THE MAJOR SPONSORS OF ALTRINCHAM F.C.
Main Stand Sponsor |
Family Stand Sponsor |
Shirt-Back Sponsor |
Shorts Sponsor |
Sponsors' Lounge Sponsor |
Kit Supplier to Altrincham FC |
Coach Supplier to Altrincham FC |
The Club: Members of the Blue Square Bet North
Altrincham Football Club operates as a part-time team in the Blue Square Bet North (Northern Premier League), the highest regional level of non-league football.
Known as "The Robins", the Club has a proud history, which includes knocking more League sides out of the FA Cup than any other current non-league side. (For details see below). The Club has also been a founder member of the Cheshire County, Northern Premier and the Alliance/Conference leagues as well as Conference (Nationwide) North.
Altrincham were ever-present in the National Conference (formerly Alliance) from 1979 until 1997 when they suffered their first relegation, to the then UniBond Premier League (Northern Premier). As UniBond champions in 1999 they regained their Conference national status for 1999-2000, but only for one year before being relegated again to the Northern Premier League.
They narrowly qualified for the newly formed Conference North in 2004 and went on to finish fifth before becoming the only-ever winners of a North v South play-off, in 2005, to return to the Conference National for their third spell at that level.
Despite being one of only a handful of part-time clubs, Altrincham finished a very creditable 18th in the Conference National in 2005-06, only to be deprived of any satisfaction at their achievement when they were deducted 18 points following Accrington Stanley's failure to get international clearance for James Robinson, who had joined Alty from Stanley. The deduction meant they were placed bottom of the league and relegated.
But the demise of Canvey Island and then the demotion of Scarborough gave Altrincham a late reprieve at the Conference AGM in June 2006 and they played again in the national division in 2006-07. This time, despite amassing 51 points, they finished fourth-bottom and again looked to be set for relegation. But, once again, financial shortcomings at another club saved them when Boston United were forcibly demoted to Conference North from League Two. In 2007-08 Altrincham finished 21st so faced relegation before, for the third successive year. Again, they were reprieved, as Halifax Town's financial mismanagement saw them slide into liquidation.
So, once again, Altrincham's policy of remaining part-time and playing within a fixed budget was rewarded as they continue to compete at national level, whilst remaining one of a handful of part-time clubs in the Blue Square Premier division.
In 2008-09 they finished 15th in the division and improved on this by one place in 2009-10, which were excellent performances given the club's part-time status and limited budget. But a poor start to 2010-11, saw manager Graham Heathcote agree to the ending of his contract after eight winless games in September 2010. His departure came just 24 hours after chairman Geoff Goodwin had announced his own departure. Both men had spent eight years in their positions and had overseen the club's achievement of financial stability whilst also regaining its place in the top flight of non-League football.
Indeed, Geoff Goodwin and his board, with manager Graham Heathcote, steered Altrincham FC from near financial ruin in recent years, through hard work and keeping to strict budgetary limits, to economic stability. During their eight-year tenure, not a single player cost a transfer fee. New chairman Grahame Rowley and his Board continue to operate a similarily prudent financial policy.
Assistant manager Ken McKenna, with his assistant Stuart Bimson, almost pulled off a remerkable escape from relegation but Alty's defeat on the final day of the season sent them into the Blue Square Bet Premier for 2011-12.
Manager: Lee Sinnott
Above: Chairman Grahame Rowley (left) with Lee Sinnott.
Altrincham Football Club appointed Lee Sinnott (born 1965)) as their new manager on 23 May 2011. He replaced Ken McKenna who left the club following its relegation from the Blue Square Bet Premier at the end of April.
Lee arrived at Moss Lane with managerial experience of the Blue Square Bet (Conference) North, having been boss of Farsley Celtic when they were in that division. His sustained success at the West Yorkshire club led to a move to be manager at Port Vale in 2007-08. On appointment at Altrincham, Lee had been out of football management since leaving Bradford PA in October, 2009.
Lee began his playing career at his home-town team, Walsall. His other league clubs, as a six-foot two-inch defender, include Watford, then in the top-flight and managed by Graham Taylor. Lee played in the Cup Final for the club in 1984. He has also played for Bradford City, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Scarborough. In all, he played in 527 Football League games.
He moved to Bradford City in 1987 and later returned to First Division football with Crystal Palace (under Steve Coppell) before returning to Valley Parade in 1993. Next, he signed for Huddersfield Town, where he was captain under the managership of Neil Warnock. After that, he joined Oldham Athletic before agreeing a loan move back to Bradford City.
In 1998–99, he joined Scarborough in the Football Conference, where he played for a season before retiring.
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Assistant Manager: Neil Tolson
Altrincham FC's Assistant Manager is Neil Tolson (37), who was manager of Hyde United, (now Hyde FC), till April 2011. Neil had joined The Tigers as a player in 2003 before becoming assistant manager in 2007 and then player-manager in September, 2008.
Like Lee Sinnott, Neil was born in Walsall. As a player Neil was a striker, who topped York City's goalscoring chart for 1996–97. In non-League, he has played for Leigh RMI, whom he left in January 2003 before signing for Kettering Town, but he moved on to Halifax Town shortly afterwards. He therefore brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge of the Blue Square Bet North division.
In almost 200 appearances for Football League clubs, Neil played for Walsall, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City and Chester City before his spell at York. After York, he also spent two years at Southend United (1999-2001) before he joined Leigh.
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Coach: Ian Senior
Ian was appointed Coach at Altrincham FC on 1 June 2011, having been Goalkeeping Coach at the club for a number of seasons. Ian also has vast playing experience at non-League clubs in the North-West, with his playing career including spells with Altrincham. A retired fire-figher, Ian also runs a successful sports kit supply business, SK Kits, which provides the clothing merchandise to Altrincham and a host of other clubs.
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Below, is a summary of recent management and Board changes:
| SEASON |
MANAGER |
ASSISTANT/COACH |
CHAIRMAN/BOARD |
| 1997-98 |
John King, to 5/3/98 |
Graham Heathcote, to 5/3/98 |
Gerry Berman |
| 1997-98 |
Bernard Taylor, from 5/3/98 |
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Gerry Berman |
| 1998-99 |
Bernard Taylor |
Nigel Gleghorn / Brian Kilcline, 8/98 to 11/9/98 |
Gerry Berman |
| 1998-99 |
Bernard Taylor |
Graham Heathcote, from 11/9/98, resigned 12/99 |
Gerry Berman |
| 1999-2000 |
Bernard Taylor, resigned 11/5/00 |
Stan Allan/ Owen Brown, to 5/00 |
Gerry Berman |
| 2000-01 |
Mark Ward, from 19/5/00 to 18/3/01 |
Tony Murphy, from 19/5/00 to 18/3/01 |
Gerry Berman, to 1/01; Mark Harris, from 1/01 |
| 2000-01 & 2001-02 |
Bernard Taylor, caretaker from 3/01, officially from 1/5/01 |
Graham Heathcote, caretaker from 3/01, officially from 1/5/01 |
Mark Harris, to resignation 5/02 |
| 2001-02 |
Bernard Taylor |
Graham Heathcote, to 30/6/02 |
Board resigned 24/5/02 |
| 2002-03 |
Bernard Taylor, to 14/10/02 |
Andy May, from 6/02 to 14/10/02 |
New Board, from 6/02 |
| 2002-03 |
Graham Heathcote, from 14/10/02 to 14/9/10 |
Dalton Steele, from 23/10/02 to 29/11/03 & from mid-May 2004 to December 2007. Graham Barrow from 5 January 2008 to 8 July 2009. Ken McKenna from 9 July 2009 to 14/9/10. |
Geoff Goodwin, from July 2002 to 13/9/10 |
| 2010-11 |
Ken McKenna, Acting Manager from 14/9/10; confirmed 14/10/10, to 8/5/11 |
Stuart Bimson, from 14/10/10 to 8/5/11 |
Grahame Rowley, from 13/9/10 |
| 2011- |
Lee Sinnott, Manager from 23/5/11 |
Neil Tolson, from 1/6/11 |
Grahame Rowley, from 13/9/10 |
A fuller list of managers is here.
Chairman, Board, Directors
Above, left to right: Grahame Rowley; Andrew Shaw; Derek Wilshaw; Paul Daine.
Grahame Rowley became Chairman on 13 September 2010 after Geoff Goodwin resigned on that date. Grahame had previously been vice-chairman, having joined the Board in 2002. Grahame is a local man and is a longstanding supporter of the club and for many years he has co-edited the matchday programme, with his brother, Terry. During 2010-11 Geoff generously continues to provide financial backing to the Club.
From 14 September 2010, the Board comprised: Grahame Rowley (chairman), Andrew Shaw (vice-chairman), Derek Wilshaw and Paul Daine. Andrew was appointed vice-chairman in June 2011.
The recent history of the Altrincham FC Board...
The Club has been through various upheavals in the past decade.
In late July, 2002, Geoff Goodwin, owner of the Go Goodwins coach company, became Chairman. In the previous two years the Board had seen many changes. Mark Harris had become the Chairman following the resignation in early 2001 of Gerry Berman, a Manchester businessman, who had been in charge for several years. However, Mark, who was formerly the Deputy Chairman, himself resigned w.e.f. the end of the 2001-02 season.
New Directors were appointed from February 2001 after the Club had been saved from a winding-up order threatened by an ex-Director. The remaining Board members resigned in May 2002, and the major shareholders, led by Gerry Berman, held an EGM on 17 June 2002. From this, a new Board emerged comprising Grahame Rowley, Geoff Goodwin and Andrew Shaw, who brought much needed stability to the club's operations, with a small operating profit being made in 2002-03. However, they battled hard to pay off the club's debts, which they inherited and the local council's ale of the car park at Moss Lane brought a much-needed cash injection in 2007. In summer 2006, Grahame Rowley was named as Vice-Chairman and Derek Wilshaw joined Carole Hassan and Barry Pond on an expanded Board. Derek also assumed the role of Club Secretary from Graham Heathcote. A significant step in the club's remergence at national level came when Andrew Shaw was elected to the Football Conference's national board in October 2006. At the end of May 2007, former Football League chief executive David Burns joined the Board. Sadly, David died in January 2009. Barry Pond resigned from the board at the end of 2008-09 season.
In June 2008, Carole Hassan resigned due to her other commitments, her place on the Board being taken by Paul Daine, a local businessman who owns the Premium Collections company.
Under the guidance of Geoff Goodwin the club moved from the brink of insolvency to a position of stability through a policy of financial prudence. The club refused to follow the easy path of administartion, by which the club's creditors would have been left out of pocket, and instead worked hard to return to solvency. Under his chairmanship the club consistently reported a small profit each year. Geoff resigned as Chairman in September 2010, with Grahame Rowley assuming that role. However, Go Goodwins continue to sponsor the club for 2010-11. Andrew Shaw was named as vice-chairman in June 2011.
Former Chairman Gerry Berman remained the largest minority shareholder until he transferred his shares to then Chairman, Geoff Goodwin, in April 2005. Other major shareholders for many years included Club President, Noel White and former manager John King as well as Graham Heathcote. However, in early 2005, White and King donated their shares to the Board. The Club's Associate Directors include Angus Loughran, 'Statto' of TV sports punditry fame.
Club Secretary: Derek Wilshaw
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Derek Wilshaw (right) was appointed the Club Secretary from 24 July, 2006, replacing Graham Heathcote in that position, which he had combined with managership of the club. Prior to his appointment as Club Secretary, Derek had for many years worked on a voluntary basis in the Moss Lane offices of the Football Club.
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Matchday and Company Secretary: George Heslop
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The Club's Matchday and Company Secretary is George Heslop (left), who is also the Youth team manager (see above).
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Main Sponsors
Main Shirt Sponsor - J. Davidson, Scrap Metal Processors
Back of Shirt Sponsor - Forestdale Hotels
Main Stand - Carole Nash Insurance.
Family Stand - Dunne and Gray
Away End - Carole Nash and Family
Sponsors' Lounge - Manchester Glass Ltd Sponsors' Lounge
Physiotherapist: Danny Fishwick
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Danny Fishwick joined Altrincham in summer 2011 as physiotherapist. He also works as a Sports Rehabilitator with Huddersfield Town first team and academy and previously worked at Ashton United, Northwich Victoria and Stalybridge Celtic.
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Youth Team Management
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George Heslop is the Club's Youth Team manager, as well as its Matchday Secretary (see below). With coach Neil Thomason he guided the side to the NWYA league and cup double in 2000-01 and again in 2003-04. Neil resigned in summer 2005 and very sadly died that summer at the age of 46. From 2005-06 George was assisted by Tony Spilsbury, a former Altrincham Reserves' manager. They were joined on the coaching side by Gareth Thomas in 2007. In 2007-08 the youth team were runners-up in the league but won the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup for the third successive season, representing the Altrincham & District FA. Pictured left are (l. to r) Gareth Thomas, George Heslop and Tony Spilsbury. Unfortunately, Tony had to cease his involvement in 2010 due to other commitments and Gareth also left the team. From 2010 former Youth player, Josh Collins, who had returned to the UK after a spell in US football, became coach and he was joined in 2011-12 by Ant Small. (Pictured, left to right, are Josh Collins, Ant Small and George Heslop)
George also acts as compere at club social events whilst George's wife, Jenny, runs the Club bar, shop and the weekly "Saturday Yankee" fundraiser, as well as washing the kit and assisting in the club office. In short, George and Jenny are both very popular and vital elements in the Club's on- and off-field activities.
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Groundsman
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Neil Brown was manager of Altrincham Reserves until summer 2007 when he resigned. He subsequently became manager at Leek Town and at Abbey Hey. Neil has also been coach and manager at successful local junior club, Fletcher Moss, for more than ten years and has been a scout for Liverpool FC.
Now he is the Moss Lane groundsman and he has done a superb job in making it one of the best surfaces in the Conference. Indeed, Manchester United Reserves now play at Moss Lane, with Neil's pitch being a major factor in that choice. Outside football, Neil is employed by Go Goodwins coaches. |
Community Officer: Chris Bullock
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Altrincham Football Club appointmented Chris Bullock as the club's Community Officer at the start of November 2011. Chris will be known to many Altrincham Supporters through his outstanding work with the Junior Section’s Saturday Morning Club and the various Junior teams. Chris also undertakes Schools Coaching and runs the School Holiday Soccer Fun weeks on behalf of the club. He has also played a big part in the setting up of the new open age Ladies team.
Chris focuses on developing the existing relationships that the Club has with schools and the Junior section as well as creating links with additional schools and all Junior Football clubs within the Trafford area. In time, the Club hopes to see the Community Scheme activities expand to include the setting up of initiatives involving disabled, elderly and disadvantaged Groups. It is also expected that the Community Scheme will at some time be registered as a Charitable Trust.
If anyone wishes to contact Chris about any aspect of the Club's community activities, he can be contacted on 07963 163966 , or by e-mail.<
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Club Sponsors
The club's sponsors for 2011-12 are J. Davidson, Altrincham-based scrap metal processors. They succeeded Go Goodwins Coaches, who continue to supply the club's team coach. Carole Nash Insurance sponsor the main stand as well as having their logo on the team shorts and the shirt-backs. Carole Nash and FAmily sponsor the away end terrace. Ian Senior's Sensport Kits sponsor the Youth Team kit. Browne, Dunne and Gray sponsor the Family Stand and Manchester Glass Ltd sponsor the sponsors' lounge. Foretsdale Hote4ls are sponsors of the Altrincham first team's short-backs. See the Sponsors' Page for fuller details.
For details of all aspects of sponsorship please visit the Sponsors' Page of this website or contact the club.
Sponsors' Bond
There are three sponsors' bond packages, each costing £1000 +VAT. For details contact the Club.
Presidents
President: Noel White
Hon. President: Gerry Berman
Vice-Presidents: B. Green, D. Johnson, J. Forster, D. Whipp, D. Whipp, E. Robinson, D. Ordman, N. Platt, G. Mackridge, S. Shakeshaft, P. Daine, N. Faulkner, S. Ritchie, A. Bayliss, D. Eadie, J. Evans, N, Bramley, B. Smith, B. Peters, P. Baldwin.
Life Vice-Presidents: E. Fryer, D. Baldwin, B. Coop, K. Davey, G. Heslop, B. King, D. Wilshaw, B. Pond, B. Flynn, T. Surridge, J. Crompton, C. Nash, J. Wagg, R. Armstrong, F. Nash, M. Maddox, D. Tracey
Altrincham FC Juniors
Established in 2007, in conjunction with Hale Barns United Junior FC, Altrincham FC Juniors aims to provide a link between the Football Club and junior football. For details see the Juniors FC page.
CLUB OFFICALS 2011/12
Board
Chairman - Grahame Rowley
Vice-Chairman - Andrew Shaw
Directors - Derek Wilshaw, Paul Daine
Presidents/ Vice-Presidents
President - Noel White
Honorary President - G.Berman
Vice Presidents - B.Green, D.Johnson, J.Forster, D. Whipp, D.Whipp, E.Robinson, D.Ordman, N.Platt, G .Mackridge, P. Daine, N. Faulkner, S. Ritchie, D. Eadie, J.Evans, B.Smith, B.Peters, D.Tracey, P.Baldwin, N. Saunders, J. Wilson
Life Vice Presidents - E.Fryer, D.Baldwin, B.Coop, K. Davey, G. Heslop, B. King, F. Nash, D.Wilshaw, B.Pond, B.Flynn, T.Surridge, J.Crompton, C.Nash, J.Wagg, R.Armstrong, M Maddox
Club Administration
Secretary - Derek Wilshaw
Matchday and Company Secretary - George Heslop
First Team Management
Manager - Lee Sinnott
Assistant Manager - Neil Tolson
Coach: Ian Senior
Kitmen - John Skelhorn and Luke Pickering
Medical & Rehabilitation Staff
Club Doctor - Dr Richard Parris
Physiotherapist - Danny Fishwick
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Commercial & Fundraising Officers
Sponsorship Manager - Barry Pond (left)
Lottery Manager: Jenny Heslop
Marketing Manager - Matthew Royle (right)
PR & Promotions Manager: Peter Foster
Robins' Shop - Managed by Jenny Heslop, and staffed by Dave Thorpe, Ian Boardman, Capbell McLay, Louise Gregory |
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Community & Media
Club Welfare Officers - Nigel Davis, Karen Rowley`
Club Chaplain - Rev Andrew Barclay·Watts of LifeChurch, Sale.
Community Officer: Chris Bullock
Photographer - Gavin Rathbone (who runs GR Photography)
Press and Media Officers - Brian Flynn and John Edwards
Programme Editors - Grahame and Terry Rowley
Tannoy Announcers - Steve Raftery, Andy Wilson, Ian Wilkinson
Website - John Laidlar
Matchday Officers
Safety Officer - Allison Lewis
Chief Steward - Peter Lewis
Matchday Reception - Dave Johnson, Jim Vince
Youth Team Management
Youth Team Manager - George Heslop
Youth Team Coaches - Josh Collins, Anthony Small
Bar and Catering Officers
Bar Manager - Jenny Heslop
Club Caterer - Bentley's Catering (Richie Bentley)
Catering Manager - Keith Davey
Asst Catering Manager - Dawn Abbott
Above: The Main Carole Nash Stand at Moss Lane viewed from the Hale end, with the smaller Go Goodwins Family Stand to its left.
The official ground capacity (2006) is 6,085 which comprises:
Hale End terrace: 1,434 - this is the away supporters' end.
Golf Road terrace: 1,554 - this is the home supporters' end.
Popular Side terrace: 1,774 - this is normally for home support but can be split at various points to allow away support as well.
Main Stand and vicinity 1,133 - not normally segregated.
Family Stand 190 - not normally segregated.
By Road, Public Transport or on Foot
Full Details and Map here
Moss Lane Ground Regulations
Admission Prices 2011-12
The following prices for tickets in 2011-12 have been announced.
Turnstile Prices
Standing - Adults £13; Concessions £8
Seating - Adults £15; Concessions £9
Aged 12 to 16 seated or standing - £5
Under 12s seated or standing - £2
Season Ticket Prices
Standing - Adults £225; Concessionaries £115
Seating - Adults £265; Concessionaries £125
Aged 12 to 16 seated or standing - £50
Under 12s seated or standing - £25
Please visit the club office to obtain your ticket during normal weekday working hours or ring on 928-1045. There is an application form here.
Match-Day Programme
The excellent match-day programme is The Robins' Review, edited by Grahame and Terry Rowley. It is an all-colour publication, packed with news, statistics and photographs. It sells (2010-11) for £2.00 and has previously won the Wirral Programme Society award for the Northern Premier League three years running.
Inside the Ground
When segregation is in force, the home supporters' terracing is at the Golf Road end (the end nearer to Altrincham town centre). The Golf Road End was renamed the Debbie Dawson Stand for 2004-05 as a prize in the STAR raffle and in 2006/07 by the same process it was named the Dawn Abbott Stand and for 2007-08 became the Leighton Stand. Away supporters normally use the Carole Nash Family Stand (Hale) End of the ground, which is uncovered. As shown on the adjacent plan, the Carole Nash (Main) Stand and the Go Goodwins Family Stand (formerly the Blue Cannon) are both on Moss Lane. The opposite side of the ground comprises terracing known as 'The Popular Side'. There is a licensed bar inside the ground which is open on match days before, during and after the match- this is known as the Noel White Suite. It is situated under the main stand at its Golf Road end. Also, at the Golf Road end, is the Robins' Shop (between the bar and Golf Road) as well as a purpose-built catering unit. For details of shop merchandise, click here. Also, a mobile catering unit is situated at the Hale end of the ground and toilets are to be found adjacent to this, as well as at the Golf Road end and near the main stand.
Food and drink
PLEASE USE THE CLUB BAR- IT IS OPEN FOR EVERY FIRST-TEAM GAME. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the permanent facility opened in 2008-09 at the Golf Road End and from the mobile canteen at the away end, both of which are open for all first-team games..
Room Hire
Why not hire a function room at Moss Lane? Details of this and sponsorship opportunities are here.
Altrincham F.C. History
For Terry Rowley's brief history of Altrincham F.C., please click here; see also the Archive.
Altrincham Football Club was so named in 1903, as a continuation of Broadheath FC, which was founded around 1891. (Broadheath is a southern area of Altrincham). The club has played in the following leagues:
1903-11 Manchester League
1911-19 Lancashire Combination
1919-68 Cheshire County League (founder members)
1968-79 Northern Premier League (founder members)
1979-97 Alliance Premier/Football Conference (founder members)
1997-99 Unibond Northern Premier League
1999-2000 Nationwide Conference
2000-04 Unibond Northern Premier League
2004-05 Nationwide Conference North (founder members)
2005-07 Nationwide Conference National
2007-11 Blue Square Premier (formerly Conference National)
2011- Blue Square Bet North (Northern Premier)
For Alty's league record, click the links below:
Pre-War
Post-War
Honours
For Altrincham's full historical league and cup records, click as follows
League record from 1907.
FA Cup record
FA Trophy record.
Alliance Premier League (now Conference) Champions 1979/80, 1980/81
Bob Lord Trophy Winners 1980/81
Cheshire Amateur Cup Winners 1903/04
Cheshire League Champions 1965/66, 1966/67
Cheshire League Cup Winners 1932/33, 1950/51, 1963/64
Cheshire Senior Cup Winners 1904/05, 1933/34, 1966/67, 1981/82, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2008/09
FA Cup First Round 1933/34, 1963/64, 1968/69, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1981/82, 1987/88, 1990/91, 1995/96, 1996/97
FA Cup Second Round 1967/68, 1973/74, 1982/83, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1992/93, 2001/02
FA Cup Third Round 1965/66, 1974/75, 1978/79, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1981/82, 1994/95
FA Cup Fourth Round 1985/86
FA Trophy Winners 1978, 1986
FA Trophy Finalists 1982
Manchester League Winners 1904/05, 1906/07
Nationwide (Conference) North Play-Off Winners 2004/05
Northern Premier League Cup Winners 1969/70
Northern Premier League Challenge Shield Winners 1979/80
Unibond League Challenge Cup Winners 1997/98
Unibond League Challenge Shield Winners 1998/99
Unibond Premier League Champions 1998/99
Altrincham were founders of the Alliance Premier League (now the Nationwide Conference) in 1979/80 and were its winners in the first two seasons of the competition, at a time when automatic promotion to the Football League was not in place. They failed to gain election to the League by one vote in 1980- see here. In 1997 the Club suffered its first ever relegation and for two seasons were in the Unibond Premier League (Northern Premier League). These years are chronicled in detail in Grahame and Terry Rowley's Altrincham Football Club: the Unibond Years, published in 1999. The turbulent mid-1990s are covered in Mark Harris's informative Altrincham FC: Kingdom come, published in 1995. See the full Alty league record, 1907- here.
FA Cup
Sixteen FA Cup victories against Football League clubs have been recorded by Altrincham, as follows:
1921/22 Tranmere Rovers
1965/66 Rochdale
1973/74 Hartlepool
1974/75 Scunthorpe United
1979/80 Crewe Alexandra and Rotherham United
1980/81 Scunthorpe United
1981/82 Sheffield United and York City
1982/83 Rochdale
1984/85 Blackpool
1985/86 Blackpool and Birmingham City
1988/89 Lincoln City
1992/93 Chester
1994/95 Wigan Athletic
See this site's FA Cup page for Alty's full record.
Tranmere Rovers were the first League victims of Alty, beaten 4-2 in 1921/22 in a FA Cup Qualifier.
Honourable F.A. Cup results:
Apart from the above victories, the club's most famous FA Cup results include:
1986: Birmingham City 1 Altrincham 2 (FAC3R)
This is still the most recent defeat of any First (Premier) Division team at their own ground by a non-League club in the FA Cup. David Seaman was City's keeper.
1975: Everton 1 Altrincham 1 (3rd Round) - the replay was lost 0-2 at Old Trafford.
1979: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Altrincham 1 (3rd Round) - the replay, at Maine Road, Manchester, was lost 0-3 on 16 January. The Spurs side in these matches included Osvaldo Ardiles and Peter Taylor.
1981: Liverpool 4 Altrincham 1 (FAC3R). Current Altrincham manager, Graham Heathcote, scored the Altrincham goal from the penalty spot at Anfield.
Best Gate
10,275 for Altrincham Boys v Sunderland Boys, 28 February 1925. For average annual attendances at Moss Lane since 1987, please click here.
Best Results
Altrincham beat Sale Holmfield 14-2 in the 3rd Round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup on the 5th December 1903. They also won 10-0 away at Earlestown in the FA Cup 1Q in 1963-64. Their record league win was 9-2 at home to Merthyr Tydfil in the Conference in February, 1991. Alty's 7-4 win over Nuneaton Borough on 11 November 1985 also matched this aggregate, which remains a Conference record - albeit equalled by Burton Albion 4 Telford U. 7 in 2003. Another Conference record is Altrincham's 23 games without defeat in 1990-91. Alty's best UniBond League score was 7-1 v Emley in 1997/98.
Worst Results
1-13 at home to Stretford, 4.11.1893
2-13 away v Chester, 30.11.1929
5-10 away v Ashton National, 23.3.1929
1-9 away v Crewe, 5.2.1921 and away v Whitchurch 15.12.1928
0-8 away v Rhyl, 13.9.1947, away v Runcorn 24.3.1928 and away v Crewe A. 29.9.1926.
The highest away score at Moss Lane was in the 3-7 defeat by Slough Town in October 1991. Away from home, Alty have conceded seven on 27 occasions, the last being at Morecambe on 17.2.1996. The worst home defeats in the Alliance/Conference were 0-5 by Dagenham & Redbridge in 2005/06 and 2006/07.
Runs without a win in recent times include 15 (1996-97) and 11 (1999-2000) in the Conference, and 12 consecutive defeats at the end of 1960-61 in the Cheshire County League. After the 2000 relegation, Alty did not return to the Conference till 2005, when they lost their first two games to extend their run to 13 games without a win.
Transfers
Biggest Fee Paid
£15,000 to Blackpool for Keith Russell (1998).
Biggest Fee Received
£50,000 for Kevin Ellison, sold to Leicester City (Feb. 2001).
Biggest Sell-on Fee
£75,000, being half of Ian Craney's £150,000 move from Accrington Stanley to Swansea City (2006/7)
Players Moving to the League
Click here for a list of Alty players who subsequently moved on to League football.
The Supporters' Trust: S.T.A.R. (Support The Altrincham Robins)
S.T.A.R. was established in 2002 as a supporters' trust. Its forerunner, S.A.F.E. (Save Altrincham's Football Existence) was the Altrincham supporters' association, founded in 1995 in the financial crisis engendered by chairman John Maunders's departure. S.A.F.E. helped to engineer the club's survival but disbanded in August 2003 to make way for S.T.A.R.. There is also an Alty in Exile group for those outside the Manchester or Cheshire area. S.T.A.R. was "mothballed" at a meeting in August 2008 and will be replaced during 2008 by a new supporters' association, TASC (The Altrincham Supporters' Club).
Supporters' coaches run to all away league and cup matches. Details are on the Away Travel page of this site and are also published in the SAM newspaper.
Searching this website is slightly complicated by the fact that at present, its content from the year 2000 to date is spread over three domain names. Therefore each domain name needs to be searched separately to get a complete list of search "hits".
For current material (i.e. 2005 onwards): most but not all current material is in the www.altrinchamfc.co.uk domain
For earlier material: this is either to be found in the www.lusa.u-net.com domain or the www.luso.u-net.com domain.
All three domains can be searched, separately, using the appropriate Google search box below. Make sure you check the correct button beneath each search box.
I am sorry that this is a bit messy but eventually I will get everything into just one domain. However, the above method does allow you to find everything on the site which has appeared since Spring 2000.
Counter at 1/1/2002: 69,547
At 1/1/2003: 178,589
At 1/1/2004: 296,757
At 1/1/2005: 456,114
At 1/1/2006: 697,566
At 1/1/2007: 1,001,771
At 1/1/2008: 1,385,722
At 1/1/2009: 2,036,148
At 1/1/2010: 2,648,522
Compiled by John Laidlar
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