Altrincham Football Club News Archive
3 to 9 November, 2004


9 November 2004

TUESDAY

Right: Mark Maddox, Man of the Match v Chester City.

Cheshire Senior Cup, Round 2

  • Alsager T. 3 Hyde U. 2
  • ALTRINCHAM 3 Chester C. 0
  • Stalybridge C. 3 Vauxhall M. 4 aet
  • Crewe are already through to the semis.

    FA Trophy R'd 1 replays

  • Lancaster C. 4 Matlock T. 3 aet
  • N. Ferriby U. 2 Bradford PA 2 aet, N. Ferriby won 3-1 on pens.
  • Southport 2 Gateshead 1
  • Weymouth 2 Moor Green 1

    Carthium Cup

  • Kettering T. 4 Hinckley U. 2

    PAUL COMES BACK

    With Alty's small squad now reduced by serious injuries to Stephen Rose and Peter Wright, manager Graham Heathcote is expected to include Paul Tilley in the squad for tonight's CSC tie against Chester City. Paul was a member of the successful Altrincham Youth sides in 2000-01 and 2001-02 and was captain for the latter season. In the absence of a reserve side at Moss Lane at that time, he moved on to Trafford and, subsequently, Leigh RMI. Paul returned some weeks ago to the newly re-formed Altrincham Reserves for whom he has impressed in midfield. Above, Paul is seen (third from right front row) in the 2000-01 side - and far right, back row, is Stephen Lunt who had just had an encounter with the barber.

    MOVING ON

    The "travellers" who camped behind the Popular Side at Moss Lane last week, have moved - but only as far as to the main car park.

    COLLECTION

    Saturday's STAR collection for Mrs Mary Mullen, widow of the Worcester City steward, who died at the game against Altrincham ten days ago, amounted to £231.25. Grateful thanks are due to all who collected and/or gave money to the collection. Our thoughts are with Mrs Mullen.

    CSC

    Alty meet Chester City tonight at Moss Lane in a Cheshire Senior Cup quarter-final which should have been played at the Deva Stadium. But City asked to transfer the tie. Crewe Alexandra are already through to the Cheshire Senior Cup quarter-finals, having beaten Tranmere Rovers 2-0 on penalties after a goalless game.

    HARDY INJURED

    Barry Shuttleworth and Niell Hardy (right) were both released by Alty less than two weeks ago but both are already out, injured, at their new clubs. Barry had the misfortune to break his ankle at Bamber Bridge last week, whilst the Ashton Forum reports that, against Vauxhall, "Niell Hardy had to be taken off with a bad groin strain".

    ALL CHANGE AT REDDITCH

    On Saturday, Alty travel to The Valley, Redditch, where "There were quite a number of comings and goings last week... On the incoming side, Steve Cowe has joined from Forest Green Rovers. An attacking midfielder, Cowe was with Aston Villa for five seasons including an initial period as a trainee and, despite not making a senior appearance, was the subject of a £100,000 transfer to Swindon Town. He played almost 100 times for Swindon... Tamworth’s Rory May has moved to the Valley on loan for a month. May impressed the Redditch management when scoring against them in the Carthium Cup recently whilst on-loan to rivals Moor Green. There is also a welcome return for midfielder Richard Field, who has completed his loan spell with Willenhall Town. Departing the club are midfielder Jordan King and striker Robbie Taylor... Meanwhile, striker Scott Voice's loan period with Solihull Borough has been extended to the end of the season". For more, see the excellent Redditch website.

    TROPHY OPPONENTS

    Our Trophy opponents Gainsborough Trinity’s "striker Gareth Grant has revealed he found out on www.nonleaguedaily.com that he had been placed on the transfer list. The former Lincoln City frontman was put up for sale by the Northolme outfit after their 3-2 FA Cup exit against Halesowen Town and falling gates led to a problem with the budget... 'I spoke to the manager, Paul Mitchell, at our next game and he confirmed I was on the transfer list. He said it was in the best interests of the club. It is out of my hands. These things happen in football and I will have to find pastures new'... Grant was last season's leading scorer... This season he has only found the back of the net on three occasions... Since being placed on the transfer list, Grant has been left out of the side and has had to be content with appearances from the substitutes' bench" reports This is Lincs.

    COMING SOON

    Alty travel to Moor Green in three weeks' time. The Hall Green, Birmingham club "have served seven days' notice of approach for Aberystwyth Town and former TNS midfielder David Bridgwater... 'Moor Green would be a lot more local for him'" said the Aberystwyth boss, adding that "He is a non-contract player, so it is entirely his decision" reports Welsh Premier.

    GRAVY PROBLEM AT BREWERY FIELD

    "Following an inspection by UniBond League officials Spennymoor United have been told to carry out ground improvements. Their visit followed a report by an official from another club... Moors have now been told to provide a protective tunnel for players from the dressing rooms to the pitch, a higher fence around part of their boundary, and a gate for the groundsman’s tractor to enter the field. Moors' owner Benny Mottram said: 'We were told we need a tunnel in case objects, such as pies, are thrown at players and officials'" reports NL Daily.
    8 November 2004

    TROPHY DRAW

    Altrincham have been drawn away at Gainsborough Trinity in the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy to be held on Saturday 27th November. Alty are one of only two Nationwide North teams drawn away at opposition from that same division.

    Alty have met Gainsborough previously in the Trophy, in 1975-76 in a 3rd Qualifying Round match, which was a 2-2 draw at Moss Lane and a 4-1 win to Trinity in the replay. They have also met in the FA Cup, twice. In 1933-34 Gainsborough won 1-0 at home in Round 1 but in 1992-93 in the 4th Qualifying Round, Alty won 2-0 at the Northolme.

    Selections from the draw:

  • King's Lynn v Gateshead or Southport
  • Stalybridge Celtic v Marine
  • Droylsden v Bamber Bridge
  • Kidsgrove v Vauxhall M.
  • Gainsborough v Altrincham
  • Wakefield Emley v Redditch
  • Matlock T. or Lancaster C. v Bromsgrove R.
  • Kettering v Burscough
  • Barrow v Rothwell Town
  • Hucknall v Radcliffe B.
  • Hinckley U. v Willenhall
  • Bradford PA or North Ferriby v Alfreton
  • Worcester v Prescot C. or Lincoln U.
  • Redbridge v Moor Green/Weymouth

    LEIGH RMI YOUTH 2 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 7

    After seven goals in the first team game on Saturday, the Alty Youth team were involved in a nine-goal match at Pennington on Sunday. There is a match report on the Youth Page.

    ANNIVERSARY

  • Through the Years courtesy of Howard Watts, for Tuesday 9 November - which is the 19th anniversary of the famous 7-4 win over Nuneaton Borough which is still the joint highest aggregate in an Alliance/Conference match.

    ALTRINCHAM 6 OSSETT ALBION 1

    Match report here..

  • Alty line-up
  • Alty statistics
  • Alty's full FA Trophy record

    Right: Gary Scott receiving his Man of the Match award from Sean Gonet and Sam Williamson.

    Saturday's win means that the home league game on 27 November against Hucknall is now postponed as that is the date of the FAT Round Two.

    FAT 1 - NN RESULTS

  • Alfreton T. 2 Runcorn FC Halton 0
  • Altrincham 6 Ossett Albion 1
  • Bradford PA 1 North Ferriby U. 1
  • Droylsden 1 Leek T. 0
  • Eastwood T. 1 Worksop T. 0
  • Gainsborough T. 2 Workington 1
  • Gateshead 1 Southport 1
  • Hinckley U. 3 Stafford R. 1
  • Hucknall T. 4 Bracknell T. 0
  • Matlock T. 2 Lancaster C. 1
  • Moor Green 1 Weymouth 1
  • Newport Co. 0 Kettering T. 4
  • Redditch U. 2 Merthyr Tydfil 1
  • Rothwell T. 2 Nuneaton B. 1
  • Stalybridge Celtic 3 Harrogate T. 2
  • Vauxhall M. 2 Ashton U. 1
  • Worcester C. 3 Chippenham T. 0
  • Woodley S. 0 Barrow 1
    7 November 2004

    ENJOYABLE NIGHT

    The club's Hot Pot and Curry Evening at Moss Lane last night was a successful sell-out. As well as an auction of sporting memorabilia, conducted by Alty boss Graham Heathcote, there was a question and answer session with three of Alty's new signings this season, Colin Potts, Colin Little and Eddie Hussin (left) forming the panel. All three players expressed genuine pleasure to be at Altrincham. They praised the professional way that the club was run and appreciated that they, as players, were well looked after, not least by having chairman Geoff Goodwin's excellent coaches to take them to away games. Colin Potts also singled out the Alty supporters who, he felt, were "unbelievable", especially away from home. Of their playing colleagues, the trio all mentioned goalkeeper Stuart Coburn as a major factor in the side's success this season, whilst Gary Talbot and Marcus Hallows were amongst the others singled out by their colleagues. The three also recalled their best moments in football such as when they had come up against the likes of Paul Scholes and David Ginola on the football pitch. Whilst Colin Little has, of course, plenty of League experience, Eddie has played for Everton Reserves and Colin Potts for Preston North End Reserves.

    The evening concluded with an entertaining talk by Test cricket umpire and former Leicestershire cricketer Barry Dudleston, who is a friend of Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin. As a result, the audience included a large contingent from Urmston Cricket Club, with which Graham Heathcote has connections and for whom Alty stand-in goalkeeper Kurt Edginton is a longstanding fast bowler. Amongst Barry's humorous anecdotes were stories about England and Leicestershire spinners Ray Illingworth and Tony Lock, and more recent stars such as Nasser Hussain.

    As well as the amusing verbal entertainment which went on throughout the evening, the food (by the Amblehurst Hotel) was excellent and very efficient table service was provided by Sarah Rowley and colleagues, whilst Jenny Heslop and colleagues were the heroines behind the bar. But most importantly, a useful sum was raised to keep the club's finances on an even keel - aided by the £1,800 won by the players in the preceding FA Trophy tie against Ossett Albion.

    OLD BOYS

    Alty old boys scoring yesterday included Chris Downey (Mossley), Jamie Baguley (two for Rossendale), Ged Kielty (Rhyl), Marc Lloyd-Williams and John Toner (two each for TNS).

    Three ex-Alty keepers were in the news. Former youth keeper Dale Newbrook played most of the Trophy match against Barrow when he had to come on as a sub, Ashley Timms kept goal for Mossley and Lance Key (now at Histon) has been nominated as one of the players of the Round in the FA Cup.

    Elsewhere, Terry Bowker (Stalybridge), Andy McDonald (Woodley) and Anthony Hargreaves (Flixton) were all in action yesterday. Neil Doherty is back at Barrow, playing for the Reserves.


    6 November 2004

    BAD NEWS FOR PETER

    The injury to Peter Wright picked up in the midweek Reserves' game has now been diagnosed as a fractured eye-socket rather than a fractured cheekbone. Peter is therefore expected to be out of action for six weeks. All at Moss Lane wish Peter good luck in his recovery period.

    ALTY INTERESTED

    This is Accrington says that "Lutel James has vowed to fight for a first team place until his future with Accrington Stanley is resolved. The striker was anticipating a move away from the Interlink Express Stadium this week, with Droylsden favourites to get his signature. At least six clubs have expressed an interest in either signing James or taking him on loan since he went on the transfer list". James said "I'm on contract here so financially any deal has got to be right for all parties. I would be prepared to go out on loan to get match fit". According to the MEN "Altrincham and Stalybridge have both asked about taking him on loan".

    TROPHY

    Harrogate Town report that they "have signed striker Danny Holland on a month’s loan from rivals Hucknall Town. Holland... became hot property after joining Matlock Town from NCEL Staveley Miners Welfare... hitting 65 goals in a two-year stint at Causeway Lane. Last term he scored 41 goals to finish as the UniBond League's top marksman". Harrogate's former Frickley striker "Lee Morris has been loaned out to Wakefield-Emley for a period of 1 month" to regain fitness says Town's website.

    Stalybridge Celtic have "announced the signing of centre-half Martin Lancaster (23), formerly of Northwich Victoria". He had been reported to be joining Worksop Town. But "ex-Accrington striker Damien Hindle has been released". Meanwhile Frickley centre back James Cotterill has rejoined Barrow.

    On NL Daily "Gresley Rovers have confirmed that Karl Brown has left the club to join Runcorn FC Halton". Brown is based on Merseyside.

    The BBC says that "The whole of Nuneaton Borough's first team football squad has been checked for meningitis after... striker Avun Jephcott was admitted to hospital on Tuesday... The 21-year-old is now recovering".

    Glenn Murray has signed League registration forms with Barrow and the club are hoping to make things more permanent following the FA Trophy game at the weekend. This will be in agreement with Carlisle who... will be allowed to talk to Glenn first in the future".

    Harrogate Today manager John Reed said of the FA Trophy, "I want to go as far as I can in this competition and see just how good a side we really are. There is no reason why we can't go all the way and win it... I'm desperate to avoid a repeat of the Liversedge [FA Cup] fiasco".

    Hucknall Today manager "Dean Barrick... has been rewarded with the boss's job until the end of the season by delighted chairman Brian Holmes. Town failed to reach the First Round proper of the FA Cup yet again last Saturday when nosediving to a 5-1 defeat at Morecambe", a tie they earned by beating Altrincham. "I would expect us to strengthen the quality of our squad, while reducing the quantity," said Hucknall chairman Brian Holmes.

    New Runcorn boss Alvin McDonald "has moved quickly to mould the Linnets into his own team after replacing Chris Lightfoot. Striker Stuart Wright, 26, has signed from rivals Altrincham after failing to break into their first team, while utility midfielder Paul Hives, 22, has joined from Warrington Town after a short spell at Vauxhall Motors, McDonald's previous club. Local Runcorn side, General Chemicals, have provided a trio of talent in Martin Molyneux, Ian Cox and Ashley Siner" to bring to five the number of new faces says This is Runcorn.

    RESTRUCTURING

    The NL Daily reports that "Albany Northern League clubs have given short shrift to the proposal of joining a re-shaped UniBond League... [which] is considering several ideas, one of which is to create a new First Division below the Premier Division, split north and south. But, according to a survey... only three clubs would seriously consider moving upwards at the present time, mainly for financial reasons... If the new UniBond divisions are formed, it means the Northern League would drop down a level in the national system". A Northern League representative said "it would cost £25,000 per season for one of our current clubs to move up the system, taking into account the extra travel cost, extra players’ expenses, and ground improvements... This suggestion of a UniBond North and South is stark, staring bonkers".
    5 November 2004

    INJURY JINX FOLLOWS ALTY PLAYER

    After the broken leg for Stephen Rose and the broken cheekbone for Peter Wright within the last week, comes news that Barry Shuttleworth, released on 28 October by Altrincham, has broken his ankle whilst training for Bamber Bridge. "The left-sided player, who had joined from Altrincham, is expected to be out of contention for six to eight weeks, and was taken to Chorley Hospital last night following a bad break while going for a cross" reports Preston Today. We all wish Barry a full and speedy recovery.

    RESERVES' WIN

    Alty Reserves won on Wednesday against Chorley. But first-teamer Peter Wright picked up a nasty injury. A report is on the Reserves' page

    SUPPORTERS' COACHES

    If you don't attend Alty's away games you only experience half of the season so why not join your fellow supporters on the STAR supporters' coaches which run to every away game? Courtesy of travel organiser Mark Eckersall, the STAR supporters' coach details for the away matches at Redditch (13th) and Vauxhall Motors (16th) are here. To book, ring the club on 928-1045.

    ROSIE

    The STAR Board of Directors has agreed to donate the bucket collection taken against Alfreton on 20 November to Stephen Rose, who broke his leg at Worcester last week and is unable to work as a consequence. If you can help with this or any other half-time bucket collection, please contact Gary Warrington via the Fans' Forum.

    This Saturday there will be a collection for the family of the Worcester City steward who collapsed and died last Saturday just after helping to carry the stretcher bearing Stephen Rose off the pitch. Please give generously.

    SATURDAY

    Altrincham are expected to include Dave Cummins from Trafford FC as their goalkeeping substitute on Saturday.

    LOCAL NEWS

    "Chairman Mike Worthington is to take over as caretaker-manager of Witton Albion following the dismissal of [former Alty man and] manager John Davison". Brian Pritchard, the player dismissed for tackling a streaker at Moss Lane in last year's CSC Final, "will assist with team selection".

    Meanwhile "Kevin Glendon, manager of Radcliffe Borough, has released three of his first-team squad. Midfielder Simon Carden and forward Rory Patterson have been released from their contracts by mutual consent, while also leaving Stainton Park is experienced midfielder Karl Marginson" reports NL Daily.

    NATIONWIDE NORTH

    "Phil Wilson, manager of Lancaster City, was jubilant after the 1-0 victory at Scarborough which sent his side through to an FA Cup First Round meeting with MK Dons. Wilson's tactic of snubbing out the Boro' midfield again worked a treat and left the stage open for defender Joe McMahon to score in the last minute" reports Scarborough Today.

    NL Daily follows up reports of the collapse of Carthium who sponsored the Conference league cup and also several teams. "The chairman Gary Calder and manager Garry Hill were informed that there would no longer be the funds available to sustain Hornchurch FC. Players and staff were issued wage cheques on Tuesday, but these were all stopped". However, "The club will continue playing football and will compete in the FA Trophy and the FA Cup". The Carthium Group was one of the largest suppliers of windows, doors, conservatories and glazing components in the UK, with an annual turnover of £140 million".

    The Tameside Advertiser says that new Stalybridge boss "Peter Wragg admitted he was looking forward to actually seeing Stalybridge Celtic on the pitch when they face Harrogate Town this weekend. The FA Trophy match at Bower Fold is Celtic’s first game in almost a fortnight".


    4 November 2004

    NOW PETER IS SIDELINED

    After last week's injury to Stephen Rose, Alty's small first-team squad lost another member last night when striker Peter Wright (right) broke his cheekbone in the Reserves' game against Chorley. Peter is likely to be out for 3 or 4 weeks, according to reserves' manager Neil Brown. Neil's Reserves beat Chorley 2-0 with Wright scoring one and defender Adam Brindle netting the other. Report to follow.

    Earlier, in SAM, first-team boss Graham Heathcote had commented on the loss of Rose by saying "I would rather be stretched player-wise than financially. We will get by and the 11 on the pitch will be a match for anyone we play at our level".

    CARTHIUM CUP

    "Carthium Ltd, sponsors of the Carthium Cup and several football clubs, this week ceased trading. The company ceased trading at the end of business on Tuesday. One definite football-related casualty is Hornchurch FC, currently top of the Conference South. The club may still continue in some form, we understand, but all current playing staff have been released and are available free to other clubs. A statement from the Conference regarding the Carthium Cup is expected shortly", says Confguide.

    ASHLEY MOVES

    Goalkeeper, Ashley Timms, has been released for a second time by Manchester City and has now joined Mossley. Ashley played 2 first-team and eight youth games for Altrincham last season.

    NEXT IN TROPHY

    Our FA Trophy opponents on Saturday, Ossett Albion lost 2-1 a.e.t. away to Bishop Auckland last night in the Unibond Challenge Cup. Their scorer was Danny Toronczak, who is the UniBond First Division's leading scorer this season.

    NEXT IN LEAGUE

    Alty's next league opponents are Redditch United. This is Worcs quotes United chairman Pat Cremin: "The goal now is a play-off spot. If we get an extra 200 to 250 people in those gates then we'll win this thing. We're three quality players short of winning this league - I've talked to Rod [the manager] about it and at the end of the day it's about money - if we can attract three more players this league can be ours".

    NATIONWIDE NORTH

    In this week's Carthium Cup match Gainsborough won a penalty against Hucknall Town when one former Alty player, Chris Timons, tripped another, Lee Ellington who got up to convert the spot-kick.

    Kettering Today says that Town have "arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly with his former club Northampton Town to replace the postponed Carthium Cup tie against Hinckley United... [Boss Kevin Wilson said] "Our squad is quite low in numbers now that we've let two more go so this is an ideal opportunity for others to show me what they can do".

    Carthium Cup Barrow 4 Southport 1

    OLD BOYS

    Matthew Bailey (left) made his debut for Stockport as a substitute in the defeat at Wrexham in the LDV Vans Trophy. He had already made his League debut whilst on loan to Scunthorpe earlier in the season.

    Stuart Wright has now joined Runcorn FC Halton where he is reunited with his former boss at Vauxhall, Alvin McDonald. Another Runcorn player with Alty connections, Lee Kissock broke his leg against Vauxhall recently. Simon Woodford (right) played at right-back for Trafford on Tuesday in the NW Counties 1.


    3 November 2004

    FA CUP 4QR REPLAYS

  • Alfreton T. 2 Worksop T 1 aet
  • Scarborough 0 Lancaster C. 1
  • Burton A. 1 Hinckley U. 1 Hinckley won 4-1 on pens.

    Revised draw for NN clubs in the FA Cup 1st Round, to be played 13/14 November:

  • Bury v Vauxhall M.
  • Hinckley U. v Torquay
  • MK Dons v Lancaster C.
  • Southport v Hereford U.
  • Stafford R. v Chester C.
  • Alfreton T. v Macclesfield T.

    OLD BOYS

    Witton Albion "announce that they have parted company with manager John Davison and assistant-manager Peter King... Club chairman Mike Worthington said: 'We had hoped that we had found the right team to bring some success to the club. Sadly, this has not been the case and the board felt that following considerable investment on the playing side we should be in a much stronger position than we currently are, and therefore we have to do something about it'". Davison had joined Witton from St Helens Town in September 2003.

    Jamie Phoenix (right) played for Stafford Rangers at Worcester in the Carthium Cup on Monday. Ian Craney scored for Accrington last night.

    NATIONWIDE NORTH

    NL Daily reports more woe at Worcester after Saturday's game v Altrincham which saw two die and Stephen Rose break his leg. In th CArthium Cup v Stafford Rangers "there was more misery for Worcester when, shortly after he’d scored, Mark Owen [who scored two against Alty] collided with advertising hoardings. A stretcher was called for but he hobbled off with the aid of the physio and a steward. But it is feared he has broken ribs, and of that is confirmed he will probably be out of action for six to eight weeks".

    "Anthony Wright made his competitive debut for Vauxhall Motors on Saturday, playing for the ‘A’ side... This is a remarkable recovery for Wright, who was shot four times in July and still rattles! ... Motors’ Andy McMullen has been forced to give up playing football as a result of his ongoing injury problem and, quite naturally, he's devastated... Meanwhile, Mike Tomlinson is due to see a specialist about his ongoing ankle injury in just over two weeks time", reports the Motors' website. Alty travel to Vauxhall on Nov. 16th.

    Stafford Rangers are reported to have signed Justin Jackson the former Morecambe striker.

    CARTHIUM CUP

  • Runcorn FC Halton 2 Vauxhall M. 1
  • Hucknall T. 1 Gainsborough T. 4

    ADDITION

    Terry Rowley has added another player to his piece on Altrincham's debutants who scored hat-tricks which is here.
    FOR EARLIER NEWS, CLICK HERE