Words John Edwards

Altrincham's management team has been significantly strengthened after former Norwich City and Bolton Wanderers defender Marc Tierney was appointed as the club's new Director of Football.

Marc fills a position that has been vacant since Rob Esteva stepped down due to work and family commitments, and he brings with him a wealth of experience and know-how from a playing career that embraced all four top divisions of the football pyramid and a spell in what is now known as the Vanarama National League.

When injury curtailed his playing days, he began studiously acquiring knowledge of how a sporting directorship works, through study and shadowing those already in the role, and he was welcomed to The J.Davidson Stadium by Co-Chairman Bill Waterson, who said:

"I am delighted to welcome Marc to Altrincham as our new Director of Football. As we continue to chase our ambition of a place in the Football League, Marc will bring to bear all of his extensive experience, his footballing network and his already evident drive and determination. He will bring a fresh perspective in support of the National League's strongest management team."

Salford-born and a product of Oldham Athletic's youth system, Marc made nearly 80 appearances for Shrewsbury Town and over 70 for Colchester United as a left-back who could also operate in central defence before landing a move to Norwich City, where he helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 2011.

It was during his time at Oldham, when he was farmed out to Carlisle United on loan in what was then the Conference that he learned a few home truths he feels will stand him in good stead for the role he now fills with Alty.

"When I reflect on my playing career and look back on the weeks and months I spent in the Conference at Carlisle, it reminds me of something I always spell out whenever I speak to players," he said. "It's all glitz and glamour in the Premier League, but it doesn't happen by chance. It takes a lot of hard work to get there, but it is achievable if you have not only ability but the drive and determination to make it happen and a willingness to make sacrifices.

"That's what happened with me. I never stopped working at my game, regardless of the division I was in, and when Norwich were promoted, I made it into the Premier League and achieved my dream of playing at Old Trafford in front of 70,000-plus. You always have to aspire to something, set your targets and do everything you can to achieve them."

Marc can be heard discussing all things Alty, in particular Joseph Adams' No Limits challenge, when he appears on talkSPORT along with Joseph's dad Phil at about 2.30pm this afternoon.

Helping manager Phil Parkinson and his coaching and backroom staff build on the giant strides that took the Robins into last season's play-offs is a prospect that excites the 39-year old, who described his transition from player to Director of Football by saying:

"Initially, I had some time away from the game, because the broken leg that ended my career took a bit of getting over. I qualified for the Republic of Ireland through my grandmother, and the injury happened just as I was getting word of a call-up from the manager Giovanni Trapattoni. On top of that, it needed five operations to put it right.

"When I decided I wanted to get involved again, I came back into it with a fresh pair of eyes. I called on a few contacts and arranged to shadow scouts, sporting directors and others working in recruitment to get an idea of how that side of the game worked.

"In addition, I spent 18 months doing a masters in sporting directorship under the tutelage of Dr. Ian Lawrence at The Etihad complex, which gave me a real insight into how clubs are run at so many different levels.

"Having done all that and gained first-hand experience of the role, I feel I am in great shape to work alongside the management team at Altrincham, a club that is going places and has a real buzz about it after the progress that has been made on and off the pitch over the past couple of years.

"It goes without saying that the relationship with the manager is key, and from the moment I first stood in front of Phil, I knew we wanted the same thing for the club. We spoke in a quite matter-of-fact way to learn more about each other, our thoughts and ideas about the way forward, and it was clear there was a mutual respect.

"I see my role as helping Phil and his management team in any way I can, continuing to strengthen that relationship and making sure everyone is working in alignment for the greater good of the club. We all have the same expectations and ethos.

"What Phil has done over the past couple of years has been exceptional, and the aim now must be to keep making the club better by getting the best out of each other and working closely together.

"Last season's achievements haven't gone unnoticed. They have created a momentum that has spread through the town and the community. You can feel it, and right now is a great time for pushing on, building on that momentum and on the buzz that is so evident at the club.

"It's a tough league to get out of, and we may have to manage expectations to a certain extent. But I have never been in a league and not tried to get out of it, and I know that, as a group, that is an objective we all share."

Listen out for Marc and Phil Adams on the Hawksbee and Jacobs show on talkSPORT Radio this afternoon, and, if you are not already a LoyAlty member, now is the time to join.

As well as all the other benefits of membership, there will be an exclusive Q&A with Phil Parkinson and Marc for LoyAlty members, hopefully in the next month or so. Click here for details of how to join.