3 to 7 February, 2004
7 Feb. 2004
SATURDAY GAMES
UPDATES
Due to a family bereavement this website may not be updated as regularly as usual over the next few days.SHREWS' NEWS
Confguide confirms that our Trophy opponents "Shrewsbury Town's Conference fixture against Woking on Saturday has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Patches of the Gay Meadow playing surface are currently under water and with the level of the River Severn far higher than usual after recent heavy rainfall, there is nowhere for the water to drain". So expect some Shrews' spies at Ashton today!UNIBOND NEWS
The Tameside Advertiser reports on "Another frustration for [Stalybridge boss Dave] Miller is his lack of success in the transfer market in terms of bringing a forward in... Miller admitted: 'I’ve been trying for the last month to bring people in, but the thing is teams are desperate to finish in the top 13, so they are reluctant to let their best players go. We offered money for Lee Ellington and Gareth Grant at Gainsborough and I have been on the phone to managers about players - I’m actively on the lookout and talking to managers every day. Phil Eastwood’s cartilage is giving him a little bit of gyp and could go any game. Chris Denham is cup-tied for the Trophy, Ian [Monk] has an ankle problem and so I have got to strengthen up front'".Transfers:
Harrogate won January's UniBond Fair Play award as well as the Team of the Month and goalscoring awards. Alty had 4 yellows and today's opponents Ashton had 3 yellows and are the only team not to have had anyone sent off this season in the Premier Division. Frickley are bottom for the season - they have seen 7 red cards.
"Neil Robinson was recalled by Macclesfield today due to injury problems at Macclesfield", reports the Southport official
Another club losing a player is Burscough, whose website says that "experienced defender Martin Clark
has left the club. He has moved to... Lancaster City, [where he]joins his former boss Phil Wilson".
The Barrow forum says that former Holker Street favourite Wayne Bullimore "has left Belper Town along with the manager and several other players after their budget was halved. Dean Jones is another, he has signed for Bradford PA... Bullimore was a second half sub this week for Harrogate in a 2-1 friendly win at Darlington".
Altrincham Supporters 4 Urbis FC 3
Altrincham Supporters FC recorded their first win last night with a hard earned 4-3 victory v Urbis FC, with goals from Chris Rowley (2), Richard Babbington and Dan Burgess. After going 1-0 down midway in the first half the supporters managed to pull it back to 1-1 at half time. Second half saw Altrincham take a 2-1 lead but that was soon reversed to 3-2. The supporters battled back well again and showed true grit and determination to finally win the game 4-3.
Special praise to Pete Hughes, who held the ball up well in his 'new' striking role and who deserved to get a goal for his determination and pure effort - but maybe next time, Hughesy. Everyone played well and I'm sure there are a few stiff legs this morning.
I would like to thank, on behalf of everyone that played, Rosie and Andy Glester for organising the game and Jordan Tymms for reffing the second half.
There will be more fixtures in the future and the possibility of Altrincham FC Supporters having a Sunday League side, depending on interest shown,
Altrincham Supporters Squad: Martin Jordan. Tom Jacobs, Bill Coop, Grahame Rowley, Steven Foster, Matt Lamey, Ian Rosendaal, Richard Babbington, Dan, Burgess, Gary Warrington, Pete Hughes, Chris Rowley, Phil Lamey.
STAR are selling the book everyone in football is talking about 'The Ripple Effect' by stand up comedian Dominic Holland. The book follows the fortunes of Middleton Edwardians who, having just achieved full professional league status, are threatened by their new owners (who have no interest in football) selling the ground for redevelopment and the club being shipped off to groundshare......with Altrincham! This story could happen to any football
club and is a book that will have you laughing one minute and cringing at
the owners' antics the next! The book is available through STAR by order
at £6.99 to collect at the ground and 40% of the proceeds will be kept by
STAR. Please send your order and cheque made out to STAR to Mark Murray,
65 Fulmar Drive, Sale, Cheshire, M33 4WH. Please include your details and
phone number so we can inform you when the book is available to collect.
Please add £2.50 if you want your book posting .
In today's NLP Quinn says "We fancy our chances against a team from a lower league", whilst Graham Heathcote said that, against Weymouth, "We didn't get the credit we deserved. All the attention after the game was directed at Steve Claridge and Weymouth".
Harrogate Town report that "Hull
City manager Peter Taylor is contemplating allowing striker Clayton
Donaldson to join Harrogate Town on loan."
The same source reports that Marine's local MP "is to make a cheque presentation to Marine Chairman Paul Leary on behalf of the Football Foundation who have provided grants of £47,000 towards the £67,000 of
building work carried out last summer... The work included a complete
refit and extension to the changing rooms; a new changing facility for
female match officials, a new pitch perimeter fence and more recently
safety rails to our floodlights". Chairman Paul Leary said, "Since
1996...the Football Foundation have provided grants totalling £170,000
towards the overall cost of £340,000 to transform Rossett Park into a very
good non league venue".
The Endsleigh Sports Insurance Goalscoring award for January has gone to Harrogate Town.
In celebration of 100 years of Altrincham Football Club, the directors are pleased to announce that Saturday 27th March is the date for a glittering Gala Ball.
Manchester United have kindly offered their hospitality and use of the Manchester Suite, Old Trafford, to ensure that this black-tie evening will be one not to be forgotten. Former stars of both clubs will be in attendance with entertainment provided by Mr Cole Page, ORANGE & DJ Keith Fane.
Tickets are £750 per table of 10 or individual tickets at £75. To reserve tickets please complete the booking form, here.
The club appreciates that many fans may not be able to afford this event but hopes that they understand that such fundraisers are a vital part of keeping Altrincham FC in existence.
Whitby Town "are pleased to announce that planning permission for the new stand was granted at the planning committee meeting on Monday of Scarborough Borough Council. Chairman Graham Manser said 'We will be talking to the two neighbours who objected to see if we can allay any of their concerns. We now have to obtain three independent quotes... and then we can submit our application for grant aid to the Football Foundation which could take 20 weeks to process'".
Shrewsbury include at least three former Cheshire-based players; Darren Tinson, Gregor Rioch and Dave Ridler were all at Macclesfield, whilst former Northwich Vics' player Jake Sedgemore is the current Shrews' left-back.
FAT 4
The FA writes that "Altrincham and
Shrewsbury Town have been drawn together to give us at least one tie to
savour. Shrewsbury, relegated to the Conference at the end of last season
and playing in their first ever Trophy competition, travel to Altrincham,
Trophy winners in 1978 and 1986. The Shrews are the bookies' favourites
for Trophy glory but Alty, gritty winners at Steve Claridge's Weymouth on
Saturday, will be tough opponents".
The Shropshire Star reports that "The Shrewsbury camp described the Altrincham tie as 'a good test for us'.
Manager Jimmy Quinn said "You won't believe this but I was driving to my
friend's house the other day and I had a feeling we'd play Altrincham.
It's a good draw for us because even though we'd prefer to be at home if
we get through the draw could open up because there's a few potential
all-Conference games". But "Jimmy Quinn has expressed concerns about the
condition of Shrewsbury Town's pitch... 'It's very difficult to play on
that- a credit to the lads for grinding out a result', said Quinn" who
added, "We've got lads that like passing the ball because it's more
pleasing to the eye and when we pass we're a decent side and open teams
up".
The Trophy has really excited interest in Altrincham FC as is shown by this
website having its busiest ever day yesterday, with 1,351 visitors to the home page of 'www.altrinchamfc.com' (plus an overlapping 496 visitors to the site's alternative web address). This smashed the previous best of 822 set after the Trophy draw was made for the Weymouth game.
Blyth Spartans
say that "We already face a bill of nearly £3,000 because of Aldershot's
travelling and hotel costs" for the postponed Trophy match last Saturday".
Meanwhile, Gateshead have "signed 18-year-old midfield man Chris Bell from
Blyth".
Barrow "saw only a
small number of supporters attend to see the club's proposals to shape the
way forward for the club. Tony Keen did a presentation that outlined the
way the Board hope to proceed in the future. He started by mentioning that
the previous aim was to keep the football team playing at the highest
level possible as this would maximise income and help keep the club afloat
during the liquidation process and this strategy was achieved. Now that
the club have come out of liquidation a new strategy is needed to fulfil
the present requirements. The new strategy of the board is to create a
business to support the football club at the highest level possible... It
was proposed that the club be split into several different parts with one
particular director being responsible for that area... The new proposed
structure sees the club broken down into 5 areas", which are
Legislation/Administration, Support/Fundraising, Footballing &
Set-up/Ground, Financial Management & Planning and Vice
Chairman/Commercial.
6 Feb. 2004
SUPPORTERS WIN
The following report has been kindly provided by Gary Warrington, who runs the excellent Alty Fans' Forum:
YOUTH CHANGE
Next Sunday (8th), Alty Youth are at home to Prestwich Heys in a League
match at Wythenshawe Town FC (2pm). This replaces the game scheduled
against Leigh RMI Academy.
BIG NAMES
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Roy Carroll, David Bellion, Kleberson and Kieran Richardson played at Moss Lane last night for Man. Utd. Reserves, watched by Sir Alex Ferguson. Score: United 3 (Richardson 13, Eagles 83, & an own goal 90) Aston Villa Res. 0, gate 1272).
STAR OFFER
From STAR, the Alty Supporters' Trust:
HOT OR COLD?
The BBC reports that Shrewsbury manager
Jimmy Quinn is "chasing glory in the FA Trophy, with a last-16 tie to come
at Altrincham. He added: 'They are a team from a league below us. They
will give us a tough game, but it's a chance of getting through... We've
got the players, no doubt about that, but we need to become a little more
consistent as a team. We have blown a bit hot and cold, particularly away
from home'. Quinn also needs his strikers to start firing on all cylinders
with Luke Rodgers returning from injury in the weekend's Trophy win over
Hucknall to compete with Duane Darby, Colin Cramb and Jody Banim. 'We've
got four strikers all capable of scoring goals. It's about getting the
right combination. Luke didn't score on Saturday but he was terrific and
hopefully he can start smacking a few in', said Quinn, who remains on the
look-out for a new left-back".
FREE INTERNATIONAL
Because of a clash with Telford United's FA Cup tie against Millwall on 11
February, The England National Game (non-league) XI match against Italy
Under-23s, due to be played at Telford that night, has been switched to
Shrewsbury Town FC (ko at 7.45pm) - admission is free.
NEXT OPPONENTS
The Ashton Forum reports that there has been little progress in terms of construction as regards the new Richmond Street stadium to be shared by our next opponents, Ashton United and their neighbours Curzon Ashton. United have not lost in their last 6 league and cup games. Their most recent league results are a 3-2 home win over Frickley, a 1-1 draw at Droylsden, a 2-1 win at Vauxhall, and a 3-3 draw at home to Radcliffe Borough.
UNIBOND NEWS
Transfers: OLD BOY
IC Cheshire reports that Runcorn FC Halton "have signed striker Lee Kissock from UniBond rivals Vauxhall Motors... Player-boss Chris Lightfoot said: 'Lee has been released by Vauxhall, having not really been given a chance since Owen Brown took over. He played against us earlier in the season and has scored goals at this level'". Lee was at Alty as a youngster.
5 February 2004
ASHTON
SAM reported this week that Stuart Coburn had a swollen ankle after the Weymouth game but he is now expected to have recovered from this for Saturday's match at Ashton.
UNITED ON
Tonight's game at Moss Lane between Man. Utd. Reserves and Aston Villa Res. is definitely going ahead. It is believed that United will include Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, David Bellion and Kleberson in their squad. Kick-off is at 7pm and entry is £2 (£1 for concessionaries).
NEW DATE
The Altrincham v Worksop Town game, postponed from 14 February due to our Trophy involvement, will now be on Tuesday 20 April (7.45pm).
OLD BOYS
In Tuesday's friendly between against Radcliffe (a 2-2 draw), ex-Alty striker Mattie Hughes scored and another ex-Robin, Rob Matthews, laid on the other goal for Mossley.
UNIBOND NEWS
The UniBond League reports that
Hucknall Town have signed goalkeeper James Lindley "on loan for a month
from Conference outfit Tamworth. James was with Hucknall during
pre-season".
SHREWS' NEWS
The Shropshire Star says that our Trophy opponents "Shrewsbury Town's midfield dynamo Jamie Tolley is nearing full fitness - but hopes of a long-awaited return to action with a cameo appearance for the reserves today [Wed.] at Rochdale have been foiled... The game has been called off due to the weather". Tolley (20) is a Welsh under-21 player. Manager Jimmy Quinn said, "He is an important player for us and it will be good to have him back but we've got to ease him in gently". Also, "Quinn has praised the re-emergence of another, Kevin Street... 'I'm delighted that Kevin's scored and played well against Hucknall because it's difficult playing in those wide positions'", he added.
4 February 2004
SHREWS' CLEAROUT
The UniBond site states that our Trophy opponents "Shrewsbury Town Football Club have a number of players available for either loan or transfer.Shrewsbury Town are playing a Pontins League Reserve League game at Rossendale United against Rochdale tomorrow February 4th kick off 2:00pm. If a Club wishes to discuss any of the players available, please telephone the manager Jimmy Quinn on 01743 360111 or 07989 383054". Presumably those "available" will be playing in the above game.
CENTENARY BALL
From Altrincham FC:
NEXT UP
This Saturday's opponents Ashton United have slipped off the top of the UniBond Fair Play table for which there is a £1,000 prize "after receiving nine cautions during December. The new leaders are Alfreton Town closely followed by Radcliffe Borough and Worksop Town.", according to the UniBond site.
UNIBOND NEWS
"Gainsborough Trinity have been dealt a massive blow... after manager Paul Mitchell was slapped with a six-match touchline ban", reports This is Lincs. "Mitchell was also fined £50 by the FA as a result of being sent off while in charge of former club Worksop Town. The incident happened... in February last year... He was originally handed a three-match ban and a £100 fine, but has appealed continuously to have the punishment overturned. In doing so he has delayed his penalty and officials at Soho Square have finally lost patience with the Blues' boss. They have now informed him of their final decision". Mitchell said, "I do feel very hard done by". Alty play Trinity on 9 March.
SHREWS NEWS
The Shropshire Star reports that our Trophy opponents "Shrewsbury's squad could soon start using part of their new chief executive's estate as a training venue as the wet weather continues to wash out alternative sites in the town. Millionaire Colin Poole has offered manager Jimmy Quinn and his players the use of a pitch and a gymnasium at his home near Dorrington... Shrewsbury were training in a hangar at RAF Shawbury today but Quinn insists the hard surfaces make it far from ideal... Poole, who was appointed as a full-time non-paid chief executive last Monday, has spoken to Quinn and Gay Meadow groundsman Bryan Perry about the practicality of using his new pitch for training... [Also,] Jamie Tolley and Ryan Lowe are close to completing their comebacks. Lowe trained today after overcoming his hamstring strain and is set to figure in [Wednesday's] reserve fixture at Rochdale. And although that game will come to soon for Tolley, the midfielder is now striking a ball again... Jimmy Quinn has revealed that young Dave Edwards has done better than expected since his elevation to the first team. The 17-year-old made his debut in the FA Trophy win over Morecambe... 'What I liked against Hucknall is that he's got a little bit of nastiness about him as well. One of their lads left his foot in a couple of times and David's turned round and give him a look and that's great to see in a young lad'".
3 February 2004
TUESDAY GAMES
SHREWSBURY TIE
Graham Heathcote (left) told today's Daily Telegraph that last Saturday "Weymouth were favourites and now Shrewsbury are favourites. Would anyone have said Burscough were favourites to win the Trophy last year? Not a chance, and that's all you need to remind yourself of. All you can ask for is a home draw. I am more concerned now with getting our feet back on the ground for an important game on Saturday against Ashton... People are saying it's the tie of the round... It's a reward for all the fabulous support we took to Weymouth and now they've got a home tie... It's going to be nice to see Moss Lane with a good crowd on and a big Trophy tie. That's what this club is meant to be all about".
TERRAS' REPORT
The Weymouth website now has a match
report on Saturday's game with Altrincham. The same source quotes Steve
Claridge: "It was one of those days where we didn't ever look like scoring
despite dominating possession. We probably wouldn't have scored if we
played all week... The conditions made it very, very difficult for us. It
was difficult to stand up, let alone play neat football. A lot of people
put a lot of effort into getting the game on, but in hindsight I wish they
hadn't bothered. But I don't want to take any credit away from Altrincham.
They defended extremely well and fully deserved the victory".
UNIBOND NEWS
The NL Daily reports that "Ashford Town's ‘Elite Bar’ entertained the supporters club from Worksop Town on Saturday en-route to their FA Trophy 4th Round tie against Margate at Dover Athletic. The club’s staff provided a buffet lunch for the 70 or so supporters, who learned on arriving, after a four-and-a-half hour journey, that their game [against Margate] was off. They made up for the disappointment by spending a couple of hours at the club, reducing bar stocks considerably (!!), before embarking on the return journey. In recognition for Ashford’s hospitality, they presented the club with an excellent framed Worksop shirt which will be displayed in the ‘Elite
Bar’".
SATURDAY GAMES
GATES
"Byron's List of Attendances" for 2002/2003, which covers 713 clubs in 26 Leagues and 44 Divisions from the Conference down is now available. It has 34 A4 size pages and can be obtained for a donation of £5 (cheques payable to 'Haverfordwest County AFC') from Mr Byron Evans, 12, Castle High, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 2SP.