CURRENT SEASON'S ARCHIVE page |
19 to 25 March, 2004
|
19 to 25 March, 2004 |
Altrincham Football Club would like to thank its stewards for the professional manner in which they dealt with the potentially serious situation at Wednesday's Cheshire Senior Cup Final at Moss Lane, between Woodley Sports and Witton Albion.
Once the streaker had entered the field of play, the stewards, in a prompt and controlled manner, apprehended him and ejected him from the ground. The club's approach to such incidents is to act in a controlled way and not to chase around aimlessly after such offenders. However, the friction that was generated by this incident amongst a small section of both sets of visiting fans was felt to be escalating towards a serious risk of violence. So, the sensible decision was taken to call the police to assist. Their very prompt arrival enabled this potentially serious situation to be controlled in a most professional manner, thus avoiding any arrests. The police and Altrincham stewards are to be applauded for their professionalism and the club would like to record its sincere thanks to them. The club also stresses that no Altrincham supporters were involved in this incident; indeed, the crowd was made up almost exclusively of supporters of the participating teams.
There is more on this on the BBC site.
Stalybridge's injury sequence continues with news from their website that "Chris [Denham] was injured in the 5-0 win over Frickley racing onto a through ball... He has ruptured ligaments on the outside of his left ankle. These should hopefully heal in eight weeks or so".
The Radcliffe Borough site quotes manager Kevin Glendon after Tuesday's game: "I came home after Tuesday's game [Boro 0 Lancaster 2] and felt as though I had been mugged... If we miss out on the 13th spot then our target must be the next one down. I would not be frightened going into the play-offs... By saying ‘we got mugged’, what I meant was in our desire to go forward and win we got caught by the sucker punch... I have already made clear to the chairman my player targets for next season, no matter what division we are in they will still be the players I want... I am hoping to add two more players before the March 31 deadline one from Stockport County and another from Sheffield Wednesday".
NL Daily announces "The Gladwish Land Sales Ultimate Book of Non-League Players 2004-05" which "contains details of over 10,000 Non-League players, sorted by surname". It costs £12.99 + £2 p&p P&P is free if ordered before April 5th 2004".
Right: Woodley lift the Trophy. IMAGE woodcsc.jpg ARCHIVED
On the pitch, after the incident, Woodley's Simon Hackney headed them into the lead (69 mins) before Witton's Adam Foy headed home a corner in the 3rd of 6 minutes of added time to make it 1-1. Woodley's substitute, Jamie Fitzpatrick got the winner in the last minute of extra time, following a corner and Witton could not respond in the two minutes of added time.
Tuesday
Lancaster went eighth above Alty last night.
Monday
Last night's MEN had a feature on the most-often relegated players
in League football with Neil Redfearn and Carlton Palmer noted as having
been relegated five times. The article also mentions Simeon Hodson
(relegated with Notts Co., Lincoln [twice], WBA and Mansfield)- but it
fails to note that the ex-Alty left-back 'Simo' (right) made it six
relegations when the Robins went down in 2000 from the Conference.
Alfreton Town comment on "Tony Hemmings returning to the club after a loan spell at Halesowen Town".
This Saturday Marine host Radcliffe and are holding a "fun day... sponsored by local newspaper The Crosby Herald and includes a steel band, children’s entertainers, an inter-schools penalty shoot out and a free prize draw. All children will be admitted for free as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult".
Whitby Town "were dealt a blow yesterday when both Darren Craddock and Andy Appleby were recalled from their loan spell at the Turnbull, by Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper... Harry Dunn now has a selection headache for Wednesday's return game with Hucknall. Should he stick with the makeshift side that beat Barrow or recall the experience?"
Former Alfreton player "Andy Rushbury has had his contract with Chesterfield terminated by mutual consent to allow the youngster to join Telford"... "his father Dave, the former Chesterfield manager, is director of football" at Alfreton, reports NL Daily.
Unibond transfers-
Stalybridge Celtic have signed Cameroonian goalkeeper John Paul Ndjebayi as cover. He replaces former Alty veteran Ian Senior who nevertheless remains as goalkeeping coach at the Bower Fold. Ndjebayi kept goal against Altrincham for Mossley in a pre-season friendly but was recently released. Ian is seen (right) shooting at Dean Greygoose (at Hednesford v Alty, 2000).
This is Lincs says that Gainsborough's assistant manager Neil Allison "is confident Gainsborough Trinity will fire themselves out of their current slump and storm into Conference Two next season...They are now only two places inside the last qualifying spot for Conference Two North. "All we need is that little bit of luck to turn games in our favour, because we just don't seem to be getting it at the minute", he said.
A manager's lot: George Heslop stands in the mud and windswept rain with Danny Grimshaw (left) and Lewis Chalmers nearby. IMAGE george5.jpg ARCHIVED
Right: Droylsden's Cameron is escorted off by Alty Security Officer, Phil Taylor, as Graham Heathcote waves his arms and Dave Mitten shows the added-time board. IMAGE altdroy4.jpg ARCHIVED
Alty play Hucknall a fortnight on Tuesday and their defender Barry Miller was sent off yesterday so should be suspended when they play us.
There was plenty of discussion about fundraising, publicity and the question of share ownership. Directors of the Club, Terry Rowley and Andrew Shaw, as well as Graham Heathcote, confirmed to the meeting that negotiations were still ongoing with major shareholders and asked for patience whilst these were concluded. A fuller report of the meeting will, no doubt, soon appear on the STAR website.
A less happy ex-Alty keeper was Ben Williams. The on-loan Man Utd keeper conceded an own goal for Crewe yesterday which cost them the game.
Stockport remained unbeaten since Danny Adams's arrival, whilst Lincoln City won with Kevin Ellison in their side. Paul Ellender (Boston), Chris Timons (Gainsboro), Ryan McMahon (Prescot) and Mario Daniel (sub for Leigh) all played yesterday.
Bishop Auckland's move next season to Spennymoor's ground arose because their own new ground will not now be ready till at least 2006/07 season. Their current temporary home at Shildon does not meet new UniBond ground criteria.
Barrow are inviting "interested supporters to form support committees to help run important areas of the business. The key areas identified are: 1. Reserves & Under-18s, 2. The Crossbar, 3. Ground Maintenance, 4. Fundraising. The ethos is to get more people involved in these areas of the club to spread the load on the directors and increase the revenue and improve communication".
Whitby Town "Chairman Graham Manser has revealed that the club are committed to the new Alliance North next season, if they are able to qualify. He revealed in today's Whitby Gazette that he had met with Town manager Harry Dunn to discuss next season's arrangements. "There is no point in playing at a higher level only to get thumped every week", so a higher wage-bill would be becessary, said Dunn. "He also revealed he had spoken to a few UniBond managers about next season, and they had revealed that their budgets would be increased as well if they make it to the Alliance".
Spennymoor will be hosting Bishop Auckland's games next season but, due to structural damage at their Shildon ground, the Bishops will also play their next fixture of this season at the Brewery Field.
IC Newcastle reports that Blyth Spartans "have a double striking problem... Defender Michael Laws is already out for the rest of the campaign after breaking a leg. Now, Spartans boss Paul Baker is sweating on the fitness of forwards Jamie Burt and Lee George".
From Harrogate Town comes news that "York City manager Chris Brass has revealed that Aron Wilford will be leaving the North Yorkshire club, following the end of the striker's loan spell at Harrogate Town".
Southport report that "Neil Robinson has signed a 2½ Year contract with 'Port... Mark Byrne, meanwhile, has been released and is joining Burscough whilst Paul Byrne is the subject of a serious enquiry from neighbour's Marine". Burscough's spokesman, Stan Strickland, told the UniBond League "In the summer [Paul] joined neighbours Southport and played a prominent part in their unbeaten start to the season. However, injury and the departure of manager Mike Walsh have meant that his first team opportunities at Haig Avenue have since been limited and we are delighted to welcome Mark back".
Worksop Town "have signed 19 year-old striker Andy Jones from Rotherham Utd on non-contract terms until the end of the season. Former Tigers' Player of the Year Gavin Smith is due to sign forms with Gainsborough in a permanent transfer deal". Also moving: Tony Carroll (Mossley to Radcliffe B.).
Though Droylsden are 9 places above Alty, they are only one place ahead in the form table over the last six games; they are 9th, we are 10th. The Through the Years statistics have been updated for Saturday.
One club which views reaching the Alliance North as being a promotion is Alfreton. "3 successive wins have taken Alfreton Town to the brink of claiming a place in next season’s brand new Conference North and a third successive promotion... Chairman Wayne Bradley explained: 'I hope not only our fans but the local area in particular understand just how big an achievement a third successive promotion is. So far as I am aware and, no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong, only one other non-league club in the country has gained three successive promotions within the Pyramid system and that was the now defunct Colne Dynamoes. And even they started from a level lower than our run has come from'... He ended: 'It is obvious that some of the current squad will have to move on and there is no doubt that there will be new faces here for next season'".
Paul Baker, the Blyth manager has told his club's website "The way the season is turning out has got to be a huge disappointment to everyone... The team is the same as it has been all season so I'm sure we would all like to know what the reasons are for the slump... The blame for the recent run of bad results, bad performances, has to fall clearly on the shoulders of the playing staff and the coaching staff at the club... The thing that is getting to me is that the players are getting their heads down too early... I can guarantee to you all that the players and the staff at the club are working very hard at the situation and have certainly not thrown in the towel yet".
This is Lancs reports that Radcliffe have signed 22 year-old Jonathan Tuke who "has been with Radcliffe Amateurs for the last couple of seasons". Manager Kevin Glendon "is also in talks with former Boro' favourite Tony Carroll, who has recently parted company with Mossley...'We're in talks with a view to him helping us out until the end of the season', explained Glendon". He added, "In fact we're looking for another two besides Tuke and Carroll".
Copyright: ©
Compiled by John Laidlar