Ceesay’s pace made him a huge hit with Altrincham fans during two loan spells from SkyBet League One side Blackpool, and Parkinson was quick to secure him for the Robins’ return to the National League next season after being alerted to his availability.

The Alty boss was just as decisive about identifying 34-year old Sutton’s pedigree in non-League’s top-flight - and the division above - as the ideal defensive reinforcement in the wake of James Jones’ move to Barrow AFC.

Ceesay (pictured) scored 3 goals in 13 appearances in an eye-catching initial loan, but a recurrence of hamstring trouble in last September’s 5-0 home win against Leamington cut short his second spell at Moss Lane.

Stoke-born Sutton, a no-nonsense six-foot defender, started his career in Crewe Alexandra’s renowned youth academy and turned professional in the summer of 2005 before joining Stafford Rangers in 2007, following two successful loan periods there.

The 34-year-old returned to the professional ranks with Port Vale in 2010 and was snapped up a year later by Mansfield Town.

After helping the Stags reach the Conference play-off semi-finals in his debut season, he was a mainstay of their return to the Football League as champions in 2012/13.

League Two was a step up he took in his stride, so much so that he was voted Mansfield’s player-of-the-season in his final campaign at Field Mill before joining Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal in May 2015.

The Birkenhead club had just been relegated from the Football League, but Sutton played a key role in their return to League Two in his second season at Prenton Park.

He signed for League Two Morecambe in January last year and made 19 appearances for the Shrimps but was released recently at the end of his contract.