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December, 2006 |
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December, 2006 |
"Following the dismissal of Tony Butler at Altrincham, for alleged use of the elbow (violent conduct), the club is happy the player was only guilty of stepping across Peter Band to stop his run on a counter attack. Unfortunately, Peter Band fell awkwardly and in the process hurt his shoulder. Initially, Graham Heathcote (Alty Manager) accused Tony of use of the elbow but later, after speaking to Peter Band, Graham came to the FGR dressing room and apologised to Tony, confirming from Peter Band that all Tony had done was to block his run. FGR understand Peter is recovering from the injury sustained when he fell and hopefully from the information supplied by Altrincham it is not as serious an injury as first it appeared.
As known, from those who saw what happened after, the referee decided to dismiss Tony on the advice of an assistant who was over 50 yards away and running with the counter attack. It was this official who deemed the offence to be violent conduct and claimed Tony had used an elbow. Despite such being violent conduct he chose not to flag for the offence but to speak to the referee later when the ball went out of play. The club therefore asks if he thought it that violent why did he not flag instantly to demonstrate a serious offence.
Having liaised with Tony and Jim Harvey and spoken to the FA, the club will not however be lodging an appeal due to the technicality that the video of the match does not show the incident in its entirety. Sadly, under the rules and regulations of appeal procedures for 'Wrongful Dismissal' the video MUST show the incident clearly for the appeal commission to view and formulate a decision. Accordingly, Tony accepts he will now have to serve a three match suspension unless the referee reports otherwise, which is unlikely. Please note before anyone asks, that again under FA rules, neither the player nor the club can make any approach to the referee/assistant referee. To do so is deemed serious misconduct.
Tony and the club have to accept that on this occasion the video was just one yard too much to the right. We just have to take it on the chin and get on with it".
A Happy New Year to all from Altrincham Football Club. Thank you for your support in 2006
The New Year's Eve Party on Sunday evening starts at 8pm in the Noel White Suite. Though the event is free, you need to obtain a ticket in advance from the club. It is a bring a plate event.
The Football Conference reports that "Grays Athletic chairman Mick Woodward has revealed that Premiership leaders Manchester United have made a late bid to sign winger Michael Kightly. The 20-year-old midfielder has put in some eye-catching performances while on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers and is expected to complete a £125,000 permanent switch to Molineux on Monday. However, Woodward is adamant that he will not go back on his word to sell Kightly to Wolves and it looks like Alex Ferguson will have to set his sights elsewhere for a young winger. 'United have expressed a lot of interest in Michael this week', Woodward told the Sun... 'They asked if we could do a deal, but I told them I'd already agreed a deal with Wolves and I wouldn't go back on my word. Michael is an old-fashioned winger - the Ryan Giggs of non-league'".
Our Trophy opponents Tamworth "made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Burton on Boxing Day for the game against in form Morecambe – Steve Burton replaced Matt Williams, John McGrath replaced Kyle Storer in midfield and Cameron Belford came in for suspended goalkeeper Jose Veiga. Cameron – the son of Lambs' goal keeping legend / coach came in on loan from Coventry City where he has been impressing in their reserve side."
Above: Val Owen celebrates his goal. To the left, Peter Band returns to his defensive position whilst Warren Peyton and Robbie Lawton congratulate the goalscorer. Picture kindly supplied by Gavin Rathbone, whose website has more pictures of the game.
Altrincham were the more relieved of the two sides at the 2-2 scoreline after a distinctly under-par performance for more than an hour of this game.
Right: Alty made a triple substitution against FGR with Thomson, Owen and McFadden replacing O'Neill, Thornley and Scott.
Saturday 30th December
Altrincham FC hopes that they will enjoy their visit. More details of the Featured Club scheme are here.
"Forest Green will be desperate to avoid an unwanted milestone at Altrincham tomorrow" says This is Glos. Failure to take all three points away from Moss Lane will mean Rovers have completed a calendar year without an away win in the Conference. Paul Wanless was among the scorers on the occasion of the last triumph on the road, a 3-1 victory at Kidderminster Harriers on September 18, 2005. Now combining the role of player with that of assistant manager at the New Lawn, he admits... 'It would be easy for me to say the current squad aren't affected by it because most of them weren't at the club last season. But we all know it's been over a year since we won away and it's a rod we want to get off our backs... Believe it or not, we will win away from home, and there would be no better place than at Altrincham...We all thought we deserved something out of the Aldershot game because we battled hard and were hit by a sucker punch in the last minute.. We're back in the relegation zone because we deserve to be, and we've just got to work very hard to get out of it'. Relations between Forest Green and tomorrow's opponents have been strained since the end of last season, when the Lancashire [i.e. Cheshire] side were docked 18 points by the Conference for fielding on-loan midfielder James Robinson without international clearance. A section of their supporters wrongly accused Rovers of 'grassing up' a potential relegation rival, although financial problems at Scarborough meant Altrincham eventually escaped the drop".
The BBC says that "Forest Green have defensive pair Darren Jones and Alex Lawless, along with attacking midfielder, Paul Stonehouse struggling with flu. Striker Charlie Griffin is back in training and he could come into the reckoning for the game". Meanwhile, Alty are without the suspended Colin Little and midfielder Val Owen remains doubtful, through a calf injury.
The Thurrock Gazette confirms rumours that "Grays Athletic are planning to quit their 100-year-old home for a new purpose-built stadium nine miles outside their home town. Chairman Mick Woodward says that the two-time FA Trophy winners would 'die' if they did not quit their New Rec stadium for a new site. Supporters have been polarised by the club's announcement, with some disappointed at the prospect of leaving their historic home. The favoured location for a new stadium... is believed to be a site south of the A13 near the Five Bells roundabout. The chairman said the new stadium, which would have a capacity of at least 5,000, would be funded by the sale of the Blues current Bridge Road home... 'We are landlocked at the moment and at the end of the day we cannot bring in major sponsors because of our location. At the moment we cannot even accommodate Sky TV. I know Grays Athletic has a history in the town but if the club doesn't move then it will die. We are looking at options, and the Five Bells is among them, and if that means building a new ground then we will do it. The only way this will happen is if the New Rec is redeveloped, but the final decision will be up to the planners." The sale of the New Rec - which Mr Woodward has an option to buy from current owners the family of Ron Billings, who saved the club in 1981 - for a figure of around £5million would fund the building of the new stadium. The chairman added: 'It is up to East Thurrock to do what they have to do, but we have found a new site and I would like to think that us and East Thurrock or Aveley could own it right down the middle to cut the costs. One thing I will make clear is that we will not amalgamate with East Thurrock or Aveley, but we would consider joint ownership'".
From NL Daily we learn that "Crawley Town have signed former Woking and Farnborough Town striker Lloyd Blackman after he was released by Ryman League Premier Division high-flyers Bromley. Blackman, 23, has joined Reds on non-contract terms, with a view to being made permanent when the transfer window opens in January. Crawley`s joint-caretaker manager Ben Judge said: 'Lloyd's very hard working for the team which is very important and should score his share of goals. He's very self motivated and wants to prove himself to a lot of people. He wanted to go full-time and has Conference experience, which is what we are looking for'... He made his debut for Reds during their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Gravesend & Northfleet on Boxing Day" confirms Crawley Today.
The BBC reports that "Chairman Lee Power says some of Cambridge United's players are not good enough to compete in the Conference and will be leaving the club in January. He feels manager Jimmy Quinn has done everything possible to improve the performances, but some players are incapable of following instructions. Power told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'We want to make changes once the transfer window re-opens. Some of our squad are set to be going as they aren't doing what is asked'".
The Cambridge Evening News adds that "Jimmy Quinn has hit back at supporters criticising his leadership following Cambridge United's 1-0 defeat at home to fellow Conference strugglers Rushden & Diamonds. Several fans vented their anger at close quarters... He said: 'I know people get disappointed, but I was trying to talk to one or two, but they weren't up for chatting so I won't waste my time anymore. People don't know me yet at this place, but I've been passionate all my life and I played with passion and then people talk to you as if you're an idiot. Unfortunately, in this country these days there's a blame culture and they've always got to find someone to pick on, but I'll always stand my ground. If they want to talk about football, I'll talk to them but if they want to talk rubbish, I won't waste my time. I'm willing to talk to any fan about the situation here and I'll put them straight on it. Unfortunately, we aren't the Cambridge that were in the Championship a few years ago, we're the Cambridge that were second from bottom in the Conference when I got here. There has been slow progress, but I haven't got a magic wand so I can't wave it and bring a title-winning team overnight. It's going to take time'... [In their last game] Jordan Collins, 18, made his debut at left-back with Danny Brown suspended and Tommy Jaszczun injured and found praise from Quinn for his efforts".
Dagenham & Redbridge "are pleased to announce the signing of striker Ben Strevens. Born May 1980, Ben began his career at Barnet where he scored 46 goals for the Club and was a part of the Bees side that won the Nationwide Conference title in 2005. Whilst with the North London side the Edgware-born forward also had loan spells at Slough Town and St Albans City. He left Underhill at the end of last season and joined Crawley Town where he netted four times in 13 appearances before suffering a fractured cheekbone in the FA Cup defeat to Lewes at the end of October. It was initially feared that the non-contract player could be out of action until the end of the season but after having two metal plates inserted in his cheek he has enjoyed a speedy healing process and goes straight into the Daggers' squad for the visit of Halifax Town tomorrow".
Previous games at Moss Lane with FGR have ended as follows:
Howard Watts's Through the Years statistics for 30 December are now on the website.
Right: Alty fans in exile may be interested to see the adjacent picture of a rival sporting attraction being built on Moss Lane. This view from Moss Lane railway bridge shows the new ice rink in an advanced stage of construction, with the Leisure Centre in the background. The new rink replaces the old one in Devonshire Road, which was demolished a few years ago. The new rink is only a temporary construction, which will be replaced by a more permanant one to be constructed on the adjacent car park. Currently the ice hockey team which will be based at the new rink is playing on Deesside
Three players are leaving Grays. The NL Daily confirms that "Grays Athletic`s England National Game international winger Michael Kightly will join Wolverhampton Wanderers permanently in January, according to Wolves' boss Mick McCarthy. Kightly is currently on loan at the Molineux and became a hero when he scored in stoppage time to hand Wolves a 2-0 win over Derby County at Pride Park on Boxing Day. It was Kightly's second goal in four appearances... McCarthy confirmed: 'We have agreed a deal with Grays for Michael and we are confident we have signed a good player. He scored plenty of goals for Grays last year and he is a bright boy. But he has not been plucked from obscurity because he had a professional upbringing with Southend before he was released and joined Grays'. McCarthy has also been linked with a move for other talented players who are plying their trade in the Conference. Dagenham & Redbridge striker Craig Mackail-Smith and Stevenage Borough's George Boyd are two reported targets... McCarthy said: 'We have been looking at those players because we had good reports about them. It has worked well with one player but we are not suddenly going to fill our team with non-league players'".
The BBC reports that "Stevenage Borough have agreed a deal to sign striker Jamie Slabber from Conference rivals Grays Athletic. The ex-Spurs man, 22, previously played under Boro boss Mark Stimson at Grays. Since Stimson's departure in the summer, Slabber has not figured as regularly and recently spent a month on loan at Oxford United. His arrival could signal the departure of Darryn Stamp, with Halifax renewing their interest in the 28-year-old, whose is currently on loan at York". The BBC also states that "Leicester City have signed former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri. The 27-year-old has been training with Leicester for two weeks and has earned a deal until the end of the season... Cadamarteri, who has also played for Bradford, Leeds and Sheffield United, made two appearances for Grays in the Conference this month after completing a six-month drugs ban".
"The England National Game XI looks set to be joined by teams from Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland in next season's European Challenge Trophy. Plans are under way for the competition, which was won by England's under-23 non-league side last month, to be expanded to an eight-team event. Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland have expressed an interest in joining England, Italy, Holland and Belgium in the competition, which would be played in two groups of four with a one-off final in the spring of 2009 and play-off matches for the other positions. The FA's Leagues' Manager, Mike Appleby, said: 'The two Irish Associations and the FAW agreed to confirm their participation by the end of March next year. We also have a few options to explore with regard to the eighth team'. The Uefa sanctioned competition, which will be re-named The International Challenge Trophy, is due to get under way in November 2007. It will remain an under-23 tournament but players who start the tournament meeting the age criteria will remain eligible through to the final" says the BBC.
This is Exeter says that "Weymouth boss Garry Hill has distanced himself from Exeter striker Lee Phillips's comments that he would like to rejoin the club. Phillips spoke of his desire to play for Weymouth again in the build up to City's 2-1 Boxing Day defeat to the Terras. And rumours he could be set for an imminent return to the Wessex Stadium were seemingly given further credence by his late withdrawal from City's travelling party through illness. But Hill said: 'I read the comments that the player has made in the newspaper. I was a bit worried so I phoned Paul Buckle last Friday to clear things up. The story has come from things the player has said and I wanted to make it absolutely clear it had not come from me or the club. From what I understand the situation is that he has made it clear that he wants to be at Weymouth. It has all come from the player and to be honest I was amazed he was not at the game on Boxing Day. If I was interested in any player I would always go straight to the manager first and have a conversation. I don't really want to get dragged into the situation as none of this has come from me and I have the utmost respect for Exeter City and would not talk about one of their players'. Phillips has made it clear he is far from happy with his squad player status at St James's Park this season. While he was the first name on the team sheet under former boss Alex Inglethorpe, his successor Paul Tisdale prefers to rotate his front men. Phillips has publicly criticised the policy and staged clear-the-air-talks with his manager... Meanwhile, Tisdale insists he does not envisage any members of his squad leaving the club when the transfer window opens next month. 'I cannot see anyone going', he said. 'We have a small squad and cannot afford to lose anybody'. The City boss also revealed it is unlikely he will rekindle his interest in Torquay United winger Martin Phillips when the transfer window opens next month".
From IC Cheshire reports that "Northwich Vics' manager Steve Burr has put four players on his shopping list for when football's January sales open tomorrow. Burr wants a man for each department of the team - a goalkeeper, centre back, midfielder and striker - during the mid-season transfer window. 'Ideally, that's what we will get. We are about halfway through the season and we are just above the relegation zone. We have got to be looking to push upwards and not get involved in a relegation fight. We shall be bringing players in and that will mean one two departures', he said. With Steve Payne and Gareth Griffiths both injured, centre back is an obvious priority for Burr. But he also spoke of a lack of competition in central midfield and with captain Stuart Elliot facing a possible ban because of his racial abuse charge, that position could become urgent later in the month. Vics do have broken-leg victim Chris Williams to return in the spring, but none of their strikers are prolific this season, while neither goalkeeper, Phil Senior or Ben Connett, has inspired. Burr added: 'There will be a lot of players available and certainly a fee would be involved for one of the players we are interested in'".
The Football Conference says that "Crystal Palace are leading the chase to sign Stevenage Borough midfielder George Boyd once the January transfer window opens...Peterborough boss Keith Alexander has already had two offers for the Stevenage youth team product turned down, with the player setting his sights on The Championship at the very least. Charlton and Spurs were linked with his signature in the summer after his 11 goals from midfield last year in the Conference. Already this season Spurs, Newcastle, Reading, Fulham and Palace have all had the youngster watched with bids ready to be made. Although the only non-Premiership club interested in him, Palace have the advantage that Boyd is in fact a Palace fan. Borough chairman Phil Wallace has all but conceded that Boyd will be sold but has refused to accept a token price for the talent. 'We turned down a significant bid from Peterborough United and they've now increased that offer in an effort to sign George', Wallace said. 'Effectively this would mean a Conference record fee for us and a significant long term deal for George. We've had enquiries from other clubs and we're telling everyone the same thing "George will only be available if we get a fee that we believe is commensurate with his ability, not the league we currently play in"'".
Stafford Rangers confirm that "Striker Brian Quailey has rejoined Nuneaton Borough".
Above: The agony: - Colin Little is shown red. Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography.
The FA confirms that Altrincham's Colin Little is "suspended from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a sending off in a match played on 26/12/2006". He will miss the games at home to Forest Green, away to Halifax Town and at home to Rushden. Also missing from the game at The Shay will be Halifax Town's Daniel Forrest, who is "suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 2 first team matches for a sending off in a match played on 23/12/2006".
Above: The ecstasy: - Rod Thornley celebrates the opening goal. Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography.
The Northwich Guardian says, "What a waste of money. That was the verdict of more than 450 Vics fans as their side slumped to a humiliating humbling - those words hanging in the air long enough to turn Steve Burr's face a deeper shade of red. His complexion was a cocktail of rage and embarrassment. To lose a derby in so desperate a fashion - and with a display so bereft of cohesion or desire - can but set alarm bells ringing at the Victoria Stadium this morning. The Robins were rightly buoyant. Vics were given an opportunity to put space between themselves and their rivals in the lower reaches of the league when Colin Little was sent off for violent conduct after 22 minutes. But they blew it.
Little reacted foolishly after being cynically fouled by Kieran Charnock, grabbing Tony Gallimore around the neck under the referee's nose. He sunk to the floor holding his head as the red card was flashed in his face... A tempestuous half threatened to boil over once more when Carlos Roca and Bushell clashed on the touchline. The Vics winger took exception to the force of his opponent's challenge - shoving him in the chest - but the match officials missed a clear right hook from the Alty skipper that should have seen the hosts reduced to nine men... Burr opted for Plan B after the break, introducing Mark Sale and Michael Byrne for the Ryan Brown and the out-of-sorts Roca, but as so often happens when Sale comes on they reverted to launching long balls forward.... [Then] Alty were awarded a bizarre penalty. Charnock's kicked fresh air as he attempted to clear, instead connecting with Joe O'Neill's face as the forward slipped in the box. Steve Aspinall coolly converted from the spot... Chants of "easy" from the Alty faithful were too much to take for Vics' travelling throng - many of which had long departed before the end".
The Sale & Altrincham Messenger reports that "Altrincham packed a punch befitting of Boxing Day as they thumped Northwich 3-0 in a thrilling derby clash at Moss Lane. The Robins... showed passion, desire and an unbreakable spirit to snap their six-game winless streak... An elated Dalton Steele (right), Altrincham's assistant manager, said after the game: 'It was a great performance, especially as we only had 10 men for most of it. It's not often that we have to play a man down but we dealt with it really well and I thought we defended fantastically as a team. It was an absolutely vital three points to pick up. You have to pick up as many points as you can at this time of year because most of the full time teams will come good in the second half of the season and we needed a boost to kick us on'".
From This is Glos we learn that ""Forest Green took one punch too many in a bruising Boxing Day encounter at the Recreation Ground. Former Welsh international Darren Barnard, making his 100th appearance for Aldershot, sealed all three points for his side in the 89th minute... but they can have few complaints about the defeat after taking a battering for most of the afternoon. A sickness bug ruled out Rovers skipper Darren Jones and defender Alex Lawless, so there were recalls to the starting line-up for Mark Preece and assistant boss Paul Wanless... It seemed Rovers were heading for the unlikeliest of points, only for Barnard to break their hearts in the final minute of normal time with a sumptuous curling strike into the top right-hand corner... Forest Green: S. Williams; J. Hardiker, M. Preece (T. Butler 46), C. Giles, K. Nicholson; D. Williams, M. Brough, P. Wanless (P. Stonehouse 58), S. Clist; L. Afful; A. Meechan (M. Beesley 73); Subs not used: M. McEntegart, C. Griffin"
However, "Forest Green boss Jim Harvey did not fault his players for effort or attitude after a third straight Conference defeat... but Harvey was far more encouraged with the display than after the previous two home defeats. 'I thought we were excellent and the boys were very disappointed in the changing room afterwards not to have come away with something', he said. 'Our effort and commitment were first-class and we achieved everything we set out to, so to concede right at the death in the first half and second half was not what we deserved. Going into the game we lost Darren Jones and Alex Lawless with sickness, and we lost Preecey (Mark Preece) at half-time, so not a lot is going for us at the moment. But the attitude and character we showed against a good Aldershot side meant we deserved at least a draw'. Deprived of any recognised strikers, Harvey's post-match comments were more than a little familiar. 'Again we needed to be a little bit smarter in the attacking third', he said. 'Charlie Griffin was on the bench today, but he wasn't really fit to play. He might be back for this weekend, but Allan Russell is still 10 days away. It's a wee bit desperate for us at the moment, but we've just got to get on with the job'".
The STAR Christmas Prize Draw
Pictured above is Alison Lewis, making the draw for the annual STAR Christmas Raffle. The winner of the prize to rename the Golf Road End for a year was Dawn Abbott. Other winners included youth team manager George Heslop, who won a signed football, and Gary Warrington, whose prize was a Jordan ironing board cover!
Altrincham's newest supporter is George Bernard Michael Mitchell (right) who was born on Tuesday, 19th December at Wythenshawe Hospital. He is the son of Altrincham supporters Colin and Jill Mitchell. Colin is a gateman at Moss Lane and he was already back on duty at the Boxing Day game against Northwich Victoria. As seen in his father's photograph, George already has a Santa suit but his baby-sized Altrincham shirt is also on order!
Also sent off in the Conference yesterday, according to NL Daily, was "Tamworth keeper Jose Veiga, who made a string of fine saves, [and] saw red for bringing down Jon Shaw... [Burton's] Clare fired home the resultant spot-kick". A third player dismissed yesterday was Morecambe's Perkins.
Match report here.
The Northwich Guardian reports that Vics' boss Steve Burr "was visibly shellshocked after his team had failed to score, despite having an extra player for more than an hour. 'I'm embarrassed by what I've just seen', he told the Guardian after the game. 'We lost to a team with more desire, but my players showed they have no bottle. As a manager I pride myself on my teams having a go at the opposition - we've not done that today'".
Right: Lewis Chalmers, a deserving Man of the Match, receives his award from Alty supporter Stan Riley.
Tuesday 26th December, Boxing Day
We had come in for some criticism after the home game and rightly so - we didn't play well enough - but we were on our way to putting it right in the replay. I know I keep repeating this but I'm not panicking the way some people are about our results... We have been playing well enough recently to turn things round... A few things have been said about the crowd because there were only 600 people there but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter... There were still plenty of fans there who had to watch a pretty poor game so we're all keen to repay them for their support...
We'll just have to do it against Northwich on Boxing Day! I'm really looking forward to the game, it'll be a real derby battle, but in the back of my mind I'm a little bit worried as well. I just hope there's no nervousness among the crowd, that they just get behind us, because if there is any nervousness it'll transfer to the players and we'll struggle. It's important we all show that we're ready for the battle and go all out for the win... It's up to us to have a big second half of the season.".
"They are as different as chaIk and cheese - in appearance, in personality, in likes and dislikes. They are not quite the direct opposites that are popularIy supposed to make ideal partners - but they are different enough to be extremeIy good for each other... With £50 between them they decided ten years ago to "have a go" and opened a music shop in Altrincham. They added records and record pIayers, and radio and television naturally followed. They now have 15 shops, and, being former players themselves - Lancashire-born Swales played inside forward for Ashton United, White had three years at centre-half with Chester - they were naturally interested in Altrincham F.C, the Cheshire League team.
By 1961 the club was in a bad way financially, the ground was in bad shape, the team doing badly and the future gloomy. They decided to step in-and once the decision was made they applied the same sound, tough, almost ruthless methods that had built up their business. They loaned £6,000 to the club to clear its immediate debts. They·took up £2,000-worth of unissued shares and by guaranteeing wages, they succeeded in preventing the club's complete professional staff from walking out. They replaced all the then directors (except Len Pollitt, a haulage contractor) with specialist members of their own staff... Knowing only too well that names make news, they brought in ex-NewcastIe.and Manchester United inside forward Ernie Taylor; Paddy Fagan from Manchester City and Tommy Banks from Bolton. They made Paddy player-manager, but three weeks later he was injured and never played again. They next appointed Charlie Mitten as manager after his spell with Newcastle and he stayed a couple of seasons. When CharIie left they had a re-think. Maybe the best man for a non-league club was a manager who knew the non-league set-up, inside out.
They picked Freddie Pye- a successful scrap-metal dealer, who had played with Accrington Stanley, but who made his biggest mark in winning two Cheshire League championship medals as a wing-half with Hyde United. With two business-men at the helm, and an equally good business-man running the team, things began to happen, They reached the third round of this year's F.A. Cup, and met Wolves at MoIineux. 'Our ambition, naturally, is League Football at Moss Lane, but not just yet. We still have a lot to do', they told me... Already they have smartened up the ground and installed three new refreshment bars. They have built a £38,000 social club; organised a weekly pool which started with a £45 top prize that is now £350, and which has raised £50,000 for the club in five years. They have put in first-class fIoodlights. 'The club has just finished paying back to us the original £6,000 that we loaned - and every year so far we have shown a profit, including increased gate money, receipts from pools and raffles, from the sale of jockey-style caps (we've sold 1,000 of them), and of club ties which are steady sellers' say W. & S. Everything has to show a profit - or we want to know why, but the only real guarantee of success is a winning team, and thanks to Freddie Pye we've had that too."
The STAR Christmas Prize Draw
Pictured above is Alison Lewis, making the draw for the annual STAR Christmas Raffle. The winner of the prize to rename the Golf Road End for a year was Dawn Abbott. Other winners included youth team manager George Heslop, who won a signed football, and Gary Warrington, whose prize was a Jordan ironing board cover!
Altrincham's newest supporter is George Bernard Michael Mitchell (right) who was born on Tuesday, 19th December at Wythenshawe Hospital. He is the son of Altrincham supporters Colin and Jill Mitchell. Colin is a gateman at Moss Lane and he was already back on duty at the Boxing Day game against Northwich Victoria. As seen in his father's photograph, George already has a Santa suit but his baby-sized Altrincham shirt is also on order!
Also sent off in the Conference yesterday, according to NL Daily, was "Tamworth keeper Jose Veiga, who made a string of fine saves, [and] saw red for bringing down Jon Shaw... [Burton's] Clare fired home the resultant spot-kick". A third player dismissed yesterday was Morecambe's Perkins.
Match report here.
The Northwich Guardian reports that Vics' boss Steve Burr "was visibly shellshocked after his team had failed to score, despite having an extra player for more than an hour. 'I'm embarrassed by what I've just seen', he told the Guardian after the game. 'We lost to a team with more desire, but my players showed they have no bottle. As a manager I pride myself on my teams having a go at the opposition - we've not done that today'".
Right: Lewis Chalmers, a deserving Man of the Match, receives his award from Alty supporter Stan Riley.
Tuesday 26th December, Boxing Day
We had come in for some criticism after the home game and rightly so - we didn't play well enough - but we were on our way to putting it right in the replay. I know I keep repeating this but I'm not panicking the way some people are about our results... We have been playing well enough recently to turn things round... A few things have been said about the crowd because there were only 600 people there but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter... There were still plenty of fans there who had to watch a pretty poor game so we're all keen to repay them for their support...
We'll just have to do it against Northwich on Boxing Day! I'm really looking forward to the game, it'll be a real derby battle, but in the back of my mind I'm a little bit worried as well. I just hope there's no nervousness among the crowd, that they just get behind us, because if there is any nervousness it'll transfer to the players and we'll struggle. It's important we all show that we're ready for the battle and go all out for the win... It's up to us to have a big second half of the season.".
"They are as different as chaIk and cheese - in appearance, in personality, in likes and dislikes. They are not quite the direct opposites that are popularIy supposed to make ideal partners - but they are different enough to be extremeIy good for each other... With £50 between them they decided ten years ago to "have a go" and opened a music shop in Altrincham. They added records and record pIayers, and radio and television naturally followed. They now have 15 shops, and, being former players themselves - Lancashire-born Swales played inside forward for Ashton United, White had three years at centre-half with Chester - they were naturally interested in Altrincham F.C, the Cheshire League team.
By 1961 the club was in a bad way financially, the ground was in bad shape, the team doing badly and the future gloomy. They decided to step in-and once the decision was made they applied the same sound, tough, almost ruthless methods that had built up their business. They loaned £6,000 to the club to clear its immediate debts. They·took up £2,000-worth of unissued shares and by guaranteeing wages, they succeeded in preventing the club's complete professional staff from walking out. They replaced all the then directors (except Len Pollitt, a haulage contractor) with specialist members of their own staff... Knowing only too well that names make news, they brought in ex-NewcastIe.and Manchester United inside forward Ernie Taylor; Paddy Fagan from Manchester City and Tommy Banks from Bolton. They made Paddy player-manager, but three weeks later he was injured and never played again. They next appointed Charlie Mitten as manager after his spell with Newcastle and he stayed a couple of seasons. When CharIie left they had a re-think. Maybe the best man for a non-league club was a manager who knew the non-league set-up, inside out.
They picked Freddie Pye- a successful scrap-metal dealer, who had played with Accrington Stanley, but who made his biggest mark in winning two Cheshire League championship medals as a wing-half with Hyde United. With two business-men at the helm, and an equally good business-man running the team, things began to happen, They reached the third round of this year's F.A. Cup, and met Wolves at MoIineux. 'Our ambition, naturally, is League Football at Moss Lane, but not just yet. We still have a lot to do', they told me... Already they have smartened up the ground and installed three new refreshment bars. They have built a £38,000 social club; organised a weekly pool which started with a £45 top prize that is now £350, and which has raised £50,000 for the club in five years. They have put in first-class fIoodlights. 'The club has just finished paying back to us the original £6,000 that we loaned - and every year so far we have shown a profit, including increased gate money, receipts from pools and raffles, from the sale of jockey-style caps (we've sold 1,000 of them), and of club ties which are steady sellers' say W. & S. Everything has to show a profit - or we want to know why, but the only real guarantee of success is a winning team, and thanks to Freddie Pye we've had that too."
First and foremost, best wishes for a Happy Christmas Day to all visitors to the website and to all the players and officials at Altrincham FC. Nine points are at stake over Christmas and New Year, as follows:
And the website hopes to have its one millionth visitor to its homepage between now and the New Year. (Counting began during 2001 but the site started in Spring 2000). We are very grateful to everyone who visits the site and hope that you will continue to do so in 2007.
Meanwhile, at Altrincham FC - without an away win all season - the supporters' trust, STAR, still runs well-supported coaches to all away games - even to FA Trophy replays on foggy Tuesday nights in freezing Tamworth, as last week's game testified. So, congratulations are in order for STAR coach co-ordinator Mark Eckersall and his deputy Tom Jacobs for their excellent work and to Geoff Goodwin and his company for providing the luxury coaches. We may not be a full-time club but our supporters are not part-time.
For details of the STAR supporters' coach to Halifax on New Year's Day, visit the Away Travel page. As usual you can book through the club on 928-1045 but, as an alternative, given that the offices will not be open for all of the Christmas/New Year period, you can e-mail Mark Eckersall to reserve your seat.
The BBC's preview states that "Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote has a doubt over defender Stephen Rose, who is carrying a hamstring injury. Heathcote's team are short of football, they have not played a league game since their 3-2 defeat at Kidderminster on 9 December. Northwich defender Gareth Griffiths has left the club to temporarily assist Rochdale caretaker-boss Keith Hill while his fractured cheekbone heals. Greg Young has been recalled from his loan spell by Halifax".
Alty's first opponents in 2007 are Halifax Town and Halifax Today says that "Town boss Chris Wilder pulled no punches in his view of the penalty that effectively sealed his side's fate in the Yorkshire derby at the KitKat Crescent [on Saturday]... It remains unclear whether the penalty was for an Adam Quinn challenge on James Dudgeon on the edge of the area or a handball by the Town centre back.But Wilder clearly disagreed with 65th-minute decision made by Ashington referee Michael Oliver. 'I applaud the Halifax fans' loyalty and support, but if I had been them seeing the award of the penalty I would have walked out of the ground', said Wilder. 'It disgusted me that they have paid decent money, travelled to York on a busy day to see a game completely spoiled by one man's decision that 3,500 people have not seen'. Despite the defeat - Town's ninth in 11 away games this season - Wilder was pleased with his side's battling qualities after they had fallen behind in the fifth minute. 'I thought that in the first 20 minutes of the second half we looked like we could go on and win the game', he said. 'York were sitting back deeper and deeper. We can take a lot of heart from a performance away to a team who moved up to third in the league'.
The decision to award the spot kick also led to the dismissal of Danny Forrest who voiced his disapproval and was shown a straight red card by the referee".
Alty's opponents next Saturday at Moss Lane are Forest Green Rovers. This is Glos says that "Scrapping for Conference survival will seem like a breeze this year for Jim Harvey, whose Forest Green side travel to Aldershot Town on Boxing Day. As if the festive season were not hectic enough, Harvey and his family have spent the past week relocating from Lancashire to their new home near Hereford. The ensuing chaos has at least afforded the Rovers boss little time to dwell on a run of three straight defeats and a lengthening injury list. And he has received good news from organisers of the club's GRASS (Give Regularly - Assist Squad Sponsorship) scheme, who have banked a £5,000 cheque from the Supporters Club to boost his transfer kitty. 'To get an amount like that in one lump is really something and I'd like to thank all the supporters who've put their hands in their pockets', he said. 'It's been a crazy week for me, what with moving house, but my phone will be red hot again once Christmas is over and I'll be working hard to bring players in'. The need for a new striker is becoming increasingly desperate for Harvey, who will arrange a late fitness test on Charlie Griffin's swollen ankle. A broken bone in Allan Russell's foot and Mark Beesley's lack of form means Rovers could take to the Recreation Ground pitch without an out-an-out striker. 'We're really struggling in terms of numbers but feeling sorry for ourselves won't do us any good', said Harvey. 'It'll be very tough for us, but we've been to some difficult places already this season and come away with something'.
Aldershot manager Terry Brown has added to his squad this week in the shape of ex-Charlton Athletic trainee Karl Beckford. The 21-year-old could line up in midfield alongside Ben Harding, who spent an impressive two months on loan at Forest Green last season. Harding has struggled for first-team action at League Two side MK Dons and is spending the entire campaign in Hampshire".
In the Manchester Evening News, Graham said "This is a massive game for both ourselves and Vics. A win for us and we go level on points with them. A win for them and we will trail them by six. It's nice for us to be meeting Northwich again after such a long break. I think it's pretty safe to assume the game is going to be a tense, tight affair."
The Northwich Vics Supporters' Trust "will be organising transport for our next two important away games. [The first is on] Tuesday 26th December BOXING DAY at ALTRINCHAM. Bookings have already been brisk for this fixture and a 53-seater coach has been booked.Meet at the Memorial Hall 1.15pm - return approx 6.00pm - Cost £8 adults and £6 concessions".
Neither the Reserves nor Youth team have matches till into the New Year.
The staff and players of Altrincham FC would like to wish all the club's supporters a very Happy Christmas and New Year and thank them for their excellent support this year. Don't forget the New Year's Eve party at Moss Lane, which is free but for which you must get a ticket in advance from the club.
Stevenage Borough "have confirmed further Football League interest in striker George Boyd as the Transfer Window opening on 1st January draws closer. Chairman Phil Wallace said 'We turned down a significant bid from Peterborough United and they've now increased that offer in an effort to sign George. Whilst we admire the tenacity of Peterborough in trying to secure a player they rate highly, we won't consider a move unless the terms are right for us and, most importantly, George wants to go to the Club who makes the offer. Effectively this would mean a Conference record fee for us and a significant long term deal for George. We've had enquiries from other clubs and we're telling everyone the same thing - George will only be available if we get a fee that we believe is commensurate with his ability, not the league we currently play in. There's nothing to talk about until after Christmas anyway but we're more interested in bringing players in during January than seeing them go in the other direction. Having said that, we've had several calls enquiring about Jason Goodliffe, currently on loan at York City and Halifax have registered their interest again in Darryn Stamp, having failed narrowly to sign him earlier in the season."
Crawley's Argus says that "Ben Strevens is ready to hit the ground running as Crawley bid to end a turbulent year on a high. The former Barnet striker has been out of action since fracturing a cheekbone in the FA Cup defeat to Lewes at the end of October... The 26-year-old made a surprise return in a specially arranged friendly against Oakwood on Tuesday night and proved his fitness for the Boxing Day trip to Gravesend and Northfleet with a goalscoring display. Strevens admits the two metal plates he had inserted to hold his shattered cheekbone together still cause him discomfort but claims the rest of his body is in perfect shape... He said: "The physio has been working me quite hard and I've been doing all the running with the other lads so my fitness has not really dropped off at all... I probably feel fitter now than I have all season and the only thing I am missing is a bit of match sharpness... I'm still a bit wary of my cheek and I'll probably be concious of going up for headers to begin with but I'm sure I'll forget all about it after a few games. My cheek still feels pretty wierd because I've got two metal plates in it but I've got to get used to them as they're in there for the rest of my life now... The impact was by the side of my eye and the whole cheekbone crumbled in three or four places. It was a really bad one... We've worked so hard to get in the position where we are now and we know that if we can have a good Christmas period we can start pulling away from the relegation zone and even start looking up rather than down'".
TheBurton Mail states that "Albion manager Nigel Clough is preparing for a hectic round of transfer talks as soon as the January transfer window opens. The Brewers boss is hoping to tie up a deal to keep midfielder Paul Carden at the Pirelli Stadium for the rest of the season. And he will push on in his bid to bolster his Albion strikeforce. Peterborough United's Justin Richards — currently on loan to Conference rivals Grays — is still believed to be top of Clough's shopping list... The Brewers boss told Mail Sport: 'We have made inquiries about two or three players. We are at the mercy of other people, but all the groundwork has been done and we just hope the effort that has been put in bears fruit'". Carden is "technically on loan from Burscough until the end of the year, though only because Albion found a loop hole to secure his services outside the transfer window after the midfielder had been released by Peterborough in October... Clough said: "We hope Paul agrees to stay because we're very, very pleased with his contribution. Pretty much everything he gives us is positive — his talking, his experience and his enthusiasm. He is not just a dogged, hard-working midfield player, but a much better passer of the ball than we probably gave him credit for... We have a problem in offering people 18 months at the moment because of the uncertainty over which league we will be playing in next season'... On the striker front, Clough was reluctant to name names, though he did rule York City's Clayton Donaldson out of the reckoning... He has turned down a new contract, which means York may well have to sell him next month, but Clough said: 'Donaldson is not in our thinking because we expect him to end up with a League club'" As for promotion, Clough added, "We might still be the outsiders, but we're up there with a fighting chance of making the play-offs. That's why we want to strengthen now because other teams in the frame like Dagenham and York are going to lose players next month. I don't envisage that happening to us because we have not had a single inquiry about any of our current squad. It would take some very serious money to persuade us to part with anyone — unless it is a player who could be replaced straight away or someone we could do without. That's where we think we can give ourselves a slight advantage over other teams because we will be looking to add to a squad that's already strong'".
The BBC reports that Kidderminster Harriers' manager Mark Yates says he is expecting a tough test in his side's Boxing Day derby with Stafford Rangers. Yates told his club's website: "First and foremost it is going to be a battle, a real scrap. And if we are not up for it then they will beat us. If any of my players don't fancy it they had better tell me now because they have to be committed to the cause. That is what Stafford are about and we have got to impose ourselves on them. Most of them have been in the game long enough to know that they have got to be dedicated over Christmas. I want three points at Stafford and I don't want them feeling the after-effects of drinking and stuffing themselves with turkey'".
"Out-going England National Game XI manager Paul Fairclough is expected to re-apply for the job in a bid to extend his successful reign in charge. Fairclough, who is also manager of League Two side Barnet, is out of contract with the Football Association. The FA is to advertise the post this weekend and expect Fairclough to apply".
"Conference strugglers Rushden and Diamonds have decided to release goalkeeper Nicky Eyre", confirms the BBC. The 21-year-old, who joined Rushden from Grays Athletic in the summer, has not had his short-term contract at Nene Park extended... However, the former Tottenham youngster has had to alternate with Scott Tynan in recent weeks with Tynan now set to continue in the side".
From Oxford, This is United claims that "Oxford United's Boxing Day match against Woking is now a record attendance for the Conference. Advance sales yesterday passed 9,500 – which means United have smashed the Conference attendance record of 9,432 set at Lincoln City's home game against Wycombe Wanderers in 1988. The Boxing Day match is fast approaching a sell-out".
Southport report that "Graham Westley, the new Rushden manager, has made approaches to take Dino Maamria to Rushden and Diamonds. Paul Cook has been dealing with this matter for sometime and is adamant 'Dino is our player and no one wants Dino to leave Haig Avenue. Dino has been approached to go to Nene Park as coach and player. I cannot let Dino go without a fee that will finance a replacement. Dino has been happy at Haig Avenue but sees this as a step forward on the management side. Dino's registration as a player is here at Haig Avenue and he will remain a Southport player until a deal is done. I am not losing a striker to a club level on points with us without the finance to strengthen the club. I have talked this through several times with Dino and he understands the club's stance. I want to make it clear to our supporters that I do not want Dino to leave and Dino states himself he has been happy at Haig Avenue. We have had a really good couple of weeks and this is unfortunate but I have been aware this has been going on for sometime. It is up to Graham Westley to come up with an offer I accept, as simple as that'. Dino stated 'I enjoy Southport. However I am 35 and have the chance to work as a coach with Graham Westley, it is a chance I feel I cannot turn down and have therefore requested being allowed to join Rushden'... Chairman Charlie Clapham stated 'We have had no approach from Rushden. Paul Cook does not want to lose Dino Maamria and no contact has been received from Rushden... We are very unhappy how this situation has been dealt with by both Rushden and Graham Westley. Approaches have to be made officially, not in this way'".
The Aldershot News & Mail states that "Terry Brown has revealed that he hopes to add an attacking midfielder to his squad...The Aldershot boss told the News that the goalscoring midfielder would initially join on a non-contract basis to ensure he is available for the busy Christmas period, before signing a contract at the start of the January transfer window. Brown was remaining tight-lipped over the identity of the player, but he is known to be a keen admirer of Maidenhead United’s Dwane Lee, while Farnborough Town have issued a hands-off warning over Matt Pattison. However, the boss admitted that some current squad members may have to leave the club to help balance the books [and said]... . “We have also made enquiries about Jonny Dixon, as we are aware that Grays have had an offer accepted".
The Northwich Guardian says that "Stuart Elliott will appeal against a charge of racial abuse towards another player. The Vics' captain denies he did anything wrong during the Conference clash with Halifax Town, after which midfielder Tyrone Thompson made an accusation. He was told of the FA's decision after training on Thursday.'It's been a tough time for Stuart', said manager Steve Burr yesterday, Tuesday. 'As skipper he's tried not to let it affect his game, but clearly it's not easy having something like this hanging over you'. Elliott, who met with Burr and Vics' secretary Derek Nuttall immediately after receiving the call from the FA, will be backed by the club until a decision is made. The game's governing body charged Elliott, 29, with using racially aggravated abusive language... They gave him until December 28 to respond, but the midfielder has already told Burr he will fight to clear his name. The FA are likely to call parties from both clubs to a hearing in London next month.... Halifax Town have spent the past six weeks gathering evidence and getting statements from their players".
The Oxford Mail reports on the postponemnt of Oxford's midweek game. "Said U's secretary Mick Brown: 'It was absolutely the right decision at the time, and there were no dissenting voices whatsoever... We had wanted to see if we could get a referee in to make an inspection earlier in the afternoon, but with the nature of fog, which can come and go, the FA are very reluctant to let you do that. It is very disappointing for anyone that's travelled and we feel sorry for all supporters who had a wasted journey". The match will now be played on Tuesday, January 9 (7.45) and tickets purchased for last night's game will be valid for the new date. And in line with Oxford United's Customer Charter, if any supporter is unable to attend on January 9 they can obtain a refund of the cost of the tickets, but not the cost of any booking fee, by returning them before 12 noon on the day of the match".
Southport GB confirms that "Leading goalscorer Dino Maamria could be on his way out of Haig Avenue... Initial negotiations ended after Westley appeared to drop out of the running for the Nene Park vacancy, but the ex Stevenage Borough manager was appointed earlier this week and remains keen to offer his former striker a coaching role".
From The Comet we learn that "George Boyd remains a Stevenage Boro player - for the time being at least... League Two Peterborough have had an offer refused. Boro boss Mark Stimson said: 'George has raised his own levels... He was outstanding in that spell after half-time on Saturday. Of course I want to keep him. With him in the team, we've finally got something we've been working really hard for... We'll have to see what happens after Christmas'. Midfield dynamo Brad Johnson was recalled by League One strugglers Northampton this week... Stimson said: "Aldershot were by far the best team we've played this season so far on the night... Tenth is good after the start we had... We should be in for a good New Year'... St Albans manager Colin Lippiatt is planning changes for the derby game against Boro... Lippiatt said: 'On Boxing Day changes will be afoot. This is not a knee jerk reaction. I will see whether or not I can bring one or two players before the game because they have got to be non-contract'". Meanwhile Stevenage Reserves recently played a game in which they "included St Albans striker Paul Hakim who may be in opposition ranks in the Boxing Day derby. Hakim, with eight goals for Saints in the Conference, has had an outing as a substitute for Brighton reserves".
"Garry Hill has secured the services of Ben Smith, after the Weymouth club captain signed a contract extension until June 2009" states This is Weymouth. Smith said: "At the start of the season everyone was talking about consolidation. We had an eye on doing a little better than that but we never thought we would be in the top three by Boxing Day. Now we are in that position we want to stick in that top five and we will be disappointed if we do not achieve that".
NL Daily reports that in midweek, Skelmersdale United "hosted fellow lower mid-table Kidsgrove Athletic and went ahead in the 18th minute through James Glendenning". Leigh RMI won again on Tuesday with current Alty players Eddie Hussin, Kieran Lugsden (right) as well as Mark Maddox in their squad. And there was "a certain degree of reorganisation in the RMI side as Steve Porter moved from right back to the centre of midfield".
The BBC says that "Kidderminster have extended the loan signing of West Brom defender Rob Davies for a further month. The Wales under-21 international orignally signed on a one-month deal". But "Northwich Victoria defender Gareth Griffiths is returning to Rochdale to assist caretaker-manager Keith Hill. Vics' boss Steve Burr has let Griffiths, 36, help out at his ex-club while he is out with a fractured cheekbone. Hill told Rochdale's website: 'He was a big presence in the dressing-room during his time here and I felt having him around would benefit us'. Northwich hope Griffiths, who joined from Rochdale in the summer, will resume his playing duties when fit".
Meanwhile "St Albans City have parted company with winger Ben Walshe. Walshe, who is also an actor, has ended a third spell at Clarence Park by mutual consent because of increased work commitments. The former QPR player rejoined the Saints in October after helping them to win promotion from Conference South last season".
The BBC also reports that "Stafford Rangers have signed Crewe defender Ritchie Sutton on loan for the rest of the season. Sutton joined the R's at the start of the current campaign and has started 18 games for the Conference club either side of a spell out with a knee injury. The 20-year-old was also with Stafford last season, helping them win promotion from Conference North". But "Gravesend and Northfleet have cancelled the contract of striker Danny Ekoku by mutual consent. The 21-year-old signed a one-year deal at the start of the season but struggled to break into the first-team, making half-a-dozen appearances. Ekoku was signed at the start of this season from Crawley Town, who he joined in August 2005. He was on the books at Bradford City, and had a spell on loan to Bradford Park Avenue".
From the Burton Mail we read that "Winger Keith Gilroy's Burton Albion comeback has been put off again... Gilroy has made only nine starts this season because of persistent hamstring problems... The Brewers' boss [Nigel Clough] told Mail Sport: 'We want to build him back gradually and think he will benefit more from training sessions. We've already had two this week, and we've got two more planned for Thursday and Sunday. Hopefully, he will come through those without any reaction and then we can seriously look at getting him back on the pitch during the Christmas period'". Defenders Ryan Austin and John Brayford and strike pair Shaun Harrad and Jon Shaw returned to the starting line-up for a recent local cup match with Clough saying "None of them have had much football of late and it won't hurt them to have another run". Meanwhile for the next first-team game "Gary Rowett (knee), Lee Fowler (illness) and top scorer Daryl Clare (back strain) are all expected to return to the starting line-up but full-back Aaron Webster is unlikely to be fit... as he recovers from a knee ligament strain".
despite their financial situation "Crawley Town are looking for cover up front after Ryan Peters returned to Brentford at the end of his month's loan. Caretaker joint-boss Ben Judge said: 'We are are looking to bring in two or three players during the transfer window, extending loan deals or else bringing new players in permanently. We need cover up front because Ryan has gone back and in each department because two more of our loan signings are due to end". In a local friendly this week "Striker Ben Strevens had a run out after being sidelined for seven weeks after fracturing his cheekbone".
This is Glos says that "Forest Green chairman Colin Gardner has pledged to back manager Jim Harvey in the January transfer market...Harvey has made no secret of his desire to sign at least one striker during next month's transfer window... Harvey said: 'A lot depends on whether we can move a few players out and free up more of the budget, but if we're not able to do that then there are other options such as loan players. I'll be ringing everybody I know in the game over the next few weeks and, by hook or by crook, I'll get players in. I'm confident the board will support me if that's what it takes to keep us safe in the Conference'. Gardner confirmed: 'The board will support Jim'... Harvey plans to meet this week with the organisers of the club's GRASS [Give Regularly - Assist Squad Sponsorship] scheme, which helps to top up the playing budget via donations from fans... He said: 'We have six defenders on the books who I would be happy to pick from, and we're pretty solid in midfield. But it doesn't take a wise man to see we're not scoring enough goals'... Many of the 50 or so supporters present voiced concerns that the new stadium was proving a drain on the club's resources. Gardner denied this, but admitted improvement was needed in the marketing of facilities... 'We have a 10-year mortgage on the stadium and we have to meet current debts, but as a club we are paying our way', he said. 'There were costs involved with the stadium which we didn't forsee, such as £80,000 to move a radio mast... We don't think this football club will break even for two years, but we don't have a problem meeting any of our targets and I don't forsee any problems meeting them in the future. The facilities we have are bringing more money into this club than ever before... I don't believe this club markets itself well enough. Our facilities on the leisure and commercial side are among the best in the county and we should make more of them'".
Nearer to home IC Cheshire reports that "Northwich Vics' chairman Mike Connett last week bemoaned poor attendances at the Victoria Stadium... The players and the manager are also affected by empty spaces on the terraces. 'I am disappointed', said manager Steve Burr. 'I thought we would get a few more. I have always believed this club could do what Macclesfield have done, but you begin to wonder whether we would ever attract sufficient fans. We need to be full-time to compete in the Conference and we need the help of Northwich people to do that. I understand results matter and that our home form has been poor. But we do play attractive football and the players are surprised by the response this season from the fans. They expected more atmosphere, but that is not an excuse for any bad result'. Before they travel to East-bourne in the FA Trophy 2nd round on January 13, Vics play Altrincham away (Boxing Day), Stafford away, Southport home and St Albans away. 'They are all clubs around us or below us and that means it is vital we pick up points', said Burr. But the Vics' boss is low on personnel. On loan full back Greg Young has been recalled by Halifax Town, which must put in doubt his anticipated permanent move to the Victoria Stadium in January. Burr sent German Felix Bastians back to Nottingham Forest. 'He did well against Halifax, but never reached that standard again and I don't think his heart was in it', said Burr. Centre back Steve Payne has a scan on his injured knee on Friday and cartilage damage is suspected. But Burr is preparing a shopping list for the January transfer window".
The Northwich Guardian adds that "Burr has resigned himself to missing out on Greg Young... 'Greg has a place in my long term plans here', he said". But Halifax boss Chris Wilder said that "Young was allowed to play for Vics to regain match fitness and has challenged him to stake a claim for a regular place at the heart of the Shaymen's defence".
Southport GB says that "Southport are hopeful that Ged Brannan will become the club’s first signing of 200... The Sandgrounders have expressed interest in offering the 34-year old a player-assistant manager role... But an agreement is yet to be struck with Brannan’s current employers, Morecambe, meaning he could initially join on loan".
It is stated by This is Weymouth that "Dorchester and Weymouth are both casting an eye on Taunton Town's Sonyo da Mata. The Portuguese has excelled for the Somerset side... and played as a trialist for the Terras against Swansea City last week. Mata can play up front or in midfield".
Also from the BBC is news that "New Rushden and Diamonds boss Graham Westley has appointed former Luton Town defender John Dreyer as his assistant.Dreyer, 43, previously spent a spell working with Westley on the coaching staff at Stevenage Borough. Westley told Rushden's website: 'He impressed me a lot. He has vast experience and great connections'. Dreyer also played for Oxford, Stoke and Bradford before ending his playing career with Stevenage, where he also had a stint as caretaker-manager".
NL Daily says that "The board of directors at Cambridge United have issued a statement regarding Saturday's embarrassing FA Trophy defeat at Nationwide South neighbours Histon... 'Our display at the Glassworld Stadium on Saturday was very poor and one which we cannot defend. This is not to take anything away from Histon, who deserved their victory, and who we wish well in the Trophy. Too many players underperformed and did not appear to have the passion and commitment to match their counterparts. We expect the team to respond positively to the criticisms made of them and hope that we will look back upon this time as theseason's low point. Cambridge United are very fortunate to have such a loyal and understanding fan-base and the board of directors want the supporters to know that we share their disappointment and appreciate their patience'".
The Football Conference says that the nominations for Conference Player of the Month for November are Craig Mackail-Smith (Dagenham & Redbridge), Adam Stansfield (Exeter City), Scott Rendell (Crawley Town), John Grant (Aldershot Town) and Iyseden Christie (Kidderminster Harriers).
Rushden confirm that from 1 January 2007 their ground will be a no-smoking location.
Morecambe state that "forward Michael Twiss has pledged his long-term future to the Shrimps. Twiss, 29 last October, has signed a three-year extension to his current contract that will keep him at Christie Park until 2010. Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy said, 'I am delighted to have re-signed such an influential player. Michael is a quality act and proven goal-scorer and I am sure this signing will send out the right message to the other members of the squad that we are negotiating with at present and to all Morecambe supporters'... Michael Twiss commented, 'I am more than happy to sign and commit my future to Morecambe Football Club. I love it here, the players, officials, staff, management and fans, everything about the club. I am enjoying my football and want to be a part of the progress of this football club'".
Hereford's Bullsnews confirms that "The club have extended the loan of ex-Bull David Brown to Burton for another month".
Above: Referee Watts (centre) and his assistants survey the scene before kick off.
Alty fans and officials were left fuming after referee Watts controversially abandoned the game at halftime with Alty leading 2-1 and visibility actually better than it had been for most of the first half. A chaotic 20 minutes later, after counting the fans three times, Tamworth produced some half-price vouchers for the replay of this replay, which will be on 9 January, just four days before the next round. The Board of Altrincham FC has generously offered holders of these vouchers five pounds if presented at Moss Lane before that date so as to offset the additional cost for travelling fans.
Alty had taken a two-goal lead after Little converted Chalmers's low cross from the left (16 mins) and then Thornley netted from close range following a corner by Bushell (40 mins). Smith headed home a freekick as the game went into added time (45+1 mins). In a match sponsored by the local Baptist Church, tonight's events were a clear case of divine intervention on behalf of Tamworth.
Match report here.
Above: Graham Heathcote talks to the Alty fans after the abandonment.
Tuesday 19th
FAT 1
FAT1 Replays
Conference
Wednesday 20th
FAT1R
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Likewise, "Brentford have recalled striker Ryan Peters from his loan spell with Crawley Town. The Conference club were keen to keep Peters but the Bees, who are set to name their new boss this week, have brought him back to Griffin Park. The departure of Peters, who scored once in four games, has left Crawley short of strikers. Ben Strevens is not expected to return to action from a fractured cheekbone until January".
Meanwhile, the BBC also reports that "York City striker Clayton Donaldson has rejected the offer of a new contract at Bootham Crescent. Donaldson who scored his 15th goal of the season in last Saturday's defeat at Morecambe, reaches the end of his current deal in the summer. 'He's been offered a new contract and has turned it down so we will have to wait and see on that', said City boss Billy McEwan. Donaldson, 22, has scored 32 goals for York since joining in June, 2005".
Another unhappy manager is St Albans City's Colin Lippiatt who has "vowed to make changes after their 3-2 FA Trophy exit at Bishop's Stortford. 'I have just read the riot act. I have had enough of people coming here in a comfort zone, so those changes will start on Boxing Day', he said. 'We saw a performance today which was way below the level I expect. No disrepect to Stortford but they are not a special team in any shape or form. I have quite a list of players who are interested in coming here in January'".
Monday 18th FAT1 Replay
The full draw is:
Please do make use of the supporters' coach if you possibly can!
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Right: Gary Talbot makes a presentation to joint match sponsor, Bob Peters of 20/20 Research, on Saturday.
Tamworth confirm that our Trophy replay against The Lambs on Tuesday is a 7.45pm kick off. It adds, "After the game at Moss Lane, where Tamworth have failed to score in three visits, Lambs boss Mark Cooper had the following to say, 'I know Graham Heathcote's Alty will be up for the win on Tuesday night, but we have home advantage which should count for something. We were not at the races for the first 20 minutes today and did OK after that, but still were lacking that bit of quality in the final third. When we moved to three up front at the end we almost snatched it but a clean sheet is something we can take from the game but we really didn't want to have to replay'. Simon Weaver sat the game out with a hip injury but should be in contention for the game on Tuesday but faces stiff competition in defence now that Tom Kemp has returned. 'Tom did well, in fact all four of the defenders did, but I thought Adie Smith was our best player'".
Prices at The Lamb are:
Stephen Lunt (left), now 21 and a student at the University of Sheffield, but an Altrincham first-team squad member from 2002-04 has been selected for the English Universities' squad. A former pupil of Blessed Thomas Holford School, Altrincham and South Trafford College, Steve made his first-team debut as a late substitute against Bradford P.A. on 12 November 2002. He had previously established himself as a striker for the Altrincham Youth team, as well as playing for Altrincham F.C. Reserves, during 2001-02. He made his first first-team start, in a cup match against Hyde in November 2002 and scored. However, in late July 2004, he decided to take a break from football to concentrate on his studies after making 11 starts and 34 substitute appearances for the Altrincham first team, for whom he scored four goals.
A more recent product of the Altrincham youth team, Richard Gresty, (now with Hyde United Reserves) has been selected once more for the English Colleges squad.
A Mark Maddox corner laid on a goal for Leigh RMI on Saturday, says the NL Paper; whilst elsewhere Chris Timons played for Harrogate Town and Lance Key for Histon in the Trophy. Nehru McKenzie is now playing for Woodley whilst former Alty reserve, Griff Jones, netted twice for in-form Witton Albion. In League Two, Paul Ellender and Tim Ryan celebrated a rare win for Boston United. Terry Bowker and former Alty Reserve, Tom Baker, turned out for Ashton United, whilst Anthony Hargreaves netted for Flixton.
Sunday 20th FAT 1
Tamworth's match report says that "With just over a week to go until Christmas there was no surprise that the ground appeared less populated than expected with around just 40 Lambs fans making the journey north... The first real chance of the game came to the home side and ended with Colin Little firing wide with a well taken volley after Robbie Lawton and Gary Scott had combined down the right".
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The Alty striker says, "We put in another good performance against Kidderminster and after that we would have expected to come away with something but we lost again. It does get you down a bit when this keeps happening but at least it's better than getting completely outplayed and not knowing where your next point, your next win is going to come from. Our performances have been good so we know that if we keep it up we will eventually get our reward... There's no point panicking about the situation... We've also had plenty of bad luck recently and that penalty decision against Kidderminster was ridiculous but we can't keep moaning about things like that, we just need to get on with it... We have to enjoy the challenge ahead of us rather than feeling down about it... Only a couple of wins could lift us out of trouble. Just look at Southport, weeks ago they looked dead and buried but after a couple of good results they're off the bottom and back in with a shout... Everyone's looking forward to this weekend's Trophy game and it's one we think we have a good chance of winning... Although I would like to do well in the Trophy, the league's more important for us at the moment and I would trade a Trophy win for three points in the league.
I was sad to see Pottsy leave this week because he's a good player and a good lad. There's no doubting his ability but the problem was always his fitness and what he gave you in defence. Most of the time in this league, we have to keep it extremely tight to make sure we don't give anything away and that's just not possible with Pottsy on the wing. He'