10 to 18 March, 2004
18 March 2004
UNIBOND NEWS
Alty meet Droylsden on Saturday after a controversial game for the Bloods last Tuesday. The Barrow website reports that "Two Steve Gaughan penalties on 82 & 85 minutes gave Barrow victory over Droylsden... The visitors had taken a 1-0 interval lead... After the game there was a melee in the tunnel area between some players on both sides who were separated by club stewards. The match officials then sealed off the tunnel area and kept the players in the dressing rooms to calm things down. The referee will be reporting the officials' view of the incident along with his standard post-match reports to the FA".Our last opponents, Runcorn FC Halton have launched a "Special Offer - Last 4 home matches of the season for £20.00". Normal admission to the four games would total £28.
Unibond transfers:
OLD BOY
Kevin Ellison completed 80 minutes of Lincoln City's game on Tuesday night, according to the official club site. Kevin was booked after 73 minutes.17 March 2004
RESULT
YOUTH FINAL
Alty Youth meet Morecambe A in the NWYA Premier Cup Final. This has now been set for Sunday 4 April at 2pm at Bamber Bridge FC. New league fixtures for the Youth team are in the Youth section of the website. Alty Youth regulars include several players with Altrincham first-team experience including Steve Lunt, Kieran Lugsden, Kelvin Lugsden and Lewis Chalmers, whilst Stevie Taylor has also just signed UniBond forms. Come along and support the team if you possibly can!RUNCORN FC HALTON 0 ALTRINCHAM 3
Match Report.
Right: Mark Maddox salutes the travelling fans at the end of the game.
TUESDAY
NEXT
Alty host Droylsden on Saturday. Nationwide reports that Chester City have allowed central defender "Carl Ruffer to join Droylsden on a month's loan. The Nationwide Conference leaders have also paid up the contract of Steve Brodie on his return from a loan spell at Leigh RMI. The striker is also set to sign for Droylsden". But IC Chester says that Ruffer's "agreement with Droylsden includes a 24-hour recall clause... The Manchester side, who are currently second in the UniBond League, have this season been assisted by seven current or former Chester players".UNIBOND NEWS
This is Lincs says that "Gainsborough Trinity have been handed a boost after player/assistant-manager Neil Allison and midfielder Chris Hurst committed their immediate future to the Blues. Allison has signed a two-year contract, while Hurst has penned a deal keeping him at the Northolme until the end of next season".16 March 2004
RUNCORN
Alty are away to Runcorn FC Halton tonight. The Linnets have picked up just 9 points out of 40 at home this season but gained their first home win last Saturday. On their official website manager Chris Lightfoot talks of "an indifferent display against Ashton United [the previous] Saturday". He mentioned Runcorn's two ex-Alty players Mike Garrity and Lee Kissock, "[who] has done well, too, scoring two goals in two games". He added, "It was good to see so many people in the Stadium a few weeks ago when we played Southport. I think it's a pity we can't get as many supporters in every week it creates a much better atmosphere for the players". Referring to Steve Carragher, he said, "It looks as though he has done severe damage to his ankle so it will be a number of weeks before he can even contemplate playing". He went on, "I'm sure the players, like myself, are all convinced that a top 13 is within out capabilities". Runcorn have recently signed Paul Aldridge, son of John.OLD BOY
BBC Sport reports that former Alty "keeper Andy Dibble has vowed to play on after breaking his arm and dislocating his elbow in [Wrexham's] Saturday's 6-1 defeat at Peterborough. The 39-year-old has said he will not retire, and is determined to return for the Dragons next season... 'The surgeon has told me I'll be fine to carry on playing, but it is going to take four months'", he said.LAST GAME
There is now a match report from the Bradford side on Saturday's game on the club website. Excellent match statistics are kept on the BPA site and for the Alty game these will appear there shortly. Amongst the revealing figures (courtesy of Alan Hirst and colleague) are - shots on target, Alty 10 BPA 8; offsides, Alty 9 BPA 1; fouls, Alty 15 BPA 7.UNIBOND NEWS
Ashton United's Nathan Fleetwood is reportedly returning to Australia so is unlikely to play for the Tameside team again this season.Barrow report that manager "Lee Turnbull has today (Sunday) arranged with a fellow uniBond club for the release of an experienced goalscoring defender/midfielder... Meanwhile Scott Brough re-registered for Barrow on Friday evening following spells with Brigg & Frickley". The mystery newcomer is Kenny Mayers, who has signed till the end of the season from Stalybridge Celtic.
NL Daily says that "The recent trip to Stalybridge Celtic saw no fewer than three Gildea brothers in Whitby Town’s squad of fourteen for the game". They are Alex Gildea (23), Liam (18) and Daniel (20).
IC Newcastle says that "Gateshead chief Derek Bell today dismissed reports the club could be about to fold. He said: "We will fulfil our fixtures this season and then set about giving the town a club to be proud of"... There had been reports the players had not been paid for a number of weeks but Bell insisted: "That matter has been settled with money we have received from fund-raising events".
IC Newcastle also reports that "Blyth boss Paul Baker admitted today he has reached his lowest point after 29 years of being involved in football... "Part of our trouble stems from the fact we have one or two players who think they are better than they are".
Meanwhile "Gainsborough Trinity manager Paul Mitchell insists he will not resort to bully-boy tactics in a bid to fire his side away from their slump in form". This is Lincs reports that Trinity "have only won once in nine games... 'The only thing I can fault is they are not switching on in picking people up... I'm not going to start caning individuals. All we will do is talk about it, which we did after the game, keep working hard and hopefully it will come right'".
15 March 2004
ALTY REACH FINAL
Alty Youth beat Euxton Villa 6-0 today to reach the NWYA Premier Cup Final. A report, courtesy of George Heslop, is on the Youth Page, along with a report on the recent trial match against Wright Robinson College and the NWYA league table before this weekend's games.WELL DONE
The STAR buckets raised an excellent £107.90 on Saturday.LAST GAME
Frank Thornton, chairman of Bradford PA, who lost at Moss Lane on Saturday, "does not expect to have to advertise the position of manager. Trevor Storton and his assistant Ian Thompson departed on Tuesday... prompting the club to put captain Carl Serrant in temporary charge... 'I would like to say I am very grateful to Carl for stepping in.... We have to look forward so we are searching for a new manager. We want someone in quickly because there is still a lot to play for this season and several people have put their names forward already'." He confirmed that striker Andy Hayward joined Stalybridge last week "for a four-figure fee... They also wanted to sign Ryan Crossley but he has decided to stay with Avenue. Droylsden and Stalybridge both made enquiries about Andy", reports This is Bradford.UPDATES
ALTRINCHAM 1 BRADFORD PA 0
Left: Matthew Bailey competes for the ball in a picture from Alan Johnson's photo site.
Right: Jamie Baguley, with his Man of the Match champagne tucked under his arm, leaves the pitch.
HELP NEEDED
The ball-boys and girls at Moss Lane are almost certainly the best organised in the UniBond and it is their organiser, Ray Armstrong, who deserves the credit. Ray, however, is in need of a volunteer to organise the boys and girls for the midweek games of Altrincham and Manchester United Reserves next season. He would like to train a volunteer during the remaining weeks of the season by having that person "shadow" him for the remaining games of the season. If you would like to help the club in this important way, please contact Ray at any home game or ring the club on 928-1045.GO TO THE BALL
The Altrincham FC Centenary Gala Ball is now to be held in the International Suite at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium on 15 May. Tickets are now just £50 and can be obtained from the club office or by ringing the club on 928-1045. For full details of the event, click here.14 March 2004
QUARTERLY REVIEW
With three-quarters of the season now played, Alty have improved in each quarter to date. In the first 11 games we won 13pts (goals F17 A15), in the second quarter we won 14pts (F13 A9) and from the most recent 11 games we have taken 19 pts (F20 A13). After drawing 13 of our first 23 games, we have now not drawn in the last 10. We have now scored in 9 consecutive league games but Saturday's was our first clean sheet in 6 matches. Jamie Baguley's goal on Saturday was our 50th in the league; 18 different players plus one opponent have scored those goals.RYAN HUTCHINSON
Speaking of Alty's recent midfield signing from Stoke City, Ryan Hutchinson, Graham Heathcote told the NLP, "Ryan wants to go back into the professional game and non-League will be a good showcase for him".OLD BOYS
Dean Greygoose was in goal for AFC Sudbury in their Vase win over Colne, whilst Richard Acton made his debut in goal for TNS yesterday. Mike Garrity (Runcorn), Anthony Hargreaves (two for Flixton), Chris Downey (Mossley), Matt McNeil (Hyde) and Chris Timons (Gainsboro) scored yesterday. Other old boys in action included Adam Farley & Leroy Chambers (Droylsden), Steve Porter (Vauxhall), Tony Sullivan (Lancaster), Mario Daniel (Leigh) and Mark Quayle (Scarboro'). In the League, Danny Adams won again with Stockport County but Andy Dibble suffered an injury for Wrexham which may rule him out for the rest of the season.13 October 2004
ALMOND SIGNS
(Michael) Jamie Almond (20) signed yesterday for Alty from Woodley Sports. He is a winger, who played against Altrincham for Mossley in August 2003 in a friendly but, after 2+3 games and 1 goal for the Lilywhites, moved to Woodley. Jamie was an England under-15 international and was with Manchester City's Academy (1999-03) and whilst there had trials at Colchester United in December 2002. Jamie had come to City from Scarborough for a fee which had been a record for a schoolboy at the time. Before joining Mossley he also had a trial with Bradford City. Right: Jamie Almond (7) tangles with Chris Adams at Mossley in August.
RESULTS
12 March 2004
OPPONENTS' STRIKER GOES
Andy Hayward, Bradford PA's leading scorer, has today signed for Stalybridge Celtic for a small fee. Meanwhile Alty's Steve Aspinall is an uncertain starter against BPA and faces a fitness test tomorrow. However, Ian Craney, who picked up an injury on Tuesday, trained on Thursday.ELLISON MOVES
Former Alty winger Kevin Ellison has been loaned by his present club, Stockport County, to Lincoln City for a month, according to the Red Imps website.This is Lincs adds: "Liverpool-born Ellison is a left winger who can also play up-front. He made his mark at Altrincham,and was snapped up by then Leicester City boss Peter Taylor for £50,000 in February 2001. However, he made just one substitute appearance for the Foxes - against Manchester United at Old Trafford - before moving to Stockport for £55,000 in November 2001 on the recommendation of ex-Imps' boss Colin Murphy. His chances have been limited at Edgeley Park, although he did play in the first 9 games this season". Manager Keith Alexander said, "Ellison will provide competition and keep everyone on their toes".
NEXT OPPONENTS
Alty host Bradford PA on Saturday. This is Bradford quotes BPA "caretaker manager and all-round saviour Carl Serrant", who said ominously of Wednesday's win at Whitby, "Result-wise this has been coming for a while... Our away form has been good all season". Bradford's absent leading scorer "Andy Hayward was preparing for his move to Stalybridge Celtic and Robbie Painter was ruled out through an injury".The BPA site says that on Wednesday "Bradford pulled off another famous away victory, this time under the leadership of caretaker boss Carl Serrant who led the team by example... Serrant had selection problems with injuries ruling out strikers Andy Hayward, Robbie Painter and academy keeper James Alderson. This left... a paper thin squad with just thirteen players able to make the long evening trip to Whitby...Britton, Quinn, Serrant, Grayston, Jones, Crossley, Helliwell, Walsh, Smith, Maxwell, Russell. Subs: Pickles, Greaves". Before this BPA had won only once in 11 League games- much the same as Emley before they visited Moss Lane recently...!
LAST GAME
SAM quotes Graham Heathcote after Tuesday's win: "This was an important three points for us. To throw three young lads in like that is a gamble, but it was one we had to take. The travelling fans were superb - they really got behind the team and that really helped".CROWDS
The UniBond Attendances chart has been updated, thanks to Terry Rowley.HISTORY
SAM reports that Alty manager Graham Heathcote and Terry Surridge are giving a talk on the history of Altrincham FC to the Hale Civic Society next Wednesday at 8pm. The event is at the Britannia Ashley Hotel, Ashley Road, at 8pm. Terry is well known to Alty fans having performed numerous voluntary roles for the club over many years. Amongst his current duties are running the players' weight-training programme and selling the matchday programme at every home game. With Terry Rowley, Terry Surridge is researching a definitive history of Altrincham FC.LOCAL FINAL
On 14 April the Altrincham Cup Final between Lymm Rangers and Broadheath Central takes place at Moss Lane (7.30pm). Lymm have an excellent website, here and both sides will be pleased to see Alty fans coming to cheer them on.OLD BOY
SAM reports that former Alty midfielder and current Nantwich Town boss Nigel Gleghorn, who is also Director of Football at South Trafford College, will be appearing on a BBC3 documentary on football management. A number of Alty's younger players have attended the College including Steve Lunt.UNIBOND NEWS
The three UniBond cup finals will be two-legged, with away goals counting double in the event of a draw after extra time.Challenge Cup
Chairman's Cup
President's Cup
NL Daily reports that Alfreton Town believe they are "within two, almost certainly a maximum of three, wins from securing a place in next season’s Conference North... Should Town clinch one of the top 13 spots - as looks increasingly likely - it will bring a third promotion in three years. However, the attendance levels have dipped to such an alarming state - a shockingly low figure of 169 watching Tuesday’s game - that chairman Wayne Bradley has seriously questioned the ability of the club and its support base to go on to and survive at another level... In 2004 the average has reduced drastically to 284 from the five league outings. The overall home league average has gone down to 451 when 500-plus are required to enable the club to perform cost effectively. Bradley explained: "My main concerns are not with matters on the pitch, but off it and I have to ask myself where are the fans? The stayaway supporters are showing that the town and surrounding area maybe cannot and do not want to progress and the upshot of the lower gates is that the club is now over-performing in terms of financial ability". Alfreton's "Unlucky striker Mick Goddard will have to visit a specialist again to ascertain whether or not his season is over".
Worksop Today says that "last week, the FA confirmed that in the event of the championship winning club not meeting the requirements of the Conference, the second placed team could be promoted. And a final decision, that would open the promotion door to the likes of Worksop Town, Barrow and Southport, is due to be made by an FA committee on Monday 15th March".
"Due to his non-selection in the team and work commitments Phil Clarkson has been released", report Lancaster City.
Southport's "Lee Ashcroft will be going out on loan to Chorley until the end of the season".
Spennymoor will be hosts to Bishop Auckland next season as the Bishops' temporary home at Shildon does not meet UniBond ground criteria for 2004-05, reports the NLP.
NEXT WEEK
On Tuesday Alty travel to play Runcorn FC Halton. IC Cheshire report that "Runcorn are to give General Chemicals' defender Robbie Moore the chance to make the grade at a higher level. Chris Lightfoot has invited the player, whose brother Gary is the West Cheshire League club's manager, to attend training with a view to signing". Lightfoot added "He is a big, dominant centre-half who will win all the headers, put a foot in and be brave. That's what you need come the end of the season when scrambling for points". But ex-Alty man "Mike Garrity was withdrawn in the win at St Helens on Tuesday due to injury".Meanwhile, "Council bosses have unveiled a £1.5m project to complete Halton Stadium's missing fourth side. The proposal would mean the redevelopment of the tiny East Terrace, currently out of use, to create a standing area and boost the capacity of the ground". Local Councillor McDermott said "People point out that some of the crowds attracted by Widnes Vikings and Runcorn FC Halton have been disappointing but, in my opinion, it is important that we build for the future. In times to come both teams could be challenging for honours".
11 March 2004 http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/03hdra.jpg" align=right>
ACTON TO TNS
Alty goalkeeper Richard Acton (right), who was injured at Harrogate (30 August) and has not regained his place since the arrival of Stuart Coburn, has signed for Welsh club TNS, managed by former Alty striker Ken McKenna. International clearance is being sought for the move, which should see Richard in goal at the weekend against Caernarfon Town. TNS currently have one keeper suspended by the league and another suspended by the club. Richard will remain registered with Altrincham for the UniBond League.WELL BEHAVED FANS
On Tuesday night the STAR supporters' coach, which is usually supplied by
Alty Chairman Geoff Goodwin's Go Goodwins company, came instead via
Geoff (left) from a firm called Courtesy. They have contacted
Geoff to say that the Altrincham supporters who went to Gainsborough on
Tuesday "are some of the best passengers they have ever had and there was
no rubbish/mess left on the coach and everyone thanked the driver when
they got off". Whilst every Alty fan concerned polishes his or her halo,
thanks for this accolade are particularly due to STAR travel organiser,
Mark Eckersall, who runs the service so efficiently. Some of Altrincham's best performances this season have been away from home and the STAR coach provides good quality transport to every away game, at economical prices, for supporters who range from children to pensioners. Your next chance to make use of the supporters' coach is next Tuesday when we travel to Widnes to play Runcorn FC Halton. Details of that trip will appear on the Away Travel page of this site at the weekend.
CHANGE OF DATE
The Altrincham FC Centenary Gala Ball will now take place on Saturday, 15 May and NOT on 27 March as originally planned. The venue remains as Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium. For more details see the Centenary Events page.OLD BOYS
Kevin Ellison scored a 25-yarder in Stockport County's friendly v. Shelbourne of Ireland on Tuesday. Soon afterwards, the referee asked for him to be substituted after he had committed a high tackle - but Kevin did return to the game in the second half.Lee Thompson scored a hat-trick for Skelmersdale Utd, away at Congleton on Tuesday and Anthony Hargreaves scored for Flixton.
TRINITY VIEW
This is Lincs has a report on Alty's win at Gainsborough. "I was satisfied by the performance in terms of passing, possession and chances, but at the back, we again made some silly mistakes and it has cost us," conceded Mitchell.UNIBOND NEWS
Like Alty, Harrogate Town "have signed two 19-year old players on loan from Nationwide League clubs... Defender Craig Morley joins from Scunthorpe United and midfielder Michael Coghlan has been signed from Darlington". But "Scott Bonsall has been sold to Stalybridge Celtic for a small fee".On the Radcliffe Boro' website, manager Kevin Glendon says, "I can understand how all the supporters are feeling at this moment in time, because believe me I take it very personally myself... I have always tried to get my teams to play the right way, win or lose, and recently this has not happened and for the first time I said nothing to the players after the game instead I tried to get away as quickly as possible to gather my thoughts... The problem is when you are faced with the ground-grading document and you see the work needed and find out the costs to pay for those improvements you have to start and re-assess your direction and plan for these improvements. The truth is we need to finance £50,000 to complete the works by 2007... We feel we can achieve that the way we are going and then we can concentrate all our efforts on the playing side, which is what I have been waiting for after all these years. ... I for one will not be giving up and I expect the players to show some pride for themselves first and for the club they are playing for".
The Welsh Premier site says that "Managerless Caernarfon Town are reportedly keen on Alvin MacDonald, who managed Vauxhall Motors". One of Town's current players is ex-Alty winger, Danny McGoona.
10 March 2004
WEDNESDAY
Alty meet Bradford PA on Saturday; Through the Years for 13 March is here. Before their win tonight, BPA were bottom of the form guide over the last 6 games; Alty lie 10th.
GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2 ALTRINCHAM 3
BPA BOSS GOES
Alty play Bradford PA on Saturday and the BPA website reports "That [manager] Trevor Storton and [assistant] Ian Thompson have parted company with the club by mutual consent.It is recognised that Trevor and Ian have given the club excellent service by gaining promotion to the Unibond Premier Division and also by achieving significant success in reaching the first round proper of the F A Cup this year. Unfortunately, league form particularly at Horsfall this season has not gone according to plan, despite the undoubted hard work put in by the management team. We wish them well for the future and thank them for their hard work for the club in the past.
The club are actively seeking a caretaker manager pending a permanent appointment. Carl Serrant [a senior player] will take charge of the team tomorrow [Wednesday] at Whitby".
BPA have also signed Michael Naylor from Halifax Town.