NEVER mind nepotism – Jordan Sinnott says playing under his dad Lee while on loan at Altrincham made an already tough environment even more testing.

The 18-year-old Town academy product and current development team captain stepped up to make an impressive first-team debut in last week’s 1-1 FA Cup fourth-round home draw with Leicester City.

It came after he made six appearances in a one-month stint at Moss Lane over Christmas.

“My dad has been a big influence on me,” said Sinnott of the man who made a century of Town appearances between 1994-97 and skippered Neil Warnock’s League I play-off winning side at Wembley in 1995, when Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-1.

“But he’s never really been hands on, so it felt a bit strange for him to become my manager.

“The rest of the Altrincham lads gave me some good-natured banter, and I knew that because of the situation I had to work extra hard to prove myself there, and I think I did that.”

Sinnott featured in Blue Square North games against Gainsborough Trinity, Brackley Town, Stalybridge Celtic (home and away), Harrogate Town and Worcester City.

“I really enjoyed my time at Altrincham, and I’m sure it benefited me,” added the first-year professional who was on the bench for Wednesday’s 1-0 Championship win over Crystal Palace back at the John Smith’s Stadium and hopes to be involved at Derby County this afternoon.

“Seeing how the players there work all day then train at night makes you appreciate what you have as a full-time footballer.

“It was very different to playing academy and development matches, particularly in terms of the grounds and the spectators being so close to you.

“Non-league football is very competitive, very physical and very important to all the people involved in it, and that gives it a real edge.

“The fans soon let you know if you’re doing something right – or more usually wrong – but I figure it’s good to have people telling you what you can do better.

“My dad has always mixed praise with giving me little pointers of what to work on, and it was great that because Altrincham’s game last Saturday was postponed, he was able to come and watch me.”

Sinnott’s FA Cup outing – the replay takes place at Leicester a week on Tuesday (7.30) and is live on ESPN with the winners earning a home clash with Premier League Wigan live on ITV on Sunday, February 16 (4.00) – means he joins a select band of players whose fathers also turned out for Town.

The most recent are Jimmy and Ian Lawson, the former figuring in Town’s two top-flight campaigns between 1970-72 and the latter making 49 appearances between 1996-99.

Billy Smith and Billy Watson were both stalwarts of Town’s triple title-winning team of the twenties.

Smith’s son Conway and Watson’s son Willie both played for Town in the early post-War years, with the latter going on to play both football and cricket for England.