Portsmouth summer triallist finally lands new club after clinching move to promotion chasers
The Selsey goalkeeper started his career at Fratton Park before progressing elsewhere into the Football League
He answered John Mousinho’s pre-season SOS - now the former Pompey Academy player has finally found himself a new club permanently.
Harry Isted was back at Fratton Park in the summer with the Blues short of training goalkeepers following Josef Bursik’s injury and Jordan Archer’s departure.
Rendered a free agent following his exit from Forest Green Rovers, the 29-year-old was contacted by goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo over helping out in July.
As a consequence, Isted joined ex-Crawley stopper David Robson in training alongside Nicolas Schmid and Ben Killip, while also accompanied Pompey on their week-long training camp at Fota Island, Cork.
The former Barnsley man left the Blues shortly after their return to England, with Daniel Bielica lined up to arrive from NAC Breda.
Since then, Isted has trialled at Colchester, was approached by Sutton, Carlisle and Hartlepool and recently spent a month at Charlton covering for the injured Will Mannion.
Moved to high-flying National League side Altrincham
Now he has clinched a short-term contract with high-flying Altrincham, who presently have goalkeeping coach Andy Firth playing due to injury to first choice Owen Evans.
The former Chichester High School For Boys pupil was on the bench for Tuesday night’s 1-0 victory at Gateshead, which keeps them third in the National League.
And he has a deal until January to prove his worth after a hugely frustrating time.
Manager Neil Gibson told Altrincham’s official website: ‘We are really happy to have been able to get Harry into the building on a short-term deal and I'm really thankful for the support of the board in getting Harry over the line.
‘He's a goalkeeper with a lot of experience and hunger, has played in the EFL and also knows the National League level well having played for Forest Green last season.
‘A special mention for Andy Firth, who's played very well in recent games, deputising for Owen Evans. Andy's a very good goalie at this level, but his role is very much as goalkeeper coach first and foremost.
‘Because of that we feel it's too long a period, with Owen's absence, to expect Andy to play week in, week out for the next few months, while also carrying out his other important roles at the club, hence the addition of Harry to the group as we look to continue with our winning run and the positivity built up over recent weeks.’
Isted, who hails from Selsey, started his career at Fratton Park in the same team as Conor Chaplin, Brandon Haunstrup and Josh Sims, albeit initially as a centre-half.
After leaving Pompey for Southampton at the age of 13, he went on to represent Luton, Charlton, Barnsley and Burton in the Football League.