|
April, 2007 |
|
April, 2007 |
Epitomising that realistic view is Altrincham chairman Geoff Goodwin (right), who, several months ago, had announced his planned departure from the club at the end of 2008. But on Sunday he told the Altrincham FC website that he had had a change of heart. Geoff now wants to stay and help the football club develop as an integral part of the local community. "I've not enjoyed the last two years", he said, "Conference National was a step which came too quickly for the club". He firmly believes that clubs now have to be part-time to survive at national level.
Looking back on the two years, Geoff expressed his thanks "from the bottom of his heart to the players who have done a great job in difficult circumstances". Geoff points out that it is one thing to raise your game for a cup tie but to do it week-in and week-out for two seasons, in which virtually every game was against better resourced opposition was remarkable. The players and management had exceeded their target of 50 points (they got 51), but it was not quite enough. Like manager Graham Heathcote, Geoff accepted that two of the few players signed and placed on contracts last summer had not been successful acquisitions and, as Graham had explained at the awards ceremony on Saturday, this had effectively reduced the effectiveness of the tightly budgeted squad.
The Alty chairman also paid tribute to the fans, who had remained positive despite their disappointment at this season's outcome. Interviewed over the weekend by Jack Dearden on BBC Radio Manchester (GMR), Geoff had confirmed that relegation certainly did not mean that the management would be discarded. In fact, Geoff feels that the club is in much better shape that it was when he took over and that two years in the Conference National actually retarded its recovery by obliging expenditure to be increased because of travelling, etc.
Geoff went on to tell the website that he hoped that the Club would be able to retain the majority of the squad currently at Moss Lane - and several of the players at the Player of the Year awards last night indicated their wish to stay at Moss Lane. One who was not at the awards, goalkeeper Stuart Coburn, who spent yesterday evening in hospital after injuring his back in the Aldershot game was one player whom Geoff singled out as having already committed himself to stay at Altrincham. Both the keeper and chairman recognise that Conference North will be a difficult league to win but will relish Altrincham being, hopefully, one of the stronger teams next season rather than a struggler on the national scene. Geoff now sees Altrincham developing as a family-friendly club and is happy not to follow the route of so many clubs whose future is totally reliant on one major backer.
And Geoff revealed that despite being involved in the Cricket World Cup finals, several of the Aussies - who had become friends of the Alty chairman thorugh his coach contract with the English Cricket Board - had sent him good wishes before and after Saturday's game at Moss Lane. Indeed, World Cup hero Adam Gilchrist had been one who had texted him before the match. After the news of our relegation reached the Aussies, they told Geoff to do as they did in adversity - "Just take the positives". There are, indeed, plenty of positives, said Geoff, "The club is virtually debt free, we have a nice pitch to play on and attendances have been up this season". With new ventures such as the links with junior levels of local football and greater involvement with the community, the Alty chairman is hopeful that the any drop in attendances will be slight.
So, out of yesterday's relegation comes a great deal to be positive about at Moss Lane.
Pictured above is Altrincham FC Secretary and Director, Derek Wilshaw with a group of enthusiastic pupils of the Pictor School in Grove Lane,Timperley. Derek visited the School on Tuesday, 24th April, as part of the "Nationwide Supporters of the Future" initiative, whose aim is to develop disabled football across the country. As well as hosting Derek, Manchester Football Activities' coach Nick Hall was also a guest of the School last Tuesday. Nick gave the boys and girls four enjoyable training sessions in which they were shown footballing skills which should help them when they take part in a Special Needs football tournament in June. All at Moss Lane wish them well in that tournament. Altrincham FC have also donated two sets of goalposts and footballs to the School and the pupils were also invited to attend a Nationwide Conference game at Moss Lane. Derek would also like to thank the staff of the Pictor School for a very informative tour of their premises which impressed him greatly.
The official Aldershot website reports that "Altrincham's two year association with the Conference National ended on Saturday afternoon as Martin Kuhl's side picked up a point in Cheshire. Robins' boss Graham Heathcote remonstrated with the referee at the final whistle but, in truth, he can only reflect on his side's woeful finishing at Moss Lane in front of the [second] largest crowd of the season, 2,005, who were present in the knowledge that the home side had to win to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. Alty had chance after chance to seal the victory they needed to secure Conference status but it was the visitors who could have stolen all three points at the end when Kirk Hudson blazed over the bar. However it was the 81st minute injury to Ryan Scott that soured the whole afternoon. The Aldershot born midfielder who signed a new contract last week broke his fibia and tibia bone in a challenge with Gary Scott. Refereee Waugh played on amidst protests from the visiting bench who were directly in line with the challenge. Immediately Ryan Scott shouted to the bench "I've broken my leg" and after extensive treatment on the pitch he was taken away in an ambulance where he will have an operation on Sunday. The team coach drove straight to the local hospital after the match and the players and management spent most of Saturday evening with the Shots' youngster. Manager Heathcote immediately withdrew Gary Scott from the field of play after a lengthy stoppage... It was all about soaking up pressure in the first half. Alty created a succession of chances with Colin Little the main culprit in spurning opportunities". The site also has photos of the game whilst the Aldershot unofficial site has a match report, too.
Before the game Altrincham received many messages of support and Forest Green Rovers' Colin Peake was one person who rang the club. He assured the Robins that, despite having nothing to play for, Forest Green would give their all on Saturday. They were true to their word, winning their game against Stafford Rangers. But sadly Alty could not take advantage...
This site's match report is here.
After Saturday's game, the Altrincham FC ballboys and girls held their annual presentation ceremony. Full details of the prize winners are here. After the boys and girls had received their awards, Alty Vice-Chairman Grahame Rowley made a presentation to coordinator Ray Armstrong who is handing over the mantle of running the ballboys and girls' team at Moss Lane to his deputy Mike Antrobus, after 35 years of sterling service. Above, Grahame (left) announces that Ray (right) is to become a Life-President of the Club in recognition of his great service. Also pictured is the voice of Altrincham FC, tannoy announcer Steve Raftery. A full list of the prize winners is here.
Pictured above is Daniel, one of the many deserving recipients of awards from the ballboys and girls' team.
On Saturday evening, despite the disappointing result against Aldershot which had meant relegation, there was a record turnout at the STAR Race Night and Player of the Year Awards event. As ever, the Race Night was compered by Alty Matchday Secretary, Youth Team manager, club licensee and bingo caller, George Heslop, with the expert assistance of Toni of FundRacing. The last race alone, an auction event, raised an excellent £300 and the winning owners, The Flaggers along with several other prizewinners, generously donated their winnings back to the Football Club but the Altrincham FC website had no such good fortune. Betting its shirt on horse no.3, called Crawley Creditors in the third race, the official website found that reality was repeated as the Creditors remained out of the money at the finishing post.
As reported yesterday, the players' prizes were awarded as follows:
The Internet award was made to Joe O'Neill by Gary Warrington, who runs the Alty Fans' Forum, and his fiancée Zoe, whilst Rod Thornley, with his own beautiful assistant, Gary Scott, oversaw the Players' Player award. The management duo of Graham Heathcote and Dalton Steele presented the Clubman of the Year award. On behalf of the players, Rod thanked the directors, backroom staff and the fans for their support this season. Kitmen Danny and Charles Heathcote, and Dave Mitten were all given a deserved award. Rod also revealed that the name of Race 4 in the Race Night, "F*** this s***, I'm going home" was a direct quote from Graham Heathcote when he entered the dressing room at half-time during Alty's 5-0 defeat by Dagenham at Moss Lane early this season!
Making his award of Clubman of the Year which went, for the second successive year, to Alty's left-back, Graham said that the winner, Warren Peyton, had done excellently playing in a position he does not like. He praised Warren's commitment and hard work before going on to discuss the club's future next season. Graham said that doing well in Conference North "will be no easy task". He admitted that he was "gutted" by relegation and felt that two of his signings (and he did not need to name them) had handicapped the team this year by tying up team wages whilst not performing to the hoped-for levels on the pitch. On the positive side, Graham pointed out that since our last season in Nationwide North, the club had been put on firm financial foundations. The Alty boss felt that if the squad continued to improve as it had done in recent seasons, it should be able to push for a place at the top end of the league, but he was making no promises about winning the title.
STAR chairperson Brian Flynn presented the Supporters' Player of the Year awards. He announced that there had been a tie in the voting between striker Joe O'Neill and goalkeeper Stuart Coburn. Stuart was one of the few first team players not at the ceremony as, sadly, he had been taken to hospital with a back injury after the Aldershot game. His injury also robs the club's Staff football team of its ball-playing centre-back for the clash this Thursday with the Supporters on the Moss Lane turf.
One of the grounds that Alty will visit next season is Worcester City's St George's Lane but the club is now likely to sell the site and move to a new ground.
Photos to follow...
Having seen their team relegated a couple of hours earlier, Altrincham fans might have been expected to be in glum mood for the STAR Player of the Year awards on Saturday evening. But that was far from the case. Though Graham Heathcote expressed the view that he was "gutted" at relegation he caught the mood of the evening by reiterating that the club was now on solid financial foundations and could look forward to the future from a firm basis - unlike several of the clubs we have left behind in Conference National who sail close to the wind in their financial affairs. There will be more on the Player of the Year event later today on the website but for the time being, here is a summary of the main prizewinners:
Sadly Stuart was unable to attend the ceremony as he had to be taken to hospital by ambulance after the game. He had played just 13 minutes before collapsing with a back spasm and was still having problems as the game continued. However, despite the pain, during the prize-giving event the Alty goalkeeper texted team-mate Peter Band from hospital to enquire about the prize-giving, saying "Who's won what? Still in hosp. I'm f*ck*d!" We all hope that Stuart will make a speedy recovery.
It was also appreciated by the Altrincham supporters that their counterparts from Hampshire were supportive of our club's league plight both before and after the game. We wish them well next season under whoever their manager will be, following the recent departure of Terry Brown.
Right: Karl Munroe contests possession with John Grant.
The Cambridge Evening News reports that "Jimmy Quinn believes Cambridge United will complete their great escape in style with victory at home to relegated Tamworth at the Abbey tomorrow. A win would keep United up, while even a draw is likely to be good enough with Altrincham needing to win by five clear goals at home to Aldershot if that happened. But Quinn wants nothing less than three points to end the season on a high note and hopes it will be a case of the Lambs to the slaughter. He said: 'I've never played in a relegated team but it would knock the stuffing out of you and their players will be concerned about their future. That's probably a lot better than Tamworth coming here fighting for their lives. There was a buzz after the Aldershot game and I think Courtney Pitt shouted 'let's finish it off next week', so they're all on a high and looking forward to the game. We're going to have a big crowd here and two most important things are that we do a professional job and entertain the fans. We need to be relaxed and show the fans what we can do, and we've shown in the last few home games we're more than capable of doing that. Everything is in our favour but there's no room for complacency and we'll need to give 100 per cent'".
From This Weymouth we read that "When the final whistle blows on the Terras' last game of a roller-coaster season at relegated St Albans tomorrow, boss Jason Tindall still doesn't expect to be in a position to tell his players where their futures lie. 'I have signed my own contract but I still have my hands tied behind my back because I haven't been told I can talk to any players yet which is very frustrating', said Tindall. 'Here we are approaching the last game of the season and we still don't know what is going on. It's far from ideal because one would have thought we would be able to have sorted something out by now. But St Albans won't be the last time I will be seeing the players because their contracts run into May and I will be having them in next week for a couple of days. That will give me an opportunity to speak to them all next week and hopefully the situation will be clearer then as to what we can afford and what we can't'".
At the top end of the table, This is York says that "City boss Billy McEwan has revealed how the 'four Cs' can catapult the Minstermen into the Conference play-offs. As City prepare to face Oxford in their make-or-break end-of-season encounter at KitKat Crescent tomorrow, McEwan called on his players to focus on his keys to success - confidence, composure, commitment and concentration. The Minstermen know a draw against Jim Smith's outfit will guarantee their place in the Conference post-season. But McEwan said his side would not be sitting back trying to settle for a point. What happens if...City lose - they will miss out on the play-offs if Exeter and Burton both win their home games against Southport and Rushden & Diamonds respectively. The Archbishop of York John Sentamu will join Happy Wanderers heroes Norman Wilkinson and Gordon Brown at York City's crucial Conference home match with Oxford".
Relegated Tamworth have "reduced admission prices for 2007-08 and there is also a big incentive to buy season tickets now... In addition, the introduction of a family ticket will also give an opportunity to save money. General manager Russell Moore said: 'Careful consideration has been given to the pricing structure for next, irrespective of what level we will be playing at. We pride ourselves on a reputation of being a family club and we believe that the reductions not only reflect that but show we do listen to the constant feedback we get from our supporters. For next season, an adult main stand seat will be £12, with concession (u18, over 60) at £7, and admission to the terraces will be £10 and £5 respectively. Season tickets (league games only) will be pegged at current prices for those buying before July - £228 adult seated, concession £133; adult standing £190, concession standing £99. After July 1, the prices will be as follows: adult seat £240, concession seat £140; adult standing £200, concession standing £99. Supporters aged 12 or under will have the option of becoming a Junior Lamb - main stand seat at £90 and £70 for the terrace... The new family match ticket, covering one adult and two under 18s, will be £20 for the main stand and £16 terrace. These will be available for league games only and must be purchased 48 hours before the fixture".
Fellow relegated team Southport say that manager "Peter Davenport is looking to finish the season on a high on Saturday. Davenport wants to get up to fourth from bottom in the Nationwide Conference at 5pm on Saturday night. The task is a difficult one against an Exeter City side who need points to confirm a Conference play off spot and who boast the best home record in the Conference".
Stalybridge Celtic"New Chairman Rob Gorski has announced that John Reed and Mark Atkins will part company with the club after tomorrow's game with Gainsborough Trinity. The Board have made the decision not to renew the managerial duo's contracts after a season that saw the Celts go uncomfortably close to dropping to the UniBond League". Also, the Peter Dennerley adds that "Most of you will know Rob Gorski as the director from Monaco. I can tell you he is a Stalybridge lad, his family still live in the town and he lives, eats and breathes Stalybridge Celtic".
The race to join Conference North is as intense as that to avoid dropping into it. The Northwich Guardian says that "Mathematicians have had a field day working out the possible permutations in tomorrow's UniBond Premier title chase. Burscough travel to Telford, while Witton host Frickley... If AFC Telford United win, they are champions and take the automatic promotion spot. If Burscough win, they are champions and take the automatic promotion spot if Witton fail to win by more than two goals. If Witton win, they will be champions if Telford and Burscough draw or, if the Linnets win, they outscore them by at least two goals. If Witton draw they can't win the title, regardless of what happens at The New Bucks Head".
Tomorrow's tense final day of the season is nothing new to Altrincham who, in the last three seasons have faced five other "sudden-death" games at the end of the league campaign.
In 2004, Altrincham had to beat Runcorn FC Halton to clinch a place in the new Conference North; (the post-match celebrations are shown, right). In 2005, results on the final day had to fall our way to ensure a place in the Conference Promotion Playoffs. Then, three successive play-off games had to be won to secure a place in the Conference National for 2005-06. In 2006 things should have been different as Altrincham had secured enough points to stay up before the end of the season. But the 18 points' deduction applied to the club meant that, once again, on the final day of the campaign no one knew where our next match would be. And, now Altrincham find themselves yet again in a state of uncertainty as they kick off their final match, unsure at which level they will be competing next season. Let us hope that, as in the last three seasons, it all turns out well in the end!
Please do your bit by making the effort to come to Moss Lane tomorrow if you possibly can. Then, you can also show your appreciation to the ballboys and girls at their presentation event on the pitch after the final whistle. Following the Friends of Altrincham FC Monthly Prize Draw at 5.30pm, there will be the annual STAR Player of the Year and Race Night event, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
SAM adds that "Altrincham fans are planning to create a carnival atmosphere at Moss Lane for Saturday's must-win game against Aldershot, with the game declared a 'Red and White Day'. Supporters are being encouraged to wear red or white clothing and bring balloons and flags to the game to create a special atmosphere. Gary Warrington, the supporter behind the idea, said: 'This is our cup final. I urge anyone who has supported Altrincham in the past to show their support again. The club deserves to be rewarded for all the hard work they have done by getting support from the people of Altrincham. So if you have nothing to do between 3 and 5pm get down to Moss Lane. Or even if you have plans, cancel them and come along to support the team. If Tamworth can get more than 2,000 people down to their last home game then so can we. Let's create a carnival atmosphere to give the lads a real lift as they run out onto the pitch'".
From the other side The Aldershot News and Mail reports that "Former Peterborough boss Keith Alexander is a frontrunner for the vacant manager’s position at Aldershot Town. The 50-year-old has applied for the job — alongside a lengthy list of candidates thought to include the likes of Graham Westley, Graham Rix and Frank Gray — and will be considered a strong candidate to replace Terry Brown, who left the club last month. He refused to confirm or deny his interest to the News earlier this week, but admitted he had applied for the job previously — only to see it go to Brown — and would welcome a return to football management. Alexander has been out of work since January, when he left The Posh by mutual consent".
Our neighbours Trafford report that "31 year old Ged Kielty (right), Trafford's midfielder has been named as the new club manager, following in the footsteps of Danny Johnson who has decided to moved up a level to join Unibond League Premier Division side Ashton United as their manager.
Ged started his football career as a youngster with Manchester City. He then moved on to Irish side Cork Ramblers returning to England to play for Southport, Barrow, Altrincham, Leigh RMI, Hyde United and after a 22 month 'retirement' he returned to football this season by joining Trafford. Ged has also won International caps with the Eire Under 18's, a runners-up FA Trophy medal with Southport and a Unibond Premier League Championship medal with Altrincham. Ged who was born in Urmston was voted last night's Trafford's Man of the Match by our opponents FC United in our magnificent 4-4 draw at Gigg Lane, takes charge for this Saturday's final game of the season at Silsden (Keighley)".
"Boss Gary Mills is determined to lead Tamworth back into the Conference top-flight after their relegation was confirmed with one game to go... He said:'The disappointment will go away because this is a great football club to be at. We all need to stay proud and positive and I will now prepare a squad for the start of next season'. Mills told the Tamworth Herald: 'We will all work as hard as we possibly can to get the club back into this league'" .
UK Sports announces that Boston United, on the brink of relegation to the Conference, have had some good news. "Crisis-torn Boston's home game against relegated Torquay will be played at York Street after a court hearing ruled on the matter.The Malkinson family, who have been connected with the club since the 1930s, own the stadium and wanted the lease forfeited because the club is in rent arrears. But after legal argument the hearing was adjourned to a date no earlier than June 26, dictating that Saturday's crucial League Two fixture will definitely be played at Boston's home ground".
Alty supporters all over the world are preparing for this Saturday's match as this e-mail, received yesterday, from Peter Spragg confirms... "I now live in Canada - since 1980 - but I follow the Robins all the time. I was a regular at Moss Lane for many years, and really enjoy following them on the web. Please wish the team all the best for Saturday's game, from one of their Canadian supporters! Best Regards, Peter Spragg".
Amongst other Alty fans who work many miles from Moss Lane are:
I am very grateful to both Howard and Terry for their updates.
From Bullsnews we hear that "Boston have been refused permission to play their last League Two game of the season at Peterborough. They had requested the move as they fear being locked out of their own ground. Eviction proceedings are due on Thursday. Barry Fry, who is the Peterborough managing director, told Sky Sports that his club's holding company had rejected the idea. 'Boston don't even know themselves yet and I am hugely disappointed that this hasn't been allowed to happen', said Fry. 'I've been going round the houses getting permission from the police, safety officers, doctors, and crucially the Football League. But I've just heard the holding company have blocked it for reasons I cannot even fathom and I'm left gob smacked by it. In this day and age football people have got to help out other football people. It doesn't matter if it's Macclesfield or Accrington Stanley, if anyone was in trouble and I could help out I would, and I can't believe these plans have been blocked. You can't help but fear for the future of Boston United now'".
In the Conference itself, "Boss Justin Edinburgh is hesitant about Saturday's final game of the season after Grays beat Kidderminster to be one point away from Conference safety. Grays' 3-0 win on Tuesday means they now need only a draw against Morecambe. Edinburgh said: 'My assistant manager Jimmy Dack and I will sit down on Thursday and discuss Saturday's game and plan our tactics. I don't know whether to go looking for the one point or the three points', Edinburgh told the Thurrock Gazette.
There is not good news below for Alty, who will be hoping for a Kidderminster win at Crawley on Saturday. The Kidderminster Shuttle says that "Harriers complete their disappointing Conference campaign at Crawley Town on Saturday when the final whistle will signal the start of a major assault on Wembley battle plans. Yates said: 'Once we couldn't get into the play-offs we've toned down training a little bit to give the players a bit of a breather with a view to stepping it back up next week and going at it really hard. It'll be a two week build-up for us. We'll be going down to the game a couple of days earlier and the day before we'll go and look around Wembley'... Yates describes the new £757 home [I think they missed out the word 'million'!] of English football as 'awesome' and promises Aggborough fans that 'it will be a day to remember for everybody. We've got to keep pushing the club forward and we've got to strive to be better all the time. We need to be more consistent... We've also got to try to make our pitch better because it's no coincidence that when we play at the Stevenages and Oxfords, and places like that where the pitches are decent, for some reason we're considerably better'. Harriers will have midfielder Russ Penn and goalkeeper Scott Bevan available for Saturday's clash at Crawley. Penn has completed his three-match ban for accumulating 15 yellow cards while Bevan served his one-game suspension... [But] Harriers' manager Mark Yates has been summoned to appear before an FA disciplinary panel on Tuesday, May 15, after being charged with misconduct following an alleged altercation with Exeter City's Lee Elam at Aggborough on February 17".
"Kidderminster assistant manager Neil Howarth apologised to fans who endured the 3-0 defeat at Grays. FA Trophy finalists Kidderminster have won just once in their last six games and next face a Crawley team who need a point to guarantee Conference survival. Howarth told Harriers' website: 'I'd like to apologise to them because a lot of them made the trip for nothing. We have to make sure we give them a performance to remember at Crawley on Saturday now'". The BBC adds that "Crawley assistant boss John Yems believes his side will bounce back to get the result they need to stay in the Conference after losing 2-1 at Halifax. Crawley are two points above the drop-zone with one game to go, and Yems said: 'We know what we have to do now and all the players are determined. This defeat makes us pig sick but we will come back stronger like we have all season and get the result'".
The Woking News and Mail says that "Liam Daish and Terry Brown are thought to head the shortlist of four as the race for the vacant Woking manager’s job gathers pace. Gravesend manager Daish, who is said to be looking for a new challenge despite taking his club to the verge of the play-offs this season, is yet to sign a new contract offer at Stonebridge Road. Both he and former Aldershot boss Brown would be popular choices — while Neil Smith will also be interviewed and is understood to have been told there will be a role for him at Kingfield next season. Incoming director Colin Lippiatt and Phil Ledger have been handed the responsibility of selecting Glenn Cockerill’s replacement — with the new manager due to be in installed by the end of next week. With the club reluctant to lose Smith’s experience, spirit and passion for the club, a new manager may be brought in and told to work with the current joint caretaker boss — or Smith may just get the nod himself with Lippiatt acting as a mentor. With the shortlist from around 30 applications now down to four — Smith among them — the emphasis is on appointing a man who believes in an entertaining brand of football, seen as a must to bring back the club’s lost fans... Former Cards’ boss Lippiatt — who has returned to Kingfield for the fifth time since he began life in football 29 years ago, this time as a director — will begin his new role next week once his commitments as team boss of St Albans have been fulfilled this weekend. With the title of ‘football technical director’ undecided but mooted as a possibility, he will work closely with Ledger, with his position being 'between 90 and 99% football orientated'... The irony is he was refused entry to the Woking boardroom at a recent Conference match, because of the club’s stance in not allowing rival managers in to the room...'I’m really chuffed to be returning... working with the new manager in an advisory capacity, on things such as player recruitment, and being there to give any advice and recommendations and ideas... We will sit down and examine all four candidates, interview them, and invite the one we want, but of course, in football you don’t always get your number one choice so we need a back up'.... Lippiatt is aware of the current squad’s shortcomings and the list of players being retained is not believed to be a long one. The likes of Matt Ruby and Jerome Maledon are likely to be invited to sign, while goalkeeper Nick Gindre, winger Goma Lambu and inspirational centre back Tom Hutchinson are among others approached. One thing that’s certain is there won’t be a repeat of last summer, when Cockerill signed on virtually the entire squad following an underachieving season. St Albans’ midfielder Tom Davis is an obvious target, given his connection to Lippiatt, and there are one or two others who could be approached. 'Having spent this season in the Conference national there are a number of players I’ve seen who would be real assets, but of course they have to fit into the budget structure we have'".
After Wednesday night's draw at Vics, watched by just 515 people, Stevenage now have no possibility of making the play-offs.
The referee for Saturday's vital clash at Moss Lane is Mr P. Quinn.
Last night's results (see below) condemned both Southport and Tamworth to relegation.
From This is United we learn that "Oxford United have chosen not to erect a temporary fourth stand for the home second leg of the play-off semi-finals. .. 'We looked into it very thoroughly, but after considering the size of the stand, the fencing around it, proper turnstiles, toilets and refreshments, we have found that the cost would be considerably more than the revenue generated – and that's assuming we could have sold it out in its entirety', said secretary Mick Brown. The hope was that, by putting up a temporary new stand for the visitors behind the goal at the car park end at the Kassam Stadium, it would free up the whole of the North Stand for Oxford fans, and give them around 12,500 supporters at the game. But competition rules determine that they have to give the opponents ten per cent of the capacity, which would necessitate the temporary stand being approximately 1,400 seats. And tickets for the away team could not be sold at a higher price than those for the home fans – for example, £14 for adults. 'We looked at the maths and it just doesn't stack up', Brown said".
This is Weymouth says that "Weymouth skipper Trevor Challis believes it would be a 'huge shame' if the club's current squad of players were forced to disband. Manager Jason Tindall's men, who are all out of contract at the end of season, were told a fortnight ago that the club's future is secure but since then they have heard nothing more. Challis said: 'I think the next week or two is going to be very interesting. I think Jason wants to work with a lot of the players and he wants to get the situation sorted as soon as possible. We have also got to know what is going on ourselves because if things carry on like they have been we could all be out of work in a fortnight's time. It would be a huge shame if the squad had to disband. We have shown a lot of potential and everyone wants to go into next season together to see what we can do. We were informed a fortnight ago that the future of the club is secure but nothing else been mentioned to the players since. It has just been a waiting game".
Altrincham FC have received the following letter from the organiser of last Monday's Independent Schools' international match at Moss Lane.
Just a note to thank you once again for everything yesterday. It was a fantastic day from our point of view – it could not have gone better. To have an “international” match to climax the season is a real boost to our organisation and, if you had not agreed to stage it when I asked you in January, it almost certainly would not have come off this year.
As I mentioned to you yesterday, the success of these occasions depends to a huge degree on the welcome and co-operation that we receive from the host club and Altrincham were outstanding in the department. We really are extremely grateful to everybody who took so much trouble to make us feel at home and, in particular, to everybody who took so much time to prepare the food which was excellent. We could not possibly have asked for more from a host club.
As requested I am attaching an action picture (right) of the game. It depicts Ollie Osbaldeston of Manchester Grammar School (ie a local lad) in action. If you do use it in a programme, please could you acknowledge the copyright of RWT Photography.
Finally, could you just remind me of the name of your club doctor – I would like to drop him a note to thank him for coming along.
Very many thanks once again – and the best of luck on Saturday.
Best wishes,
Mark Dickson
So get down to Moss Lane - and bring a friend or two - on Saturday for what manager Graham Heathcote describes as a cup final. All under-14s will be admitted free. As a reminder of the sort of atmosphere that Graham has called for, below is a photo from Andy Boyers of the Play-Off Final win at Stoke in 2005!
Tuesday 24th
Graham had some relaxation on Monday night as he oversaw a fundraising penalty shoot-out by a group of local Brownies before giving them a tour of the ground. Then, he watched the Reserves take on Farsley Celtic at Moss Lane.
The Tamworth game is the subject fo an report in the Sale & Altrincham Messenger which says that "The prospect of relegation looms large at Moss Lane. Alty went to Tamworth on Saturday knowing a win would virtually seal survival, but instead suffered the worst case scenario... Now they almost certainly need a win in their final league game of the season against Aldershot if they are to stand any chance of staying in non-league's top flight. Nobody expected the trip to Tamworth to be easy but this was a relegation scrap of the worst sort. Grit and passion were valued higher than skill and composure and, perhaps unsurprisingly on a pitch that would hardly be fit for pub football, genuine quality was almost non-existent. Alty never looked entirely comfortable with such an out-and-out battle and the writing was on the wall very early on. Spurred on by a bumper crowd, the home side started with plenty of purpose and, aided by some sloppy Alty defending, were ahead within 14 minutes. Karl Munroe made a mess of his headed clearance, sending the ball straight to John McGrath. The Tamworth midfielder looked up before whipping a delightful ball across the box that Atieno stooped to head home. From that point on, it always appeared to be an uphill task for the Robins, who have not managed a single win all season in games where they have conceded the first goal. Indeed, their only effort on target in a dire first half was Peter Band's header from a Lewis Chalmers long throw. And that too barely tested home stopper Jose Veiga. But, in truth, Tamworth fared little better... It was a different story after the break, although this too failed to provide a happy ending. Rod Thornley... added spark up front and the chances soon began to come... And when Graham Heathcote threw on big defender Gary Talbot to make a nuisance of himself up front, the pressure continued to mount".
The BBC says that "Bolton have signed former Exeter City youth product Mark Ellis on a one-year professional contract. Central defender Ellis, 18, spent three years with Exeter's academy but moved north after a successful trial. Ellis told the Exeter Echo: 'I haven't any regrets about leaving Exeter, I moved on to develop my career but they helped me get where I am now'".
No talk of the impending financial decisions due at Crawley next Monday in the Argus which says that Crawley Town "should have no fear going into tomorrow's relegation showdown with Halifax. Reds need a point at The Shay to secure their place in the Conference for next season. The odds will be against them as they face another side fighting for their lives, a boisterous crowd of passionate Yorkshiremen and the fatigue of a five-hour journey. But they will have every confidence of getting the job done after a battling performance at Grays... The caretaker management trio of Ben Judge, Dave Woozley and John Yems should take a lot of the credit. They bravely decided to go head-to-head with Grays' attacking 4-3-3 formation and it paid off in the first half... Judge said: 'Our belief as a management trio is that we play best when we match up with teams. We believe that individually we are as good as anyone in this league so if you match up, tactics then don't come into it. It is down to hard work and who the better player is in that position on the day... There is still work to be done but it is another week gone and another week we are not in the relegation zone. There is only one more week to go, thank god'".
From the Lancaster & Morecambe Citizen we learn that "Michael Twiss is targeting a play-off return - and says he is itching to get back in action. The talismanic Twiss hopes to play in Wednesday's reserve game at Woodley Sports and would like to feature for the first team on Saturday against Grays Athletic. Boss Sammy McIlroy feared that Twiss would not play again this season after he suffered a reaction to his long-term knee injury after playing for 85 minutes in the reserves. But his recovery is back on track. 'Hopefully I am not too far away', says Twiss. 'I would like to have a run in the reserves and if that goes to plan play some part on Saturday. I want to get back for the play-offs - but we will just have to see how the knee is'". Twiss was one of five players fielded by Morecambe Reserves against Farsley Celtic Reserves last week who were not eligible for the Lancashire League Cup and the Yorkshire club has lodged an appeal against the Shrimps.
Woking chairman Chris Ingram "says the next 9 months will determine the club's future. In that time they will discover if plans for vital redevelopment of Kingfield will be given council permission" according to the NL Paper. The developments are aimed to improve the club's income streams. Woking have had 22 applications for the manager's job at the club, following Glenn Cockerill's departure. Ingram added that "We are staying full-time for next season but if planning does not go through then the financial tap will be turned off. I'm not walking away but nor am I going to continue with the current level of funding".
Right: Altrincham are limping towards the finishing line as Joe O'Neill became the latest casualty at Tamworth on Saturday, when he suffered what seemed to be a hamstring injury.
The NL Paper says that a "seething" Graham Heathcote" refused to talk to the press after the defeat at Tamworth. The Lambs website quotes Tamworth boss Gary Mills: “It was a magnificent performance all round, both individually and as a squad, and the result was just as good. I thought we dealt with their threats extremely well and José Veiga made some unbelievable stops. We can go home happy tonight knowing that the ball is in everyone else’s court, at least until midweek. It is tense and we have to live with the pressure but the lads have shown maturity today and I thought we could have had a couple more goals. ”The situation is still out of our hands and Tuesday night may detract from what we have done today but we’ve all got our fingers crossed that we can go to Cambridge on Saturday and get the result we need". In the NL Paper, Mills added, "I felt we had the majority of the ball and were worthy winners. There were more long throws and freekicks into our box in the second half and we dealt with that very well. José Veiga made an unbelievable save as well".
There is more on the match in yesterday's news, below...
Our final opponents this season, Aldershot Town "are delighted to announce that Ryan Scott, Dave Winfield and Kirk Hudson have all signed new contracts that enurse that all three players will be at Aldershot Town for season 2007/08... Striker John Grant received the Player of the Season Award from the Supporters' Club prior to Saturday's final home match of the season against Cambridge United... John, who has scored 20 goals in his first season at Aldershot, recently signed a new two year deal. Caretaker Martin Kuhl said, 'I would endorse that award. I think Ryan Williams has done well this season but John is a goal scorer and he has become a crowd favourite and rightly so because he has scored goals and done well for the club'. Midfielder Ricky Newman received the Players' Player Award... The former Millwall player has made 44 appearances this season". Meanwhile "Shots ended their home campaign with a disappointing defeat against Cambridge United at the Rec... Nikki Bull was undoubtedly the Aldershot hero at the Rec on Saturday afternoon despite ending up on the losing side... Cambridge, spurred on by the largest visiting contingent at the Rec this season, knew that any thing less than a victory would seriously jeopardise their Conference status and Jimmy Quinn's side deserved their victory courtesy of Robbie Simpson's late goal. Caretaker Manager Martin Kuhl told 'The Shots' afterwards, 'We looked tired and we weren't sharp. There was not enough quality on the ball today. Nikki pulled off some outstanding saves and that is what he is all about. There is no excuse though and I have no complaints. As well as the players have done for me so far we were lacking today. We put out a team to win the game and changed our system but it wasn't a fluent performance and Cambridge deserved their win'. Midfielder Ricky Newman was sidelined through injury and replaced by Ryan Scott whilst Anthony Charles' injury continued to prevent him from playing... It was all Cambridge. Quinn's side showed intent that they came for victory and looked comfortable against the home side who struggled to find any rhythm to their game... It is not certain that Cambridge have survived although victory against Tamworth next Saturday will be enough and, in truth, the Conference needs clubs like Cambridge United in it."
Right: Action from today's game.
After a poor first half in which Alty failed to muster a shot on target and lost Joe O'Neill with a hamstring injury, Alty brought on central defender Gary Talbot after an hour, to form a three-man attack, and went on to dominate the second half. But they could not score, though Little had a well-taken goal ruled out for offside and goalkeeper Veiga threw himself in front of a point-blank effort from the same player. In the first half Tamworth, led by Atieno had been the more threatening and took the lead after 13 minutes when Atieno's header beat Coburn, and went in just inside his right post. So, it looks as if a win will be needed next Saturday to avoid relegation.
In Saturday's other matches, Aldershot's defeat did nothing to help Altrincham but Halifax, Southport and Stafford all lost, whilst Grays and Crawley drew. Midweek matches involving Halifax and Grays will be vital for Altrincham's future.
The Tamworth Herald says that "'Back us like never before' was the message emanating from The Lamb this week as Tamworth prepare for Saturday's must-win home game with Altrincham. Gary Mills and his side will be relegated from the Conference on Saturday if they fail to win or other results conspire against them. And that has prompted general manager Russell Moore to make an impassioned plea for support. He said: 'This is the biggest game of the season for this club, regardless of the FA Cup run we had. We have to win to have any chance of maintaining our Conference status, it's as simple as that. We need a 12th man on Saturday and the supporters can be that for us. There have been some nerves around the place in the last few weeks and I think that affects the players. They are giving 110 per cent, busting a gut to keep the club up and the fans can really lift them this weekend. We need them to roar the team on and they can help blow that ball into the back of the Altrincham net for us. There is no place for negativity at this time. We want the supporters to turn up in their droves, support the lads and believe we can stay up. A couple of thousand people in The Lamb makes for an intimidating atmosphere for rival sides. I want the fans to be loud and proud and prove they want a football club playing at as high a level as possible. What will be will be at the end of the day but we are going to give it our all in these last two matches. We won't lie down and go out without a whimper. The fans need to do the same. I have stood on the terraces as a fan and know how loud this crowd can be".
The Herald also reports that "Proud new dad John McGrath is hoping he will have a double reason to celebrate at the end of this month and believes Tamworth fans hold the key to survival. The Tamworth playmaker celebrated the birth of his second child - daughter Mia - on Sunday. Now he wants to cap a perfect week with three points against Altrincham on Saturday. A packed out Lamb, he insists, is the key to ensuring a victory which, other results permitting, will take the relegation issue to the last day of the season. 'The fans have got a massive part to play for us this weekend', said McGrath. 'When we played St Albans I thought The Lamb was a bit like a morgue in the first half. But the fans came to life in the second half and we equalised and could have won the game. If they get behind us from the word go on Saturday, I'm sure we will get the right result. It's been such a frustrating season for us because I honestly believe we have a squad capable of making it into the top six or seven in the Conference. We have beaten top sides like York and Gravesend so we know we are capable. But for whatever reason it just hasn't happened. We got on a great run under Gary Mills but injuries to people like Simon Weaver and Adie Smith - big players for us - affected us. And our lack of goals has also been a massive factor in our struggles lately. We need to start finding the net and we are running out of games. Hopefully that will change this weekend".
Altrincham Reserves manager Neil Brown (right) has announced that he will be moving on from his post after the Reserves' last match of this season, which is at home to Farsley Celtic. This game has been moved forward from Wednesday to Monday 23rd April at 7.45pm at Moss Lane.
Neil has done an excellent job in his three seasons in charge of Altrincham FC Reserves. He came to Moss Lane with an excellent track record at Fletcher Moss Junior FC, whose graduates included Lewis Chalmers and Pat McFadden. Being Reserves' manager is a very difficult job as it entails fitting in the requirements of the first team players to regain fitness after injury or to retain sharpness after being regulars on the first-team bench. So the side is constantly changing with some matches featuring large numbers of first-teamers and others featuring the normal reserves' squad alone. Under Neil, playing for the Reserves has also proved to be the route into the first team squad for the likes of Lewis and Pat. The Reserves also provides an excellent intermediate stage between the Youth team at Altrincham and the first team with the likes of Kieran Lugsden being another player to benefit from Neil's coaching. The current Reserves' squad is developing such ex-Youth players as Ben Deegan, Astley Mulholland, Andy Keogh, Michael Risk and Adam Walker who all aspire to graduating to the first-team, as well as players spotted in local football like Danny Heffernan and John Maloney.
But Neil has not been content with a single job for, as well as managing the Reserves, he has been the Altrincham FC groundsman for the last couple of years, a task which has occupied many hours of his time in baking heat and pouring rain alike. Fortunately, Neil is staying at Moss Lane in this capacity. And as if these two jobs were not enough, Neil is also an employee of chairman Geoff Goodwin, driving his coaches on school-runs and other trips. Neil's family have also become involved with the club, with Michael and Ashley both regulars in the Reserves, whilst their younger brothers and sister have done their bit helping with the kit and on ballboy/girl duties.
From a personal point of view Neil has been an excellent communicator with this website. Many is the time he has rung from pitchside on a midweek night at Guiseley or Ossett to report on the outcome of an Altrincham Reserves' game. He has decided to move on from Altrincham Reserves to further his football management aspirations and is actively looking at applying for vacancies which may arise in the NW Counties League or higher and we wish him luck in that respect. His knowledge of local football is extensive and he will be an asset to any club that he joins. All at Altrincham FC wish him well in his management career but will no doubt continue to rib him for his aspirations to emulate Premiership groundsmen with his intricate mowing patterns on the Moss Side pitch.
"Former Woking manager Colin Lippiatt is to re-join the Cards as a director once he has stepped down as St Albans boss. Lippiatt told BBC Southern Counties Radio: 'I've had 29 seasons in non-league football. You don't profess to know it all but I hope I have a lot of experience to offer, in terms of player recommendations and negotiations. The club are trying to find a new manager, so there are quite a lot of aspects to be sorted out'".
Meanwhile, "Millwall striker Chris Zebroski will stay on loan at Oxford for the rest of the season, and will be available for the Conference play-offs" states the BBC. "The 20-year-old, who was initially to stay with the U's for one month, scored his first goal for the club in the 4-1 home win over Weymouth on 9 April. Oxford will finish second in the league if they beat Stafford on Saturday".
Nearer home, the Northwich Guardian says that "Vics will nurture their own homegrown talent in the future. The club have formed an alliance with Northwich Town Junior Football Club, which will eventually see youngsters from the age of six up to academy level playing under the Vics' banner. Vics' general manager Dave Thomas is delighted to have sealed the deal".
This is Weymouth confirms that "Player-boss Jason Tindall has put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal at the Wessex Stadium. The contract is a reward for the fantastic job the 29-year-old has done since taking over at the helm in January when the club undertook a huge cost-cutting exercise... Tindall has rebuilt the side and has been getting huge praise for the attractive football he has managed to get his squad to produce. Commenting on his new deal, Tindall said: 'It was always something I had in mind in regards to the long-term and I am just glad it has been sorted...There are a lot of very good players here that I want to keep for next season... I can see there are some exciting times ahead'. Club chairman Martyn Harrison... when asked for an update on how talks are progressing behind the scenes in terms of the club's future, added: 'There is still lots of talking going on. Solicitors are trying to put together little packages at the moment and things are getting closer but these things always take a long time'".
Cambridge United report that Charles Ademeno has returned to the club to complete his loan spell from Southend.. but fellow loan player Chris Flynn has returned to Crewe Alexandra after injury whilst Craig Hughes will return to Colchester after this weekend.
Altrincham Youth were beaten 3-0 last night by a skilful Wuhan FC side from China, in a match played as part of the Manchester/Thailand Sports & Cultural Festival at the Manchester Regional Athletics Arena.. Match report to follow.
Right: Alty Youth in action against Wuhan in the shadow of Manchester City's stadium at Eastlands.
SAM adds that all under-14s will be admitted free at Altrincham's final game of the season, a week on Saturday, against Aldershot Town.
And from the other side this Saturday is this from The Tamworth Herald: "Calling all Tammies - your football team needs you! And the Herald has paved the way for the biggest ever giveaway of tickets at the Lamb. Tamworth FC face a do or die survival battle and the Herald has teamed up with manager Gary Mills to issue a rallying call to the people of the town to flock to the Lamb Ground on Saturday and roar the team to Conference survival. The Herald and Tamworth FC have teamed up to make TWO sensational offers to encourage Tammies to back the boys as they face Altrincham in a must-win game. The first 500 fans aged under-16 who bring the voucher printed on today's front page to the Lamb clubhouse between 7-9pm today (Thursday) or club reception between 10am-6pm tomorrow will get a FREE ticket. Every adult who presents a Herald voucher at the ground between the same opening times will be given a TFC club voucher which will give them HALF PRICE admission at the turnstiles on Saturday... 'This is the biggest giveaway of tickets we have ever done', explained general manager, Russell Moore. 'We want as many people in the ground as possible on Saturday to get behind the team. We know watching football is not cheap sometimes and we believe this offer will give everyone the opportunity to come down and enjoy the day. It is a massive game for the club - one of the most important in our history - and as a supporter myself for many years I know the difference a big Lamb crowd can make. Gary will have the players fired up but they will be nervous. A packed crowd that gets behind the team will be like an extra player for us. I have witnessed Tamworth crowds suck the ball into the net for the team in the past and I want to see it again'. Manager Gary Mills said: 'It's a time for strong hearts and minds from the players, officials and supporters. We all have to stand up and be counted. The supporters can play a massive, massive part this weekend. The players know what they have to do and the fans can really make a difference in doing that'".
This is Exeter confirms that "Exeter City have received a huge cash boost after budget airline flybe agreed to renew its shirt sponsorship deal with the club.The Exeter-based airline, City's main sponsor, has extended its backing until 2009. Over the next two years flybe will plough more than £120,000 into the club - a substantial increase from previous years. And the budget airline has also promised a cash bonus should the Grecians claim promotion back into the Football League... The new deal will also involve a greater focus on community development, with two major initiatives and a host of grass-roots projects already planned. flybe will join forces with City's Football in the Community coaches to stage a 'Flybe Community Cup'. The annual competition will offer schools from across the region a chance to compete against each other, with the final being played at St James's Park... flybe director of marketing Simon Lilley said: 'Exeter is a club that belongs in the Football League and we would like to think that flybe can play a part in helping the club grow and achieve promotion'. The Grecians recently revealed that their accounts are more than £60,000 in the black for the six-month period up to November 1, 2006. With £108,000 currently pledged annually by the Exeter City Supporters' Trust, the club are hoping to break even during the next financial year before the Trust money is factored in".
The ever-informative Bullsnews tells us that "The Football League have voiced concerns that Boston will be unable to complete their final three fixtures this season. The club have been contacted for assurances that their future, at least until the final game on May 5th, is certain with an April 25th date set to discuss a proposed CVA. Sources close to the club suggest the meeting will be merely be adjourned until their league future is resolved. Speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo, midfielder Stewart Talbot said: 'The league and club have unresolved issues about fulfilling fixtures. The league are going a bit over the top about it and should be trying to help us out a little bit. I've no worries we'll complete the final three games'...The club's players [including Boston captain and former Alty defender Paul Ellender] are now close to two months since being paid. The club have also had their water cut off at York Street, meaning they cannot water the pitch for the remainder of the season".
"Rushden and Diamonds have recalled defender Glenn Wilson from a loan spell with Conference rivals Kidderminster. Wilson, 21, returns to Nene Park to cover for injuries after making six appearances for Kidderminster. Boss Mark Yates told Harriers' website: 'Gary Hill wants to make sure Rushden are safe from relegation. They've got injuries so we haven't got a problem. We're disappointed to lose Glenn, but we understood this kind of situation when we took him'.
Meanwhile, "Ron Atkinson has left his post as director of football with Conference North side Kettering Town. Poppies' chairman Imraan Ladak said the former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday boss has left Rockingham Road by mutual consent. Atkinson's departure followed the dismissal of manager Morell Maison after the defeat to Hinckley. Ladak told Kettering's website: 'Ron didn't agree with the decision to change our managerial approach'. The defeat to Hinckley dented Kettering's automatic promotion hopes and Ladak said: 'I believe it is our best chance of achieving our promotion aspirations and have made this decision in the best interests of the club. Ron felt it would be better for any incoming manager to be able to work from a clean slate'... Kettering, who lie second in the Conference North table, have placed coach Danny Nicholls in temporary charge but are set to name a caretaker manager until the end of the season". Later it was announced that "former Stevenage Borough and Rushden & Diamonds manager Graham Westley has today been named as caretaker manager of Kettering Town".
The BBC reports that "Boss Liam Daish says Gravesend and Northfleet will not give up hopes of making the Conference play-offs until it is mathematically impossible. Fleet must win their remaining three games and hope other candidates above them slip up. Daish told BBC Radio Kent: 'We're not out of it, but things are more difficult for us. We have worked hard to get ourselves in a position but we can't rest on it and we have to keep raising the bar."
From This is York we read that "York City boss Billy McEwan has been overwhelmed by the gesture from fans and sponsors to provide his players with an overnight stay ahead of Saturday's crucial match at Southport. The City boss said: 'The York fans never fail to surprise me with their loyalty, support and backing of the team. It's staggering and I'm thankful for their help in the preparation for this big, big match. I've always said that 50 per cent of our job is preparation and, although the stay will not guarantee a win, it will give us a nice night over there to relax and an extra hour or two in bed. It shows the team effort off the pitch and the fans are a big part of the success story at this club'".
The Independent Schools FA report that "It will be a case of 'Into the Unknown' when the England Independent Schools team take on Scotland in the first Independent Schools International match for the a2om Cup on Sunday 22nd April. This Under-18 match will take place at Altrincham FC, kick-off 2.00 pm, with the England team selected from those who have represented the ISFA Under-18 team during the season. Goalkeeper George Ellis has been ruled out with an ankle injury for England but, with ESFA goalkeeper Nick Jupp, who missed the Poland tour, returning, England are expected to be at full strength... The game marks the debut of a2om in their new sponsorship agreement with ISFA and they have kindly arranged for the players of both teams to receive international caps in recognition of their selection, as well as presenting the a2om Cup which will be collected by the winning captain at the end of the match. It promises to be an historic and interesting afternoon at Altrincham FC on Sunday afternoon. Admission to the match will be £3 cash (inclusive of match programme), payable on the day
Executive tickets are now sold out. The following squad has been selected for the match:
Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin is providing coach transport for the England squad from Manchester Airport's Radisson Hotel.
Meanwhile, it has been a big week for Ben Deegan, who has graduated this season to Altrincham Reserves having been the youth team's leading scorer last season. After joining the first team for their trip to Dagenham last Saturday, he scored twice in the Altrincham Sunday League Challenge Cup in their 4-1 win over Old Alts at Moss Lane. Also on the scoresheet was Anthony Hargreaves, the ex-Alty striker, whilst Alty Reserve John Maloney was Man of the Match.
Aldershot Town's "Caretaker Manager Martin Kuhl was disappointed that his side didn't convert possession into goals after Tuesday's goal-less draw at Kidderminster. Indeed the visitors threw everything at Mark Yates's side after Johnny Harkness was dismissed by over fussy referee Russell Fletcher midway through the second half. There were eight cards issued in a match where you were stretched to recall a fierce challenge... Martin said, 'I'm bitterly disappointed. We had enough possession and enough chances to have won that game. I said to the lads afterwards that whoever is in charge next season then teams like Kidderminster have to be beaten if you have hopes of winning the lead'... Dave Winfield started his first league match since November replacing the injured Anthony Charles and slotted in well... At the break you really fancied an away victory for the 52 hardy Shots supporters gathered behind the goal... Barnard limped off and was replaced by Kirk Hudson. Louie Soares moved back to right back, as he did against Stafford Rangers whilst Dean Smith continued a fine performance moving over to left back... Boss Kuhl added, 'I don't want the season to finish really.... To be truthful I am just focussed on the next game at the moment. If I am here next season then great and I would love to be here with this group of lads. With a couple of changes I think we could have one hell of a team for next season... It is getting the right players to add to that and I have put names forward of the players that I think will enhance this squad.... We have plenty of legs in the squad but it is apparent that we need that killer touch'".
After losing to Halifax at the weekend, The Aldershot News and Mail reports that "Caretaker boss Martin Kuhl said: 'The first goal was such a disappointment, especially at the time of the game that we conceded. I warned the players before the game that, at Halifax, you have to earn your points... Halifax are fighting for their lives but have only lost three matches at home all season. I can’t fault the lads, though. They have built up a reputation recently of expecting to win and that adds to a bit of pressure but when you play for Aldershot you have to get used to that'"
"Halifax boss Chris Wilder was left unhappy with referee Andy Hendley after his side lost 1-0 at Burton Albion. Wilder was critical of the red cards shown to Halifax striker Andy Campbell and Burton defender Danny Holmes. 'The game was too big for the referee. We needed the points - so did Burton', Wilder told the Halifax Courier. 'If you want to have a look at a referee do it at Christmas or before, not a week before the end of the season in a big game'".
The Cambridge Evening News claims that "Three Championship clubs are believed to be on the trail of Cambridge United's Robbie Simpson... [scorer of] 13 goals in his last 14 matches. Ipswich Town, Norwich City and Leicester are all thought to be keeping a close watch on United's top scorer, who is out of contract this summer... Manager Jimmy Quinn said: 'We don't want to lose him. He'd be better off playing for Cambridge in the Conference, hopefully with a bit of success, rather than in someone's reserves for a Championship club. I think it's vital for Robbie's experience and development that he has another season with us and, with a bit of success, it could be the making of him. If he goes to the wrong club, it could set him back, but if he does leave he should be thinking about going to the Championship because he is that good. Robbie isn't only a terrific player, but he's a nice person to work with and he's in my plans to take this club forward. He knows what I'm all about now and what I want to do next season'".
We read in This is Glos that "Goalkeeper Ryan Robinson will return for Forest Green in Saturday's massive relegation battle with Halifax Town at the New Lawn. Manager Jim Harvey has confirmed that Robinson, who has missed the past two Conference games with sciatica in his back, will replace rookie reserve stopper Ryan Harrison".
Northwich manager Steve Burr "says he is sick of certain fans picking on his players. The Vics' boss told the Northwich Guardian he was disappointed to hear Carlos Roca getting stick off supporters during the weekend win over Crawley. 'We're only talking a small part of the crowd', he said. But we went a goal down on Saturday and they seem to want to get on people's backs - on this occasion it was Carlos. I reckon 95% of our fans come to watch us and get behind the team. They've been terrific home and away this season and have given the boys a real lift when they've needed it'", reports the Northwich Guardian.
From the Northants Evening Telegraph we learn that "Garry Hill argued that Rushden & Diamonds were unlucky to suffer a fourth successive defea [on Tuesday]. They lost out to a second-half penalty away to FA Trophy finalists Stevenage Borough... However Hill insisted: 'That was probably the best 90 minutes I've seen since I've been at the club. In the first half we were very bright. We moved the ball well to create chances for Jon Ashton and Danny Williams.
"I thought we were unlucky not to get a penalty while Lee Tomlin was also causing problems up front. I felt we were the better side and certainly should have been in front. But in the second half they got the break with a penalty and I've got no complaints over the referee's decision'".
The NET also reports that "Ron Atkinson has ruled himself out of the running to become caretaker-manager of Kettering Town... following the sacking of Morell Maison on Monday. But Atkinson said: 'I don't think I will be taking over. It (the sacking) was a controversial decision that I didn't really agree with. I think the chairman (Imraan Ladak) has somebody else lined up to take over, so we'll see'. Ladak has already said the new manager will be named ahead of Saturday's trip to Stalybridge Celtic and it is believed former Rushden & Diamonds manager Graham Westley is still the favourite for the post".
This is South Devon reports on Conference-bound Torquay United. "Ian Atkins, the manager jettisoned in mid-season by Torquay United, has spoken of his 'sadness and anger' at the way the club has plummeted out of the Football League. Atkins said: 'There's sadness, because I'm a football man, but there's also anger because there's 80 years of football history gone down and it should never have happened'. As caretaker manager Atkins, 50, hauled United back from the brink of relegation last season, turning a six-point deficit with five games to go into safety... before new chairman Chris Roberts effectively sacked him in November to bring in Czech manager Lubos K
19 April 2007
CONFERENCE SCORE
TWO INTERNATIONALS
Altrincham FC Youth play their international match against Wuhan of China tonight (7pm) at the Regional Arena (see the Youth Page for full details). Then, on Sunday, they are at home at Wythenshawe Town FC against Morecambe A (k.o. 2.30pm). Meanwhile, an Independent Schools' under-18 international between England and Scotland takes place at Moss Lane, also on Sunday (22nd), at 2pm. Admission is £3 including a programme. The Manchester Evening News adds that amongst the Premiership players to have attended Independent Schools are Frank Lampard, James Beattie and Quinton Fortune.
RESERVES' BIZARRE MATCH
Altrincham Reserves went down 7-4 in an amazing match on Wednsday night at Farsley Celtic in a Lancashire League Cup quarter-final. Alty trailed 6-1 at one stage before getting back to 6-4. More details on the Reserves' Page.
KIDSWEAR PARTY
Please don't forget that tonight (Thursday 19th April) Altrincham FC is hosting a "Top to Toe Kidswear Party", where items for sale will include ex-chainstore & branded kids' clothes, brand new children's wear, as seen in the following high street stores: GAP, NEXT, BHS, M&S, ADAMS, GEORGE, MOTHERCARE, ETC. Huge savings are promised for the age-range 0-14 years. All items are under £10. The sale is in the Noel White Suite and doors open 7.30pm. Admission is just £1 including raffle ticket, refreshments available on the night. This event has been kindly arranged by Louise and Darren Gregory and proceeds go to Altrincham FC.
NEXT AT MOSS LANE
Altrincham's next and last Conference match of the season at Moss Lane is against Aldershot Town.
CONFERENCE NEWS
The BBC reports that "Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson insists his side still has work to do to guarantee their Conference safety. Tuesday's vital 2-0 win over Northwich took the R's up to 15th place and four points clear of the drop zone... He told the Stoke Sentinel: 'We're not safe yet. We don't know whether 52 points will be enough. There is no way we are getting too excited. The performance was good but there is still a lot to play for'".