Altrincham Football Club News Archive
9 to 14 October, 2004
14 October 2004
CHANGED GAME
On Saturday, Alty Reserves will now be away to Leigh RMI at Wigan. This change is because Lancaster City, their scheduled opponents, have an FA Cup tie at the Giant Axe on Saturday.FAT OPPONENTS
Our FA Trophy opponents Ossett Albion, previously beaten only once in the league this season, lost 2-8 at home to Belper Town last night. "Up until this game Albion had been unbeaten at home since last November and they had only conceded 10 league goals all season" reports their website. Sounds a bit like Alty's "off-night" at Ashton last week...LAST GAME
The Runcorn site reports on Tuesday's game with Alty. It says, "The second half featured some fiercely competitive end-to-end play, but neither team was able to capitalise on its chances". IC Cheshire also has a report which confirms that "the Linnets held off belated Altrincham pressure... Despite the visitors putting in some decent crosses, the Linnets were not under any great pressure until the last 10 minutes and Marcus Hallows should have equalised with virtually the last kick".MANAGE THE ALTY
The Sports Interactive company is launching a new computer game, Football Manager 5 which has been officially endorsed by the Nationwide Conference. The advertising says that "All 66 Nationwide Conference, Nationwide North and Nationwide South clubs are included in the database, which includes 345 league divisions from around the world, and 94 playable national teams... You can pick up your copy next month direct from your club, who will receive some of the proceeds from your purchase! Every single club from the three divisions of the Nationwide Conference will be selling the game following its November launch".NATIONWIDE NORTH
"Alfreton Town' s"state-of-the art lights were tested by specialist local company Abacus - who installed them - and they confirmed to the club that they have settled to a fantastic level of illumination... The Impact Arena floodlights give an illuminous level average lux of 516... Coca Cola Football League One requirements are 350 average... Looking ahead to this Saturday's intriguing FA Cup third qualifying round tie at Birkenhead-based Cammell Laird, chairman Wayne Bradley said: 'Despite there being a distance of several divisions between us in the non league pyramid, it won't be easy... Alfreton Town become the Newcastle United going to Hereford United of past Cup giant-killing comparisons... Nobody from this camp will be going there underestimating them", reports the Conference.Worksop Town "captain Mark Haran has been tranferred to Harrogate Town in a shock move late on Tuesday evening. Haran joins Harrogate for an undisclosed fee". Harrogate Town confirm that they "have completed the signing of Worksop Town central defender Mark Haran for an undisclosed four figure record fee".
NL Daily confirms that "Kirk Wheeler's month's loan [to Barrow] from Grimsby ended after Tuesday night's game against Droylsden".
This is Worcester says that "striker Mark Owen has set his sights on Worcester City's next Nationwide North clash at Southport on October 23 for his first start of the season. Owen was sidelined for the opening two months of the campaign after damaging his right knee... Owen's return to the fray will give Barton an alternative to Leon Kelly and Adam Webster up front at a time when goals have suddenly dried up, with City not hitting the back of the net in their last four league games". Alty travel to Worcester on 30 October, FA Cup permitting.
The Tameside Advertiser reports that "Stalybridge Celtic chairman Peter Dennerly hopes to have a new manager in place for the Tameside derby against Ashton United. Interviews are being carried out this week with the hope of naming Dave Miller's replacement in time for the Conference North match against the Robins on Saturday, October 23. Fourteen applications were received". Mr Dennerley said, "There has been a mixed bag of applications and I have been surprised by the overall quality". Peter Wragg "is considered by some as favourite... However, ex-Chesterfield and Bradford City boss Nicky Law has applied for the job, while Woodley Sports boss Tony Hancock has previously indicated his interest".
13 October 2004
RUNCORN FC HALTON 2 ALTRINCHAM 1
SPORTSMAN'S SUCCESS
Alty director Grahame Rowley has commented on last Thursday's Sportsman's Dinner at the Cresta Court Hotel. It was, he writes, "A very successful evening that should have raised in excess of £3,000 for the club. Many thanks to everyone who attended and supported the event.The next event planned is a Christmas Celebration Dinner to be held once again at the Cresta Court, Altrincham on Saturday, December 4th. It will be an ideal opportunity for friends, work colleagues or family to get together. The evening will consist of a Christmas meal whilst being entertained. There will then follow a disco, late into the evening. Tickets are priced at £40 per person or a table of ten for £400. Places are again strictly limited - so be quick and book your place now. Dress code - lounge suits". Please contact the club (928-1045) to book.
OLD BOYS
John Toner (28), who left Altrincham in 1997, "became the twelfth player to record a century of goals in the Welsh Premier when he scored his second and Total Network Solutions' fourth in the 4-0 win at Llanelli on Sunday. The club's record goal scorer and longest-serving current player, Toner is one of only three survivors from the 2000 title winning side... He arrived on the Welsh Premier scene with Cemaes Bay before scoring 38 goals in 49 games for Conwy United. Signing for TNS from Conwy in November 1999, he scored on his debut... He has found goals harder to come by over the last couple of seasons and his new right-sided role this campaign has limited his opportunities" reports the informative TNS Saints Alive site.NATIONWIDE NORTH
IC Coventry says that "club coach Brian McGorry has joined Mark Clifford on the transfer list as Nuneaton Borough look to free up some cash in a bid to strengthen their squad. Manager Roger Ashby... is desperate to bring in new faces but with the financial restraints at Manor Park he has to make his money available by getting rid of some of the bigger earners".Kettering Today reports that "Kevin Wilson is looking for his Kettering Town players to keep the momentum going... 'We have a chance to make up some more ground on those above us at the weekend. We were very disappointed to go out of the FA Cup the way we did. But we have an opportunity to get some extra league points on the board... It is still very early in the season. But we have worked ourselves into a good position and we want to try and stay there'", he said. Town had a friendly at Rothwell Town this week and Wilson commented, "It is good to have games like this because we don't have a reserve side and it gives the fringe and younger players a chance".
12 October 2004
MARCUS PIPPED
Marcus Hallows (left) has finished second in the Nationwide North's Player of the Month Award. The award is chosen by an initial nomination by the Conference and then is determined solely by electronic voting, which clearly favours those clubs with larger fanbases and disenfranchises anyone without a computer. The winner was Kettering's Darren Lynch 66.5%, with Marcus Hallows second on 27%, followed by Peter Duffield (Alfreton) 4% and Paul Barnes (Hinckley) 2.5%.TROPHY
The Ossett Albion forum reports on their win at Warrington to secure a tie at Altrincham in the FA Trophy. "We're off to Altrincham 6th November - hope to see more of our speccies there than managed the trip to Warrington. The only downside to the game was the number of bookings that the ref decided were warranted, Adam Fretwell and Stacky were booked for dissent whilst Sean Hazelden and Dicko were booked for 'disposing of the ball after the ref had blown his whistle'... Whilst [manager] Eric [Gilchrist] was asked to leave the dug out" for the second game running.FA CUP - THERE'S ONLY ONE HEATHCOTE?
After their last game, Hucknall boss Dean Barrick told This is Nottingham: "Perhaps it is a measure of how well we have done of late that we think that is two points dropped, rather than a point gained. We have again showed excellent spirit and matched a side at the top of the table. I am really pleased with the way things are going at the moment". The article adds - "Hucknall are next in action on Saturday, when they travel to Altrincham in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup". Their line-up on Saturday was: Taylor, Asher, Barrick, Hunter, Heathcote, Timons, Smith (Warne 60), Palmer (McHugh 88), Ricketts (Holland 87), Bacon, Todd. Not used: Winder, Plummer - so a Heathcote may be facing a Heathcote on Saturday. Former Alty captain Chris Timons is also in Hucknall's team these days.RESERVES
After the weekend games, the Lancashire League table has been updated on the Reserves' Page.NORTH WEST
Like Alty, Accrington have a goalkeeper injury. BBC Sport reports that "Stanley goalkeeper Jon Kennedy is facing three months out of action with a broken leg. [He] sustained the injury in training on Sunday".NATIONWIDE NORTH
The Pink reports that as well asacting boss Peter Wragg, applicants for the Stalybridge manger's job include former Vauxhall and Vics' boss Alvin McDonald and four unnmaned others, who are all currently in work elsewhere. The club website adds that ex-manager Dave Miller's assistant "Gerry [Luczka] has decided that it would be inappropriate to continue under the circumstances and he has decided to leave the club".Also in The Pink, Droylsden boss Dave Pace said, after defeat by Southport, "We've got too many big-time Charlies here after what we achieved last season and it's time they were given a kick up the backside. I'll be making changes and then we'll see how our so-called big name players respond. They can either react positively or out they go". Alty play Droylsden on 23 October.
Nuneaton Borough have made a major signing... in the world of finance and business where Clair Finnigan aims to score for the Manor Park outfit. The 32-year-old, whose previous clubs include Birmingham City, Peterborough United and Notts County, is the new head of business development at Boro... Her aims are to revitalise and lift the club commercially before the end of the season... Rapid results are a trade mark of Finnigan, who has arrived from League football on the back of a fearsome reputation as a go-getting achiever. She increased the commercial turnover at Notts County by 110 per cent in her first season... Finnigan also feels that the board of directors deserve a rest from continually ensuring Boro stays afloat. 'The club has to realise it's a commercially viable business with a unique individual market interest and the support from the board should only be there as a last resort'", she told IC Coventry.
Barrow have signed another Scunthorpe player on loan. He is Lee Featherstone a left-sided player. They have already used five loan players this season. Conference rules allow for a total of 465 loan days per club per season but a maximum of only eight loan players per season is allowed, with only two loans being approvable at any one time.
11 October 2004
RICHARD RETURNS
With Stuart Coburn out injured, Graham Heathcote has secured international clearance for Richard Acton to return to Altrincham from Bangor City to keep goal in Tuesday's league match against Runcorn FC Halton. Richard was first-choice goalkeeper till injured at Harrogate last season. Whilst recovering, he lost his place to Stuart Coburn who returned to Moss Lane from Leigh RMI. Likely to be back from injury tomorrow is left-back Chris Adams whilst Niell Hardy remains the only doubtful starter.
ALTRINCHAM FA YOUTH 1 MACCLESFIELD FA YOUTH 4
Match report in the Youth Team section.
Right: Tom Bane, Altrincham FA youth team's left-back, is seen in action this afternoon.
OLD BOYS
The NW Counties site confirms that David Holt has moved to Flixton. Jamie Phoenix is still with Stafford Rangers where he has figured mostly in the Reserves.FIXTURES
TuesdayNext Saturday sees the FAC3QR match between Altrincham and Hucknall Town at Moss Lane.
10 October 2004
GRAHAM IN PINK
In today's Pink Graham Heathcote says "I take full responsibility for our 6-2 Carthium Cup defeat at Ashton... I felt it was right to give a game to the likes of Niell Hardy, Gary Scott and Peter Wright, who have all been missing recently... And it was also useful to give Rod Thornley a run-out... and take a look at our latest signing, Steve Torpey, who I thought showed some great promise. For over an hour it all went very well, but I can't hide my disappointment at the way we capitulated in the last 25 minutes... It certainly wasn't the fault of our keeper Ian Senior, who I had to draft in at the last minute. He was only responsible for one of the goals.... When Ashton equalised for the second time, it appeared we couldn't be bothered battling any more". Despite winning the Manager of the Month award, Graham says that "It's what the lads do out on the pitch, what the board does to back us up, and what the fans do to turn up which are far and away the most important aspects of our or any other club". But he added, "Our recent performances haven't been as good as some of our earlier ones... Despite where we stand in the table, my target for the season is the same as it was at the outset, - namely to consolidate in this new division. My first priority is to get us to 50 points... I'm not being pessimistic, just realistic".OLD BOYS
Rossendale United have signed Jamie Baguley from Radcliffe Borough whilst Barry George, Alty Youth keeper last season, has moved from Radcliffe Borough to Woodley Sports, for whom Andy McDonald also played yesterday. Chris Downey scored for Mossley as did Darren Lyons for Salford City. Leroy Chambers turned out for Matlock Town.NATIONWIDE NORTH
Moves:Moor Green "have signed Tamworth’s right-sided defender Karl Johnson initially on loan but with a view to a permanent deal. Johnson joins central defender Junior English in the squad, who was signed on Conference forms earlier in the week on the recommendation of Youth Team coach Mickey Moore".
NL Daily reports that "Sadly, [Worcester] who are once again without highly-rated goalkeeper Danny McDonnell through injury, his replacement Aaron Kerr was stretchered off with what looks like a serious injury. The bright spot, however, was the performance of substitute keeper Lewis Skyers".
9 October 2004
OSSETT IN TROPHY
Trailing 2-0 at the interval to Warrington Town, Ossett Albion came back to win 3-2 this afternoon at Cantilever Park to secure an away FA Trophy tie at Altrincham on 6 November. Two goals from the lively Dave Dickinson and one from their captain, Richard Stack, saw the Yorkshire side home. Alty played Ossett Town in the UniBond Cup in 2000-01 but have never played Albion. Neverthless, some of the visitors' faces will be familiar toalty fans as they include a number of ex-Frickley players. Albion will be Alty's second opponents from West Yorkshire in FA competitions this season, after Farsley were drawn against us in the FA Cup. Albion have lost just once in 11 league games this campaign and have conceded only 10 goals.
Above, Ossett Albion's Danny Toronczak (10 in white) lays the ball off at Warrington this afternoon.
ALTY DROP TO FIFTH
Right: Gavin Rathbone's fine picture of Eddie Hussin (left) and Peter Band against Farsley Celtic.
RUNCORN
IC Cheshire says that Chris Lighfoot, the Runcorn "player-boss will show his dissatisfaction at recent displays by releasing at least two - possibly three - players before the club's next match against Altrincham on Tuesday... The manager has a couple of new signings lined up. Having trimmed his budget by allowing deputy keeper Mark Cartwright to go to Leek Town permanently, he hopes the axe which falls this week will enable fresh blood to be brought in... The traditional seven-day signing rule no longer applies in the FA Cup and Runcorn could recruit until the night before the visit of old rivals Stafford Rangers... Lightfoot was relieved to overcome runaway North West Counties League Division One leaders Fleetwood. He said: 'I told their manager Tony Greenwood and his assistant at the end that the better team over the two games has gone out... 'We did well for 20 minutes and then went to pot. Our passing was awful... We were attempting 50 or 60-yard passes when five or 10 yards would have done....{goalkeeper] Tony [McMillan] kept us in the game... 'We know he is prone to the odd mistake but he wins more games for us than he loses. He is also currently playing with a bad back. Because we don't have another keeper, he is soldiering on. I am still looking for back-up but all decent keepers are fixed up with clubs and it's difficult... The Linnets lost two central defenders to injury during the game ... But Lightfoot expects David Ness (tweaked ham-string) and Tom Spearritt (ankle) to be fit for the Altrincham game. Kieron Durkan ... has been carrying a rib injury since the Moor Green game. He is to have a precautionary X-ray. This gave Nicky Young the chance to win back favour".
FA CUP
Dean Barrick, boss of Hucknall, our FA Cup opponents next week, says that "The Altrincham game will not be discussed until after Saturday's game against Hinckley. They have started well and it will be tough, but we have hit a good run of form, so it should be a good game. Everyone is fit and we will also have Mark Ward back from his loan spell at Eastwood. So apart from the long term injuries to Joe Taylor (back) and Danny Mayman (groin) I will have a full squad to choose from", says Town's website.FORMER FOES
Whitby Town of the UniBond League have appointed former player David Logan as their new manager.Radcliffe Borough manager Kevin Glendon says "We are looking to use the land on the ground to build an enclosed full sized training pitch, re-lay the existing Astroturf pitches with the new field-turf and bring in a second community officer. The pitch will not be used just for training, we intend to use it to stage our junior teams games here". The UniBond League adds that "Stainton Park has just seen some new terracing constructed at the bottom end of the ground, which would be necessary if promotion to the Nationwide North is achieved".
CHESHIRE NEWS
"Nantwich Town are seeking compensation after the Football Association failed to reinstate them in the FA Cup. The Dabbers lost in the Preliminary Round away to Sutton Coldfield Town, who then beat Stratford Town before admitting they fielded an ineligible player in both games... The FA allowed only Stratford back into the FA Cup... Nantwich chairman Clive Jackson said: "They don't have a rule to cover this situation so, to my mind, they have made one up by saying they cannot go back further than one round... We have been the victims of a black and white decision in a grey area".Confguide says that "Northwich Victoria are to propose a 30-40% CVA to their creditors... There will be a creditors' meeting in 3 weeks. This is expected to offer between 30 and 40% of the money owed. A CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) would allow the club to come out of administration".
TROPHY
NLDaily confirms that "The finals of the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and the FA Sunday Cup... will be held at Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool respectively... The final of the FA Trophy will be played on Sunday, May 22nd 2005... The finals of the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and the FA Sunday Cup will continue to be played at leading grounds until 2006 when the new Wembley Stadium is due to be completed".NATIONWIDE NORTH
"Under-fire Lee Turnbull, manager of Barrow, has received a huge vote of confidence on the same night the club’s board of directors received theirs... Chairman Brian Keen told supporters he was backing Turnbull. He said: "What manager has had the injuries in very important positions that he has had?" reports the NW Evening Mail.NL Daily says that "Worcester City defender Allan Davies has left... The 32-year-old was released on Wednesday to enable manager John Barton to bring his playing budget back into line... He has signed for Ilkeston Town".
Lancaster Today says that "Lancaster City could have a new face in their line-up for today's match with Moor Green... Phil Wilson was close to adding to his squad this week, although he would not identify his target... The City boss has a space in his squad after deciding to release midfielder Chris Beech". Wilson said "I just felt that, although he had a decent game against Droylsden, he was not quite fitting into what we wanted".
This is Worcester reprots that "Worcester City's SOS goalkeeper Aaron Kerr said he is shocked to be back at St George's Lane following the second rib injury blow to Danny McDonnell. Northern Ireland U21 international Kerr made six appearances for City after McDonnell cracked his ribs during the Nationwide North draw at Hucknall Town on August 30... [He] will be out of action until Christmas. Former Walsall keeper Kerr, 21, enters the fray again... City's board of directors are paying out of their own pockets to fly Kerr over from his family home in Carrickfergus".
This is Staffs reports that "Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson has been searching for a new strategy for life in the Nationwide Conference North - how to counteract the resilience of the former UniBond Premier teams' defences... 'From the reports I've had, Vauxhall are going to make it very hard for us to break them down. Games against the ex-Dr Martens League sides, and I'll include Kettering among them, tend to be more entertaining than those from the UniBond. They tend to be very frustrating'. It adds, "Rangers have had only one success over an ex-UniBond club - Droylsden". It continues, Rangers have "three of their players seeing experts this week about their injuries and a fourth - Robinson himself - due to join them shortly. Defender Chris Smith, in fact, underwent surgery on Thursday to try to cure the knee problem ... Young keeper Will Smith was also seeking advice about his knee injury, as was utility player Nathan Talbott about a persistent toe injury. Robinson has a suspected stress fracture in the foot, which could keep him on the sidelines for a month".
Harrogate Town have extended Clayton Donaldson's loan "until the end of November".
More injury woe at Stalybridge Celtic where "Denham is out for 2 months with fractured fibula again".
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