Words John Edwards

Phil Parkinson has ensured Altrincham will head into next season with a trio of top-class full-backs after snapping up exciting prospect Sam Reed from Sheffield Wednesday.

The 6ft 2in left-sided defender has become Alty's third new arrival of the summer, after Keaton Ward and Billy Sass-Davies, and his signing gives Phil high-calibre options at full-back in the wake of Lewis Banks and Tylor Golden both recently extending their stay at The J.Davidson Stadium.

In an AltyTV interview that will be aired here on the club's website shortly, 22-year old Sam outlined the all-action style of play Robins fans can look forward to witnessing as he said:

"I'm comfortable playing multiple positions because I'm quite athletic and I like to think I'm all right on the ball, but I do mainly operate at left-back.

"I'd say I'm quite a progressive full-back, driving with the ball and trying to get forward whenever I can. I'm always looking to take people on and get shots off.

"I feel the defensive side of my game is very strong as well, but, whenever the opportunity is there, I will get forward and get crosses into the box.

"When the gaffer spoke to me about joining Alty, he said he likes his full-backs to get forward and progress with the ball, and that's just what I wanted to hear. People see that as the modern-day full-back's game, and it's certainly the way I like to play. I'm really looking forward to getting started."

Phil is understandably delighted with the way Alty's squad is taking shape, and he welcomed his latest recruit to the club by saying:

"Sam is a young up-and-coming left-back who we have signed from Sheffield Wednesday after I monitored him all last season.

"He is so versatile, he will suit us down to the ground. He is your modern-day full-back - he can invert or overlap and he has great physicality.

"He's got bags of potential, and, being left-sided, he will give us balance when called upon at left-back. We now have great strength in depth in that area, three vying for two spots, which is exactly what we are looking for."

Sheffield-born and a lifelong Owls fan, Sam came to Wednesday's attention as a teenager at Brighouse Town, where his 39 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign earned him a place in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East team of the season and a dream invite to Hillsborough two months later.

He started out with the under-21s but was soon knocking on the first-team door and seeing it open for a senior debut as a 65th-minute substitute in an Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Coventry City in February last year, a moment he described as "a bit surreal."

After spending the second-half of last season on loan at Vanarama National League North Scarborough Athletic, he became a free agent - and that was the cue for Phil to make his move and secure a signing he feels will excite Robins fans in the coming campaign.

A warm welcome to The J.Davidson Stadium, Sam, and all the best for a happy and successful time in Alty colours.

*Watch out for the AltyTV interview with Sam, which will be broadcast in full here on the club's website and shared on our social media channels, and also for more squad-related news as and when we have it.

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 at Moss Lane.