Altrincham Football Club News Archive
18 to 22 June, 2005
22 June 2005 cont's
CONFERENCE NEWS
Cambridge News says that "Cambridge United are no closer to breaking the deadlock that threatens to close the club... after talks broke down over the £500,000 they owe, tax on the sale of the Abbey Stadium". Revenue and Customs "do not want their sum paid in full, they want every creditor to be treated the same, including the football creditors", said the club's administrator. "We are looking at Wednesday (as the deadline) because we need to issue the proposals (for the Company Voluntary Arrangements). We need 16 days' notice on the proposals".Cambridge United confirm that Daniel Chillingworth and Justin Walker have joined Rushden and Chester respectively. "Both left United on free transfers". Whilst at United, Walker "completed an unfortunate hat-trick of relegations after also playing for Exeter and York City in the seasons they were relegated".
The Aldershot News & Mail reports that "Conference chief executive John Moules has not ruled out the possibility of Farnborough Town being handed a sensational reprieve to the top flight for a second season running. Moules was speaking in light of Cambridge United’s dire financial problems". Moules said, "If Cambridge United do not survive we will have to review our constitution. Whether that involves Farnborough or Leigh, is something we will have to discuss at our board meeting on July 7". Farnborough managing director Tony Theo said, "If the place was offered it us, it would take a lot of soul-searching from everyone here at the club. We would save between £120,000 and £130,000 on travelling expenses alone by competing in Conference South, so promotion would mean we would lose that saving. Not only that, we have budgeted for a season in Conference South with wages and players etc, so that is something else we would need to look at".
This is Exeter says that "Exeter City captain Glenn Cronin jets back from a dream honeymoon in Hawaii this week... The Irish midfielder has been sidelined since suffering knee ligament damage at Accrington Stanley last October". Cronin said, "I think I'm on course to play my first competitive game in August".
The Burton Mail says that "Defender Jimmy Turner has snubbed a return to Gresley Rovers by signing a deal with Tamworth... and Turner has agreed a 12-month contract to move to The Lamb from Farnborough Town". Turner also had a spell at Runcorn FC Halton last season.
"Shaun Taylor has become the first new face to arrive at Forest Green as new manager Gary Owers attempts to rebuild the ranks" says This is Glos. "Taylor, 42, has been handed the mantle as Owers' assistant going into the club's eighth season in the Conference, and their first as a fully professional outfit". Owers added, "I don't expect to finalise my squad until two or three weeks before the start of the season,". Amongst the players currently on Owers's books are captain Jon Richardson, Damon Searle and Scott Rogers. Davies, Mark Beesley and Mark Danks are still on part-time arrangements, while Tom Gould has been put on the transfer list".
Halifax Today says that "Lee Butler returned to Halifax Town for a third time last month... And he revealed that might even have come back to the Shay in March... but his club Alfreton... blocked the move... Butler, 39, returns to Halifax two years after 'retiring' to play for Alfreton".
From Scarborough Today is news that Scarborough "have beaten arch-rivals York City in the race to sign centre-back Simon Weaver. The 27-year-old former Lincoln and Kidderminster defender flew back from his holiday to sign after turning down York and two unnamed Football League clubs". He said, "As a young lad I was a Sheffield Wednesday fan and I used to watch Nick [Henry] and Neil [Redfearn] play for Oldham. To be working with players like that, who have played at the top level, will be something else".
"Former Kidderminster Harriers defender Simon Weaver has signed for Scarborough" as has ex-Alty striker Mark Quayle, reports their website.
At York City, "Bryan Stewart, Graeme Law and Stephen Baynes have all agreed terms on contract extensions offered at the end of last season, leaving Stockdale, Dave Merris and Lev Yalcin as the three players stalling on new deals". Manager Billy McEwan said "David Stockdale is the biggest disappointment to me and I have told him that. He's a young apprentice getting his first professional contract and the last thing in his mind should be money... He should be grateful York City are offering him a contract... How players, especially apprentices, have agents in the Conference staggers me. I don't know how they can afford them or even need them". The York boss "is also hoping to invite former Azerbaijan under-21 international keeper and KitKat Crescent trialist Farjan Afandiyev, who has left Rushden and Diamonds, to pre-season training" reports This is York.
21 June 2005
FIXTURES DELAY
The Conference has announced that the fixtures for 2005-06 will be delayed for a week and will now come out on 30 June. No reason is given for the week's delay though it is believed that problems with the Premiership/Football League's fixtures may have had a knock-on effect on the timing of the Conference fixtures.SIGNING ON
Midfielder Val Owen (right) is the latest player to re-sign for Altrincham for next season. He
joins Stuart Coburn, Chris Adams, Colin Potts and Colin Little who have already re-signed. In
addition, Peter Band and Steve Hawes have, as previously reported, re-joined the Robins from
other clubs this summer.
OLD BOY
"Ryman League Division One club Tonbridge Angels have [signed] experienced goalkeeper Jerome John... from Fisher Athletic. John, or ‘JJ’ as he is known, played in Fisher’s Southern League Division One East title-winning side having joined in August 2004 from Billericay Town.... [He] has also played for Dulwich Hamlet and Altrincham and is currently a youth coach at West Ham United".This is Staffs reports that "Matt Bailey is aiming to make an early impression on Crewe's team sheet next season. The 19-year-old rookie striker proved to be a surprise acquisition last month when he signed a one-year contract following a successful trial spell". Bailey said: "When I left Stockport, I went to Northwich Vics for a couple of months, so it is unbelievable to get back into the pro game. I started off at Nantwich and from there signed for Stockport, where I was for two-and-a-half years. I went on loan to a couple of different places like Altrincham and then Scunthorpe last season when they were doing well and enjoyed it". Manager Dario Gradi said, "Matt is decent and we'll take a chance with him".
Hucknall Today reports that "Broken leg or no broken leg, Hucknall player/manager Dean Barrick has been in Spain this week, with several players, for the stag 'do' of skipper Chris Timons, who is one of the players retained at Watnall Road".
LOCAL NEWS
The BBC confirms that "FC United of Manchester will join the Second Division of the NW Counties League and are hoping to play their home games at Droylsden FC's Butcher's Arms ground. The Conference North side have a stadium with a capacity of 3,500. FC United are currently interviewing potential managers and will hold an open trial for players on 26 June. More than 2,600 Manchester United fans fighting Malcolm Glazer's takeover have already pledged money and help to FC United. Droylsden's owner and manager, Dave Pace, is a lifelong Red Devils fan, who is keen to help his fellow supporters. He told BBC Sport: 'I'm trying to do my bit. I interviewed a couple of managers and pointed them in the right direction because they didn't really know the non-League scene. I'm helping them all I can and will continue to do so... If they struggle to get players I'll probably lend them a couple of mine'".CONFERENCE NEWS
Forest Green "Manager Gary Owers has confirmed that Matt Gadsby and Adam Garner will be at Rovers next season. Midfielder Gadsby has signed a two year contract at the club whilst defender Adam Garner has signed a one year contract".Tamworth report that "Lambs' boss Mark Cooper has signed Mark Gayle as his number 2 goalkeeper for the 2005-6 season... Cooper said: 'We are hopeful Chris Neal will come (as first choice 'keeper), but will have to wait and see'. Cooper was also talking to Hucknall's Andy Todd and admits there are 3 or 4 spaces to fill. 'With the transfer window now in place will have to add to the squad in case of emergency. I am still looking for versatility in a player, but main aims are a left winger, goalkeeper and striker. Someone with all three skills who is also a quick wide man would be ideal! The club have been inundated by requests from players looking for a club to play for and it is a mammoth task to look them all over'".
"Alex Inglethorpe, manager of Exeter City, has revealed that he would like to continue his role with the England National Game XI, although the Grecians remain his number one priority. [He] was number two to manager Paul Fairclough as England won all three of their games" this summer. He told This is Exeter, "If I can fit England in with what I'm doing with Exeter then fantastic but, if not, then Exeter are very much my priority".
"Defender Graeme Law will be at York City next season after signing a contract. Law, 20, has come up through the ranks with the Minstermen and has been capped at under-21 level by Scotland. Also confirmed on board for 2005/06 at KitKat Crescent is left-sided youngster Stephen Baynes, who has out pen-to-paper on a first professional deal. But there is still no news on goalkeeper David Stockdale, with manager Billy McEwan revealing he is in talks with another stopper while Stockdale considered his terms" reports This is York.
"Assistant-manager Gary Barnett believes there will be no excuses if Kidderminster Harriers' contracted eight are unprepared for Nationwide Conference National action. Harriers' contracted eight are John Danby, Danny Lewis, Steve Burton, Chris McHale, Wayne Hatswell, Mark Jackson, Simon Russell and Iyseden Christie, while out-of-contract, but still with the club, are Chris Beardsley, Dean Keates and Mark Rawle... Manager Stuart Watkiss is desperate to add to his squad though many players are still contracted with clubs until the end of June. He is still waiting to hear on the outcome of takeover talks between owner Lionel Newton and a consortium involving vice-chairman Barry Norgrove" says This is Worcester.
The Burton Mail quotes Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson as saying that "He expected Farnborough would be spared relegation if Cambridge are barred from membership of the Conference" due to their financial problems.
The Cambridge News says that "Cambridge United face a 48-hour make-or-break fight against closure. The cash-strapped club has become embroiled in a bitter wrangle with the HM Revenue & Customs over payments. And United's financial director Nick Pomery said unless a solution was found, the club could run out of cash by the middle of this week". He added, "It is 10 to midnight. Time is running out to conclude a deal. We will need to find more emergency funding if agreement is not struck by Wednesday. We will have to speak to the administrator. He will decide if we carry on". The paper says that "The club is believed to owe around £500,000 to Customs... United had made what they felt was an excellent offer to the R&C, believed to be £250,000, but have fallen foul of the government department's apparent new stand against clubs who go into administration to wipe out debts". In the past clubs such as Leeds and Leicester have been able to pay off their soccer related debts and then strike a deal with other creditors but "The Revenue & Customs has become increasingly fractious at seeing you, the taxpayer, lose out at the expense of football clubs".
Herts-Essex News reports that Stevenage boss Graham Westley "was given a boost this week by the news that Dino Maamria has committed his future to the club - despite having to take a pay cut in order to do so... He said: "My budget is not as big as it was and Dino has had to take a pay cut in order to stay but that says a lot about his commitment to the club".
20 June 2005
ANOTHER FRIENDLY
Graham Heathcote has arranged another friendly, at home to Hednesford Town, on Tuesday 2 August at 7.45pm. Hednesford have just been promoted into the Conference North but were in the Conference National with Alty when The Robins were last there in 1999-2000. A full list of Alty's pre-season games is here.PLAY-OFF DVD
Here is a reminder of the announcement from Alty director Grahame Rowley which appeared on 17 June:Altrincham Football Club are proud to announce the launch of a commemorative triple DVD.
The package includes two discs which depict full match coverage of the play off final (v. Eastbourne Borough) at The Britannia Stadium, Stoke, together with the presentations and post-match celebrations. A further disc relives the highlights of all three play-off games at Nuneaton, Kettering and, finally, Stoke through the eyes of our club photographer Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography, with approximately 400 images.
Price: - £20 + £2.50 p+p (UK). Cheques made payable to Altrincham FC.
Copies of this memorable souvenir can be obtained through the club or via Grahame Rowley by e-mail or by ringing 07720-606-897.
FRIENDLY OPPONENTS LOSE
Football is almost an all-year round game now with InterToto Cup matches being played yesterday. At Rhyl, Bangor City hosted Latvian side Dinaburg and the Welsh side included former Man Utd star Clayton Blackmore in their side, at right-back. One of Clayton's most recent appearances was at Moss Lane in May playing as a "ringer" for the Alty Staff against the Alty Supporters and clearly he missed the benefit of playing alongside your website correspondent as he did in that game, for City lost 1-2 to the Latvians, in front of 832 spectators. Alty host Bangor in a friendly at Moss Lane, provisionally set for 29 July.FRIENDLIES
The NL Paper has a front-page article on the change in rules (reported briefly on this site yesterday) whereby pre-season friendlies now have to be officiated by referees qualified at the higher of the two levels of the opposing teams. Matlock Town point out that whereas they would normally have paid a local referee £30 or £40 to officiate a friendly with Sheffield United, they now face a bill of £525 plus £100 travelling expenses.OLD BOYS
In Sunday's NL Paper the Histon manager reveals that the secret of the Cambridgeshire side's winning of the Southern Premier League last season was the signing of former Alty keeper Lance Key from Kingstonian.CONFERENCE NEWS
Confguide reports that "Attempts by administrators to secure the survival of Cambridge United have run into serious difficulties due to an ongoing dispute between HM Inland Revenue & Customs and the football authorities... Club Finance Director Nick Pomery explained, "It soon became clear that Customs & Excise were not prepared to accept any deal that paid a better return to football creditors than they themselves received, and since they are owed more than half of the total debts they are in a position to block any deal they don't like. This is despite the deal that we are offering to Customs being better than they would receive under any other scenario... I was absolutely devastated on Wednesday at the turn of events when so many other aspects of the restructuring - such as the season ticket sales and our fund-raising campaigns - had gone so well. However, we have found a possible way out and we now have to do everything we can to make it work"."Former Chelsea, Fulham and Torquay defender Jimmy Aggrey (29) has signed an 18-month deal with Woking" reports Welsh Premier. He was recently with Bohemians (Ireland) and TNS (Wales).
LOCAL NEWS
NL Daily confirms that "the North West Counties League have announced that at their Annual General Meeting held on Saturday the new team 'FC United of Manchester' have been successful in their application to join the Second Division of the league". The new club is "hoping to groundshare with Droylsden, although that is subject to council approval".19 June 2005
GET YOUR ALTY LEISURE WEAR!
A new range of Prostar Altrincham FC clothing, including replica kits, is now available from the Robins' Shop. Pictured, right, is the "Michigan", a quarter-zip top. Please place your orders by ringing the club on 928-1045; a full price list and other pictures are here. The kits and clothing are supplied to Altrincham FC by Ian Senior's Sensports company and deliveries are normally received about a week from ordering.
ALTY YOUTH v 407
Altrincham Youth are one of 408 confirmed entrants for the 2005-06 FA Youth Cup.STAR NEWS
STAR, the Alty supporters' trust, "regretfully have accepted Jon Stack's resignation from the STAR Board with immediate effect due to Jon's work commitments, which have increased recently. Jon has been a vital part of STAR as marketing director doing a superb job in maintaining media interest with his press releases in particular. Jon also represented STAR in the club boardroom as supporters representative and developed a good working relationship with the club but his workload means he can no longer commit to travelling from his Tamworth home to attend board meetings. All STAR members and Alty fans will wish Jon well as he has done a great job for STAR far and above the call of normal duty. The STAR Board will now elect a new board member to represent STAR". On a personal note, I would also like to thank Jon for all his help in supplying news to the club website.NEW RULES
New rules now apply to pre-season friendlies, which require the match officials to be qualified at the level of the higher placed of the two teams. So, for example, when we meet Crewe Alexandra in pre-season, the officials will have to be qualified at Championship level.CONFERENCE NEWS
The Crawley official website reports that "Goalkeeper Andy Little, who was out of contract at the end of last season, has signed for AFC Wimbledon".The Daggers announces "that Simon Overland has now signed for the coming season, Simon (20), served as a goalkeeper apprentice at Millwall F.C. Mark Janney's contract ended at the end of the season and he has sat down with manager John Still on numerous occasions since then to discuss his future. John has explained the current wage structure and that the Club was no longer in a position to offer him a new contract on the same terms as his previous one. John wishes it to be known that Mark wasn’t greedy in what he wanted financially but he felt the amount was not enough for him to live on. Talks have now concluded and it was decided that Mark will seek a new club... [Also, the club has] reluctantly placed striker, Tony Boot on the transfer list at his own request".
Gravesend & Northfleet "are pleased to announce that last season's player's player of the year Justin Skinner yesterday signed a new one year part time contract".
This is KHFC claims that "hush-hush talks continue in a bid to end Kidderminster Harriers' bitter power game... after last week's stormy annual meeting of shareholders. Majority shareholder Lionel Newton has been in discussions with vice-chairman Barry Norgrove and retired businessman Neil Savery over their offer to buy the club, but the outcome remains a mystery. Norgrove and Savery are up against an ownership bid from a consortium led by former Farnborough Town chairman Ron Higgins".
From Scarborough Today comes news that "York City have snapped up former Scarborough defender James Dudgeon ... who left the McCain Stadium for Halifax two seasons ago, will team up at the heart of the City defence with another former Seasider Mark Hotte".
Portchat reports from the Southport Visiter that "Dominic Krief was Liam Watson's second summer signing this week - and the Port boss reckons he will capture at least two more high quality players before the Nationwide Conference kicks off on August 13. Said Watson: 'Dominic will add to the squad, as will Chris Lane'".
Stevenage Borough "have confirmed that the contracts of Mark Rogers and Jon Brady have not been renewed" but they have "confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Shane Gore. The 24-year old made seven appearances for Barnet" last season. Brady has joined Hereford.
Courtesy of Bill Coop, shown right is a newly drawn and impressive version of the Altrincham FC crest
Woking FC "are pleased to confirm that Matt Ruby and Sam Cockerill have signed one year contracts" but the club has "turned down two bids from Carlisle United FC for Raphael Nade. The sums offered did not match the Club's valuation of the player".
Confguide reports the following moves:
Crawley Today says that "Former England semi-professional international midfielder Simon Wormull has pledged his future to Crawley Town as a player-youth coach".
"Exeter City will finally emerge from years of financial torment to become debt-free within a matter of months. Club chairman Dave Treharne has announced that the money the Grecians made from the momentous FA Cup clashes with footballing giants Manchester United - which now stands at a staggering £834,690 - has almost entirely wiped out their debts. And club officials are expecting to eventually reach the position of not owing any money to any creditors on October 16th, when the club's Corporate Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is due to end". Treharne said "The revenue we received from the game at Old Trafford was £653,511, the replay gave us a net profit of £31,179.57 and we also had the £150,000 of TV revenue" reports This is Exeter.
BLOODS' NEW REDS
The home of the newly formed FC United, the club formed by breakaway supporters of Manchester United is reported to be Droylsden's Butcher's Arms. The new club is believed to have been accepted into the NW Counties League Division Two.18 June 2005
CONFERENCE NEWS
The Conference has issued a press release containing rule changes. These include:Shotsweb says that "Aldershot Town has confirmed that former Hereford and Cheltenham defender, John Brough (32), has signed for the club... Midfielder David Lee has today boosted the club further - extending his stay at the Recreation Ground with the signing of a new one-year deal".
The Cambridge News says that Cambridge United's "freedom from administration could be delayed as an agreement has still to be reached with the club's major creditor. Administrator Ian Carr had hoped to have come up with a proposal acceptable to Customs & Excise, to whom United owe £420,000, by the end of last week... Carr added that the club had no option but to wait until Customs & Excise had agreed with the proposal... Meanwhile, Justin Walker has signed a one-year deal with Chester after being released".
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