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2 to 6 July 2005 |
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2 to 6 July 2005 |
6 July 2005
NL Daily reports that Arnold Town manager Phil Starbuck’s "biggest coup is the signing of experienced goalkeeper Dave McCarthy". The former Hucknall keeper was on loan at Altrincham in 2003-04.
Crawley Town "goalkeeper Phil Smith has signed a new two-year contract".
At Kidderminster Harriers manager Stuart Watkiss "has made former Aston Villa man Michael Blackwood his fifth signing in as many days. The 25-year old, who can play on the left side of defence or midfield, has agreed a 12 month deal" after leaving Lincoln City. "Watkiss has revealed he has agreed terms with the agent of an un-named player and hopes to conclude a deal within the next few days... Hopes of landing former Shrewsbury midfielder Jake Sedgemore were cruelly ended when Bury 'gazumped' the deal with a last minute offer".
Worksop Town have "completed the signing of goalkeeper Adam Solitt, last season Solitt was with Morecambe".
The BBC reports that "Exeter winger Gareth Sheldon is wanted by Conference rivals Kidderminster. Harriers' boss Stuart Watkiss has comfirmed that he has held talks with the 25-year-old". Also, "Striker Julian Alsop is training with Forest Green Rovers, who are keen to sign him for a second time. Alsop, 32, played three times for Rovers last season before a lengthy FA ban imposed for an incident while he was at Oxford curtailed his stay... Rovers boss Gary Owers is also looking at former Bristol City pair Sekani Simpson and Craig Loxton, and ex-Yeovil duo Chris Giles and Jamie Gosling". And, "York City have been rocked by defender Greg Heald's decision to back out of a move... after agreeing a deal following his release by Rochdale". Manager Billy McEwan said, "He's wasted my time really. We had been talking for three or four weeks".
Scarborough confirm that "The sanction which had been imposed on Boro by the FA for their disciplinary record in season 2003-04 - a suspended fine of £5,000 - has been removed from the records. This is a consequence of the team's much-improved record during season 2004-05 which brought only one red card... Confguide confirms that Leigh RMI, Tamworth and our first-day opponents, Stevenage Borough were the worst offenders in last season's Conference. Boro had 4 red and 88 yellow cards. The BBC report that the "Seasiders still want to secure a fee from Lincoln following their signing of ex-captain Scott Kerr".
Cambridge News claims that "Andy Duncan has played his last game for Cambridge United after seven years at the Abbey". At training, "the former captain was absent after confirming he would not accept the chance of a new deal at the club. Adam Tann and Matt Somner, the only other first-teamers offered new deals once the club comes out of administration, have also rejected the chance of helping United's battle to get out of the Nationwide Conference at the first opportunity... It leaves United with just four players under contract - Ashley Nicholls, Dan Gleeson, John Turner and Darren Quinton. The club is unable to sign new players until they are out of administration - expected to be after the creditors' meeting on July 18 - but United hope youngsters Lee Blackburn, Dave Daniels, Nick Robbins and Paul Atkins will sign".
"Business Finder is an online business directory, now live on Halifaxafc.co.uk giving local companies the opportunity to be associated with the club. The service aims to become the first port of call for all fans whenever they need... a plumber, decorator or even financial advice... Pam Gregory, Operations Director at Business Finder Ltd, said: 'With almost 5,000 fans visiting the Halifax Town official website each month, this is a great opportunity for businesses to harness the affinity between supporters and clubs to gain access to thousands of potential new customers. Football fans are very loyal to their clubs and a large proportion support businesses that support their team'".
Cambridge United 's supporters' trust chairman Dave Matthew-Jones has praised Sports Minister Richard Caborn for his role in saving the club. But United Finance Director, Nick Pomery said, "This is only the first hurdle. We still need to raise more money to get through the close season and to fund the CVA".
Exeter City report that "Talks have taken place with both Wessex Trains and Devon County Council about schemes to promote increased use of St James Park Halt on Match days. Wessex Trains have given provisional agreement to increase the number of trains from Exmouth and the Park and Ride at Digby stopping at St James Park Halt on match days".
Halifax Town's "skipper Steve Bushell has been found not guilty by the FA, after he was charged following an incident in the away game at Barnet back in April. The 32 year old, who broke his leg in a challenge with Liam Hatch in the second half of the game, was alleged to have reacted to abuse from a section of the Barnet fans as he was carried away on a stretcher". The club has also "announced that they will be using the expertise of fitness expert Ed Baranowski for the new season... The 45 year old has joined for the full season and is being funded by the University of Huddersfield". The Shaymen's boss said "Ed was a pioneer of diet and fitness under Dave Bassett at Sheffield United".
"Nigel Clough has set his sights on a fourth Shrewsbury Town player" reports the Burton Mail. His "latest target is the versatile Jake Sedgemore". Clough said, "He's joining us for training". Meanwhile, "Former Gay Meadow skipper Darren Tinson is expected to become Albion's new defensive linchpin, with Clough confident that a deal is imminent. Winger Aiston, however, slipped the net yesterday after being offered terms by Tranmere Rovers... Clough is also monitoring former Hucknall Town striker Andy Todd, who is currently on trial with Oldham Athletic".
This is Exeter states that "City new-boy Jon Challinor took part in his first training session... and immediately declared: 'This is 1,000 times better than what I'm used to'. Former Aldershot midfielder Challinor and fellow summer signing Billy Jones joined their new team-mates for the first time... [at] the Cat & Fiddle training ground". Challinor said of the ground, "It's unbelievable and one of the best I have seen... It is 1,000 times better than Aldershot's".
This is HUFC quotes Hereford Utd's director of football Graham Turner about the closure of the transfer window on 31 August: "We are now thinking of a squad of 22 whereas before it probably would have been 18 at the start". Also, "Former Exeter City full-back Alex Jeannin has now signed a two-year contract and Turner has also agreed deals with two more ex-League players. But details will not be released until their current contracts expire".
STAR, the Alty supporters' trust, had a popular stall at the Altrincham Festival on Saturday with Rocky Robin raising funds by keeping goal in a penalty-taking competition whilst Mark Murray hosted an adjacent bric-a-brac stall. Pictured above on the STAR stall are (l to r), Jean Maxwell, Karen and Grahame Rowley, with their home-made cakes and, at the foot of the picture, the Cheshire Senior Cup and the Nationwide Conference Promotion Play-Off Trophy, both won by Altrincham FC in 2004-05. In the preceding parade through Altrincham, the STAR personnel won the second prize, for their attire. Featuring in the parade was Geoff Goodwin's immaculate vintage coach (below), which was used to carry Aston Villa 40 years ago or more. Geoff, the Alty chairman and owner of Go Goodwins Coaches, is currently driving the Australian cricket team round England on their summer tour of England.
Meanwhile, back at Moss Lane, painting work continued today and there will be a further session tomorrow, starting at 10am - all volunteers welcome! Also on Saturday the first-team, reserves and youth teams gathered for a pre-season training session at which Graham Heathcote, Neil Brown (Reserves' manager) and Tony Spilsbury (Youth team coach) ran their eyes over several trialists as well as many of last season's squads.
Pictured below is the newly painted Carole Nash stand seen from the 20/20 End where volunteers were busy painting the crush barriers on Saturday. On the pitch, Neil Brown was watering the pitch which is recovering from the "slitting" done during the week to improve the drainage, by connecting the parallel drains which run lengthwise up the pitch. The first match on the pitch is on 16 July against Greenock Morton.
The Daggers reports that Dagenham "forward Jack Midson has joined Bishop's Stortford on a free transfer".
At Gravesend who, with Alty and Scarborough, are the only three founder-members of the Alliance/Conference National teams who are in the division in 2005-06, "are pleased to announce that James Smith has today signed a two year, full-time contract... Manager Liam Daish stated 'James, at 19, has a lot to offer this Club... He will add strength and pace to our defence'... James was signed for a four figure fee from Welling United FC; there are two additional four figure payments to be made following a fixed number of appearances".
Kidderminster Harriers have signed right-back Wayne Evans (33). Evans joined Walsall in 1993 and made 200+ appearances. In 1999 he went to Rochdale where he made almost 300 appearances. Also, "The 20 year old son of MK Dons boss Danny Wilson, has agreed a 12 month contract with club." after a year at Burton Albion. Manager Steve Watkiss "has challenged Wilson, described as a strong 'box to box' midfielder, to force his way into the first team". Meanwhile, "Former WBA defender Daryl Burgess (34) is latest player to agree terms to join Kidderminster Harriers... Burgess, with almost 500 League appearances to his name, will be a vital component in a back four which will ooze experience this season... Harriers' conceded 85 league goals last season".
Bet365 has Tamworth as 11/4 favourites for relegation, followed by Forest Green, Gravesend and Cambridge United. Joint fifth favourites for the drop are Altrincham, Burton A. and Canvey I. at 5/1. At the other end, title favourites are Hereford U. followed by Aldershot T. and Stevenage U.
Stevenage Borough report that "For the fourth time in five years Boro will begin their Nationwide Conference campaign in front of their home fans at Broadhall Way, with the mouth-watering prospect of an early season visit to old rivals Woking following just four days later. Before the trip to Kingfield Stadium, Boro entertain newly promoted Altrincham at Broadhall Way on August 13. By coincidence the pair met six years ago on the opening day of the season the last time The Robins were in the Conference, this time at Moss Lane with Boro travelling home from Manchester with a single goal victory. Graham Heathcote’s side secured promotion with a 2-1 victory against Eastbourne Borough in the promotion final at the Britannia Stadium, 24 hours after Boro’s heartbreaking defeat to Carlisle United. In fact, opening day fixtures have proved successful for the club since its elevation to the Conference in 1994, just twice falling to defeat in 11 matches... Having said, that you have to go back four years to find the last victory... When blessed with home advantage Boro are unbeaten, winning three times from the six occasions they have played at home". Manager Graham Westley said, "I am confident that we will win our first game". Chairman, Phil Wallace added, "To host newly promoted Altrincham at home on the 13th August will be a test as they'll be flush from last season's promotion".
Alty also entertain Hednesford Town on 2 August and their manager Chris Brindley is "delighted after former Hinckley United goalgetter Chris Smith agreed to bring his considerable experience to the Pitmen's Nationwide North challenge" reports The Sentinel.
IC Cheshire reports that "Former [Runcorn] Linnet Richard Acton is the new number one target as Runcorn FC Halton player-boss Steve Carragher looks to fill his goalkeeping vacancy... Acton served the Linnets last time they were in the UniBond League but lost form after an excellent start. He has since had spells in the Welsh League and Altrincham, and is still at Moss Lane. However, Carragher said: 'Richard is going to be number two at Altrincham as Stuart Coburn has just signed a new contract. 'It depends on him - does he want to be second choice there or number one at Runcorn? I have told him I need to know by the end of next week. I would definitely like him to come'... Whatever he decides, Acton could yet find himself on European Champions' League duty with TNS against Liverpool next month. The Welsh club's manager, former Runcorn [and Alty] striker Ken McKenna, has apparently approached Acton about going on the bench for the first qualifying round double-header".
"Former Rotherham United star Shaun Goodwin has been cinfirmed as being Ally Pickering’s assistant-manager at Woodley Sports... Pickering said: 'He was very impressed and can see that Woodley Sports is a club that’s going places... [ex-Alty] striker Jamie Baguley has, however, now left Lambeth Grove" reports the Stockport Express.
Hucknall's Andy Todd looks set to leave the club. He is "spending this week on trial at Oldham Athletic... [but] even if it doesn't work out at Boundary Park, the 26-year-old is almost sure to step up to the Conference National where both Southport and Hereford United have shown strong interest" says Hucknall Today.
Woking "can now confirm that an offer has been accepted from Carlisle United for Raphael Nade. Carlisle have now been given permission to speak to the player to agree personal terms".
Whilst in the prelimary round there is:
