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1 to 31 January 2006 |
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1 to 31 January 2006 |
Cambridge United play at Alty on 11 February and their big striker Fola Onibuje is suspended from 4 February for 2 games, says the FA's disciplinary list.
In Monday's Yorkshire Post, Halifax boss Chris Wilder says, "We are down to just 16 players and that includes Steve Yates (signed from Scarborough last week) coming in. I have a 39 year-old, one-legged goalkeeper [Lee Butler] and a kid from the youth team and I desperately need to bring another [keeper] in... the chairman can't even think of throwing money at it when there are only 1,200 coming into the ground... Othe clubs have £1m in terms of budget but ours is less then half that. A lot of the teams at the top have been out strengthening... but only if we got 2,000 in the ground could we strengthen and I have already been pulling rabbits out of the hat to get us this far".
The BBC reports that "Kidderminster boss Mark Yates has released young defenders Chris McHale and Jermain Hollis... Yates has allowed several players to leave the Aggborough Stadium since his appointment last month as he looks to trim the club's wage-bill. Martin O'Connor, Patrick Flynn and Wayne Hatswell have already been let go".
"Southport have signed experienced midfielder Gary Brabin to bolster their fight against relegation. The 35-year-old... has agreed a deal until the end of the season at Haig Avenue. Liverpool-born Brabin has previously played in the Conference for Chester City and also had a short spell with Halifax Town earlier this season. He previously had spells in the League with Hull, Doncaster and Blackpool".
"Hereford United have signed Cardiff City striker Stuart Fleetwood. The 19-year-old has joined the Bulls on a free transfer... [He] made 12 senior appearances for City... The Wales under-21 international was also believed to have attracted interest from Hamilton Academicals" says the BBC.
Meanwhile, "Crawley Town have signed former Lincoln City striker Omari Coleman. The 25-year-old has agreed a contract until the end of the season... Coleman joined Lincoln from Watford last summer... He gained Conference experience earlier this season during loans at Aldershot and then Gravesend and Northfleet".
From the Cambridge Evening News we read that "Paul Barry is hopeful Cambridge United can secure a brighter future with the Abbey back in the club's hands. Barry, who is the club's biggest shareholder, has, with fellow director Nick Pomery, played a major role in brokering a deal to buy back the ground from vice-chairman John Howard's company Bideawhile. Bideawhile have agreed in principle to sell back the stadium, which they bought for £1.92million in November 2004, although there are still several issues that need to be addressed before the deal goes through". Barry said, "The current state of the Abbey Stadium is one where to refurbish it to allow it to become an income-producing stadium would cost a small fortune and funds the club doesn't have. From a pure business point of view, relocation makes sense but the devil is in the detail". Cambridge Fans United chairman Dave Matthews-Jones said: "It would be a very positive move because it would allow the club to make its own decisions for the future, but it's one I wish could have been done a long time ago".
The Argus reports that "Simon Wormull is staying to try and help keep Crawley in the Conference. Wormull has turned down offers from two other Conference sides, claiming it would it be hard to walk away from his home town club in their current plight... Crawley have an awful lot to do if they are to avoid the drop after just two seasons at this level while John Hollins' honeymoon period in the hot-seat is well and truly over". Wormull said, "There's no use us getting at each other, we've got to get on and think about the 17 games we have left and making sure we win enough of them, especially against the teams around us. The situation we're in makes it hard to walk away.... I will hang on until the summer and, hopefully, something will get sorted out". Hollins said, "I will work with what I've got and I will get the best out of them and I think we will stay in this division with this squad".
The Shots website reports that "Wycombe Wanderers striker Jonny Dixon has joined Aldershot Town FC on a long term loan deal".
NL Daily states that "Christian Moore is set to rejoin Burton Albion in a surprise move by manager Nigel Clough. Clough expects to complete the signing of the 33-year-old striker on a three-month loan from Kettering Town... A hectic 24 hours before the closure of the transfer window could see Andy Todd, Dale Anderson and Lee Ayres leaving the Pirelli Stadium, also on loan. Todd is wanted by Conference National leaders Accrington Stanley, Ayres is expected to join Hinckley United and Anderson is being trailed by several other Nationwide North clubs. Burton have also parted company with Jake Sedgemore, who has rejoined Bury... Clough said: 'We could have brought in a young and untried striker. But we prefer to have someone like Christian on board because he knows all about Conference football, and no-one will try harder than him in the next three months'". Clough previously sold Moore to Telford for £20,000 having paid £17,500 for him from Ilkeston Town" reports the Burton Mail.
Following that, there is a Sportsman's Dinner at the excellent Chef Peking restaurant in Urmston. As Grahame writes, "We are pleased to announce that former Manchester City star Peter Barnes has agreed to be our guest speaker at this event which hopefully his footballing dad, Ken (also ex-City) will also attend. For those of you who went to the ‘Marcus Hallows’ event last season you’ll need no reminding of the fantastic meal served up by the Chef Peking. Tickets available now, priced at £17.50 – tables for various sized group bookings are available".
The full list of social events with accompanying details is here and can also be reached by the "Social Events and Fundraising Ventures" link in the header of this page. In summary, the events are:
The Seasiders website has a preview of Alty's next game, at Scarborough. It says, "Well, another chance to get some points at home as fellow Conference strugglers Altrincham travel across the Pennines to Yorkshire. After failing to get even a single point against Dagenham in their last home game, Boro really need to start getting their act together at home. Three wins at the McStad all season is really not acceptable and the players will be aware of this. Altrincham travel poorly having gained just 8 points on the road this season. It is our job to make sure it remains at 8. It will be another tough game between two relegation threatened sides, but I'm sure Neil will have the players motivated for this crucial encounter". But Alty are now up to seventh in the form guide over the last six Conference games. They go into this match three points ahead of the Yorkshire side and with a game in hand over the Seadogs. Alty last travelled to Scarborough for a vital end of season game in April 2000 and lost to a late goal which helped to send them towards relegation on the final day of the campaign a week later. The website predicts a 1-1 draw this time.
Match report here
For an opposition view, see here.
Right: Stuart Coburn seems a little bit pleased as he leaves the pitch after the game.
For some of Gavin Rathbone's excellent photos of the game, see below...
The Cambridge United official website says that the club has agreed to sell its Abbey stadium. This follows news last week that Cambridge City have sold their ground, with a merger of the two clubs being an option which is being considered.
Our next opponents, Scarborough, are top of the NLP's fouls list with 387. Alty have a total of 318 in the same list.
Match report here
Shots' boss Terry Brown confessed, "We looked like a pub team at times.. I will have to sit down with my chairman as, on today's performance, we need new players"
Yesterday witnessed not only a great performance by Alty but also some superb photography from Gavin Rathbone, as shown in these two examples. Firstly, James Robinson leaps with delight on scoring the opening goal and then Rod Thornley rejoices after scoring his side's fourth goal against Aldershot Town. More of Gavin's photos are on his GR Photography website and copies may be purchased via the Robins' Shop.
Alty's Steve Aspinall and James Robinson are in the NL Paper's Team of the Day. But curiously Aspinall is named in defence and Robinson as a striker when Aspinall played yesterday in central midfield and Robinson on the right. Colin Little is now third top scorer in the Conference with 11 goals.
On Saturday night, STAR held a highly succcessful "Birmingham 20 " event to commemorate Altrincham's win away at Birmingham City in the FA Cup in 1986 - the last time a non-League club beat a top-flight club on its own ground in the FA Cup. Above, are the ten members of the team and the management who attended the celebrations at the Ashley Hotel, Hale. L. to R. back row:Phil Gardner, Gary Anderson, Peter Densmore. Centre row: Peter Conning, Paul Reid, Paul Cuddy, Jeff Wealands, John Davison, Jeff Johnson, Front row:Ronnie Ellis, John King (manager), George Rooney (ass't. manager). Birmingham boss in 1986, Ron Saunders, unfortunately had a prior engagement. More on the event to follow...
Following a meeting on Friday evening, the respective Boards of Altrincham Football Club & STAR [the Altrincham FC supporters' trust] are pleased to announce that STAR will participate in the share scheme to raise funds for the Football Club. The Board of Altrincham Football Club, with immediate effect, has lifted the suspension of the STAR Supporters' Representative to the Board.
Both Boards regret the events of the last few days and plan to meet to agree on the best way of working together for the future benefit of Altrincham Football Club.
Left: Alty celebrate their 2-0 win at The Recreation ground, Aldershot, back in August.
As previously reported Alty have both Warren Peyton (3 games) and Colin Potts (1 game) suspended today and both Gary Talbot and Karl Munroe remain injured. However, Chris Adams is believed to be fit for a recall. In Friday night's Reserves' match at Morecambe, Alty's young striker Lee Hendley was expected to return to action "alongside fellow striker Pat McFadden... With just 16 first team players available, the two youngsters could find themselves thrust into the matchday squad" against Aldershot says SAM. Although The Shots last night sold their top scorer Tim Sills to Oxford United, they have recently signed a striker replacement in Leroy Griffiths, who previously met Alty when playing for Grays Athletic last season. Aldershot also hope to have Darren Barnard back from injury, whilst the BBC claims that "Nick Crittenden, who has taken a knock, and Roscoe D'Sane (tendonitis) are set to miss out on the trip" to Alty.
Aldershot Town's unofficial Shotsweb site includes an interview with Alty's own Mark Eckersall, a long-time supporter and currently the STAR Travel Coordinator, organising our away trips to matches. The website says that "The Robins appeared to have peaked during the first few weeks of the season when they found themselves in 6th position; however it’s been a downward spiral ever since, and our part-time hosts have found themselves floating just above the relegation places for the most part since... Shotsweb spoke to Alty fan Mark Eckersall to find out his views on this season. Mark said, "As we aren’t currently in the relegation zone, we have to say we’re doing well. We were never even supposed to be in the Conference for a couple of years yet and the club are currently paying off large debts to the Inland Revenue and VAT man. We would have been happy to be in the top half of the Conference North last year, however we got on a roll which continued through the Play Offs, and here we are. We know we have the smallest wage budget in the league and if we can finish third from bottom then we’re having an open-top bus ride around Altrincham and a civic reception! The best thing is that all the fans know the facts and that means they know our limits and that is why, even when we get a 5-0 stuffing, there is no booing or barracking, we just get on with the game". For the full interview follow the above link. Mark's prediction is that "It’ll be a close fought game [against Aldershot] with a 1-1 score-line. The speedy Griffiths for you in the first half and a Steve Aspinall penalty for us in the second. Simple as that". The site also has its own excellent preview of the match. This is the third time the clubs have net, with Alty twice victorious at the Recreation ground.
Meanwhile our own SAM has a good preview too and Confguide adds that Aldershot's "Ryan Williams has been in scintillating form of late and will no doubt be looking to make amends for his missed penalty on Tuesday evening".
It is perhaps ironic that on the very day that STAR celebrates the 20th anniversary of Altrincham FC's beating Birmingham City by holding an event at The Ashley Hotel, the coach of Aldershot Town, our visitors today, is Martin Kuhl who played for Birmingham in that game in 1986. The match was the last occasion on which a non-league side beat a top flight (old First Division or Premiership) side on their own ground. Tonight's STAR event is a sell-out; its guests will include 11 of the 12 Alty players involved in the match, as well as other big names from Alty's past.
Frriday's NL Paper says tha on Thursday, Accrington Stanley turned diown "A double bid from Chester for midfield duo Gary Roberts and Ian Craney". Should Craney be sold by Stanley, Alty have a sell-on clause operative on their former captain.
"Defender Graeme Law has parted company with York City after reaching an agreement to end his contract early... He made 30 Conference appearances last season, but has not featured in York's first team this season". Elsewhwere, "Woking striker Mark Rawle has joined rivals Gravesend on loan for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old forward was recently placed on the transfer-list by Cards' boss Glenn Cockerill". Meanwhile "Hereford United have strengthened their squad with the loan signing of Swindon Town midfielder Nicky Nicolau... in a deal running until the end of the season. The 22-year-old joined Swindon from Southend last summer but has dropped out of the first-team picture since undergoing hernia surgery. Meanwhile, Hereford midfielder Jamie Pitman will be out for at least three weeks with knee medial ligament damage", adds the BBC.
The Daggers website reports that "Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club would like to announce that Tresor Kandol has today signed for Barnet for a fee of £50,000... Kandol, who had agreed to sign for Darlington F.C. in November last year only to dramatically withdraw from the deal once the transfer window opened earlier this month, has now pledged his services to the Bees... The Club has always recognised that Kandol's failure to move to Darlington was as a result of issues between himself and Darlington F.C and the consequential knock on effect which the Club are still pursuing".
NL Daily says that "Prolific striker Danny Bloomfield has turned down a loan move to Cambridge United in a bid to win promotion with Southern League Premier Division King's Lynn... Bloomfield said: 'Cambridge wanted me to go on loan, but unless I’m told otherwise I want to see the season out here and try and win promotion with Lynn'" .
From This is Exeter is news that "Exeter City winger Les Afful has put seven days of disappointment behind him to sign for Torquay United on a three-month loan deal. Afful was targeted by the Gulls' new boss John Cornforth as the former Exeter City manager plots to steer the League 2 club away from relegation trouble". However Cornforth "was rebuffed in his bid to sign Grecians' striker Jake Edwards" who played against us for Tamworth. Afful was set to sign for Forest Green Rovers until "the Gloucestershire club realised he was FA Trophy-tied". Curiously, "Afful has been a bit-part player for the Grecians this season, struggling to claim a regular place in the side... Meanwhile, Inglethorpe has rejected reports he has held talks with Swansea City striker Lee Thorpe - with Edwards back in the fold he has five strikers at his disposal".
We are now closing the offer for donations into the club for the share scheme and would like to thank everyone who has made a pledge. Could you please forward your cheque for the attention of Grahame Rowley, before February 14th so that we can arrange transfer of shares by February 28th? Cheques should be made payable to Altrincham Football Club.
Once again, thank you for your donation and I hope that you enjoy owning a piece of your club. Please supply your full name and address for entry on the Share Certificate.
The Shots confirms that "bids have been made for striker Tim Sills". But manager Terry Brown has laid down "what considerations are required before the club can accept any bid for the club top scorer". Meanwhile,
"Coach Martin Kuhl is eager for the Shots to respond in a positive fashion on Saturday in their first time visit to Graham Heathcote's Altrincham. The former Portsmouth midfielder said, 'We played well on Tuesday evening against Canvey Island with some entertaining football displayed... but we have to continue that performance on Saturday at Altrincham without the kind of drama we had at the end of Tuesday'... Talking about the difference in the side since the shock home defeat by Altrincham in August Martin continued, 'It is a much stronger side than earlier in the campaign. This team has excitement, pace and people that can take their opponents on and create chances. We just have to eliminate the way we conceded goals at the end of the Canvey match... We are expected to win on Saturday but we know what to expect. Altrincham beat us earlier in the season. We dictated the game on that day and they had two chances from crosses and scored them both'... Terry Brown added, "I am confident that [goalkeeper] Nikki Bull will be OK to play but we will assess Darren Barnard's calf before making a decision on him. However Lewis Hamilton has come on leaps and bounds in the last two games so I have every confidence that he can continue in that role if required".
For Alty, Warren Peyton (right) is suspended, as is Colin Potts.
STAR's Birmingham 20 celebration event at The Ashley Hotel is a sell-out.
NL Daily reports that Ashton United "received a boost when talented full-back Kirk Hilton (right) turned down the opportunity of a move to Leigh RMI after the Conference North side put in seven days notice for player".
"Woking manager Glenn Cockerill has made defender Jimmy Aggrey available for a loan move. Aggrey, 27, has been restricted to just seven appearances for the Cards this season", whilst "Morecambe have allowed striker Sean O'Connor to leave Christie Park. O'Connor endured an injury-hit stay with the Shrimps following his arrival from Queen of the South at the start of last season... [He made] 16 appearances this season, scoring three Conference goals. Meanwhile, Morecambe have signed defender John Hardiker, 23, permanently after his contract at Bury expired" says the BBC.
"Dagenham & Redbridge have taken 18-year-old right back Ryan Johnson on a month’s ‘work experience’ from QPR... He was a regular member of QPR’s under-17 team... This season he has been a regular for the reserve team" reports The Daggers website.
Scarborough Today states that "Steve Yates has joined Halifax Town after spending just two weeks with rivals Scarborough. Huddersfield Town released the experienced 35-year-old in the summer having started 50 League One games for the Terriers... During his fortnight at Boro he twice appeared on the bench, but only played nine minutes of Conference football. Boro chairman Malcolm Reynolds said: 'Halifax came in and offered him a long-term deal on more money. We just saw him as a short-term player here'".
"Welsh Premier reports that league "leaders Total Network Solutions have captured the signature of prolific marksman Graham Evans... [who] arrives from Hereford United".
From Confguide we learn that "Defender Tommy Jaszczun has joined Cambridge United on loan until the end of the season after finding his first-team chances limited at Rochdale recently. The 28-year-old signed for Rochdale on a free transfer at the beginning of this season after making 32 league appearances for Northampton Town... Manager Rob Newman told the club's official website, 'He can bring something to the team that we're lacking in the left-back area, in terms of experience and know-how and a track record at a higher level, and by coming in for the rest of the season it gives us more stability in the back line'".
Kidderminster Harriers' official site confirms that new manager manager Mark Yates has agreed to the departure of former player/caretaker manager Martin O'Connor. "We finally agreed a settlement this week which means Martin and the club can go their separate ways", said Yates, adding that "Martin was honest enough to tell me when I arrived that he didn't feel he'd be fit enough to play in the near future and we felt this move was in the best interests of both parties". As for Mark Pugh's return to Burnley, Yates stated, "He'll always be welcome here if he feels that's the right move for him in the future - I've spoken to him and he knows that. He wants to go and assess the situation regarding where he stands at Burnley". Also at Aggborough, the BBC confirms that "Yates has released defender Patrick Flynn. The former Wolves youngster... had not figured in the first-team since early January".
Tamworth report that their goalkeeper "Scott Bevan has had to undergo an emergency operation for the removal of a kidney following the serious injury he suffered in the Conference match at Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night. His family has informed the club that 26-year-old Scott was admitted to intensive care after the surgery and spent a comfortable night... The distressing news comes only a fortnight after the 6ft 5in Bevan was the star of Lambs' magnificent performance to draw away to Stoke City in the FA Cup third round... Bevan... was injured in a nasty collision with ex-Tamworth striker Julian Alsop... On the coach journey home, Scott was vomiting and feeling very poorly. After arriving back at his Milton Keynes home, he went to the accident and emergency department at his local hospital where he was admitted for a scan which indicated clotting around the kidney... In the evening specialists decided surgery was necessary and this revealed the kidney was shattered and had to be removed".
Bullsnews reveals that our next opponents "Aldershot have accepted two offers for top scorer Tim Sills. The 10 goal striker is out of contract at the end of the season, and the recent signing of Leroy Griffiths - with three goals in two games, has allowed the Shots to cash in on Sills before he can depart on a free in the summer".
Also Cambridge United "have lost out on wanted-man Jake Edwards after the Exeter striker decided to come off the transfer list and fight for his place at the real St James's Park. Exeter, however, are in talks with Swansea striker Lee Thorpe. Thorpe, 30, has scored nearly 100 goals in over 300 senior appearances for a string of clubs. Forest Green have also failed in an attempt to sign Exeter's Les Afful on loan".
Stevenage Borough have taken on striker Eric Chukwunyelu Obinna, formerly at Reading.
The Cambridge News reports that "Arthur Eastham has promised Cambridge City supporters no deal has been done that will see them become arch-rival Cambridge United's reserve side... At a heated fans' forum on Wednesday night, Eastham and fellow directors... faced up to a grilling about the fate of Cambridge's oldest club... Eastham said: 'This deal with Cambridge United is not signed, sealed and delivered'". The chairman "also announced that the ground had been sold and various sites for a new stadium... had been explored... He has been in contact with David Boyle, the deputy chief executive of Supporters Direct, and said: 'I went to the supporters trust and they said if we had some money we could put it in a charitable trust. If we had our money in a time capsule, and then get the stadium built, suddenly we could get our money back out and re-launch Cambridge City'".
The Shots website says that "Looking ahead to Saturday and the visit to Altrincham the boss [Terry Brown] discussed the injury situation at the club, 'We rested Darren Barnard on Tuesday evening. He had a bit of a calf pull and if he had pulled it against Canvey on a cold evening it could have set him back a month or so and I couldn't afford that. As it happened I thought that Lewis Hamilton had another very good game. He was an integral part in the first goal and is getting better with each game. Nikki Bull picked up a thigh strain during the Canvey game and was struggling as the game progressed. We have to hope that he will be back for Altrincham. I was pleased with Gary Elphick's debut too. Regarding the remainder of the current campaign the boss continued, 'We have no margin of error for the remaining 18 matches. We have an opportunity to bounce back against Altrincham. We wasted two points on Tuesday so need to respond with three points at the weekend'".
And STAR chairperson Brian Flynn writes on the Altyfans' Forum "I regret the action taken by the Board of Altrincham Football Club this morning in suspending the STAR Supporters' Representative. It would have been useful to have had some prior indication of this potential outcome in order that the STAR Board could have had the opportunity to attempt to prevent this breakdown in the relationship between the Altrincham Football Club Board & the Board of its Supporters Trust. It is my intention to try to resolve this issue over the next 48 hours,ideally to the satisfaction of both Boards".
"Scarborough boss Neil Redfearn is delighted with his side's progress after a stunning 3-0 win at Morecambe eased their relegation fears. He said: 'As away performances go, you can't get much better. We could have scored more but the thing that pleased me most was that we didn't concede. If anyone said we would get six points from the three away games we've just had I'd have snapped their hand off. It's a great fillip for the boys but we have got two tough home games now'" . The BBC adds that "Barnsley are set to allow midfielder Richard Kell to leave on loan to improve his match fitness.. 'It looks like he'll go to Scarborough. He needs the rough and tumble of first-team football', Tykes boss Andy Ritchie told the club website".
Accrington Stanley "Chief Executive Rob Heys has spoken of the club's delight at being selected for two live televised games on Sky Sports in the space of three weeks. 'It's superb news for us, the live Sky games are a fantastic way of raising the profile of the club and are also a great reward for our sponsors'".
25th January 2006
STAR Representative Suspended.
The Directors of Altrincham Football Club announce with regret that they have suspended the STAR representative’s attendance at future board meetings. Whilst loathe to take this step, the Board have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress regarding the joint Club/STAR share donation scheme. Although the majority of STAR Board members are in favour of the scheme, progression is being hampered by a minority.
The current pledges to the scheme total in excess of £10,000 of much needed income for the club.
Altrincham Football Club Board.
Footnote: STAR is the Altrincham FC supporters' trust.
LDV Vans Trophy Northern Semi Final
Weymouth have ruled out bringing Exeter City striker Jake Edwards to the Wessex Stadium. Terras' boss Garry Hill plans to turn elsewhere after the Conference National outfit put a £10,000 price-tag on the Anglo American's head. Edwards was expected to join the Conference South leaders having completed a successful three-month loan spell at Tamworth where he scored nine goals. But Hill today claimed Exeter manager Alex Inglethorpe's valuation of the 29-year-old was `unrealistic'... Edwards himself believes he has become a victim of his own success following his spell with Tamworth who he helped into the FA Cup Third Round. 'I am no longer in control of my own destiny - Alex Inglethorpe holds all the keys', he said. 'I'm still third or fourth choice striker, and that is terribly frustrating because all I want to do is play. By doing well at Tamworth I have probably made it harder for me to leave'".
NL Daily reports that "Mark Cartwright, caretaker-manager of Leek Town, moved quickly to cover the loss of Richie Sutton by signing central defender Jamie Davies on loan from Morecambe. Davies, 18, came through the Shrimps’ Academy to break into the reserve side at Christie Park and has also represented the British Colleges' side. Meanwhile, Cartwright also swooped to net winger Lee Dodgson on a month’s loan also from Morecambe. Dodgson 21, also came through the academy and reserve sides at Christie Park and has played in the Conference side for the Shrimps"
From The Argus we read that "Defender Neil Jenkins has turned down an offer from Fisher Athletic to fight for his place at Crawley Town... Hollins has been told he must release players before he can strengthen his relegation-threatened squad in the last few days of the transfer window. Jenkins said: "The gaffer has told every player that anyone can talk to anyone, so I spoke to Justin and their chairman. They put their cards on the table, which was a very good offer, but I decided that I'm happy here. A new manager has come in and I want to prove to him that I am good enough".
Confguide says that "Chesterfield striker Tcham N'Toya has joined York City on a month-long loan deal. The French-born frontman, originally joined Chesterfield on a one-month loan deal from French club Troyes in March 2004 and after impressing manager Roy McFarland, was offered a two-year deal. N'Toya has made 53 appearances for the Spireites with 30 of those coming from the bench and has eight goals to his name... N'Toya is expected to join fellow new signing, defender Darren Craddock in the squad to host visitors Southport on Tuesday".
The BBC states that "York boss Billy McEwan has swooped to bring defender David McGurk back on a second loan spell... McGurk, 23, will now spend the remainder of the season with City... The defender started 22 Conference games for York before returning to Darlington when his original loan stint concluded at the end of December".
Also in Yorkshire, "Halifax Town have signed experienced defender Steve Yates on a contract until the end of the season, reports BBC Radio Leeds". Confguide adds that "Yates helped Huddersfield to promotion in 2004, before deciding to retire at the end of the 2004/05 season. However, he has returned to football and made one appearance for Scarborough earlier this month".
"Rob Newman is hopeful he can hang on to Michael Morrison's services for Cambridge United beyond the transfer window" claims the Cambridge Evening News. "The United manager is keen to keep the 17-year-old defender for the Abbey cause as he feels he has been a revelation... Newman said: 'Michael Morrison is the one everyone is looking at, but we don't want to lose him because he has done a massive job in the team.... He has potential. That's one of the reasons why I let him and Adam Davies go up to Everton and I was in regular contact with their staff, including the manager, and they were very pleased with the progress that they made through the week'... Besides training with the Premiership outfit, Morrison also spent several days with Preston two months ago. But Newman said no offers had yet come in for the player".
This is Exeter tells us that "Exeter City fans were last night presented with V10 - the club's vision for the future. Manager Alex Inglethorpe and business consultant Paul Morrish gave details of how the club plans to deliver League One football by 2010. The new plan has a simple but direct focus - income less costs equals profits for football. And a whole host of cost-cutting measures and initiatives for boosting income were announced. 'The club is making considerably more money than it has done in previous years but our costs haven't changed in a long time', said Morrish. 'I was told when I came into the club that revenue was the problem, but it isn't, it is costs. Budgeting has been done on a whim, and the club has had no direction. Now we have a plan and a clear vision of where we want to go'. The most radical of the changes will see the club's management structure completely overhauled in the coming months. The club are to disband the current board structure, creating several new positions... An executive committee with a chairman - from the club's board of society - [will be] overseeing affairs. Each member of the executive committee will head up a sub-board consisting of volunteers and club employees with expertise in their respective field... It was also revealed the club had budgeted for a loss of between £160,000 and £200,000 in the current season, and that measures prompted by Morrish's findings had been taken to lessen the losses. These included an immediate cutting of overheads by 15%. The club is planning a new share issue with a view to raising between £500,000 and £1,000,000 over the next five years. There are also plans to introduce grading for ticket prices, with a sliding scale based on the importance of the game".
Whilst Warren Peyton was sent off on Saturday for allegedly elbowing Forest Green's Gadsby after the FGR man had held his shirt. he wasn't the only man raising his arm during the game as the adjacent picture shows. Here Peyton (blue shirt in background) watches as Alty's Robinson (no.19) dodges the elbow of a Forest Green player.
The FA confirms that Warren Peyton is suspended immediately "from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a sending off in a match played on 21/01/2006" and that Colin Potts will be banned from 28/01/2006 "from all first team football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for 5 cautions".
This is Glos describes Alty's defeat at Forest Green - "a sensational performance few Forest Green fans would have dared to dream of earlier in the season saw Altrincham torn apart at The Lawn". The 5-0 win "matched the club's highest ever winning margin in a Conference game". The FGR official site also has a very similar report.
The Burton Mail reports that "Albion striker Eric Graves has joined Gainsborough Trinity on a month's loan".
Meanwhile, The Cambridge Evening News says that "Colchester youngster Jamie Guy is set to switch to the Abbey on loan on Wednesday and manager Rob Newman restated his hopes to add another hitman to the ranks before this weekend... And he warned Craig Westcarr that his place in the squad was on the line despite his hard work for the team. 'You feel for Craig because he has run his socks off and the only thing missing is a goal', said Newman. 'I'm continuing to look for a striker and by this weekend I'm pretty sure we'll have one and maybe two in place and Craig knows that. 'There have been strikers who have been here for a short time this season and have gone purely for the fact that they weren't scoring goals. That's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm not trying to chastise Craig, though, because I thought his work rate up there on his own was fantastic'".
From The Argus comes the view that "The consensus this season has been that Crawley are in a false position and have too much quality to go down. Players and fans have scoffed at relegation and claimed that everything will be fine once they put a run together. Indeed, any team capable of overwhelming a side like Hereford at Edgar Street for the best part of an hour, like Reds did on Saturday, should be up with the Bulls pushing for a play-off place. Hereford boss Graham Turner said "You have to forget about the league position Crawley are in at the moment because they are a much better team than it suggests. They will cause some upsets at the top of the table and we are very thankful for the three points". But Crawley midfielder Danny Brown said: "We've got a war on our hands now and we all have to be man enough to get out of it... We have to be horrible to each other on the pitch and then come off and be best of mates. Last week I had a suspected cracked rib and now I've got a black eye. We have to put our bodies on the line and deal with the consequences afterwards... I'm fed up of hearing that we are too good to go down. No one is too good". The article adds, that the club's "undisputed improvement under manager John Hollins has not been reflected in the number of points they have collected. Six in seven league games is not a total that will worry their relegation rivals... Hollins said: 'It is a cruel game sometimes but we have to take a lot of credit from it... We didn't get any points but we are getting somewhere because it is not easy to come to a top side like Hereford and play as well as we did'".
But from Confguide is confirmation that "Crawley Town midfielder Simon Wormull is reluctantly set to leave the club because of a row over pay...He told the Crawley Observer: "I am not the highest paid player by a long way but I would consider myself a senior player and have been helping the younger ones and have acted as a go-between with the management".
Halifax Today reports that The Shaymen's "already depleted squad has been hit by Birmingham City's decision to recall goalkeeper Adam Legzdins from his loan spell... And that means veteran Lee Butler will take his place between the posts for tomorrow's Conference clash with Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium... It means he [manager Chris Wilder] has lost two central defenders – Denny Ingram to Scarborough and Peter Atherton to injury – winger Rory Prendergast and a keeper since the transfer window opened on January 1... 'I don't see anyone else losing two centre halves, their goalkeeper and other players', he said. 'The availability of loan players and players on free transfers is small'". He explained: "Birmingham decided that playing for two different teams [Halifax and Birmingham reserves] was too much for Adam. I don't think we will be able to get another keeper in at short notice so Lee will be in goal tomorrow and for the foreseeable future". Butler (39) has played against Alty for Alfreton in the past. The Halifax Evening Courier quotes Chris Wilder "I have made a couple of inquiries about the availability of players in the past few days. They will be loan deals, though. We won't be bringing in anyone on permanent deals... We have been without quite a large chunk of the squad we started with this season and a lot of them are senior players. But whichever players we bring in, they have to be the right ones".
"Aggborough boss Mark Yates has reacted angrily to criticism from Rochdale manager Steve Parkin over his handling of their bid for Kidderminster's top-scorer Iyseden Christie" states This is KHFC. "Yates admitted Rochdale made an offer which was around the asking price the Harriers board have set for the 13-goal hitman. However, Yates declined to respond to Parkin's enquiry by the deadline he had set, much to the Rochdale manager's displeasure. Parkin said: "For one reason or another Kidderminster have not got back to us regarding Christie despite us agreeing a fee for the player. It's no fault of the player himself, but I'm bitterly disappointed his club haven't been back in touch". But Yates hit back at this, saying he will not stand for other people dictating to him what will happen with his players. 'He gave me a 7pm deadline at the end of last week to get back to him by if a deal could be done. I didn't get back to him and as far as I am concerned Iyseden.. is a Harriers player and I want to keep it that way'". Likewise for skipper Mark Jackson, Yates said, "He remains a Kidderminster Harriers player until anything else happens. Unless I get the right offer for him, he is not going anywhere... The squad is too big at the moment so I need to move a few players on to get it to a level that I want to work with".
Exeter's "central defender Danny Seaborne has been farmed out to Taunton Town in a bid to give the 19-year-old first-team games... Alex Inglethorpe told This is Exeter, "He needs senior games now. He is 19 now and he is playing in a pre-dominantly under-18 environment, which is not going to convince me he is right for the first team. So he needs to sharpen up in a senior environment". Also striker Craig Watkins has gone on loan to Staines Town.
"Cambridge City are on the brink of collapse. Fighting serious cash problems, the club are exploring a potential link-up with Conference National neighbours Cambridge United... City Chairman Arthur Eastham said: 'We could have forged a link-up with United by next season'" reports NL Daily..
And Confguide also reports that "Burton boss Nigel Clough has not given up hope of landing Woking striker Justin Richards... With the Brewers' coffers swollen by FA Cup cash he has upped his offer for the man currently topping the Conference scorers' chart. Clough... told the Burton Mail; 'We think he's just about the best striker around at our level... That's why we've made three offers for him, all rejected, and have left the last one on the table for Woking to think about while the transfer window is open'. .. That offer is believed to be in the region of £25,000".
The Lambs website says that "boss Mark Cooper has stayed true to his word after the defeat at Dagenham on Saturday by signing defender Peter Folkes until the end of the season... Cooper said 'We are not at the wrong of the table because we are unlucky we are there because we are not good enough and the players have had enough chances. I have already circulated the names of some of the squad and am hopeful of a couple of names coming in by Tuesday night". The website adds that "Folkes, formerly with Lincoln and Bradford, takes shirt number 3 and goes straight into the squad, [whilst]... Eddie Anaclet has returned to Southampton after the end of his loan period and Kyle Storer has left The Lamb for a month’s loan at Hinckley United".
The unofficial Forest Green site says that "Rovers produced a five-star performance to shock Altrincham... Altrincham started poorly and were rarely in the contest as they struggled to recover from two goals in the space of six minutes". Elsewhere, a correspondent on tha Forest Green forum writes: "Rovers were on top of their game against an uninspiring Alty. God bless their supporters who kept up the singing throughout the match". Pictures below...
Also ,"Gravesend & Northfleet have signed Fulham defender Robert Watkins on loan... He had a five-game loan spell at Crawley last season. Meanwhile, defender Ross Smith has extended his contract until the end of next season".
Grays Athletic's "Joe Bruce has been released and has joined Maidenhead United".
The UniBond league confirms that "Marine have signed former Stalybridge Celtic and Southport striker Lee Mulvaney from Skelmersdale United". Jonathon Smith of Morecambe has gone on loan to Fleetwood Town.
The Daggers site reports that "Tresor Kandol has returned to the Club from Darlington FC. A binding contract had been signed between Dagenham & Redbridge FC and Darlington FC preventing either Club from pulling out of the transfer, however because of the Transfer Window the contract between the player and Darlington F.C. could not be signed and registered with the Football Association and Football League until the 6th January 2006. However Tresor Kandol has decided that a permanent move to Darlington FC was now not for him and instead wanted to return to Dagenham & Redbridge FC... Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club are currently in talks with Darlington Football Club regarding the situation and a further statement will be made in due course".
Alty youth players Ben Deegan and Richard Gresty were playing for the Cheshire FA yesterday against Lincolnshire.
Above: Alty defend an early corner at The Lawn.
Match report here
Above: Alty peer into the sun at Forest Green.
Mark Maddox (right) has a new column on the SAM website. He writes, "It was good to get back in training this week. I don't really like having time off because there's always something we can work on and it's good to keep focused on the football. We did a bit of running on Tuesday because the pitch didn't look in great condition and then on Thursday night we played a two-touch game on the Astroturf, just working on our control and passing". At Forest Green , "If we stick to our gameplan and work hard for one another we should pick up at least a point there. The return of Steve Bushell to Halifax is a bit of a blow though. The news came as a shock to me and I was absolutely gutted... We have a talented squad here now and I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job... We're in a good league position now though and it's beginning doing my head in all this relegation talk. If we can pick up 10 points or so pretty quickly then the talk will soon be about how high up the table we'll be able to finish and that's the way we need to look at it".
But the BBC has contradictory news on player fitness, saying "Forest Green look set to welcome Mark Beesley back after a lengthy lay-off. He has only played once in 12 months and will take a place on the bench, while fellow striker Zema Abbey is also back after a hamstring strain".
Bullsnews reports that "Kidderminster have signed Watford striker Francino Francis on work experience terms. The move is likely to mean Iyseden Christie will be allowed to leave... Manager Mark Yates acknowledged a bid from Rochdale, but refused to allow Christie to leave until a replacement is found: 'There is a deal on the table for Iyseden from Rochdale but we haven't given them permission to speak to him yet. If we can get an adequate replacement we are happy with and Rochdale match what we want we might take it further'". Francis, 19, made his full Watford debut in a League Cup match at Wigan... but is yet to open his goalscoring account. He is described as a 'powerhouse' forward with a good eye for goal".
Southport confirm that "Liam Blakeman has today signed a two and half year contract for Southport. The 23 year old attacking midfield player left Burscough to join Southport after impressing Liam Watson with a succession of impressive performances". Burscough confirm that he has moved "for an undisclosed fee; part of the deal also includes a sell-on clause". Burscough FC Chairman Chris Lloyd said 'Following some very amicable discussions with Southport and Liam during the past week the Board have reluctantly agreed to accept Southport's offer'".
Neil Marsdin, Morecambe Secretary, said that the last 24 hours had been the most hectic period during his 12 years since assuming that position. 'I got a call from Sammy to say that we were letting three players go out on loan and signing one ourselves. It takes a lot of paperwork and faxes to various bodies, Football Association, Football Conference, The Unibond League and the respective clubs, and all to a deadline of this lunchtime'... Coming into the club on a short term contract is experienced striker Stuart Barlow... who has been at Bury FC this season... Going out from Christie Park are younger players, Lee Dodgson, Jamie Davies and Jonathon Smith. Dodgson and Davies are joining Unibond club Leek Town, whilst Smith is joining progressive division one Unibond outfit Fleetwood Town. All three players are on initial 1 month loan spells... Sammy McIlroy commented, 'The three young boys who have gone out on loan, will have a job to do at the clubs they are joining, it will be a sharp learning curve for them. The Unibond is totally different from the Conference and Lancashire League. They will come back to us much wiser and more experienced for the period with other clubs, although they will continue to train full time with us'” .
On Confguide, there is a report that "Grays Athletic have signed 34 year old, 6'3" ex Southend defender Andy Edwards on loan until the end of the season with a view of a full contract next season. Andy has previously been with Birmingham, Peterborough and Rushden & Diamonds before returning to Southend in 2004, Andy played his 500th league appearance last year".
"York City have completed the signing of Hartlepool United defender Darren Craddock on a month's loan... Formerly of Whitby Town, Craddock is described as primarily a right back... and should offer the club increased cover following the recent departures of David McGurk, Lee Andrews and Evan Horwood. Craddock has made thirty-three senior appearances for ‘Pool, including seven this season... Meanwhile, York manager Billy McEwan remains hopeful of including up to three newcomers for the crucial clash with former leaders Grays on Saturday. One of these could be Kidderminster Harriers' ex-Scunthorpe United centre half Mark Jackson", claims the York website.
BBC Sport reports that "Defender Nathan Bunce has left Canvey Island after his contract was terminated by mutual consent", whilst "Yeovil Town have signed Exeter City striker Les Afful on loan until the end of the season. Afful, 21, was a trainee with the Grecians, and has also been a member of the England National Game XI squad".
Graham Heathcote was interviewed on GMR tonight. As well as talking about the club's financial situation and the possible sale of the car park at Moss Lane, he indicated that he had watched tomorrow's opponents, Forest Green, last week. He suggested that forwards Madjo and the 6ft 3inch Alsop were players to watch but felt "there was no reason why we couldn't get a positive result" at The Lawn. Graham confirmed that he had given the players ten days off as we had no match last week, with one aim of this break being to allow those with "niggles" to regain full fitness. However, he confirmed that Karl Munroe, who has already been missing for a few weeks has now had a stress fracture of a toe diagnosed and will be out for a while longer. Gary Talbot is also still sidelined, having already missed the last six weeks of action. However, he is hopeful that Chris Adams is fit and everyone else is OK. Graham also indicated that he had lost out to Tamworth this week in signing an ex-league striker. He believed The Lambs' FA Cup prize money was now allowing them to outbid clubs such as Altrincham.
Though not an ex-Alty player, former Man. Utd. star Clayton Blackmore has been a friend of Altrincham FC - taking part for example in last season's Alty Staff v Supporters' game. Now he is the new Bangor City manager. He told Welsh Premier "This is my first senior job... As long as I'm fit, I'll be out there on the pitch leading from the front... Our main priority is to finish in the top eight to qualify for next season's FAW Premier Cup".
Grays Athletic midfielder Michael Kightly is The Nationwide Conference player of the month for December.
"Gravesend and Northfleet have signed former Cambridge United midfielder Ashley Fuller. The 19-year-old left-sided player was offered a deal by Fleet boss Liam Daish after impressing during a trial spell... Fuller made a handful of first-team appearances for Cambridge before being released earlier this season". The BBC also reports "the extension of Bradley Johnson's loan spell from Northampton".
The England National Game XI (U-23 squad) includes ex-Alty captain, Ian Craney of Accrington and his team-mate Gary Roberts. Three Burton Albion players (Austin, Harrad and Shaw) are included - the next match is on their ground. Amongst the others selected are two players (Carr and Charnock ) from assistant manager Steve Burr's Northwich Victoria in Conference North. Yeading of Conference South also have a player chosen, whilst our part-time companions in the National division, Southport and Tamworth have representatives too, in Baker and Bampton respectively.
"Striker Jake Edwards has been told he has a crucial role to play in Exeter City's promotion assault after returning from his loan spell at Tamworth. The 29-year-old scored seven goals in twelve games for the Midlands club during his three months at The Lamb". Grecians' manager Alex Inglethorpe said, "Tamworth have had a great run of things since he has been there and now it is up to Jake to try and come back and be part of Exeter... I am not surprised he did well because he is a good forward... So Jake comes back and until such time that either a club puts an offer in and tempts Jake away, or Jake tells me he wants to go, he is very much part of the first team and he comes back into our thinking", reports This is Exeter.
Confguide states that "Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson has confirmed that on-loan midfielder Lee Fowler will sign a permanent deal with Scarborough some time next week. The 22-year-old midfielder arrived at Scarborough on loan in November... 'He is still on loan for another week and we will look to get something sorted out around then', said Jackson".
"Colchester youngsters Jamie Guy and Robbie King are poised for loan moves to Cambridge United. Striker Guy and midfielder King recently had stints on loan at Conference South side Staines and manager Phil Parkinson is eager for the highly-rated duo to test themselves at a higher level".
"Chris Ingram, Chairman of Woking Football Club (Holdings) Ltd, has spoken about the complexities involved in trying to secure agreement to the redevelopment of Kingfield Stadium" reports the Woking official site. "In a note released today, giving an account of a discussion at the AGM of the company held on 14 December... he "confirmed that he would be putting £100k less into the Club next year as part of his strategy to progressively ensure that the Club lives within its means". He also stated that "redeveloping parts of the ground to produce other sources of income was the only way forward for the Club. Unless this could be achieved the Club would have to massively slash its costs... [but] he intended to continue to provide financial support to the Club for the next two years until a conclusion was reached" to the redevelopment plans.
Gravesend & Northfleet say that "The club is pleased to announce that a new deal has been agreed that will keep Charlie Macdonald at ‘The Fleet’ for a further season. The Fleet’ today missed out on signing Andy Hessenthaler after the player decided to join Barnet FC".
"Mark Yates, manager of Kidderminster Harriers, has completed a deal to bring in former Walsall defender Jonny Harkness on a one-month contract... The 20-year-old earned rave reviews during his time with Walsall, bursting onto the scene and making his first-team debut at the tender age of just 16. He spent loan spells at Cambridge United and Halesowen Town earlier this season" reports the Harriers' website. The site also "can confirm reports that Wayne Hatswell is expected to leave the club tomorrow to move to Rushden & Diamonds for an undisclosed fee".
Bullsnews adds that "Harriers will receive an undisclosed sum for his services but, more importantly, also remove one of the higher earners from the wage bill. Iyseden Christie is likely to be the next departure from Harriers. Lincoln manager Keith Alexander named Christie as one of the targets he had made offers for but failed to get, and several other league sides are believed to be ready to help Harriers lighten their wage bill".
The BBC says that "Crawley midfielder Joe Keehan has made his loan move to Eastbourne permanent, having initially joined them for a month-long spell before Christmas". The BBC also confirms that "Rory Prendergast is returning to Blackpool after rejecting a permanent move to Halifax Town... Halifax manager Chris Wilder told his club's website: 'We offered Rory a deal. However, he made it clear he didn't want to stay'... Pool boss Simon Grayson added: 'He wants to try and make a living in League football. Whether he plays his way into our plans remains to be seen'".
The BBC also confirms that Northampton Town defender "Bradley Johnson, 18 - who has also been on loan at Gravesend for two months - has extended his loan spell... [for] a third month".
Lincoln manager Keith Alexander. is quoted by the Lincolnshire Echo: "I wanted to bring Anthony [Elding] in and so did a few other teams in League Two, but Stevenage didn't want to sell him to a team in the Conference or the Football League. Whether it was to do with the player's problems there, I don't know. But it ended our move straight away".
Bullsnews also states that "Kettering are sizing up a cash bid for Dagenham striker Chris Moore after fellow managers Kevin Wilson and John Still had a discussion about the player."
The Woking News and Mail claims that "Mark Rawle is unlikely to wear a Woking shirt again but even in his absence in Cheshire, he had a bearing on The Cards' finally overcoming Northwich at the fourth attempt as they set up a last 16 date with Welling United... to the delight of the 30 travelling fans. But it was something former Boston and Kidderminster striker Rawle said that got Glenn Cockerill so angry, he read the riot act to his players in a clear the air meeting on Monday designed to spark a reaction ahead of this clash... This was a typically resilient, no frills Woking display, prompted by employing a five-man midfield to strangle Vics’ attacks in their infancy. Rawle’s misdemeanour was telling a radio reporter on Saturday that he didn’t know why he had been left out because he was fit, after apparently telling Cockerill he was injured and could not take part in the first clash between these sides... Cockerill confirmed: 'Something was said to a radio reporter, by one of my players about his fitness, which was untrue. And I don’t like that sort of thing. I honestly don’t know why he said it. He told me there was a mix up with the question but I’m not sure about that. So I let the players know the true story and got into them and it seems to have sorted itself out. I had a go at all of them... As a manager I felt I needed to do it, to clear the air and it seems to have done the trick'". Cockerill added “The club want me here, I’ve agreed to sign a new contract and I asked the players ‘who wants to be here with me?’".
Crawley Today says that "Crawley Town are being taken to an employment tribunal by three former employees.Former manager Francis Vines, his assistant Dave Swindlehurst and administration manager Ian Holman have all lodged claims against the club, following their dismissals this season. Vines - considered by fans to be the most successful manager in their history - was sacked in October, only three months into a new three-year contract".
Confguide reports that "Cambridge City are resisting interest from Exeter City in their star midfielder Mark Molesley... City manager Gary Roberts said: 'They have expressed an interest in Mark, although obviously we are very keen to hang on to him. I've spoken to Mark and he is flattered by the interest but there's nothing more to it at the moment'".
FA Cup 3, replay
Andrew Shaw (right) is one of Altrincham FC's three-man board and Tuesday's Manchester Evening News has a feature on him by David Thame...
Andrew Shaw (right), one of Manchester's best-known property dealmakers, has quit city surveyors CB Richard Ellis. Mr Shaw joined CBRE in March 2004 after a series of defections left the firm looking for a senior surveyor to rebuild the agency teams. He became director and head of the firm's Manchester agency departments. Now the 50-year-old says he's leaving and will be following his own property projects. 'He's just lost interest in working for the big corporate surveyors. It's just not right for him any more', said one close friend.This is the second time Mr Shaw has attempted to withdraw from frontline business. In 2003 he left Jones Lang LaSalle after 22 years with the firm. He said: 'The move to CBRE was always intended to be short-term. It's been amicable, and I will be doing consultancy work. But I'm 50 now and that seemed a good moment to go'"
The BBC confirms that "Bury have completed the signing of former Burnley and York City defender Chris Brass. Brass, 30, has agreed a deal until the end of the season after securing his release from York - where he was previously player-manager".
The BBC adds that "Leyton Orient winger Wayne Carlisle has joined Exeter City. The 26-year-old has agreed a deal which will keep him at St James's Park until the end of the season".
"Morecambe have signed Bury's ex-Everton and Wigan striker Stuart Barlow... on a free transfer... The 37-year-old started just three games for Bury after signing last summer from Stockport, where he played under Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy. Morecambe have also completed the signing of 23-year-old Bury defender John Hardiker, also on a free transfer".
The Aldershot News and Mail says that "Nick Crittenden and Tim Sills have been attracting interest from other clubs in the transfer window, but boss Terry Brown is keen to keep hold of the pair". Brown said, “We have had a couple of enquiries about Nick, but he is not a player that we want to move on. He is an integral part of not just the squad but the side because he plays every week. I’m not under pressure to get any of my players out except the ones I want to move on and we have established who they are". Indeed "one such player has moved on, left winger Ahmed Deen has joined Fisher Athletic... Brown is also hoping that Tarkan Mustafa will soon be joining another club, while Tobi Jinadu has returned to training ahead of a possible move away". Brown added, “We are trying to get Brett Johnson back to the club". Meanwhile, "Tim Sills has admitted he is flattered and tempted by the interest of Leyton Orient, but remains committed to the Aldershot cause in the meantime... The Shots are believed to be holding out for at least £50,000... Indeed, Shots boss Terry Brown admits they are expecting an offer this week for the striker, in the region of their asking price" But the manager said, "I can’t let him go until we’ve got players in".
The Cambridge Evening News says that "Rob Newman is battling to bring two players on loan from Everton2. They are, "Two un-named youngsters - a left-back and a right-sided player". However, Newman added, "Since I spoke to David Moyes (Everton manager), [a League] club has come in and they're playing in trial games for them this week... It's disappointing because I felt we had two in the bag, but it's still not dead in the water". Also, "Newman was frustrated in his attempt to sign a striker, believed to be Anthony Elding, who was sold by Stevenage to Kettering on Monday for £40,000. But he remains optimistic of signing at least one new player before the weekend... Meanwhile, Ritchie Hanlon had a knee operation on Monday and will rest for 10 days before returning to light training". The BBC adds that "Cambridge United boss Rob Newman is considering a loan replacement for crocked midfielder Ritchie Hanlon. Hanlon, 27, is expected to be out of action for at least a month after undergoing knee surgery on Monday. Newman told the club's website: "We have cover in midfield but we miss Ritchie's stature in there. The others are technically as good but they're quite lightweight".
From This is Thurrock we leran that "Grays defender, Stevland Angus, looks certain to leave the club after manager, Mark Stimson, questioned his commitment to the Blues' cause. Angus, 23, was due to partner new-signing, Christian Hanson, in the heart of Grays' defence for Saturday's game against Kidderminster but pulled out at the last minute claiming he had injured his groin... 'He has thrown up a mystery groin injury and declared himself unfit. I don't know where he's got it from, I'd love to know and I have to question whether he wants to play for Grays Athletic'", said the manager. However, "Grays hope to make at least two more signings before next week's league game at York and to do so will need to release one or two players to balance the books. Joe Bruce is one man tipped to leave and now it seems that Angus, who only joined the club in August, will also be shown the door. Stimson said: "We've got some players who have shown they are not good enough. One of those has an injury, which I don't know where it came from. Those players will be shown the door... [But] there were two players who were involved in league football on Saturday and hopefully they will be joining us by Wednesday".
Halifax Today "Peter Atherton should discover today the extent of the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's FA Trophy defeat... The veteran centre back pulled up sharply with little more than 15 minutes remaining ... Atherton spent two-and-a-half months on the sidelines earlier in the season after suffering a similar injury... 'It is the same leg but we have to wait 48 hours before discovering the extent of the injury... Hamstrings are difficult, you can never quite tell until you test them', said Atherton".
"Congolese international Andy N'Diwa will be given the chance to impress tomorrow when Scarborough Reserves face Hartlepool... The teenager has arrived at Boro after having a trial at Celtic, a £100,000 move to Premiership Bolton, a loan switch to Oldham and a trial with Shrewsbury", states Scarborough Today... The Boro chief said: "He can play at either centre-back or in the centre of midfield, so we'll have a look at him in both positions... Redfearn is giving a number of other first teamers a run-out against Hartlepool, including himself".
this is York reports that York City manager Billy McEwan "says he is disillusioned by the poor crowd against Stevenage and is asking supporters to speak up as to why they stayed at home. The 2,325 gate for the top-eight clash - the third lowest all season - was several hundred down on the average". McEwan added, "When I took over we were sixth bottom and got 2,100 fans. We only got 200 more for the Stevenage game and we were top eight... If they are not going to turn up when we are top eight, when are they going to turn up?" The article adds that "Shortly after taking over at the helm in April 2005, he vowed to consistently add 4,000 on to the gate. He said at the time: "I know we have 2,000 loyal fans but I want to get 6,000 and I will do, don't worry about that. That's one of my goals - to fill this ground. I did it at Rotherham and I will do it here". Now he says, "I'm astounded. I just don't know what the reason is. Is it because the gate money's too expensive or what is it? We need to know - we have got to find out. We need the fans to tell us please why... I'm getting disillusioned. It makes me wonder if it is worthwhile all the effort. It's very frustrating and to be honest I'm getting totally disillusioned with the York public".
"Former caretaker-manager Simon Wormull is on the brink of leaving Crawley Town. The influential midfielder has been given permission to speak to other clubs after the club’s owners, the SA GROUP, withdrew an offer of a new two-year contract... He said: 'Before John Hollins arrived a contract was offered to me and I was happy with it. It was not as if I was hounding the SA Group for a new contract. They said they had looked at mine and would like to offer me a new one. We talked and I thought we had agreed it and then I heard nothing for a long time. That is when I started to get worried. Now we have come to the January window and I have to ask what is going on? My current contract is until the end of the season... I just want it sorted out. If it is there then great, but if it isn't then I have to look elsewhere... When John took over I was happy because it took a lot of stuff off my shoulders and in the time he has been here it has become a lot more professional. He is the best thing that has happened to the club this season... John understands where I'm coming from. He has not put me on the transfer list, he has just allowed me to speak to other clubs. I don't want to leave but, if I have to, I will'" reports The Argus.
Stevenage Borough boss "Graham Westley has admitted that he is struggling to sign the players that he wants as the transfer window comes towards its close. 'Financially, we just can't afford the players' demands' said Westley after Exeter beat Boro to the signature of midfielder Matthew Gill. 'I couldn't afford to compete with the first Exeter offer let alone the final deal'. Westley admitted that he was unlikely to see any of the Anthony Elding transfer fee ... 'I have only paid one notable fee for Dino Maamria since I have been here. Everything else has been done on a free transfer. I am working with less money in my budget than last year.... The club has expended on the new academy so these gate revenues and funds like the Elding fee are already committed. The Chairman is clear about that... But if not, and I cannot guarantee it, we still have an ace squad. We will just need key players to stay fit and youngsters to really kick on".
The NW Evening Mail reports that "Phil Wilson will come face-to-face with his Holker Street predecessor tonight as Lee Turnbull returns to Holker Street with Southport. The Conference side come to Holker Street in the United Co-operative Challenge Trophy quarter-finals with Turnbull newly-installed as assistant to Liam Watson at Haig Avenue".
Halifax Town have confirmed that loanee "Rory Prendergast is returning to League One side Blackpool".
The Forest Green Rovers preview of Saturday's game against Altrincham says, "Rovers will be seeking to extend their current 7 match unbeaten run, whilst the visitors will be looking to complete the double having won at Moss Lane by 2 goals to 1 back in August. Children entering to watch the game on the terraces can obtain entry for just £1 under the Quid a Kid scheme which has proved popular this season".
FA Cup 3, replay
FA Trophy 2, replays
"Kevin Glendon, manager of Radcliffe Borough... [has signed] former Burnley winger Matty O’Neill from Accrington Stanley" says the club's website.
"Crawley Town’s forward Jamie Cade has joined Lewes on a month’s loan. Cade, signed on a two-year contract in the summer after being released by League One Colchester, has scored four goals in seventeen starts and five substitute appearances for the Red Devils this season" says NL Daily.