Altrincham confirm the interim appointment of Neil Gibson having sacked manager Phil Parkinson after eight years in charge.
Alty wave goodbye to Phil Parkinson and assistant Neil Sorvel, citing poor recent form and their 20th-place position in the National League.
The club expressed gratitude for their “outstanding contribution”, and have since named Neil Gibson in charge alongside assistant Lee Jones, who previously prevented Wealdstone from relegation last season.
Gibson will take charge for Saturday’s match at Braintree, with the search for a permanent manager is underway, aligned with the club’s long-term vision, just two years after revealing exciting investment and vision of getting into the Football League.
Altrincham FC have today parted company with Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel.
The Board wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Phil and Neil for their outstanding contribution over the past nine years.
Full Statement ⤵️ | #YourTownYourClub
— Altrincham FC (@altrinchamfc) October 23, 2025
We are pleased to confirm that Neil Gibson has been appointed to lead the team on an interim basis, joining immediately alongside Assistant Lee Jones.
Full details ⤵️ | #YourTownYourClub
— Altrincham FC (@altrinchamfc) October 23, 2025
ALTRINCHAM STATEMENT:
Altrincham FC have today parted company with Manager Phil Parkinson and Assistant Manager Neil Sorvel.
Given recent form and the current league position, it is clear that results have not met expectations. The Board therefore believes a change of direction is necessary at this point in the season.
The Board wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Phil and Neil for their outstanding contribution over the past nine years. Their achievements, professionalism, and commitment have played a major role in shaping the modern-day Altrincham FC. A full tribute reflecting on their time with the club will be published on the official website in due course.
Chairman Mark Luby said:
“Phil Parkinson and Neil Sorvel leave the club in a much stronger position than when they arrived. They can rightly be proud of everything they have achieved during their tenure. Whilst making this change has been extremely difficult, we felt we were left with very little alternative given our current league position.”
A process is now underway to identify and appoint a new leadership team within the football department — one fully aligned with the Board’s long-term vision for the club.
In the immediate term, focus must turn to the crucial run of fixtures ahead and the urgent need to climb away from 20th position in the table.
Following this morning’s announcement regarding the departure of Phil Parkinson and Neil Sorvel, the club can confirm that the process to appoint a new First Team Manager is now underway.
In order to prepare for the upcoming crucial fixtures we are pleased to confirm that Neil Gibson has been appointed to lead the team on an interim basis, joining immediately alongside Assistant Lee Jones.
The pair most recently managed Wealdstone FC, where they guided the club to National League safety on the final day of last season after taking charge of a side sitting in the relegation zone in January.
Chairman Mark Luby said:
“This is a pivotal moment in the season, and a rigorous recruitment process to identify the next Manager is already underway.
As that process progresses, we’re pleased to welcome Neil and Lee to the club. The impact they had under challenging circumstances at Wealdstone was impressive by any measure, and they demonstrated clear leadership under pressure.
Neil brings strong contacts within the game, a clear outlook on performance improvement, and a proven ability to lift a squad quickly. He will have the full support of the club in stabilising performances and driving results.”
Neil was at our Egerton training base this afternoon and has already begun preparations for Saturday’s fixture at Braintree, where he will take charge of the Robins for the first time.
Speaking about his appointment, Neil Gibson said:
“I’m proud to be here. When the club shared its ambitions and the immediate challenges ahead, I felt there was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and I was excited to accept.
While the Board focuses on the recruitment of a permanent Manager, Lee and I will give everything to move this team up the table and build momentum as quickly as possible.
I know how passionate the supporters are, and I look forward to speaking with them more fully in due course and to seeing the travelling fans at Cressing Road on Saturday.”
Neil will address supporters further in an upcoming video interview.
The club will make no further comment while the recruitment process continues.
Here’s how fans reacted as Altrincham confirm an interim appointment having sacked their manager after eight years in charge…
@Bananas_WFC: A decent appointment this, good fit for both the club and the management team.
Best of luck Gibbon and Lee – with the obvious conditions attached!
@longsden: First order of business… a full and frank breakdown of our injuries. Second order of business a win on Saturday please.
@altymoore1: Stabilised the club at a very critical time when we had plummeted. Dragged us back up to the national league and came extremely close to a play off final at Wembley a few years ago. Always grateful and PP always came across very gracious in victory and defeat.
@Inter_Alty1977: Parky & Sorvs have been a great Mgmt team for Alty over the last 9yrs & have taken the club back to the National Lge & into full time footy… Some brilliant times including two promotions Footy is a result based business & it was time for a change. Thank U to both Parky+Sorvs! Welcome to Alty, Neil & Lee… Good Luck… COYR! 🔴⚪️
@Prestonoldham51: Fcukin hell lads – has Parkinson collected his belongings yet and said his goodbyes? Or is he still in the canteen?
@hughesy_alty: A very sad day, for lots of reasons. But managers rarely go out as champions. I’d like to place on record my thanks and gratitude to Phil and Sorvs for their hard work and service and the way they modernised the club. The king is dead, long live the king 🔴⚪️⚫️
@JoeHenryG: Something clearly has gone on behind the scenes, and if their playing budget had been significantly reduced (clear that selling the entire front line was done to plug financial black holes not reinvest in the squad) what could parkinson do?
@PhilHeaps3: Dear Alty Board, Applying for the Altrincham job. CV: Won Sunday League with 3 goalkeepers. Tactics: Gegenhoof – press high, panic early, hoof it. Backroom staff: Cousin Kev (nutmegged a traffic warden). Expectations: Tracksuit, playlist control, no Coldplay. Available ASAP
@Altrinchamnorge: Two absolute legends, it feels weird saying goodbye. Saving this club while we were at the lowest, and brought us back to the National League, had us dreaming about EFL football. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve given us! Things won’t be the same. All the best!
@adzio1989: Maybe if the board backed him properly in the summer we wouldnt be in a situation where we are spending silly amounts of money to get rid of him. Thank you Parky and Sorvs. Both legends.
@tom_murray456: can’t be understated how much they did for the club, we could easily still be languishing in the NPL if we’d got that appointment wrong 9 years ago. let down by this squad of players, but ultimately it’s his squad
@tomshaw43: Probably the right time but it still feels like an awful and sad moment. Parky and Neil transformed the football club in 8.5 years, taken us to heights that seemed unimaginable a decade ago and for that we should be forever grateful. A very tough act to follow
@HarryPowell300: Feels so strange seeing this. Was only a few years ago they turned down Notts County to stay. Been an incredible time with them both here, but I think everyone can agree it’s not worked and needs a change. Wish them all the best though and I’m sure a club will go all in for them
@ruddlesneil: A really sad day for all Alty fans. Two modern day legends of the club without a shadow of doubt who brought us back to where we belong. The right thing for the board to do though as 2025 has been a really tough watch & showed no signs of improvement.
@eliyerknow: Nine years is a long time in club management. Two promotions are something they can be proud of and we can be thankful for.
@Shimpa96: They’ve been amazing servants to the club and most of my best memories as an Alty fan were under the pair, but the football has been poor for a while now. Very mixed on this. The management going doesn’t change the fact that the players simply haven’t shown up so far this season.
@pottersjohn: Won’t be out of work for long. Done absolute wonders for the club. Had to sell their best players in the last few years. Wish nothing but the best for them
@PeterGNeal: Shocked. The third longest serving manager in the top 5 leagues. Expect Parky and Sorvs will have no shortage of offers. Avoid any celebrity manager who has no knowledge of non-league football at all costs. Good luck for the future.
@wozHey99: Sad day. Played some wonderful football at times but needs perhaps a new voice in the changing room. Things have stalled. They won’t be out of the game long and they too can have a fresh start.
@ianbeesley82: Incredibly sad day. Thanks to both Phil and Neil for all of your hard work, for the good times, and above all, for giving us some pride back. Up the Robins 🔴⚪️⚫️
@CookyMcCookface: What servants Parky and Sorvs have been, let down this season by a group of players who genuinely don’t appear to give a flying fuck. Charlie Kirk and chums, this one’s on you 👏👏👏
@FillyMike: Brilliant stint, glad it’s ended before it’s tarnished. Thanks for memories. Club definitely needs new energy
@catchyoulater72: Sad news but Parky and Sorvs will go down as legends of the club after all they’ve done for us since they came to the club and made some great memories for us fans but correct decision has been made .
@aaronRL96: Parky And Sorves thank you for everything you have done. From the NPL to december 2024 thank you but unfortunately it was time im not sure what changed but it was time. I will always remember everything you have done and the memories you created. Best of luck in your new club
@MarpleAlty: I honestly never thought the day would never come. Thanks Parky & Sorvs for everything you’ve done for this football club. We’ll always be grateful forever for the memories. Football is a brutal game. Good luck Parky & Sorvs with whatever comes next. ❤️
@CestrianAlty: I am gutted this has happened. I wish they could have taken Alty to the promised land of the Football League.
@jordandavies09: Makes sense but you’ve let a good manager go there. I was surprised the football league never came calling for him or if they did he showed great loyalty to you to stay.
@oneedham08: One of my favourite management team. Thank you for all the amazing memories, probably the right time. These players need to answer a lot of questions and earn their wages. Need to step up big time.
Just feels wrong, all of it. Let down by a group of shithouses. Thank you for all of it Phil and Neil, fuck this squad off asap pic.twitter.com/EOPOFm6VAj
— matt (@MattCowen45) October 23, 2025
