Altrincham Football Club News Archive
23 November to 2 December, 2004
2 December 2004
MATCH OFF
Manchester United Reserves' game against Wolves Reserves at Moss Lane tonight was postponed due to fog.VAL MAKES HIS MARK
Pictured right is Alty midfielder Val Owen, as he left the pitch on
Tuesday, after scoring for the second consecutive game, both goals being
against Gainsborough.
NEW CHAPLAIN
Altrincham FC have welcomed a new chaplain to Moss Lane. He is Rev. Steve Cockram of Altrincham Baptist Church. Steve hails from Exeter and has played Minor Counties cricket. He moved to Altrincham in 1995.SATURDAY
Our opponents on Saturday, Moor Green, beat Hednesford Town 3-1 on Tuesday in the Birmingham Senior Cup. Howard Watts's Through the Years has been updated for 4 December.JUST LIKE BEING THERE!
Once again, Mark Eckersall will be providing live updates on Altrincham's game this Saturday via Gary Warrington's chatroom. Mark's aim is to provide team news from 2.45pm then live action details to those who cannot attend the match at Moor Green. The chatroom link is here or the service can be can be accessed through the Forum (link in top panel of this page). Access is free to all, no membership is required. Mark will also welcome comments, chat and banter from fellow supporters during the match. On its debut last week Mark's service had 29 fellow supporters joining him in the chat room.OLD BOYS
Danny McGoona has just ended a stint as acting manager of Conwy United. Danny remains a registered player at Colwyn Bay as well, and has made two appearances on the Bay bench this season. After being on the verge of joining Colwyn Bay, Adam Farley has signed for Witton Albion instead, following his release by Droylsden. (Thanks to Andy Owens for the above information).Chris Downey scored two for Mossley on Tuesday night.
NATIONWIDE NORTH
NL Daily says that "Boreham Wood are keen on signing Kettering Town’s striker Drew Roberts... Roberts has struggled to hit the target for Kettering this season with just four goals in 18 Nationwide North appearances".Nationwide North Manager of the Month for November is Dean Barrick of Hucknall Town. Contestants for Player of the Month are Danny Bacon (Hucknall), Neil Cartwright (Hinckley), Peter Duffield (Alfreton), Leon Kelly (Worcester) and Carl Shutt (BPA).
Harrogate, whom we meet a week on Saturday, beat Armthorpe Welfare 10 -0 in the W. Riding County Cup this week.
SANTA IS A STAR
The STAR website has details of how you can e-mail Santa and, in return, get a reply containing a free voucher for an Alty home league match. There are also gift vouchers to be won.1 December 2004
ALTRINCHAM 1 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0
VICS MOVE FOR BAND
Northwich Victoria have given seven days notice of approach to Altrincham
for team captain Peter Band (right). Alty boss Graham Heathcote says, "I
personally don't believe that this would be a good move for Peter and
would
be very disappointed if he goes but the decision is his. It's one of the
dangers we have to live with as our players are not on contract... Peter
has epitomised the spirit of this team since I took over as manager and
his
desire and energy remind me very much of Jason Gallagher, who was vastly
underrated. They rub off on other players with their energy and every team
needs a Peter Band/ Jason Gallagher".
CHEEKY FUNDRAISER
The long awaited STAR calendar for 2005, organised by Jo Ryan, Alty's Nationwide coordinator, was on sale at Tuesday's match at a bargain £9. It features a number of Altrincham players as you have never seen them before!OLD BOYS
Four ex-Alty men are in the news at Runcorn FC Halton, whose website reports on "a number of injuries, the most obvious of which are Lee Kissock with a broken fibula, and Carl Furlong is still out with his hamstring injury. Mike Garrity is still complaining about soreness to his ribs but hopefully he will be up and running very soon". Meanwhile, Stuart Wright was on the Linnets' bench on Saturday.NATIONWIDE NORTH
The Barrow Forum reports that "Kidderminster Harriers are expected to put in 7 days notice for Karl Colley".30 November 2004
RESERVES OFF
Wednesday's Reserves game at home to Bamber Bridge has been postponed as the Abbey Hey pitch had been double booked. The next game is away on Friday at Great Harwood versus Accrington Stanley.CONF. CUP
RUNCORN SIGNING
Our rivals Runcorn FC Halton have signed "21-year old versatile defender Jimmy Turner [from Gresley Rovers]... He can play anywhere in defence and has being showing his versatility recently by playing on the right side of Gresley’s midfield. He started his career at Championship side Derby County, before moving to Forest Green Rovers". Alvin McDonald said, "We have been aware of Jimmy for some time. He is good friends with Karl [Brown] who we signed last month", states a Runcorn FC Halton press release.THROUGH THE YEARS
Howard Watts's Through the Years data for tomorrow's date are here.TROPHY
The Gainsborough Trinity website has a report on Saturday's FA Trophy draw at The Northolme. It accurately states that "The Blues will look back on a first half in which they could have sewn this tie up, visitors Altrincham staging a second half revival". If Altrincham can get past Gainsborough tonight they will be away at Leigh RMI in Round 3. Though the sides have not before in the Trophy, Alty did play Leigh's forerunners, Horwich RMI, in the Trophy quarter-finals in 1991. Alty won 5-0 at Moss Lane.COMING SOON
A week on Saturday, Alty travel to Harrogate and in Harrogate Today "Town boss John Reed has admitted his team have a 'serious problem' in front of goal... having scored just four times in the last six matches... Reed is set to recall Lee Morris from his loan spell at Wakefield-Emley shortly and the Town boss was this week linked with a swoop for Gainsborough Trinity striker Gareth Grant. Town's inability to convert chances into goals was highlighted this week as they slipped to two successive defeats against Redditch on Saturday and Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday night... 'I see the next three league games as massive fixtures - they're like cup finals for us', he said. 'I need somebody who can just go bang, bang, bang and stick them in. You've got to convert at least 50 per cent of your chances at this level'. Also, "James Turley missed a penalty for the second game in a row and - despite the Redditch defeat - Reed persevered with his new line-up which has seen prolific winger Colin Hunter drop to the bench. And some supporters even vented their anger at Reed during Tuesday's game, believing the manager to be responsible for their recent dip in form".IC Coventry reports on Nuneaton's win over our next league opponents, Moor Green. "Boro had to survive an early spurt from the Brummies as Jae Martin forced keeper Darren Acton into a brave low save on three minutes at the feet of the on-rushing Sean Dowdall. Darren Middleton then fired across the face of the net and then sliced wide when well placed while Dave Bridgewater grazed a post from 20 yards as the Moors went on the offensive".
OLD BOY
Mossleyweb reports that Mario Daniel "twice [went] close with a header and then a rasping drive" against Colwyn Bay on Saturday.NATIONWIDE NORTH
Worcester City report that "The Club has opened a City Centre Club Shop on a short let basis and it will be open every day from now, up to and including Christmas Eve. This is the 4th year that the Club has had a City Centre shop... The opening hours are 10am - 4pm everyday except for Thursday's when it will be open for late night shopping until 8pm".NL Daily says that "Redditch United will look to reinforce their squad this week... Assistant-manager Gary Whild admitted: 'We've made giant strides this season but now we need to look at taking that next step forward into the top six'... Manager Rod Brown and Whild have targeted Gresley Rovers' wideman Chris Gray and Bromsgrove Rovers' striker Arthur Appleton... Whild said: 'Chris plays with a bit of fire in his belly'.
The Burton Mail says that "Runcorn are chasing Gresley Rovers' defender Jimmy Turner. The Linnets pounced for Rovers midfielder Karl Brown last month and have now put seven days notice in for former Derby County defender. Turner, 23, who had a spell at Forest Green Rovers... Boss Gary Norton is keen to hold onto Turner, but... said: "To keep him would probably cost us a bit more money, but it may be a big ask for us to keep him because of the money he is likely to be offered and the pull of Conference football if he wants to go'".
Worksop Today quotes the Tigers' left-back Kevin Davies: "The lads are really buzzing at the moment because of the two excellent away results that have taken us into the top five for the first time this season. It has given us confidence and I think we can definitely get in the play-offs come the end of the season".
The NW Evening Mail says that "newly appointed Barrow AFC first team coach Paul Raven has not ruled out making a playing comeback. The experienced 35-year-old was given the Holker Street coaching job at the end of last month... The former West Brom and Grimsby ace agreed a pay-as-you-play deal with the Bluebirds in the summer after being released by Carlisle United. But the Doncaster-based defender has been dogged by injury and has not been able to play as often as he had hoped".
29 November 2004
CONFERENCE CUP
TROPHY DRAW
The winners of the Altrincham v Gainsborough FA Trophy replay tomorrow will play Leigh RMI, away, in Round 3 on 15 January.Nationwide North clubs' ties:
YOUTH REPORT
A match report on Alty Youth Team's amazing 15-1 win yesterday is in the Youth section.GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 1 ALTRINCHAM 1
Match report here.
NATIONWIDE NORTH
Nuneaton Borough's board has held a supporters' meeting to explain its proposed move of ground to Liberty Way. The club will own the current rugby club pitch and will build their own club house. For details see the club website.At Worksop, "Initial discussions with the Bassetlaw District Council are due to take place on Friday following [Worksop] Chairman Howard Raymond's bid to purchase the Sandy Lane ground", reports the Tigers' website.
The Tameside Advertiser confirms three recent departures from Droylsden where "One bright spot is the return of Craig Robinson, offsetting the departures of Adam Farley, Ciaran Kilheeney and Steve Brown who have all sought pastures new".
28 November 2004
GATES
Terry Rowley's updated Nationwide North attendance chart is here.OLD BOYS
Former Alty Youth defender Mark Drew played for Leigh RMI in the Conference yesterday but was sent off. On the Leigh bench were three other ex-Alty youngsters, Lee Shillito, Ben Ashmole and Graham Tench. Anthony Hargreaves and Steve Tobin scored for Flixton. Tony Sullivan scored 2 minutes from time to put Lancaster through against Bromsgrove in the Trophy yesterday. Adam Farley, released by Droylsden, is expected to join Colwyn Bay, despite interest from Stalybridge Celtic. Goalkeeper Ryan McMahon (Congleton), Andy McDonald (Woodley Sports) played yesterday and Martin McDonald netted for Cheadle Town. Steve Hawes played for Stocksbridge and Guiseley's Jeremey Illingworth was spotted by the Alty supporters' coach party yesterday at Ferrybridge services on his way to Frickley. Chris Downey (Mossley) and Marc Whiteman (Lewes) scored yesterday and Kevin Ellison turned out for Chester City.IN THE NEWS
The Pink has a large article repeating much of chairman Geoff Goodwin's recent article in the Robins' Review. The letters page has a missive from well-known Alty fan Peter Hennerley recalling the water throwing incident many years ago between Altrincham manager Freddie Pye and Macclesfield's Fidler, John King's punching a visiting trainer in the 1970s and a fight in the directors' box in which Alty chairman Peter Swales punched a Macclesfield official and then resigned his position. Another letter, from Rob Elison, recalls how Alty's Jackie Swindells was doused with water at Runcorn.ALTY RESERVES 5 BPA RESERVES 1
Alty Reserves' good form continued with their biggest win of the season against Bradford Park Avenue last Wednesday. More details to follow. The Reserves are at home to Bamber Bridge this Wednesday (7.45pm at Abbey Hey). The updated league table is in the Reserves' section.27 November 2004
RESULTS
FA Trophy 2Right: Marcus Hallows
Nationwide North
GAINSBOROUGH MATCH
In this week's SAM, Dalton Steele (left) says of our Trophy opponents today, Gainsborough Trinity, "They are going to be very tough at home. It could just be down to who wants it more and who gets the rub of the green. But, if we play like we did on Saturday [against Alfreton], there's every chance we will come away with a win". On that game, Dalton added, "We created enough chances for three games. we outplayed them but missed chances. In my opinion, that's the best we've played for a sustained 90 minutes all season". As for that game and the subsequent loss at Vauxhall, the Alty assistant boss said, "There are a a lot of positives from both games; we can open up most teams, now it is about finishing chances".
"Embattled Gainsborough Trinity boss Paul Mitchell led his troops to a 1-0 victory at Redditch United on Tuesday night, despite off-field problems. Mitchell is currently at loggerheads with chairman Pat Lobley over the handling of striker Gareth Grant. Transfer-listed Grant is expected to leave Trinity this week, with league rivals Harrogate Town the favourites for his signature, but Mitchell has been excluded from negotiations". However, "With Harrogate's chairman wanting to see Grant play before parting with his money, any immediate transfer looks unlikely, although other clubs are now reported to be interested". But "There is no problem between me and the players," said Mitchell. "The relationship between us is spot on. The lads are terrific. Their passing and work-rate has been excellent". This is Lincs adds that "Former Doncaster Rovers winger Rob O'Brien has re-signed for Gainsborough after a short spell with rivals Wakefield-Emley. The right-sided midfielder had two loan spells at the Northolme last season and nearly joined permanently in the summer after being released by Rovers".
STAR INITIATIVES
The much awaited STAR calendar featuring a number of Altrincham players in "artistic poses" will be out soon- hopefully by next weekend's Christmas dinner. STAR also announce that they have planned "a number of exciting Christmas activities which will be taking place over the coming weeks: Young Alty fans can make use of STAR’s email hotline to Santa in Lapland at the STAR website at www.star4alty.com by clicking on the Santa link and sending him an email. Santa’s famous red and white outfit of course gives away the fact that he’s an Alty fan, so he’ll be replying to each email he receives, as well as attaching a free voucher for forthcoming Alty league matches for each child of 14 and under. One lucky boy and one lucky girl will each receive a £20 gift voucher, as Santa will be taking time out on Christmas day to draw the winners from all those who have emailed him. For older Alty fans, there’s also a Special Champagne Free Prize Draw on the STAR website at www.star4alty.com. To win, all you have to do is attend Altrincham FC Christmas Celebration Dinner at the Cresta Court Hotel on Saturday 4th December, find the lucky password in the STAR message on the menu card, and then key that in at the special Santa link on the STAR website and you’ll be entered in our free champagne draw. Of course, we’d also like you to join STAR at the same time if you’re not already a member! Tickets for the Dinner are priced at £40 and available from Altrincham Football Club on 0161 928 1045".NATIONWIDE NORTH
In the Conference Cup, Stalybridge beat Lancaster 4-2 this week and ex- Alty man "Terry Bowker scored goal of the season, according to the Celtic Forum. A number of Celtic's injured players - Gregg Pearce, Nathan Wharton, Craig Dootson and Tony Whealing- are recovering well. However, Phil Eastwood awaits results of a scan on his knee whilst Chris Denham has "a second fracture at the plateau of the tibia. The original fracture of the fibula still hasn't healed".Lancaster Today says that City are suffering with injuries, too, with Steve Hollis "on crutches with an ankle injury, and Ryan-Zico Black, suffering from mumps. Paul Sparrow and Joe McMahon [have] suffered knocks". Also, Gary Bauress is suspended. Manager Phil Wilson said: "We have got a small squad and so we have got to play all our players". He has brought in Brian Moogan (19), a midfielder " released by Everton in the summer.
"Harrogate Town have announced the signing of experienced left-sided midfielder Lee Philpott from Weymouth". Philpott played against Alty for Weymouth last season. In 1992 Leicester City paid £350,000 for him. The Harrogate website says that he left Weymouth recently "due to the difficulties of travelling to the south coast from his home in York".
24 November 2004
TABLE
After last night's results (see below), the league table is here.23 November 2004
TUESDAY RESULTS
Nationwide North:
FA Cup 1 Replay
Conference Cup
RESERVES
The December fixtures for Altrincham Reserves can now be accessed via the Reserves' page.MOVED ON
The "travellers" who had camped on the car park at Moss Lane for the last fortnight, moved on before last Saturday's game.JUST THE TICKET
STAR is now producing Kids Go Free tickets which can be printed from their website. These tickets are for under-14s accompanied by a paying adult at specified games at Moss Lane.There is also still time to get your second-half season ticket which is valid for 10 league games, starting with the Alty v Southport match on 18 December. The tickets just £70 for the stand or £60 for the terraces (£30 for concessionaries for either location). Again, please ring the club for details.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Please don't forget the club's Christmas Bingo Evening in the Sponsors' Lounge on 3 December. If you can donate items such as biscuits, tinned food, wine, Christmas items (crackers, wrapping paper, tags, etc) for this event, they will all be welcomed. On 4 December at 7.30pm, there is a Christmas Celebration Dinner at the Cresta Court Hotel. Tickets are £40. For details of both events please contact the club on 928-1045.OLD BOYS
"Two-goal Andy Lovelock (at Alty 1999-2000) steered Racing Club Warwick to a welcome 2-1 success over Boldmere St Michaels that keeps them on the heels of the Midland Alliance leaders" reports IC Coventry. Meanwhile This is Staffs says that "Kidsgrove are confident of having midfielder Steve Tobin (at Alty 97/98) back on board in time for their midweek trip to Ossett Albion. Tobin, who helped Grove gain promotion from the NWCL three seasons ago, is currently playing for home town side Flixton, but is also registered with Mossley in the UniBond". Kidsgrove say that Tobin "wants to play at a higher standard than North West Counties Two and we need someone who can put his foot on the ball and make us play. He did not realise Darren Twigg and I had taken over and said he would love to come and play for us".NATIONWIDE NORTH
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