Words John Edwards Picture Jonathan Moore

Owen German is returning to Alfreton Town to continue gaining valuable experience of competitive first-team football at Enterprise National League North level.

Altrincham's young midfield prospect earned himself a Derbyshire Senior Cup winner's medal and plaudits aplenty after spending the second half of last season at the Impact Arena.

Now he is heading back to bolster Billy Heath's squad in a loan deal that will run until the New Year, and Phil Parkinson is convinced it can only benefit the combative central midfielder and help him take another step towards fulfilling his rich potential.

"Owen is going out to Alfreton to continue his development," said the Alty boss. "We feel it is invaluable to him at this point, rather than stagnating while waiting for an opportunity.

"He had a month's-worth of game time in the National League North while he was at Alfreton last season, and feel we want to build on that and continue his development by playing, rather than sitting around. That will be much better for him, and we wish him all the best with Alfreton."

Several other clubs had already profited from Owen's energy and composure on the ball in earlier loan spells when he answered a call from Alfreton manager Billy Heath in February and helped them to the safety of a 14th-place finish in the National League North.

In addition, he signed off in style after coming as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock in a tightly-fought Derbyshire Senior Cup final against Buxton at the SMH Group Stadium in April with an effort that was superbly saved in a goalless first half.

When the scores remained blank in the second 45 minutes, the final went to a penalty shoot-out that Heath's side won 4-3, enabling Owen to return to The J.Davidson Stadium with a medal to his name.

Now he is returning to the East Midlands to spend the rest of the calendar year accumulating more minutes in the division immediately below Alty's, and everyone at the club wishes him all the very best in his latest loan venture.