Alty target becomes free agent

11:04am Friday 20th June 2008

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ALTY'S hopes of signing highly-rated left back Liam Brownhill have improved dramatically after the FA ripped up his contract at Witton Albion.

It had appeared any move for Brownhill had been scotched after he was included on Witton's retained list, meaning a fee would have been required to secure his services.

But after the 21-year-old appealed to the FA, they declared his contract invalid, making him a free agent.

Brownhill is expected to make a firm decision on his future when he returns from holiday but Alty appear to be in pole position to complete his signing.

Talks have already been held between the two parties and the England C international was rumoured to be keen to sign for his hometown club despite offers from elsewhere.

Witton were extremely disappointed to lose one of their prized assets for nothing and football secretary Graham Edgeley has already left the club as a result of the administrative error.

Edgeley was angry at a statement released by club chairman Mark Harris that attributed him with the blame for Brownhill's departure.

The statement read: "Liam Brownhill has successfully challenged the validity of the contract which was filed with the FA.

"We appealed to Soho Square, but it seems that because the offers of re-engagement which were to be undertaken by the ex-manager were not completed in accordance with FA requirements these became invalid.

"As football secretary, Graham Edgeley has accepted responsibility for the administrative error, but the board backs him fully. We must now draw a line under this and move on."

But Witton's loss could be Altrincham's gain and if Brownhill were to arrive at Moss Lane, he could finally provide a solution to the left back problem that has plagued the club for the past three years.

Brownhill made more than 130 appearances for Witton and looked set to stay at the club next season until manager Jim Vince's acrimonious departure at the end of last season.

The full back's swift rise to prominence was capped last year when he was selected for England C, the non-league national team, as the only player from outside the three Blue Square divisions.