PHIL Parkinson's promotion plans have been given a major boost after three of his most influential Altrincham players signed deals to remain at The J.Davidson Stadium next season.

Leading marksman Jordan Hulme was first to put pen to paper, and his show of commitment was quickly matched by double player-of-the-year Tom Hannigan and fellow-award-winner John Johnston.

Alty boss Parkinson hopes to tie up more of last season's squad as he bids to go one better than last season's agonising near-miss in the promotion play-offs, when, after losing Josh Hancock to a straight red card, they were pegged back by a late Chorley equaliser and subsequently lost on penalties.

He could not have wished for a better start than tying up crowd favourite Hulme, who has been a revelation since joining Alty shortly after leaving Salford City in July, 2017.

Adept at holding the ball up and turning close-marking defenders, he scored a remarkable 31 goals in 54 appearances in his debut season and was named Evo-Stik Northern Premier League player of the year, as Alty returned to the National League North as champions.

Despite missing games through injury and suspension last season, he still contributed 20 goals and 11 assists from 39 league and cup appearances and looked as sharp as any striker in the league.

Hannigan's injury worries, in the early days of his move from AFC Fylde, looked a distant memory, as he carried off both the players' and supporters' player-of-the-year awards after passing a century of appearances in Alty colours and maintaining a level of consistency that confirmed him as one of the National League North's outstanding defenders.

Johnston has had little difficulty living up to the distinction of being Parkinson's first signing as Alty manager.

A livewire, lightning-quick threat on either flank, he scored 20 goals in his first season and 14 from 41 starts in his second – a return that earned him Alty's young player of the year award and a place in the NLN team of the season.