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1 to 31 December 2005 |
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1 to 31 December 2005 |
In a game delayed for half an hour by a road accident outside the ground, Alty were well worth their point, especially after having to re-jig their side when they lost two of the regular defenders on the morning of the match. Before today's match, 11 of the Altrincham squad against Tamworth had previously started fewer than ten Conference matches for Altrincham this season.
The Lambs website also has a match report.
Above: Warren Peyton goes up for the ball watched by Lewis Chalmers and Gary Scott.
But This is KHFC says of the game with Alty, "A decent crowd of 2,206 would have been better off staying in watching repeats on the telly as Harriers and their mid-table visitors served up an unappetising turkey of a match. Besides the two harshly awarded penalties from Iyseden Christie and Stephen Aspinall there was little in the way of goalmouth action during a bitterly cold afternoon as two mid-table teams cancelled each other out... too many Harriers were content to go through the motions and they paid the ultimate price when Graham Heathcote's men grabbed an equaliser... So poor were Altrincham before the break that they could only get better in the second half and it was inevitable they would enjoy a purple patch and just as likely that they would equalise. Like the Harriers' penalty, the visitors' spot-kick came in dubious circumstances, when the match official evened things up by penalising skipper Mark Jackson for an apparently innocuous body-check on Kieran Lugsden... Ultimately, a draw which does little for either team's below-average league position, was the fair result".
NL Daily says that "Kevin Wilson, manager of Kettering Town, has boosted his ranks by signing experienced midfielder Hugh Auley. The much-travelled former Cheltenham and Kidderminster Harriers man enjoyed a successful month on loan at Rockingham Road from Tamworth earlier this season".
Also, "Cooper is also closing in on a permanent deal for on-loan striker Jake Edwards. The Lambs' boss revealed Edwards was about to be recalled by Exeter City before Christmas but refused to return to St James' Park.'He has enjoyed himself here and we have him until January 11', Cooper said. 'We are keen to sign him but we know there will be a lot of clubs after him when the transfer window opens. But the chairman (Bob Andrews) has been great and is also keen to get Jake so we will make him an offer'". Tamworth "were without recognised defenders Matt Redmile, Adie Smith (both suspended) and Alan Neilson (injury) but battled away to gain a point against local rivals Burton Albion on Boxing Day. All three are available for Altrincham... 'Saturday's game is massive - for me it's the biggest of the season so far', Cooper said. 'We have to show the same application as we did under difficult circumstances on Boxing Day. The lads who came in and had to do a job were magnificent, especially Jimmy Turner and Nathan Jackson, who both played as central defenders for the first time'". But "Tamworth have injury doubts over Dave Bampton (hamstring) and Eddie Ancelet (ankle)".
Howard Watts's Through the Years statistics for 31 December are here.
This is KHFC says that "Caretaker boss Martin O'Connor has dropped his biggest hint yet that he could be tempted to consider managing Harriers on a more permanent basis... O'Connor revealed that he had been in discussion with the board... and if the player-coach is given the go ahead to recruit or release players, it could be a strong indication of his chances of remaining in the dug-out. Speaking after the below-par 1-1 draw with Altrincham on Boxing Day, O'Connor said: 'After that performance I've probably gone to the bottom of the queue again! The club needs to have somebody at the helm and if that's me or if it's somebody else, someone needs to be appointed'". However, "With Taiwo Atieno's loan spell from Walsall expiring after tonight's home match with Burton Albion, O'Connor is anxious to know how much control he has over comings and goings at the club... 'I don't know if he'd like to stay, I've spoken to him about it but he's still undecided at the moment', said O'Connor. 'If it needs freshening up, I'm not afraid to make changes', said O'Connor, who could name himself and fit-again Simon Russell in the 16 for tomorrow's clash against Nigel Clough's part-timers".
"Kidderminster caretaker manager Martin O'Connor will check on Iyseden Christie's fitness before finalising his line-up for the visit of Burton. The Harriers’ top scorer, who converted his side’s penalty in the Boxing Day 1-1 draw with Altrincham, is nursing an ankle injury. Laurie Wilson has recovered from a foot problem but is not expected to feature while Simon Russell is still recovering from a broken wrist."
After the game at home to Kidderminster on 2 January, the next matches for Altrincham fans are:
"Canvey Island have been dealt a blow with the news that leading scorer Lee Boylan will be out of action for around six weeks with a facial injury. Boylan was hurt when he collided with a post... The 27-year-old has since undergone hospital tests and been told that he will be sidelined until February", says the BBC.
Sacrnorough Today says that "Striker Brian Wake could have earned an extended stay at the McCain Stadium. Wake's loan deal with Boro comes to a close at the end of the month but the frontman, who has hit four goals in four starts for the Seasiders, has impressed boss Neil Redfearn... The Boro chief said: "We are keen to extend his deal. Obviously Gretna are wanting to know what is going on and I will hopefully be talking to them over the next couple of days".
This is Exeter claims that "Exeter City are putting the finishing touches to a five-year plan they hope will deliver League One football by 2010. Earlier this year the club, under the guidance of former managing director Ian Huxham, commissioned an interim report to look at how to move the club forward... A club statement read: 'The Directors of Exeter City are considering an interim report they commissioned into the future structure and organisation of the club'... The report is currently being reviewed by an independent volunteer with a background in such planning. Next week it will be put to the Supporters' Trust's board of society for their views".
From NL Daily is news that "Rob Newman, manager of Cambridge United, has secured a new addition to the squad. Millwall winger Trevor Robinson has agreed a month’s loan to take effect from January 1st.. 'He can play anywhere down the left hand side', explained Newman. 'He had a spell on loan at Tamworth earlier this season and by all accounts did very well there'". (He scored against Altrincham in the FA Cup this season). "Newman hopes to secure at least one more new signing in time for Monday's game, but if that is not possible he expects to have one or two new faces in the squad by the end of next week" says their website.
But Confguide says that "Mark Angel has become the fourth player to leave Cambridge United in a little over a week. The 30-year-old has returned to King's Lynn following his long-term loan... He is expected to be joined out through the exit door by Ashley Nichols, who is set to join Rushden and Diamonds when the transfer window opens, while Darren Behcet, Matt Nolan and Parys Okai have also left the club. 'They are all good pros and they gave their all for Cambridge United while they were here, but for different reasons it didn't work out for them', manager Rob Newman told the club's official website".
Scarborough 's "Kevin Nicholson has missed training this week to have treatment on the hamstring injury sustained in the York game. The injury is not too serious, however. [Ex-Alty striker] Mark Quayle is the other player on the treatment table whilst the remainder of the squad have trained on the beach rather than the snow-covered McCain Stadium pitch. Paul Foot continues his rehabilitation after his hernia operation and will be in contention in early January".
Don't forget that Saturday's game at Tamworth is a 1pm kick-off .. and is followed, back at Moss Lane, at 7.30pm by a free party organised by the Club for all Altrincham fans - though you must get a ticket from the Club in advance to gain admission.
Right: James Robinson seen in action against Tamworth at Moss Lane earlier this season - another of Gavin Rathbone's excellent photos.
"Morecambe's acting manager Sammy McIlroy is keen to keep on-loan Bury defender John Hardiker for an extended period.... 'I had him at Stockport and know what a quality player he is', McIlroy told the Morecambe Visitor newspaper".
This is York reports that "Former York City striker Jon Parkin could net his old club a tidy sum in the New Year if cash-strapped Macclesfield Town decide to sell their prize asset... The 6ft 4in forward could now be sold when the transfer window reopens on New Year's Day with Macclesfield facing the threat of closure unless £257,000 is raised before January 31. And City will pocket a 'reasonable' percentage of any transfer fee if Parkin is sold from Macclesfield".
Halifax Today says that "Fans are planning to take the fight to save the Shay stadium to a national TV audience. Sky TV cameras will be at the ground on Monday, January 9, to screen the Halifax Town clash with Morecambe. And supporters are being urged to pack the Skircoat seats with banners opposing the council's plans to sell-off the Shay. Previous TV coverage at the Shay has led to the half-finished ground being branded a national embarrassment. Town fan Gavin Butler said 'Our intention is not to embarrass Calderdale Council but to show there is concern over its proposal to sell the Shay' ...Calderdale Council caused uproar among supporters of both clubs when it announced this month it wanted to sell off the Shay to a developer. A condition would ensure sport was maintained on the site but such a decision would kill efforts by the Shay Stadium Trust to bring about a fully developed stadium with commercial income streams to benefit both clubs".
Grays' relatively poor recent run is recorded by This is Thurrock. Grays lost at home to Canvey Island recently and manager, Mark Stimson said, "I'm very disappointed with the result and the performance... There were a few players out there who went missing on the big occasion". However, the manager added, "I would love to get two or three new players in but we know the financial structure of the club and we are not going to put the club in any silly position... It's difficult; where do we improve the squad from here? For me it's League players. League players have experience and are earning decent money and I don't think at present we have that sort of money".
Sky Sports say that "Stevenage have strengthened their squad with the signing of Jefferson Louis from Ryman Premier outfit Worthing. The 26-year-old striker has joined Boro... on non-contract terms. Louis is no stranger to life in the Conference having enjoyed spells with Woking, Gravesend and Forest Green Rovers in the past. The front-man signed for Bristol Rovers in May but failed to find the net in nine appearances and upon his release he was snapped up by Worthing. The arrival of a new forward at Stevenage will increase speculation that Anthony Elding is on his way out of Broadhall Way in the January transfer window".
NL Daily says that "King’s Lynn have signed Matt Nolan, who was released from his short-term contract at Cambridge United last week" and that "Hitchin Town signed a third new player in twenty-four hours with the acquisition of left-sided midfielder Parys Okai... who has [also] recently been with Cambridge United".
NL Daily also says that "Halesowen Town have re-signed experienced goalkeeper Mark Gayle" who signed for "Tamworth as cover in the summer," whilst "Ronnie Glavin, manager of Worksop Town, has signed striker Darren Mansaram from Halifax Town until the end of the season".
Confguide quotes Harriers' caretaker boss Martin O'Connor : "We did all the hard work by going in front today but we spoiled it in the second half. I don't think we even bothered coming out after the break... I don't want to name individuals but we were missing four or five big players out there, they just went missing. The players are down, I'm unhappy and ultimately we're lucky to have got a point. Altrincham's goal was deserved in the end".
And This is KHFC adds that it was "a tale of two controversial penalties awarded by Derbyshire referee Robert Shoebridge". These were "a harsh hand-ball award against Altrincham centre-half Mark Maddox from a Simon Heslop cross. But then skipper Mark Jackson was penalised for a challenge milked by sub Kieran Lugsden and Stephen Aspinall fired in the deserved spot-kick equaliser". The site quoted Martin O'Connor: "A point against a side who are lower than us is not good enough. Altrincham deserved the point. We didn't come out at all in the second-half. They got the second balls, had a go at us and we defended too deep... I told the players at half-time that the referee had given us a shady penalty and he would try to change it for them. Unfortunately, he gave it but it wasn't about the Jackson challenge. Leading up to that, they had too much possession on the ball".
Above: Lewis Chalmers heads off (far right) to take a long throw on a dull afternoon at Aggborough.
After the supporters' coach suffered a puncture near Hilton Park services on the M6, many Alty fans arrived at Aggborough just as the home side were taking the lead with a dubious penalty awarded against Maddox for handball when a ball was driven against him from close range (23 mins). But, with their vocal support in place, Altrincham enjoyed the better of the second half and deservedly equalised after 80 minutes when Lugsden was brought down by Jackson in the box and Aspinall, making his first ever Conference start, drove the resulting penalty home. Chris Adams picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended in the near future.
On the Kidderminster official site caretaker manager Martin O'Connor said of his Harriers team, "We were lucky to get a point". But the site claims that "A dubious late penalty from Altrincham's Stephen Aspinall was enough to deny Harriers all three points in a less than thrilling Boxing Day affair at Aggborough today".
Adversity brought out the best in Altrincham FC and its supporters today. With 43 fans stranded in a coach with a flat tyre on the hard shoulder just outside Hilton Park service station, Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin sent the Go Goodwins team coach back from Kidderminster to pick up the supporters at the services whilst director Grahame Rowley and STAR chairman Brian Flynn turned their cars round and drove back to pick people up. So, many thanks are due to all those named above as well as the two coach drivers, STAR travel coordinator Mark Eckersall, Paul Daine who stopped to pick up a stranded passenger and the tyre repairmen who got the coach ready to bring everyone home after the match - not to forget Karen Rowley at "Mission Control". Chairman Geoff Goodwin waived the hire fee for the coach and this money will go towards the STAR travel fund for away trips later this season. Pictured, right, Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin (right, wielding a crow bar) checks the repaired wheel before the return trip from a wet Kidderminster; not something you'd see Chelsea's chairman doing!
Altrincham FC – Football Pontoon 2006
With the New Year almost upon us, our sights must be set on survival in Nationwide Conference. With this in mind we are proposing to run a football pontoon, starting on Friday 3rd February. To play it will cost you the princely sum of £10 and the winner will receive either £150 cash or a Season Ticket for next season for Altrincham FC.
Rules:-
An updated table showing each person's team and how they are doing will be posted on the website and in the programme as soon as possible. Let me know if you wish to join up for this exciting game of Pontoon. Any questions, do not hesitate to phone me 07720-606897 or email me
Many thanks for your support.
Grahame Rowley
Director, Altrincham FC
The Harriers Online site says that "This seasons Christmas double header sees us given what some bureaucrat at the FA think is a local derby for both ourselves and Altrincham, a town situated not far from Manchester. We were told it was because the police wanted crowd control kept to a minimum... I can't see many Alty fans travelling down the M6 on a Boxing Day and think that the crowd at Aggborough will be one of the lowest on the day... Iyseden Christie seems to have shaken off his neck injury so we should be looking at an unchanged side... Altrincham, sitting just below us in the table, will be without old timer Val Owen who has a groin injury... I expect this to be an easy victory for us and to keep our un-beaten run going for a little bit longer".
"Exeter City are rumoured to be keeping a close eye on Aldershot Town winger Nick Crittenden as boss Alex Inglethorpe... was at last weekend's FA Trophy tie between Aldershot and Grays Athletic to run the rule over the former Yeovil Town star. Inglethorpe has made no secret of his need to recruit a winger following the departure of Tony Scully to Crawley Town... Bracknall-born Crittenden ... joined Aldershot at the beginning of last season... Now, with his contract up at the end of the season, the winger has become the subject of interest from other clubs desperate to lure fresh talent in the transfer window", says This is Exeter.
SAM quotes Alty captain Mark Maddox (pictured), "The Christmas period is going to be a crucial time of the season for us... Kidderminster have come off the back of wins against Scarborough and Bradford so it's going to be a really tough game. But I've always liked playing down there... The game against Accrington ended up being a bit of a disappointment really, it was probably the worst we have played against them all year... I wasn't involved against Woking but it was a tough one to take, they were just physically much stronger than us - they weren't a particularly good team and they didn't really try to play football, they just overpowered us... I was really surprised to hear the news about Southport going full time at the start of next season, it really did come out of the blue. To be honest I didn't think they would have the kind of resources to go ahead with a move like this and it seems strange that they'd announce this while they're bottom of the league... But fair play to them, it's a bold move and if it pays off then it could make life more difficult for us". On a personal note, "The only problem is that I'll be working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because that's the price I have to pay for getting Boxing Day off!... It's a shame that the lads haven't been able to get together for a proper do as well but it's always difficult what with everyone working and living in different places... I'm sure we'll all get together and have a good night out in the New Year!" I
Alty fans looking for a local game that day could try:
The BBC reports that "Cambridge United manager Rob Newman wants to bring in four players to bolster his squad... The U's boss has already released Darren Behcet and Matt Nolan in order to raise funds... Newman told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'We'll be getting three or four new bodies in because we need to improve our decision making on the pitch'"
"Crawley boss John Hollins feels he had no option but to rest Daryl Clare ahead of the tough festive programme. The striker missed Saturday's FA trophy win at Stevenage with a back injury". Hollins told BBC Southern Counties Radio, "I know he wants to play every game but I had to rest him because I cannot afford to play him half fit".
In today's NL Paper Graham Heathcote says, "I think we have performed pretty well... We actually finished fifth in the Nationwide North last season so the enormity of the step up was always going to prove pretty troublesome for us. To be heading into the Christmas period in the frame to steer clear of relegation can be seen as a decent first half to the campaign, though I am not happy that we have already been knocked out of the major cup competitions... Our fortunes will now depend on what we can afford to do in the second half of the season. It will be very hard for me to improve the side - there are no funds available. We may have to take the opposite view and look at what we have to do in economic terms to remain in existence. We have to ensure that we are still operating as a club at the end of the season, whether it be in the Conference or below. I am expecting my Board to tell me at the beginning of January that I will have to cut the wage bill. The extra expense of playing at this level is considerable. On the footballing front, if we can survive in the Conference with the financial constraints that we have, then everyone will have done a fantastic job".
Another extended loan is at Morecambe where Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Steven Drench (20) is to stay for another month where he has replaced the injured Ryan Robinson. Morecambe may also extend the loan of their own former player, John Hardiker, from Bury.
Alty Safety Officer and STAR board member Phil Taylor reports on the Alty Forum that "The supporters' trust at Kidderminster Harriers, KHIST, have advised us that there are bogus letters which appear genuine circulating to all opposition clubs stating that their fans will not be allowed into the Harriers Arms, which is the pub at the front of the main stand at Aggborough. This is not true, all Alty fans will be welcome in the pub before and after the match. The social club behind the John Smith stand is also open to visiting fans, although this is an independent club and proceeds do not benefit the club".
Don't forget the free party for Altrincham fans at Moss Lane after the Tamworth game - but you must get a ticket in advance. Click here for details.
Southport's former Lancaster City central defender Farrell Kilbane "is poised to make his loan move to Stalybridge Celtic permanent. The 31-year-old...has been on loan at Stalybridge since the end of November. Port boss Liam Watson has also allowed [former Runcorn] midfielder Dominic Krief to join Farsley Celtic. Watson plans to reshuffle his squad further in the January transfer window" as his side moves towards full-time. Also departing from Haig Avenue is Kevin Lynch who has reportedly joined Droylsden.
"Cambridge United boss Rob Newman has released striker Matt Nolan. The former Peterborough front man, 23, joined the U's in the summer but failed to score in ten Conference appearances. '"Unfortunately Matty is a case of the striker who hasn't been scoring goals and we need to get someone in who will', Newman told his club's Cambridge Unitedwebsite. Cambridge have also ended the work experience stay of West Ham goalkeeper Darren Behcet, 19, who had not figured in the Conference since September".
Mark Cooper, manager of Tamworth whom we meet on 31 December, "wants to sign on-loan Exeter City striker Jake Edwards on a free transfer when the transfer window opens in January". Cooper told the Express & Echo: "I have spoken to Alex Inglethorpe and there wouldn't be a fee involved, there is no way we could afford to pay a fee. But I would certainly like to keep him here, I rate him highly".
Hereford Bulls News reports that "An article which appeared on the Official Hereford United Newsblog suggests the club are looking into making the official site pay per view. The article was posted by Skeets (Keith Hall) last night, but was removed swiftly and has not been replaced, and suggested that the club had 'contacts in the specialised service areas' required to make the switch to pay per view. The 'contacts' may be Keith Hall himself with the one-time PA announcer now working for both the BBC in local radio and Teamtalk Media doing commentary and camera work for Conferencefootball.tv. The article cited Woking's recent move to pay per view, with subscription packages up to £99.99 a year, as the model and stated that a poll would be set up on the official forum to gauge interest. When contacted the club had no knowledge of a move to pay per view, suggesting that the article was not an official piece of club news and was removed when seen by one of the more senior website team. A move to pay per view would be a kick in the teeth for the existing official website team who have worked hard to develop the site free of charge to the club for nearly ten years, also raising several thousand pounds over time".
NL Daily reports that "Glenn Cockerill, manager of Woking, is hoping to sign experienced Wycombe Wanderers defender Stuart Nethercott on a permanent basis when the transfer widow opens in January. 32 year-old Nethercott, the former Spurs and Millwall centre back, has been on loan with the Cards since the end of August. 'I'm looking to keep Stuart if I can. He’s keen to stay and I'm very keen to sign him permanently. I’ll be talking to John Gorman again'" said Cockerill. Cockerill also told the club's official website: 'Apart from that [the signing of Nethercott], my hands are largely tied by my budget and the salary-capping rules. Woking play these things very straight so I've got little room for manoeuvre."
"Ambitious Nationwide North club Workington have formally applied to join the Conference National next season. Nationwide North and South clubs are required to apply before December 31st if they want to go up next year to the top level below the Football League. 'We have to go for it', said chairman Dale Brotherton . 'Nothing could be worse than if we were in a position to get promotion and were then knocked back because the ground was not up to scratch. We would want shooting if that happened. The list of requirements to ensure we are okay for promotion is quite extensive. It includes more seats, extra turnstiles and crush barriers. But it’s all coming together. It’s quite a nice position to be in'” he told the Conference site says that Halifax Town manager Chris Wilder, finances permitting, will look to bolster his attack with the acquisition of a proven goalscorer when the transfer window opens in January. 'To take that next step and to have a real push at going up we have to improve at the top of the pitch', he told BBC Sport. 'But we have hit a bit of a brick wall when it comes to improving that area and getting players in. There are goalscorers out there and players I know would improve our squad but without the finance we can't compete'" - a tale which Graham Heathcote could echo.
Cambridge News says that "City fans have reacted with horror to the thought that they and arch-rivals United could merge... And there has been a mixed reaction from United fans about the prospect of one "super-club" being formed". City supporter Sharon Pettengell said: "Everyone at Milton Road trusts chairman Arthur Eastham's judgement, although it would be disappointing if it does come to a merger because you don't want to see the identity of your club disappear... United fan Mark Saywell, said: 'As far as the foreseeable future is concerned, if there's no co-operation I can only see a bleak one for City and one of mediocrity for United'".
From Halifax Today we learn that "Sports fans are planning to march through Halifax to oppose council plans to sell The Shay. Organiser Ian Griffiths said he hoped hundreds of people would turn out on January 10 - the day councillors hold a special meeting to consider their options... At last week's meeting of the council, members voted to negotiate with the stadium trust the surrender of its lease, to prepare a development brief for the site and to offer it for sale. A condition is that it would be retained for sport and the development of the east stand completed".
On Scarborough Today "boss Neil Redfearn has warned that more first team players could make way in a bid to turn around a stuttering season. Ian Clark has been listed and... Redfearn is prepared to sacrifice more starting regulars. He said: 'The team has had its shelf-life now, we need to freshen things up immediately. If it means sacrificing more regular first team players to bring in others then we will do it. There may be a few shocks over the next couple of weeks. I have a number of players who are ready to sign but we need to free up wages to bring them in. The other managers all know I am interested, we just have to work around the financial constraints'"
Alty's loan of midfielder Steve Bushell (right) from Halifax Town is being extended to 24 January 2006. Steve has been injured for part of his first month's loan but it is hoped that he may be fit for Boxing Day. (Picture by Gavin Rathbone).
The BBC says that "Kidderminster caretaker manager Martin O'Connor has given credit for the team's cup successes to former boss Stuart Watkiss. Kidderminster followed up their FA Trophy win over Scarborough by knocking Bradford City out of the LDV Vans Trophy... 'I spoke to the lads and we've agreed that these last two performances have been for Stuart'", said O'Connor. Meanwhile, "Aldershot boss Terry Brown admits that his side's FA Trophy replay defeat at holders Grays underlined the need to add to his squad in January. 'The difference between the two sides was that they were able to bring strong fresh legs on in extra-time and we were unable to do that... I need to get a couple of players in that are capable of finishing off a game like this'".
"Scarborough manager Neil Redfearn has told attacking midfielder Ian Clark that he can leave in the January transfer window. Clark, 31, joined the Seasiders from Darlington in the summer and has been an ever-present in their Conference campaign to date. 'I need a bit more from my attacking players, and maybe it's time for a change', said Redfearn".
"Crawley Town have allowed midfielder Joe Keehan to make the short move to join Eastbourne Borough on a month's loan. Keehan, who can also play in defence, has started five Conference games for Crawley this season".
NL Daily reports that "Gravesend & Northfleet have extended midfielder Bradley Johnson's loan spell from Northampton Town for a second month. The 18-year-old has scored once in five games for Fleet, who are also trying to extend the loan of his fellow Cobblers' loanee, defender Brett Johnson. The Kent club also hope to tie up an extension for on-loan Lincoln City’s former Dulwich Hamlet striker Omari Coleman, 25, and manager Liam Daish is then aiming to sign the trio on a permanent basis in January".
Above: Gary Scott (no.2) takes a throw-in at Witton, watched by Graham Heathcote (right).
Confguide adds that the Macclesfield financial crisis "could pave the way for the former Manchester City boss Horton to make the switch across Cheshire in a move which he could have taken around 12 months ago. Horton was short-listed by Stockport County as the possible successor to the dismissed Sammy McIlroy to take the reigns at Edgeley Park... Pressure is mounting on current County chief Chris Turner following a dismal run of results which sees them collect only seven wins from fifty games".
NL Daily reports that Exeter City's Rytis Leliuga has moved to Taunton Town on loan and in another loan move Dan Glozier of Gravesend & Northfleet has gone to Tonbridge Angels.
Confguide confirms that "As from Tuesday, December 20, 2005, the Conference video site will cease to be a free service and switch over to subscription. Although there was some support for the "Keep Conference TV a free service" campaign... the interest generated was not sufficient to keep the service free. Subscription fees for the service are £4.99 per calendar month and £14.99 for the rest of the season, with subscribers enjoying the following services:exclusive match highlights from the 2005/6 Nationwide Conference season. Well over 30 minutes of footage per week. One "Game of the week" shown in full " and other features.
Halifax Town say that they "find it beyond comprehension that, after some two years of hard work by the Shay Stadium Trust on behalf of ourselves, Halifax RLFC, our respective Trusts and the sporting public of Calderdale, a proposal developed in conjunction with Council Officers and agreed by Cabinet can be summarily discarded at the eleventh hour... What cannot be refuted is that funding available to Halifax Town and to a lesser extent Halifax RLFC has brought the Stadium to its current state. Not a penny of council taxpayers' money has been spent on the development thus far. Indeed, Calderdale MBC has allowed the two clubs to expend in excess of £2,500,000 on its land, and now proposes to sell it to the highest bidder. This is the shameful act of an unscrupulous landlord. A landlord who was happy to agree in principal to a minimum 35 year lease before work commenced on the original north and south end terraces... The Authority's decision has undermined both clubs' ability to generate the level of commercial income essential to sustain professional sport. It may well be that neither club is able to survive in their current form with the inevitable delay that this decision brings. Only time will tell".
"Patrick Flynn has done enough during his short spell at Kidderminster to convince caretaker boss Martin O'Connor to keep him on a month-to-month contract basis. The former Wolves youngster has acquitted himself well in the right-back position since arriving at the club on trial in mid-November... O’Connor told the club’s official website, "He's looked comfortable at right-back and his crossing of the ball is superb... We're keeping him on a month-to-month non-contract basis and things will just go from there" states Confguide.
FAT 1R
LDV Trophy
Witton are an in-form side and lie third in the UniBond Premier. Jim Vince took over as caretaker manager in October and was confirmed in post in early November. His assistant is Benny Phillips, well known in local non-league circles, having been manager at several clubs including Mossley. Former Alty chairman, Mark Harris is on the board at Witton and is their programme editor. Witton also have Griff Jones, the ex-Barnsley midfielder who played several games for Altrincham Reserves earlier this season. Up front is the prolific Mike Moseley whilst in defence, veteran Brian Pritchard is the man who was sent off in the infamous CSC Final at Moss Lane, when he tackled a streaker. Other familar faces at Witton are two ex-Runcorn men, David Ness and Tom Spearitt. Albion's most recent signing is left-sided midfield player Sam McNutt from Vauxhall Motors; he was formerly at Southport and Prescot Cables, whilst Crewe have recently loaned Witton two players, Nicky Maynard and Rob Lloyd.
This is the first of several midweek friendlies which Altrincham hope to arrange in the coming months. The Witton game should give Graham Heathcote the opportunity to look at some possible players for the second half of the Conference season and maintain players' fitness levels now that Alty have no midweek game till mid February. Expected to take part for Alty at Witton is striker Michael Rankine, recently at Scunthorpe United and before that at Barrow. Also likely to be involved is Byron Jenkins, a former Crewe, Southport and Accrington midfielder. Both Rankine and Jenkins have recently played for Altrincham Reserves, whose captain and right-back, James Marsden (right), will be with the Alty squad tonight. But ruled out tonight is youth team striker Ben Deegan who was to have played but was injured last week playing for the Reserves.
Another man out of contention is Kyle Wilson, whose loan from Crewe has now ended. His loan spell was affected by injury and he was limited to just 4(+2) appearances. Also out for Alty is the unlucky ex-Crewe man, James Robinson who was beginning to make an impression up front for the Robins in recent games. James was stricken by an illness last week which caused vomiting and this, in turn, ripped his gullet leading to his being in hospital for several days. He is due out of hospital today but is still suffering from headaches and will take some time to recover from this unpleasant injury. All at Moss Lane wish him well.
Also out of action, both today and for the Boxing Day match is Val Owen, with a groin injury, whilst Steve Bushell's fitness also remains uncertain. Some of the players involved tonight will also be involved in Wednesday's Reserves' game at Moss Lane when Alty meet Morecambe (7.45pm).
Alty were drawn away in all three cup competitions this season, going out of the FA Trophy last Saturday at Accrington, out of the FA Cup at Tamworth and the Cheshire Senior Cup, at Crewe Alexandra, after winning a round away at Woodley Sports.
Cambridge assistant boss Tony Spearing told BBC Radio Cambridge after their Trophy exit to Dorchester, "Our performance as a whole lacked desire and we must put that right. You need to be prepared to get hurt, show guts and desire and apart from our central defenders the rest of the players are not doing that".
"Scarborough have secured the services of Halifax goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin until the end of the season... and Seasiders' boss Neil Redfearn hopes to further strengthen his squad following their heavy defeat in the FA Trophy at Kidderminster, 'That showed me that I need to bring players in quickly', Redfearn said".
The Conference reports that "After scoring on his Exeter City debut, Anton Robinson has set his sights on earning a contract at St James' Park. 'I have signed on a non-contract basis and, if I do well and impress, we will take it from there', Robinson told Echo Sport. 'I like the set-up, the lads are great and the gaffer has been good to me'".
Graham Heathcote has indicated that other midweek friendlies will be arranged during the coming weeks as there is just one scheduled midweek first-team Conference match between now and the end of the season - at home to Halifax in February.
Alty's last visit there was for a 1-1 draw on Saturday 11th March 2000 before the home side's second largest home gate of the season, 3,054. Altrincham started that game in tenth place and went into the match on a run of three wins and a draw and a record of only two defeats in the preceding 19 Conference matches. Kidderminster led the League, following a last-gasp victory in midweek at Doncaster. But the clubs' fates were to diverge as the Harriers gained promotion to the Football League at the end of that season whilst this creditable draw was to be the start of a run of eleven Alty games without a win which culminated with relegation after a goalless draw at Moss Lane when Kidderminister were again our opponents. Alty's side that day was 1. Key; 2. Hodson, 3. Adams, 4. Timons (capt), 5. Talbot; 6. Goodwin, 7. Gallagher, 8. Russell, 9. Chambers, 10. Morrell, 11. Ellison Subs: 12. Power, 13. Greygoose, 14. Landon, 15. Hawes, 16. Lovelock. Alty's scorer was Mick Morrell.
Right: Jason Gallagher takes a throw-in at Aggborough in March 2000. Keith Russell (8) is in the background.
A report on the youth team's game at Woodley is in the Youth section.
Anthony Davies goes for the ball against Woodley, watched by Hassan Zareh-Ourang (left) and Matty Williams (right).
Alty Youth lost 5-2 away at Woodley Sports this afternoon. Matt Williams and Astley Mulholland netted Alty's goals. Report to follow.
Above: Little's penalty cannons off the keeper's legs and goes behind the goal.
Match report here
Right: Alty's James Robinson, doubtful with illness.
Saturday 17th: FA Trophy 1
Sunday 18th:
On This is Exeter "Former Exeter City chairman Ivor Doble says he's relieved his beloved club is still in existence - even though he lost almost £450,000 because of the club's debt-busting CVA... Dozens of creditors were paid a total of £227,619, which is the equivalent of just over seven pence in the pound for the money they were owed by the club when the CVA was set up in June 2003. The arrangement, which was set up by the club's supporters' trust when Doble handed them his majority shareholding, slashed City's debts from £4.8m to about £750,000. City businessman Doble, who ploughed vast sums into the club during his 20-year involvement as a director, was the club's single biggest creditor. He was owed more than £483,000 and received less than £35,000, but he told Echo Sport, 'I'm just glad the football club is still there... It's just sad that nobody is coming in with the money it still needs to prop it up. I was there for 20-odd years and it nearly killed me... There's not many people in Exeter who are as mad as me now. I feel very upset about not getting the money, but there's nothing you can do about it. You don't put money into a football club and expect to get it back'... The club paid £300,000 to service the CVA and an estimated £450,000 to so-called 'football creditors' ... That left £227,619.10 for creditors. Doble received a cheque for £34,413 despite being owed £483,297 and former director Peter Carter was paid £12,432 of the £174,600 he was owed".
From the same source: "Officials at Exeter City have dismissed reports linking Chris Todd with a host of clubs. Bournemouth are the latest club rumoured to be interested in snapping up the fast-improving Welsh semi-professional international defender... Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town are two other clubs who have been linked with the former Swansea City centre half. City vice-chairman Julian Tagg said 'It would be nice if it was genuine and someone started to talk figures'... Todd is out of contract in the summer and City boss Alex Inglethorpe is keen to tie up his future"
Clitheroe Today reports that loan player "right back Michael Howey has been sent back to Southport as [the Clitheroe manager] wasn't happy with his level of commitment".
The BBC confirms that "Gravesend & Northfleet midfielder Ben Surey has joined Basingstoke Town. Surey, 22, had been on loan at The Camrose since early November and has now agreed a permanent deal... Fleet have also allowed defender Daniel Glozier, 19, to join Tonbridge Angels on a month's loan".
"Tamworth have completed the signing of former Newcastle United and Fulham defender Alan Neilson... The 33-year-old was with Luton Town last season and also previously had a spell at Southampton. Cooper has also signed former Exeter City defender Barry McConnell, although the 28-year-old will not be available for action until Boxing Day" says the BBC. Alty travel to Tamworth on 31 December.
From This is KHFC we learn that "Martin O'Connor has backed Kidderminster Harriers' young midfielders to continue shining in his absence. The caretaker-boss is struggling to return from a knee problem but believes the emerging Russ Penn and Simon Heslop, along with the experienced Terry Fleming, are worthy replacements... He continues to distance himself from the permanent job after the Kidderminster board met yesterday to draw up a shortlist of six before interviews start next week... [He] admitted: 'I'd rather be asked to do the job than put my name forward'... But O'Connor was not so complimentary about the senior players involved in Harriers' 2-1 defeat to Halesowen in the Worcestershire Senior Cup... John Danby, Wayne Graves, Gavin Hurren, Chris McHale, Laurie Wilson and Gareth Sheldon were meant to add experience alongside youth teamers. O'Connor added: 'They have been told in no uncertain terms that I was not happy and am not going to put up with that performance'".
Halifax Today claims that "Rory Prendergast is set to return for Town against Southport at the Shay tomorrow.But Denny Ingram may have to be content with a place on the bench - 'Denny came back and played 90 minutes on Tuesday... and if he plays two games in a week it would be putting a lot of pressure on his hamstring... Justin Bowler, who started Tuesday's game but limped off after six minutes with a pulled hamstring, is likely to be out for two to three weeks". Manager Chris Wilder said "I want us to get back on a winning track... We have not done particularly well in this competition, certainly not as well as we would have liked and, with money being as tight as it is now, we need to pull out all the stops to get a run going".
Bullsnews says that "The prize fund for the LDV Trophy is at risk after LDV announced it will enter adminstration today. The Birmingham based van maker shut down production last week amid a cash crisis... LDV have sponsored the Associate Members' Cup for the last six years... [and] are also the official minibus and commercial vehicle supplier to the Football League".
Meanwhile, "The lads have been magnificent", Accrington manager John Coleman told The Accrington Observer . "We had four home games and we knew it would be a tough ask to take 12 points but we have... People will see Gary Roberts has scored again again and there could be a few people knocking on our door when come January but we have to keep hold of players like Gary Roberts if we are to have the ambition to win the league".
The Liverpool Echo confirms that "an announcement concerning a change of status for the Sandgrounders is due to be made. And although long-serving chairman Charlie Clapham has in the past resisted a switch from part-time football, such a move has become inevitable. Southport have operated on a part-time basis since being voted out of the Football League in 1978... Their decision to join the full-time ranks is one which will hopefully leave Liam Watson's men on a more level playing field" in the Conference. It is uncertain how quickly the change will come, though it is rumoured that some players at the club may go full-time very soon.
Above: Halifax's new stand has remained uncompleted for several years. It is seen above in September, when Alty visited The Shay.
Halifax Today reports that "Councillors have voted to sell the Shay and surrounding land to a developer who will finish the East stand and keep the stadium available for sport. If it becomes no longer needed for that purpose, a clawback provision will ensure the council benefits from any increase in the value of the 13-acre site. But before it can be marketed, the Shay Stadium Trust will have to surrender its lease to the land and the council will have to draw up a development brief. Calderdale Council spent 90 minutes discussing what to do with the Shay in response to a request from the trust for a £3 million loan... Council leader John Ford said, 'We would not write a blank cheque because there was no viable plan in place to repay the money'. The entire council is due to meet again on January 10 to hear the response from the stadium trust".
"Alex Inglethorpe, manager of Exeter City, is set to reject a new contract at St James's Park until the financial uncertainty surrounding the club is resolved. Inglethorpe has decided to hold fire on signing a deal that could keep him at the club until 2010 because of fears his budget could be further slashed... He said: 'I have declined the contract for the time being at least until certain issues around the club are cleared up. I will review it again later and expect to sign one in the near future'. One factor is said to be that former managing director Ian Huxham "is threatening legal action and seeking compensation after walking out on the Grecians two months ago. Sources claim Huxham is intending to file for constructive dismissal and is hoping to secure a cash settlement. No explanation has been given for his decision to quit his £40,000-a-year post... It is understood Inglethorpe fears any financial settlement stemming from Huxham's departure will take another huge chunk out of his playing budget. The City boss has been already been hit by a £160,000 reduction... Exeter were unable to compete financially with struggling Crawley Town in the chase to land winger Tony Scully". But Inglethorpe said, "If I wanted to have gone I would have gone by now", he told This is Exeter.
conf fo4rum re Exeterhttp://www.confguide.com/cboard.mpl?action=View+Thread&thread=50749 Exeter City report that "in conjunction with The Exeter City Supporters' Trust [they] are pleased to announce that Jerry O’Sullivan, being the supervisor of the CVA has now concluded the arrangement entered into by ECFC on the 16th of October 2003... Whilst not responsible for the huge £4.8 million of debt outstanding at the date of the takeover on 20th of May 2003 the current directors are extremely conscious that many creditors, many of whom have continued to support the club, have lost significant sums. They would therefore, now like to express their gratitude to the vast majority of creditors that supported the CVA so positively enabling the club to enter a new era.This announcement that the CVA can now be concluded and that ECFC is officially debt free, has been achieved by the monumental efforts of all those associated with the club".
Confguide says that "Peterborough manager Mark Wright has recalled André Boucaud from his loan spell at Aldershot. Shots manager Terry Brown told the club's official website: 'We will be looking to improve the squad during the forthcoming transfer window although our priority is not in the midfield department'".
Meanwhile, the BBC says that "Doncaster forward Adriano Rigoglioso's loan spell at Southport may be ended early because of a knee injury. Rigoglioso has been restricted to just one game for Port, and has returned to Doncaster for treatment".
Our Christmas and New Year opponents, "Kidderminster Harriers are due to begin interviewing applicants for the vacant manager's post next week. 'We're pleased with the quality," chairman Barry Norgrove told BBC Hereford & Worcester. We've got the best ground in the league and we've just dropped out of League Two, so I think potential managers see an opportunity here. Perhaps there's an opportunity for the new man to make moves when the transfer window opens in January'".
Thursday's Daily Telegraph reported Northwich chairman Mike Connett's annoyance that their FA Cup opponents, Sunderland, are cutting admission prices at the Stadium of Light for the game. He said, “Sunderland proposed ticket prices of £6 and £1, which I said was a waste of time. I said I’d accept £20 for adults and less for concessions. The FA have ruled that the prices should be £10 and £5, which I think is a disgraceful way to treat non-League football.. I believe they have cost us £200,000 by going so far below normal prices...They underestimate us, which suits us fine. I fancy us to do well there".
Last Thursday, My Football News reported that "Scunthorpe striker Michael Rankine has joined Lincoln City on trial. The 20-year-old is training with the Red Imps as boss Keith Alexander considers moves to strengthen his squad in the January transfer-window. He has not played a first-team game this season but has scored regularly for the reserves and recently spent a spell on loan at former club Barrow. Of his 24 appearances for the Iron, 21 have come from the bench with his only league goal coming in a win over Bury".
One positive outcome that emerged from Saturday's game with Woking was that Gavin Rathbone of GR Photos again took some excellent pictures. Above, he captures Kieran Lugsden in action.
On the Gravesend Forum one correspondent says that Victor Gladwish's sponsorship of The Fleet is believed to be "approx £50,000 for each of 3 years totalling £150,000. If Victor were to pull out now, with a half season left, this would equate to £25,000 for the remainder of this season divided by 11 home games = £2272 lost per game. To recoup this lost money we would need a gate increase of 189 full paying adults per game. Although the loss of Mr Gladwish's money, if it happens, would cause problems, they would not be insurmountable". Closer to home GLS also sponsored Chadderton, Glossop North End and Stockport Georgians.
Bullsnews says that Kidderminster "were originally seeking a swift appointment [of a new manager] but, having advertised the position at the weekend, have chosen to wait to make a decision. Worcester boss Andy Preece, an early favourite for the post, has ruled himself out of the running by signing a new contract at St Georges Lane until the end of the 2006/7 season".
Woking admit that on Tuesday they "were comprehensively outplayed by a skilful, pacy Vics side and the only surprise was that they were still in with a chance of saving the game right up until the final whistle. For that they have the superb [goalkeeper] Shwan Jalal to thank – about the only Woking player who performed to anything like his full potential on the night".
Confguide says that "Accrington are close to being able to give their top summer signing a his first team debut. Central defender Andy Tretton was the Shots' [?Stanley's] main acquisition during the close season, but a knee injury picked up shortly after he arrived from Hereford has so far kept him reluctantly on the sidelines... The stylish centre back featured in a Lancashire Cup game on Tuesday, with no ill effects, and is now targeting a Conference debut early in the new year".
"Cambridge boss Rob Newman praised his players following their defeat to Macclesfield in the LDV Vans Trophy on Tuesday night. 'We came to a team who are a league above us and we've done ever so well', Newman told BBC Radio Cambridge.
The Harriers website quotes Martin O'Connor, caretaker-manager of Kidderminster - "We've got a busy spell coming up and everyone needs to keep focused, there's still a season going on out there and we need to play the games and try and pick up the points, as well as doing as well as we can to progress in the Cup games." It adds that "O'Connor also admitted that he's currently working to secure Simon Heslop's services for a longer period, with fellow ‘work experience’ youngster Marc Pugh returning to Burnley."
The BBC reports that Kidderminster "Caretaker manager Martin O'Connor is set to stay in charge of Kidderminster Harriers until after Christmas. 'The board say they want to appoint a new manager as soon as possible, ideally within the next two or three weeks', he told the club website. 'They'd like me to watch over things until that point at least. I'm happy to do that and help out where I can'". Alty meet Kidderminster on Boxing Day and 2nd January.
Exeter manager Alex Inglethorpe has told the Exeter Express & Echo- "At the half-way stage we're still kicking around and annoying people. It's a great position to be in... There have been an awful lot of trials and tribulations over the past couple of years and for the team to be where they are at the minute is testament to how far they have come. The hardest thing at Exeter is managing the expectation. We are doing everything on a value for money basis, we are working on a limited budget and we are trying to do the best within that. But we are pleased with the first half of the season".
Bullsnews says that "After discussions with the police, Exeter City have confirmed that adult Hereford United supporters will pay an extra pound to see the game between the two clubs on December 30th. Part of their statement, which also refers to the Aldershot game on Boxing Day, says: 'There is still the unfortunate risk that a minority, who are not considered to be football supporters by either club, may attempt disorder. The club's first responsibility is to its fans and their safety. For that reason there will be police present at this game (v Aldershot) and the following fixture against Hereford Utd ... The financial agreement reached between the Police and club is much reduced from the initial figures quoted but is none the less a significant sum and there is regrettably the need to increase admission prices by £1 for full paying adults only at both of these fixtures".
Bullsnews reports that Hereford United "were refused permission to play Chester's on-loan keeper Wayne Brown in any cup competition, despite the player being on an unbreakable year long loan, leaving them searching for an adequate backup to Craig Mawson for cup matches. Now Chester, who are seemingly trying to isolate the keeper who helped them back into the league, face a goalkeeping crisis that threatens their League Two promotion efforts. Ex-Bulls goalkeeper MacKenzie broke a thumb early in the second half in Saturday's loss at Lincoln and teenage reserve stopper Brookfield, making his debut, strained a hamstring later on in the game. Meanwhile...Chester Council hit back at chairman Stephen Vaughan by telling fans that the club hadn't paid rent on the Deva Stadium for over two years, running up a £50,000 debt and failing to meet a November 15th deadline for repayment. The council also revealed that the Deva Stadium was close to closure in the summer before the club spent £40,000 on safety work necessary for the safety certificate".
But IC Cheshire reports that "Chester City's derby with Wrexham will go ahead at the Saunders Honda Stadium [i.e. Chester] after the Football League refused a request for it to be moved to Widnes. Chester City chairman Stephen Vaughan wanted to play the December 28 match at Halton Stadium, home of Widnes Vikings, after this week striking a deal to invest in the rugby league club. But a Football League spokesman said... it was 'not appropriate from a competition point of view'. They also revealed Chester had been unable to inform them if the Halton Stadium - once the home of Runcorn FC Halton - was licensed for senior football".
Conference:
LDV Trophy
For Saturday's Trophy game it is confirmed that Val Owen is NOT suspended, despite it saying so in Saturday's programme. He has already served a ban and has six bookings in total this season. Mark Maddox and Peter Band will be back from suspension but there are injury doubts over Val Owen, Karl Munroe, Gary Talbot and Chris Adams. In addition, Halifax will not allow Steve Bushell to play in the Trophy but he is also currently injured in any case. Stephen Rose is suspended for Saturday's game.
For the Reserves at Bradford PA on Wednesday, Rod Thornley, Steve Aspinall, Pat McFadden, Stephen Rose and Richard Acton (right) are the first teamers in the squad.
From Gavin Rathbone of GR Photos comes this great shot from the Alty v Woking game of Alty's new midfielder, Ged Murphy, in action.
SAM says that "Working on such a limited budget, Alty cannot be expected to have the same strength in depth as the majority of their Conference opponents and never was this more evident than against Woking.The Surrey-based outfit travelled to Moss Lane knowing that Altrincham would be missing several key players through injury and suspension and took full advantage, employing an extremely physical - some would say cynical - approach to claim a 4-0 victory. 'Their tactics are what they are', said disappointed Robins' manager Graham Heathcote (right) after the game. 'It's not pleasant to watch for supporters but they're high up the league and they'll deem it to be the right way to play for them. In the end we were all over the shop with the team and it shows that we don't have the depth we probably need in certain areas. I think they were a fortunate side to catch us at the time that they caught us'".
Left: The sodden Burton pitch back in October when Alty visited, (see story below).
Always worth a look at, Bullsnews reports that "The latest criticism of the new Burton Albion pitch comes from Gravesend keeper Craig Holloway who described the pitch to the BBC as 'It was very wet and sticky in patches, but some patches were hard - it was weird out there. With it being a new stadium, I can't understand why the pitch is so bad. You'd expect it to be a lovely pitch, so I don't really understand that'".
The same source says that "Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Plymouth are fighting it out to sign Exeter's Welsh defender Chris Todd in January's transfer window. Todd, who signed for Exeter in March 2003 from Irish side Drogheda Utd, is out of contract and over 24 so Exeter are likely to allow a move now rather than lose him on a free transfer in the summer". "Halifax Town boss Chris Wilder says he is flattered to be linked with the vacant managerial role at Rotherham United", reports BBC Radio Leeds. "The former Millers player has two-and-a-half years left on his contract at The Shay... He said: "I've never hidden my ambition to work in the Football League. I'd like to do it here but I would be showing a lack of ambition if I didn't want to get back into the League".
NL Daily says that "Aldershot Town have announced that fans’ favourite Nikki Bull has put pen-to-paper on a new contract that will keep him at the Recreation Ground until the 2007/08 season. The 23-year-old Sussex-born goalkeeper joined Aldershot from Queens Park Rangers at the start of the 2002/03 season and was named Supporters Club Player of the Season at the end of his first campaign. Bull has represented the England National Game side".
Match report here.
For more on the game, see below...
Above: Alty Youth striker Matty Williams in action in the 2-1 win against Kingsley United on Sunday. Matty scored one of the two goals but his regular strike partner Ben Deegan missed the game after being injured for Alty Reserves last Friday. For a match report see the Youth Section
So, for under £8 a game, you can watch Conference National football at your local club.
If ou are looking for a game this Tuesday, Trafford are at home to Skelmersdale United, whose players include former Alty striker Lee Thompson. Trafford's playing staff includes ex-Alty man Simon Woodford.
The Woking site has a match report and also manager Glenn Cockerill's comments. “It was a terrific performance. I couldn’t have asked for more. The players’ attitude was tremendous.... We went for an early goal, just as we had done at Dagenham, and could have gone in front even before Justin scored his first goal. Shwan made an excellent save when we were 1-0 up and they really only had two or three more shots all game".
Above: Andy Keogh contests for the ball with Kingsley keeper Nolan.
In a game of two halves today at Wythenshawe Town, Alty Youth beat Kingsley United 2-1. After missing several chances Alty took a deserved half-time lead though Keogh and Williams before Kingsley had the better of the second half but could only score in the first minute of added time. Report to follow
Don't forget that there is a free New Year's Eve Party at Moss Lane (Noel White Suite) at 7.30pm following our trip to Tamworth that day for a 1pm kick off. Everyone is welcome, but all attendees must obtain a ticket in advance; these are available from the club offices.
Right: Ged Murphy leaves the pitch
Match report here.
Match report in Reserves' section .
In the NL Paper, Graham said, "I feel that our fitness levels are much higher now. The midfield has been changed and the fresh legs appear to be doing the trick... I believe that we can do better over the second half of the season. If we can at least double our points tally then we won't be far from safety". Woking's manager Glenn Cockerill said of Alty, whom he watched at Grays, "They are a well-organised side and I exoect a tough, close game. We always set out to play good football but lots of sides make it difficult for you so I'm prepared to win ugly if necessary". The NLP suggest that Alty's Steve Bushell, on loan from Halifax, "could be out for several weeks". It adds that Alty are "likely to recall loan players including Rod Thornley. The plan to loan out Steve Aspinall to gain match fitness may also have to be shelved". In fact, Aspinall played for Alty Reserves last night.
Howard Watts's Through the Years has data on previous Alty games on 10 December.
"Mangotsfield United’s winger Luke Prince is attracting the attentions of Exeter City. Grecians manager Alex Inglethorpe is reportedly keen to take the former Aston Villa trainee on a week’s trial" reports the Bristol club's website.
Meanwhile "Colchester United’s winger Dean Howell is training with former club, Halifax Town. Howell left The Shay in the summer in pursuit of League football and appeared to be settling in... until being struck down by a hernia injury... And manager Wilder has not ruled out the possibility of the former Morecambe man returning to the Shay. 'I have never had a problem with Dean' he said. 'He wanted to leave to play in the Football League. I never fell out with him'" reports NL Daily.
The BBC confirms that "MK Dons midfielder Ben Harding has extended his loan spell with Conference strugglers Forest Green Rovers. Harding has agreed a second month's stay... Meanwhile, Forest Green striker Mark Danks has joined Cirencester Town on a month's loan".
"Cambridge United boss Rob Newman is hoping to have winger Courtney Pitt back for the Christmas programme. The former Portsmouth and Boston player, 23, has been sidelined since mid-October with a knee injury".
the Accrington Observer says that "Stanley will be bidding for a sixth straight win against Kidderminster Harriers... John Coleman will have to make one change with Ian Craney serving a one-match ban. However, the shoulder injury sustained by the midfielder last Saturday is not as serious as first feared and Craney should be back to again face former club Altrincham in the FA Trophy on Saturday-week".
Southport's Forum reports that its "Fans are setting up an independent supporters' club. An inaugural meeting is being held next Wednesday... Jacqui Forster, of Supporters' Direct [and Altrincham], will address the meeting".
With the departure of Kirk Hilton, seven squad players have now left Moss Lane this season; they are Chris Butler, Steve Hawes
Kirk Hilton, Lutel James, George Melling, James Olsen and Gary Williams. In all, 30 players have played for Alty in the Conference this season, with Stuart Coburn (right) and Colin Little the only ever-presents.
Also on the statistical front, Alty have scored just 2 first-half goals from open-play in the league this season; two other goals have come in the first 45 minutes but one was an own goal and the other a penalty. For a part-time side, who might be expected to tire in the closing stages, it is commendable that 8 of our 14 goals this season have come in the last half hour of games. Alty conceded 15 goals in 4 games in a worrying fortnight in September but otherwise have conceded just 15 goals in their other 16 Conference matches.
Woking's website quotes manager Glenn Cockerill "'Altrincham have got a very experienced side and they are now finding their feet after a difficult spell. They played well on Tuesday night to get a draw at Grays and will have gained confidence from that'. Glenn acknowledged that Altrincham will have two central defenders missing on Saturday but pointed out that one of them had missed the Grays game and that Altrincham hadn’t been too badly affected as a result... 'It’s a massive week for the Club but we’re just concentrating on the Altrincham game'", said the manager. The website debates whether Ian Selley will play "in place of the suspended Karl Murray but it sounds as if Ian is doubtful: 'He’s picked up an ankle injury', explained Glenn, 'and at present I rate him only 50/50 for Saturday... Steve Evans can play in a central midfield role'".
The club website continues, "Anyone who thinks this is going to be an easy away fixture obviously hasn’t looked at Alty’s home record or taken notice of their fine performance on Tuesday night when they secured a 1-1 draw at Grays Athletic in another gutsy display. Graham Heathcote, Alty’s manager, has been playing down their chances of survival this season, but his team are picking up enough points to make people think it’s all a bluff".
Though Alty are without Peter Band, Gary Talbot and Mark Maddox from central defence, "Woking will be without the suspended Karl Murray for this trip...So, barring any new injuries, the Woking line-up is likely to be: Shwan Jalal, Paul Watson, Karim El-Salahi, Stuart Nethercott, Simon Jackson; Liam Cockerill, Ian Selley or Steve Evans, Neil Smith, Steve Ferguson; Justin Richards, Craig McAllister".
Glenn Cockerill told the Woking News about their FA Cup draw away at Sunderland -if they beat Vics - "It’s a terrific draw for the club and it will obviously be in the back of the players’ minds when we play Northwich. But we must stay focussed and think about Altrincham first". "The league remains the priority so we want to pick up points on Saturday", he stated. The report adds: "Cockerill has been happy to bring in ex-Coventry left back Paul Watson, who has slotted in well and allowed Karim El-Salahi and Liam Cockerill to play in their best positions".
The BBC says that "Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman wants to sign on-loan Wigan defender Phil Edwards when the transfer window opens in January. Edwards is currently in the second month of a loan spell with the Conference leaders".
"Canvey defender Nathan Bunce has joined St Alban's City on a month's loan" whilst "Burton Albion will play their FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United at their new 6,000-capacity Pirelli Stadium... The Conference side decided not to switch the game to nearby Pride Park after discussions with police. But the game will take place on Sunday to avoid being playing same day as the Derby County versus Burnley tie, as the two sides use the same stewards" says the BBC. The Burton Mail quotes Nigel Clough: "We're not going down the road of having them watched and doing reports and stuff because our time in that respect can be more usefully spent watching the likes of Worksop and Tamworth".
This is Exeter says that "Exeter City are set to stage talks with cash-strapped Exmouth Town to discuss ways of boosting their fight for survival... Long-standing debts and a hefty tax demand forced Exmouth to withdraw from the Toolstation Premier Division a fortnight ago.League officials have granted the struggling club a six-week fixture hiatus, giving them until January 7 to make a final decision on their future". An Exeter spokesman said, "We certainly should be able to help by organising a legends' game and perhaps Steve Perryman could offer his services for a fundraising night down at the club. We can't make promises regarding players, but it could be that some of our boys who are not getting games or some of the younger lads could go and help out - there are no guarantees but it is something we have discussed".
"Kidderminster Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove is hoping to make a swift appointment in their quest to replace Stuart Watkiss as manager... 'Ideally we'd like the new manager installed before the end of the month to give him time to manoeuvre in the transfer window' Norgrove said". On This is KHFC Harriers' chairman, Barry Norgrove, has insisted Kidderminster Harriers' play-off wish be rekindled by their new manager. He said, "We just felt that, overall, results weren't good enough. I think if you take the season as a whole, we haven't performed well enough in the Conference and we just think it's time for a change... The play-offs are still our goal this season". The article adds, "Harriers will advertise and in-tend to appoint a new man by the end of December in time for the January transfer window. Possible candidates such as Mark Yates, the former Harriers' skipper currently coaching at Burnley, and ex-Shrewsbury manager Jimmy Quinn have been mentioned by fans. Player-coach Martin O'Connor will get a chance to stake his claim for the job in the interim as caretaker-boss".
Alty left back Kirk Hilton (24) has now left the club in search of regular first-team football; it is believed that he will be staying with Ashton United for the time being at least. Flixton-born Kirk is a former Man. United Reserve and, in 2002-03, was a first-team squad member (no.28) at Old Trafford. He made his Alty debut in February 2005 after undergoing a cartilage operation in summer 2004, but he was plagued by injury during his time at Moss Lane. Recently he has been on loan at Ashton United. In all he made 9(+6) appearances for Alty, and scored one goal. The club wishes him well for the future.
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Above left: The calendar's cover. Right: The month of February 2006.
From This is Thurrock comes the Essex view of the match. It says that "Grays have won 11 points in the final 10 minutes of games this season so it was only a matter of time before the tables were turned and they ended up on the receiving end of a last minute strike as manager, Mark Stimson, admitted afterwards. 'I don't know how many times we have got late goals but it's quite a few and we have been hit with one ourselves tonight. But the positive is that the goal didn't mean we were defeated because that would have been a real blow to the boys. Altrincham made it really hard for ourselves tonight. They work extremely hard and though they are at the bottom end of the league their last three or four results have been good. They drew with Exeter and only just lost to Accrington so they really pick themselves up for the big games. But we weren't at our best tonight'. The report adds that in the second half, "All the while Altrincham grew in confidence and boss, Graham Heathcote, threw on two attackers, Lugsden and Kyle Wilson, as they searched for an equaliser. Both subs caused the Grays back line plenty of problems and when Matthews fouled Lugsden on the left touch line, James Robinson, came close to sweeping home the resulting free kick. Lugsden then wasted two good opportunities to test Eyre before, in the second minute of overtime, Coburn launched a huge free kick... and Lugsden shrugged off Matthews to fire past Eyre".
Those watching Ceefax or the BBC website last night will have been puzzled by the following: "Kieran Lugsden (right) grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for Altrincham to stop Grays leapfrogging Accrington into top spot.
Aaron McLean's delightful fourth-minute opener put the promotion-chasing hosts on course for another vital victory. The Grays striker fired home Michael Kightly's pass from 20 yards and influential midfielder Kightly almost made it two with a fierce effort. But the visitors got the goal their display deserved when Lugsden converted Stuart Coburn's cross". Stuart is a great goalkeeper but even he does not provide crosses from the Alty left wing.
For more on the game, and a match report link, see below...
From the Guardian we read about a former Alty manager and Everton star, Mark Ward, now gaoled for drug-related offences. Mark said: "My big break came when I was named manager of Altrincham. It was a good job, but they were in financial crisis. Although we were doing well, a new chairman came in and sacked me with no explanation. He obviously wanted his own man in charge. It was the worst day of my career. I remember going round to the kit man's house and bursting into tears. That was when things started to go bad for me. Jane and I split up and I struggled to find more work in the game. People saw I had been sacked and that put them off. I helped out in my brother's pub and then spent some time in Australia. But I had to come home eventually to arrange a work permit".
SAM has a report on the game at Accrington in which "Altrincham were ultimately undone by a touch of class from... winger Gary Roberts, a constant thorn in Alty's side and surely a prime candidate for a move back to league football come the January transfer window... Although it was just reward for the hosts' endeavour, it was harsh on Alty, who had put in a tenacious yet controlled display to frustrate their opponents for the majority of the game". Manager Graham Heathcote said, "I'm not disappointed with the performance one iota. But [refrerring to Peter Band's dismissal] the whole day was once again spoiled by an official".
From Dagenham & Redbridge we learn that "A second successive 3-1 defeat, this time against Kidderminster Harriers continues The Daggers' slide down the Nationwide Conference league table. In fact the Daggers have failed to register a point in the league since the home victory against Aldershot Town back on October 9". And the BBC adds that "Dagenham and Redbridge boss John Still is ready to tough it out in his bid to halt his team's poor run of form... But Still expects to stop the rot and point his side in the right direction". He told the BBC, "It's no good people getting down and moaning. We have got to get on with it...We will have a look at it in January, but at the moment I would say that the squad of players we have will be the squad we have. And what I do have is a really honest group of players who will keep working... One of the things we don't have is a big squad... But when you have people injured and get one or two who suffer a loss of form there are no changes you can make". The BBC observes that "Ashley Vickers, Craig Mackail-Smith, Jake Leberl and Sam Saunders are out, while striker Tresor Kandol has gone". Of Kandol, Still commented "He was our leading scorer and we had devised a way of playing which involved him. We are now working hard to find the next right way of playing, because he was a focal point". However, "The purse strings at Glyn Hopkin Stadium stay tightly drawn. But Still, who rejected the chance to go back to the Football League as boss at Bristol Rovers this season, will not use that as an excuse... "Finances here are tight. We are a members' club. We don't have one person putting the money in. We're not that sort of club. But I'm not moaning about it'".
This is Exeter carries a report that "Exeter City manager Alex Inglethorpe has rekindled his interest in wide-man John McGrath - and is taking a look at former Millwall midfielder Anton Robinson... Inglethorpe has revealed he is trying to find room in his budget to sign McGrath, a player he lost out on in the summer when his budget was cut. He has kept close tabs on the former Kidderminster Harriers' midfielder since he signed a short-term deal with Eircom League First Division club Limerick at the start of the season. But the 25-year-old... has now left Limerick and is desperate to engineer a move to St James's Park...and is pinning his hopes on Inglethorpe finding the financial resources to offer him a deal". Inglethorpe said, "Nothing has changed with regards to my budget. It will mean people will have to leave in order for new players to come in. But that is something I am prepared to do". As for Robinson (19), "I am keen to take a further look at him. This is a big time for us. I still feel we are light in certain areas - we have to remember we are still essentially a young squad".
Right: Top marks were in order for the Alty management duo at Grays last night as they coaxed a magnifcent performance out of a team lacking several regulars. Pictured are Graham Heathcote and Dalton Steele watching as, in the background, Mark Maddox prepares to head clear. Apart from the emergency lighting, the outdoor spotlight on the flats (centre) had been the only illumination on the pitch when the floodlights failed in the warm-up.
Match report here.
Summary: A battling performance by Altrincham gained them a deserved point at Grays in a match delayed 45 minutes by floodlight failure during the warm up. It then looked ominous for Alty when McLean scored for Grays after only five minutes. But Alty improved and were playing well by half-time, with Robinson impressing up front on his debut and Munroe fitting in well in a hard-working back four led by Maddox. Grays started the second half well but Alty gradually got back into the game and finished strongly. After several chances had gone astray, Alty finally levelled in the third minute of added time when Owen won a header on the left and Lugsden gathered the ball, before scoring coolly. Overall, this was a great team peformance as Alty again overcame their part-time status to achieve a fine result against many people's championship favourites. And was Kieran Lugsden's goal, at around 10.23pm, the latest ever for Alty from open play?
For details of the supporters' coach to Grays Athletic, please follow the Away Travel link at the top left of this page. Howard Watts's Through the Years statistics for 6 December are here. This is Alty's second encounter with Grays Athletic; they beat us 4-2 at Moss Lane in the FA Trophy last season.
It is hoped to have a short summary of the game on this site soon after the end of the match.
In the Conference, red cards attract an immediate suspension but, curiously, cumulative bookings (e.g. five yellows) only start a week after the last caution. So, The FA confirms the following suspensions;
For Altrincham:
For Grays:
And, of relevance to next Saturday:
On the Conference site, it states that Kettering owner Imraan Ladak said, "I spoke to Paul on Sunday and that was a result of 37 separate incidents I have had to deal with since appointing him as manager... I would not sell Kettering Town FC for £100m of Roman Abramovich's money... We are delighted to confirm that Kevin Wilson has accepted our offer to rejoin Kettering Town Football Club as manager. This position is for a period of three years and will commence immediately".
Right: Chris Adams (in blue) takes a throw-in as Boco looks on.
This is Thurrock has a report on last Friday's Grays v Mansfield FA Cup match.
"Bristol City midfielder Ryan Harley has rejected the chance of another month's loan at Forest Green and will return" says the BBC. But "Cambridge duo Dan Gleeson and Stephen Smith both received some good news after their 2-1 win over Scarborough. Smith limped off with a foot injury at half-time, while Gleeson was stretchered off in the 82nd minute, but X-rays have revealed no broken bones. Physio Greg Reid told the club website "Dan's shinguard was smashed in half - if not for the fact he was wearing a shinguard, he would almost certainly have had a very nasty fracture".
The Accrington official site says of yesterday's game, "It was always going to be a difficult encounter against a team fighting for its life in the Conference, but an out-of-sorts Stanley were still good value for their slender victory... Altrincham were playing very deep and looked as though they were there to settle for a draw, which was an understandable approach... The second half largely followed the pattern of the first, with the visitors playing extremely deeply and employing some very physical tactics at times. On one such occasion Craney was savagely upended on the edge of the area... Some more cavalier tackling from Altrincham resulted in another Stanley free-kick on the edge of the area. This time Roberts curled a low shot around the wall and although Coburn scrambled across his line, the shot beat him low down to his right hand side... In the closing minutes of the game Band handled close to the touchline and in a fit of anger he screamed obscenities in the face of the referee’s assistant. You just can’t do that in the modern game and he was shown a red card".
FA Cup 2
In its preview of today's game at Accrington, SAM confirms that "Alty will also be without Gary Talbot, who is set to see a specialist about his ongoing foot injury, and Lee Hendley is also yet to recover from his own foot problem. But new signing Ged Murphy will start for Alty after serving a 30-day cooling off period under FIFA transfer regulations. Stephen Rose and Rod Thornley will both play the next two games for Radcliffe with a view to rejoining the first team squad after that and Kirk Hilton will play for Ashton United if he is able to recover from illness. Meanwhile, Accrington have a full bill of health, with the only absentees being long-term injury casualties Andy Tretton and Andy Proctor". The paper identifies Stanley's main dangermen as Ian Craney and Gary Roberts "a former Liverpool and Crewe winger who joined Stanley in March 2005. Since then, he has become a first team fixture at the Interlink Express Stadium, proving a constant danger from the left flank... [However,] Benin international striker Romuald Boco has found chances limited this season but he got his chance in the 4-0 win over Southport and certainly impressed..and could play a part once again [against Alty]". Craney (left), the former Alty captain is Stanley's leading scorer with 7 goals this season.
But Stanley's website says that they "have released 20 year old Mark Smyth after failing to agree a deal. Mark signed on non contract terms two weeks ago... . A win against Alty will see Stanley at the top of the league at least until Tuesday when Grays entertain Altrincham". So, Alty could play a part in who leads the Conference twice in four days. The Stanley site concludes, "It will probably prove to be a long and hard season for Altrincham, battling in a league that is more competitive than it was five years ago they may simply not have enough to avoid a swift return to Conference North. The last time they were promoted back to the Conference, it was a short stay, and the smart money would suggest the same again this time around".
The Accrington Observer quotes Ian Craney: "I have a lot of respect for their manager, Graham Heathcote and his assistant and the players at Altrincham. I still know quite a few like Pete Band, Rod Thornley and Gary Scott and have had a few phone calls this week! ... The two sides will meet again in quick succession after being drawn together in the FA Trophy on Saturday 17 December but Craney knows which of the two games is most important to him. 'I would prefer the three points. We want to win them both but I would take the win in the league first'". Craney "is targeting 15 goals in this campaign... Hopefully we will keep our run going as there is an air about the lads, it is not cockiness, but they are oozing with confidence... People don’t seem to have faith in us but we have faith in ourselves and hopefully we will prove them all wrong". However, "The Reds will have a new face in their squad tomorrow. Keeper Robert Elliot, from Charlton Athletic, linked up with his new team-mates on Thursday and is on loan with Stanley until the end of December as Darren Randolph has returned to the Premiership side".
Alty and Stanley last met in April 2003 when Accrington confirmed their promotion to the Conference, two of their goals in a 3-1 win being scored by Lutel James, whom Alty released this season.
On GMR last night, Graham Heathcote indicated that because of the difficulties that part-time players have in getting time off work, he would only take the "bare essentials" in terms of players to Grays on Tuesday. In other words, no one who was not in the team or on the bench would travel. Meanwhile, Mark Maddox (right) writes again in SAM that "We're probably about to face our two toughest games of the season so it's really important that we get at least a point on Saturday... It's going to be really tough making a Tuesday night trip to Essex but... Something is for certain though, we'd much rather be travelling to Grays on a Tuesday night than somewhere in the Conference North and if we get something out of it, it will make the trip home feel much better... Personally, it's also been really good to get a few games under my belt because competition has been strong in the team this season... It's great leading the team out because this club means a lot to me... but Graham knows that I'll shout and scream on the pitch whether I've got the armband on or not. It was good to hear Warren Peyton's comments about the club - I think anyone who comes here notices straight away that this club is run almost like a professional one. Things are done in the right way here and it's been like that as long as I've been here, it makes you fell part of something special".
In Friday's FA Cup 2nd Round match, our opponents next Tuesday, Grays Athletic, lost 3-0 at Mansfield Town. Grays defender Andrew Sambrook was sent off early in the game for a rash tackle. The club website conforms that "Gary Hooper has been shortlisted for the November Nationwide Conference 'Player of The Month Award", along with Lee Boylan (Canvey Island), Justin Richards (Woking), Iysenden Christie (Kidderminster Harriers) and Ian Craney (Accrington Stanley). All except Boylan will face Alty between now and Boxing Day. The Manager Of The Month award for November has gone to Aldershot's Terry Brown.
The NL Paper reports that amongst those hit by wage cuts at Chorley is former Alty striker, Peter Wright.
Confguide says that "Cambridge United boss Rob Newman has moved to address his side's goal-scoring woes by inviting Iwan Roberts to give his misfiring forwards lessons in finishing".
The BBC says that "Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe is set to give Jamie Mackie another opportunity to shine... Mackie, 20, scored and set up another in the 2-0 win at Hereford".
"Burton Albion have secured the services of Bury midfielder Jake Sedgemore for a further month. The Shakers agreed to Burton boss Nigel Clough's request to extend Sedgemore's loan stay at the Pirelli Stadium" according to the BBC who also report that "Sutton United have signed Crawley midfielder Michael Gordon and also taken Canvey Island defender Jay Conroy on a month's loan".
The Harriers On Line forum quotes from IC Birmingham to the effect that "Several Kidderminster players have been struck down with a virus which forced manager Stuart Watkiss to cut short training yesterday. Wayne Hatswell and Mitch Butler were both sent home, but Watkiss also has Marc Pugh, Lee Thompson, Gareth Sheldon and Gavin Hurran showing similar symptoms... Watkiss already has key players Martin O'Connor, Gareth Sheldon and Simon Russell ruled out with injury. To make matters worse his central defensive partnership of Mark Jackson and Daryl Burgess will both miss the Dagenham game through suspension... Watkiss said: 'Although I didn't expect us to be at the top, I am embarrassed and ashamed at our position in the league'".
SAM says that "Altrincham are about to come up against the toughest test of their season - a gruelling double-header against the top two teams in the Conference, in the space of four days. The part time club's resources will be stretched to the limit when they first travel to face Accrington Stanley on Saturday before a long-haul Tuesday night trip to Essex to take on Grays Athletic". But "new signing Warren Peyton (right) is optimistic about their chances". He told SAM, "We know what we have to do to get a result. If we can cut out the mistakes we will be able to build on that and the longer we are on a level footing with Accrington, the better our chance of winning is. And if we do well on Saturday we can go into the game with Grays with plenty of confidence". Warren is a happy man to have joined Alty as "When I was at Leigh there was just no life in the club and it was tough playing there but we are definitely much better prepared. It is much more like a professional club here, we have a lot to offer and know we can stay up." After relegation at Leigh, "Peyton decided to take a break from football and did not intend to play competitively at all this season. But after being persuaded to reconsider his decision, Peyton has credited the Moss Lane club with helping him to rediscover his passion for football. 'I had had two seasons of the same thing at Leigh where we were just scraping by and it was difficult coming straight after my time at Doncaster. I was looking for a break but I spoke to Stu Coburn and Graham and Dalton kept in touch with me and I eventually decided to join them. I have always enjoyed playing at Moss Lane, they are a very different club to Leigh and they are what you would expect a proper football club to be like".
The Conference says that "Nigel Clough has pencilled in talks with Crewe and Bury to discuss the possibility of extending Lee Bell and Jake Sedgemore's loan deals. Clough told the Burton Mail: "I'll be speaking to Crewe and Bury this week and I'm fairly hopeful that I'll be able to persuade them to let us keep Lee and Jake for a few more weeks". But Dario Gradi said of Bell, "We're going to have to decide whether to bring him back - and we probably will because I think he will perhaps go into the squad somewhere over the Christmas period".
"Tamworth's Scott Stamps faces at least a month on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to correct a persistent problem... [but] Bob Taylor's suspected broken foot is not as serious as first thought" says the Conference. The Tamworth Herald reports that the club is selling shares "in blocks of 100 and cost £1 a share."
"Struggling Southport boss Liam Watson is to start his side's campaign all over again, beginning on Saturday. The Sandgrounders' defeat to Accrington Stanley last weekend was their fifth in succession". Manager Liam Watson toldIC Sefton "We will get it right. I have had to fight for everything in my football career and this is no different," Watson told the "We have a week now without a fixture and we will treat the time as a mini pre-season. Accrington are an excellent guide as to what I want to achieve at Southport. If we finish third from bottom at the end of the season we will have achieved our first objective".
"York City boss Billy McEwan has put his side's inconsistency down to 'a massive turnover at the club'. York have brought in a number of loan signings who have not been fully integrated into the squad. As a consequence McEwan has been using a week of inactivity to try to get his new and old acquisitions to gel".
Cambridge News quotes United boss Rob Newman, "What we're doing now is still looking and keeping our finger on the pulse for when the transfer window re-opens. I don't want to be waiting until the end of January when it's just about to close again before we do anything". The paper adds that"a new forward would appear to be the priority... Meanwhile, Newman may also be searching for extra cover on the right and left wings once the loan deals of Mark Angel from King's Lynn and Farnborough's Gavin Heeroo... come to an end on New Year's Eve".
This is KHFC states that "Harriers' boss Stuart Watkiss has called for a fans' forum to mark his first anniversary at Aggborough... [He] came in for criticism after failing to speak publicly following the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion last weekend. Six Conference games without a win has seen Harriers slip into the bottom third of the table... 'If the supporters want to organise a fans' forum anywhere in Kidderminster then I'm more than willing to come and answer their questions... I don't want to vet the questions in advance, I just want to be honest and get everything out in the open'".
Morecambe Today says that "Hard work is paying off at Christie Park, according to caretaker manager Sammy McIlroy". Of the players, he said: "They have worked their socks off since I have been here. It is the ugly side that wins you games at times. It is when you haven't got the ball, that is when you find out a good side". Meanwhile, "Jim Harvey was in Blackpool Victoria Hospital this week for further tests after his heart attack but is understood to be doing well... McIlroy has brought in Stephen Drench on loan from Blackburn".
Above: Paul France and Mick Carmody after last night's STAR AGM and forum.
After the formal business had been concluded, there was a fans' forum at which the guest panel comprised Alty stars of the nineties, Paul France and Mick Carmody, along with current manager Graham Heathcote. Brian Flynn chaired the forum and amazed the audience with his encyclopedic recall of match details and even match-dates from ten years ago and more!
Both Paul France and Mick Carmody are based in Yorkshire; Paul works for Huddersfield Town in their community football programme but Mick no longer has any involvement in the game, though he still follows the fortunes of Alty, Emley and Ashton United closely. Both men, along with Graham, recalled memorable Alty games and especially the FA Cup match at White Hart Lane against Jurgen Klinsmann and company. Memories were also recalled of the exploits of former managers John King and Gerry Quinn, both of whom were greatly esteemed by the players, despite their contrasting management styles. Graham underlined the importance of team spirit and pointed out that often it can be fringe players who are vital in that respect. An example of this with which all three men agreed, was the role of Dave Cockram in the 1990s - though he only played a handful of games for Alty, his infectious enthusiasm was an essential part of the team's success at that time.
Everyone was grateful to Paul and Mick for the efforts they had made to attend the meeting and for their entertaining comments about their days at Altrincham.
Also, Jacqui Forster outlined the plans for STAR's "Birmingham 20" event in January, more details of which will appear here shortly. Ten of the 12 Alty players involved in the win over Birmingham City in1986 will attend the event at the Ashley Hotel, Hale.
Talking BBC Radio Kent, Gravesend chairman Brian Kilcullen says, "The absolute earliest I'd imagine we'd be playing in the new stadium would be three years - but it could be five or seven... In terms of gates, we're giving tickets away to children now and that's starting to make a difference already".
"Scarborough captain Neil Bishop does not intend to press charges against Halifax Town defender Denny Ingram following an incident between the two. Police were called after Bishop's lip was cut in an alleged clash in the tunnel after their 2-1 win. Bishop told the Scarborough Evening News: 'I was furious at the time and was considering pressing charges. I would have gone through with it had he done any serious damage. But we all just want to move on'".
