PHIL PARKINSON admits it was “very frustrating” not to get his man after the deadline-day signing of Luke Armstrong fell through.
Harrogate Town announced before the transfer window slammed shut on Friday night that Armstrong had left Wetherby Road to join Wrexham for an undisclosed fee.
Wrexham responded by tweeting: “The club can confirm we have lodged all paperwork for the signing of Luke Armstrong, and we await confirmation of his registration.”
However, a statement on Wrexham’s official club website – released just before Saturday’s lunchtime derby showdown against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park – read: “Wrexham AFC can confirm terms were agreed to sign Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong on transfer deadline day, with paperwork submitted for his signing.
“Unfortunately, the required documentation and clearance requests could not be completed in time and his registration has been rejected.
“As a result, Luke remains a Harrogate Town player.
“The club would like to thank the player for choosing to join Wrexham earlier in the day and are disappointed that this cannot now happen (pending any appeal).”
Parkinson, looking to bring in another striker after Paul Mullin suffered a punctured lung and four broken ribs during the pre-season tour of America, admits Armstrong first became a transfer target before the campaign began.
“Right back in the summer we looked at Luke and I thought he would be a good balance to the strikers we already had in the building,” said Parkinson.
“We worked really hard to get a deal which was suitable for Harrogate and for us, and it was held up because Harrogate wanted to get players in themselves.
“It is very frustrating but we move on.”
Parkinson found there was a potential problem shortly after the window had slammed shut.
“The first I heard about a problem was 12.30am,” he added.
“As the 11pm deadline approached, there was some paperwork which had been submitted and some obviously hadn’t gone through, so a shame.
“We will analyse why it didn’t get through.
“I have got my thoughts on it but that’s life and we move on.”
When asked whether an appeal could be made, Parkinson added: “I think there would be a possibility of that but as it stands, we have been told it has not gone through, but Shaun Harvey and Fleur Robinson will have a good look at that.”
Wrexham thoroughly deserved victory against Tranmere after dominating from start to finish.
Chances went begging in the first half but fit-again centre-back Aaron Hayden headed home his first goal of the season from Tom O’Connor’s corner 11 minutes after the break to clinch three points.
“I am very pleased,” said Parkinson.
“I thought it was a strong performance from us first half, we were excellent. We passed the ball really well, got into some good positions, didn’t get a goal but we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves, we kept going.
“I felt a goal was coming but obviously the home team is going to come back into it to a certain degree but we still had enough good chances to have won the game by more.
“But 1-0 wins are important because they show a resilience, and we dug deep when we had to.
“We pushed ourselves that extra yard to make sure we got the result and like every win, it is an important one.”
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