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January, 2007 |
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January, 2007 |
FA Trophy 2 Replay:
York City report that "Following yesterday’s news that Clayton Donaldson has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hibernian Football Club at the end of the season and as a result York City will not be eligible for compensation under FIFA rules, Minstermen Managing Director, Jason McGill, made the following statement. The Board of York City Football Club has been consistent throughout and we have clearly stated our desire for Clayton Donaldson to remain a York City player to give the Club the best possible chance of promotion to the Football League. On this basis, we have rejected various offers of up to £200,000 for the player to move in the transfer window. Under FA rules, it was our assumption that we would receive compensation at a tribunal at the end of the season for the time and efforts spent by the Manager and the Club to develop this player should he decide to leave York City. It is interesting to note Clayton Donaldson’s agent has introduced his player to a Scottish Club, on the awareness that the Club, under FIFA rules, would not be entitled to a reasonable assessment of the player’s worth at an independent tribunal. Before Clayton Donaldson joined York City it is fair to state he was a player who had enjoyed little success. It is only the work of Billy McEwan and York City Football Club that has made Clayton Donaldson the player he is today. It is devastating to think York City will receive absolutely nothing when he joins Hibernian at the end of the season. Although we have been offered £50,000 from Hibernian for Clayton to leave immediately, our position remains the same, Clayton Donaldson will stay at York City until the end of the season. We only hope the intervention of this transfer arrangement has not unsettled our player and that Clayton will still perform to the best of his ability. As ever, the Board has tried to act honourably and in the best interests of York City Football Club and our supporters""
The BBC reports one of the quickest arrivals and departures on record... "Former Weymouth boss Garry Hill has had a change of heart and will not be joining Grays as director of football. Grays had announced on Tuesday that Hill would work there on a non-contract basis until the end of the season. 'Garry wants to be a manager - he didn't want this to jeopardise any positions which might come up', chairman Mick Woodward told BBC Essex. 'I can't offer him the manager's job here because Justin Edinburgh is my manager and he's doing a great job. Former Tottenham defender Edinburgh is the Conference club's fourth manager of the season. He added: 'But I am looking for a director of football to ease some of the pressure on me. If the right person comes along then I'll be appointing them. But I would like to thank Garry for taking the time to talk to us'. Meanwhile, Grays have signed ex-Reading striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois, 18. Mark Wright from his loan spell at Crawley Town".
In fact, the Grays Athletic website stated at "01:34 PM Following discussions Gary Hill has decided not to accept the position of Director of Football at this stage of the season as he feels this could jeopardise any future managerial posts that may be on offer", having said at "10:13 AM Grays Athletic have today appointed Garry Hill as Director of Football, Garry is on a non-contract basis until the end of the season. Justin Edinburgh remains Manager of Grays Athletic; Chairman Mick Woodward has appointed Garry for his knowledge of the non-league circuit and is keen to tap into this knowledge in the quest to strengthen the current squad and to assist in turning around the form".
Before last night's game Tamworth reported that the "FA Trophy replay game against Welling on Tuesday night will take place at the home of Gravesend and Northfleet due to a lack of floodlights (safety related) at Welling’s Park View Road ground and former Lambs' boss Darron Gee will be joining Gary Mills once again as Assistant Manager in the dugout at Stonebridge Road. Gee, who managed Tamworth when Mills departed for Coventry City four years ago, took charge of Alfreton on Saturday after Mills came to The Lamb on Friday but has now left the Derbyshire club to take his position up alongside the returning Tamworth boss and will make the journey south on Tuesday night with the squad as they go in search of a victory and potential home tie against Worcester City".
Oxford's unofficial This is United site says that "Some of Oxford United's players were like rabbits caught in car headlights last night as they froze in front of the TV cameras. And manager Jim Smith believed the fear factor played a big part in what he described as 'probably their worst performance of the season'. Oxford's one remaining proud record, of being unbeaten at home, disappeared with a 1-0 defeat by Rushden & Diamonds, who completed an easy double. United's season is disintegrating fast. This was their ninth Conference game in succession without a win and at this stage they don't even look that great a bet for the play-offs. The players were booed off by their fans at the end, and Smith admitted the 1-0 scoreline maybe even flattered them... Smith said: "I'd been saying how well they've been playing, apart from scoring goals, and I thought if they took that on board, and carried on playing how most of the time we've been playing this last spell, and played like that against this Rushden side, they would win the game. But they never played at all... We didn't deserve anything. The first half was appalling. We didn't create one problem for Rushden. I couldn't believe what they were doing. But that's why they're playing at this level, because one day they play well, the next day they don't. Tonight it was all wrong. From the first ten minutes you knew it was all wrong. Maybe it was fear – we had a few young ones in. Sky, the importance of the game . . . whether that affected them I don't know. It was a new team, with people coming in and being new to one another. That might have been a difficulty, but it shouldn't have been, because the game was there to be taken and we didn't perform. The disappointing thing was that we had some experienced players out there".
Following the leg fracture suffered by Vics' Jonny Allan, former Alty physio "Gary Thompson would like to express his thanks to Weymouth's club doctor Mr Gankande and Mr Roger Hoare for their prompt and professional action during Saturday's game. Many thanks from myself the staff and players of Northwich Victoria F.C". the statement is signed by "Gary Thompson, Sports Therapist".
Morecambe confirm that "Midfielder Jamie Burns put pen to paper [yesterday] to make him a Morecambe player until the end of the current season. Burns had been on loan at Christie Park from the Shrimps' seaside neighbours Blackpool but he suffered a hamstring injury during the away fixture at Tamworth on the 30th December. Manager Sammy McIlroy feels the 22 year old is a good prospect for the future and was keen to sign him and hopes to extend the contract at the end of the season".
Forest GreeN Rovers announce that "It is announced with immediate effect that Rovers' longest serving player for Forest Green Rovers in the Football (Nationwide) Conference – over 200 appearances - is to leave the club by mutual consent. Today being his 27th birthday – Alex Meechan – affectionately known around the club as Meech, wishes to secure his footballing future nearer his current home in Liverpool. Forest Green Rovers will forever have a special place in their heart for Alex but they recognise that with him now wishing to settle down with his partner Lynsey and marry later this year, they should work with him to afford him time to find a new club nearer to his new home. It was also recognised, for him to continue playing at the same standard of football, that he should have the opportunity to do so before the transfer window closes in 48 hours. Several clubs have already expressed an interest in signing him and Rovers have no doubt that he will sign for a new club before close of play on 31st". Also at FGR, "Negotiations are now complete which will see 'keeper Steve Williams recalled by Wycombe Wanderers this week and Shaun Lamb (left side midfield/defender) arrive on loan from Bristol City for an initial month with a view to remaining until the end of the season".
The Cambridge Evening News says that "Majority shareholder Paul Barry has put forward a last-ditch plan to save Cambridge United.... Mr Barry told shareholders at the club's annual meeting that he was ready, together with vice-chairman Johnny Hon and American businessman Adrian Hanauer, to plough £600,000 into United over the next two years. However, Mr Barry said he and his fellow proposed investors would only do so if the 20% cap on shareholdings was lifted, the cost of shares reduced from 50p to 5p and the pool of shares increased to 50 million. He said: 'Right now, there's no incentive to new money coming in. If someone put in £900,000 now, they'd only get a six per cent share... If we make these changes and new money comes in, it will have more of a sizeable say in what goes on'. As an investor in new online companies and a high-level poker player, Mr Hanauer is a keen gambler. But the co-owner and general manager of United Soccer League side Seattle Sounders, is ready to take a punt on helping United.
Seattle-based Mr Barry said: 'Adrian is a personal friend of mine and he's football mad. He has come over and watched United a few times... He has seen the passion of English football and really enjoyed it'... Mr Hanauer would certainly be able to add some financial clout to United. His family owns the biggest bedding product manufacturing company in the US and he is chief executive of Northwest Framing, who run a large chain of picture framing stores. Mr Hanauer has invested in numerous new technology firms at their early stages including Amazon.com and has founded two new online firms Curious Office Partners and ImageKind, a marketing site for artists. Mr Barry said the only alternative for United would be to go back into administration as the club would be insolvent with estimated running losses of around £350,000 this season and annual £200,000 rent payments...
But while Mr Barry has received the support of Mr Hon, former chairman Reg Smart and Cambridge Fans' United, pending a formal decision at their annual meeting next month, exdirectors Gary Harwood, Roger Hunt, Terry Baker, Gerald Lowe and Richard Summerfield had mixed feelings over the plans and with 75% needed to pass, they hold a potential 27 per cent blocking vote. John Howard was not at the meeting. Mr Baker, who quit as chairman last June following the Abbey Aid [pop concert] debacle that lost United £99,500, called for Barry to stand down. He said: 'Your 565,000 shares are worth as much as somebody's one share, which is sod all, and that's how much influence you should have in the running of the business'... There was one bright spot on the cash front with the announcement that United had signed a deal worth almost £300,000 over the next 10 years with the Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery".
Meanwhile, "Paul Barry, the club's major shareholder, told the annual general meeting last night that legal points in the contract drawn up when the Abbey was sold to Bideawhile in 2004 make it impossible for them to buy back the ground. The stadium was sold to former director John Howard and his business partner Stephen Clark's company Bideawhile for £1.9 million in 2004, to prevent the club going into administration. United now pay an annual rent of £200,000 and only have until the end of June to buy back the Newmarket Road End and prove they have lease agreements in place for the redevelopment of the site. But Mr Barry said 'I don't see us having a way of exercising the buy back option the way it is currently written. Solicitors did check through the contract, but we have now discovered meeting the conditions of planning consent before we build is impossible to do. This club needs to sort out the issue of where it plays football. We are in a ground steeped in history, but it is not steeped in income-earning potential. I think we need to unlock its value and move on'... For now, the club wants a reduction in its £4,000 a week rent, and in the meantime, Mr Barry is calling on five former directors and one current director to stump up the cash. It is claimed that former chairmen Gary Harwood and Roger Hunt, Johnny Hon, Richard Summerfield, Gerald Lowe, and landlord John Howard promised to pay the rent should United default - and Barry urged them to do so at last night's meeting".
Despite their problems United still have cash for transfers. "Cliff Akurang has snubbed the offer of a move to Cambridge United despite the club agreeing a fee with Dagenham & Redbridge for the player. Chairman Lee Power said United had an undisclosed fee, believed to be five figures, for the 25-year-old striker accepted by the Nationwide Conference leaders. It would have been the first time United have splashed out on a player since signing Warren Goodhind from Barnet for £80,000 in 2001. But Akurang... rejected the move on Monday... Power said: 'He decided to stay there. That's the difficulty we've got in the situation we're in'".
"It also emerged at the club's annual meeting last night that United could be on the receiving end of another welcome windfall courtesy of Dave Kitson. Another two appearances from Kitson for Reading, who was sold to the Premiership side for an initial fee of £150,000 on 2003, will net United another £25,000 as he brings up his century with the club. Meanwhile, Power said he would be making a decision on what action to take against Paul Crichton... The keeper was dropped by Jimmy Quinn from Saturday's 3-0 win at home to Woking after an official complaint was made by a fan over his conduct to supporters during last Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Rushden & Diamonds".
And Burton Albion state that "The home fixture against Forest Green Rovers scheduled for Tuesday 13th March has been brought forward by 24 hours to the Monday evening to allow the game to be shown live on Sky Sports".
And before that, this Thursday, it's STAR Quiz Night at Moss Lane, starting at 8.30pm, hosted by question-master Steve Raftery
Then, on Sunday (4th), there is a Car Boot Sale on the Moss Lane car park. The sale runs from 8am till 1pm and pitches cost just £5 for cars and £7.50 for vans and can be booked by ringing the club on 928-1045 or by e-mail. All proceeds go to the Football Club, so please support the event if you can.
Paul Cuddy (on left in picture) and Jeff Johnson (right) were the guests at a fans' forum after the STAR AGM meeting last night.
On Monday STAR, the Altrincham supporters' trust, held the first part of its AGM, in the Noel White Suite. The STAR website will have the official report on this. However, by way of a brief summary, it can be confirmed that part two of the AGM will include the election of officers of STAR and those standing for office were announced as Peter Lewis, Steve Raftery, Dawn Abbott, Mark Murray and Mike Ainsworth.
The AGM and a subsequent Fans' Forum with guests Jeff Johnson and Paul Cuddy, were compered expertly by Brian Flynn whose knowledge of Alty history is so detailed that he even had a friendly argument with Jeff about the identity of the team he played against on his Altrincham debut!
Paul Daine explained that STAR had had to change its auditors and the new company may not now complete the work on the accounts till early May 2007. There was warranted praise for Paul for the hard work he has done on the STAR finances. Membership director Peter Lewis confirmed that STAR currently has 104 adult members, 18 juniors, 54 seniors, 2 corporate, 42 life-members and 14 family memberships recorded, a total of 234. Brian pointed out that, although this figure is down, it is still a much higher percentage of our home attendance figures than most Trusts enjoy. For the club, Director Andrew Shaw recorded thanks for the great fundraising efforts of STAR.
Amongst other topics, the new link between the Football Club and Hale Barns Junior FC was saluted as a very positive step forward. Alty Secretary Derek Wilshaw also confirmed that the admission price for matches at Moss Lane for all under-14s (home or away fans) is to continue at £2 per game.
There was much debate about the STAR supporters' coaches, given that one or two of the longer away trips, notably Woking at the end of January, had incurred a substantial loss. Over the season as a whole the deficit was £438 to date but there were several long trips to come. The team's poor away form - they have not won away all season - was felt to be one factor, but there were others such as the lack of the novelty factor this season as fans had visited most of the "new" grounds last season. It was agreed that the issue of whether to subsidise the coach travel would be put to the STAR membership as a whole as there was no consensus at the meeting. Mark Eckersall has now stood down as travel coordinator due to other commitments and his magnificent efforts over 11 years were gratefully acknowledged by the meeting. Tom Jacobs has assumed the travel coordinator role and he and others put forward a number of positive suggestions on how to address to the deficit. There was also debate about the STAR quiz nights and the best night on which to hold these.
Once the formal business was over, a "Forum" started, at which the guests were Alty heroes of the 1980s, defender Paul Cuddy, striker/defender/midfielder Jeff Johnson and current manager and former player Graham Heathcote. This proved to be highly entertaining with some stories which are best not repeated on the website if gaol is to be avoided for those characters named in some of the tales! Jeff and Paul both explained how they had arrived at Moss Lane. In Paul's case, he had been pursued by Arsenal and Bristol City but his then club Chorley had effectively hindered those approaches and he eventually moved to Altrincham. Jeff, for his part, had joined from Hyde United and had had to visit the local butcher's to obtain his contract release, as the Hyde chairman at the time was a butcher.
Both spoke of their experiences as internationals at semi-pro level, Jeff having won 18 caps and Paul three. Former Alty man Gerry Casey was identified as the hardest player they had ever encountered. Amongst the many tales of former player and boss John King's exploits, Graham Heathcote recalled how just before an FA Cup tie at Droylsden, the players had sat down to a pre-match meal when a pantomime cow walked across the room. Inside it were John King and John Rogers! Another of John's tricks to break pre-match tension had been to go into the changing rooms before a game and take off his clothes to reveal that he was wearing suspenders and a bra.
Paul, Jeff and Graham also recalled boozy matchday nights in the Chequers Club at Moss Lane and, after one of these sessions on a Saturday, goalkeeper Peter Eales had not got home till the Tuesday following! Graham also recounted how during one of manager Tony Sanders's lengthy tactical talks, when he had laid out a subbuteo pitch to show the players his proposed tactics and set pieces, England semi-pro international John Owens had sloped off and returned with a bucket of water. He threw this over the subbuteo baize and declared that the match had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch! John King had also once taken a fancy to a Union Jack at the top of a flag pole and had shinned up to get the flag. Returning triumphantly to the ground, he discovered that the flagpole had only just been painted and that he was covered from head to toe in white paint. And before the 1995 match at White Hart Lane against Tottenham, Mick Carmody got punched in the eye on the team coach by a member of the backroom staff and had to play the biggest game of his career with visibility only out of one eye!
Asked about Tommy Docherty, who briefly managed Altrincham in 1987, Jeff Johnson said that The Doc was a thoroughly nice man with an admirable capacity to down Rioja yet keep his judgement unimpaired. Graham revealed that he had been approached to be the Doc's assistant but had turned the post down to stay with John King at Runcorn.
All in all, it was both an informative and very entertaining evening - an excellent format which will hopefully be repeated. Many thanks are due to Paul, Jeff and Graham for giving their time to share their memories and views with supporters.
For Terry Rowley's "Alty Legends" articles, click the following links:
Alty centre-back Gary Talbot (right) is on loan at Kidsgrove Athletic to regain his fitness. This is Staffs reports on Kidsgrove's defeat at the weekend. "Frustrated joint-manager Peter Ward said: 'Lennon and Aiden Matranga also had chances, as did Gary Talbot, so the lads were gutted to get nothing'. Ward was delighted with the debut of ex-Altrincham man Talbot at the back. He said: 'Gary made a massive difference and had one effort cleared off the line'".
And the Kidderminster Shuttle says that "the small things made all the difference as heroic Harriers trod that fine line between success and failure to keep the ball rolling at Altrincham. There was the thinnest of coats of paint which denied Robins striker Colin Little when his effort to equalise bounced back off the post. There was the faintest of fingertip touches from Scott Bevan as Alty substitute Chris Senior threatened to plunder a stoppage time point. And while we're on the subject of little things going Kidderminster's way there was the diminutive Dean Craven, Harriers' one-hit wonder. The AFC Telford man may be short but he's nowhere near as short as his Kidderminster career which is already over after those impressive 78 minutes at Moss Road [i.e. Lane]. Craven was only drafted in to warm the bench in Greater Manchester after being loaned to Harriers as emergency left-back cover in a squad short of southpaws. The former Shrewsbury and Hereford player was allowed out by Telford for just one game and never expected to get onto the field, let alone hold Harriers' makeshift midfield together.
But Craven epitomised the character in Mark Yates's squad by rolling up his socks and making an impressive transition from Unibond to Conference football despite playing out of position... Altrincham's Andy Scott endured an introduction to forget with a nightmare start to life at Moss Grove [!Lane]. The former Kidsgrove defender was guilty of gifting Harriers the only goal of the game on 13 minutes... Altrincham, judging by the chances that got away, could have done with a clinical finisher of their own. Graham Heathcote's part-timers can be proud of their performance in going from anonymous opponents in the first-half to a force to be reckoned with after the interval.
The Kidderminster goal led a charmed life during the second half as Joe O'Neill headed a great chance wide, Little struck the post and Senior was thwarted by a last-gasp Bevan save. There were also countless occasions when Harriers scrambled the ball off the line while, save for a couple of out-of-character lapses, Bevan fielded crosses and shots with his usual efficiency... Just as well they've got a mean machine defence which despite a below-par performance stood firm to earn a fifth clean sheet in six games... Little by little their promotion dream is becoming a distinct possibility".
"Peterborough have captured Dagenham & Redbridge duo Craig Mackail-Smith and Shane Blackett. Mackail-Smith, 22, appears to have had a change of heart after seeming to have originally rejecting the move to help the Daggers achieve promotion. But he has completed the move along with defender 24-year-old Blackett. The pair spent two-and-a-half years at Dagenham & Redbridge and the
"Hibernian have completed the signing of York striker Clayton Donaldson on a pre-contract agreement. The former Hull frontman, who has scored 18 goals in the Nationwide Conference this season, will move to Easter Road at the end of the season. City recently refused six-figure bids from Scunthorpe, Accrington and Peterborough for the 22-year-old. Hibs boss John Collins told the Edinburgh Evening News: 'Clayton has pace, lots of pace'. City had fought to keep Donaldson at the KitKat Crescent, but are powerless to stop him leaving at the end of his contract this summer".
This is York confrims that "York City striker Clayton Donaldson has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Scottish Premier League side Hibernian next season - and the Minstermen won't get a penny in transfer fees. Hibernian's website confirms the 20-goal front man will join them at the start of next season and the club says that, as he will be 23 next month, they will not have to pay a fee under FIFA regulations. That will be devastating news for City, who have turned down a number of bids for Donaldson - including £100,000 from League Two side Peterborough and a 'significant' offer from League One outfit Scunthorpe United. Hibernian's statement reads: 'The club have today confirmed that York City striker, Clayton Donaldson, has signed a pre-contract to join Hibernian at the start of next season. The player is out of contract with York City at the end of the season and, as he will be 23 years of age next month, he will join the club without the requirement to pay a fee'".
And York City "confirmed this afternoon that striker, Clayton Donaldson, will be staying at York City until the end of the season. Commenting on the news that Donaldson has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hibernian football Club, Director Sophie McGill said, 'The Board has remained consistent throughout and our position is that Clayton will remain at York City until the end of the season to give the Club the best possible chance of promotion to the Football League. We are disappointed by the latest news and will be issuing a full statement on this website tomorrow morning'".
The Northwich Guardian says that Vics' manager Steve Burr "is working hard to extend Mark Roberts' stay until June, when his contract runs out with Crewe Alexandra. With no new deal on the table at the moment, the Vics boss is keen to make his move permanent. Roberts' loan spell ends on February 6, but discussions with Crewe are continuing. It is not known if Danny Mayman will return to Northwich when his loan spell at Alfreton Town ends next week".
Meanwhile, "Jonny Allan is to have an operation today after breaking his right leg in two places. The Vics' striker fractured his tibia and fibula following Ashley Vickers's tackle during the second half of Saturday's Conference clash with Weymouth. Doctors at Dorchester General Hospital confirmed a clean break yesterday".
The Argus says that "Crawley have targeted two more signings before the end of the transfer window after losing out on former loan defender Michael Bostwick. [The supposedly debt-ridden] Reds want to add to the six new players they have brought in during the January window by the time it shuts on Wednesday. Bostwick has turned down a chance to return to Broadfield Stadium in favour of a move to Reds' relegation rivals Rushden and Diamonds... after being released from his contract at Millwall... Caretaker boss John Yems said: 'We are looking to bring in two new players we have in mind before Wednesday and hopefully something will happen'. Latest new signing Elliot Benyon came off the bench to make his Reds debut in Saturday's 1-0 win at Tamworth. Grays loanee Mark Wright scored the 54th-minute winner".
Sacked Tamworth boss Mark Cooper turned out for Hinckley United at the weekend.
The Burton Mail says that "Lloyd Opara was left to watch the [last] game from the bench, with Clough confirming afterwards that he will not be renewing the loan of the Peterborough United striker".
NL Daily says that "Nationwide South club Braintree Town have signed 19-year-old striker Chris Sullivan on loan from Stevenage Borough".
Grays Athletic "have secured the following players on a non-contract trialist basis: Jamie Petts, 17yr old midfielder, Milton Elenge, 17yr old midfielder, Anton Robinson, midfielder, ex Millwall and Fisher Athletic. Also joining Grays Athletic on non-contract, with a view to signing until the end of the season, is Pierre Joseph-Dubois, striker, recently released by Reading FC".
At nearby Gravesend "Luke Moore has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the end of the 2007/2008 season. Luke who is in his second season with the first team, having come through the club's PASE set-up. He scored his first Conferance goal against Woking last season and has added a further five goals so far this year. This week Luke was put on stand-by for the Non-League International friendly against Northern Ireland".
Still in Esssex, Dagenham & Redbridge "are pleased to announce the signing of defender Jonathan Boardman. Jonathan was born in Reading in January 1981and began his career at Crystal Palace as a trainee. During 2001 he gained experience with loan spells at Conference sides Woking and Margate before signing permanently for the Cards in March 2002. An England National Game International, he spent two seasons at the heart of the defence at Kingfield, playing 125 games before joining Rochdale in the summer of 2005. He left Spotland in January this year having made 20 appearances for the club".
Crawley Town say that "Mark Wright has been recalled early from his loan spell from Grays Athletic. Mark joined Crawley Town on loan in November... Mark has been playing a left hand side of midfield role in recent weeks and his performances have been very encouraging. In total Wright made 10 appearances for Crawley... Sean Ridgway and Ronayne Benjamin have also been released".
As the STAR website announces, "Due to the late arrival of the final audited accounts, STAR will, once again, be holding a truncated AGM this year, with part 1 being held on Monday 29th January 2007. This first meeting will be a chance for you to quiz the current ‘temporary’ board and get to know who’s who before getting your chance to elect them officially onto the board on your ballot paper (which will follow by post at a later date).
The draft accounts and our Secretary’s report for the last year will be available on the night for you to peruse. The final audited accounts will follow with the ballot paper for your final approval.
Deadlines for motions and nominations to the board are therefore extended to 15th February 2007..please see the appropriate forms on the STAR website.
The meeting will be followed by a forum with Alty legends Jeff Johnson and Paul Cuddy.
This meeting is open to all Altrincham fans, please bring your STAR membership card with you if you are a STAR member but non -STAR members are also warmly invited. Membership forms to join STAR will, of course, be available on the night.
If you have any fund raising ideas or suggestions how you can help STAR help the club then please bring these on the night also!
This site's match report is here.
For those yet to see him, right, is pictured recent signing Chris Senior, who has made a favourable impression in his first two outings for Altrincham, the second being as a substitute on Saturday.
The Harriers Online site has a report on their win at Altrincham on Saturday. It starts, "How long can we keep winning these games, eight in a row now, before we're found out? We went to Altrincham with three key members of the side out either suspended or injured. Grabbed a goal from a re-bound and survived a second half onslaught that would have made many lesser sides crumble into a shambles. Instead we buckled down to the job and kept out a side that could see our weaknesses but just could not get past a solid defence and an even more solid keeper". It adds that "with the squad down to bare bones, it was felt that emergency cover was needed and that came in the form of a one day loan of Dean Craven from AFC Telford. I'm not sure about the legality of that but I'm sure the club checked everything out beforehand".
St Albans City reports on "the outrageous dismissal of Dean Cracknell and then moments after the game when Saints manager Colin Lippiatt announced that defender Damian Batt had played his final game for the club before heading across the county to sign for Conference National rivals Stevenage Borough. 'Damian Batt is a massive loss to this club, he is an outstanding player and I think is as good as any full back in this league. I am gutted about it but he has gone. We did discuss putting him on a contract but it was stalled for different reasons. Maybe he was always looking for a January move, and I only say maybe, and I am only so gutted because he didn't have a club when he joined us, he'd already turned down Stevenage. With him gone I've only got sixteen players including two players with bans coming up, so I've got to do something about it'".
from Stafford Rangers we read of "the signing of highly-rated 20-year-old Doncaster Rovers midfielder Anthony Griffith on a short-term loan. Since making his debut in February this year he had made eight League appearances including two on loan at Darlington last month".
At Tamworth "Returning Lambs' boss Gary Mills was understandably disappointed with the scoreline after his first game in charge. 'I've learnt a lot straight away', he said after the game, 'It would have been great to start with a positive result and we could have at least got a point – we can’t afford to miss penalties – it happens, even I’ve missed them in the past, but it was disappointing. I thought we put up a good show in the first half and pressed well but lost our shape when they scored in our desperation to get a goal back. We were naive at times and Crawley didn’t create much. There is a lot to work on in training on Monday... John McGrath had to leave the field early in the second half to have stitches in his ankle and with the transfer deadline fast approaching Mills is all too aware that he will have to work hard to get his squad for the rest of the season together quickly".
Weymouth say that "Raphael Nade has been to see a specialist last evening with two pieces of floating bone in his ankle and is going to be out for a few weeks".
The latest junior football club to be welcome guests at Moss Lane under the Featured Club Scheme were Benchill Celtic, from the Timperley & District Junior Football League. Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin hails from Benchill himself and he is seen above talking to the Benchill club's officials before the match against Kidderminster. Behind him, injured Alty captain Steve Bushell signs autographs for the visiting Celtic teams. After the teams had met Geoff, Steve and the Alty manager Graham Heathcote, Rocky Robin made a welcome appearance and he is seen below with the visitors.
And Hyde United have a report on Wednesday's game at Moss Lane.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, Lee Hendley scored a late consolation for Radcliffe after coming on as a sub yesterday. Terry Bowker has moved to Buxton from Ashton United, whilst former Alty Reserve, Adam Docker, has joined Chorley from Bangor City. 27 January 2007
Match report here.
Right: Steve Aspinall leads Alty's charge from their own half against Kidderminster .
For the Kidderminster match, Alty captain Steve Bushell remains a doubt for Alty whilst, as reported elsewhere, Gary Talbot will be playing for Kidsgrove. Steve Aspinall and Val Owen have also been treated for knocks this week, with Aspinall the more likely to be fit.
Big Ron Atkinson talks to the NLP about his new role at Kettering Town
Reaction to AFC Wimbledon's expulsion from the FA Trophy
The latest Nationwide Conference managerial casualty (Mark Cooper?) speaks out and we reveal the front runners for his old job
The Big Interview looks at what the future holds for former Weymouth manager Garry Hill. Bideford's FA Vase hat-trick hero Ellis Laight is this week's guest columnist in Star Corner. In My View looks at the thorny issue of whether the police should cross the white lines and intervene in incidents that happen on the field of play. Rob Kember of Tonbridge Angels tells us what car he drives and other personal stuff in Last Five Minutes. York City striker Craig Farrell picks his Dream Team.
The BBC confirms that "Dagenham & Redbridge forward Craig Mackail-Smith has rejected the chance to join League Two side Peterborough United, reports BBC Essex. The 22-year-old had been expected to join Posh on Monday in a six-figure move, along with 24-year-old Daggers defender Shane Blackett. But Mackail-Smith has elected to stay with the Conference leaders and try to help them into the Football League. However, Blackett will still move to London Road. The Daggers are expected to unveil his replacement on Monday".
"Morecambe have signed former Blackburn winger Jerome Watt on a month's loan from Northampton Town. The 22-year-old has made 14 appearances for the Cobblers this season, and Town manager Stuart Gray said: 'Even though Jerome has been playing for our reserves there is nothing like first team football at any level'".
NL Daily says that "Marc Goodfellow has returned to his roots to lend a hand to Burton Albion's promotion push. The midfielder — Burton-born and South Derbyshire bred — goes straight into the Brewers' squad for Saturday's clash away to Aldershot Town. Goodfellow has not played competitive football after leaving Bury because of a back problem three months ago. But Brewers' boss Nigel Clough has seen enough of the 25-year-old in training and a reserve team match to want him on board for the rest of the season... 'Marc's very quick and he's got a lovely left foot. But he's not exclusively left-footed. He'll give us an option on the right if we need to move Andy Corbett elsewhere, and he can also play up front in the middle'... Goodfellow said: 'I had a bulging disc and a spinal stress fracture, which I had to rest for weeks... I rang Burton after Christmas and they invited me to go down and join in training. It's ideal because it's on the doorstep'" reports the Burton Mail.
"Adding to the circus currently at Kettering Town is the news that 41-year-old former England man Carlton Palmer is training with the Poppies and expected to play a part in the promotion run-in. Palmer, who is a good friend of Kettering`s recently-appointed `director of football` Ron Atkinson, will not, however, be involved in the top-of-the-table clash with Droylsden on Saturday. The Poppies are also expected to complete a loan deal with Conference National side Oxford United – managed by Atkinson`s close mate Jim Smith – for central defender John Dempster. The 23-year-old, who comes from nearby Corby, came up through the ranks at Rushden & Diamonds, joining the U`s in the 2006 January transfer window." Dempster gave away a penalty against Alty this season.
Southport report that "Former Wrexham striker Jon Newby has today signed for Southport. 29 year old Newby has signed from Wrexham after a short loan spell at Rochdale. Secretary Ken Hilton obtained his International Clearance this morning, and Newby is in the squad for tomorrow's game".
SAM adds, "Graham Heathcote has ended his long search for a left back after today sealing a deal for Kidsgrove's Andy Scott. The 31-year-old will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's game against Kidderminster after being released from his contract at the Midlands club. Heathcote has been tracking Scott since the summer but the left back instead moved to Kidsgrove after taking a job in Birmingham. But after playing for Alty's reserves on Wednesday night, Scott agreed to make the move back up the M6. As part of the deal, Gary Talbot will play in Kidsgrove's next two home games and could play more games on loan there throughout the remainder of the season. 'Hopefully Scott's signing will give us more options... Scotty's got a decent left foot and knows the defensive jobs', said Heathcote. 'He's played centre half in the past and has been used as a man-marker and a sweeper, so he's also versatile. He's a Manchester lad and knows some of the guys here so he'll fit in well. Hopefully his signing will give us more options and now I can look at using Warren (Peyton) further up the pitch'... Heathcote had also approached former Alty left back Danny Adams, who was recently released by Huddersfield Town. But Adams has also received several more lucrative offers from full time Conference clubs, although he is expected to remain in the Football League".
Stevenage Borough "have confirmed that they have agreed a 5 figure fee with Southend United for 21 year-old Mitchell Cole. The left sided midfielder is expected to join Boro today (Friday) and be part of the squad for Saturdays trip to Gravesend. Cole was signed by Southend in the summer of 2005 after impressive performances at Grays following his move from West Ham United and was part of the Southend team that won promotion to the Championship last May. This season, as well as appearing in the Championship, he has been on loan at League One Northampton Town. Cole renews his partnership with manager Mark Stimson who took him to Grays as an 18 year old. The winger is one of the fastest players that Mark Stimson has worked with, as he continues to strenghten his squad in the transfer window".
SAM Sport reports how "Led by club directors Andrew Shaw (right) and Grahame Rowley and joined by BBC Radio Manchester's Jimmy Wagg, a group of supporters walked the 16 miles from Moss Lane to Northwich's Victoria Stadium on Tuesday to raise money for the club and the Autistic Society... Shaw hopes it will raise between £3,500 and £4,000 for the two causes. Andrew already raised around £5,000 for the club last year after walking to Alty's game at Morecambe. 'The support for the walk was absolutely magnificent because we had 16 people turn out on the day despite the postponement of the evening's match', said Andrew.'We completed it in around four-and-a-half hours. Both myself and Jimmy Wagg have autistic sons so we thought it would be a good idea to raise money for a good cause as well as for the club and, all in all, it was a great event'. Any of the walkers raising more than £100 will have their ticket for the rescheduled derby match, which should now take place on Tuesday February 20 pending confirmation from Northwich, paid for by the club.
Graham added "The fact that we can't win away puts a lot of pressure on us to win our home games. We are a real Jekyll and Hyde team and it's not as if we are being torn apart away from home, we are just being sloppy. It's become a real worry for me, we really need to find a system where we can start picking up points away from home".
"Meanwhile Steve Burr has been busy tying up a loan move to a UniBond Premier Division outfit for one member of his squad... He told the Guardian, 'We just need to sort out the paperwork'".
This is York claims that "York City are to admit a charge of failing to control their players following the mass brawl during the 1-0 defeat against Woking at KitKat Crescent last month. The FA has confirmed it has started disciplinary procedures against both clubs in the wake of the festive "Friday fight night" which saw City players James Dudgeon and Nathan Peat, along with Woking assistant manager Matt Crossley, sent off. City are now likely to be fined for breaching the FA's E20 (a) rule which says clubs must ensure their players and staff conduct themselves in an orderly fashion on the pitch... Peat has also been charged with violent conduct while Dudgeon has been accused of improper conduct. Crossley faces two charges of violent conduct. The chaos at the match, on Friday, December 29, began when City substitute Dudgeon, warming up on the touchline, stepped in as a peacemaker after Neal Bishop and Woking left-back Danny Bunce tangled in stoppage-time. Crossley then confronted Dudgeon 20 yards from the visitors' bench before allegedly head-butting the York defender. The two were then part of a fracas involving players and staff from both benches and including Peat, who allegedly through a flurry of punches. When the melee was cooled, Peat and Dudgeon, along with Crossley, were dismissed... Club communications and community director Sophie McGill said 'York City Football Club are admitting the charge made by the FA and will not be requesting personal representation in front of an FA panel. However, the club will be submitting documentary and video evidence to support our case. From our video evidence, you can clearly see Woking's assistant manager, Matt Crossley, stride 15 to 20 yards from his technical area to confront our substitute James Dudgeon. Without provocation, Matt Crossley then head-butts James Dudgeon and chaos ensues. Nathan Peat was also the recipient of one of Matt Crossley's head-butts and subsequently sustained a facial injury'. An FA spokesman said the punishment for failing to control players was a fine, while Peat could face another ban of at least three matches. He has already served one three-match ban for the original sending-off. The spokesman added that the offence of improper conduct faced by Dudgeon was 'wide-ranging' and punishment could be as little as a warning or as much as a proper ban".
The Tamworth Herald "Mark Cooper believes Tamworth have made the wrong decision in ending his tenure as manager claiming: 'It was a panic measure'... Ex-boss Gary Mills has already been touted as a replacement along with former Kidderminster boss Jan Molby, Hednesford Town manager Phil Starbuck and AFC Telford's Rob Smith. Former Birmingham City midfielder Cooper, who revealed he could have taken a managerial vacancy at Rushden and Diamonds five weeks ago, said he left the club on good terms but... he added: 'I told the chairman it was the wrong decision. I don't really understand it. I had no indication it was coming and it's really disappointing. Our league position wasn't great but we had games in hand and didn't feel there was a need to panic with 20-plus games left. But you have to respect the club's decision and I have no problem with the chairman, Mr Andrews, at all. I wish the club the best... The majority of fans at the club were great to us and I wish them the very best... I'm proud of my time at Tamworth and the legacy I'm leaving behind... You are on the back foot every season - ask the bookies, who have us as favourites for the drop every season. We have arguably the lowest budget in the league and we are part time compared to most of the league. It's tough but we have helped the club financially for two seasons. We have had two great cup runs and you have players like Tom Kemp and José Veiga who are targets of league clubs. 'We got Tom in on a free and he will be worth £150,000 to the club'".
From The Comet we read that "Stevenage Boro Football Club has applied for planning permission to demolish two portable buildings at their Broadhall Way ground which between them currently house catering facilities, toilets and a stewards' room. Club chief executive Bob Makin said that the buildings have been there for 20 years and are in a bad condition... In their place, a new tea bar and a purpose-built building to carry out the same functions as the old buildings would be erected... The club has also applied for permission to install four replacement 25 metre high floodlights. Mr Makin said the cost of the work would be in the region of £150,000. The club has applied for funding for the redevelopment from the Football Foundation".
Meanwhile "A trio of players are being chased by Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson this week. A wide player, a central midfielder and a full-back are targets for Stimson before the January transfer window closes on Wednesday. They currently play for clubs in the Championship and League One as well as the Conference. Stimson said: 'We're waiting on clubs with several players and the lad from the Championship is especially keen to join us. There should be more developments by the end of this week'".
At Cambridge the Cambridge Evening News reports that "Jimmy Quinn has admitted he is ready to quit if he believes it is best for Cambridge United after his side plunged to their seventh defeat in a row... leaves them 22nd - four points adrift of safety... United fans, under the gaze of unhappy chairman Lee Power, chanted for Quinn's head as the club's worst run since 1985 continued... However, he said: 'It's all about winning and getting results, you can't get away from that unfortunately. I'll have a chat with the chairman about it and if I think the answer is me leaving and getting somebody else in to save the club, I'll do it for the fans. I don't like the situation we're in because I hate losing, but you can just see, for whatever reason, we don't look like we're going to score many goals and we're leaking easy goals. I'll be disappointed if I don't get more time, but it's a results business and we need a win desperately from somewhere. Going right back to before Christmas we haven't had a win and it's been an awful start to the new year. I know the fans are frustrated and were shouting for the manager's head but I've seen from past experience that it filters through to the players and we need to give ourselves the best possible chance of winning games in a difficult siuation'. Despite the result, Quinn defended his decision to play captain Andy Duncan in central midfield, believing he gave extra steel... But the injury problems continue to mount for United with Dean Hooper, Jordan Collins and Dean Holdsworth all coming off with knee, calf and hamstring niggles respectively".
"Weymouth have confirmed that Ben Smith has rejoined Hereford United for an undisclosed fee" says Bullsnews.
The NL Daily says that "Morecambe have parted company with attacking midfielder Adriano Rigoglioso, 27, who may now link up with Forest Green Rovers. Rigoglioso had a successful loan spell at Forest Green earlier this season and may be re-united with ex-Morecambe boss Jimmy Harvey on a permanent basis".
"The Football Conference will commence season 2007/2008 on Saturday 11 August 2007 and will end on Saturday 3 May 2008".
"Barnet boss Paul Fairclough has been reappointed coach of the England National Game XI and admitted he is honoured to carry on
On the BBC site is news of yet another signing at debt-ridden Crawley Town who "have signed Bristol City striker Elliot Benyon on loan for the rest of the season. Benyon, 19, had a successful loan spell with St Albans City earlier in the season, netting six times in 12 Conference games. First-team coach John Yems told BBC Southern Counties Radio: 'He's quick and strong and he can ferret around. He should compliment our squad well. He'll look for knock-downs and is difficult to mark'".
On the BBC site we read that "Cambridge United have signed young midfielder Christian Smith on a month's loan from Port Vale. Vale boss Martin Foyle wants the 19-year-old to play some first-team football...'Going out on loan will help us see if he can make the grade'".
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Altrincham Reserves defeated Hyde United Reserves 2-0 last night .
Match report in Reserves' page.
Right: Playing at left-back, wearing no.3, for Alty Reserves tonight was Andy Scott (31). Andy has played for a variety of clubs against Altrincham in the past, including Leigh RMI, Stalybridge Celtic (from 1999), Southport, and Lancaster City, who he joined in January 2002. More recently he has been at Kidsgrove Athletic and captained them against us in a pre-season friendly in July 2006.
"Southport want an improved offer from Conference rivals Rushden before allowing top scorer Dino Maamria to go. Chief executive Haydn Preece said: 'Dino hasn't fallen out with us, but he's adamant he wants to develop his coaching career with Graham Westley. But Rushden will want to use Dino as a player and he has a contract until the summer, that's the state of play'". Maamria missed Port's draw with Morecambe and has indicated he does not expect to play for them again" states the BBC.
"Cambridge boss Jimmy Quinn believes he still has the backing of his players. Cambridge's 3-1 loss at Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday was their sixth straight Conference defeat to leave them stuck in the relegation zone. Quinn said: 'If the lads weren't trying and I had lost them then I'd be the first to go to the chairman and say something else needed to be done. But they're desperate to do well and they feel the disappointment. We have to stick together'.
Meanwhile "York boss Billy McEwan has praised the club's board after turning down the latest offer for striker Clayton Donaldson from Scunthorpe. McEwan told the York Press: 'My board have been great, they want to keep him until the end of the season and hopefully beyond that'".
They should also be in action tonight (24th) at Moss Lane against Hyde United in the same competition, depending on the weather.
Conference
FA Trophy
Above: The fundraising Altrincham walkers, led by Andrew Shaw (back row), get ready for their sponsored walk to Northwich yesterday. Pictures above and below are courtesy of Sarah Rowley.
Above: The walkers seen after arrival at Northwich - congratulations ot all concerned for raising funds for the football club and for charity.
the BBC reports that "Ron Atkinson has been appointed director of football at Kettering Town until the end of the season. The 67-year-old is returning to the Conference North club, where he started his managerial career in 1971... He has been out of football since 2004 when he lost his job as an ITV pundit for making an on-air racist comment. Atkinson led Kettering to double Southern League title success in the 1970s and current chairman Imraan Ladak was delighted to have brought him back to the club... Atkinson, who will try to help Poppies manager Morell Maison, admitted: 'If you had said this a week ago I would have said you were potty. He (Ladak) asked me if I would be interested in helping the club to promotion. It is a place I have always had an affection for... For the first week I will just be observing but then if I see things that I think could be improved, I will make those points'".
"Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish has brought Peterborough goalkeeper Luke McShane back for a second spell on loan. Daish made his move for the 21-year-old after losing first-choice keeper Lance Cronin for up to five weeks with a groin injury. 'This is obviously a setback but Luke will not let us down', Daish told his club's website. McShane... played five games for Fleet at the start of last season".
"Southport have signed defender Mark Birch on loan from Scottish First Division leaders Gretna... Birch, 30, has signed a three-month deal" says the BBC.
"Midfielder Tom Shaw is to join Conference North side Nuneaton Borough on a month's loan. Shaw, 20, has made 18 appearances for Rushden this season but was placed on the transfer list earlier this month".
NL Daily announces that it is "holding its first ever Programme of the Year award this season. The awards will be split into three categories in order that it is as fair as possible. The first category will be for Step1, 2 and 3 leagues (Nationwide Conference National, North, South and Premier Divisions of the Ryman, Southern and UniBond), the second for Step 4 leagues and the third for Step 5, 6 and 7 leagues... The programme awards will be judged by nonleaguedaily editor Steve Whitney, who twice won national programme of the year awards in the 1980s and 90s. Programmes can be submitted by club officials, players or supporters and it would be appreciated if at least two copies from different matches could be sent in by February 15th, 2007. All programmes sent in will be donated to a club shop after they have been judged. Please send programmes to: Nonleaguedaily Programme Awards, 23, Wellington Street, Kettering, Northants NN16 8RQ".
The Football Conference says that "Conference strugglers Southport FC have completed the capture of striker Paul Tait following his release by Boston United.The 32-year-old had been on loan at the Conference side since November and a full-time deal was always in the offing. A club spokesman said: 'He was supposed to sign on January 1 but a fractured cheekbone held that up. He has now signed permanently'. The Newcastle-born forward has loads of experience and has previously played for Everton, Wigan, Crewe, Rochdale and Chester amongst others".
Northwich's F.A.Trophy tie due to be played at Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday night was switched to Hastings due to the state of Borough's pitch.
From the Burton Mail we learn that "Albion have had their first enquiry about out-of-favour midfielder Lee Fowler. The 23-year-old Welshmen, who was transfer-listed by mutual agreement at the weekend, is already in talks with a rival Conference club. Brewers' boss Nigel Clough told Mail Sport: 'Lee is talking to one club and it's possible there will be more interest as news of his availability circulates'... Clough declined to name the club that has made the approach, though he confirmed it was not neighbours Tamworth... Clough said: 'Lee is not happy that we have a preferred partnership in the centre of midfield, but for the foreseeable future, we'll be sticking with Danny Holmes and Paul Carden'".
The FA confirms that the next National Game XI international friendly is Northern Ireland v England on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at Glenavon FC but adds that "The England squad is yet to be named". More on this later...
Alty's next opponents are Kidderminster Harriers, on Saturday. The FA confirms that the Harriers' Russell Penn is suspended from Saturday from "all first team football until the Club has completed 2 first team matches for 10 cautions". Harriers Online reports that "The Harriers won their sixth game in a row today in a somewhat less than thrilling game against a poor York City side... The three points gained was clouded slightly by a tenth booking of the season for Russ Penn - he will now miss two games, against Altrincham and Tamworth - and a bad looking injury to Iyseden Christie's foot that will see him almost certainly missing Tuesday night's game against Stafford. That game could also be the last for Constable in a Harriers shirt unless Mark Yates can pull something out of the hat and keep him at Aggborough for a wee bit.
The talk at Walsall is that he will be re-called to Bescot for a few games at least before deciding where his future lies".
Right: Warren Peyton tackles Clayton Donaldson in our away game at York last November.
Altrincham host York City on 10 February so any postponements for the Minstermen between now and then could mean that Alty will not face the in-form Clayton Donaldson. Indeed, "York City boss Billy McEwan will intensify his search for a new striker with Clayton Donaldson suspended for three games following his sending off for using his elbow in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers. according to This is York. The Minstermen could also have lost the services of centre-back Jason Goodliffe on a permanent basis with Rushden and Diamonds believed to be ready to shell out £10,000 for his services following the end of his three-month loan spell at KitKat Crescent. Stevenage want a transfer fee for the 32-year-old defender and a move to Rushden would suit southern-based Goodliffe geographically as well as see him reunited with former Broadhall Way boss Graham Westley... But a new striker will remain the priority for McEwan who will, otherwise, go into tomorrow night's Conference clash at Halifax Town with only Craig Farrell and untried teenager Alex Rhodes as recognised forwards. Winger Martyn Woolford could operate in a more advanced role if required".
The BBC says that "Midfielder Neil Sorvel has been released from his contract by Shrewsbury Town manager Gary Peters. The 34-year-old former Crewe player had not started a league game since mid-November... 'Sorvs has gone after we released him and he's going to sign for Morecambe', Peters told the club's website".
From This is Exeter is confirmation that "Danny Woodards is heading for the St James's Park exit door after Exeter City boss Paul Tisdale admitted he was resigned to losing the talented full-back.The former Chelsea trainee was axed from the Grecians side which slumped to a costly 3-1 defeat at the hands of promotion rivals Gravesend & Northfleet at St James's Park on Saturday... It emerged the 23-year-old has refused to sign a new contract. Woodards has been stalling on a new deal since October and fresh talks last week failed to persuade him to stay at the Conference club... Paul Tisdale commented: 'Circulating his name to other clubs is the next step... He has been distracted, his performances have not been great and we need 11 players on the field who want to play for this club in the Football League. Danny was fit enough to play, but I selected a side who are one hundred per cent behind winning the game for the team... We extended the deadline for Danny but it has still not been taken... I don't want Danny to go, I want Danny to play like he did in September and October'. Billy Jones is set to end his protracted contract negotiations by finally putting pen to paper on a two-year extension... 'It is being signed', confirmed Tisdale. The City boss hopes to bring in a new striker this week after losing out on the services of Steve Guinan and Richard Logan".
But The Northwich Guardian says that "Eastbourne Borough have called in a favour from neighbours Hastings ahead of tomorrow's FA Trophy tie. Should their Priory Lane pitch fail an inspection first thing in the morning, the second round clash will be moved to Hastings' Pilot Field. 'We want this game to go ahead', said club spokesman Len Smith. 'But we're struggling at the moment. I can't say any more than that'... Boro have had army of people working on the pitch this morning after more heavy rain overnight (on Sunday). Vics wrote to the FA last week suggesting the tie should be switched to the Victoria Stadium if it is called off again. Thursday has been pencilled in as a reserve date, but Vics have let it be known they will refuse to travel".
Meanwhile, Vics "have missed out on another of their transfer targets. Steve Burr told the Guardian he had hoped to sign a midfielder from a Conference North rival in time for Saturday's game with Aldershot Town. Instead he joined a UniBond Premier Division outfit. 'It's disappointing when a player does that', he said. 'BUT... there certainly are more names on my list yet'".
Last Saturday's opponents, Woking "are pleased to announced that galkeeper Nick Gindre has joined the Cards until the end of the season after being released by Walton & Hersham. [The manager's son] Liam Cockerill has also left the club today by mutual consent... Argentinian born Nick is a highly talented young keeper who joined Swans four seasons ago from neighbours Walton Casuals... He missed a large part of last season with a serious knee injury, but has now passed 150 appearances".
The Football Conference says that "Cambridge City are facing competition from Nuneaton Borough for the signature of Rushden's Tom Shaw".
"New Weymouth player-boss Jason Tindall has raided his old club Bournemouth to sign midfielder James Coutts on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year-old has made 16 first-team appearances for the Cherries, but has not featured this season. Coutts joined Grays Athletic on loan in November, but only made one substitute appearance" states the BBC.
Right: The "4-4" element of Alty's 4-4-2 is seen here at Woking. Aspinall, Band, Munroe and Peyton are at the back, with Lawton, Chalmers, Owen and O'Neill in midfield. More pictures below...
Match report here.
Right: Alty in action at Woking today.
Above: Last season at Kingfield, Woking beat Alty 3-1. Above Watson (no.17) puts the Cards 3-0 up after just 40 minutes.
We just can't seem to win away from home... We've not played badly - in fact, we've played much better than we did last season... It starts to play on your mind when you don't get a win - we just need to play well and get the rub of the green and it'll come. When we get that win I reckon we'll be able to go on and get a couple more before the end of the season.
Geoff's decision to leave this week was bad news. He is a top man and a brilliant chairman. I texted him this week to tell him that I was disappointed he'd be leaving. Geoff's not even a football man but he's come in to this club and turned it around. He's a friend as well as a chairman and you can talk to him about anything. I think the fact he wasn't really a football fan has helped because he doesn't interfere as much as other chairmen I've known. Geoff's put a lot of pride back into the club and he won loads of friends both for himself and for Alty during the appeal against the points deduction last season".
"Cambridge left-back Tommy Jaszczun will have surgery on his foot. The 29-year-old has been on the sidelines by the injury to his metatarso-phalangeal joint since mid-November". The BBC adds that "United have received more positive long-term injury news on midfield duo Danny Brown and David Bridges. Brown is making good progress from a hamstring problem, while Bridges is in the final stage of his rehabilitation from an ankle ligament injury".
"Stevenage have signed midfielder Mark Hughes and allowed striker Tony Thorpe to rejoin Grimsby on trial. Northern Ireland international Hughes, 23, joins Boro following spells in the League with Northampton and Oldham. After leaving Oldham in September 2006, he had a spell at Conference South side Thurrock, from where he joined Chesterfield on loan in November".
The Burton Mail reports that "Albion boss Nigel Clough is unlikely to rescue the career of Crewe Alexandra's Lee Bell... The Brewers boss saw Bell as a direct replacement for Paul Carden. However, Carden has now committed himself to Albion for the rest of the season... Clough said: 'We think Lee is a good player, but the predominant reason we inquired about him was because we thought we were going to lose Paul Carden to Bury. For whatever reason, that didn't happen and we now feel the centre of midfield is one of our strongest departments. As well as Paul, we've got Lee Fowler and Danny Holmes vying for a place in the team and in a couple of weeks' time we also expect to have Andy Ducros available again after injury'". Bell said, "I'm out of contract in the summer and I've got to try to do the best for me. I think getting away from Crewe may be it. I've made 60 appearances in five years, so I can't really call myself a professional footballer, more like a professional trainer'".
"York City boss Billy McEwan has dismissed Accrington Stanley's £25,000 plus a player bid for 20-goal Conference top scorer Clayton Donaldson as an 'embarrassment'", according to This is York. He said: "The offer was an embarrassment to our club and the player and is not even worth talking about. They were trying to take the Mickey and offered a derisory sum of money as well as a player I have been looking at for a long time". Indeed, "City's board also issued a statement refuting reports from Accrington that the League Two strugglers had returned with a six-figure sum after their original approach had been rejected... Director Sophie McGill said: 'We can confirm that we received a written offer of £25,000 plus a player but that was rejected and we have had no further communication from Accrington Stanley and no further offers have been made".
But "on-loan defender Jason Goodliffe could make his farewell appearance for York City at Kidderminster tomorrow with Stevenage Borough requesting a fee for his permanent services... Stevenage have unexpectedly indicated that they would also seek money for Goodliffe, who turns 33 in March. City boss Billy McEwan is keen to thrash out a deal that would keep Goodliffe at KitKat Crescent until the end of the season but any transfer fee could provide a stumbling block... McEwan said: 'Stevenage are looking for a fee. That's surprising and the boy has come into my office disappointed. He's been there five years, they never paid any money for him and he's been a good professional. He thought the least they could have done is let him go and pursue his career but we have got to see now if we can come up with some agreement with Stevenage'. McEwan has admitted 'I spoke to two of Weymouth's players but could not match the money they were on and would not have paid it even if I had it because it was more than what my players are on and they have sweated blood for me so far this season. I will never be swayed to pay stupid money and nobody will ever come in on more money than anyone here'".
"Hartlepool United, right sided midfielder, Michael Maidens, has joined York City today for a 4 weeks loan period. Michael Maidens is 19 years of age and 5ft 11".
At Southport "Peter Davenport has made his first signing. He has brought in centre half Adam Dugdale (20) on loan from Crewe Alexandra".
"Rushden & Diamonds have signed Mansfield Town forward Chris Beardsley on a month's loan. Beardsley, 22, is in his second spell with the Stags. He was released in 2004 but returned a year later after spells with Doncaster and Kidderminster. Also moving to Nene Park is Stuart Beavon, leading scorer from Didcot Town, reports BBC Radio Oxford... Beavon moves on a free transfer". Diamonds have also signed Rodney Hicks (20) who signed for Peterborough United in late 2006. The Posh then loaned him to King's Lynn before cancelling his contract last week.
From Forest Green Rovers "Two players have today gone out on loan for one month: Mark Preece to Weston Super Mare and Paul Stonehouse to Gloucester City. One further player will be going out on loan next week with a Conference North club... One further player is interesting a club outside of England in relation to a possible permanent move. One further player as asked for his details to be circulated for a possible transfer but he requested at this stage that his details are not made public. Manager Jim Harvey will therefore be seeking to bring one or two players in when he can conclude the right players at the right price".
Gladly, there is no truth in the alarming statement on the Woking website that "Last season’s leading scorer Colin Little recently left Alty after a lack of first team opportunities". For "Colin Little" read "Lee Hendley".
He started at Huddersfield Town as a midfielder but, after being released as part of cost-cutting measures, he played briefly for Wakefield-Emley from January 2003. After a trial with Halifax Town, in summer of 2003 the Huddersfield-born Senior joined Scarborough, where he stayed till summer 2005. He started 31(+36) league games for the Seadogs and netted 18 goals. In 2003-04 he set a Conference record by coming off the bench 36 times. Whilst with Scarborough he was selected for the England non-League squad. Chris moved to Halifax on a free transfer in summer 2005 and made 21(+40) appearances for the Shaymen.
Chris joins Colin Little, Steve Bushell, Justin Bowler, Val Owen and Karl Munroe as ex-Shaymen currently at Moss Lane.
We understand that former Altrincham FC manager Bernard Taylor is making a steady recovery from his recent stroke and we hope that his progress continues. Above is a picture of Bernard in happier times, just after winning the UniBond Shield against Stalybridge Celtic in pre-season, 1999/2000. The players seen are (l. to r). Brendan Burke, Danny Adams, Ged Kielty, Keith Russell, Stuart Coburn, Dickie Landon, Chris Timons, Tony Hemmings, Jason Gallagher and Paul Ellender, with Bernard himself, far right. On the extreme left is a Barrow supporter with a placard protesting against his club's demotion from the Conference.
The Woking News says that "Glenn Cockerill has stated the next three games will 'make or break our season' as he unveils his new-look team at Kingfield on Saturday. The Cards’ boss, who still harbours hopes of the play-offs, is preparing for 'massive' home clashes against Altrincham, a team who haven’t won away since April last year, and Oxford United (Tues), a side who have only won once, against Lewes, in their past 10 matches.... Cockerill’s men then visit Cambridge away (27th), with Jimmy Quinn’s side having the worst home record in senior football this season... It seems the ideal time to take on all three clubs, especially as Cockerill has been able to make the changes he feels can make a difference to his underachieving team, with five players set to make their Kingfield bows this weekend. Cockerill was hoping to add former Portsmouth and Dundee midfielder Neil Barrett to his squad ahead of Saturday’s match against Altrincham and he could join James Bittner, Adam Green, Liam Marum and loanee Jason Pearce in the starting line-up. Gary MacDonald, Craig McAllister and Neil Smith are expected to play a part although MacDonald (hamstring) remains a slight doubt. But the absence of thigh-strain victim Tom Hutchinson, until at least the end of the month, is a major setback... With Shwan Jalal (Peterborough), Chris Sharpling (Lewes) and Steve Evans (Crawley) all gone — and Steve Ferguson loaned out to AFC Wimbledon for a month — Cockerill has been able to draft in Barrett on the recommendation of Hutchinson. Barrett played for Portsmouth in the Championship and was a team-mate of Hutchinson at Dundee, before being released by Livingston in January of last year... and having turned down a deal at Exeter City because he wants to stay nearer the capital, Cockerill has moved to sign him.... Cockerill allowed Evans to go to Crawley... 'He didn’t produce the consistency I was looking for', said the boss. Cockerill has told Giuseppe Sole and Hutchinson he wants to build the team around them and Sole was delighted to put pen to paper on a new contract... Meanwhile, Karim El-Salahi has had his loan extended with Eastleigh... Ollie Berquez could be available against Oxford on Tuesday while Simon Jackson, Shola Oyedele and Ian Selley are a couple of weeks from fitness".
The Cambridge Evening News reports that "Lee Power has admitted Cambridge United are no closer to solving their financial woes than when he took charge. And Power, pictured below, says the annual rent on the Abbey Stadium continues to 'cripple' the U's. The United chairman arrived at the Abbey last August hopeful of making inroads into the club's running losses of around £400,000. But, five months on, he said the ongoing issue of having to pay £200,000 to stadium owners Bideawhile and a slump in attendances due to United's struggles on the pitch at home had not helped the club's long-term bid to break even. Power said: 'The position is more or less where it was when I came here, and if anything it has got worse. We put a budget in place at the start of the season for a mid-table position and not a great cup run, but we've not had any cup run and we've been in the bottom eight for near enough all season. Although the support we've had is fantastic, it's down on last season and that's made our job even tougher. With trying to get sponsorship with a team that's struggling, it has made it very difficult even though Heather (Wilkanowski, general manager) and her team have done a decent job. The football club is largely determined by what happens on that pitch on a Saturday, and there's nothing as a board of directors that we can do to make a difference in a game. We were hoping for a cup run or the team to be performing well and the gates would have increased'. Power said there was still some way to go in United's bid to buy back the Abbey from Bideawhile by the June deadline, adding that the club needed to shed its annual rent burden to secure its future... 'It's crippling the club', said Power... 'Myself and a lot of other people are frustrated with where we are at this moment in time'".
In Sussex, The Argus says that "Crawley are confident they can land a League One striker before their crucial relegation clash with Southport on Saturday. Reds have been talking to a 19-year-old frontman for a week... Joint caretaker boss Ben Judge, in charge along with Dave Wo