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July, 2007 |
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July, 2007 |
Amongst the trialists being made offers for next season is Matthew Berkeley, the former Gretna striker. But two trialists who are not being signed are midfielder Chris Baguley and winger Jimmy Gaysham. For details of the 18-man squad to date, visit the Squad page.
SAM has also posted details of the signings and non-signings.
Right: Robbie Lawton gets the better of his Tranmere marker.
Match report here.
Tranmere have already beaten Marine 3-1 this pre-season and as Alty lost to Marine, we can expect a difficult game!
Alty last hosted Tranmere to a pre-season game on 17 July 2002 in a match which ended 1-1, thanks to goals from Jason Koumas and Rod Thornley. Alty included Tranmere goalkeeping coach Eric Nixon as their keeper that day. Their side was Nixon, Derek Ward, Gary Scott, Andy McDonald, Mark Maddox, Gary Talbot, Neil Ryan, Ian Craney, Danny Murphy, Rod Thornley and Ryan Hevicon, with Stuart Locke on the bench alongside goalkeeper Chris Williams, Stephen Rose, and a cohort of trialists who included Kevin Duncalf, Peter Mellor, Mike Miller, Mike Turner, Danny Frost. Tranmere's side included James Olsen, later to join Alty, as well as Koumas, Andy Parkinson, Alex Hay and Stuart Barlow.
In Sunday's NL Paper, Conference supremo John Moules complains at the lack of funding for non-league football after the Premier League "dished out" £90 million last week to lower clubs. Even those in League Two got £68,987 each. Kidderminster chairman Barry Norgrove added, "I am very disappointed, We are down at the bottom and the big clubs need us to bring people through". The Premier League claim they already fund non-league football through the £15 million they give to the Football Foundation and The Football Stadia Improvement Fund and that the extra £90M will trickle down to non-league through transfers.
John Yems, sacked as Crawley Town caretaker boss after saving the club from relegation fears he is now unemployable as people believe there was a hidden reason behind his dismissal. "But the fact is I was told they wanted a manager with a wealthy backer and that's why they went for Steve Evans", he told the NL Paper. And fellow caretaker, "Dave Woozley has been told he can leave but the defender wants to fight for his place" as a player at Crawley.
Droylsden's new signing, Mark Hotte (ex-Scarborough and York) told the NL Paper, "We hope that we'll be able to surprise a few. Droylsden is a little club but it looks like a little club that has got aspirations to do much bigger things. Everything about the place is new and the ground is something of a purpose-built stadium. The pitch is brilliant... There are a lot of clubs that would like to just sit there and bide their time, but Dave Pace would like to get Droylsden as far as he can". The new signings at The Butcher's Arms include Cammell Laird's Jamie McGuire and five ex-Conference players in Hotte, Phil Senior (ex-Vics keeper), Colin Cryan (ex-Boston), Ged Murphy (ex-Alty and Stafford) and Robin Gibson (ex-Stafford). The Bloods also expect to sign an ex-League player this week.
Former Chester and Llanelli centre-half Cortez Belle is a trialist at Halifax Town.
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale is experimenting with formations and has used a three-man backline in pre-season. "I'd like to have a number of different plans up my sleeve. Whether we start the season [at Altrincham] with three at the back is another matter but it's something we are considering".
As a Conference side last season, Altrincham are one of the clubs eligible for the new NW Football Awards, and an awards dinner wil be held on 12th November. The prizes are for "talent both on and off the pitch and in the boardroom" states the NL Paper.
Above: Jimmy Gaysham, Alty's trialist (ex-Burnley) and Marine's former Alty captain Eddie Hussin in Saturday's game. Joe O'Neill is in the background. For more pictures see below.
Match report here.
Marine report that their team "continued their pre-season build up with a thoroughly deserved victory against Blue Square Conference side Altrincham. Throughout the 90 minutes it was the Mariners who were on top".
Above: Stuart Coburn lines up his colleagues to defend a freekick from Ian Latham, Marine's no.3 (far right, foreground)....
Above: ... but to no avail, as the ball finds the back of the net at the back post.
A very disappointing performance from a strong Alty team ended in defeat when Stuart Coburn was fooled by a late freekick taken from 25 yards out towards the touchline. Alty barely mustered a shot on goal despite Marine bringing on nine young substitutes at the interval, who included fringe players and reserves.
Match report here.
Courtesy of George Heslop, three more match reports from earlier rounds of the Umbro Tournament have been added to the website in the Youth section
Ahead of today's game at Marine, the Marine Forum reminds us that Alty's Colin Little "has featured against Marine before and has scored on three different occasions", to which another person replies "He hasn't scored for Altrincham against us in competitive games - though he did score against us in the friendly we had with them a couple of years ago. All the goals scored in competitive games were whilst he was with Hyde United".
Looking back at this website's match report we find that on Saturday 6th August 2005, Alty drew 1-1 at Rossett Park in a pre-season game. Colin Little netted for Alty after 84 minutes but Marine equalised soon afterwards through another player with Alty connections, Lee Kissock. The teams that day were:
ALTRINCHAM: (All yellow): 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Karl MUNROE, 3. Peter BAND, 4. Mark MADDOX (capt.), 5. Gary TALBOT, 6. Steve HAWES, 7. Colin POTTS, 8. Val OWEN, 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Lutel JAMES, 11. Chris ADAMS. Subs: 12. Rod THORNLEY, 14. Richard ACTON (gk), 15. Gary WILLIAMS & Kieran LUGSDEN, 16. Lewis CHALMERS, 17. James OLSEN & Stephen ROSE.
MARINE: (White shirts, black shorts & socks): 1. Andy RALPH, 2. Neil MURPHY, 3. Steve HOLLIS, 4. Adam FARLEY, 5. James CONNOLLY (capt), 6. Darren BROOKFIELD, 7. Carl NESBITT, 8. Anthony MEE, 9. Nicky YOUNG, 10. Ged COURTNEY, 11. Paul BYRNE. Subs: 12. Chris FITZSIMMONS, 14. Lee MULLIN, 15. Michael ELLISON, 16. Lee KISSOCK, 17. Chris PARRY (gk). NB Kissock actually wore no.15.
Pictured right in 2005, Chris Adams (11), Gary Talbot, Steve Hawes and Stuart Coburn are the Alty players shown in action against Marine.
From the Salisbury Journal we see that "Salisbury City's full-time ranks have been boosted further by the signing of central defender Ollie Barnes. The 19-year-old former Bristol City player has impressed during pre-season... 'He's a left-footed centre half and he's joined us on a one year full-time contract', confirmed manager Nick Holmes. Holmes also hinted that additional signings may be completed this weekend".
In the Oxford Mail we read that a "further 30 flooding evacuees fled their homes to Oxford's main rescue centre last night. The Holiday Inn Express at Kassam Stadium in Oxford has been the county's rescue centre since the floods started a week ago. Last night 30 more flood victims arrived from Osney and Abingdon Road areas from homes either still filled with water or suffering a power blackout... In total 41 residents spent Thursday night at the rescue centre. It is expected to remain open to evacuees until tomorrow".
"Farsley Celtic have added to their summer recruits after signing five players who have impressed in pre-season outings. Former York City and Tamworth defender Graeme Law has put pen-to-paper... The Scottish-born player is joined at Throstle Nest by another ex-York defender, Anthony Lloyd, and former Leeds United youngster Bailey Camfield. Ex-Bradford City midfielder Pat McGuire makes the short trip to Farsley, along with striker Nick Smith, who left Throstle Nest for Valley Parade after making his Celtic debut as a 17-year-old a couple of years ago. That takes Lee Sinnott's summer signings to nine, with the signatures of Tris Whitman, Mark Jackson, Scott McNiven and Mark Wilberforce secured earlier this month" states the Yorkshire Evening Post.
This is Local London says that Wycombe Wanderers' midfielder Steven Gregory looks set to join Aldershot on loan and could be joined at the Recreation Ground by Wycombe team-mates Alan Massey and Tom Cadmore.... Gregory was recommended by Shots' former Wanderers striker Jonny Dixon... All three players signed new one-year deals at Wycombe in the summer but Wanderers are keen for them to gain regular first team experience."
On Monday (30th), Alty host a Tranmere Rovers XI at Moss Lane (k.o. 7.30pm).
Above: Chris Baguley takes Rod Thornley's congratulations after scoring from outside the box.
Match report here.
Geoff and Suzanne hope that there will be a bumper turnout for the dinner and the game for these two excellent causes. From the Football Club's point of view it is vitally important that such fundraisers are fully supported. For details of the dinner please contact the club on 928-1045 or e-mail Suzanne and Geoff.
Provisional prices for the game are £5 for adults, £2 for concessionaries and just £10 for a family of two adults and two children. So, please put the date in your diary.
From This is Exeter we read that "Exeter City's match at Crediton United had to be abandoned last night after teenage substitute James Berry suffered a badly broken leg.Berry had enjoyed a promising night up until then by netting Exeter's third goal within a minute of coming on as a substitute... He was the victim of a heavy tackle by Crediton striker Ben Harris, a former City trainee, who received a straight red card for his misdemeanour from the referee.. As he waited a good half an hour for an ambulance to arrive, Steve Perryman and Mike Radford, who were in charge of the team on the night, called an end to the game... It is the second time this summer that a Grecians player has been on the wrong end of a bad tackle. Defender Danny Seaborne suffered a similar fate at Bodmin Town in Exeter's second pre-season game of the season, but he escaped with only a fractured leg and cartilage damage... [Berry] is a superb athlete as well and a promising 400-metre runner. This weekend, he was going take part in a national athletics event - the AAA's - with the youngster tipped as a potential Olympic contender for the future... The Grecians fielded a very youthful side and Portuguese trialist Rui Braguinha paired Dean Stamp in attack. Matt Bye and Liam Sercombe were paired in midfield with Matt Taylor captaining the side from centre halF". The same source says that "Neil Saunders and Matt Taylor can be real surprise packages for Exeter City this season, according to manager Paul Tisdale... 'They will surprise a few people', said Tisdale. 'And we have players coming through at the club who other clubs will not know about, which is an advantage'".
At Woking "Cards' boss Frank Gray has already begun to give the Woking fans more value for money — by making the Kingfield pitch wider by around eight feet... Gray admitted: 'I don’t like watching matches on narrow pitches. I don’t think it bodes well for playing football and getting the ball wide'. Gray played a 3-4-1-2 formation — without the injured Tom Hutchinson (hamstring) and Jay Gasson (ankle) — two of his three favoured centre backs who look set to start the Blue Square Premier campaign two weeks on Saturday. Paul Lorraine looked to have a touch of class and composure about him alongside Matt Ruby and Danny Bunce, who deputised for the injured pair, while Matt Gray’s delivery into the box was threatening at times. Adam Green and Gray look likely starters out wide for the Rushden clash on August 11". Meanwhile, "The much-heralded meeting between Cards’ chairman Chris Ingram and council decision makers, planned for Thursday, to discuss planning issues, has been re-scheduled for September".
NL Daily confirms that "Northwich Victoria are giving a two-week trial to former Stevenage Borough and Southport striker Dino Maamria. Maamria is likely to figure in Northwich’s visit to Chasetown on Saturday as manager Neil Redfearn looks for a replacement for James Dean, who has been transfer-listed along with winger Carlos Roca. Maamria ended his second spell at `Port in January 2007 when he was signed by then Rushden & Diamonds` boss Graham Westley on an eighteen-month contract. But after failing to feature in new boss Garry Hill's first two squads, the 33-year-old returned to Haig Avenue for a third stint".
"Matthew Barnes-Homer becomes Kidderminster Harriers' fifth signing of the summer today after the 21-year old striker inked terms on a one-year contract. Barnes-Homer joined Harriers on trial at the start-of pre-season... He started his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers as a 15-year old, spending three years in the Midlands. He's spent time with Aldershot, Hednesford and Bromsgrove, as well as last season Willenhall Town and League Two side Wycombe Wanderers... [and] the striker has spent two spells across the pond in America playing for Syracuse and Virginia Beach Mariners".
Alty played a friendly at Kidsgrove last summer, drawing 2-2, with Alty's goals coming from Lee Hendley and Pat McFadden. The Alty line-up for that game on 18 July 2006 was: 13. Richard ACTON, 2. Steve ASPINALL, 21. Stephen ROSE, 5. Gary TALBOT, 3. Gary SCOTT; 14. Lewis CHALMERS, 4. Eddie HUSSIN (capt), 8. Val OWEN, 18. Blake NORTON; 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Pat McFADDEN. Subs: 1*. Dave CUMMINS (gk), 26. Lee HENDLEY, 22. Richard NORRIS, 16. Lee MANNION, 17. Karl MUNROE
Eight of the above squad are no longer at Moss Lane.
This is Staffs says that "Kidsgrove's slender squad is stretched for tonight's home friendly against Conference side Altrincham (7.30pm). Manager Peter Ward is without Mark Beeston, Steve Pope, Michael Lennon and Neil Murphy, but is hopeful Wayne Brotherton may return. Centre-back Brotherton.. has been under treatment for a thigh strain. New midfielder Craig Lovatt has a similar injury, but player-coach Alex Morris is expected to continue his comeback from a lengthy absence with shin problems. Ward said: 'We are a bit thin on the ground because I have only 17 players, but I'm happy with the squad and I'm not looking to add to it'".
Ian Rosendaal's excellent Ideas4Alty scheme is producing the eye-catching poster (right) for distribution. It is available to download here.
Meanwhile, Altrincham FC Juniors have also entered a side at under-15 level in the Umbro competition. They overcame Atherton Town 1-0 but lost 1-0 to Columbus.
2. Of the amount outstanding amount how much does this equate to each taxpayer within the borough?
3. How long has this debt been outstanding?
4. And what actions are being taken against them to seek/get payment?
5. And what is the council’s policy for businesses in collecting outstanding charges?
Stevenage Borough confirm that "After impressing manager Mark Stimson in several pre-season matches Jerome Anderson was today handed his reward with a two-year contract at Broadhall Way. The product of Oxford United’s youth system is Stimson’s seventh signing of the season and adds further attacking options to an already talented squad. 'I am here to learn, and I have heard that Mark Stimson is the ideal man to learn under', the 18-year-old striker said. 'I know there are lots of talented strikers at the club, so I will have to be patient and wait for my chance'".
This is Local London says that "Liam Daish is refusing to get carried away in the euphoria of Ebbsfleet's stunning pre-season victory over League One Millwall (on Tuesday). Chukki Eribenne's headed effort from a corner in the sixth minute put Fleet ahead... Ebbsfleet continued to hold their own against League opposition before deservedly doubling the lead midway through the second half when substitute Luke Moore fired home. The majority of the 1,753 crowd went home happy, but Daish remained level headed afterwards. He explained: 'A win in pre-season doesn't really count for anything and I would swap this result for one against Northwich on August 11.... Northwich will be a totally different proposition'... Trialists Chris McPhee and Phil Starkey both came on late in the second half, and the manager was impressed by what he saw... 'We've been aware of Chris for some time... Phil is from Gravesend and gave me a call during the summer because he wanted to keep fit with us after being released by Crystal Palace... He would give us options because he can play on the right of midfield and at right-back'... The manager also revealed he is hoping to give Mark De Bolla and Gary MacDonald a full game at Whitstable".
"Ambitious Farsley Celtic are proposing to change the club's name to FC Leeds" according to The Yorkshire Evening Post. "The newly-promoted Blue Square Premier side believe by adding the city's name to that of the club they can raise its profile nationally and attract new fans and sponsorship... The club, which celebrates its centenary next year, is also considering other names including Leeds Celtic and FC Celtic of Leeds and is hoping the change will be introduced for the start of the 2008-09 season, after consulting with fans, the FA and Blue Square League. Celtic's managing director Terry Deighton said: 'When we have been trying to attract new sponsors and investment we have had a lot of 'Farsley who? Farsley where? We feel that by linking our name to that of the city we play in will by-pass a lot of that. The cost of wages, travelling, facilities and so on is increasing all the time and you cannot run a club at this level on bar takings. We need both financial and physical support to build on our success of the last few years'. Celtic... have climbed from the UniBond First Division to Conference level in less than five seasons... 'Some people have called us a bus stop in Pudsey and to be honest the football club has outgrown the area it is in', said Deighton. 'We are hoping to attract new fans who want to come along, have a pint, watch a game and have a sing song in a friendly atmosphere. We are also aiming ourselves at the 16 to 25-year-olds who have been alienated from other clubs and priced out of football'... Farsley are planning improvements including a new stand at Throstle Nest and also considering a change of kit from its current all blue, while in the longer term it is hoping to build a new stadium in the city... 'We never envisaged going from strength to strength so quickly but we are not willing to sit back and watch all our hard work be wasted. Despite the bookies making us favourites to go straight back down, our pre-season performances have shown that we are not willing to roll over... We have had 100 years as Farsley Celtic what about the next hundred as FC Leeds?'" said Mr Deighton.
At another club which changed its name, the Northants Evening Telegraph says that "Rushden & Diamonds have left open the number nine shirt in their official squad list for 'a quality forward'. Manager Garry Hill hopes to complete his line-up with two wingers and another striker... Last season's number nine was Leo Fortune-West who only made six first-team appearances before joining Shrewsbury Town on loan. He has been put on the transfer list and handed the 26 shirt while being left out of the opening summer friendlies. Simeon Jackson, who was Diamonds' 20-goal top scorer, has switched from 12 to 10 with Paul Watson, Michael Rankine and Marcus Kelly dropping out of the 'starting XI' according to the new squad numbers. Diamonds, meanwhile, will continue their pre-season programme in the Algarve tonight against Portimonense SC who play in Portugal's second division".
Further Portuguese connections have emerged from the Salisbury Journal which reports that "Salisbury City's Portuguese trialist Alvaro netted their only goal in last night's 1-1 draw at Team Bath... 'It wasn't what we really wanted', admitted a disappointed City boss. 'The game was very niggly throughout and the official was poor to be honest. We conceded three free kicks, they conceded 20 - that tells its own story. Fortunately we came out of it with no injuries - in fact our lads handled themselves very well - they kept out of trouble'".
This is Weymouth says that "One new face at the Wessex Stadium last night was defender Joel Kitamirike. The 23-year-old, who has European experience with Chelsea, is set for negotiations with Tindall today following solid performances at Ringwood on Friday night and in last night's encounter with the Welsh outfit. Tindall added: 'Joel done well when he came on. He's not yet fully fit but I'm hoping to have a chat with him and start negotiations. He's been at a few clubs, and has got good experience behind him for a relatively young guy'".
From NL Daily we read that "Aldershot Town have completed the signing of Reading`s midfielder Scott Davies on a season-long loan. Davies is a 19-year-old midfielder who joined Reading's Academy from Wycombe Wanderers. He has played a number of games for Ireland's youth sides and had a loan spell in the Conference South with Yeading last season... Wycombe`s midfielder Steven Gregory could also join the Shots in a loan move... his loan switch is expected to be confirmed this week".
At Oxford, ""United have further boosted their promotion prospects with the signing of defender Mickey Corcoran on a permanent basis. The 19 year old Ulsterman was a revelation when playing on loan from Cardiff last season, and has joined United an a one year deal, with an option to extend this for a further year... Mickey told Yellow World, ' 'The gaffer and the lads have been spot on with me, and the fans were unbelievable last year. It was gutting not to be able to play and have an influence in the play-offs, and I was desperate to come back here and get the club promoted this time around... There were two league clubs interested, but at the end of the day I like the way this club is set-up, think we will do well this season, and I only really wanted to come and play here again'".
Aldershot Town report that "Following discussion with Hampshire Constabulary, Aldeshot Town's pre-season friendly on Saturday 28th July against Millwall is cancelled. We are extremely disappointed that this game will not be going ahead, but the unprecedented costs of staging this fixture, which we have now been presented with, is not viable for a club with our resources. We trust that supporters of both sides will accept our apologies and in particular we wish Millwall the very best for the coming season". More bad news for the Shots is reported by the Northwich Victoria report that "Striker Paul Tait has returned to Vics 8 years after leaving the club in 1999, to join Crewe Alexandra. He played for 3 years at Crewe before having spells with Bristol Rovers, Rochdale, Chester City, Boston United and lastly Southport. Aged 32 the 6ft striker was the Vics leading scorer in 97/98 and 98/99 season". Meanwhile the Northwich Guardian says "Vics have swooped to snatch striker Paul Tait from under the nose of former boss Steve Burr. The 32-year-old forward had agreed a switch to Stalybridge Celtic earlier this month, but has now decided he'd rather return to Northwich... 'It's a real coup for us', said Vics. boss Neil Redfearn... Tait had a brief spell at Southport in the Conference National at the end of last season after leaving Boston United. He brings the total of summer signings to eight at the Victoria Stadium". However, "James Dean has joined Bridlington Town for an undisclosed fee... Dean was transfer listed at his own request after telling the Vics he needed more money. 'He came to me and said he couldn't manage on what he was earning', said Neil Redfearn. The former Clitheroe front runner played two trial games for Halifax Town last week, but Shaymen boss Chris Wilder told him he had not made the grade". Dean scored against Alty last season.
From the Salisbury Journal we learn that "Salisbury City have confirmed that youth team player Jamie Barron and former Oxford United youngster Chris Weedon have signed as first year pros. Manager Nick Holmes said: 'It's important that the club looks to the future. Jamie and Chris have impressed and they're players we'll look to bring on over the next year or so. "They might not neccesarily be ready for regular first team action now, but they're both only 19 and are great prospects. It's vital that we bring players through the system'. Barron has progressed via City's youth team set-up and has already made two appearances for the first team in Wiltshire Premier Shield ties".
Nearer to home, Stafford Rangers "are pleased to announce the signing of Djoumin Sangare. Last season the 23-year-old French-born defender played for both Grays Athletic and St Albans City. He has also played for French club Wasquehal, Redbridge FC, Chelmsford City and Lewes."
"Weymouth have completed the signing of former Nottingham Forest defender Justin Roberts. The 20 year old has signed a one year deal with the Terras".
NL Daily says that "Former Aston Villa and Bradford City midfielder Michael Standing could become Oxford United's fifth new signing of the summer. Standing, 26, has been offered a trial by boss Jim Smith... Standing, who is a free agent after leaving AFC Bournemouth, started his career with Brighton as a trainee. He later moved on to Villa where he was part of a youth team that included England internationals Darius Vassell and Gareth Barry. After four years at the Premiership club, Standing joined Bradford City where he made thirty appearances, scoring two goals. He later spent two seasons at League One outfit Walsall, for whom he played fifty-two games, finding the net twice, before brief spells at Chesterfield and Bournemouth. Should Standing sign on the dotted line he would join fellow new signings left back Alex Jeannin, midfielder Phil Trainer, winger Joel Ledgister and ex-Airdrie striker Gary Twigg. However, the stumbling block could be the Blue Square Premier wage cap rule. Smith said last week that should Mickey Corcoran sign a deal then that would be it for new players. But to complicate matters the Irishman has yet to take up the offer of a contract. Smith admitted 'We're going to look at him but everybody knows that there is no more money for players. The only way we can sign someone is if someone else goes out'. But with no bids coming in for transfer-listed midfielder Andy Burgess, it is difficult to see who can be let go" claims the Oxford Mail
The Cambridge Evening News says that "Adam Davies faces the agony of more surgery just a week after making his comeback following almost a year out through knee injury. The Wales under-21 international limped off just 10 minutes into Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat to Plymouth - only his second game since tearing cruciate ligaments last August... It has emerged Davies has torn the lateral cartilage and lateral collateral ligaments in his knee and will go under the knife again in the next few days. Physio Greg Reid said: 'These structures were not damaged when Adam injured his knee last season. However, due to the mechanism of the injury, the surgeon will be taking a close look inside the knee to check on the cruciate ligament graft'. U's manager Jimmy Quinn said: 'Having Adam back was like signing a new player and I'm just keeping everything crossed that it's nothing too serious, but this is heart-breaking for the lad after what he has been through'".
The Crawley Observer confirms that "Former Stevenage and Oxford United player Jamie Cook is expected to make his debut for Crawley against Ipswich Town.. The 28-year-old trialist will get his chance to impress manager Steve Evans... Evans said: 'Jamie is with us all week on trial and we will look to make a decision on him by the end of the week'".
The Yorkshire Evening Post says that "Lee Sinnott has already seen enough to suggest his Farsley Celtic side have the bottle to play their way to Blue Square Premier safety. Celtic may have been installed as the bookmakers' favourites for the drop, but the way they are tackling pre-season suggests they are out to make the critics eat their words. A thumping 5-0 victory over Glasshoughton Welfare was followed by a 2-1 success at Frickley last weekend. And the piece de resistance was a 2-1 victory over League Two neighbours Bradford City on Wednesday night. Sinnott said: 'People will be looking to the result against Bradford, but I was pleased with what actually went on in the game... We are retaining the ball better and to do it against a professional side takes b******s. We didn't kick and rush, we don't anyway, but I was pleased with our passages of play against a professional outfit. The players had the balls to play football and that will stand us in good stead for the season ahead. The forward play was good, we created chances and if we can do that against a team like Bradford you have got to think we can do it against teams in the Blue Square Premier'".
Pictured right are (l. to r.) Chris Francis, Steven Crane and Ben Oliver, in action for Alty Youth last Sunday.
This is Exeter reports that "Exeter City striker Steve Basham will be fit for the start of the new season [against Altrincham] - but manager Paul Tisdale has warned it might be another month before supporters see the best of him. Basham, 29, was signed from Oxford United earlier this month having missed the second half of last season with a ruptured hamstring. That led to his release from the Kassam Stadium and the Grecians put the centre-forward through a rigorous 10-day medical before tabling a two-year contract. He played the final 15 minutes of the pre-season victory over St Blazey but has not featured since. And Tisdale said: 'The plan was for him to get a run out against Southampton tomorrow night, but that is probably a week too soon for him. He is now likely to play some part in the game against Dorchester or the Swindon game'".
"Burton Albion expect to complete the signings of experienced Boston United midfield pair Mark Greaves and David Farrell... But Albion boss Nigel Clough is preparing himself for the possibility that skipper Darren Stride may miss the start of the Blue Square Premier campaign" claims The Burton Mail. "Stride twisted his knee in Friday's 2-1 win at Burscough - and the injury could be potentially serious. The Brewers boss told Mail Sport: 'We'll have to wait for Darren's knee to settle down over the next few days... He twisted it quite badly and there is a strong possibility he could miss the start of the season'. Stride's central defensive partner Tony James also came off with a hamstring strain, but Clough was cheered by the first appearance in Albion colours of Greaves. He said: 'We're bringing in Mark primarily to play midfield, but the good thing about him is that he can play across the back'. Boston are today due to formally cancel Greaves' contract to allow the 32-year-old former Hull City player to complete his protracted move to the Pirelli Stadium. Farrell, 35, is also expected to put pen to paper tonight after agreeing terms at the weekend".
The Northants Evening Telegraph says that "Rushden & Diamond are spending this week on a sunshine break in Portugal – but manager Garry Hill insists: 'We're going there to work'. The squad have swapped their pre-season programme at Nene Park and Kimbolton Preparatory School for a training camp on the Algarve... Hill said: 'I'm a great believer that the new players who have joined the club must be given an opportunity to settle in really well and get to know each other. We will keep up the training schedule. This is not a case of going away and sitting around'".
Another club with continental plans are Weymouth of whom This is Weymouth reports, "Chairman Mel Bush has revealed that a Croatia Under-21 international will be heading to the club this week for a trial. The entertainments promoter is keen for the Terras to tap into the European market and he has been holding discussions with a number of high-profile clubs. Bush said: 'We are keen on players coming over and next week we have a Croatia Under-21 international coming over for a trial. The hard thing about bringing in players from there is the work permits and visas situation, which is something we are looking into. I have also been talking to the football director at Red Star Belgrade, who get a lot of players from Romania, Hungary and Poland. Those three countries are all in the EU so they are a lot easier to bring over and that is definitely another thing we are keeping a close eye on... Premiership and Championship clubs do not have exclusivity on that market and although they get the cream there is still a lot of good players over there'. Weymouth boss Jason Tindall added: 'Mel has got some good contacts with FC Zagreb and Hajduk Split and we are hoping to establish a good relationship with those clubs in order to help introduce some players into the English game... The Croatian lad who is coming over has obviously got something because he has played in the Under-21s over there and I am looking forward to taking a look at him'. Bush ... [added that the Terras'] "Croatia trip was very good. The team trained twice a day over there in fantastic facilities and in the 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth last week I thought we looked sharper and quicker... Off the pitch I also feel we are moving in the right direction... Extending the upstairs bar is something we would definitely like to do. For example we have 48 youth teams here which is nearly 600 young players and if we want to hold a meeting with them and their parents at the moment we don't have a venue big enough. I see the extension as a catalyst because it would bring a lot into the club and we would also get a lot out of it'. The Terras have also employed a sports scientist to help improve the fitness of their squad. Bush added: 'His name is James Murueta and he is a tae-kwon-do champion who used to work with Blackburn Rovers. James is getting each player to compete against themselves. They get their readings in the morning and they all want to improve them'".
From This is Staffs we read that "Stafford Rangers manager Phil Robinson received a timely boost in Saturday's 0-0 pre-season friendly draw with Nantwich Town.... Captain Wayne Daniel made his return to action, in the match played at Kidsgrove, as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in the final match of last season. The central defender played the last 20 minutes and appeared to come through unscathed... Former Crewe striker Pav Suhaj hit the post twice in the opening five minutes, while Mario Adagio was also denied by the goal frame and Kevin Street saw his 30-yard drive tipped on to the crossbar ... Perhaps worryingly for the Stafford manager, Nantwich created several opportunities in what was, at times, an evenly-contested game... Robinson has four pre-season games in which to finalise his squad which needs rebuilding following the departure of several regulars".
Ryan Daley's fine shot comes back past the keeper off the inside of the post in Sunday's youth team win over Warrington Town.
Altrincham Youth beat Warrington Town 2-0 in a friendly on Sunday afternoon, there is a match report in the Youth section
It has been confirmed that Altrincham's away FA Youth Cup tie against Woodley Sports will be played on the Stockport club's artificial pitch. Woodley had to play their FA Cup matches away from home last season but this year the rules have been amended and they can play at home in the FA Trophy and also in the FA Youth Cup. However, in the Youth Cup, they can only do so in the preliminary rounds, when they meet non-league opposition. Should they progress to the competition proper, they will have to play away from home, presumably so that league or Premiership clubs do not have to play on an artificial surface.
"Exeter City will miss the services of defender Dan Seaborne after he sustained a serious injury in a pre-season friendly. The Grecians took on Bodmin Town and Seaborne was the victim of a reckless challenge by striker Steve Ovens. 'Danny has had the scan and the imaging has shown splintering of his shine bone and because of the impact, he also has a fracture at the top of his shine bone', Exeter boss Paul Tisdale told the Western Morning News. 'There is also some damage to the cartilage. He will need six weeks complete rest and then he will undergo a further scan to see if it has healed well. All being well, he will be able to begin his rehabilitation then which will be another six to eight weeks, but that is a best case scenario for us... It is not a normal injury because it is in the area where the ligament is attached to the bone, so he needs a lot of TLC... It is still a big blow for us because Danny has been waiting two years for this chance and was very much in our plans for the season. George Friend will get a chance to play there now, he is physically right for the role and mobile as well'" .
As ever there is confusion surrounding the situation at Crawley Town. The Crawley Forum has the following posting... "The club said Quote: Ben [Judge] and David [Woozley] joined Dannie Bulman and Tony Scully who have also agreed deals to remain at the Broadfield Stadium for the 2007-08 season... If my understanding is correct we are still under a transfer embargo - even more relevant given the CVA is outstanding and football creditors remain unpaid, so I wonder if these contracts were even legitimate given our current circumstances? ". The Forum Moderator replies, "The club were able to offer Ben and Wooz a contract as they were under contract last season, before the club were under the embargo. Bulman was able to be given a contract due to a technicality over the time he spent here on loan last season. Scully was already under contract for this season. And you understand correctly about the embargo still being in place, that's been confirmed to me today by email from John Moules. More worryingly he did not know about the new CVA deadline of 31st October so was not able to comment on whether any further sanctions would being forthcoming as the club go in to a second season under the same CVA".
Above: Jake Sedgemore's freekick hits the back of the net to make it 1-1. Jake is just off the picture, to the right.
Match report here.
Above: Colin Little makes it 4-3 from the penalty spot.
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Pictured, above on Saturday at Moss Lane are (left) Rotherham's ten subs crowding along the touchline and (right) former Alty star Nicky Daws, who after a substantial league career at clubs which included Bury, Rotherham and Grimsby, is now back at Millmoor as a fitness coach. Terry Rowley's profile of Nicky Daws is in the Alty Legends section of this website.
The unofficial Rotherham United site reports that at Alty on Saturday "Rotherham boss Mark Robins fielded two different line ups, giving his new look side their first public run out after a training match defeat to the hands of Halifax". At 2-2 "The travelling Millers fans, around 250 or so, looked a little shocked at this stage as Altrincham were providing a stiff test". In the second half, with the score 3-3, "the frantic pace of the game continued as Altrincham raced out of the blocks and into a two goal cushion. Little was to net twice, firstly after Dale Tonge gave away a penalty- which did look a bit harsh on first viewing... Mark Robins made 10 changes on the hour, including one of his trialist goalkeepers... O'Grady bagged himself a consolation late on with a tidy finish and Taylor hit a post with a low drive, but the home side held out the narrow victory, leaving Mark Robins with some work to do on the fairly disappointing defensive showing".
Above: A shot of Colin Potts taking on the opposition at Trafford on Thursday night. In the background are Ben Deegan and Chris Baguley.
With the arrival of the new season imminent, it is good to see professional photographer Gavin Rathbone back at Moss Lane and he made his 2007-08 bow for the match against a Manchester United XI. Here is his image of Alty trialist midfielder Chris Baguley. More of Gavin's pictures are on his by GR Photography website
Right, pictured by Gavin Rathbone, is Warren Peyton receiving his Tom Earley Clubman of the Year award before last Wednesday's match at Moss Lane. Presenting the trophy were Tom's wife, Margaret, and daughter, Jenny.
Millers Mad report that Rotherham United "Boss Mark Robins has indicated that all available players in the first team squad will get a run out at tomorrow's first public friendly against Altrincham. Fans travelling to the Moss Lane will get to see all but one of the ten new signings as Robins looks to build fitness. 'I want everybody stripped and involved and there will be some part of the action for all those in the squad', the boss told the Rotherham Star. 'It's our first game, it's about getting back into match action and about building that match fitness. Stephen Brogan and Chris O'Grady will be available after suffering injury scares this week but Tom Cahill and Nat Kerr are the only two contracted players to miss out. The game also comes too early for 20 year-old midfield trialist Kyle Jacobs who has a knock. The Rotherham manager also realised that the travelling supporters will be playing a game of Guess Who. 'It will be nice for our supporters, I suppose, to be able to start putting names to faces because we've a lot of newcomers... It's like a new chapter in Rotherham United's particular book".
Altrincham have twice met Rotherham United in competitive matches. In November 1976 the sides met in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup at Millmoor. Alty at the time lay fifth in the Northern Premier League and the Millers were fourth in Division Three. But six seasons earlier the two sides had also been drawn against each other. However, Alty lost their preceding tie to Great Harwood Town whom the Millers went on to defeat 6-2 in a mudbath (1970). Alty did little better in 1976, going down 5-0 to the Yorkshire side. The team sheet for the 1976 game is shown, right. But in 1979 (team sheet, below) Alty got their revenge. Drawn again away at Millmoor, but this time in Round 2, goals from Mal Bailey and Barry Howard saw Alty win 2-0 in front of a crowd of 6,083 to earn a home tie against Orient. At the time Rotherham lay 7th in Division Three. The 1979 match was curiously sponsored by a firm selling "sleep products" whatever they may be! One of four Alty players to be named for both games is Alty's current manager Graham Heathcote.
A more recent connection between our two clubs has been Nicky Daws. The Alty youngster moved to Rotherham after leaving Altrincham for Bury in the early 1990s. Nicky is a fitness coach with the Millers and is expected to be with the visitors for Saturday's game. Alty will be without Val Owen (who is attending Chris Adams's wedding) and Rod Thornley (on holiday) from their squad for the game on Saturday.
Please see the Away Travel page for times and prices as well as links to the host club's websites and to a map of the stadium area.
Curzon Ashton's Steven Moore scored, as a trialist for Altrincham at Trafford, but the Manchester Evening News reports that when he was with Curzon playing FC United, "Curzon's strike force of Mike Norton and Steven Moore have stolen some of the Rebels' thunder this season by taking the top two spots in the goal-scoring charts, with 51 and 50 goals respectively in all competitions... Curzon boss Gary Lowe said, 'For both lads to top 50 goals is an unbelievable achievement'," said Lowe... 'To do it at this level is terrific. They are both very different. Steven is very low-key, and sometimes appears as if he is hardly moving, but he is technically very good'".
The Burnley website seems to vary its spelling but Cayne or Kayne Handley, who also played as a trialist for Alty at Trafford, was in the Turf Moor side's under-19s in 2003 and was playing in the Reserves in 2005. By late 2006 he was a trialist with York City reserves.
Responsive as ever to its users, the website responds above to outrageous allegations of having used an airbrush to erase the presence at the Trafford game of Alty supporter "Ballers" from yesterday's photo by now providing a wider view of the same scene, which shows the new member of the Alty Youth team coaching staff, far right!
Of the game SAM says "An experimental Alty side beat Trafford 2-1 on Thursday in a tight game at Shawe View... The Alty side was unrecognisable from the one that had fallen 2-1 to a Manchester United XI the previous evening... Despite the result, Alty manager Graham Heathcote said: 'I wasn't particularly happy with the performance. It was like the game there last year, a bit of a dead game. I felt the attitude of some of the lads wasn't right. Lads who had impressed in previous games seemed to be a wandering round thinking 'what are we doing playing here'. There was just no oomph about us at all, so they'll need to improve. The young lads at centre half (Deegan and Keogh) did well though considering they don't usually play there".
From Trafford FC we read that "Manager Ged Kielty got his pre-season plans under way with a promising start against a Altrincham XI with the highlight of the game being Trafford's young Harry Winter scoring a 30 yard cracker".
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Meanwhile This is Devon says that "Midfielder Danny Wring has signed a one-year deal at Torquay United after impressing manager Paul Buckle during his Plainmoor trial. The former Bristol City youngster, 20.. could yet be joined at Plainmoor by fellow trialists Danny Stevens and Jamal Easter, who are still in talks with the club". Buckle said of Wring, "His age, the club he's been at, Bristol City, and what he's shown in pre-season were all factors in us signing him. He has done well in pre-season, both in training and in the games, and the feedback from my staff was very positive. I also liked what I saw myself". On Wednesday, Torquay had a "1-1 friendly draw at Dawlish Town... Buckle was happy enough with his players after their third friendly of the summer, but insists that there is still work to be done before the big kick-off".
And indeed,Torquay United confirm that they have "signed Danny Stevens on a one year contract. Danny has impressed with his performances in the three friendlies so far played... Manager Paul Buckle is delighted... 'Danny has had a really good background at Luton... Danny can play wide or down the middle and this gives us even more options'".
Along the coast, This is Weymouth says that "boss Jason Tindall will make a decision on several trialists after Friday's pre-season friendly at Ringwood Town... Gavin Tomlin, Justin Roberts, Gavin McCallum and Brian Glover will all be given another chance to prove their worth".
The Salisbury Journal says that "Goalkeeper Matt Bulman has left and is understood to have signed for Southern League side Cirencester Town. First team opportunities were limited last season due to the fine form of Ryan Clarke... Manager Nick Holmes said: 'Like we did with all the other out of contract players at the end of last season, we invited Matt to come and train with us, but he's decided his future lies elsewhere'".
From the Football Conference we read that "Cambridge United boss Jimmy Quinn is running the rule over former Crawley and Tamworth striker Steve Burton, who could feature against Plymouth.. in a friendly at Abbey Stadium on Saturday... Burton is a a former Crawley teammate of U's skipper Danny Brown but could be surplus to requirements at Kettering as they already have six strikers. 'I've spoken to Mark Cooper about him and he's got six strikers so we're just having a look at him for a few days', confirmed Quinn. 'He's a big, strong, quick lad, he's played in the League and at this level, so we're having a look at him'".
And the Crawley Forum reports that the club's "creditors have generously decided not to pursue interest payments in order that the matter can be settled at the earliest possible instance... the risk is that it would introduce even more delays. The creditors voted to accept the unamended terms of the extension of the CVA until the end of October, only one of them voted to reject it... The [Majeeds'] flat will be placed in auction on September 26th with Parson Son & Basley of Brighton. All claims are resolved although Begbies require the club to re-submit two claims to HMR that were incorrectly completed 2 days ago... and two players claims require copies of P60s to be sent as proof in support of their revised figures. So that is it... it should all be over.... a year late... and Macolm Fillmore concludes that they have not actually saved one single penny by entering Administration. The creditors gave Rob Sadler a standing ovation at the conclusion of the meeting". So it now depends on how much the flat sells for... any offers?
Steve Aspinall was the only first-team squad member to play the full game at Shawe View as Alty secured a 2-1 win over their neighbours from the NW Counties League. But the game was marred by a late injury to former Alty Youth keeper Tom Read, keeping goal for Trafford, who suffered a suspected broken leg after a collision with Alty trialist Kayne Handley. Alty had taken the lead after 27 minutes when another trialist, Matthew Berkeley finished superbly after receiving a well measured long ball from Steve Aspinall (27 mins). Winter equalised for Trafford after 42 minutes with an excellent 30 yard shot past Richard Acton. Alty's winner came in the second half from Steven Moore, another trialist, from Curzon Ashton after good work by Scott Metcalfe. Report to follow.
Right: Matthew Berkeley (16) gets to his feet after his excellent goal as Chris Senior leads the applause.
Altrincham included three more new faces in tonight's squad to add to trialists Colin Potts, Chris Baguley, Matthew Berkeley and Cavell Coo. These were local goalkeeper Stephen Downes, ex-Burnley youth player Kayne Handley and Curzon Ashton's prolific striker Steven Moore. Apart from Richard Acton and Steve Aspinall, Pat McFadden was the only other first-team squad member to start the game. In addition to Acton's first appearance of the close season, Chris Senior was also on show for the first time since signing earlier this week after his release by Halifax Town. The central defence comprised two graduates from the Alty Youth and Reserves' teams in Ben Deegan and Andy Keogh. Though both have played at the back before, Ben made his name as the top-scoring striker for the Youth team whilst Andy was a central midfielder. Another member of the defence in this game who does not normally play at the back was striker Pat McFadden, operating at left-back. In central midfield were trialists Cavell Coo and Chris Baguley whilst Colin Potts and Adam Walker were on the flanks. Adam was a third graduate of the youth and reserve set-up to start tonight's game. Up front, former Gretna striker Matthew Berkeley partnered Senior, whilst on the bench with the above-mentioned trialists were two members of last season's Reserves in midfielder Rick Chetcuti and striker Scott Metcalfe.
ALTRINCHAM (Blue); 1. Richard ACTON, 2. Steve ASPINALL (capt), 21. Andy KEOGH, 17. Ben DEEGAN, 7. Pat McFADDEN; 22. Colin POTTS, 6. Chris BAGULEY, 20. Cavell COO, 11. Adam WALKER; 19. Chris SENIOR, 16. Matthew BERKELEY. Subs: 8. Scott METCALFE, 14. Steven MOORE, 18. Kayne HANDLEY, Rick CHETCUTI, 24. Stephen DOWNES (gk).
TRAFFORD (White): 1. Andy TIGHE, 2. Simon WOODFORD (capt), 3. Lee McGREGOR, 4. Lee SOUTHWOOD (capt), 5. Andy JONES, 6. Martin INGHAM, 7. Chris MACKAY, 8. Ben ASHMOLE, 9. Troy HAYDER, 10. Adam MARTIN, 11. Harry WINTER. Subs included: 1* Tom READ, 2. Mark FITTON, 3* Sean SMITH, 17. Mike TURNER.
The league teams in Cheshire are no longer taking part in the CSC as there is to be a new competition for them.Round One ties include:
Oxford United report that "Winger Joel Ledgister became United's third signing of the day when he signed a two year deal. The 19 year-old has played most of his games for Southend and on loan at Gravesend on the right wing but is also able to play wide on the left or up front, and his pace and eye for goal were obvious during a training match ... Alex Jeannin and Phil Trainer both became Oxford United players this morning. Former Darlington, Exeter and Hereford defender Jeannin is an experienced left back from France. 'This is my fifth club in England' he told Yellow World, 'and it's definitely the most professional set up. The lads have made me feel very welcome, and I've enjoyed pre-season... Trainer was equally delighted to sign a pro contract . The former Crewe youngster, who had trials at Bristol Rovers last season, told Yellow World: 'It's always been my dream to become a professional footballer and now I have been given my chance. We have worked hard in pre-season so far, and the fitness level is that much higher. I had chances to join other clubs but this is the club I think has the brightest future'".
Above: Joe O'Neill fights for possession against Manchester United.
Match report here.
Droylsden won 4-0 away at Woodley Sports in a recent friendly. "Two Fearns penalties, Ged Murphy and Steve Daly were the scorers....Started with Senior, Hotte, Warner, Cryden, Burke, Murphy, Norton, Morris, Fearns, Daly and Denham. Subs who came on included Banim, Lynch, Luke Pritchard". The Conference says that "Ebbsfleet United have completed the capture of Carlisle United striker Raphael Nade. Nade is no stranger to the top tier of non-league football, having spent last season on loan with Weymouth. Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish recently lost the services of highly-rated striker Charlie MacDonald to Southend but was quick to point out that he doesn't see Nade as a direct replacement for MacDonald. 'I'm going to ask the players to share the load', Daish told BBC Radio Kent. 'If there's a centre-forward who's scored 26 goals a season for the last four years, I'm not going to be able to be in the market to get him'".
"Stevenage Borough have announced the signing of former Barnet striker Oliver Allen on a two-year contract. The 20-year-old frontman joined Barnet from Birmingham in January and went on to make 14 appearances, scoring four goals in the process. 'Olly has a lot to offer', manager Mark Stimson told the club's official website".
The Halifax Courier says that "Darryn Stamp got his pre-season scoring underway with the only goal of Halifax Town's behind-closed-doors friendly with Rotherham. The big striker bagged the winner in the second half of the match at the South Yorkshire club's training ground. And boss Chris Wilder, whose side opened their pre-season campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, said that it had been another good workout for his squad, all of whom got some more game time under their belts. 'It is a case of having a natural progression at this stage,'" said Wilder... Yesterday's game against the League Two outfit saw the return in a Town shirt of Steve Bushell, who missed the clash with the Owls due to a holiday he had arranged before deciding to come back to Halifax from Altrincham. 'Everyone has been massively impressed by Steve and I am delighted with the way he has come back', said Wilder. 'We all know he is a good player, but he brings so many other attributes to the party'. Bushell played alongside Tom Kearney in the first half against the Millers in a side that included Danny Forrest and James Dean in attack. Wilder is understood to have decided against continuing his interest in Dean, who had been hoping to earn a deal after being told he can leave Northwich.Adam Quinn's central defensive partner was a trialist but not Rob Pacey, who is hoping to make an impression after being allowed to leave Doncaster. Steve Torpey and Danny Forrest were the two wide men in the opening 45 minutes. Stamp and Andy Campbell were the strikeforce in the second half".
FromThis is Weymouth says that "former Luton Town striker Stuart Douglas celebrated signing a new one-year deal with Weymouth by netting a fantastic brace in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win against AFC Bournemouth at the Wessex Stadium... The other man on target for the Blue Square Premier outfit was James Coutts... Weymouth boss Jason Tindall, another ex-Bournemouth player, was delighted with his side's first pre-season outing. He said: 'The lads have been working hard in training... Our attacking play was excellent so I have got to be happy'. Of Douglas, Tindall added: 'I have known Stuart for a long time and he has signed for us as a striker-cum-physio... He is always looking to run in behind defences and he took his two goals superbly'... Fellow new signings Sido Jombarti, Paolo Vernazza, Scott Doe and Kyle Critchell all put in solid performances on their debuts for the Terras who also fielded four trialists. They were defenders Justin Roberts and Brian Glover, ex-Yeovil Town and Dorchester Town winger Gavin McCallum and former Brentford striker Gavin Tomlin. Former Cherries winger Conal Platt, who finished last season with the Terras, also made an appearance for the hosts... Tindall said: 'Ashley Vickers has signed now and I will be talking with Conal over the next couple of days. He missed the first week of training due to tonsillitis but he has fantastic ability and once he works on his fitness he will be fine".
Altrincham FC have re-signed Chris Senior (pictured right). Chris, (d.o.b. 18.11.81) spent the latter part of last season on loan at Moss Lane from Halifax Town, an arrangement which started on 19 January 2007. Halifax released Chris during the summer of this year. He started his career at Huddersfield Town as a midfielder but, after being released in early 2003 as part of cost-cutting measures, he played briefly for Wakefield-Emley. 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. On returning to Altrincham, Chris re-joins Colin Little, Val Owen and Karl Munroe as ex-Shaymen currently playing at Moss Lane. Chris made his Alty debut, at Woking, on 20 January 2007 and went on to make a total of 8 starts, 7 sub appearances and to score two goals - his winner at Stevenage being shown, right.
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One club unhappy with the new Setanta TV deal is the one which is having the most exposure. This is United says that Oxford United boss "Jim Smith has warned that the TV deal struck between Setanta and the Blue Square Premier could make non-League football a 24/7 sport. And the Oxford United manager has reacted angrily after the list of live televised games was released, and features – as predicted by the Oxford Mail more than a month ago – a host of Thursday night matches. The U's feature in six of the opening 24 games, but it is the choice of nights that has upset Smith. 'Nobody knows what's going on' he said. 'I have only had brief discussions on it, but all I know is that you cannot expect teams to play on a Thursday night and then again on the Saturday. It seems to me that the league have maybe just taken the money and not thought about the full consequences'. The league have informed clubs that they are entitled to move matches to ease the burden, and that if both sides cannot agree on a new date, then they will arbitrate. Smith added: 'When you play on Sky, you are never expected to play a match two days later. But there are just so many differences here. They still haven't told us how much money we are going to get out of it because moving games from a Saturday to Thursday night will obviously have a big impact on our gates. And if we are then going to have Saturday games moved to a Sunday, then you end up not having a day off because you are playing and having to do light training the next day because you have another match to prepare for. It just becomes too much and you will get burned out'. Blue Square Premier chief executive John Moules, however, does not foresee big problems. 'The email we have sent to clubs clearly states that some matches may have to be moved because of the change in fixtures to accommodate television', he said. 'I haven't got an issue with matches being moved to a Sunday, and I am sure the clubs won't have either'".
The BBC says that "Histon boss Steve Fallon has decided not to sign Whitley Bay striker Phil Bell after a spell on trial. Fallon feels his side have got enough cover in attack after releasing their latest trialist... Fallon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'Bell's club was demanding a transfer fee which we feel was unrealistic'".
Likewise, "Rushden & Diamonds manager Garry Hill has decided not to offer a contract to former Stevenage striker Jamie Slabber. Slabber, 22, who started his career at Spurs and also had spells with Aldershot, Grays and Oxford before joining Stevenage last January... Hill has also released former Ipswich youngster Keiron Leabon from his trial spell... and will now look elsewhere for further striking options".
"Kidderminster Harriers' captain Stuart Whitehead may miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on a hernia problem. The 31-year-old defender went under the knife again after feeling pain in training... 'We're hopeful he'll be fit in time for the first game of the season but if not, certainly a week or two later', boss Mark Yates told Harriers' website.
The BBC also reports that "Aldershot Town midfielder Ricky Newman looks likely to miss the start of the new season following knee surgery. Newman, 36, was due to have an operation for treatment on a cartilage problem with the full extent of the injury yet to be confirmed".
"Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Boston United's Mark Greaves. Clough wants to bring Greaves, 32, to the Pirelli Stadium to plug the gap left by midfielder Paul Carden's departure to Accrington Stanley. Greaves has started more than 150 games for Boston since signing from Hull in August 2002. He was voted the Pilgrims' player of the year in May, but has opted to move to Burton, despite a last-ditch bid to keep him at York Street" claims the BBC.
"Cambridge United have signed former Peterborough keeper Luke McShane. The 21-year-old made one senior appearance for Posh and played eight matches in two loan spells with Gravesend & Northfleet. He was released by Posh in March and then signed on non-contract terms for CRC in the Eastern Counties Premier. Manager Jimmy Quinn told the club website: 'Luke is a very competent keeper who will push Danny Potter for a first-team place'".
One of last season's promoted clubs, Morecambe FC "has today announced ambitious plans to move to a new multi-million pound 6,000 capacity stadium in the Westgate area of the resort. Morecambe chairman Peter McGuigan announced the exciting plans at a press conference today which could see the club move to its new home for the start of the 2009/10 season. The scheme will also include an area for community use, a hotel and possible fast food franchises. Mr McGuigan said: 'The proposal will deliver a stadium worthy of a Football League side and will give an enormous boost to the club and people of Morecambe alike. The stadium will provide top class facilities for players, fans and sponsors and will be a historic development in the life of Morecambe Football Club. In addition, it will allow the Club to continue to attract top class players to Morecambe as well as enable us to expand our extremely popular community and youth development activities within the town. It will be a venue that we hope can accommodate up to 500 youngsters a week as part of our growing Football in the Community Scheme. The new stadium will guarantee the financial stability of the Club for the future and also strengthen civic pride and confidence in Morecambe Football Club'". But, on the downside, "MFC chairman Peter McGuigan told The Visitor: 'Despite our success at Wembley and in gaining promotion last year we made our biggest ever loss as a club during the last season'. Going into the League has always been our aim but it does bring with it a whole new landscape in terms of costs. We have no scope to expand the way we really want to at Christie Park'".
There is now a report on Sunday's entertaining charity game at Moss Lane, here.
Right: Neil Faulkner (2) masterminded the second Alty goal, with his throw to Danny Heffernan, who collected the ball (as seen above) before undertaking a great run through the opposition to set up Colin Potts to score.
The Football Conference reports on the games to be televised by Setanta from the blue Square Conference Premier up to and including 8 November 2007. Altrincham have one game but Kidderminster Harriers, Droylsden and Northwich Victoria apparently have no matches. In contrast, Oxford United have six matches and York City, five. The list is:
Confguide says that "Kidderminster Harriers striker Iyseden Christie will have to wait for a return to football as he is still recovering from a summer operation on his ankle.The operation was needed to clean out his troublesome ankle but... speaking to the club's official website, manager Mark Yates said: 'Iyseden won't be available for the next few games; he's still recovering from an operation where had a bit more done than we'd anticipated. He's spent the last ten days at Lilleshall training and will continue to work there where he's on a tough and difficult physical routine'".
In the Northants Evening Telegraph it says that "Marcus Kelly has finally agreed to take a pay cut and stay with Rushden & Diamonds. The left-winger was put on the transfer list at the end of last season after refusing to accept a drop in wages. But Kelly has now followed the example of Paul Watson by deciding to be part of Garry Hill's new-look squad... Hill said: 'They are in the same situation as everybody else. I believe I have made the financial position quite clear since I came to the club. We've got a 40% wage cut within the budget compared to last season. From my point of view it's about getting the players to see what's going on... I want them playing for the club to understand where we are coming from. Other players and members of staff are aware of the situation. We've all got to work together'...Kelly watched Saturday's pre-season friendly at Brackley Town ... Former Ipswich Town winger Kieran Leabon was taken off as one of five half-time changes while fellow trialist Jamie Slabber completed 90 minutes along with captain Chris Hope and right-back Tom Bonner. New signing Curtis Osano missed out due to a training-ground injury".
This week's NL Paper has a guest column by Gary Talbot (left), who was recently released by Alty after great service to the club. Gary reveals that his last team outing was at the end of last season when "We went round Altrincham and ended up in Bar One-Six-One in Hale Barns. At least I think we did. I was slaughtered by then but that was the last shout I heard". As for the best player he has ever played with, Talbs selected Colin Little. "He's got great feet, even now he's getting on a bit, and he's a prolific goalscorer". Now at Leek, Gary has pointed out Rob Hopley a new signing from Winsford United . "I've been on to Graham Heathcote at Alty about him" said Gary. When asked which five people he would least like to have round for a dinner party, Gary selected a couple of Big Brother characters as well as Margaret Thatcher and John Major. But his fifth choice was "My ex-Alty team-mate Pat McFadden (right) as that boy would eat me out of house and home!".
Alty have just one game, on September 18th at home to Cambridge United. Oxford United are believed to have six live games in the same period.
Meanwhile Halifax Town "have had three games moved for the new Setanta Sports coverage in the first three games of the new season. The first match is the away game at Stafford Rangers, this has been moved from Tuesday 4th September to the Thurs 6th September. Town's trip to York has been moved from Tuesday 25th September to Thursday 27th September. The only home game to be moved so far is the home tie with Grays Athletic, which has moved from Saturday 13th October to the following Tuesday night".
And at Histon "The Live TV schedule for fixtures show Histon FC will be screened live on Setanta TV on Thursday 20th September when title favourites Oxford United visit the Glass World Stadium".
Rushden and Diamonds report that "Left-back Paul Watson and left-winger Marcus Kelly have been taken off the transfer list. Paul Watson's contract runs until 2008, although in May 2007, the 32 year old, former Brighton and Hove Albion player was transfer listed... Manager Garry Hill said: 'Paul and Marcus have come off the transfer list because they turned around and came to see me about it. Both players want to work with what they see, and be part of what we have here at Nene Park, and I'm pleased with that. All the players know that we have to work within a financial structure here at the club'... Both players will face increased competition for places down the left hand side from former Ipswich trainee James Krause. Garry Hill's squad is not yet complete; Hill said, 'I'm looking to bring in more players, although certain things have to be done for the financial benefit of the club to make sure we are heading in the right direction'".