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1 to 30 November, 2006 |
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1 to 30 November, 2006 |
Altrincham's Lewis Chalmers came on as a sub for England in the international against Holland at Burton last night. He had about 20 minutes action - and played up front alongside Clayton Donaldson of York. Holland took the lead after 5 minutes, through The, but a Morrison penalty levelled the scores (37). Charnock put England ahead after 40 mins and further goals from Boyd (72) and Mackail-Smith (77) made it 4-1. The gate was 784.
The FA Head Coach Paul Fairclough stated before Wednesday's international "'We’ve always had difficult games against them, though we beat them quite comprehensively last time'.... After a busy weekend of Nationwide Conference action, which saw three of the squad in the goals, plus Dennis Oli who withdrew on Monday due to injury, the players met up to prepare for this important game... He said: 'The beauty of this team is that it mirrors the full national team. When they come together they become great friends and those friendships continue when the meet each other in domestic football. One of the things we do try to achieve with this side is to get them to blend like a club side as soon as we possibly can; so we work on team bonding while on the training pitch we tend to focus more on pattern of play and set-pieces'".
Meanwhile, "Heathcote has pleaded for patience from the club's supporters as his side look to put an end to a four-game winless streak against Burton on Saturday. The Robins collected their fifth draw in seven away games last Saturday, drawing 1-1 at Grays for the second year running... Speaking exclusively to SAM, he said: 'It was a hard-earned point at Grays when you consider what they have done the last few years. The front two must have got 40 goals between them in the Conference last season so I think the defence performed extremely well. I know some fans thought we should have won at Grays but I think some people are getting slightly blasé about results because our players had to work hard to get a draw against a quality side. Burton will be another tough game, they are a good footballing side and have one of the best defences in the division. It's dangerous when you are playing teams like that because you have got to try and open up to score goals but then you run the risk of getting caught on the break'... Graham added, 'We have performed pretty consistently this season and I have been pleased with that. I would like to go through the entire season with the group of players we have now but getting points between now and January will be vital. If we don't do that I would have to look at adding to the squad, although we won't have the money to bring in the kind of players other clubs can. I am always on the lookout for players to bring in but it has become increasingly difficult, especially looking for the quality of players who will do a good job at this level. However, I do think the current loan scenario is farcical. Clubs are only supposed to be able to bring in players on emergency loan but a few clubs have got several players coming in. It shouldn't be allowed to happen'"
Trafford FC announced earlier this week that "New signing Ged Kielty (right) will be in the squad this evening and for all those who don't know Ged he is a super footballer who has played at the highest level of non league football. I am sure his knowledge and experience of the game will help our current squad to improve both individually and collectively. Hopefully Ged won't be the last signing I make this week as I am currently talking to four players who will all enhance our squad considerably if I am able to sign them".
Ged, a central midfielder, re-joined Altrincham from Leigh RMI on 17 February 2004. He had originally signed for Alty, from Barrow, in January 1999, having previously played at Manchester City, York City and Southport. He moved on loan to Leigh RMI in late March, 2000 as they gained promotion to the Conference. As the 2003-04 season ended, Ged was established in the Alty central midfield but started 2004-05 mostly on the bench. Released by Graham Heathcote in October 2004, Ged joined Trafford but by 30 October was making his debut for Rhyl. In early December 2004 he moved to Hyde United. On departure his Alty career: 26(+9) appearances and he scored 1 goal.
A review of some local clubs' websites confirms the current whereabouts of the following ex-Alty players. At Ashton United we find Terry Bowker, former Alty reserve Tom Baker who played against us for Scarborough last season, Paul Collins who "was offered trials with both Mansfield and Blackpool before opting to sign for Conference side Altrincham, where he was only an unused substitute". Also at Hurst Cross is Steve Garvey, a former Alty trialist.
At Massley's squad now includes former Alty reserve and FCUM striker Adie Orr, ex-Alty reserve/youth Lee Shillito and former striker Peter Wright . Still at Marine is Adam Farley.
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Right: Altrincham had a very attacking "bench" at Grays last Saturday, comprising (clockwise from left) strikers Rod Thornley, Joe O'Neill, Peter Thomson and Pat McFadden along with winger Colin Potts, who has his back to the lens. They are seen enjoying a joke in the pre-match warm-up.
Terry Rowley's latest Conference attendance statistics show that Saturday's gate of 725 at Grays was just 8 people more than the lowest gate anywhere in the Conference this season, which was the 717 who witnessed Northwich v St Alban's City. At the other end of the spectrum, all those clubs who have entertained Oxford Utd so far this season have had their largest gate of the campaign for their visit. For the same reason, those ten host clubs have had their season's average gate boosted. Alty, who have not had Oxford at Moss Lane yet, currently average 1,036 at Moss Lane - the only lower average gate is at Northwich Victoria (971). Southport (1063) and Crawley (1,081) Grays (1,085) are the only other clubs averaging fewer than 1,100 spectators. But Crawley's 1,081 is boosted by crowd of 2,012 for Oxford. The highest gate of the season so far is 6,602 for Oxford Utd v York City. Altrincham's visits have coincided with the lowest gates of the season for Rushden and Grays Athletic.
Alty's average home gate last season was 1,048, their highest since 1990-91.
From the other side, This is Exeter records that "Exeter City's winless run on live television now stands at an incredible 13 games following last night's narrow 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion.The Grecians have not won a televised contest in almost 10 years since their TV debut in December 1996... Afterwards, a disappointed Paul Tisdale bemoaned his side's lack of a cutting edge. 'At the moment I feel we are a bit of a nearly side', said the city manager. 'Almost a really good side but not quite. We defend really well, pass the ball well but need that cutting edge when it really matters. I am bitterly disappointed not to get anything from the game but it is perhaps confirmation of what we need to do to improve. There have been too many times when we have come off the pitch thinking we should have got something. It's about looking at what we need to do to turn more draws into wins and to get more points from the effort we put in'".
Tuesday's FA Trophy replays included:
Mr Cummins was also, coincidentally, the referee of our most recent home game against next Saturday's visitors, Burton Albion. In that match, won 2-1 by the Brewers, he booked six Alty players and left the field to a chorus of booing at the end of the game. He also reffed the Alty v Dagenham game earlier last season in which he allowed a goal to be scored into an empty net from a quick freekick when the ball was moving, with Alty keeper Coburn stranded.
Right: Flashback to March 2006 as Chris Adams becomes one of six Alty men shown a card by Mr Cummins in Burton's 2-1 win last season at Moss Lane. Three of the other four Altrincham players in the picture were also booked that afternoon - Peyton, Owen and Aspinall.
And Mr Cummins was in the news again this weekend... From This is York we learn that "Fuming York City boss Billy McEwan labelled referee Steve Cummins' decision to play Saturday's home match with Dagenham and Redbridge an 'absolute joke' after the visitors turned up 45 minutes late for the match. The game, which ended in a 3-2 defeat for the Minstermen, eventually kicked off an hour late at 4pm and McEwan believed the delay was unfair to his players and the club's supporters. He also felt it contributed to Darren Craddock's pulled hamstring muscle in the second half and called for Dagenham to be heavily fined. McEwan accepted that the reason for the visitors' late arrival was beyond their control and it later emerged that a fatality on the railway track at Stevenage had been the cause for their delayed train. But the City manager felt that the Essex club's decision to catch the 10am train from London would have always represented a risk. He said: "It was an absolute joke that the game went ahead. I was told three different times for the kick-off - 3.15pm, 3.30pm and 4pm - so I warmed my players up and down three times. You can't be hanging about like that and for them to turn up at that time is disgraceful. We run things professionally at our club. I'm not saying they don't but you can't leave youself wide open on the risk of a train arriving on time. It did not and if they don't get heavily fined I will be bitterly disappointed. They should have been sent back on the train and that would have been their punishment, coming back to play the game in midweek. It's not their fault that the train was late but that will never happen to York City for as long as I'm here... I'm really disappointed that the fans had to sit in the stand and wait and wait on a cold day for the game to go ahead... It's not fair on the paying customer and you have to treat people with respect'"
"McEwan also found Dagenham's ungracious attitude at the final whistle distasteful... He added: 'There was some nonsense after the game outside our changing-room from their players and we don't need that. I know they won the game and they are entitled to make their feelings known but they should not be stood outside our door shouting as if they had won the European Cup. I was angry with that and that's not the way I run my football club'... McEwan did not want to offer the delay as an excuse for defeat ... He did, however, feel his side were denied a first-half penalty, saying: 'There was a blatant penalty not given even though it was GBH on Martyn Woolford. I thought the referee had a poor game. He got a lot of decisions wrong including the major one to play the match'. City left-back Nathan Peat also incurred the wrath of McEwan, as he missed the match through suspension having received five cautions this season. The City boss said: 'He cost us the selection of a good player for a big match although Anthony Lloyd came in and did as best as he could'".
"New Grays boss Andy King admits chairman Mick Woodward's decision to offer him the job came like a 'bolt out of the blue'", states the Thurrock Gazette. King had been hotly tipped to become Blues boss last summer, following the resignation of Mark Stimson, only for Woodward to make an eleventh hour choice to plump for Frank Gray instead. The ex-Swindon boss freely admits that he 'wrote off his relationship' with Grays after being rejected for the manager's post in June... I was coming back from watching an Arsenal v Fulham reserve game when I got the call... It was the first time I had spoken to the chairman since the summer". King added: "I was out of work and I knew a bit about Grays. I know they have lost a couple of players who were about goals... But it's not a club that is in big trouble. It's not at the bottom of the league. They have an ambitious chairman, he is talking league and to be quite honest there's not a great divide between the non-league and the league at the lower level. In fact Rushden and Diamonds' facilities are better than most lower league clubs". The article continues: "King's first game in charge was Saturday's 1-1 draw with Altrincham but after just a couple of days to prepare for the game, the 50-year-old says he is having to learn fast. 'I came in on Thursday and it was deadline day, which I didn't know, and that made it an unbelievably hectic day', he said. 'Then I had Friday and you can't touch a lot then. So, I had not seen enough to make a decision on who I would play. I was hoping we would pinch a result and then I would see enough in the game to start changing things the way I want to... I have found out there is some character. (Charlie) Comyn-Platt's debut was quite good, Jay Smith did well and Dennis Oli obviously did well. Stuart Thurgood got better as the game went on and Justin Richards got better in the second half when he started playing the way I asked him to and started to use his strength. There's no short term fix in this game. There's some things that I can do nothing about. What I said before the game and what I maintain is that I'm happy with what I have got. What I have to do now is to mould it into my way of working'".
"Forest Green Rovers' forward Les Afful has been added to the England National Game squad for their European Trophy decider against Holland at Burton Albion on Wednesday. Afful, 22, replaces Grays Athletic striker Dennis Oli, who picked up a knock in Grays' draw with Altrincham" reports NL Daily.
The Argus reports that "Dave Woozley insists Crawley need to appoint an experienced manager on a permanent basis. But he says there is no rush after extending his unbeaten run as joint caretaker-boss to four games. Woozley, 27 next week, and fellow defender Ben Judge, 29, have proved they are more than capable of holding the fort since John Hollins was sacked at the end of October... They have shown they can handle the transfer market as well after the signings of loanees Gavin McCallum from Yeovil and Mark Wright from Grays, as well as non-contract player Ronaye Benjamin. McCallum could not be involved [on Saturday] because clubs are only allowed five loan players in their squad but Wright made his debut at left-back against the Shaymen and looked solid defensively and almost scored with a stunning 30-yard drive which keeper Craig Mawson turned around a post... Asked if Reds need a more experienced boss, Woozley said: 'I would have thought so. This is not a Mickey Mouse level of football, this is a professional full-time club'... Winger Tony Scully, in particular, has been in sparkling form since Hollins left... Woozley said: 'I have been really pleased with the character of the lads. They have got together and are all pulling in the same direction. Everyone has a bit more responsibility because we haven't got that authoritative figure". Coach John Yems added: "We don't have any big-time Charlies in the team. We have a system for them to play and they all run their socks off, from the back to the front". But "In contrast, Halifax manager Chris Wilder, a former Brighton & Hove Albion defender, was disgusted with his players... He said: 'Crawley have a lot of good players and I don't get sucked in by the financial situation because people like Scully, Jake Edwards, (Dannie) Bulman and Woozley would get into a lot of Conference sides'".
The Kidderminster Shuttle says that Harriers' boss Mark Yates "has responded to the Stevenage setback by challenging his side to win their next five matches... Yates has set his players a 12-point target from their Conference matches against Gravesend, Altrincham, Stafford and Southport... 'There's five games now, with the Trophy, between now and the new year and we've got to be looking to win five out of five. That's our aim and we're capable of it but we've got to stop talking about it and put it into action'. But Kidderminster's cause will not be helped by the absence of skipper Stuart Whitehead who limped off 20 minutes from the end with a hamstring problem. Whitehead is almost certain to miss next Saturday's trip to promotion-chasing Gravesend. 'He's tweaked his hamstring and we don't know how bad it us, but we took him off straight away as a precaution. We'll know the full extent in the next couple of days. He's been fantastic for us. He had a shaky start by his own admission but in the last three months he's been the main man and he's developed a decent partnership with Mark Creighton'".
This is Weymouth states that the Terras' "assistant manager Kevin Hales is confident that the club's players can turn around their recent poor form. The Terras have claimed just one point from their last four league games... Hales said: 'With the transfer window coming up in January we are talking all the time and finding out who is available and who is not but at the same time we have still got every confidence in the bunch of lads we have already got... Players do not become bad players overnight and we are still fourth in the league. We have had a good start to the season but we know we cannot rest on our laurels. We have got to get back down to some hard graft'".
Meanwhile, "Weymouth are awaiting confirmation from the Football Association in regards to the contract status of St Albans City striker Paul Hakim. The Terras believe he is on non-contract terms at the Saints and have said they possess an e-mail from the FA saying exactly that. Weymouth chief executive Gary Calder said: 'We have clear evidence that he is a non-contract player and that we followed the rules regarding our approach to him to the letter of the law'". City chairman John Gibson strongly refutes Calder's claims and has so far refused to sign forms releasing Hakim, accusing Weymouth of making an illegal approach for the 24-year-old".
Stevenage Borough report on Jason Goodliffe to the effect that "York have extended Jason loan period for a further month. [Also], Sam Hatton (19) has joined Maidenhead United to obtain some match fitness".
Above: L to R, Marcus Baxby, Alex Murphy, Kieran Raynes and Danny Browne move upfield in unison, against Bootle.
Report on Youth Page.
Above: Will the proposed development on the Moss Lane car park produce flats with as good views of the pitch as these at Grays? Despite the building's height, Stuart Coburn still managed to kick clearances well over the roof - twice!
In the Football Paper, Graham Heathcote says of yesterday's game at Grays. "Anything we get away from home is hard earned. It's always difficult for us. Every side we seem to come up against at the moment sems to have caretaker managers or new managers, and that's a difficult time to play anybody. They came out and bombed us a bit but we set our stall out to match them and I think we did that in the first half. My main concern at the end was fitness, but we did OK".
Photos of the match from Grays are on their forum.
Above: Steve Bushell, Warren Peyton and Gary Scott prepare to take an Alty freekick at Grays.
Match report here.
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Alty enter at the next round for which the draw is on Monday.
Right: Graham Heathcote and Dalton Steele on the touchline at Grays last December
SAM's Connor Murphy has interviewed "Grays fan and programme editor Kevin Lamb". Kevin says "When Frank Gray came in we won a few games and it looked promising but when our form dipped, fans got a bit restless. Micky Woodward took control and got a a draw and a loss from his two games but then decided he couldn't do it anymore and brought in Andy King. By all accounts Andy King did a reasonable job at Swindon on a tight budget so I'm pretty optimistic. We've just lost both Aaron McLean and Michael Kightly, who were our two best players! But we have enough quality in our squad, it's just about making a team out of them... We've had that much success in recent years that it's become expected at the club... Glenn Poole is one of the favourites and Ashley Bayes, who's just a nutcase! Lee Boylan is a player the fans are looking forward to seeing more. He's been playing too deep so far this season but hopefully he can start coming into his own if Andy King uses him up front... The two who constantly find themselves getting stick from the fans are Adam Green and Jay Smith. I didn't say that though!... Ashley Bayes winds the opposition and the fans up and he's just such a great bloke... Squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale is a Grays fan and said in a recent interview that he still keeps track of what's going on at the club. But he doesn't come down here that much because he has moved away from the area now. Otherwise, Teddy Sheringham's brother is a Grays supporter and actually used to play for the club... Alty fans will be in the Bradbourne Road end because all games are segregated nowadays so they might get wet! But if it makes them feel any better, we could get wet as well because our new stand isn't under cover either... We all get on well with the Alty fans. There's a good link between the two clubs now and there's always good banter at the games between us so it would be good to speak to a few of them before the game".
When Alty played Grays last season, on 6 December 2005, the Tuesday night game did not kick off till 8.30pm because fo a floodlight failure. Kieran Lugsden's last-minute goal secured a 1-1 draw for Altrincham whose side that day was:
1. Stuart COBURN; 11. Gary SCOTT, 17. Karl MUNROE, 4. Mark MADDOX (capt), 3. Chris ADAMS; 37. Ged MURPHY, 8. Val OWEN, 30. Steve BUSHELL, 12. Warren PEYTON; 9. Colin LITTLE, 19. James ROBINSON. Subs: 7. Colin POTTS, 14. Lewis CHALMERS, 20. Kieran LUGSDEN, 28. Pat McFADDEN, 29. Kyle WILSON.
The BBC confirms that Grays' "new manager Andy King will kick-start his reign at Grays with three new faces in the squad: Will Hendry, Charlie Platt and Sheku Kamara. Andy Sambrook (virus) and Cameron Mawer (knee) remain in the treatment room". Hendry (20) is a central midfielder from former Conference club, Hayes, who was previously with Millwall but he made no first-team appearances for the East End club.
Pictured right, by Gavin Rathbone, is Alty centre-back Karl Munroe who, with Lewis Chalmers, Robbie Lawton, Joe O'Neill and Warren Peyton, has been in the Altrincham first-team squad for every Conference game this season.
Saturday 25th
The squad, in alphabetical order, for the game at Ossett Albion, is: Laurence BALL, Justin BOWLER, Mike BROWN, Rick CHETCUTI, Ben DEEGAN, Aaron EDWARDS, Danny HEFFERNAN, Andy KEOGH, Colin McALLISTER, John MALONEY, Lee MANNION, Astley MULHOLLAND, Chris ROWLEY, Keith WEDGE.
"Woking boss Glenn Cockerill swooped to beat the loan deadline and sign Southampton goalkeeper Michael Poke. The 21-year-old has joined the Cards for a month following Shwan Jalal's move to Sheffield Wednesday. Poke is yet to make a senior appearance for Southampton but got a taste of first-team football during a loan spell with Northampton last season. Cockerill also wanted Stevenage's Jon Nurse but was unable to get the striker on loan for a second time this season" says the BBC.
Stafford Rangers "have signed two new players. Matthew Barlow, a 19-year-old striker, has arrived on loan from Oldham Athletic while Chris Basham comes from Bolton Wanderers on work experience. Matt will spend two months with Stafford and Oldham have given permission for him to play in the FA Cup".
The Kidderminster Shuttle reports that "Stuart Whitehead has set his sights on clean sheets and keeping his nose clean as Harriers play host to fellow under-achievers Stevenage Borough on Saturday. The Kidderminster captain is...one booking away from a suspension... A one-match ban now would come at the worst possible time for Whitehead who is showing glimpses of the form which has made him a solid lower league defender... 'At the start of the season I was a bit ropey, but I didn't play a lot of games near the end of last season', he said... Whitehead believes Harriers have the makings of a solid backline with Mark Creighton partnering him in central defence, Scott Bevan in goal and Michael Blackwood and Jeff Kenna at left and right back".
From Rushden Today we learn that Diamonds "had planned to name Paul Hart's successor yesterday less than 24 hours after Keith Cousins took over as chairman. However they called off a press conference and this morning it remained unclear who will be in charge of the team for tomorrow's home game against Aldershot Town. Goalkeeping coach Tony Godden, who insisted that last Saturday's 3-2 defeat at St Albans City was his final game as caretaker-manager, refused to comment over what will happen next... Speculation is continuing that former Farnborough and Stevenage boss Graham Westley will be named as Diamonds' manager... Despite his own mystery investment Diamonds Cousins warned: 'The new manager will be given a budget which is substantially less than the current one."There have to be some financial constraints. We have to make this club run as a business and I'm confident we can still be successful'... If Diamonds fail to win on Saturday they will match the club's worst-ever run of 12 league games without a victory... After the latest delay in naming their new manager, Diamonds also released midfielder Ben Sedgemore yesterday".
This is Weymouth states that the Terras' "hopes of landing St Albans City striker Paul Hakim still hang in the balance. The 24-year-old, who was present at the Terras' 4-3 defeat at Bury in the first round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, has been heavily linked with the Dorset outfit since last week but a contract dispute is delaying the potential switch. The Saints, who have accused Weymouth of an illegal approach which the Terras strongly refute, are currently refusing to sign forms releasing Hakim... City manager Colin Lippiatt said: 'You can never say never but I believe Paul will leave our club. I can't see how we could take him back and I think it would be quite disruptive if he came back now'. A statement on Saints' official website from chairman John Gibson backs up Lippiatt's view".
Left - Colin Little.
In this week's Sale & Altrincham Messenger, Graham Heathcote says, "We will get a friendly reception at Grays and we owe their chairman a great debt of gratitude for what he did for us last season. [He funded part of Altrincham's legal costs in their appeal to the FA]. But in football terms it's a difficult place to go, especially if we want to put our away problems behind us. There have been quite a few changes at the club in recent weeks and they've moved on a couple of very good players. But they have also brought in Justin Richards, last season's top scorer in this division, and they have a very good side. I'm just so desperate to get a win away from home. It's been very frustrating. But we still need to go there with a positive attitude and, if we play like we did against York, I would be very happy. We need to score more goals, it's as simple as that. We have tightened up a lot at the back but we have struggled up front. Colin Little's just come back from injury and it's up to other players to take on the goalscoring mantle, which hasn't happened so far. I've been looking for players to bring in before the loan window closes on Thursday but finding the right calibre of players has been difficult, especially on loan. Strikers who will score 15 goals in this league are very hard to come by and inevitably cost more than we can afford".
The Thurrock Gazette reports that "Grays chairman Mick Woodward has sensationally backed-tracked from his decision to manage the side for the rest of the season and appointed ex-Swindon Town manager Andy King as the Blues' new boss. King was on the brink of getting the job in the summer, after Mark Stimson's departure to Stevenage, before Woodward decided to plump for Farnborough manager Frank Gray instead... Grays were just three points off a play-off place when Gray got the bullet but rumours about the players not being happy with his "old school" training methods apparently forced Woodward's hand... King's first game in charge will be against Altrincham where Grays will be looking for their first home win in the league since September 9.... [Before the two loan signings reported here yesterday] Woodward said: 'We are trying to bring some people in the defensive department but going forward, in midfield and up front I think we are OK'".
Right: The Alty Idols await the start of the Exeter v Alty game from the undeveloped away end at Exeter's St James's Park.
This is Exeter says that "Exeter City have hired a consultancy firm to launch a full investigation into whether or not the club should stay at St James's Park.The Grecians have agreed to spend £25,900 on securing the services of Drivers Jonas, a specialist team of experts... Part of their brief will be to explore the possibility of the club remaining at St James's Park, while it is also believed they will investigate a potential groundshare with Exeter Chiefs, which Echo Sport understands to be the least likely option. They will also explore the possibility of building a new stadium elsewhere in the city and Grecians bosses will give them three potential sites to examine. The international company, who played a key role in helping Southampton and Swansea City - among many others - build their new stadiums, will mount a full feasibility study on all the potential options... The 14-week project will start next week and once the study is completed the firm will make a clear recommendation as to the best way forward... City's sporting director Julian Tagg said: 'This is all about what making the right decision for the next 100 years. Do we stay at this ground and redevelop it? Do we share a ground with somebody else like many other clubs have done or do we start again with something else?'... Tagg added: "It is an extremely expensive exercise which we can't really afford at all. The trust will pay £8,000, the club will pay £8,000 and once we have done that the two parties will come back together to see how the rest is going to be funded".
From the Burton Mail we learn that "Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough is holding out hope that striker Steve Scoffham's knee injury might not be as bad as first feared... He said: 'There is quite a bit of bruising, but we are hoping it is not as bad as first feared... The best case scenario is the bruising goes down, we get the leg moving and he is back in a few weeks, but the worst case would be that he needs an operation, and then you are looking at months'... There was more encouraging news on the striker front, with Shaun Harrad and Jon Shaw both netting twice as Albion reserves romped to a 7-4 victory... The pair, along with Danny Holmes, who was also on target, played an hour each while Ryan Austin — suspended for the 3-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge — completed 90 minutes. Clough said: 'Even in the reserves, scoring goals is good for a player's confidence'".
"For the first time, Daggers boss John Still has allowed himself to admit that his side are genuine promotion contenders", reports tha Romford Recorder. "'If you are in that top group and don't realistically feel you can win promotion, then you have no place being there', said Still after this crucial victory. 'Our current position is the culmination of three years' hard work. Of course, I feel we could win promotion, but there is still a long way to go and while I'm extremely proud of our young and inexperienced team, I don't know how far they can take us'".
The Kidderminster Shuttle says that the Harriers "have made a deadline day swoop to land out-of-favour Walsall striker James Constable on a two-month loan. The 22-year-old targetman has only made three starts and five substitue appearances this season. He scored three times for the Saddlers last season after signing from Chippenham". Meanwhile, the Harriers confirm that "Dean Sturridge is unlikely to play again for Harriers this season and could be forced to hang up his boots after a glittering career, Mark Yates has revealed".
From The Comet we learn that Stevenage "Boro have received an undisclosed bid from arch rivals Woking for striker Jon Nurse. The struggling Cards have renewed their interest in the Boro flyer after a run of just two wins in 10 games. An earlier bid was rejected but a new one is believed to have been tabled this week. Nurse enjoyed a successful loan spell at Kingfield earlier in the season but he has featured regularly in Mark Stimson's side on his return to Broadhall Way. Woking boss Glenn Cockerill admitted: 'We are trying to sign Nursey although Mark (Stimson) thinks what we've offered won't be enough to satisfy his chairman (Phil Wallace). We'll just have to wait and see'. If the deal does go through... it would also mean George Boyd, Steve Morison and the out-of-favour Tony Thorpe as the only forwards at the club with the experienced Darryn Stamp loaned out to York. Youngsters Chris Sullivan and Hector Mackie have also been loaned out this season... Winger Steve Guppy, who played in the reserves last week, may make his return from a long-term injury for the game".
The above is confirmed by the Woking News & Mail - "Struggling Woking have renewed their interest in Jon Nurse and have made an undisclosed bid to Stevenage Borough... The deal would involve Woking taking Nurse on loan for a month before finalising the move in the January transfer window... Since his departure [from a loan to Woking] and Goma Lambu’s injury, The Cards’ attacking flair has virtually disappeared and there is no doubt the Kingfield fans would love to see him back.'I had a bit of extra money given to me from the FA Cup games, although not much, and we are trying to sign Nursey', confirmed Cockerill. .. 'If we manage to get Nursey in it will mean someone going out as that’s how it is with the budget'... The Cards take on third-placed Weymouth at Kingfield on Saturday. Garry Hill’s Conference newcomers, understood to have a budget close to £20,000 a week... 'They are going to be able to do well with that sort of money' Cockerill said. 'Garry Hill has done well at the clubs he’s been at as long as the budget has been there for him. I don’t really see him around the scouting circuit much and that’s probably because we’re at different games. He’s probably at the Premiership ones. It’s a tough game for us and I suppose you could call it the princes against the paupers'". The Cards' manager added, “The lads have not gone from being very good players into being a bad team overnight. It’s down to a lack of confidence. We’re going through a barren spell but we’re making chances and as long as we’re doing that then I won’t worry... I’m very happy with the way we’re playing. It’s just not happening for us in front of goal which is where it counts'. The Cards' boss is contemplating starting with Saheed Sankoh up front alongside Craig McAllister, with available numbers still a problem. 'We’ve got two out on loan, with Liam (Cockerill) and Jerome (Maledon), which isn’t normally a problem but it’s the four injuries that have killed us. But that means the youngsters like Rubes get a chance and I thought he was terrific on Saturday'".
The BBC reports on last-minute loan deals. "Crawley have completed the signing of Yeovil Town midfielder Gavin McCallum on a short-term loan deal. The Canadian winger spent a spell on loan at non-league Tamworth last season and will remain with the Sussex club until 6 January... McCallum has also represented his country at under-19 level".
Meanwhile "Oldham striker Matty Barlow has joined Stafford Rangers on a month's loan. The 19-year-old moves to Marston Road for the chance of first-team football after just one appearance for the Latics this season. Barlow is to spend two months at Stafford and has been given permission to play in their FA Cup second-round tie at Brighton. Barlow has made 13 senior appearances, mainly as a substitute, for the Oldham since coming through the youth scheme".
Southport report that "Right-sided 22 year old Ciaran Donnelly signed on loan from Blackpool. The ex-Blackburn Rovers and England Youth international has made 39 Football League appearances for Blackpool. Paul Cook stated 'He is a quality midfield player with real talent our fans will appreciate. It is great to have got both Ciaran and [recent signing] Sean Doherty in as both have Football League experience. And as the clock ticks to cut off time at 5pm I am still looking to strengthen our defence if at all possible. It is important supporters know how active the club has been in the last few weeks and we are now doing what we have been striving to do- strengthening" .
Another Blackpool player moving to the Conference has arrived at Morecambe. "22 year old Blackpool left-sided midfielder Jamie Burns has signed on-loan until 1st January 2007".
Former Dagenham striker, Trésor Kandol, who scored twice at Moss Lane against Alty last season, has moved from Barnet to Leeds United on loan.
Accrington Stanley confirm that ex-Alty midfielder "Ian Craney (right) has this morning signed a loan deal with Swansea City that will see him join the League One side until January with a view to a permanent move in the New Year. Ian signed for Stanley from Altrincham in June 2004, and since then has made 121 appearances notching up 36 goals.
Speaking from the club chief executive Rob Heys said 'We are absolutely gutted to lose Ian in the loan deal, but unfortunately a clause in his contract allows him to talk to other clubs if certain conditions are met and Swansea have met those conditions. We did try to convince Ian to stay here at Accrington at least for the time being but unfortunately it wasn't to be. The deal is only until January and so we shall see what happens then. In the meantime Ian has been a great player for us and we wish him all the best'".
Earlier Stanley chief executive Rob Heys stated "We'll be speaking to Ian today to try and convince him that he should stay at Accrington, we're not simply going to let a team from a division above take away one of our best players and we won't let Ian go anywhere without a fight". Altrincham FC have a sell-on clause relating to Craney worth 50% of his transfer fee should the move become permanent.
Swansea City confirm that "they have completed the loan signing of highly-rated Accrington Stanley midfielder Ian Craney.The 24-year-old completed the customary medical today and will link up with the squad tomorrow in time for Sunday's League One clash with Bristol City at the Liberty Stadium (1.30pm)... 'The loan will run until the end of December', confirmed manager Kenny Jackett. 'We are keen to make the loan deal permanent and we have already discussed this with Accrington. We will progress the matter further when the transfer window opens on January 1'.... A leader on the field and consistent goalscorer, he has scored 28 goals in 86 appearances for Accrington, including 14 goals last season. He has already chipped in with five League and one cup goal so far this season. Craney will go straight into the squad for the visit of Bristol City on Sunday".
The BBC adds that "Swansea City have signed Accrington Stanley midfielder Ian Craney... Swansea triggered a clause in Craney's contract allowing them to speak to the former England non-league international player after lodging a suitable bid".
Alty Safety Officer Phil Taylor has been advised by his counterpart at Grays that Saturday's match against Altrincham "is segregated with away supporters' access via Bradbourne Road. Alty fans will be accommodated on an open, tiered terrace although there is a small area which is covered. Access to a seated area may be possible for the elderly / disabled at the discretion of the Club. There will be no access to the Grays Social Club before the match. Supporters are recommended to use the Bricklayers Arms which is on the same road as the Ground". Last season there was no segregation and no trouble and Alty fans spent a couple of hours in the excellent social club. But it seems that Grays have now introduced segregation for all games.
Above: The open away-end at Grays' Recereation Ground as seen, before the floodlights failed, at last season's unsegregated game. Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast this Saturday!
Altrincham fans are particularly well-disposed towards Grays Athletic after the Essex club's chairman, Mick Woodward, paid some of Altrincham FC's legal expenses in the failed bid to overturn the deduction of 18 points last season and many had hoped to show their appreciation during this visit but it seems that this will now be difficult.
Don't forget there is a car boot sale on the Moss Lane car park at Altrincham FC on Sunday 3rd December. Full details are available from the club, from whom pitches can be hired.
The Cambridge Evening News says that "John Howard has warned Cambridge United they are going the wrong way about trying to get the Abbey back in their hands. The club's former vice-chairman has said he would not stand in United's way if they present signed lease agreements for the Newmarket Road End redevelopment and show they have the cash to repurchase the site by the deadline next June. But Howard said he had been angered by comments made by United directors regarding their attempt to exercise the first part of the ground buy-back scheme from his firm, Bideawhile. In particular, he was incensed by Paul Barry's claim to fans at a question and answer session after the Gravesend & Northfleet game that Howard had not returned calls made by the club. He said: "I'm disappointed with Paul because that's just not the case when all I'd had was one email about the rent not coming through on time. I just don't understand it. It all seems to be getting very personal and I'm disappointed about that.. When I spoke to Lee (Power, chairman) the other day, I told him I needed an apology in the News'... The contract states the club need to pay £1.35million to repurchase the site, as well as prove they have takers for the estimated £6.5million redevelopment that includes a hotel, health and fitness suite, crèche and other leisure facilities,plus a new stand and supporters' club. United have to buy back the site before they can exercise an option to repurchase the rest of the Abbey. Howard said: "A legal agreement is a legal agreement, and we look forward to seeing their leases in place and so on. It's all written down what they have to do. If they can address it to the letter, there's no argument. I just can't understand why they'd come out and say they expect a legal challenge. Why should I keep taking the rap for things that aren't the case? I feel some of the comments that have been made are extremely inflammatory'... He added that Bideawhile were still moving ahead with the plans for a new stadium at a site in Milton".
The BBC says that "Woking goalkeeper Shwan Jalal has joined Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a month's loan deal. The 23-year-old was picked up by Spurs from Hastings in 2001 before joining the Cards on loan during the 2002/2003 season and then permanently in 2004. Cards manager Glenn Cockerill told BBC SCR: 'I don't want to lose him because we need a win but it's a wonderful opportunity for the lad. I would never stop any player trying to get into the League'".
"Former Peterborough vice-chairman Keith Cousins has been named new Rushden & Diamonds chairman", states the BBC. "Cousins heads an investment group taking over ownership of the Conference club and one of his first tasks is to appoint Paul Hart's successor as boss. Supporters Trust chairman Paul Hadjuk said: 'We've been able to rescue the club from almost certain closure'".
Southport manager "Paul Cook has brought in left winger Sean Doherty from Accrington Stanley. Paul Cook said 'Sean is a great crosser and he will deliver quality. I have wanted Sean for sometime and I am pleased John Coleman has allowed Sean out to us. Sean has been playing for Accrington this season and he has experience at Everton, Fulham and Port Vale'.". He has also signed "François Dubourdeau on loan from Accrington Stanley. The ex-Forfar Athletic 26 year old keeper comes into the squad with Ryan Robinson's loan spell coming to an end after December 2nd. Robinson has to sit out as the number of days he is permitted on loan from Morecambe will have been completed. Ryan Robinson is expected to sign up as a Southport player permanently once the transfer window is lifted in January". Also , "Carlisle centre back Daniel Kirkup is back at Haig Avenue on loan. Kirkup is available for Saturday's home match against Cambridge United having completed a three match suspension after being sent off in the Kettering FA Cup tie at Haig Avenue".
From Crawley Today we learn that "Joint caretaker managers Dave Woozley and Ben Judge are hoping to secure at least one more loan deal before the deadline this week. Last week, Woozley and Judge secured the services of 19-year-old Ryan Peters from Brentford. And his signing paid dividends immediately with Peters scoring in the 1-1 draw at Altrincham on Saturday".
Former Conference club Scarborough's "plans for a new ground designed to keep the club in business have been thrown into jeopardy. Scarborough Borough Council has deferred a decision to lift a covenant to allow the McCain Stadium's sale. Opponents of the proposals want the Conference North strugglers to continue playing on their existing ground. The club's owners say without selling the ground to pay off £1.6m debts and fund a new home, Boro will go bust with the ground sold to pay creditors" reports the BBC.
Rushden & Diamonds have issued a club statement:
The Trust Board of Rushden and Diamonds are delighted to announce the arrival of new investment into the football club in an arrangement designed to fund the future of football at Nene Park. In 2005 Rushden & Diamonds Football Club, together with the majority of the existing Nene Park complex, was passed into the ownership of a group of volunteers determined to manage the operation of the club whilst new investment was secured. During the last two years the Trust has successfully reduced the inherited annual operating losses of £1.5m, however the Club is still losing approximately £600,000 per annum.
On the field however the picture has been less successful with the club having been relegated from The Football League at the end of the last season. Some restructuring of the team has been undertaken during the summer months but the resources necessary to sufficiently strengthen the squad have become difficult to secure.
During this time the Trust Board have worked with a number of potential investors to ensure the right partners were found to take the club forward.This has proved extremely difficult, due to the onerous conditions placed upon the Trust in the original transfer from The Griggs Group. The Trust Board are therefore pleased to announce the completion of an agreement which will see an investment group headed by Keith Cousins who will become Chairman of the Football Club with the existing club directors (Helen Thompson, Shaun Hodgkin and Nick Archer) resigning their positions to allow the creation of a new football club board.
After months of confidential discussions, Trust Chairman, Paul Hajduk, welcomed the deal saying 'I am pleased that we have been able to rescue the club from almost certain closure. The Board has worked tirelessly to secure the long-term future of the club and we are delighted to now have completed this agreement with Keith. The Trust Board have worked with one single aim in mind, to ensure the survival of the football club, which remains in a perilous financial position. We are confident that, with Keith's help and particularly with his injection of expertise and resources, we will see the football club flourish once more'.
Hajduk also paid tribute... to the strong band of volunteers who are the real heart of the club". Mr Cousins said "We need to address urgently all aspects of the finances and endeavour to put the Club back on a firm financial footing... Nene Park was an immense vision on the part of Max Griggs which has been developed into an outstanding sporting and commercial venue being more than capable of supporting that of a Football League club. Whilst I have invested substantial funds into the club unfortunately I am not a new Max.This club is and will remain in a serious financial position and it will only be through a great deal of hard work and financial support that will ensure the club maintains the standards that this club so deserves... The first thing to do now is complete the appointment of the first team Manager and I hope to make an announcement in the next 24 hours... I also hope to announce some further additional players joining the club before the loan deadline of 5.00pm".
In an open letter from the club's Trust, Mr Hajduk adds, "We had to act decisively over parting company with Paul Hart and his team only a few weeks ago. During the intervening period the football club directors have interviewed a range of potential managers; however, it would be folly to not recognise that we were also close to completing the deal to bring in additional investment and it is therefore appropriate that Keith makes the appointment of the First Team Manager. If people did expect us all to fail then they have been proved wrong.At the time we took over the previous owners had been seeking a buyer for over eighteen months. Through the hard work and support of us all we have turned the business round to a point where an outside investor has been attracted. And do not forget two things. Firstly, if we had not taken over when we did the club would have folded at the end of the 2004/05 season. And secondly, at the time we took over, the £750,000 we received was only enough to keep the club running for a further six months. So what we have achieved so far is fantastic and today signals the start of the next phase of the development of our football club".
The Trust chairman produced a long list of FAQs of which one is: Q. What would have happened without Keith's investment? A. It is almost inevitable that the club would enter administration because the costs are too high in relation to the income. This could lead to the transfer of the club to alternative parties where the Trust would have no influence in the ongoing running of the club.
Above: The new Altrincham FC fixture poster was unveiled at last Saturday's game against Crawley.
Altrincham FC have produced a colour fixture poster for 2006-07, free copies of which will be available from the Club. The two-sided poster features a team photo surrounded on each side by a different array of local companies' adverts - which supporters are urged to patronise. If your business, local pub or workplace could use the attractive poster, please contact the club for a copy and try to generate more spectators at Moss Lane as a result.
In addition Paul Ellender was selected for the England side in 1998-99 whilst at Altrincham but did not play.
"Steve from Sale" the under-16s' manager of local junior side Unicorn Athletic and a steward at Moss Lane writes on the Alty Fans' Forum about Unicorn, who are the next guests at Moss Lane under the Featured Club scheme for local junior football clubs. He says "If there are any doubters still amongst you about this scheme, as a Junior manager this is one of the best ideas the club have come up with. Three or four of my own team have enquired about going to Alty youth when they are 17-18, so this can only be of great benefit to the club, albeit more long term. There are a wealth of great teams and players in this league at all the clubs, one or two possibly Premiership standard, certainly future Conference players. The club are only trying to tap into this, but I really applaud both Timperley and District and the club for this scheme. All big clubs want to do is pinch all your best players whilst giving nothing back, Alty are doing a great deal to make this mutually beneficial to us and them, THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE... You may not see the benefits as yet, but you will in time to come. A few of Alty's local players are from Timperley and District. While we are on the subject, Danny Higginbotham and Danny and Chris Adams (right) are both ex-Unicorn Athletic Juniors; what more evidence do you need?"
Unicorn Athletic from the Timperley & District Junior Football League are guests for the home game at Moss Lane against Burton Albion on 2nd December.
Meanwhile, Timperley Villa, last week's Featured Club report on their experience on their website. "The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Altrincham Football Club for inviting us down to Moss Lane and making us feel so welcome. I'm sure you will be seeing some of the boys down there again!
More than 60 members responded to Altrincham Football Club's invitation to attend their home game on the 18th November. The members, mainly representing the U13s teams included some of our newest and youngest members had a great time learning Alty's favourite terrace chants (the clean ones). The quality of the game was, according to regulars, not up to the usual standards but our kids didn’t mind. They spent heavily at the catering caravan and were treated to a half time pie by the [Timperley Villa] Club. All our members sported new team strips with many welcoming protection from the weather from their new Club jackets".
From the BBC we learn that "Southport's survival fight has been boosted by the news that on-loan Blackpool striker Sean Paterson has been allowed to stay at Haig Avenue. The teenager will remain with the Sandgrounders until January, although Blackpool have included a 24-hour recall clause in the deal. Paterson has scored once in two games for the Conference strugglers so far. Meanwhile, Port boss Paul Cook is hoping to strengthen his squad before Thursday's deadline for loan signings".
But "Cambridge boss Jimmy Quinn has lost the services of defenders Tommy Jaszczun and Andy Duncan, who may both require surgery on new injuries. Jaszczun has fractured a bone under his toe joint, while Duncan appears to have a cartilage problem in his knee. 'It's one thing after another since I came in', Quinn told the club website. 'Mark Peters has just returned to training and hasn't played a game, but we may have to throw him straight back in this weekend'... U's striker Robbie Simpson hopes to resume full training next week after having sutures in a head injury removed", says the BBC.
NL Daily says that "Kidderminster Harriers have bolstered their squad with the one-month loan signing of West Bromwich Albion youngster Rob Davies. The 19-year-old midfielder, who has won two Wales under-21 caps, joined the Albion from Wrexham in the 2003/04 season... The Welshman has appeared in the second-string games played under the floodlights in Kidderminster.". However, the BBC adds that "Plymouth Argyle have recalled striker Reuben Reid from his loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers. The 18-year-old received a red card on Saturday, incurring a three-match ban and leaving him unavailable for the rest of his two-month loan period. Harriers boss Mark Yates was keen to keep him for another month... 'I'd like to have kept him for another month but he's Plymouth's player'" he said.
Firstly, the game witnessed the inaugural event of the recently established Featured Club scheme, through which a local junior football team is invited to watch a first-team game at Moss Lane from the Brown Dunne and Gray Family Stand, as guests of the club. The first group to participate in the scheme comprised some 70 children and adults from Timperley Villa Youth FC, who play in the successful Timperley and District Junior Football League (TDJFL). Joining them in the Family Stand were children from Sale's Forest Park School, who were paying a visit to the Club.
In addition to these two initiatives, children from the Elmridge school in Bowdon were separately accommodated in the Carole Nash (Main) Stand.
At the next home game, on 2nd December, the Featured Club scheme will continue with Unicorn Athletic Junior FC, also from the TDJFL, the welcome guests of Altrincham FC. All the youngsters visiting Moss Lane under the Featured Club Scheme and also those groups who come as part of the club's Schools initiative will be given reserved seating in the Family Stand.
After Saturday's game, Mr John Barnett, chairman of the Timperley and District Junior Football League, said that the Featured Club event had been a great success and that his League looks forward to developing further its links with Altrincham FC. Meanwhile, Altrincham FC Schools Coordinators, Dana Laidlar and Karen Rowley, have already received a letter from a representative of Forest Park School, Mr Neil Swift, indicating that the children enjoyed their visit very much. Mr Swift added that, "In typical Alty fashion, everyone at the Club made us feel welcome and it was particularly impressive that the Manager found a few moments to come and say hello. One of the early 'pay backs' for the Club will be the record takings at the catering wagon... There must be some re-stocking to do today!"
Right: This season Stephen Rose has established himself with Karl Munroe at the heart of the Alty defence. Here he is pictured against Crawley by Gavin Rathbone, whose GR Photography website has more images.
In the Sale & Altrincham Messenger "Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote hit out at the officials who are 'killing the game' after his side's 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Crawley on Saturday... after a string of poor decisions had hampered both sides and continually disrupted the flow of the game. 'I though the game was spoiled for everybody watching by a very pernickety official', he said.'It was almost impossible to get any flowing football going, it was the perfect example of an official officiating for other officials. It could've been a good game of football between two decent sides but the players couldn't get any impetus going with the referee blowing his whistle every few minutes. You see this more and more nowadays and it's killing the game'".
The Crawley Forum has pictures of the game, as does Alty's Gavin Rathbone.
From the A< href="http://www.theargus.co.uk">Argus we read that "Crawley Town caretaker boss Ben Judge hailed loan star Ryan Peters after his goal secured a 1-1 draw at fellow Conference relegation battlers Altrincham. The 19-year-old signed from Brentford last week capped an impressive all-round debut display with a well taken strike just after half time, deftly flicking home Lee Blackburn's cross... He said: 'Ryan played very well, he gave us a different option up front, offering more pace than Jake (Edwards) or Scott (Rendell)... We've not drawn many this season and although they got on top in the last 20 minutes I think we dealt with the threat well."
Meanwhile NL Daily claims that "Graham Westley is ready to take control of Rushden & Diamonds. The former Stevenage Borough boss seems certain to be confirmed as Nene Park's new owner and first-team manager just over a month after Paul Hart was sacked along with coaches Ian Bowyer and Ian Woan. Current chairman Helen Thompson confirmed this morning that the club are expecting to issue an official statement over the manager's job on Wednesday when the contracts have been signed... It saw the Diamonds dropping into the Nationwide Conference's relegation zone after extending their dreadful run of form to eleven league games without a win. It is believed that a deal has already been agreed for ex-Farnborough owner Westley and businessman Colin Hill – brother of Weymouth boss Garry – to take over the cash-strapped club with financial investment as well as management of the struggling squad. Westley and Hill have kept a low profile over the last five weeks as speculation grew over their arrival amid further rumours linking former Diamonds striker Colin West with the manager's job... But the new boss only has until Thursday evening to strengthen the squad with any loan signings before the transfer window closes. It re-opens in January. Godden said: "I think this was my last game in charge as caretaker-manager. It has gone on for too long now and this needs to be sorted out... The players don't know what's happening the longer this goes on with more rumours. It has got to be stopped'".
The FA confirms that Kidderminster Harriers' Ruben Reid has been "suspended from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a sending off in a match played on 18/11/2006". Alty play Kidderminster on December 9th.
Above: Lewis Chalmers in the act of scoring a magnificent 25-yard goal against Crawley Town on Saturday, as pictured by Gavin Rathbone. This and other excellent images from the game can be seen on Gavin's GR Photography website and copies may also be ordered from the Robins' Shop.
In the NL Paper section of The Football Paper, Graham Heathcote says of Lewis Chalmers (above), "The lad is buzzing after his England call-up and he showed that by scoring a great goal. He is improving all the time with the help of the rest of the squad and should continue to do so as he's working really hard".
Above: The Wirral score the only goal of the game from the spot as Sheridan beats stand-in keeper Michael Howe. Moments earlier Alty keeper Lewis Bishop had been dismissed for bringing down an opponent in the box, to concede the penalty.
Altrincham and District FA reached the final of the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup despite playing for eighty minutes with ten men when goalkeeper Lewis Bishop was sent off after conceding a penalty against The Wirral at Trafford FC on Sunday. The Wirral converted the penalty but, despite a strong second half from Altrincham, neither side scored a goal from open play and the match ended 1-0 to the visitors, with stand-in keeper Michael Howe having an excellent game. Altrincham's qualification for the Final of the District Cup depended on whether Macclesfield won their game today by seven goals or more - and they did not. Report to follow.
Howard Watts's Through the Years records for 25 November are here.
Above: Ray Armstong and Mike Antrobus's well drilled ballboys and ballgirls are a vital component of the club on matchdays. Here they are seen before the match against Crawley Town.
Paul Ellender also netted, for Boston against Macclesfield, yesterday.
Above: Timperley Villa from the Timperley & District Junior Football League were guests as the "Featured Club" at Moss Lane today. Here they are seen listening to Alty boss Graham Heathcote and, as Graham would have us believe, they are paying more attention to him than the first-team does!
Match report and more photos of our young visitors here..
For today's game against Crawley Town, Timperley Villa Youth FC are the first club to be guests at Moss Lane under the new Altrincham FC Featured Club Scheme, which aims to build links with local junior football clubs. As the Timperley Villa website announces: "Timperley Villa have been chosen as the first club to be in Altrincham FC's Featured Club Scheme. This is a great honour for Villa and shows how the reputation of the club has grown over the last 25 years. As TVFC have been chosen, a large number of our boys will be given the opportunity to wear their yellow shirts with pride at Moss Lane, where Altrincham will be facing Crawley Town on the 18th November". Altrincham FC thanks the Timperley & District Junior Football League, of which Villa have been members for 25 years, and Timperley Villa Youth FC for embracing the scheme and we hope that they enjoy their day at Moss Lane.
STAR has the Christmas Raffle tickets available for collection from the Shop - profits from the raffle are very important to the club so please sell and buy as many as you can!
And you can also get your tickets at the bar for the Altrincham FC Christmas Celebration Evening at Moss Lane on December 9th, after the Kidderminster away game. Tickets are just £10 and include entertainment and a buffet and many of the players will be in attendance.
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Above: Colin Little and team-mates (as well as the impartial referee Charles Heathcote) listen as Graham Heathcote explains his two systems during last Saturday's training game at Moss Lane - meanwhile, Steve Aspinall has hit upon the most successful system of all - pulling your socks up!
Colin Little has written another column for the Sale & Altrincham Messenger He says that "Sometimes you don't really want a break in the middle of the season but I think it's come at just the right time for us. We were looking a bit tired and a few of the lads had picked up injuries so it was good to have a week to recover. We've had a few games amongst ourselves and the extra time to prepare for the Crawley game has allowed us to try a few different things in training. We've had time to look at different formations properly - these are things I always say to Graham (Heathcote) we should do more often but we just don't have time when there are only two sessions in a normal week". As for last Saturday's training game with the reserves, "Some of the lads were taking it really seriously, especially Scotty (Gary Scott), who thought it was the FA Cup final. When his team won he thought he was going to go up the Wembley steps to pick up the cup!... We all know what we are supposed to do on Saturday so there can't be any excuses from the players, we just need to go out there and do our job. Graham has developed two systems so it will be interesting to see which one he goes with, but whatever he decides we will be ready for Crawley. We do need a win against them but it won't be easy because if they hadn't been deducted 10 points they would be in the top half of the table by now. They are a good team and have some good players but we have to be confident that we can give anyone a game at Moss Lane".
The Cambridge Evening News is an unlikely source for news of Crawley Town but it is... "After being released by crisis club Crawley two weeks ago due to their ongoing financial problems, [Cambridge midfielder Danny] Brown said 'It's a refreshing change to know that, touch wood, you know you're going to get paid at the end of the month and be in a proper football club environment where there are no politics about that you have to deal with'". Referring to Crawley's sacking of John Hollins, Brown said: "If I'm honest, it was a bit of a surprise to me, but needs must. I suppose something had to give and they weighed up their options. Of course, it affects you if week in, week out you don't know if you're going to get paid, but you just try to get on with it and do your job. The manager tried to almost make it a joke with us. In a situation that's that dire, it's sometimes the only way of looking at it... They've got decent enough players, but they're lacking in numbers, which they'll find hard as the season goes on". As for his new club Brown's view is that "There's no reason we can't get in the play-offs... I wouldn't like to class myself as an ugly player, but you need people who can do a job and organise".
The BBC reports that "Defenders Stephen Rose and midfielder Val Owen return from injury to give Altrincham more options [against Crawley]. Utility player Peter Band is sidelined with a knee injury while centre-back Gary Talbot faces a fitness test after picking up a knock. Crawley will hand a debut to winger Ryan Peters, who signed on loan from League One outfit Brentford this week. Ben Strevens and Jake Edwards are both doubtful, but Scott Hiley, Tony Scully and Ben Judge are expected to return".
Two years ago this weekend (20/11/04), Altrincham lost 1-2 at home to Alfreton Town, with (right) Eddie Hussin lifting the Man of the Match award. Altrincham lost their unbeaten home record to a deflected shot by Duffield in the third minute of added time at the end of the game. It was missed chances by Altrincham, especially in the first half, which cost them the points in a game in which they more than held their own against the solid rather than spectacular league leaders. Alfreton took the lead with virtually their first chance, two minutes before the interval when the Alty defence opened up to allow Duffield to net. Strong pressure from Altrincham brought a bizarre equaliser when Talbot's shot went wide but came back into play off the advertising hoarding behind the goal and Hussin put the ball into the net. Referee Knee gave a goal and was then mobbed for more than three minutes by virtually the entire Alfreton team in scenes of complete chaos (80 mins). Sadly, once play resumed Alty surrendered the initiative which they had held for most of the second half. As the final whistle approached, Goddard broke away but he was halted by Band. However, he laid the ball off to Duffield whose shot left the underemployed Coburn flat-footed as it deflected off a defender into the net (90+3 mins). Alty's line-up was 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Stephen ASPINALL, 3. Chris ADAMS, 4. Peter BAND (capt.), 5. Gary TALBOT, 6. Val OWEN, 7. Colin POTTS, 8. Eddie HUSSIN, 9. Marcus HALLOWS, 10. Colin LITTLE, 11. Gary SCOTT. Subs: 12. Rod THORNLEY, 14. Mark MADDOX, 15. Kieran LUGSDEN, 16. Steve TORPEY, 17. Sean SMITH."
NL Daily says that Fleetwood Town have released centre half Joe McMahon and immediately replaced him with Morecambe’s Shaun Gray, who joins on loan for a second spell but this time with a view to a permanent move... Gray is no stranger to Fleetwood fans, having enjoyed a highly successful loan spell at Highbury last season".
Rushden & Diamondsannounce that they have signed "Defender Chris Plummer on loan from Peterborough United". Plummer had just returned to Boro' from a loan at Grays.
Kidderminster Harriers are "set to complete the temporary signing of Wales U21 international Rob Davies from West Bromwich Albion".
Confirmation comes from Grays Athletic that the club has "released both Michael Kightly and Jamie Slabber on loan. Michael has joined Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until December 31 with a view to a permanent deal in the new year. Jamie has joined fellow Conference side Oxford United on a months loan". Also, "Grays Athletic have signed James Coutts from AFC Bournemouth on a month's loan. James is a 19 year old midfielder who came through the youth system at Bournemouth he is capable of playing central midfield or wide right as a winger or wing back".
This is United says that "Oxford United manager Jim Smith strengthened his squad by signing striker Jamie Slabber on a month's loan from Grays Athletic yesterday.And he then sprang a surprise by declaring that his new capture would go straight into the starting line-up for Saturday's game at Gravesend & Northfleet".
Burton Athletic report that "manager Nigel Clough confirmed at the club’s Extraordinary General Meeting that pending receipt of confirmation from the Conference, Accrington Stanley striker David Brown would be joining the Brewers on a one month loan deal... Brown, 28 joined Accrington from Hereford and was a part of their Conference winning squad last season... The loan signing of Brown coincides with Albion striker Steve Scoffham going to Conference North side Alfreton Town... Clough also confirmed that he still had an interest in signing Boston United striker Anthony Elding having made an attempt to take the striker on a two month loan with a view to a permanent deal being struck in January but Boston wanted Albion to agree a 'substantial' fee in advance and guarantee to take the player in January which the club were not inclined to do without seeing how the player fitted in with the rest of the club. Clough insisted their was no doubting the player’s ability but with the player living in Boston it would be a risk if he failed to settle in. There was also an admission that an attempt had been made to take Justin Richards on loan from Peterborough United prior to his temporary move to Grays Athletic but there was still a chance that something could happen in January when the transfer window reopens again. More good news on the player front was that the manager has shaken hands on a deal with Kevin Poole which will see the keeper remain at the Pirelli Stadium for the rest of the season. Clough also confirmed that it was his intention to begin negotiations with leading striker Daryl Clare to extend his stay at the Pirelli Stadium 'in the next few weeks'. On the injury front it was stated that Chris Hall was awaiting results of a scan on his knee injury but the worst case scenario was that it could require surgery which would keep him out for the remainder of the season".
Burton made "an operating profit of £835,000 which was largely attributable to the F.A.Cup matches against Manchester United... Due to the ongoing legal proceedings over the pitch problems encountered last season the club were unable to discuss this issue with the shareholders".
From This is Glos we read that "Forest Green manager Jim Harvey has admitted his side are still learning how to close out matches in the Nationwide Conference. Rovers have got themselves into winning positions in their previous two league matches, but have had to settle for a point on each occasion... 'We really should have taken six points from the last two games, which would have made a huge difference to our league position... We've got to learn how to win, and sometimes that means shutting up shop and closing games out when we get ourselves in front'. Harvey confirmed he has so far had no inquiries for transfer-listed players Allan Russell, Tony Butler, Christian Edwards and Matt McEntegart.... 'There's been nothing wrong with Allan's attitude in training or in games' said Harvey. 'He wants to find a club who can guarantee he'll play every week'... A possible replacement for Russell could be ex-Cheltenham Town youth team player Steve Cook, who has scored 14 goals for Taunton Town this season and been invited to train with Harvey's squad for the past fortnight".
This is Exeter says that "Exeter City's attempts to bring Martin 'Buster' Phillips back to St James's Park appear to have failed, according to Torquay United manager Ian Atkins. City had talks with the winger on Tuesday night after they were informed by Torquay that he was available on loan until the end of the season. City agreed a financial deal with their League Two neighbours and it was left to Phillips to decide if he wanted to return to his former club. Phillips has not been in contact since his initial meeting on Tuesday... 'Exeter City have enquired about his services on loan and he didn't want to go on loan', said Atkins. 'He wanted to get something on a more permanent basis and, in the end, I don't think he wanted to go'... City manager Paul Tisdale also admitted midfielder Neil Barrett had rejected a short-term deal offered to him".
The Cambridge Evening News claims that "Cambridge United are steeling themselves for a possible court battle to buy back the Abbey Stadium. The club aims to present signed lease agreements from companies wishing to be involved in the Newmarket Road End redevelopment scheme to landlords Bideawhile by February as part of its bid to repurchase the ground. But even if United are able to raise the cash to take up the option of buying the site and prove they have firms lined up to rent the planned amenities, director Phil Law admitted he did not expect it to be plain sailing.Law said: 'My guess is that they'll probably want to go and legally challenge it because they won't want to let it go. It would be nice to think if we can do well with trying to exercise this option and really make strides that Bideawhile will come and sit around the table with us to negotiate something. We'd probably offer to give them a premium price on it'... The clock is ticking for United, with a deadline of next June to recover the Newmarket Road site, which has planning permission for an 86-bedroom hotel, a fitness suite, a creche, a new stand and other leisure facilities plus a new supporters' club. United have to take up that option - stated as £1.35million in the contract signed with former club vice-chairman John Howard's firm two years ago - if they are to then repurchase the rest of the Abbey in the following 18 months, with the annual rent being halved to £100,000 during that time. Law said United were hopeful of pulling off both the estimated £6.5million redevelopment project and the buy-back option. He said: 'What we're trying to do is mount a genuinely credible assault on this option at the very least... "We've had some really interesting people coming forward who want to assist... people who are quite happy to provide a couple of million here or there and it's not a problem'".
"Cambridge United's new midfield enforcer Danny Brown made his mark with a committed display on his debut... 'I've not come here to make friends, I've come here to win football matches', said Brown. 'I'll do whatever it takes to win a match and if that means geeing the lads up and telling them how I feel, I will. They aren't going to pay my bills at the end of the month. I think we've got the players to do well here, it's just the mentality that you have to instil into them... When something comes from the gaffer, it's almost as if the manager is the enemy, so they might not take it on board, but if it's coming from another player, sometimes it's different. That's what I'll try to do'. Manager Jimmy Quinn is convinced Brown, who can also play at left-back, is the kind of player United have been lacking and has said his aggressive qualities have already sparked a change of atmosphere on the training ground".
Though printed before this week's High Court judgement, the following from IC Surrey does explain some of the complexities of the Crawley Town situation. "The firm that owns Crawley Town FC will today face a High Court petition to be wound up by Revenue and Customs. SA Retail owners Chas and Azwar Majeed have been engaged in late attempts to win an adjournment of the hearing, which involves alleged non-payment of tax. The court date will be followed just three weeks later by a crunch meeting between Crawley Town FC administrators and creditors. An SA Retail source said: 'We have a turnover of £60 million a year.We'll never go under for something as minor as this. SA Retail will get matters adjourned in court because this is only a matter of paperwork. The firm doesn't owe tax - it's just that accounts weren't filed at the right time'. A Revenue and Customs spokesman said: 'When a firm faces a winding-up petition it means either tax - or tax and national insurance - is unpaid'. If the winding-up petition is successful, it will mean liquidators are brought in to break up SA Retail. Financial expert Malcolm Fillimore,who advises the Crawley Town supporters' trust,said: 'I understand SA Retail did not file their tax accounts for several months. Revenue and Customs sent the firm an estimate as to how much was owed in tax. SA Retail disputed this figure. It remained unpaid. That's why we have a court appearance'... The High Court action is only the first of two showdowns that could settle the club's future - or demise. Creditors of the club will meet in the club's Broadfield Stadium on December 4. Options will include liquidating the club but because Crawley Town FC does not own Broadfield Stadium there are only limited assets, including players, which could be sold off to pay back creditors. Creditors, which include Inland Revenue, Crawley Council and former players,could also accept a new offer from the Majeeds - or an offer from an outside bidder... A statement from club administrators Begbies Traynor said a sale of Azwar Majeed's £1.4 million Brighton apartment could mean the club clears its debts of £450,000... The administrators have confirmed that £115,000 of the debts has been paid".