Altrincham Football Club News Archive
25 to 28 May, 2005
28 May 2005 cont'd
REVIEW OF SEASON 2004-05 Part 2
The full Review is now hereCONFERENCE LINKS
One of the drawbacks to changing leagues- and Alty have now done it five times in 8 years! - is that the links to our opponents have to be almost completely changed! I have now done this and would ask users to report any that do not work. As in previous years, as well as giving a link to at least one website for every club in our own division, there is a link to a map showing where each club's ground is. You can see an aerial photo of each location and also zoom out to work out your route to the ground. The links are here. The old Nationwide North links are still accessible via the above new links page, which also contains numerous other links to general non-league sites, local football clubs, etc.CONFERENCE NEWS
NL Daily says that "Nuneaton Borough’s Nationwide North future could be in serious jeopardy. The ambitious club announced that they were moving to a new ground, where they would share with the town’s rugby club, at Liberty Way. Boro agreed a deal with house builders JS Bloor to sell Manor Park, their home for over seventy years, and informed fans the last ever game at that venue would be the play-off fixture with Altrincham, when they lost 1-0 to the gritty northerners [!!!]. But despite much questioning from fans and residents alike, no plans have gone in to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. And in this week’s ‘Heartland Evening Press’ it was revealed that the first time the plans could go before the council’s planning committee would be June 22nd... Now, with the plans being put in so late, it obviously misses all of the Conference deadlines and leaves chief executive John Moules and his committee with a serious problem".Ceefax says that a league club has bid for Lee McEvilly of Accrington Stanley and that Cambridge United winger Shane Tudor has signed for Leyton Orient.
Scarborough Today says that "Tony Hackworth can't wait for the new season to kick off after signing up for Boro again in a new role. The former Leeds United man said: "I have spoken to Nick Henry (manager) and he wants me to play in a role tucked in behind the front men instead of playing as an out and out striker".
The Gravesend Reporter reports that "Gravesend boss Liam Daish has made his first full-time signing and says new striker Charlie MacDonald will be the first of several new arrivals at Stonebridge Road... MacDonald arrived on a one-year contract from Weymouth... One striker heading out of Stonebridge Road is Frenchman Jean Michel Sigere, who signed for Lewes last week". The manager said "He was someone I wanted to keep [but] he wanted more and I wasn't prepared to meet what he was after". And "Daish has confirmed that Welling midfielder Danny Slatter is someone he would like to bring to the Fleet". The club's website adds that "Scott Gooding has joined... [Aged] 23, he is a versatile defender... He started his career at Crystal Palace... After a brief spell at Whyteleafe, Gooding joined Hornchurch on a full-time basis and was one of the last to leave the club after their much publicised financial collapse. From Hornchurch he joined Crawley Town". The BBC reports that "Gravesend & Northfleet defender Justin Skinner is one of five players to have agreed new one-year contracts. Graham Porter, Jimmy Jackson, Ben Surey and Lee Protheroe are also committing their futures to the club. Fireman Porter and student Surey have signed part-time deals although the rest of the squad are gearing up to go full-time".
Woking "announce that Shwan Jalal and Neil Smith have both signed one year contracts...They join 10 other players who will be in the 2005/06 squad: Justin Richards, Steve Ferguson, Ian Selley (2 years), Simon Jackson, Gary MacDonald, Stephen Evans, Liam Cockerill, Karl Murray, Chris Sharpling, Raphael Nade".
From This is KHFC comes news that "One of Kidderminster Harriers' summer transfer targets has expressed an interest in joining the club but warned: 'I can't afford to hang around for ever'. Defender Trevor Challis is high up Stuart Watkiss's wanted listed following his release from Shrewsbury Town. But... the current power struggle has prevented him from offering Challis a definite deal. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old defender is weighing up an alternative offer from Weymouth".
Southport have not finalised all of their pricing for next season but the stand seats will cost £11.50, whilst the terraces will be £10".
NATIONWIDE NORTH
Stalybridge Celtic have "announced the signing of goalkeeper Paul Pettinger and central defender Mark Haran [who] have joined the exodus from rivals Harrogate Town, becoming the fourth and fifth players to move to Bower Fold from manager John Reed's former club during the course of the summer". Reed said, "There may be one or two more signings in the next couple of weeks but this squad is already good to go. We'll be a different proposition next season, mark my words".Worksop Town have signed "Tom Smith from Hereford United. Tom is a 21 year old 6'1" left sided defender/midfielder".
UNIBOND NEWS
NL Daily says that "Runcorn FC Halton, relegated from the Nationwide North...have lost top scorer Nicky Young and young player-of-the-year Lee Parle to rivals Marine". The News and Star reports that "Nationwide North-bound Workington have released high profile Christmas signing Mick Galloway... and Marc Eccles is moving to Conference National side Scarborough"IC Cheshire reports that "Building company Pavilions have held talks with UniBond club Runcorn FC Halton about creating an on-site stadium, which the Linnets would then hire... Runcorn have confirmed they will play at Prescot Cables next season... Pavilions held discussions with chairman Dr Dave Robertson of Runcorn FC Halton. The possibility was mooted about transferring the proposed all-weather pitch to the enclosed pitch originally used by General Chemicals and developing a stadium around it. The aim would be to build something to UniBond League standard with improvements to Conference standards as required by 2007... Meanwhile, skipper John Robertson has retired to spend more time with his family, while there is also fresh speculation over player-manager Steve Soley, who is reportedly considering his future".
27 May 2005
YOUTH NIGHT
The youth team will be holding its annual presentation night in the Noel White Suite at Moss Lane on Saturday 28th May at 7.30pm. All supporters are welcome. Though they did not win any trophies this season there were many notable achievements by the lads, not least the 15-1 win over Kingsley United in which Lee Hendley scored seven times. In fact, Lee broke Steve Lunt's youth team goalscoring record this season. But, one of the best performances of the season was the narrow 2-3 defeat by Southport in the FA Youth Cup when one of the visitors' goals came after the referee had clearly whistled for offside and then allowed play to continue! It has also been pleasing to see a number of ex-Alty Youth players making regular appearances for the Altrincham first-team this season, notably Kieran Lugsden, Lewis Chalmers and Paul Tilley.SORRY TALE
SAM reports on the occupation of the council-owned Moss Lane car park by "travellers" which began when "About 50 caravans arrived at the ground on Saturday, just after 6pm and occupied the car park area by clipping bolts off two metal bollards at the main entrance. Other caravans - too large to gain access there - went down Golf Road and removed the height restriction bar at the entry gate... Now the Robins - and Trafford council who own the site - are counting the cost. A large double gate has been smashed while litter and human excrement will need to be cleaned. Company secretary George Heslop said: 'Travellers forced their way onto the club car park, damaging signs and blockades that had been put there by the council after a similar occupation last year. On Monday the club made a formal application to the courts - thanks to the quick support of the council and the police'. On Sunday burglars broke into the ground near the club's executive lounge and were disturbed as they headed towards the team's hall of fame area... In addition two windows were smashed and a window in manager Graham Heathcote's office was cracked... Mr Heslop said: 'After such a successful weekend at Stoke City the cream has soured a bit due to this wanton vandalism at Moss Lane'".GREAT EFFORT
The Alty supporters' trust, STAR, has raised more than £6,677 from its bucket collections over the past three seasons. In addition this season £500 was collected for Marcus Hallows, £286 for Tsunami victims, £243 for Stephen Rose and £231 for the widow of the Worcester City steard who died after helping to stretcher off Stephen Rose. Congratulations are due to Gary Warrington and his dedicated team of collectors.CONFERENCE
NL Daily says that "Steve Duly, managing director of Crawley Town, has quashed rumours that striker Allan Tait could be on his way out... Speculation has been rife in recent weeks that Tait had signed for the Cards [Woking] on a one-year deal for £10,000 after supporters claimed they heard a radio broadcast to that effect" reports IC Surrey."Colin Marshall, who was in the Aston Villa side that beat Wayne Rooney’s Everton to lift the trophy three years ago" is having trials at Exeter City. "Marshall made only a handful of appearances for Falkirk last season, mostly as a substitute. He also had a brief spell with St Johnstone" reports This is Exeter.
Work on Scarborough's new Eastfields ground is due to start in September reports Ceefax. But "
"Nick Henry, head coach of Scarborough, has hit out at striker Chris Senior and skipper Scott Kerr following their decisions to quit the McCain Stadium...He said: 'Neither of these players was doing anything before they came to this club and I was expecting some loyalty from them... On a positive note, Mark Hotte is going to sign a new deal with us and we have been in talks with Chris Hughes from Darlington... Hughes has started 29 games for Darlington in his two seasons at the club" states Scarborough Today.
"Tamworth are to give striker Julian Alsop the opportunity to resurrect his career... The 31-year-old enjoyed a prolific spell at Tamworth over ten years ago. He also served Bristol Rovers, Swansea, Cheltenham, Oxford, Northampton and most recently Forest Green Rovers. Alsop will be free to play again next season after completing a lengthy ban imposed by the Football Association following an incident involving a young player at Oxford. Tamworth will also run the rule over former Scarborough winger David Pounder, 22, [who] has been released" reports NL Daily.
The BBC confirms that "Wales international Ryan Green has handed Hereford United a major boost by agreeing a new deal... Green, 24... has accepted a new 12-month contract... He follows Adam Stansfield in agreeing terms".
Burton Albion "is pleased to announce the Admission and Season Ticket prices for the 2005-6 in preparation for the Club’s move to its new multi million pound home, the Pirelli Stadium... Adult admission prices to the Terracing have increased from £10.00 to £12.00. Senior Citizens from £8.00 to £10.00. The Admission to the Seated Stand for Adults will cost £14.00 and Senior Citizens £12.00".
The Cambridge News says that Cambridge United Manager Rob Newman "has been able to offer only three of last season's first team squad - Andy Duncan, Adam Tann and Matt Somner - the chance of a new contract once United come out of administration. But the more tickets United can sell, the bigger the amount of cash he will have at his disposal... So far, United have sold just over 300 season tickets but have based their playing budget for next season on selling 1,350, a figure which would be on a par with clubs in the bottom half of the Conference". Finance Director Nick Pomery said: "Roughly every 200 season tickets over that will equate to another senior player for the squad... If we were able to reach the 1,700 tickets we sold last season, you would be looking at a top-eight budget and, with 2,000 tickets, you would be approaching the top three budgets in the Conference". Also United's youth programme has lost £70,000 in grant funding after relegation".
Canvey Island report that "Goalkeeper Ashley Harrison has signed a new one-year contract".
Hereford's Bullsnews reports that "Jamie Pitman is expected to have an operation on his shoulder injury this week... Tamika Mkandawire, who has not yet agreed a deal, has been told he will feature in the Non-League Paper's annual awards next Sunday."
This is KHFC reports on the boardroom battle where "the 'away' consortium... accused the Harriers' board of being obstructive and denying them access to the club's accounts and legal documents - and major shareholder Newton... has reiterated his intention to sell all of his 680,000 shares for the sum of £1 providing they invest £400,000 into the club. Meanwhile, the Harriers board have declared they are unwilling to lay their books open until they have more information on the identity of the Hampshire consortium... The club's friendlies with Sheffield Wednesday and Halesowen Town have been cancelled amid fears Harriers will not have enough players".
The Harriers Board has announced that "A consortium headed by Vice Chairman, Barry Norgrove ... has made a formal offer for Lionel Newton's controlling interest... Unlike the consortium purported to be based in Hampshire who are yet to reveal their individual identities... the local group have a long association both with the town and club. The offer consists of an immediate injection of £300,000".
NATIONWIDE NORTH
The Barrow forum states that Lee Warren has "signed for Goole Town in the Unibond league... who play at the deceptively titled Victorian Pleasure Grounds".Portchat reports that Southport's "Terry Fearns has been awarded the Non League Paper's Nationwide North player of the season and has also picked up the paper's Golden Boot after netting 41 goals -33 in Nationwide North".
"Leigh RMI have beaten several Conference North clubs to the signature of former Morecambe striker Nick Rogan... Rogan has been joined at Hilton Park by former Burscough full-back Geoff Underwood... Gareth Stoker intends to stay with the club as do Lee Mulvaney, Neil Gibson and forward Ben Jones. Michael Simpkins looks set to start the season with Leigh as well, although the biggest plus is arguably Andy Roscoe's decision to take a pay cut to remain a Railwayman". says NL Daily.
26 May 2005
REVIEW OF THE SEASON, 2004-05- Part One
The full review is now here.
CONFERENCE
Graham Westley, manager of Stevenage Borough, has made it clear that any speculation around the future of striker Anthony Elding is exactly that - speculation. Elding, currently away in Ireland with England’s National Game squad, has been linked with several clubs since the end of the season. However, Westley insisted: 'Anthony is here to stay. I have taken up our option on him and he will be leading our line next year. Full stop'". But "Westley confirmed that Jermaine Hunter would be leaving the club, and that Joe Flack was likely to join him.... Meanwhile, skipper Jason Goodliffe will sign a new contract this week and midfielder Ollie Berquez has joined from Canvey Island... Mark Westhead, Jon Brady and Dino Maamria are all on holiday. Westley will talk to them on their return but hopes that all three will stay... Striker Jon Nurse, goalkeeper Alan Julian and defender Ronnie Henry have all been notified that Westley has taken up the club's options on their contracts" says the club website."Terry Brown, manager of Aldershot Town, has vehemently denied talk of a bust-up with Tyron Smith, claiming that is not the reason the youngster was released last week... Another player who is not expected to return to the Recreation Ground is right-back Phil Warner, who has been out on loan at Eastbourne Borough since February and could be staying on permanently... Brown is continuing his search of the transfer market for strikers, and is also keeping an eye on a couple of centre halves... After 'keeper Richard Barnard left the side to join Scottish side Queen of the South" Brown said 'I was spending say £400 a week on Richard Barnard'" reports the Aldershot site.
NATIONWIDE NORTH
Hucknall Town's Danny Bacon has apparently changed his mind about returning to Mansfield Town as the wages offered are not to his expectations.NL Daily says that "Droylsden are poised to sign Accrington Stanley defender Steve Halford on a permanent basis to add to the two other recruits already made by chairman/manager Dave Pace... Pace has already signed injury plagued striker Chris Denham from league rivals and Tameside neighbours Stalybridge Celtic and has re-signed Jon Worsnop from relegated Leigh RMI to compete with Paul Philips for the goalkeeper's jersey... It is also rumoured that Pace is poised to swoop for Southport’s defensive duo Chris Price and Jimmy Williams, who have both been made available".
Worcester City have reportedly signed defender Chris Smith from Stafford Rangers.
25 May 2005
THANK YOU
The vandalism and disgraceful soiling of the Moss Lane stadium and car park over recent days, following the occupation of the car park by "travellers" has placed great stress on Altrincham FC's loyal office staff and others associated with the club. In particular, George and Jenny Heslop, Grahame and Karen Rowley, as well as chairman Geoff Goodwin are to be applauded for giving up their time and efforts to deal with this appalling situation. Many others, too, have helped by staffing the office, lobbying councillors and police and in effecting emergency repairs. Sincere thanks to them all!OLD BOY
Losing FA Vase finalists AFC Sudbury have released seven players including... "former [Alty,] Crewe and Cambridge United keeper Dean Greygoose... He turns 41 in December and manager Gary Harvey wanted a younger number one" states the club website.CONFERENCE
"Rob Newman, caretaker-manager of Cambridge United, has offered just three of last season's relegation squad the chance of a new contract for 2005/06. Skipper Andy Duncan, defender Adam Tann and versatile midfielder Matt Somner... The rest of the senior squad have been released". But "Adam Tann has said he will not rush into making a decision over his future... 'From all accounts I have a month to decide my future. I'm going on holiday soon to get away from it all and after that I'll make a decision'", reports the club website.Woking have announced that both Raphael Nade and Ian Selley will be part of their 2005/06 squad. French striker Nade... has signed a one-year contract. Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Fulham midfielder Selley... has signed a two-year contract".
"Morecambe have concluded negotiations with Darran Kempson... and have announced that the 20-year-old central defender has signed on for another season. Kempson initially joined the Shrimps on loan from Preston North End on New Year’s Eve for a month" reports their website.
"Nigel Clough, manager of Burton Albion, is poised to make experienced defender Darren Tinson the cornerstone of his rebuilding operation this summer. Clough revealed he was 'very, very close' to agreeing terms with the Shrewsbury Town skipper. Tinson, 35, has been released after two seasons at Gay Meadow... Tinson began his career with Northwich Victoria before joining Macclesfield Town for £10,000 in 1996" reports the Burton Mail
Kidderminster "left-back Steve Burton, one of eight players contracted for next season, stays on the transfer list but could well play his way back into [manager] Watkiss's plans. Out-of-favour Burton, who disappointed his manager by turning down several moves that would have led to first-team football, returned for Harriers' final two games of the season. Watkiss told This is Worcs: 'He's still available as far as we're concerned, but he's earned his chance and done well'".
"After recently agreeing a new contract with Canvey Island, striker Ollie Berquez has now decided to leave and has joined rivals Stevenage Borough... Meanwhile, young striker Jason Hallett...has agreed a further one-year deal" says NL Daily.
Northwich Vics report that "At a Trust meeting members agreed to purchase a mower to assist the stadium ground staff with the ongoing maintenance of the pitch. A suitable machine, a Ransome 36-inch cylinder mower complete with a ride on attachment had been located... The Trust has supported a number of initiatives since its formation including the purchase of training equipment to assist Steve Burr and funding an overnight stay for the game at Exeter".
From Shotsweb comes news that "Aldershot Town have confirmed the disappointing news that striker Roscoe D'Sane's career at the club is over.... [He] last played in October 2004, following problems caused by tendonitis in both knees".
This is Exeter says that "Alex Inglethorpe will open a new chapter in his managerial career when he helps plot England's assault in the non-league Four Nations tournament... Exeter City chief Inglethorpe was drafted into the international fold to replace Steve Avory, who quit last week because of the mounting pressures of his other job as assistant director of Charlton's youth academy. Although the initial deal is for the City chief to help out during this tournament, the FA could make it permanent if he and current England boss Paul Fairclough hit it off". As Barnet are now in the League, Fairclough has to hand over the reins.
This is York reports that "left-back Dave Merris has turned down his offer of a new one-year deal with York City. But Merris, 24, has requested a meeting with City manager Billy McEwan to discuss his KitKat Crescent future and could still put pen to paper for next season.... It is believed the decision could have been financial with the City boss saying: 'Players have got to understand the situation the club is in and what level we are operating at because we don't want to get into a mess financially again'. Last season's top scorer Andy Bishop, meanwhile, has had an operation to clear up his knee tendonitis and it has been declared successful by a specialist... McEwan has asked players to report back to Wigginton Road because of the abnormally long break caused by the Conference campaign ending on April 23... McEwan is also waiting to see if Rushden & Diamonds take up an option to sign recent City trialist Farjan Afandiyev... If the Nene Park club do not pursue their interest in Afandiyev, City will invite the ex-Azerbaijan under-21 goalkeeper to pre-season training along with freed Oldham Athletic teenage midfielder Ashley Wynn. McEwan added that it was too early to speculate whether last season's on-loan players Jon Maloney and Ben Jackson will return to KitKat Crescent on a permanent basis after being released by Doncaster Rovers".
NATIONWIDE NORTH
"Barrow’s new signing, Jonathan Smith, has revealed he turned down a bigger offer from rivals Stalybridge Celtic to return to Holker Street... Smith said: 'Stalybridge made me an extremely good offer, they did make a bigger offer than Barrow did. But with what had gone before, with being at Barrow for a month, everything felt right there'" reports the NW Evening MailUNIBOND
NL Daily confirms that "At a special meeting on Monday night, Spennymoor United were expelled from membership of the UniBond League... Spennymoor United did not send any representative to the meeting to present any defence. The expulsion of Spennymoor now means that Rossendale United have been reprieved from relegation from the UniBond First Division. The constitution of the league for 2005/2006, as approved by the FA Leagues Committee, is as follows: PREMIER DIVISION: AFC Telford United; Ashton United; Blyth Spartans; Bradford Park Avenue; Burscough; Farsley Celtic; Frickley Athletic; Gateshead; Guiseley; Ilkeston Town; Leek Town; Lincoln United; Marine; Matlock Town; Nth Ferriby United; Ossett Town; Prescot Cables; Radcliffe Borough; Runcorn FC Halton; Wakefield-Emley; Whitby Town; Witton Albion. FIRST DIVISION: Bamber Bridge; Belper Town; Bishop Auckland; Bridlington Town; Brigg Town; Chorley; Clitheroe; Colwyn Bay; Eastwood Town; Fleetwood Town; Goole; Gresley Rovers; Kendal Town; Kidsgrove Athletic; Mossley; Ossett Albion; Rossendale United; Shepshed Dynamo; Spalding United; Stocksbridge Park Steels; Warrington Town; Woodley Sports. Willenhall Town from the First Division have now moved to the Southern League West.Fleetwood Town "finally received confirmation that the promotion they earned both on and off the field this season was to become a reality... So next season, for the first time since the club was reformed in 1997, Fleetwood Town will be competing in the UniBond League First Division... Fleetwood have decided to run a reserve team for next season and have already made moves to enter the Lancashire League [in which Alty reserves play] ... Plans for developing Highbury Stadium are taking further shape and the pitch has already been dug up so that the obvious imperfections of the current playing surface can be corrected."
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