Peterborough United recently made an attempt to sign Chris Conn-Clarke from Altrincham, but their initial offer was turned down by the National League club. The prolific striker, who scored 23 goals last season, has attracted attention from multiple clubs, including Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, after an impressive campaign in the fifth tier of English football.
Conn-Clarke’s performances have been remarkable since he joined Altrincham last summer. Despite limited appearances for his former club Fleetwood Town, he quickly became a standout player at Altrincham, contributing to 35 goals and leading the league in dribbles. His exceptional form has naturally drawn interest from higher-tier clubs looking to bolster their squads.
Altrincham’s failure to secure promotion via the playoffs, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Bromley, makes Conn-Clarke’s move to the Football League seem inevitable. Manager Phil Parkinson has expressed his doubts about retaining the talented forward, acknowledging the difficulty in preventing a step up for such a promising player.
Peterborough United, known for their keen eye on non-league talent, have a history of nurturing players from lower leagues and turning them into stars. Past successes include players like Dwight Gayle, Aaron McLean, and Craig Mackail-Smith. The club hopes that Conn-Clarke can follow in the footsteps of these former non-league gems.
The club’s strategy has consistently involved identifying and developing talented players from outside the top four tiers. With Ephron Mason-Clark’s recent departure to Coventry City for a substantial fee, Peterborough is keen to find a new talent to fill the void. Conn-Clarke seems to be the latest target in their ongoing mission to bring the best of non-league football into the professional ranks.
As the transfer window progresses, Peterborough United will likely continue their pursuit of Chris Conn-Clarke, aiming to secure the dynamic forward and enhance their squad for the upcoming season. Their track record suggests they are well-equipped to integrate and develop non-league talents into effective EFL players.
