 draw.

He was familiar to Phil Parkinson long before that, as the gaffer explained after swooping for the all-action Mansfield-born midfielder and installing him as a key component of next season's quest for honours.

"I'm really pleased to have got Keaton over the line," he said. "He is a player I have monitored for a number of seasons now after first becoming aware of him when I was looking at Ali Smith at Mansfield.

"He caught me eye during that period, and I have watched him develop and grow ever since.

"It's a little bit like Regan Linney, in that I have had to wait for the opportune moment, and it is fortunate that our need for someone like him has coincided with his being available now. The timing is perfect.

"He is a really threatening, attacking centre-mid who has goals and assists in him. He will fit us perfectly and bring us a different dimension to what we have had in that position previously.

"He is very tenacious and aggressive, a real ball-winner, but, above all, he has excellent qualities.

"He is a bit of a set-piece specialist from free-kicks and corners as well. A lot of the assists he created during his time at Kettering Town and Boston were from corners and free-kicks, so this signing is one that can really enhance our overall play and improve our goal threat on a number of different fronts.

"I hope everyone can tell that I'm absolutely delighted Keaton has decided to join us. One of the big reasons I was so keen to get this over the line was his enthusiasm for our club, the style of play we favour and his desire to pull on an Alty shirt."

After working his way through the youth ranks at his home town club, Keaton spent two years with Barnsley before returning to Field Mill in March 2021, going on to make 15 appearances for the Stags before signing for Kettering in the Vanarama National League North.

He clocked up 45 appearances in his debut season there but was unable to prevent the Poppies being demoted, as they finished an agonising one point behind Southport, Blyth Spartans and Farsley Celtic in the final relegation slot.

An imposing six-foot-tall presence in central midfield, the 25-year old moved on to Boston in the summer of 2023 for an undisclosed fee and wasted no time making an impact with the Pilgrims.

He marked the end of his first season there by hauling them back into the National League North promotion final at Brackley Town with an equaliser in first-half added time that spurred them on to a 2-1 win, thus booking their place back in non-League's top flight.

He recently informed staff at the Jakemans Community Stadium that he was ready for a fresh challenge - and that was all the encouragement Phil needed to step in and convince him Alty was the place to meet it head-on.

Welcome to The J.Davidson Stadium, Keaton, and here's wishing you every success in your time as an Alty player.

To purchase your 2025/26 Altrincham FC Season Ticket and join us for the next chapter at The J.Davidson Stadium simply click here and get ready for another season of exciting football on Moss Lane.