13 August 2014
UNDER-13 PLAYERS NEEDED URGENTLY!
Dave Johnson writes “Altrincham U13 Piranhas are looking to recruit players for the upcoming season. Would any interested parents or players please contact Dave Johnson by e-mail or by ringing 07717-884195”.It is important that prospective players please contact Dave within the next seven days.
SATURDAY YANKEE JACKPOT NOW £3,750
The Altrincham FC Saturday Yankee now has a £3,750 jackpot, to be won for a £1 stake. Last week's winning combiation was 0606, which was an unissued code. However, two members each won £75 for winning trebles.TASC GOAL RUSH, 2014-15
TASCs Paul salt writes, "Many thanks to all those supporters who have re-pledged their goal sponsorship in the TASC Goal Rush Scheme for the 2014-15 Season.We are still looking for further participants to help us achieve our target of £30 per goal scored in total.
For those who are not sure how the scheme operates, the scheme is simple. Anyone can sponsor the mighty Robins for any amount they wish in multiples of 25p per goal for each goal they score throughout the 2014-15 season in all the Vanarama Conference League and play off matches, FA Cup, FA Trophy and Cheshire Senior Cup matches.
For example, if Altrincham score a total of 75 goals in the 2014/15 season, for 25p sponsored per goal you would be paying £18.75 for the whole season.
For every tenth goal scored, each sponsor will be entered into a free draw based on one entry for each 25p sponsored, i.e If you agree to donate 50p per goal, you receive 2 entries, £2.00 per goal receives 8 entries etc.
The lucky winner of each draw for every 10th goal will have the choice of one of three prizes. These are (1) TWO FREE TICKETS for a forthcoming home league game, (2) FREE AWAY TRAVEL for one person to any away game on the TASC organised coach or (3) A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH of the winner with their favourite Altrincham player
In addition there will be the end of the season draw for TWO PRIZES of a signed shirt and matchball.
Should the total amounts pledged exceed £30 and Altrincham score 100 goals in the 2014-15 season, the Chairman has again agreed to provide a free season ticket for the 2015-16 season in addition for the end of season draw.
Application forms will be available from the TASC table located in the Noel White Suite before the home matches v. Lincoln City on Tuesday evening and Bristol Rovers on Saturday".
TASC NEwSLETTER
Paul Salt advises that "The latest edition of the TASC Newsletter will be available for collection from the temporary TASC desk, located in the Noel White Suite before the home matches v Lincoln City on Tuesday evening and Bristol Rovers on Saturday".VANARAMA CONFERENCE NEWS
The Football Conference reports that "Neil Aspin, manager of FC Halifax Town, has agreed a new deal to stay with the Shaymen, having signed a new two-year contract. His previous contract had a year to run, but with a change in Aspin’s full-time employment and with the continued success of the team under his guidance, a new two-year contract has been agreed.With it, Aspin goes full-time and will be involved in more activities within the club. The Board of Directors congratulated Aspin on a very successful five seasons at the Shay Stadium, which include three promotions, two play-offs and the excitement of bringing Charlton Athletic to the Shay Stadium for a live ITV broadcast FA Cup tie".
Meanwhile, "Martin Allen, head coach of Barnet, has signed midfielder Adam Mekki. Mekki left rivals Aldershot Town in June after failing to agree terms on a new deal. The 22-year-old came through the club's youth academy...
Mekki, who was on the books at Aldershot for eight years, made a total of 100 appearances for the Hampshire outfit... and had loan spells with the likes of Oxford City, Carshalton Athletic, Dorchester Town and Basingstoke Town."
The Essex Chronicle confirms that "Matt Paine is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in Braintree's 1-0 defeat to Macclesfield on Saturday.
The versatile midfielder and defender is likely to be out for six weeks, joining new-boy Charlie Strutton on the injury list. Centre-back Remy Clerima and striker Sean Marks may also miss tonight's home fixture with Dover Athletic.
Clerima is struggling with a thigh injury, while Marks is trying to recover from a back problem. With Paine injured, Mitch Brundle is set to make his debut for the Iron as he is likely to partner Alan Massey."
NW NEWS
According to the Daily Express, "Manchester United have warned all supporters they will not be able to bring iPads or any other tablet devices into Old Trafford this season. There has been a tendency for fans to record matches on the Apple gadgets and the club are worried about copyright being breached.United have now warned fans about their new policy with an email... It read... 'Supporters cannot bring large electronic devices (bigger than 150mm x 100mm) inside the stadium. For example, iPads or other tablet devices and laptops are now prohibited. “Also please be aware that large bags, large cameras and liquids (with the exception of a small bottle of water with the top removed) are included in our list of prohibited items.”
12 August 2014
NEW LOOK "ROBINS' REVIEW"
Joint Press & Media Officer, John Edwards, writes that "Altrincham launch their home programme against Lincoln City tonight, and there is a new-look Robins' Review to mark the occasion, packed with even more articles, features and interviews.On top of the usual manager's notes from Lee Sinnott and Captain's Chat with Shaun Densmore, there's a Q&A with a member of the first-team squad, beginning tonight with promotion play-off final matchwinner Greg Wilkinson, and a comprehensive round-up of all the opening-day Vanarama Conference action.
Additionally, there is a special Roll of Honour, listing Alty players who lost their lives in the First World War, as part of a feature entitled '100 years ago - the forgotten season.'"
The Robins' Review is on sale inside the J. Davidson Stadium at just £2.50.
ALTRINCHAM v LINCOLN CITY: MATCH COVERAGE
As shown above, the pitch at the J. Davidson Stadium is ready for its first competitive game, Altrincham v Lincoln City, following a summer of hard work from groundsman, Neil Brown.
You can follow the match via minute by minute updates on this website (from as soon as the teams are named) or by tuning in to Radio Robins (see below).
Click on the appropriate icon-link below to go to your preferred means of following the game. For Twitter and Facebook links see the side panel, right.
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Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, will be broadcasting full live coverage of Altrincham's first home Vanarama Conference fixture at the J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night, when Lincoln City are the visitors.
The match commentary sponsor is Altrincham F.C. Community Sports Ltd, which is the umbrella organisation that manages the club's community activities. The main project for 2014 is the new Community Sports Hall, which is currently under construction. You can find out all about that at the Community Sports Hall website.
The commentators are Niall Finnegan and Paul Salt, with John Edwards as match summariser.
Coverage starts at 7.35pm ,with the game kicking off at 7.45pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com (via the above link)
Mike Garnett kindly provides us with the statistical record between Altrincham and Lincoln City:
- At Altrincham p2-w1-d1-l0-f3-a2
- Away p1-w0-d0-l1-f0-a5
- All games p3-w1-d1-l1-f3-a7
BEFORE THE GAME
The Lincolnshire Echo reports that "Gary Simpson says Conference Premier new boys Altrincham will be out to prove a point against his Lincoln City side tonight... However, their debut in non-league’s top flight ended with a 3-1 defeat at Aldershot Town...And Simpson believes they will be out to show they can cut it in the top tier when they entertain the Imps tonight (7.45pm).
'I think things have set themselves up to make this far from straightforward,' said Simpson. 'They were beaten on Saturday and now they are playing their first home game tonight. There will be a lot of pride on the line for them. No games are easy in this division, that’s a given, but the circumstances make this one more interesting... I think we can be pleased with the point against a [Kiddermnster] team which has been talking about winning the title', said Simpson.
'The lads did very well defensively but, if there was one criticism, it was that we didn’t probably create enough... The most important thing was that we got off the mark. Altrincham haven’t done that, so they will be ready to get up and get at us tonight'.
Simpson has no fresh injury worries ahead of tonight’s game, but there are still concerns over a number of players. Sahr Kabba, Karl Ledsham and Todd Jordan are all still not 100 per cent ready, while Tom Miller is also stuck on the sideline with a knee injury which is set to keep him out for six weeks. Kabba, Ledham and Jordan all joined in training on Monday. However, Jordan could not complete the session.
Simpson admitted... 'I think Kabba has about 20 minutes to half an hour in him at the moment', said Simpson... 'We need to be sensible and manage the squad that we have'.”
MIDWEEK GAMES
Tuesday, 12 August- Through the Years. by Howard Watts.
- AFC Telford United v Macclesfield Town
- Altrincham v Lincoln City FC
- Braintree Town v Dover Athletic
- FC Halifax Town v Southport
- Forest Green Rovers v Chester FC
- Grimsby Town v Nuneaton Town
- Kidderminster Harriers v Alfreton Town
- Torquay United v Welling United
- Woking v Dartford
- Wrexham v Gateshead FC
- Barnet v Bristol Rovers (8pm)
Thursday, 14 August
- Eastleigh v Aldershot Town
HEAR AND WATCH THE ALDERSHOT GAME
The Radio Robins commentary on Aldershot Town v Altrincham is available here.
And, Aldershot Town have video highlights of the game.
Right: Nicky Clee and Steven Gillespie in action at Aldershot.
OLD BOYS
Duncan Watmore was a used sub for Sunderland against Udinese at the weekend. Both Kevin Ellison and Jack Redshaw netted in Morecambe's win on Saturday.Former Alty Youth Stuart Cook has moved from Salford City to Northwich Victoria.
CONFERENCE NEWS
NL Daily reports that "Nick Townsend admits Paul Farman will put him under pressure to maintain his place as Lincoln City's first-choice goalkeeper.Townsend was between the posts on Saturday as the Imps kept a clean sheet in their opening game...at home to Kidderminster Harriers. However the 19-year-old, who is on a season long loan from Birmingham City, admitted... 'I have got to keep my game up. I cannot let it drop,' said Townsend. 'Things will be picked up on and Farman will be behind my back. He's going to push me and I'm going to push him... But as a goalkeeper in these situations you have got to be together with them'".
Elsewhere, Vinny Mukendi has moved from Southport to Nantwich Town.
The BBC tells us that "Lincoln City and Kidderminster Harriers played out an opening-day goalless draw... the first ever 0-0 draw between the two Conference teams.
Lincoln City manager Gary Simpson told BBC Radio Lincolnshire, 'I thought we played pretty well in the first half, we just needed the goal. We had a few opportunities cleared off the line but if we'd got the goal then we'd have gone on. In the second half they got the wind, the way they play is always difficult to play against and we ran out of ideas a little, they sat back and denied us the space to pass through them and made it more difficult for us'"
The BBC reports that "Manager Steve Burr has said Chester have to take responsibility after their 5-0 loss at home to Barnet on Saturday. Chester, who were reduced to 10 men, conceded three goals in the first half and missed a penalty.
'In all my time in football, that 45 minutes was hard to take', Burr told BBC Radio Merseyside... 'I think everything that could go wrong in the first 45 minutes in a football match did go wrong for us', the 54-year-old continued... 'It won't be difficult to lift them because they are all disappointed at how things have gone'".
Saturday's visitors to Altrincham, Bristol Rovers say that manager "Darrell Clarke is hoping to see a little bit more quality on the ball when Rovers travel to The Hive to take on Barnet on Tuesday night...
He said, 'I thought Saturday’s performance was a little bit edgy, understandably, but... [it was] pleasing to get a clean sheet. I am looking for better quality on the ball'...
He said, 'They [Barnet] have got a very experienced manager... Martin Allen knows the league very well, and he knows Barnet very well, and I think they will be right amongst it. I think they find themselves in a similar situation to ourselves, with a strong 16, but not as much strength in depth as they would probably like'...
And the manager said, 'I have made a couple of phone calls this morning, and I am in dialogue with the Chairman at the moment. There is a striker who can play wide who I put in a loan bid for, I am still waiting on the wide player I have been after for a week or so and there is also another striker that I am attempting to get in.
I am after a wide man and a striker, and it is moving behind the scenes. I think we will have them in by the weekend at the latest, but it is a little bit frustrating that it is taking this time'... And Rovers have signed goalkeeper Will Puddy on non-contract terms as cover while Kieran Preston is away with Scotland U19s.
Darrell said, 'Will Puddy is a goalkeeper I know very well, I managed him for a couple of years at Salisbury'".
Meanwhile, the Bristol Post reports that "Darrell Clarke says... 'I am happy with the squad we have, but we are always looking to strengthen', Clarke said this morning... 'If we can get those deals done I’ll be really happy with the balance of the squad because we do need a bit more in terms of numbers. The striker [for whom] I put [in] a bid last week wanted to stay at his club to see how the first week of the season went before making a decision on whether to come out on loan...
I am prepared to wait for the right sort of player'. Clarke, however, has signed former Cheltenham Town, Bath City and Salisbury City goalkeeper Will Puddy... He will go straight into the squad for tomorrow night’s game [v Barnet]... 'It is an opportunity for Will to come in for a week or two to help us out', said Clarke. 'Martin Allen may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he is a very experienced manager and I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved in the game.
In the Nuneaton News "Boro boss Brian Reid has admitted his team will not be caught short defensively again. The Boro lost 3-0 to newly promoted Eastleigh on Saturday...
The Boro boss said, 'We defended very poorly and that was a shock for me. I am not on about just the back five, the whole team didn't do the job. It was a surprise for me as we are a big, strong team, and all pre-season we have made it hard for teams to come and break us down... and then on Saturday we were the complete opposite'.
Despite the first goal having more than a hint of offside and the third coming after an incorrectly called throw-in to Eastleigh, Reid refused to blame the officials but instead highlighted what his side could have done better.
He said... 'You are taught from a young boy that if you let the ball bounce in the box then you are asking for trouble. That is what did us... Apart from the first ten minutes or so I would say we were the better team at times'...
During the defeat there were five debutants...in a Boro shirt... Reid admitted there might be one or two more new additions on the horizon.... 'I want us to be ready in case of anything. If that be loans needed or youngsters, I do not mind'".
The Lancashire Evening Post tells us how "Southport were defeated 1-0 by Forest Green Rovers... With strong financial backing, Rovers are the bookies’ favourites to top the table at the end of the season and certainly The Sandgrounders were no match for a team that looked at least a league above them in class...
Port never really got in the game, being out-muscled and crowded out by their opponents, and their only real shot at goal came in added time... But the team spirit is good and the return of the injured Richard Brodie and Micah Evans could help kick-start their season."
NW NEWS
welsh Premier states that 'Welsh Premier managers, players and supporters will have to come to terms with spending Monday nights without their regular fix of highlights from the league. One of the longest-running shows on Welsh language channel S4/C, the Sgorio Monday night show has been ditched after 26 years.Although Sgorio once scored the lowest official viewing figure in the channel's history, it has nevertheless proved hugely popular with football fans not just in Wales, but across the UK,for its excellent coverage of the domestic scene...
Although the Monday night slot has been ended, the live coverage will continue from September 7, but will switch to Sunday afternoons with a 1.00pm or 1.30pm kick-off as part of S4/C's new sports provision, to be known as 'Clwb'...
Confirmed live games:
- Sunday 7 September: Rhyl FC v Aberystwyth Town (1.00)
- Sunday 14 September: Rhyl FC v Bangor City (1.00)
- Sunday 21 September: Airbus UK Broughton v Carmarthen Town (1.30)
- Sunday 28 September: The New Saints v Newtown AFC (1.00)
- Sunday 19 October: Bala Town v Port Talbot Town (1.30)
- Sunday 26 October: Cefn Druids v Airbus UK Broughton (1.00)
- Sunday 2 November: The New Saints v Airbus UK Broughton (1.00)
- Sunday 9 November: Gap Connah's Quay v Prestatyn Town (1.00)
11 August 2014
HAMPSHIRE PERSPECTIVE
Get Hampshire tells us that "Josh Scott scored one and made the other two as Aldershot Town kicked off their season in style with a comfortable win over Altrincham. Brett Williams may be the bookies’ favourite to be Vanarama Conference top scorer this season, but it was strike partner Josh Scott who took the plaudits as Aldershot Town swept to a comprehensive opening day victory at the ESS.Scott set-up the first two goals, for Williams and Jordan Roberts, and then scored the third himself as the Shots got their season off to an impressive start against newly-promoted Altrincham...
'It’s always good to get off to a winning start and we knew this was going to be a tough game. We were going into the unknown a little bit but I thought we played some really good stuff and looked pretty comfortable'. Despite the visitors enjoying early periods of pressure, their promise was largely unfulfilled... Altrincham were allowed back into the game. Steven Gillespie and Damian Reeves were themselves a burgeoning partnership without finding the extra quality needed to beat Phil Smith...
Gillespie’s dipping 22-yard shot was superbly tipped over by Smith and Altrincham were again made to pay... Thereafter, though, came Sinnott’s crumbs of comfort. Two half-time substitutions galvanised his team into a resurgence and the impressive Nicky Clee (right) raced onto Gillespie’s precise through ball to finish with equal precision beyond Smith. Gillespie then lifted a shot just over the bar and, albeit briefly, Altrincham had hopes of a thrilling comeback.
Kyle Perry’s arrival provided a rambunctious focus up front but Aldershot Town were stung into a response... Ultimately, Altrincham’s fightback ran out of steam... yet both managers took encouragement from an afternoon which suggested that their mutual ambitions of progress up the pyramid have solid foundations".
RESERVES WIN
Altrincham FC Reserves won their opening fixture in the Cheshire Football League Division Two on Saturday, defeating Moore United FC, 5-0. Courtesy of Reserves' assistant manager Chris Rowley, the Reserves' line up was (in A/Z order) Ryan Barry, Daniel Brown, Louis Brown, Jamie Burrows, Matthew Christie, Aaron Edwards, Sam Heathcote, Kane Hughes, Dino Jones, Elliot Messam, Max Pouncey. The substitutes were Ashley Dobson, Milo Edwards, Edward Hilditch and Dan Jones.Altrincham's scorers were Kane Hughes (2), Daniel Brown, Louis Brown and Max Pouncey.
The Reserves' next fixtures are here. Michael Ripley's excellent images from the game are here.
CLARIFICATION
For the very small minority of users who seem not to realise that, if they have a problem with this website, it might be more useful to contact the website itself rather than passing observations anonymously on a totally different site, may I explain what the current options are for accessing the Altrincham FC Official website?
1. There is the PC-based Altrincham FC official website at www.altrinchamfc.com. Through this URL you can access everything that is on the official site, or indeed anything that has been on it for the past 15 years.
2. There is also a new site, at www.mobi.altrinchamfc.net, (shown, right) which is optimised for mobiles, etc., which replicates parts of the PC site. Currently this site has mobile-formatted versions of the News, Matchday Updates, First Team Fixtures, Players and Supporters' Travel information as well as Club Contact details, a Location map and various other bits of information. More will be added to the mobile site in due course.
3. Summary:
If you are using a PC, please go to www.altrinchamfc.com here
If you are using a handheld device, please either go to www.mobi.altrinchamfc.net here or, if you go to www.altrinchamfc.com using a mobile or handheld device, you should be automatically redirected to the mobile version of the site.
Thank you for using the Altrincham FC website, in whichever format you prefer.
NEXT OPPONENTS
Altrincham entertain Lincoln City at the J. Davidson Stadium this Tuesday. Mike Garnett reminds us of the outcome of previous matches between the clubs.
- At Altrincham p2-w1-d1-l0-f3-a2
- Away p1-w0-d0-l1-f0-a5
- All games p3-w1-d1-l1-f3-a7
Lincoln City have a match report on their draw, 0-0, with Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. It starts, "With Imps' boss Gary Simpson handing debuts to Jake Caprice, Marcus Marshall and Jordan Burrow whilst Nick Townsend, Tony Diagne and Hamza Bencherif all commenced a second stint a Sincil Bank. Two more new faces, namely Sahr Kabba and Karl Ledsham were on the bench".
The Imps' line-up was Nick TOWNSEND, Jake CAPRICE, Tony DIAGNE, Nat BROWN, Sean NEWTON, Hamza BENCHERIF, Jon NOLAN, Alan POWER, Marcus MARSHALL, Jordan BURROW, Ben TOMLINSON. Subs: Sahr KABBA, Karl LEDSHAM, Arnaud MENDY, Conner ROBINSON, Paul FARMAN".
From the other side, the unofficial site at Kidderminster Harriers says "For the third season in a row Harriers failed to score at Sincil Bank but that record would have fallen had it not been for an excellent save by City keeper Nick Townsend to deny Craig Reid. Gary Whild handed debuts to four players in the starting line-up: Jared Hodgkiss, Kevin Nicholson, Reid, and Ahmed Obeng while Reece Styche made his first appearance later on as a substitute.
City made the livelier start of the two teams, but they were aided by a stiff breeze at their backs... All of Harriers' best chances were falling to Reid... Five minutes from time Styche had a golden opportunity to win the game; Michael Gash's through ball created the opening for him but he curled his shot high and wide."
And the Lincolnshire Echo adds that "Lincoln City earned a point... An impressive first half for City made way for a dour second as Kidderminster came into the game more. Jon Nolan was the Echo’s choice for man of the match, check out why below along with the rest of the players’ ratings.
Lincoln City, 4-3-3
GK, Nick Townsend … 7/10 - The 19-year-old has been snapped up on loan again.
RB, Jake Caprice … 7/10
CB, Nat Brown … 6/10
CB, Tony Diagne … 6/10
LB, Sean Newton … 6/10
CM, Alan Power … 7/10
CM, Hamza Bencherif … 6/10
CM, Jon Nolan … 8/10
Gary Simpson summed it up when he said Nolan ‘knitted together the play’. It was a brilliant display where he showed vision, composure and the willingness to get stuck in. It was as good as a performance we have seen from the midfielder... Often he was in and out of the side last season...
RF, Marcus Marshall … 6/10
He dropped in and out of the game, but when he was in it we knew about it. He showed no fear in attacking the box and taking on his man...
CF, Jordan Burrow … 6/10
A determined and gritty display, Burrow did all the hard work at the front. He battled the centre backs, laid the ball off and took a fair bit of a beating from the defenders. It is not a role that covers itself in glory, but it is essential and he did that well...
LF, Ben Tomlinson … 6/10
Substitutes: Mendy. Came on for Power in the second half, looked the strongest and fittest he has ever been for Lincoln".
City boss Gary Simpson said, "The lads are disappointed, but I cannot be too disappointed,” said Simpson. “I read in the week that one or two of the Kidderminster players didn’t want to bother with play-offs and wanted to go straight up. They fancied themselves... If we had got the goal they would have to have come at us and that would have opened up more space... I was milling over with 15 minutes to go if it was worth a change up front. I know Sahr Kabba is not quite there and we are waiting on the results on a scan for Karl Ledsham, which should be in on Wednesday.
We brought off Alan Power because prior to today he hasn’t played for three and four games, so I was conscious of that... If we had put Kabba on it would have been a risk. We could have got 20 minutes out of him, but there would be the danger that he would then not be fit for Tuesday’s trip to Altrincham... We’ve got a point on the board and got a clean sheet, so there is a positive".
In the Kidderminster Shuttle, Harriers' manager "Garry Whild felt Harriers could have won their opening game... The Aggborough outfit produced a determined defensive display in the first half to keep the hosts at bay. They then had the best of the second half...
The manager was also pleased with the performances of substitutes Michael Gash, Reece Styche and Marvin Johnson... Whild added, 'With Nathan Blissett and Craig we set out stall out to defend from the front and it is nice to be in a position to bring the likes of Michael Gash on'".
NEXT WEEKEND'S FIXTURES
Right: Mike Williams and Adam Griffin compete for an aerial ball at Aldershot, last Saturday.
Saturday, 16 August
- Altrincham v Bristol Rovers
- Barnet v Lincoln City FC
- Braintree Town v Chester FC
- Eastleigh v Gateshead FC
- FC Halifax Town v Welling United
- Forest Green Rovers v Alfreton Town
- Grimsby Town v Dover Athletic
- Kidderminster Harriers v Dartford
- Torquay United v Southport
- Woking v Macclesfield Town
- Wrexham v Nuneaton Town
Sunday, 17 August
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AFC Telford United v Aldershot Town
VANARAMA CONFERENCE NEWS
In the Grimsby Telegraph we read that "Paul Hurst admits that there were goal-scoring chances for both sides in Grimsby Town’s stalemate at Bristol Rovers. The Mariners opened their Conference campaign with a 0-0 draw at the Memorial Ground yesterday. And Town’s boss believes both teams had clear-cut opportunities to take all three points".On the same topic, the Bristol Post adds that "Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke declared himself 'relatively pleased' with his players...
'Grimsby are an established Conference Premier side and I thought it was a good test for us', Clarke said afterwards. 'It was a keenly-fought and fairly-even contest and I am relatively pleased with the outcome.... We just lacked that little bit of quality at times. We look like a side that will create chances... I think we have seen two teams who will be decent at this level over the rest of the season'...
Clarke, meanwhile, was also full of praise for supporters after a higher than expected turnout of over 7,000 attended a game that was also broadcast live on TV... 'We got a good reaction from them after a 0-0 and that was another really positive for us, but we have to keep giving our supporters reasons to be cheerful'. Clarke is still hoping to add a winger and a striker on loan before Rovers go to Barnet on Tuesday night. On the winger he lodged a bid for over a week ago, Clarke said... 'I’d like to get the lad in on Monday if I can... They just have to agree the financial side of things with their chief executive before the deal can be done'.
Defender Neal Trotman, who signed a short-term deal on Thursday, is also expected to be included in the squad for the first time when Rovers that make the trip to The Hive. Clarke, however, will not be following up his initial interest in Shortwood United striker Duncan Culley after taking a look at him in training last week."
10 August 2014
ALDERSHOT TOWN 3 ALTRINCHAM 1
Any doubts that Altrincham may have had about the challenges of the national division of the Conference were confirmed by this defeat at Aldershot.
Match report here
Above: Ten of Alty's players are seen here defending their goal early in the second half at Aldershot.
Lee Sinnott's thoughts on our opening day defeat at Aldershot can be heard here.
Match report here
Aldershot Town's report is here.
100 UP
Yesterday's game at Aldershot was James Lawrie's 100th start for the club. In all he has made 100 starts, plus 29 appearances from the bench, and has scored 29 times.Luca Havern reaches the same landmark in two matches' time.
TASC MEMBERSHIP
Brian Flynn advises that "Annual membership subscriptions to TASC (The Altrincham Supporters' Club) are now due for the new season.Membership of TASC provides the following benefits:-
- Discounted Supporters’ Coach Travel for all away games (£2 per trip).
- Bi-Monthly draw for a framed picture with your favourite player
- Bi-Monthly draw for Matchday Hospitality for two people in the Sponsors' Lounge
- Bi-Monthly Draw for FREE Supporters’ Coach travel for two people to an away game.
Membership rates are as follows:-
- Adults: £10.00 per year.
- Life Member £100.00.
- Over 65s, Under 18s and students in full time education - £5.00 per year.
- Family membership £20.00 per year.
- Corporate Membership £100.00 per year.
Membership can be renewed in any of the following ways:-
- See Anthony Wright or Mike Garnett at TASC's temporary matchday home in the Noel White Suite on home matchdays to pay by cash, cheque, or to set up a Standing Order.
- EMail Brian Flynn for details of how to make your subscription by PayPal, BACS payment or to set up a Standing Order.
- Call in at the Club Office (Monday-Friday from 9.30am-5.00pm) to pay by any of the methods above.
- On the Supporters' Coach to any away game to pay by cash, cheque, or to set up a Standing Order".
RESULTS
- Bristol Rovers 0-0 Grimsby Town
- Aldershot Town 3-1 Altrincham
- Alfreton Town 1-3 Woking
- Chester FC 0-5 Barnet
- Dartford 1-2 Wrexham
- Dover Athletic 0-1 FC Halifax Town
- Gateshead FC 3-1 Torquay United
- Lincoln City 0-0 Kidderminster Harriers
- Macclesfield Town 1-0 Braintree Town
- Nuneaton Town 0-3 Eastleigh
- Southport 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
- Welling United 1-1 AFC Telford United
ALTY SUPPORTERS LOOKING FOR RECRUITS
Altrincham FC's Supporters' football team is looking for new recruits, especially strikers. If you are over 16 and would like to play, please e-mail Jack Jolly.9 August 2014
MOBILE FORMAT
Don't forget that you can also read this news in mobile-friendly format here.ALDERSHOT TOWN v ALTRINCHAM: MATCH COVERAGE
Click on the appropriate icon below to go to your preferred means of following the game. For Twitter and Facebook links see the side panel, right.|
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Brian Flynn writes that "Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, will be broadcasting full live coverage of Altrincham's return to the Vanarama Conference at Aldershot Town on Saturday. The match commentary sponsors are ECS Sunbeds & Leisure, the only choice in tanning.
Find out more about the UK's Leading Commercial Sunbed Hire Company at their website.
The commentators are Laurence Howarth and Ian Wilkinson, with match summaries from Joe Barry. Coverage starts at 2.50pm with the game kicking off at 3pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet at www.radiorobins.com (via the above link)
Leah and Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time and full time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC).
ALDERSHOT TOWN v ALTRINCHAM: BEFORE THE GAME
Whilst 14 of Altrincham's 19-man squad (which is supplemented by four youth-team graduates who have also been assigned squad numbers) were at the Club last season, Aldershot Town retained just nine of last season's squad.Mike Garnett kindly provides us with the statistical record between Altrincham and Aldershot Town:
- At Altrincham p3-w1-d1-l1-f6-a3
- Away p4-w2-d1-l1-f5-a3
- All games p7-w3-d2-l2-f11-a6
"WE DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT ALTY" SAYS SHOTS' HIT-MAN
In advance of Saturday's game, Get Hampshire reported that "Brett Williams said he planned to better last season's tally of 28 goals for Aldershot Town this term... Williams reckons extra competition for his place at Aldershot Town could inspire him to hitting the magic 30-goal mark this season.The 26-year-old front man enjoyed his best-ever return from a season after finishing third in the Conference Premier scoring charts with 28 goals last term and he is the 8/1 favourite to be the Vanarama Conference's top striker in 2014/15.
But with the arrival of Salisbury City hitman Dan Fitchett and plenty of other striking options available to Shots boss Andy Scott, Williams knows he cannot rest on his laurels...
Williams told the News & Mail, 'The magic mark for strikers is 20 goals and I’ll be satisfied with that as long as Aldershot enjoy a successful season too... We are certainly in a much better position that we were in last year. Dan [Fitchett] is...an exciting player and has looked really sharp in training, so he offers the whole team a boost... alongside a good, experienced player like Josh Scott also in the mix, will certainly help keep me on my toes...
We are definitely stronger than we were last year', he added. 'The boss has told us the aim is to push for the play-offs or be there or thereabouts'...
Williams, however, admitted that Saturday’s opening clash at home to newly-promoted Altrincham could represent something of a banana skin for the Shots if they are not ready to hit the ground running from the off. 'We don’t know a lot about them at all to be honest', he revealed. 'All we do know is that they’ve just been promoted so they’ll come here to a big stadium and a big atmosphere full of confidence and with nothing to lose, so that makes them a threat'...
Boss Scott, though, is looking for a response from his Shots players after defensive gremlins allowed AFC Wimbledon trio Harry Pell, Kevin Saint Luce and Sean Rigg to hit three unanswered second-half goals on Saturday, thus ending the pre-season campaign on a low note. 'We thought we could come out and be individuals, unlike the first half when we were a team', said Scott, who handed a debut to new loan signing Joseph N’Guessan...
'We thought we’d cracked it. I’m not happy at all... second-half we got our backsides felt. Not good enough... Clearly it’s a lot easier than last year... The whole mentality of having minus-10 points and not having a team is a tough one to start with'".
Shots' Blog has a match preview, which includes "We welcome newly promoted Altrincham to the Electrical Services Stadium... It will be Altrincham’s first season in the Conference after a three-year absence...
Andy Scott has retained no more than nine players from the side which kept us up last season. Those that remain are top goalscorer Brett Williams, wingers Jordan Roberts and Tristan Plummer, Josh Scott, Mark Molesley, and defenders Chris Barker, Anthony Tonkin, Joe Oastler and Jaydon Gibbs. He has also bolstered his squad with a further eight signings. These include Salisbury City duo Glenn Wilson and Dan Fitchett, former Torquay midfielder Damon Lathrope, midfielder Sam Hatton (Grimsby Town), goalkeeper Phil Smith (Portsmouth), Naby Diallo (Weston-super-Mare), and loanees Kieron Forbes (Forest Green Rovers) and Joseph N’Guessan (Stevenage).
The Shots are set to be without winger Tristan Plummer for this fixture as he is still out though a hamstring injury. Andy Scott will be sweating on the fitness of striker Dan Fitchett having picked up an injury in the game against Chelsea U21’s earlier in pre-season. If fit, he will most likely feature from the bench rather than risking his fitness with a start. Midfielder Sam Hatton will be absent through suspension...
Chris Powell from Dorset is the man in charge for this fixture. He took charge of fourteen Conference South matches last season while featuring as an assistant referee frequently in the Football League. He last officiated in the Conference Premier in the 2010/11 season, where he showed 32 yellow cards and one red in just seven matches...
Andy Scott’s side must start with a victory and the pressure is on, with the first game being at home. Recent news of the Shots exiting the CVA agreement will raise some supporters' expectations but let’s not forget the aim this season has always been to consolidate".
RESERVES AT HOME
If you cannot get to Aldershot on Saturday, why not watch the newly re-formed Altrincham FC Reserves as they kick off their season in the Cheshire League Division Two, at home to Moore United? The game is at 3pm on Saturday at Mersey Valley, Banky Lane, Ashton-on-Mersey. Spectators are very welcome.
ALTRINCHAM FC ROLL OF HONOUR, 1914-18, Part 3
Courtesy of Terry Rowley, we have another tribute to an Altrincham FC player who, sadly, did not survive World War One.
EDWARD (Teddy) BULLEN
Born Warrington 1884
Killed in Action, Vaulx Vraucourt, August 11th 1917
Edward 'Teddy' Bullen was born in Warrington and started his playing career with Warrington Albion. He played for Altrincham’s reserves in the Manchester Federation League during the 1903/04 season but was not available due to work commitments the following season.
In 1905/06 he returned, matured, filled out and went straight into Altrincham’s first team for the 1905/06 season. A near ever present in midfield, it was not long before Football League teams became interested.
First Division Bury signed him up for the 1906/07 season, where he spent most of the season in the reserves. However, he did manage to make his First Division debut in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United. In 1907/08 he managed 12 First Division games and scored his debut goal in a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle. Bury finished in seventh place but were sadly a team in decline.
1908/09 saw Teddy established in the team, playing 26 League games, in addition to making his debut in the FA Cup. 1909/10 was patchy, with just 12 league games played, but in 1910/11 he played 34 of the 38 League games.
1911/12 was similar; 34 out of 38 League games played but Bury were relegated to League Division Two. Injury meant he missed a large part of the 1912/13 season, registering just 14 League appearances. 1913/14 was slightly better with 23 games played. In his final season he was back to his best making 32 League appearances during 1914/15.
In all, he made 188 League appearances scoring seven goals, in addition to 11 appearances in the FA Cup. Teddy, like so many of his comrades, joined up and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery. When available, Teddy still turned out for Bury and occasionally for Warrington, (famously playing against Altrincham for Warrington in a wartime match of great local interest).
His final match for Bury was a 0-4 defeat away at Liverpool on February 10th 1917. Sadly, Gunner Bullen was ‘Killed in Action’ at Vaulx on the 11th August 1917. Bury FC have a memorial to Teddy Bullen at Gigg Lane, which reads, “A playing member of this club who fell in action at Vaux [sic] on the 11th day of August 1917. Loyal to this club, loyal to his country”.
Terry Rowley.
VANARAMA CONFERENCE NEWS
According to the Football Conference, "Woking have signed striker Dean Morgan, who was released by Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last season. Morgan joined the Chairboys in September 2012, initially on a short-term deal after he had been released by Chesterfield, although he had finished the 2011/12 season on loan at Oxford United.He started his career with Colchester United, where he made seventy-one appearances before having spells with Reading and Luton Town, adding a further 120 appearances to his tally. A short spell with Grays Athletic followed in 2009 before he joined MK Dons... and had a loan stint with Aldershot Town before signing for Chesterfield in August 2010.
Morgan recently returned from representing Monserrat at the Caribbean Cup."
Also, "Jamie Day, manager of Welling United, has further increased his options by signing two more players with Football League experience. The Wings confirmed that striker Afolabi Obafemi has put pen-to-paper at Park View Road. Obafemi made more than twenty appearances for Dagenham & Redbridge last season and was previously on the books at Leyton Orient.
The 19-year-old featured for Welling in pre-season... Day has also signed midfielder Nicky Nicolau, a former Arsenal youngster who has played in the Football League with Southend United and Swindon Town. The Cypriot-born talent, who has represented his country at international youth level... has also had spells with Barnet, Woking, Dover Athletic, Boreham Wood, Lincoln City and, most recently, Chelmsford City".
In the Western Daily Press, "Attempts by a group of local business people to wrestle back control of Salisbury City football club from a Moroccan businessman labelled a ‘fraudster’ and a ‘charlatan’ by the city’s MP have initially failed at the High Court.
The group, who have been effectively running the non-league side since Outail Touzar disappeared having failed to add to his initial £1 investment to take a 98 per cent stake in the club, can return to appeal next week. They went to the High court today to win an injunction which would temporarily nullify the deal which saw him buy the club for £1, but were turned down, advised to return next week to challenge that.
But that will be after the non-league season begins, and fans now face the very real prospect that there will be no competitive football at the RayMac stadium, even if the legal ownership of the club is sorted in the coming days.
Mr Touzar is still the legal owner of the club and on Tuesday was the only interested party recognised by the FA in an appeal hearing at Wembley into the decision by league officials to throw them out of the Football Conference. Salisbury are too late to join the next league down, the Southern League, and face a race against time to make it into the Wessex League, a full four or five tiers lower than they played earlier this year in the non-league pyramid.
Mr Touzar has not been seen for two months in Salisbury, ever since he failed to come up with a £100,000 bond, cut to £50,000 to satisfy the Football Conference, or pay off debts approaching £150,000. He persuaded director Mark Winter he had the backing of Arab royalty when he arrived and bought the club for £1.
Last night, the Moroccan issued a long statement slamming the consortium of five business people who have tried to take on the day-to-day running of the club, and asserted that he was still the legal owner of Salisbury City. All summer he has been issuing regular statements outlining how he had signed players, fitness trainers and a coach, and had legal advisors, assistants and officials. But he has not appeared at Salisbury City, and the five-strong consortium were the ones who paid off the debts and avoided a winding up order by paying off the HMRC’s tax bill...
Officials still at Salisbury said they did not even know if Mr Touzar was in the country, the Moroccan himself admitted he had taken part in the FA appeal hearing at Wembley ‘partially’ by ‘conference call’ and not in person.
The group trying to wrestle back control issued an angry denouncement of the FA and the Football Conference for allowing Mr Touzar to pass a ‘fit and proper persons’ test to take control, and then for not recognising they were the ones saving the club. The group were barred from the FA appeal on Tuesday at Wembley, despite turning up with a barrister in person...
Mr Touzar’s statement explained to fans how the club’s appeal had failed. He had argued the Conference had no right to demand he post a £100,000 bond to allow Salisbury City to continue in the league... and added, 'I am really shocked and disappointed of the FA decision but I will not rush to comments while I am in this state of anger and will wait for my advisors to go throu the full decision... before I make any full statement”
Mr Touzar did, however, thank the FA for its ‘brave decision’ to bar the local group of business people. He called Mr Winter and his team ‘a gang of idiots that was barking outside the FA offices and trying to force entry without invitation to an appeal hearing that they had nothing to do with and no legal authority to be part of’.
'When it came to reality and the D-Day to face official authorities they were humiliated and put back to their original place where they belong, outside in the streets away from the official scene where they dream to be part of and again like every time they start crying and putting the blame on the FA, the Football Conference, the Arab Superman as they claim and the rest,' he added...
It is understood none of the players Mr Touzar has signed – he has posted pictures of himself shaking their hands at a series of London hotels – turned up to a pre-season friendly held at Salisbury City’s ground, where former Premiership star Steve Claridge managed a team of triallists".
At Grimsby Town "Former Town striker Alan Connell is back and is expected to feature for the Mariners at Bristol Rovers tomorrow, subject to clearance. Alan made a massive impact when he joined the Mariners in 2010, he scored 25 goals in just 46 appearances for the Mariners...
He had come through the youth academy at Tottenham Hotspur but received his first professional contract from Ipswich Town... and joined Bournemouth in 2002... [followed by a] move to Torquay United in 2005 after three years with Bournemouth. A year later he moved on again to Hereford United before re-signing for Bournemouth in 2008...
Alan signs for the Mariners on a short term contract".
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