Alty end left back search

5:29pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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ALTY'S seemingly neverending search for a natural left back has finally reached a conclusion after they completed the signing of Halifax Town's Matt Doughty.

Manager Graham Heathcote has been seeking a left-sided defender since his side returned to the Conference in 2005 and Doughty himself has been a target for two years.

But the 26-year-old finally decided to make the trip across the Pennines after the demise of Halifax, filling a huge gap in Alty's squad.

"The important thing is to have a balanced left-footed player in the side and that's what Matt brings us," Heathcote told SAM Sport.

"He can play at full back and on the left side of midfield so he'll be an important signing for us. The only left-footer we've had in the past couple of years has been Warren Peyton.

"I've been chasing Matt for two years but both times he decided to stay on at Halifax as a full-time player. The situation at Halifax forced a rethink and luckily he decided to sign for us."

Warrington-born Doughty started his career at Chester after signing professional terms aged 16.

A highly-rated young prospect, Doughty quickly broke into the first team at the Deva Stadium, making 70 first team appearances before moving to Rochdale in 2001.

After establishing himself as first-choice left back at Spotland, he began to attract the attention of several bigger clubs, including Southampton, who even offered Doughty a trial.

But a broken leg hindered the defender's development and he was not offered a new contract when his three-year deal at Rochdale came to an end in 2004 after more than 100 appearances.

A move to Halifax followed and Doughty played more than 120 games at the Shay before the club's demise paved the way for his departure this summer.