CURRENT SEASON'S ARCHIVE page |
20 to 29 December, 2003
|
20 to 29 December, 2003 |
Pictured, left, is Stuart Wright and, right, Steve Aspinall, with his Man of the Match champagne.
Other Boxing Day scores:
On Boxing Day 2002, at home to Droylsden, Alty wished their fans a Merry Christmas. Seen left to right were: 1. Richard ACTON, 2. Gary SCOTT, 3. Barry SHUTTLEWORTH, 4. Mark MADDOX (capt.), 5. Chris ADAMS, 6. Stephen ROSE, 7. Danny MURPHY, 8. Ian CRANEY, 9. Peter BAND, 10. Dave GARDNER, 11. Sean SMITH. Subs: 12. Jason GALLAGHER, 14. Andy McDONALD, 15. Andy TUNNICLIFFE. Only 6 of the 15 above (Scott, Shuttleworth, Adams, Rose, Craney and Band) were involved this Boxing Day.
From the same source, Harrogate Town chairman Bill Fotherby says "'We are trying to get together with the rugby union club who have a very large ground and it would be good to get together with them'. However, rugby club chairman Frank Carter doesn't believe there is enough space at Claro Road, 'the reason Harrogate rugby club is wanting to relocate is because we haven't got sufficient space to expand even our junior development... so adding a football club with all its requirements would be impossible'".
"Young centre half James Connolly has signed a new contract through to May 2005", reports the Marine website. Club chairman Paul Leary said, "He is a firm favourite with the fans and I know that they will be as equally pleased. James has shown tremendous ability since his arrival and he is a key member of our future plans as we bid for entry into the new Conference North".
The Daily Telegraph had an interview with Droylsden's Dave Pace yesterday in which he admitted "I was a bit of a rogue in my younger days, drinking and what have you... The place was horrific when I got here. I have gone through hell and back to get it where it is at the moment". "I pump almost every penny I've got into the club," he added.
IC Cheshire reports on Dominic Morley's continued recovery after falling from scaffolding. The Linnets' boss Chris Lightfoot "was disappointed to see Saturday's Chairman's Cup tie at Leek fall foul of the weather. 'It would have given me the chance to give Dom another run-out and Chris Tamm would have started,' he explained. Ex-Caernarfon midfield man Tamm hasn't figured since joining... Meanwhile, ex-Everton and Tranmere utility man Tony Thomas has been released so he can try to find the games he needs to get fit after coming out of retirement".
Also, "The Linnets Independent Supporters' Trust have announced that they will be holding another open meeting... Martin Fallon, acting Press Officer for the Linnets Trust, said: 'We feel that because the Linnets Trust is open to all supporters, it would be better to outline what we have come up with and see whether the working group's view of the Trust is the same as other supporters... Meanwhile, due to the proximity of Altrincham, Runcorn will not be running supporters' coaches to Altrincham for the FA Trophy third-round encounter on January 10. The Linnets' official website reports, however, there has been a suggestion the coach company run by Altrincham's chairman may provide transport for Runcorn fans if there is sufficient demand".
Worksop Town's site quotes manager Steve Ludlam on the visit of former manager Paul Mitchell's Gainsborough side. "I think Mitch will come here with something to prove because everyone wants to get one over on the club they used to play with or manage... But I will be treating this just like any other game and that's the approach I will expect from my squad". The report adds "Meanwhile, striker Darren Roberts (Belper) and Richard Peacock (Buxton) are poised to leave before the New Year. But Ludlam is not expecting to bring in any new blood until Aaron Wilford's loan period expires in mid-January".
The Harrogate Town site "reports that 32-year-old defender Shaun Smith is being linked with a move to Harrogate Town from Hull City".
This is Bradford reports that, on Saturday, Bradford PA used "trialist Nick Heinemann - the versatile defender who has been released by Halifax Town but is also having trials with Cardiff City".
"Burscough have turned down a five figure offer -£5,000 with 'add-ons'- from Radcliffe Borough for skipper Steve McNulty", reports the Burscough Linnets Online site.
The Spennymoor United site confirms that "Tony Lee has added another Hartlepool United player on loan at The Brewery Field. Striker, 21 year old Jermaine Easter joins Hartlepool team mate Mark Robinson as Lee aims to stop Moors' slide in the table... Easter played at least 20 first team games for Hartlepool last season... Craig Rand... has left the club to play for Thornaby in the Albany Northern League, where he joins former team mates David Goodchild, Nicky Mohan and lately Chris Lynch".
UniBond League Challenge Cup
UniBond League President's Cup
UniBond League Chairman's Cup
Ties to be played Saturday 24th January
In the Pink Graham Heathcote says "As far as I can see it, the [current] top seven clubs are all virtually sure to go up and so ourselves and the rest are chasing six places" in the new Conference feeder division for next season. "Despite his anxiety, Heathcote insists he's enjoying this, the most crucial and nerve-wracking season in the history of the non-league Pyramid... The Robins' problem remains turning draws into wins", writes Tony Glennon. Graham said, "I'd like to think we could now go on the sort of run which would avoid us being part of any scramble come the end of the season but I wouldn't want to raise our supporters' hopes by saying I'm hanging my hat on that happening. But providing we go on performing as we have been doing, I'm confident as any manager could be in our situation, that we'll be okay"
Worksop report that "Both Gavin Smith and Darren Roberts have had their loans extended at Bradford PA and Belper respectively, while Adam Muller has returned to the club". The Tigers remain in a dilemma having been turned down for a grant by the Football Foundation until they gain promotion to the Conference but unable to qualify for the Conference until their ground is improved! Meanwhile Whitby have raised £45,000 towards a new stand and they hope to get planning permission for it on 5 January.
The Port Pie confirms that "Burnley central-defender Earl Davis has agreed terms with Southport to bring him back to Haig Avenue", but unconfirmed reports say that Davis also has a trial at Swansea City in January. Transfers:
Radcliffe Borough "Manager Kevin Glendon has brought forward the comeback game for Jason Astley, originally planned for the 6th January". "The 30 year-old right-back will appear on the team sheet for the first time in 3 years and will be hoping he takes part sometime in the game. Glendon confirmed ‘Obviously I will have to see how the game is going, but if the chance arises I will have no hesitation in putting Jason on’".
UniBond Challenge Cup Round 3
President's Cup Round 1
Chairman's Cup 1st Round
This is Lancashire reports that "Lancaster City are... offering a cut-price deal to spectators who want to take in a trio of home matches within eight days at the turn of the year. Successive home games against Wakefield and Emley, Colne and Frickley Athletic on January 3, 6 and 10 respectively, can all be watched for a £10 one-off payment... Commercial manager Les Taylor said, "Since the euphoria surrounding the FA Cup clash against Cambridge United gates have declined dramatically. We, therefore, thought that these three matches in quick succession provided an ideal opportunity to make the offer of saving spectators' money while encouraging more support".
Meanwhile Lancaster manager Phil Wilson "revealed he believes his new-look City squad is 'getting there' with regard to his ambition to finish the season in the top half of the Unibond table - especially at home where the results are improving. But he wants to see better performances from the team away from the Giant Axe. He was encouraged by a battling 0- 0 draw against Altrincham at their Moss Lane stronghold on Tuesday night... And Wilson has enquired about bringing winger Peter Thomson to City from Southport, but says he cannot at this stage agree terms with the player who is on a Conference contract with the Sandgrounders. Meanwhile, City favourite Paul Haddow is back at the club after his short and unsuccessful spell at Haig Avenue".
"Barrow AFC fans all over the UK will soon be able to keep in touch with what’s happening at their favourite football club with the launch of Bluebirds News", says the NW Evening Mail. "Subscribers to the newsletter will also receive a copy of the Evening Mail every Monday during the season to give them in depth coverage of key weekend encounters".
Harrogate Today says that "Town boss John Reed... who publicly criticised his side after bowing out of the West Riding Cup at the hands of Ossett Town last week, has been scouring the transfer market... Reed said, "'A few players were getting comfortable and we have been too soft as a team recently, so I felt it was the right time to bring in some new blood... We are expecting big things from Robert (Pell) because he leads the line well and can upset defenders - much in the mould of Neil Campbell at Barrow. But apart from being big and powerful he has two lovely feet'. Also coming into the squad is Scunthorpe United midfielder Andy Parton... on a month's loan... Reed believes the 20-year-old, who made eight Football League appearances last season for the Iron will be a valuable addition... Reed, though, has been frustrated in his efforts to bring in a centre-half, with Mark Hume of Barrow top of his hit list. He added: 'Mark is a player we have been looking at but Barrow are unwilling to release him, and although we have offered money, they have turned it down flat, so we will keep on looking'".
Transfers:
Copyright: ©
Compiled by John Laidlar