ALTRINCHAM have been rocked by the departure of fans’ favourite Joel Senior but have responded swiftly by snapping up highly-rated right-back Jamie Morgan from Chester.

Senior’s dramatic development under Phil Parkinson and Neil Sorvel has been a source of growing interest among Football League clubs, and the moment everyone at Alty feared finally materialised when League Two Carlisle United agreed an undisclosed fee plus add-ons to take the 22-year old to Brunton Park.

As he seized the opportunity of a third tilt at forging a full-time career in the Football League, after previously having his hopes dashed by Oldham Athletic and then Burnley, the gap was immediately plugged by another energetic, attacking right-back in 24-year old Morgan.

After putting pen to paper and being handed the number 19 shirt, Alty’s latest signing, a product of the famed Crewe Alexandra Academy, reflected on a possible Robins debut at Barnet on Saturday, and said: “If I am involved, it will be a massive occasion for me.

“I was ready for a new challenge, and it feels really good to be at such a big club with great fans and a great set-up.

‘I’m really looking forward to testing myself at this level. I do like to get forward - that is my style - but I also know the importance of defending.

“I am a right-back first and foremost, but left-back isn’t a problem, and you can put me in midfield as well, if you want.”

Looking back on a whirlwind 24 hours of transfer activity earlier this week, Alty boss Phil Parkinson said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for Joel. That’s why he came here, to progress and move forward. We took a risk on him as much as the other way round, and he has got his just reward for all the hard work he has put in.

“It is disappointing to lose one of your best players, of course it is. No one knew who Joel was before he came to us, but we have helped him develop and given him a platform to showcase his talents. We knew this was going to happen, and it was important we were ready for it.

“I have had my eye on Jamie for a very long time, because he is the type of player who will really suit us. He ticks pretty much every box we look for in a full-back. He is really attack-minded, and he has all the attributes.

“We’ve got to get him up to speed for the National League, but our fans will find him very entertaining, because he has great athleticism and he is probably more of a goalscorer than Joel.”