ALTRINCHAM have rejected a bid from a Football League club for Ryan Colclough and praised the way he responded to the decision with a brilliant, point-saving performance against Woking on Saturday.

Alty dismissed the unnamed League Two club’s offer as ‘nowhere near’ meeting their valuation and were delighted when the winger brushed aside any uncertainty by spearheading a dramatic late fightback at The J.Davidson Stadium.

A glancing header by Colclough reduced Alty’s two-goal arrears, and the ground erupted in the 85th minute when he drove forward down the left and lashed an unstoppable rising drive into the roof of the net before celebrating with fans behind the goal.

“A League Two club approached us about Ryan, but they didn’t come close to our valuation of him,” said Alty director Rob Esteva.

“It’s going to happen that if you have a player of Ryan’s ability, playing as he has been, there will be interest.

“It’s never ideal, and it can have an unsettling effect, but the way Ryan responded on Saturday with a performance that lifted the team, the fans and the whole club speaks volumes for his commitment to Altrincham, his maturity and his development as a person on and off the field.

“When he left Scunthorpe and came to us, there was a cloud hanging over him, in the form of a pending court case.

“We knew about that. We sat down with him, listened to him, made it clear we understood what he was going through and said we were there for him, ready to help in any way we could.

“That cloud lifted with the case being thrown out, and I think it’s fair to say he is repaying the faith and trust we placed in him.

“Likewise with his commitment to us during the January transfer window.

“The players, and everyone else at the club, look to him for inspiration in moments like that, because he has it in him to produce something special and turn a game our way.

“Fifteen goals and eight assists in 55 appearances since joining us is an outstanding return from out wide.”