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1 to 25 May, 2006 |
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1 to 25 May, 2006 |
Alty's Hassan Zareh-Ourang (7) latches on to a loose ball against Morecambe.
Altrincham Youth have won three cups this season but, sadly, they were unable to win the inaugural Neil Thomason Trophy last night against Morecambe at Woodley Sports FC, a game they played without captain Richard Gresty and Players' Player of the Year, Andy Keogh. Anthony Davies's goal had put Alty ahead at the interval but Morecambe came out strongly in the second half. Alty's cause was not helped by injuries to Hassan Zareh-Ourang and Matty Williams which saw both players have to be substituted, whilst Ben Deegan also suffered an injury. Morecambe got level with a penalty after the ball had bounced up against Ashley McGrath's hand and then went 2-1 up. With Alty chasing an equaliser, two late goals made the score 4-1, which was a little harsh on the Altrincham side. Report to follow.
The Halifax Courier adds that "Goalkeeper Jon Kennedy... was an ever-present in the side after joining the Shaymen... in January" Manager Chris Wilder stated, "I want to keep the majority of last season's squad together. It will be a matter of three or four out and three or four in. We will be looking for someone to play wide left and for a central midfielder to replace Steve Bushell". The article adds that "Brian Smikle and Danny Forrest returned to West Bromwich Albion and Bradford City respectively after loan spells... Ryan Toulson, who made just one Conference start in his first season as a professional, has been offered a new deal as have Matt Doughty, Greg Young, Ryan Sugden, Chris Senior, John Grant and Peter Atherton".
The Football Conference board which condemned Alty to an 18-point deduction and a four figure fine, "will meet on Friday to determine Scarborough's fate. Scarborough have been asked to provide the Football Association and the Conference with information on ground, financial and ownership issues. That will then be considered by the Conference board before the make-up of next season's league is rubber-stamped at the Conference AGM on Saturday. Scarborough are confident they can give the guarantees sought by the Conference and earn a reprieve from relegation", says the BBC.
"Former Kidderminster striker Ian Foster was overjoyed to be asked to return to the club as their new physiotherapist... [He] won the Conference title with both the Harriers and Chester City. When the call came from (boss) Mark Yates, I nearly broke his wrist in trying to snap his hand off', Foster, 29, told Kidderminster's website".
Meanwhile, the BBC also reports that "Forest Green Rovers boss Gary Owers has snapped up former Bristol City and Barnet midfielder Simon Clist. Clist, 24, has signed a two-year deal at The Lawn after being released by Barnet.
"Defender Ashley Vickers has joined Conference newcomers Weymouth after being released by Dagenham & Redbridge. The 33-year-old played under Weymouth boss Garry Hill at Heybridge and St Albans, as well as with the Daggers. Meanwhile, Hill told the Dorset Echo he recently made a 'tentative enquiry' for Bournemouth striker Steve Fletcher, who is currently out of contract".
The NL Paper's leader article on the subject bemoans the time taken to sort out the Alty case and the resulting disruption to football; it does not, however, pass any judgement on the rights and wrongs of the FA and Conference's treatment of Altrincham, who have paid a very large price for another club's failings.
Tony Sheldon, a correspondent in the NL Paper writes, "The members of the FA appeals board approved the 'holier than thou' decision of the Conference alumni that Altrincham should be hung out to dry... The FA, at least, did what they believed to be right, which is not what you can say about some members on the boards of Tamworth, Forest Green and Southport... Southport didn't say a lot publicly but often the latent are more dangerous than the overt. Forest Green were happy to let the football world know 'where they were coming from', but to me the most unpleasant behaviour came from Tamworth... So the only relegation this season [after Canvey's resignation] will be Altrincham - decided by little men in darkened rooms".
Details of Altrincham FC's current fundraising schemes are here.
In its review of last season, the NL Paper identifies Kieran Lugsden as one to watch, "Young, full of promise and with pace to burn, 20 year-old Lugsden could be the ingredient Alty need to bounce straight back".
In its "Colleges' Soccer" column, the NL paper refers to the English Colleges' recent goalless draw against a Watford Academy side. The College team's administrator, Gordon Staniforth, talks of newcomer "Richard Gresty, a centre back from South Trafford College. Richard is six foot plus and Watford became more than interested in his future when he appeared against them". Richard is the captain of the Altrincham FC Youth team.
And don't forget, you have till 30 June to get your £10 discount on your 2006-07 season ticket. The season ticket will get you free admission to all the pre-season home friendlies, (which include visits by Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and FC United), as well as representing great value for league matches. Details of the season ticket prices are here.
But Grays Forum, Athletic's owner Mick Woodward says, "As some of you may be aware, Mark Stimson and Scott Barrett have joined Stevenage Borough on a three year contract... I am disappointed as I thought he wanted to better himself and go to a league club. However, I wish him all the luck... I'd like to reassure every one of you that all players at the club that are currently under contract will not be sold out sideways, no matter what amount is offered... We still have a great set-up here and great prospects with our new management team. So please, as Chairman, I'm asking all of you to get behind Frank Gray, Gerry Murphy and Steve Snelling".
The BBC confirms that "Margate have signed Gravesend and Northfleet midfielder Jimmy Jackson on a two-year contract".
Right: Alty's trophies, the Open Cup, the Cheshire County FA District Cup and the shield for winning the Subsidiary Cup.
Thursday witnessed the fifth annual Altrincham FC Youth Team Presentation Night. Though not successful in the league, the Youth team have lifted three cups this season and have the chance of a fourth next Tuesday when they play Morecambe in the Neil Thomason Memorial Trophy Final at Woodley Sports (7.45pm). As manager George Heslop said, he is especially keen to win that cup as it commemorates his former colleague, Youth team coach Neil Thomason who died last summer at a young age. Please come along and support the lads in their attempt to honour Neil in the best way they can.
A full report and pictures from the Presentation Night are in the Youth section.
FA Cup
FA Trophy
NL Daily confirms that "Weymouth have officially been deducted four points from last season's total over the Solomon Taiwo affair. Football Conference officials informed Terras of the long-awaited decision after Altrincham lost an appeal over a separate eighteen-point penalty for fielding an ineligible player. Terras` punishment means Garry Hill's men officially won the Nationwide South championship by four points, finishing on ninety points. Chairman Martyn Harrison said the Wessex Stadium outfit still believe the penalty, which does not include any financial fine, was harsh but do not plan to appeal".
Altrincham and Weymouth are not the only ones feeling hard done by the Conference. Noel Kelly, ex-chairman of Nuneaton Borough has written to the Altyfans Forum saying, "I designed and donated the Conference Championship trophy - that Altrincham have won - and the Conference have removed my life membership. He has written , "I've always has a strong affinity with Altrincham. You were the kings of Non-league when I ran NBFC, we finished second to you twice in the days before automatic promotion! Please point your fellow Alty fans to my website and ask them to send me their comments".
The BBC quotes Aldershot boss Terry Brown on "his biggest ever signing... the recruitment of Jason Lee. The former Nottingham Forest frontman, 35, has joined the Shots after leaving Northampton at the end of last season. 'It is a commitment from the club to state that we are trying to win something next season', Brown said. Meanwhile, "Cambridge winger Courtney Pitt and defender Mark Peters have signed new contracts... leaving the U's with 11 players under contract for next season. Boss Rob Newman has also verbally agreed a deal with an unnamed experienced goalkeeper, who will sign when he returns from holiday. In addition, Newman plans more talks with ex-Lincoln man Matt Bloomer". But "play-off champions Hereford United have parted company with midfielder Stacy Coldicott".
From Scarborough we learn that "Ian Scobbie took the reins at the McCain Stadium today to enable erstwhile Chairman Malcolm Reynolds to concentrates on Boro's [ground] move. Reynolds... will still remain as a Director and as the Club’s major shareholder. ’Ian has kindly offered to take the Chairman’s role from me. The day to day management of the playing side does not sit comfortably with the sometimes prolonged negotiations over the new ground. Those negotiations are now in the home strait and I need to concentrate on the discussions with our development partners and Scarborough Borough Council', said Reynolds... Scobbie is a solicitor by profession. A partner at leading Leeds law firm Godloves, he has been a director at Boro for over 3 years'". Meanwhile, "Boss Neil Redfearn is looking to a positive future after his side's stay in the Conference was confirmed. 'We have been given a reprieve now and it is time to start looking forward', he said. 'We have cleared the decks, we have a clean slate and now I want to bring in players who want to win... There were mistakes made last season and we have to learn from them and start pushing on'".
Harrogate Town "boss Neil Aspin has begun the process of reshaping his squad... To make way for anticipated exciting ew signings, 6 players have been let go. Those departing are goalkeeper Michael Price, club captain Paul Stoneman, Gareth Grant, Jamie Heard, Chris Mason and Jason Wray. Heard is heading to Australia, whilst Mason is understood to be going to Sweden [let's hope they have international clearance!] . The Harrogate Advertiser reports that "Stoneman's place has been taken by [ex-Alty captain] Chris Timons". Aspin said, "I've said to the chairman if we don't improve the squad we will stand still or fall back... Nobody asked to leave and it was the decision of myself and Lee Philpott... We are also in the process of trying to sign a very highly rated player from another non-league club [believed to be a striker]... My early thoughts are that we'll be in a stronger position at the start of next season than we were at the start of last season".
At Moor Green "The following players are the only players not to have retained their contracts... Sean Dowdall and [ex-Alty keeper] Ashley Timms... [and] Chris Nurse has decided not to retain his contract for next season... Gary McPhee has now been put on the Transfers list and is 'open to offers'. Gary ended up as last season top scorer for the Moors, ending up with 14 league goals".
Stalybridge Celtic "have announced that striker Jody Banim has been sold to Tameside neighbours Droylsden".
Worksop Town announce that "Worksop Town Director Howard Raymond is hopeful of further ground developments at Sandy Lane which will see a Sports Injury Clinic, Health Club, Gymnasiam and Swimming Pool being included in a new planning permission application to the Bassetlaw District Council. The original plan to provide a new ground with top class facilities at Kilton Forest is now on hold as the club look to also provide further seating to the main stand by moving the seating at the woodyard side to the end of the main stand and behind the goal at the Rockware end".
"Striker Gary Ricketts has signed on the dotted line to play for Hucknall Town next season... Having missed most of last season with injuries, tall targetman Ricketts will hope to regain the form that saw him become one of the first names on the team sheet under previous boss Dean Barrick. But one name that won't be on the team sheet is that of the club's only ever-present last term, defender Alistair Asher. For he has shocked everyone by leaving Watnall Road for Ilkeston Town. No fee is involved... He was offered a new contract, although that entailed a drop in wages, and he has decided to move on. He will team up with Town's top scorer last season, Robert Gill, who joined The Robins for £1,000 in March... Hucknall boss Kevin Wilson said: 'We've got a budget to work to and there is no way the club is going to go over that'. Wilson revealed that he has had to cut back on his budget and every member of the squad has had to take a pay cut... Another defender, Gary Sucharewycz, has also decided to reject the offer of a new contract and has moved to local-derby rivals Alfreton Town... But Wilson has made one new signing this week, that of young Sutton Town midfielder Danny Naylor, 21" reports Hucknall Today.
"Danny Forrest, who spent last season on loan with Nationwide Conference National play-off final losers Halifax Town, has been told he can leave Bradford City. And the news is bound to spark speculation about a permanent switch to The Shay... Wilder will formally start the process of planning for the 2006/07 campaign when he meets up with his players on Friday. Only five of last season's squad are signed up although offers are likely to be made to a number of others" claims Halifax Today.
Above: Altrincham Youth team with their three trophies. L to R back row: Tony Spilsbury (coach), Michael Risk, Rick Crawford, Reza Zareh-Ourang, Ashley McGrath, Stefan Fielding, Ben Deegan, Andy Keogh, Lewis Bishop, Kieran Raynes, Tom Barclay, Julieann Gresty (physio). Front row: Hassan Zareh-Ourang, Matty Williams, Astley Mulholland, Richard Gresty, George Heslop (manager), Anthony Davies, Danny Browne, Dean White.
Above, Peter Band, Altrincham FC first team Player of the Year, presents midfielder Andy Keogh with the Youth Team Players' Player of the Year Award. Andy is on crutches, having emulated Wayne Rooney by fracturing his metatarsal. More on the presentations and more pictures to follow...
The article adds that "Alty's last hope of staying up rests with long-standing rivals Scarborough, who face a reprieve after finishing bottom of the table. They have until May 31 to prove to the Conference they are financially solvent after recently coming out of administration. Boro Director Ian Scobbie said: 'We've got about 12 pieces of information we need to show to the Conference about our financial situation. Some they accept are out of control. We're confident this will be done by Friday but just what the Conference makes of it after that, I'm not sure. I asked them at a meeting last week what breach of rules we would be charged under if we failed to provide the information and they couldn't tell me. But there would be no complaints from us if Altrincham ended staying up. To be honest, the whole thing stinks. We feel terrible about what's happened. It's a mistake that could happen to us all'".
What a pleasure to hear Scarborough's comments, which contrast with those of certain other clubs who finished below us in the Conference table.
Lesson One: HOW A CLUB GETS DOCKED 18 POINTS
The Sale & Altrincham Messenger gives over its front page to the FA and Conference's punishment of Altrincham. It quotes chairman Geoff Goodwin "I just feel sick. We had gone down there hoping that justice would be done but not long after the hearing had started I knew they were just going through the motions. They told us rules are rules but I just feel like they have stuck the knife in because they didn't even consider that we had never knowingly done anything wrong. At the end of the day, I'm still baffled that we have got a letter that the FA sent us when they first found out about this incident that says we have no charges to answer and then we have to go through all this nonsense". Alty director Grahame Rowley added, "We have dealt with Accrington many times in the past and when we signed James Robinson we expected Accrington to have done the right thing. In an ideal world you would always phone the FA to check for international clearance before signing a player but if every team did that they would need a call centre to deal with the amount of calls. They told us they couldn't overturn the Conference's decision because those were the rules. But we can't understand why didn't they tell us that an appeal would be useless, because we wasted a lot of time and money going through with this when they knew all along it would come to nothing". The appeal was heard by a panel comprising three County FA representatives.
Lesson Two: HOW A CLUB GETS DOCKED ONLY 3 POINTS
In Sussex, The Argus confirms news that "Sacked Crawley Town managing director Steve Duly has been awarded almost £35,000 for unfair dismissal as the crisis-hit football club considers going into administration. Mr Duly, 35, told an employment tribunal he was forced out of his £28,600-a-year job soon after his father John sold the club to the SA Group last summer. The group, led by Azwar Majeed and his bankrupt brother Chas, then launched a smear campaign, criticising Mr Duly's management skills and wrecking his chances of getting a new job, the Croydon tribunal heard. He is the third former member of staff to successfully sue the club after being sacked, following in the footsteps of former manager Francis Vines and his assistant Dave Swindlehurst. Mr Duly spent five months without a job after he was shown the door at Crawley Town last November and now has a casual job as an £11-an-hour sports club bar manager. He said: 'Chas Majeed went to the press and said I had left the club in a huge mess which has made it very difficult for me to find another senior job in the sports and leisure industry, where I have worked all my life'... Mr Duly said: 'They told me they were bringing in a new general manager but were making me director of football and that I would be more involved in the playing side in terms of scouting and strategy. Shortly afterwards former England captain and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Alan Mullery was drafted in as a consultant. Mr Duly said: 'Effectively he was director of football and I no longer had a role'. That month his wages were docked £50-a-week with no explanation and Chas Majeed asked for his resignation, he added. When he refused he was ordered off the premises and told he was on 'gardening leave'... Later he received his P45 in the post informing him his employment had ended on New Year's Eve, the tribunal heard... The tribunal found Mr Duly was wrongfully and unfairly sacked, the club had failed to follow statutory dismissal and grievance procedures and withheld £5,133 in wages plus £1,980 for holiday entitlement. He was awarded £25,000 compensation, £2,115 for unfair dismissal plus a further statutory payment of £375... The Majeeds were not at the tribunal to contest the claim. A statement issued by the club later said: 'His decision to sue the club contradicts his claims to have the best interests of Crawley Town at heart because it is the club who will suffer the financial repercussions of his claim'. Crawley Town have admitted they are in serious financial trouble. The Nationwide Conference has docked them three points from this season's table and fined them £5,000 for exceeding their agreed annual players' budget. Spokeswoman Gil Roberts said yesterday the club was considering administration".
Lesson Three: HOW TO APPLY RULES CONSISTENTLY (OR NOT, AS THE CASE MAY BE)
The points deductions continue as now League Two side Bury have been deducted one point for fielding Colin Marrison as a substitute after his loan from Sheffield United had officially ended. The game in question ended in a draw. Bury were also given a suspended fine of £5,000 only payable if they commit another offence before the end of next season. Interestingly, Bury say that they are "disappointed by this outcome as all past precedents of similar/more serious offences, in our opinion, made by clubs in the same division as us and also League One & Championship level, have never had any points deducted and only received fines or suspended fines".
"Striker Darryn Stamp has signed a new contract with managerless Stevenage Borough. Stamp, signed from Chester City in 2005, has this week agreed new terms... Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that the following players have not been re-engaged for next season: goalkeeper Shane Gore, defender Micky Warner, midfielders Simon Weatherstone and Rob Quinn and forwards Jefferson Louis, Olly Berquez and Tunisian Dino Maamria. An announcement on the appointment of a new manager is expected at the weekend" adds NL Daily.
"It will be a short summer for Nuneaton Borough players as they are set to return to training on July 1st as manager Roger Ashby strives to make it third time lucky in the club's Nationwide North promotion stakes... Ashby insists he's leaving no stone unturned in their bid for title honours in 2006/07 and he reckons fitness is a major key to that ambition, hence the appointment of James Ellis recently as the club's fitness coach... 'I'm one of the old school who insists on players looking after themselves all year round and not just the nine months they are playing. Preparation is crucial and I want the players in good shape when they come back for pre-season. They owe it to the club, fans, me and themselves'. Ashby has scotched rumours linking him with moves for ex-Boro striker Mark Quayle, released by Scarborough at the weekend, and Tamworth striker Kirk Jackson" reports IC Coventry.
"Oxford United have failed in a bid to sign former Oxford City and Wycombe striker Jermaine McSporran. The 29-year-old was released by Doncaster Rovers last week... 'Oxford have already said that they want me, but I have turned them down as I do not want to go back into non- League'", he said.
"Forest Green Rovers have announced their second new signing for 2006/07. Manager Gary Owers has secured the services of Liverpool-born, 22-year-old wide player Les Afful... Afful has been at Exeter City all his football career, playing in the Football League and the Conference for the Grecians".
"Weymouth have clinched the signing of Hereford United captain Tony James. The Welsh semi-professional international defender has penned an initial one-year deal... [He] spent eight years at Edgar Street before he was released following an injury-hit campaign" reports the Dorset Echo
As he prepares to go on a well-earned week's holiday, Altrincham chairman Geoff Goodwin (right) spoke to the website today about his positive vision for next season. "Although what happened on Tuesday was a travesty and an injustice, it was not life-threatening. It's not a disaster; a real disaster was when our youth team trainer Neil Thomason died at a young age last year. As a Conference National team relegated on a technicality, everyone in Conference North will be out to beat Altrincham, as we will be the favourites for the title. We need to get ourselves dusted down now, come back fighting and go into next season in a positive way". Geoff wants the club to respond to the challenge of being favourites, whereas last season economics alone dictated that we had had to aim at mere survival in Conference National. Next season, he believes, gives us an opportunity to assert ourselves once again. Geoff wants the whole club to get together, act professionally, and get the job done. He wants the players to go out and win games, the supporters to get behind the team and enjoy themselves and for everyone to show the footballing world what Altrincham FC is all about - that we will overcome what happened to us at the hands of the FA last Tuesday. Geoff is refusing to talk publicly about the efforts of other Conference clubs to get the points deduction enforced, saying "We're bigger than that".
Although the inevitable drop in attendances next season will affect the budget, the Board is doing its best to ensure that the effect on the playing budget is minimal. In this respect there is a role for everyone who supports the Club. Geoff is concerned that the club's fundraising gets sorted out immediately rather than becoming delayed in the process of sorting out the relationship between STAR (the supporters' trust) and the Club. "We can't afford to wait to get this sorted out. I want to see it resolved by the time I come back from holiday", said the chairman. As director Grahame Rowley revealed at the STAR SGM, on Tuesday night, a "Friends of Altrincham FC" is to be launched to bring in regular income for the playing budget and everyone is urged to support this and the other fundraising ventures of the Club. Everyone needs to do their bit to maximize the fundraising effort. (The Friends scheme will be launched at tonight's Youth Team Presnetation Night, details of which are below).
Geoff confirmed that both he and manager Graham Heathcote are committed fully to the club for next season despite what happened at the FA this week. Leading scorer Colin Little, amongst others, has rung Geoff to express his continued dedication to the club despite the relegation. And even Australian cricketer, Shane Warne, has rung Geoff today to express his support for Altrincham.
The Conference is demanding financial assurances from the Seadogs, despite the Yorkshire club's recent emergence from administration. The BBC quotes Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds "following Altrincham's enforced relegation. Scarborough finished bottom of the table but could now stay up... 'It's a hollow feeling the way it has come about. But we are going to take it and make the most of it', he said. Scarborough will beat the drop if they meet the Conference's demands. There are some details over the ground and financial issues which must be satisfied"
Meanwhile the Crawley Forum reported yesterday that Crawley Town's "Steve Duly successfully won his claim for unfair dismissal at his employment tribunal earlier today. He was awarded [damages totalling] £34,228.33" of which £25,000 was for breach of contract. "There was no representation from the football club at the hearing. After the hearing Steve said, 'I am proud and privileged to have have held the position of Managing Director and Director of Football at Crawley Town Football Club for a period of 6 years, especially as they were the most successful period in the club's existence. I would like to thank the numerous messages of support from supporters and officials of the club leading up to todays hearing. There has been a lot of scurrilous accusations of mismanagement of the club over the past few months and this decision exonerates any blame on my part". The club is now believed to owe some £65,000 to ex-employees as well as a £3,000 fine to the Conference for previous financial irregularities which cost them a three-point deduction.
On the Crawley forum a Woking fan writes, "Apologies if any of these assumptions are wrong. It would seem that those running Crawley FC have broken rules by employing a non-discharged bankrupt as Chairman, have breached players' contracts, have broken rules regarding the wage cap, and have the club in a precarious financial position. If all of that is correct, and the rumours of administration are true, do you think that it is possible that Crawley may have difficulty in retaining Conference membership at the Conference AGM?". So far, Crawley have suffered a "maximum penalty" for their offences of a three-point deduction. If they now go into administration a 10 point penalty would apply, but only next season. It is "interesting" to compare this catalogue of failings (and playing advantage gained by exceeding the wage cap) and the punishment meted out to Altrincham on Tuesday following Accrington Stanley's failure to get clearance for James Robinson before he moved on to Moss Lane.
It is also worth noting that Altrincham have steadfastly refused to use the administration route (i.e. paying your creditors only a percentage of what you owe them) and have instead battled on with fundraising and prudent financial management to repay their inherited debts. If deducting 18 points is the price the footballing authorities levy for playing James Robinson (without gaining any advantage on the pitch) whilst deducting a mere 3 points is the price for committing financial irregularities over a long period, then it is a pretty sorry state of affairs for what is supposed to be a sport whose outcomes are decided, on merit, on the pitch. Indeed, the FA has explicitly ruled that the 18 points deduction was "not excessive" and does not seem to be taking any steps at all to prevent a recurrence of Altrincham's "offence" by amending its rules - unlike the UniBond League which has set an example by revamping its registration forms to try to prevent such an occurrence.
The Football Conference reports on the dismissal of Altrincham's appeal by the FA. All it has to say is that "Following the FA's announcement that the club's 18 point penalty must stand and that they must play next season in Conference North, chairman Geoff Goodwin struck a defiant pose", before going on to quote from an article quoted elsewhere on this page from the Sale and Altrincham Messenger.
Conference fixtures for 2006-07 are expected to be issued on Thursday 29th June - that is assuming that they know who is in which division by then.
Alty fan Daniel Martell - you may recognise him (above, second from right) from Moss Lane where he sells programmes on match days - has formed a five-a-side side with some other Alty fans. Daniel has sent in the above picture of the team, whom we wish good luck for the future. The Idols also have a website, the link to which will be added here later.
Assuming we are heading for Conference North, this website will once again start to cover that division as well as Conference National (at least for the time being). NL Daily says that "Alfreton Town have unveiled plans to expand their links with the local community, offer rewards and discounts for regular supporters to the Impact Arena and the formation of a `Junior Reds` section over the next few weeks... Alfreton chairman Wayne Bradley commented: 'The club accepts that communication with its support base is of paramount importance and it takes seriously comments, ideas and articles from the official website forum and through articles produced in the matchday programme... Very few clubs at this level have got a Football in the Community Scheme never mind anything else. This will be a two-way scenario with the club being taken to the community and vice versa... People will be able to meet the players, management and question the people in attendance about the club's plans'. Reds` manager Gary Mills completed the signing of experienced centre back Mark Barnard last Saturday and is "delighted" to have persuaded midfielder Matt Fisher to stay with the club for what will be his fourth season... Meanwhile, Alfreton Town are delighted to announce an England call up for one of their talented youngsters. Messiah McDonald, 16, has been invited for a five-day trial in mid-August with the England under-18s Schools side".
Stalybridge Celtic have "announced that striker Jody Banim has been placed on the Transfer List. Banim made just 28 appearances for the Celts following his move from Tameside neighbours Droylsden. A serious knee injury was a major factor in preventing him making the impact he wanted and Jody feels that it would be in his and Celtic's best interests to restart his career elsewhere".
"Colin Lippiatt, manager of Nationwide Conference National newcomers St Albans City, has made further moves in the transfer market over recent days with the signing of central defender David Theobald from Kettering Town, while Patrick Ada has been released" reports the club website.
"Goalkeeper Adam Collin has committed himself to Workington next season by signing a new contract... Collin was named in goal in the UniBond League’s `dream team` last year, after keeping twenty-one clean sheets in fifty games, helping Workington to win promotion to Nationwide North. “The rest of the squad seem happy enough and all will be returning, apart from Marc Green", chairman Dale Brotherton told the News and Star.
"Long-serving Cambridge United defender Andy Duncan has signed a new 12-month deal at the Abbey Stadium... The 28-year-old started his career at Old Trafford but did not make a senior appearance for Manchester United. Defensive colleague Mark Peters and midfielder Courtney Pitt are expected to follow suit and sign new deals".
The start of the STAR SGM was delayed by half an hour to allow those present to hear an interview on Five Live with Geoff Goodwin in which he affirmed the club's determination to act with dignity over the FA's upholding of the Conference's punishment of Altrincham. Geoff also expressed his best wishes to Scarborough, who survive as a result of our deduction, as unlike certain other clubs who were "stabbing us in the back", the Seadogs had indicated that they would not have appealed had the FA exonerated us yesterday. But, of course, Scarborough's survival in the Conference is itself at the mercy of football's officials who are probing their finances. There was plenty of feeling amongst supporters that we were at least back among genuine friends in Conference North next season rather than dealing with certain National teams with excessive views of their own importance.
The first surprise at the SGM was to learn that STAR Chairperson Brian Flynn was not present and that he had resigned in the last few days. Likewise, Treasurer Paul Daine had also left the STAR Board. So, the STAR Board now comprised three members, Jacqui Forster (acting chair), Dawn Abbott and Phil Taylor. Also with the STAR Board at this meeting, as an adviser, was Dave Boyle, Deputy Chief Executive of Supporters Direct. The second surprise was the withdrawal of the last of the three motions which the meeting had been called to discuss.
STAR's official minutes of the meeting will, no doubt, appear in due course and it is not the role of this website to provide a detailed record of the meeting. Suffice it to say that there was lengthy debate about the first motion, proposed by the STAR Board and whether it could be voted on in parts or otherwise. There was also much discussion about the compatibility of the two motions on the table and whether voting for one would preclude voting for the other. Members of the Football Club Board expressed their view that STAR had done a lot of good work but that its procedures meant that the transfer of its fundraising profits to the club was often slow and that funds were often earmarked to specific projects rather than being given the Board to use as it saw fit. After it had been revealed that the Club now faced a £5,000 bill for legal costs of appealing to the FA (on top of a £1,000 fine), STAR handed over a cheque for £2,000 to the Club. Following numerous contributions from the floor, it was agreed that the STAR Board and the Football Club Board needed to get together and try to thrash out a more cooperative future for the benefit of the Club as a whole. In this context the voting on the two remaining motions was unanimously (I think) against the first motion and therefore the status quo remains as regards STAR's role. The second motion was approved, allowing STAR to offer its shares for sale, should this be necessary. One particular concern in this regard was that if STAR were to be disbanded, it was possible that its 3,000 or so shares in the Football Club would be donated to a sporting charity outside the Club. Jacqui Forster appealed for volunteeers to join the STAR Board as, with just three members, the load was excessive on the remaining Board members.
After the meeting, Grahame Rowley announced the formation of a Friends of Altrincham FC, details of which will appear on this website in the near future. George Heslop also invited everyone to attend Thursday's Youth Team Presentation Night at Moss Lane (entry £2) and to support the team in the Neil Thomason Memorial Trophy Final at Woodley Sports this Friday at 7.45pm.
Altrincham fans are 100% behind manager and club secretary Graham Heathcote and will hope that he enjoys a well-earned holiday for the rest of this week - his departure was delayed by the FA hearing. Also, spare a though for captain Mark Maddox; three seasons in the Conference and three relegations (1997, 2000 and 2006), though this last one must be the bitterest to swallow. And to the rest of the players, Dalton Steele and the backroom staff, though officialdom's badly written rules may have robbed them of their deserved second season in Conference National, their efforts last season in finishing outside the relegation places was one of the club's greatest achievements in recent years.
If the rule makers now actually do something about international clearance and amend the punishment so that it affects the real offenders and so that the penalty for falling foul of the clearance rules is lower than the maximum which clubs, (such as Crawley Town who were only deducted 3 points), suffer for breaking financial guidelines, our likely relegation may have some benefit for football. After all, playing James Robinson gave Altrincham no material advantage on the pitch whereas breaching the salary cap clearly may be advantageous. At the moment, yesterday's decision just makes the game a laughing stock to the outside observer. And there is no suggestion, to date, that any of these ill-framed rules will be amended.
During the hearing, the club dropped all grounds for appeal other than that the penalty imposed by the Football Conference was excessive. The Appeal Board therefore had no option but to reject the appeal as Football Conference rules do not allow discretion on the matter of sanctions for specific breaches of rules.
Robinson joined Accrington Stanley from Iceland without gaining international clearance and subsequently moved to Altrincham in November. He has since joined Australian club Richmond Eagles".
Though Grays Athletic chairman Mike Woodward kindly assisted Altrincham's legal case, the club's other legal costs amounted to £5,000. A collection held at Tuesday's STAR meeting raised £260 towards these costs.
Many Altrincham fans, whilst outraged at the decisions of the Conference and FA to punish Altrincham for the failings of Accrington Stanley (who have still yet to contact Moss Lane about the James Robinson affair), will not be sorry not to be visiting certain clubs next season. On the contrary they will be returning to play old friends in the North, who may be longstanding rivals on the pitch but are open and above board in their dealings.
We look likely to be playing Stalybridge again next season (barring Scarborough being demoted for financial reasons) and NL Daily reports "Barrie Keeling, Stalybridge’s Celtic Player of the year for the last two seasons, is reunited with his father Alan, the Nationwide North club`s new Academy Director... Alan Keeling is the only Academy Directors Licence and Brazilian Pro Licence and UEFA ‘A’ Licence holder working in the non-League set up across the country and also works at Oldham Athletic`s highly successful Centre of Excellence... The new Academy, in conjunction with Tameside College and Navigation Education, offers players the opportunity to train as full-time professionals whilst gaining a valuable varied educational opportunity over a two-year period. The team will play in the new Conference Youth League, progressing to the new reserve team playing in the Mid-Cheshire League".
On the Conference North Forum it is reported that "Kettering Town skipper Craig McIlwain says he had a number of decisions to make before finally agreeing to stay on for next season's Nationwide North campaign... McIlwain said he had to think matters over because of the squad turning full-time for the new season... 'I had a lot to think about because my job as a lecturer is a good career for me'".
After the FA today upheld the Conference's earlier decision, the Altrincham FC Board are deeply disappointed with today's decision by the FA Appeals Panel. After a successful season on the pitch, this decision has come as a complete shock. On the positive side, the management and Board are totally committed to take the club onwards and upwards on the foundations set over the last four years. We can but thank our own fans for their loyalty and also the supporters and clubs throughout the English football community for their support".
Footnote:
The deduction of 18 points, fine of £1,000 and consequent relegation of Altrincham follows their playing James Robinson in the Conference this season. Robinson was signed from another English club, Accrington Stanley, who failed to get international clerance for him. Last week Stanley were fined by the FA the princely sum of £200 for this offence.
"Simon Russell is expected to be the next player to commit his future to Kidderminster Harriers for next season... He has told Yates he will finalise a deal for next season... Russell will join Jake Sedgemore, Russ Penn, Gavin Hurren, Luke Reynolds, Jonny Harkness and Michael McGrath in the squad for next term. Michael Blackwood is still to make up his mind on the offer of a one-year deal and Johnny Mullins is attracting interest from a string of clubs other than Harriers, including Chester and Bury, following his release from Reading". Yates added that "I started with a long list of players I might be interested in... We're at the stage where clubs are doing all the chasing and unless you offer players the earth they reckon they are holding out for better offers. But give it a few weeks and the situation will change with the players doing the chasing", he told the Harriers' website.
"Speculation linking AFC Bournemouth's Steve Fletcher with a move to Weymouth have been scotched by Terras' boss Garry Hill. 'It's just a rumour and I don't know where it started', said Hill. 'But that's what happens at this time of the year. Names are linked with clubs left, right and centre'. Since releasing ten of his Nationwide South championship squad a fortnight ago, the Terras' boss says he's spoken to a number of possible transfer targets... 'Trouble is these days, many lads who are out of contract or considering their futures leave it until the last minute to see if any offers come along. The summer is going to be very much a waiting game for me and most other managers... I won't do is to be rushed into making snap decisions'", he told the Terras' website.
Morecambe "are delighted to announce that Garry Thompson and club captain Jim Bentley have signed new 2 year contracts. Thompson rejected the chance to move into the football league, turning down offers from Bury and Accrington Stanley to commit his future to the Shrimps. Midfielders Jimmy Kelly and Michael Stringfellow have also been released".
"Sammy McIlroy, in his first interview since being appointed the new manager of Morecambe FC, has pledged to do all he can to secure Football League status at Christie Park" reports Morecambe Today. McIlroy said, "We have got to get everyone tied up again. We will look at what we can add but I won't bring anyone in that I don't think will add to the squad". As for the sackin go Jim Harvey McIlroy asserted that "I was as shocked as anyone when Jimmy lost his job. I hope he realises that I had nothing to do with it". Also, "The club also announced on Friday a £1million development on the east terrace of Christie Park, the 'Carwash' side". It is currently a narrow, open terrace, with a car wash and derelict social club behind it.
Congratulations to Altrincham's Peter Band (right), who finished 110th out of 25,000 competitors in Sunday's Manchester 10km Run. He finished the race in 36 minutes and 20 seconds.
Meanwhile, Carshalton Athletic are appealing against the decision to repreive Leigh RMI from relegation from Conference North, as a consequence of Tamworth's reprieve, which in turn follows Canvey Island's resignation. Carshalton finished in Conference South with one more point than Leigh RMI got in Conference North but are being relegated whilst RMI are reprieved, even though Carshalton claim the rules say that the team with the higher number of points should be saved.
It is perhaps no wonder then that an exasperated Mr Corbould of Crawley writes in a letter to the NL Paper:
Thanks, Mr Moules, I'm watching parks football next season.
Colin Little nominates Stuart Coburn (right) as Goalkeeper of the Year in the NL Paper. "Stuart's an absolutely brilliant goalkeeper - top quality. Week in, week out, he's been in top form and won us a lot of points this season. He's had a phenomenal year. I'd say he was the best shotstopper in the league and I knew how good he was before I joined Alty. I live locally and had been to a few games. Stuart always stood out. On the rare occasions he makes a mistake we all look at each other in disbelief, because it's so rare".
The NL Paper reports that last week the English Colleges' side drew 0-0 with a strong Watford Academy side which included three seniors as they warmed up for their tournament in Italy. Alty Youth captain, Richard Gresty, is in the Colleges' squad.
"Exeter City manager Alex Inglethorpe wanted to sign Woking's Justin Richards following talks with the out-of-contract player this week. But Richards... is understood to have turned down the Grecians to play in the Football League... [He] is thought to be on the verge of joining a League Two club... Richards confirmed he was genuinely tempted by Exeter's offer... 'I had a chat with Alex Ingelthorpe about coming to Exeter and he is a really nice guy and it seems that everything at Exeter is moving forward very quickly. But I really want to get back to playing in the Football League, and I have got to give myself the best chance of fulfilling my ambition and not rush into things'", reports This is Exeter.
"Striker Billy Beechers, midfielder Josh Kennett and defender Andrew Gunn have all been rewarded for their performances for Oxford United's reserve and youth sides with professional deals. But there was heartbreak for Chris Roberts, Daryl Harris, Ryan Brooks and Kyle McCoy, who were all told that they would not be taken on" reports NL Daily.
BBC Sport says that "Ryan Green's extra-time winner secured Hereford's rise into League Two after they overcame heartbroken Halifax in the Conference play-off final. A 20-yard Lewis Killeen strike put Halifax ahead but Andy Williams quickly levelled with a stooping header. John Grant's flicked near post shot restored the lead for the Shaymen only for a Guy Ipoua header to again level. And, just as it seemed penalties loomed during a cautious extra-time, Green floated in a left-foot shot".
"Rushden and Diamonds chairman Richard Palmer says the club is in a good financial position despite being relegated to the Conference. Palmer told BBC Radio Northampton: 'The plans looks like we have made a small profit moving into next year. And that will be in spite of having one of the biggest player budgets in the league'. Meanwhile the club hope to have appointed a new manager to replace Barry Hunter in the next few days".
The Football Conference says that "York City's on loan 23-year-old centre-back David McGurk has been offered a new one-year deal by his current employers Darlington. The Middlesbrough-born defender proved a pivotal part of the Minstermen's rearguard last term after making 39 senior appearances and scoring twice... The North East club could also claim compensation should the player decide to take up an alternative offer from one of several other interested parties. Meanwhile, McGurk has not ruled out a permanent return to KitKat Crescent".
For a list of pre-season Alty friendlies, click here
The Argus reflects on the news that "Crawley Town have been deducted three points and fined £5,000 by the Football Conference for exceeding their playing budget. Crawley must pay £3,000 immediately, with the rest suspended for twelve months unless they breach the rules again next season. The league opted against a maximum £10,000 penalty in recognition of the club's hard work in trying to solve their financial problems. The Football Conference sets an annual budget based on the income of their clubs from the previous two seasons. The punishment does not affect Crawley's league position. Conference chief executive John Moules said: 'We gave them until this week to explain what happened but it did not alter the fact that they have breached the agreed playing budget. They could have faced a much stiffer penalty but we took into account that there has been a change in personnel behind the scenes. General Manager Barry Munn has come in and worked very hard to sort things out so we decided against the maximum penalty of three points and a £10,000 fine. If there is repeated breach of rules then expulsion from the competition is even a possibility' . Munn, who took up his position in February, said: "When I took over, one of the things I realised is that the budget was all wrong since day one. From the very start of the season, it was always going to exceed the amount. We have had to come in and pick up the pieces... Administration has been an option since day one. Everything has been considered, including selling the club and trying to find new sponsors because the owner's pockets only go so deep".
Above: Action from Scarborough v Alty, last February
Scarborough Today reports that Scarborough FC "have axed 15 players from last season’s squad.Boss Neil Redfearn has decided to keep just seven players on his retained list, which includes himself, centre-back Denny Ingram, full-back Ashley Lyth, young defender Carl Cook and the teenage trio of Michael Coulson, Jimmy Beadle and Ryan Blott. Among the culled players are long-serving keeper Leigh Walker, defenders Kevin Nicholson and Steve Baker, as well as striker David McNiven", who rejected a move to Altrincham last season. Redfearn stated, "The club needed a blank canvas to work with and this has given us exactly that. A lot of these players have been here for a while and if that is the case it sometimes starts to get a bit stale. We did things wrong last summer, which was why the club struggled throughout last season". And "Boro met up with Conference officials yesterday to discuss the club's financial stability. Chairman Malcolm Reynolds and director Ian Scobbie attended the meeting at Leicester City's Walker's Stadium to confirm to the Conference that they had come out of administration... Reynolds said: 'We believe we have satisfied every criteria and we will meet up with them again at the AGM next month'".
"Mark Stimson has emerged as the early front-runner in the race to become the next manager at Peterborough United... Peterborough`s director of football Barry Fry admitted he has spoken to Stimson about the vacancy at London Road. Fry said: 'I have contacted Mark and I have spoken to the owner of Grays, Mike Woodward. I have not offered him or anyone else the job, but Mark's record is very impressive... His teams play excellent football and he is clearly one of the up and coming managers in the game".
Recent transfers include:
NL Daily says that "Kettering Town have snapped up former Spurs midfielder Darren Caskey from A6 neighbours Rushden & Diamonds amongst six new signings announced on Friday".
Those reserves from last season who will be staying with the Club include goalkeeper Craig Ellison, defender/midfielder Ashley Brown, midfielder/defender Danny Heffernan, left-back Keith Wedge and defender Colin McAllister. The Club is looking to bolster the link between the Youth team and the Reserves and it is expected that a substantial number of this season's youth team will graduate to the Reserves next season. In addition, trials will be held on 17 and 24 June at Mersey Bank to further bolster the squad.
Neil Brown and Reserves' physio Alan Ainsley are also arranging a charity match involving Altrincham FC for the benefit of Manchester's Christie Hospital. This is likely to involve players from all levels of the club, including chairman Geoff Goodwin, and is likely to be played on the football pitch at East Levenshulme Cricket Club. More details of this will be posted here when confirmed.
And "Lambs' boss Mark Cooper has today completed the transfer from Alfreton Town of striker Jon Stevenson. He joins on a 12-month contract and manager Mark Cooper is delighted that the chairman and board allowed him to sign a player who Alfreton and ex-Tamworth manager Gary Mills were very sad to lose. The gaffer has also agreed a deal with Dave Bampton and he, too, has put pen to paper to stay at The Lamb".
Halifax boss Chris Wilder has spoken to BBC Hereford and Worcester about the Play-Off Final. He said, "We're deeply determined to get into the Football League and we're not going for a day out. I want to manage at that level and the players want to play at that level so we've got another hurdle to overcome but I'm sure we can do it". Speaking to Halifax Today, he added, "If Gretna can take 12,000 supporters to the Scottish Cup final why can't we have 10,000 at the Walkers Stadium? The players certainly deserve the best possible support for their efforts this season. It is a major cup final. This club has never been in anything like it in its entire history...The fans have not had a better opportunity to get behind the team than this. It should be a great day out and it is only a couple of hours down the motorway... My ambition is to manage in the Football League and I know that the players want to play there".
Bullsnews says that "Kidderminster's hopes of signing long term loanee Johnny Mullins have been dealt a blow with Chester making the ex-Reading man an offer. Aldershot are also unlikely to sign Barnet's Guiliano Grazioli without a fee being involved. The Conference top scorer last season has failed to set League Two alight and appears surplus to requirements at Underhill. Forest Green have lost the services of Abdou Sall, with the player signing a one year deal for St Pauli in Germany's third tier". Bullsnews also confirms that "Hereford United have confirmed that 7,900 tickets have been sold by them for Saturday's playoff final. ... The total confirmed sales to date are now at 11,968 (7900 from Hereford and 4068 from Halifax)".
Stevenage Borough "have so far seen 4 of the 6 applicants short-listed [for the manager's post] and expect to move towards an appointment over the next week or so. Boro chairman Phil Wallace said "Our interview list for this week was drawn up on Monday morning, but the announcements that Jim Harvey and Mark Stimson are now available has added 2 more attractive names to that list. So far the board have been very impressed with the quality of the people seen and it's going to be a difficult choice.The board acknowledges the need to make an appointment at the earliest opportunity and are working hard towards seeing all the potential candidates by the weekend". Bullsnews adds that "Mickey Warner, Rob Quinn, and Ollie Berquez have all been released after failing to agree terms on new deals at Stevenage. This trio makes it fifteen player departures in two weeks at Broadhall Way. The new Stevenage manager will start with just eight players. Local paper The Comet has revealed a list of applicants for the vacant manager's job: "Names known to have also applied are Brian Talbot, Jim Harvey, Dean Austin, Jimmy Quinn, Steve Bleasdale, Peter Morris and John Cornforth".
The BBC confirms that "Canvey Island's request to be relegated from the Conference to the Ryman Premier League has been approved. The Conference board accepted Canvey's request, a decision which means Tamworth will not now be relegated. Canvey gave written confirmation that they were seeking election to a league lower down the pyramid".
NL Daily says that "Midfielders Steve McKimm and Lee Protheroe, who were recently released by Gravesend & Northfleet, have both signed one-year contracts at Margate.".
"Garry Hill has urged Weymouth supporters to keep their feet firmly on the ground as they prepare for life in Nationwide Conference National. 'What we achieved last season was absolutely first class and there was no one more delighted than myself when we won the championship... But while we should treasure those memories, it's also important that our supporters are realistic as we head into the Conference. No disrespect to other clubs in Nationwide South who we faced last season, but come August we won't be the big fish in the pool anymore... And that why it's important that after seventeen years away from the Conference, people don't get carried away'... Hill plans to operate a full-time squad numbering a slightly reduced eighteen or nineteen first-teamers next season... The move is because of Conference salary cap rules which mean the Wessex Stadium outfit can only spend 65 per cent of their income on wages... Hill said: 'I've sat down with the chairman and gone over the figures and the cap won't be a problem... I've been given the same budget as last season, the only difference being that we'll be looking to have a squad of eighteen or nineteen rather than twenty-two or twenty-three first-team-players. The difference will be that I want those eighteen or nineteen to be more experienced than those who were on duty in Nationwide South'" reports the club website.
The Football Conference reports that "Mark Stimson, former manager of Grays Athletic, has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant managerial post at Millwall... 'That is an opportunity I would very much like to take up', Stimson told Skysports.com.
The LDV Vans Trophy has been replaced for 2006-07 by the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and will NOT include any Nationwide Conference clubs. It will solely ionvolve League One and Two clubs with sanctions being taken agsinst any side not including six of its most regular players in the line-up.
From the Robins' Review:
Tonight we continue where we left off from Saturday's programme with the second instalment of Len Pollitt's Moss Lane memoirs. Len celebrates 25 years this year as a member of the Board of Directors, but his recollections of the Robins go back much further than that.
In the first of my articles I was talking a Iittle about the state of the ground. It was known as a quagmire for years and looking back I am not surprised really after what was thrown on it!
At one time sheep grazed on it and their manure was used to fill the stands. I remember former chairman Ernie Odlin, the Broadheath butcher, having loads of sewerage manure thrown on the ground. When it was wet it used to get all slimy and the water could not get away. Then, to break this mess up, the directors had coke breeze (a fine coking dust) sprinkled all over the manure. This dust was brought from the nearby Altrincham Gas Works, but things went from bad to worse, and every time a player fell down he got a septic sore. Both the sewerage and the breeze all had to be eventually scraped off again and dumped, and the lethal concoction was used to form the spectators' standing area at one end of the ground.
Many players in local teams will remember this episode because everyone who played soccer locally played in the rounds of the Hospital Cup. Football boots were rarely used and hundreds played in ordinary working boots.
For some of these games and Altrincham's league matches I can remember hundreds of spectators arriving on bicycles from miles around. My pals and I used to store the bikes for a penny up an entry in School Road, and then many kids used to climb the trees which used to line the Moss Lane side of the ground to get a free look at the games. All these trees have now disappeared.
The club also owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Jimmy Brookes... for providing a goat as a mascot and for giving the ground its first ever tea hut! And so I could go on and on.... but to conclude, in 1963, and bring the story more or less up to date, I bought 100 tons of riverwashed sand and had it sprinkled all over the ground during the big freeze up of that winter. We had about 12 weeks of frost and snow and no-one played football except Altrincham . . . but the pitch looked like Blackpool beach!
After the thaw set in I got a vote of "No confidence" against me from Freddie Pye who was the manager at that time and he let it be known in no uncertain terms what a mess he thought I had made of it. However I got Eric Warburton from Ashley to deep spike the ground for a full day and the sand trickled down the spike holes, broke up all the bog-like clay and soil and since then the ground has been second to none. Today if we have a torrential downpour it takes only minutes for the pitch to drain and we have not had to call off any of our matches from a weather point of view since that day.
I am informed that Accrington have been fined £200 (two hundred) by the FA for failing to get international clearance for James Robinson (right). As everyone will know, James subsequently moved to Altrincham who were then docked 18 points and fined £1,000 by the Conference for playing him in 14 Conference matches. Altrincham's appeal to the FA against the Conference decision is being heard on Tuesday 23 May.
The day the Circus came!
Len Pollitt celebrates 25 years as a director of Altrincham Football Club this year and is the longest serving member of the present Board of Directors. In today's programme Len looks back over the years at Moss Lane, recalling some of the many stories associated with the Robins
Part 1
When I look round Moss Lane nowadays it is hard to realise that at one time sheep grazed on the pitch and, to keep the grass down, a horse was kept at one end of the ground by an ex-groundsman to pull the mower and the roller, and even elephants and lions have graced the Moss Lane turf!
Yes, it has all happened at Moss Lane. Since I began to support Altrincham as a youngster all sorts of weird and wonderful things have happened down at the ground and in these two articles I hope to revive a few memories for some supporters and to show others that this great little soccer stadium which is a "home" to the Robins did not just happen overnight. It took a lot of hard work and effort to bring about.
One of my earliest memories is that of a circus which was allowed to pitch its "Big Top" on the ground and to bring in lorries and trailers. I vividly remember seeing elephants walking about and lions, and the result of this rather bizarre happening was that the lorries and trailers broke all the land drains.
As a kid I remember the old grandstand which had gaps between the wooden planks so that consequently all the underneath of the stand was full of toffee papers and litter. One of our favourite pastimes looking for toffees and dropped money under this old stand... and I bet there are not many remember me walking round the ground selling cigarettes and toffee from a tray provided by Mr. Harry Bickerdike who used to run the shop at the corner of Stamford Park Road and Moss Lane!
One of Altrincham's famous boxing "sons", Eric Neill, made a name for himself on the ground in the old fashioned boxing booths. He was a member of Kid Furness's boxing troupe at the time, and was one of the best boxers Altrincham has ever had. He eventually took up training the lads at the Seamons Moss Boxing Club.
As well as my anniversary year as a director, it is also another jubilee year.. 50 since the barriers round the ground were erected. A certain Mr. Feswitt, known to everyone locally as Mac Bar, enlisted the aid of Joe Coombes, Billy Warrington and a Mr. Johnson and, between them, they put up the present concrete barriers round the ground. Mac Bar got his name from being a traveller for a firm of that name selling corn.
The ground had the reputation of being a quagmire in wet weather and there is many a time I can remember spending Saturday mornings digging channels from the middle towards the running track to get rid of the water. It was of course built on almost a swamp and most of the land at the football ground end of Moss Lane was bog. It is only in recent years that the drainage has been improved.
Part 2 to follow...
The fine is divided into two elements. £3,000 is required with immediate effect and £2,000 is suspended for 12 months. This may be invoked should breach of the Annual Player Budget occur for 2006/2007. The Club will maintain their position in the Conference Division despite the deduction of points and The Reds look forward launching into the league next season".
The Football Conference reports that "Terry Brown, manager of Aldershot Town, is still keen on aquiring the services of Barnet pair Ben Stevens and Giuliano Grazioli... 'I have been looking at Barnet over the last few weeks, both at the senior squad and the reserves, and there are a number of players that would interest me if Paul (Fairclough) decides to release them', manager Brown told Skysports.com. 'Barnet won our league last year so we are looking at one or two players there to come in and strengthen our squad. Overall I am looking to bring in a mix of experience and some hungry, quality youngsters'".
The NL Daily says that "Chester City have received a hands-off warning from Southport after attempting to plunder star man Gary Brabin. Haig Avenue chairman Charlie Clapham has rebuffed an approach from City, who were reportedly keen on acquiring the veteran defender as a fitness coach... The 35-year-old has already agreed a player-coach role at Haig Avenue next season... City chief Stephen Vaughan. [said] 'I don't blame Southport for wanting to keep Gary. He is an extremely capable coach. Our relationship with Southport is still strong and I have agreed to play a pre-season friendly match against them'".
At Burton, "Nigel Clough is hoping to make Scarborough skipper Lee Fowler his first summer signing... And the Brewers' boss has lined up Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson for a long-term loan at the Pirelli Stadium... Nigel Clough tried to take Fowler on loan last autumn, but the 22-year-old Cardiff-born player had already accepted a move to Scarborough. Fowler has another year to run on his McCain Stadium contract, but... Seadogs' chairman Malcolm Reynolds said: 'Lee asked to leave in the proper manner and we have agreed to release him'... Meanwhile, Clough has confirmed that 21-year-old Stuart Tomlinson is the goalkeeper likely to replace Saul Deeney at the Pirelli Stadium... 'He's been on the bench for Crewe this season and actually played in their final Championship game... If all goes to plan, he will stay with Crewe for the first couple of weeks of pre-season and then join us once the games start. He'll train with both clubs, which is an ideal arrangement because it means Crewe will be able to keep an eye on his progress. He is what I would call an active keeper. He comes for crosses and he's a good kicker and thrower'", Clough told The Burton Mail.
Barrow report that "Boss Phil Wilson has signed former Lancaster and Southport keeper, Jamie Speare on contract forms... Speare, signed by the Sandgrounders in March 2005, was released as part of the move to full-time status at Haig Avenue. Speare will replace long-time favourite, Simon Bishop between the sticks after the Barrow manager reached his reluctant decision to part company. With Bishop now the only member of the squad left in the North East and unable to drive, getting to games, never mind training, was going to prove extremely awkward".
The Football Conference says that "After handing in his resignation at Grays on Tuesday, Mark Stimson has admitted he is taking a huge career gamble in a bid to land a job with a league club... and he has since admitted that he did so without another job lined up. 'My wife thinks I'm mad but I can now speak to people, whether my phone rings or not, only time will tell', Stimson told BBC Essex, 'I would like to manage a team in the Football League. It's a massive gamble but the way it's gone at Grays has given me a chance to speak to other people and put my ideas across'".
Meanwhile Grays Athletic confirm that "Manager, Mark Stimson is to leave Bridge Road with immediate effect after handing in his resignation to Chairman, Mick Woodward following a meeting at the ground this morning... Despite the F.A. Trophy victory on Sunday Mark feels he has taken the club as far as he can and now feels the need to seek a fresh challenge". The BBC added that "Grays Athletic boss Mark Stimson has quit the Conference side just days after clinching the FA Trophy. Stimson, who led his side to the play-off semi-finals, handed in his resignation to chairman Mick Woodward following a meeting on Tuesday morning. Assistant manager Scott Barrett has also left the club. Woodward told BBC Essex: 'Mark's been here four years and he's done a phenomenal job. He's entitled to be a Football League manager'... Woodward added: 'I think losing in the play-offs knocked us all sideways. I think he wants a new challenge and the best way to put yourself in the shop window is to let people know you're available. I don't think people would approach us because of the relationship we have and I would say to any League Chairman, contact Mark Stimson because he's one hell of a manager. Mark will take his next club to a new level. His footballing knowledge is second to none and the way he plays the game is different gravy. We shook hands and I wish him and Scott all the best. I tried to talk him out of it, you've got to try to do that'".
BBC Sport reports that "Woking boss Glenn Cockerill has secured 13 members of his squad for next season but strikers Mark Rawle and Malik Buari are being released. Shwan Jalal, Gary MacDonald, Tom Hutchinson, Karim El-Salahi, Matt Ruby, Neil Smith, Karl Murray and Steve Evans have all agreed 12-month contracts. Steve Ferguson, Liam and Sam Cockerill, Craig McAllister and Giuseppe Sole have also signed one-year deals. Woking will also speak to on-loan pair Stuart Nethercott and Shola Oyedele. The duo have returned to Wycombe and MK Dons respectively, but the Cards boss Cockerill is keen to hold talks with them".
The Football Conference confirms that "Hendon have narrowly avoided relegation from the Ryman League Premier Division after it was announced that Canvey Island had dropped from the Nationwide Conference to Ryman Division One North". As reported here yesterday Canvey will now join the Ryman North rather than Ryman Premier division.
"Tamworth are reportedly keen on capturing the services of former England semi-professional international striker Kirk Jackson. The striker was released by Weymouth after his request for a new two-year deal was rejected... 'We've spoken to Kirk and offered him a decent deal', Tamworth boss Mark Cooper said. 'He's moving back to the Worksop area to live, so travelling wouldn't be a problem. He has a top pedigree at this level, but I know he has three of four other deals on the table".
"Moor Green have secured the signature of forward Dale Anderson following his release from Burton Albion". The Moors also are "in talks with his former Aston Villa and Blackpool goalkeeper Adam Rachel, who stepped in for Manchester-based [ex-Alty keeper] Ashley Timms at the end of the season", reports the Conference.
NL Daily confirms that "Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Paul Bruce has agreed to extend his stay... and he has penned a new twelve-month deal at the Glyn Hopkin Stadium. Bruce joined the Daggers from QPR, where he played forty-nine matches, in August 2002".
Malcolm Bailey, the man who scored the goal which took Altrincham to their first FA Trophy Final, in 1978, is offering for sale by auction his winner's medal from the Wembley Final, in which Altrincham defeated Leatherhead, 3-1.
Graham Heathcote said, "The winner's medal is just like the FA Cup winner's medal; it is solid gold. We are hoping that the auction price will reach at least four figures". If you wish to make an offer for this magnificent memento of one of Altrincham FC's greatest moments, please e-mail Graham Heathcote or ring the club on (0161) 928-1045.
Mal started his career with Northwich Victoria and Port Vale, before going to Runcorn where he spent four years, during which time he won a Northern Premier League Championship Medal. He joined Altrincham in the 1977-78 close season.
"Scarborough officials must give assurances about state of the club if they are to have a chance of preserving their Conference top-flight status. The Seasiders announced last week that