Report by John Edwards
Picture courtesy of FC United of Manchester

Altrincham have significantly increased their goal threat up front after signing free-scoring striker Regan Linney from FC United of Manchester for an undisclosed fee.

If has been a busy week of transfer activity at The J.Davidson Stadium, but it could hardly have ended much better for the Robins than in welcoming Regan to the club ahead of Saturday's big home clash with Vanarama National league title favourites Wrexham, screened live on BT Sports and kicking off at 5.20pm.

Alty bosses have been monitoring the 25-year old centre-forward's unstoppable form on a regular basis and are delighted to have secured the signature of a player who has been consistently lethal in his four seasons at Broadhurst Park.
Preston-born, he began his career down the road at Bamber Bridge, where, after being fast-tracked through the Academy ranks, he broke into the first team at 17 years old.

He joined FC United at the beginning of July, 2019 and immediately hit the ground running as a bustling centre-forward with a flair for taking defenders on and an unerring eye for goal.

Though injury severely restricted his availability in his second year at Broadhurst Park, he has still managed to amass, over the course of the-and-a-half seasons, an enviable record of 61 goals from 133 appearances in FC United colours and has never been more prolific than in the current campaign, hitting the target 25 times in 33 games.

Last September, a Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division game at Liversedge was in the balance when Linney blitzed the West Yorkshire side with a stunning hat-trick inside just eight second-half minutes.

Asked about his hat-trick heroics after FC United's 4-0 win, the 6ft 1in striker said: 'I'm happy with that. I knew I'd get to the ball just before their keeper for the first and probably get clattered by him, but all I was thinking about was slotting it away.

'It wasn't bravery. I just think any striker would do that, especially when you want to score as many goals as you can to help your team. With the third, it was more a case of placement from the edge of the box, and it went into the bottom corner, so I was delighted to help the boys win with that one.'

A strong, forceful runner whose direct style has caused endless problems for opposing defences in recent seasons, Linney added another hat-trick to his tally at Ashton United last April, this one taking him just over 20 minutes, and has spearheaded a promotion campaign this season for FC United, who are currently seventh in the Premier League table, two points off the top five.

He arrives at Alty in prime form, after scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Nantwich Town a week last Tuesday and bidding farewell to FC United fans last Saturday by laying on an opportunity Dontai Gabidon converted in a 1-1 draw with Warrington Town at Broadhurst Park.

The warmest of welcomes to The J.Davidson Stadium, Regan, and all the best for a happy and successful time in Alty colours.