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August, 2007 |
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August, 2007 |
Rod Thornley has left Altrincham FC. All at Altrincham FC wish him the best for the future and thank him for his excellent service to the club both on and off the pitch. In addition to his footballing role, Rod was very helpful in raising funds for Altrincham. He combined his playing for the Robins with working as a masseur both for Manchester United and the England international set-up.
Rod was signed from Congleton Town in March, 2001 and went on to hit 20 goals in his first 20 games in 2001-02, ending the season with 31 goals. He became team captain for 2002-03 season and although he missed quite a few games through injury and had to have an operation in December 2002, he still finished the season as top-scorer. He missed much of pre-season 0f 03-04 due to his work commitments and, though hampered by a knee problem, played on till succumbing to another operation in December, 2003. After a brief return, Rod had a further knee operation in April, 2004. In 2005-06 he initially struggled to regain full fitness and played only an intermittent role in the Conference until Christmas, 2005. Indeed in 2005, he briefly went on loan at Radcliffe Borough but came back and re-established himself as a fairly regular starter for Alty alongside Colin Little. In early 2006-07 he was initially on the bench but then started games after Colin Little was injured before reverting to a role which varied between being a substitute and a starter of games. However, he remained the club's leading overall scorer until his departure today, having netted 79 times in 183+43 appearances.
Altrincham FC are also welcoming two new players...
Carlos (d.o.b. 7.11.1985, height 5ft 10ins, weight 12st 6lbs), who will have squad number 22 is a wide-left player who was at Darlington. He is hoping to stay in the League but is currently without a club. Carlos started as a trainee at Manchester City before a loan spell with Chesterfield, then a move to Darlington and finally a loan to Bradford City. He has 36(+19) league appearances under his belt.
Sean (d.o.b 16.9.1987, Liverpool) is a left-back who played for Southport last season, Sean turned out recently for Alty Reserves. Before Southport, he played for Blackpool. He will become player no.23 in the squad. He played six times for Southport last season and in the fortnight before joining Alty, he turned out for Bury and Shrewsbury Reserves.
On the NL Today website is Dave Stringer's preview of the match. This includes interesting quotes from the managers. Aldershot boss Gary Waddock says, that despite defeat by Crawley 'I’ve told the players that if we build on our performance then we’ll be fine'. Not that he anticipates an easy match against the winless Robins though – a game that sees Lewis Chalmers return to his old stomping ground. Waddock insists, 'There’ll be no complacency in my team. We will prepare properly as I expect a tough game. All games are tough in this league'. One plus point for Waddock is that there were no further injuries to add to the long-term absentees Ryan Williams and Ryan Scott. With Dean Smith recently undergoing cartilage surgery and Ricky Newman some way from fitness, Waddock would have been forgiven for looking to strengthen his team. But he says 'I’m satisfied with my squad'...
In contrast, Robins’ Manager Graham Heathcote (left) will be working to bring players in... Heathcote says 'Some of the players have been with me for five years and questions have to be asked. I was hoping that these questions wouldn’t be posed for another twelve months but maybe the time has come. I will be looking at players in general for a number of positions. But there are always obstacles to signing players especially financial'. Additions to the squad appear imperative. With Colin Little suspended, Matty Berkeley away with St Kitts and Gary Scott having tweaked knee ligaments Heathcote will be anxious that Val Owen’s X-ray will not show permanent damage. In addition Cavell Coo has left the club in search of regular action. But the Alty Manager remains upbeat: 'Football is all about confidence and you lose that when you don’t win. We’ve never been behind at half-time so we can’t be a million miles away. All teams will have a sticky patch. It’s just that ours has come at the beginning of the season. I’m not interested in the word pressure. Pressure is what the family [of the shot schoolboy] in Liverpool is under. What I have is football problems and I will deal with those problems'".
The Aldershot News & Mail says that "After slumping to a second disappointing home defeat of the season, Aldershot boss Gary Waddock admitted that defensive slip-ups are costing his side... 'Keeping clean sheets is something that we haven’t done and that’s one thing that I spoke to the players about after today’s game',Waddock said. 'I couldn't have asked any more of the players. They gave it their all. We played very well'... Defender Anthony Charles was equally disappointed with the result... 'It’s our third home game and our second defeat and it’s not really good enough', the big defender admitted... Gary Waddock however refused to point the finger at his misfiring strikers. 'I’m not worried. It's good that the midfielders have chipped in', he said.'At some stage the front lads will chip in too. We’re not just relying on the front players. It’s a team effort to score goals and keep clean sheets'. Anthony Charles...[added]. 'We’ve looked at how many goals we’ve conceded this season and it’s far too many.... I just don't think that it was our day'. Following the often colourful antics of both the Crawley management staff and players, many supporters went away from the Recreation Ground feeling that gamesmanship had played a part in the defeat. Charles however refused to use that as an excuse. 'They’re winning one-nil away from home so they’re not going to be in a rush', he said. 'If any of the boys get injured they’re going to take their time to walk off the pitch as slowly as they can. The gamesmanship’s not the best but you do what you can'. Positive even in defeat, Waddock is now looking forward to the next game away at Altrincham on Saturday. He said: “We’ll march on and hopefully get three points from the game on Saturday'”.
Blue Square says that "Lee Sinnott, manager of Farsley Celtic, has completed the capture of midfielder Chris Billy following his release by league rivals Halifax Town. The 34-year-old signed for the Shaymen in January and went on to make 10 starts and three substitute appearances. However, Billy was told by Halifax manager Chris Wilder that he was surplus to requirements just before the start of the new season. The Huddersfield-born midfielder started his career as a trainee with the Terriers, making over 120 appearances during a four-year spell. He has also gone on to play for Plymouth, Notts County, Bury and Carlisle United".
"Michael Hyem is being tipped by Jimmy Quinn to make his mark for Cambridge United after his match-turning appearance on Monday. The 18-year-old midfielder came off the bench for a six-minute cameo appearance against Ebbsfleet and rattled the crossbar with a venomous drive from distance, before Scott Rendell headed home the rebound to earn the U's a 1-1 draw. And the United manager, who revealed captain Danny Brown has not broken a bone in his foot as was first feared, believes the former youth team skipper has what it takes to cement his place in the squad. Quinn said: 'Josh Coulson is also doing well for us, and I think we've got a nice balance of youth and experience in the squad'". And, according to the Cambridge Evening News "Quinn does not expect to be welcoming any new faces to the Abbey before the transfer window closes at midnight on Friday after his enquiries into two players did not come to fruition. He said: 'It's too early for clubs to be letting people go, so it's all gone a bit quiet...We've got a good spirit in the squad and sometimes bringing in new faces can upset that spirit. I was concerned that we could get past the deadline and pick up a few injuries. But I think we're strong enough'".
From This is Exeter we learn that "Exeter City have enquired about extending Bristol City midfielder Frankie Artus's loan spell for a further month... Following the news Andy Taylor's injury is more serious than first thought, City boss Paul Tisdale has contacted the Robins in a bid to retain him... The City manager said: 'I have spoken to Gary Johnson about extending Frankie's loan for another month and he was very positive about the idea'".
Along the coast. This is South Devon says that "Torquay United's drive to attract new supporters to Plainmoor will continue with a thousand free tickets for students on offer for Saturday's home game against Stafford Rangers. With bottom of the table Stafford expected to bring only around a hundred fans, leaders United are reserving Plainmoor's Sparkworld Away Stand for students who take up their latest offer. It's open to youngsters who have just completed their GCSEs, have left Secondary School or are in Further Education. They have until 1.30pm on Saturday to take some valid form of student ID to the United offices and pick up their tickets... Unbeaten United have pulled in 4,000 and 3,000 gates for their first two home matches, and a club spokesman said: 'We want to do all we can to fill up the ground and also attract new supporters'".
In Surrey, Woking report that "Michael Charles has stunned Woking by asking for his contract to be ripped up.The Cards' striker, who joined from Farnborough in the summer, has opted for a return to part-time football and to concentrate on his studies. 'He asked to see Frank Gray this morning and wanted to be released from his contract', said football technical director, Colin Lippiatt. 'It came out of the blue'. The club have agreed to the player's request and he has left the club, with Basingstoke said to be a possible destination... 'It leaves us in a difficult position', added Lippiatt. In the meantime, two players have become available on loan at Stevenage Borough, one of them former Woking defender Luke Oliver, the other, Damian Batt, Lippiatt's player at St Albans last season".
Stevenage Borough say that "Promising 19-year-old, Alistair John, is expected to sign for Borough. Chairman, Phil Wallace said: "Mark has been very impressed by Ally and, although our internal budget is close to its limit, we just can't pass up exciting young talent of this quality. He's fast, strong and can excite crowds, which is just what we want at Borough. Mark spoke about him earlier in the year and we waited in the wings whilst he trialled at a couple of League clubs. He can play on either side and his contribution to our season could be significant if he's able to show the determination required to fulfill his potential. We have one more target in our sights and then we're done until January. Whether that will happen before Friday night I don't know'". Meanwhile, "Central defender, Luke Oliver, and full back, Damian Batt, have been circulated to clubs as being available for loan, along with some of Borough's youngsters. Mark Stimson said: 'Both players are an integral part of our squad, but they needs competitive matches to retain match fitness and we simply don't have enough games to do that. It's better that they go out on loan, get some games under their belt and come back raring to go'".
"The Football Conference and its Chief Executive Officer John Moules have agreed to go their separate ways following the finalisation of two major commercial contracts. The competition's offices have now also been relocated to Birmingham after deals with Setanta and Blue Square were confirmed.
Brian Lee, Chairman of The Football Conference said: "We are extremely grateful to John for his many years of loyal service. 'We fully understand his ties with the South-East which make relocation to Birmingham impractical and in view of the fact that we now have two major long-term commercial agreements in place the marketing opportunities for the Competition, for which John assumed responsibility, will be limited. We have parted on the best of terms and we wish John every success for the future'.
John Moules added: 'I have thoroughly enjoyed all my years at the helm of the administration of The Football Conference and although I am sad to go I feel that I am leaving the Competition in its healthiest ever state both from commercial and footballing perspectives. I have realised that it is simply not possible for me to serve the best interests of The Conference unless I can be at the heart of things in The Midlands and that is not possible for me. Having played a significant role in the delivery of both Setanta and Blue Square I believe that it is time for me to move on and seek new challenges. The Football Conference has been my life for many years and it is now time to focus on my own family and future. I am grateful to The Conference for the opportunities it has afforded me and am sure that it will go from strength to strength'.
The Competition has no plans for the immediate appointment of any replacement and is confident that its new office in Birmingham will thrive and develop in the capable hands of Dennis Strudwick, its General Manager".
Mr Strudwick was previously Secretary of The Southern Football League (the some-time Dr Martens League), based in Worcester, for 25 years. He was appointed as General Manager of the Conference from 4th June, 2007.
Why not join the scheme yourself and help the club whilst having the chance to win a monthly prize? Details are here.
When Pat McFadden (right) came on, 12 minutes from the end at Stafford, it meant that all 21 of Alty's first-team squad had been used by the end of game five of the current campaign. With Cavell Coo having now left for Witton, Colin Little suspended and both Gary Scott and Val Owen injured, the 16-man squad for the Aldershot game will come from just 17 available players.
The Cambridge Evening News says that "Lance Key may be donning the No 1 jersey for Bury Town now, but the Histon goalkeeping coach still believes he can do a job for the Stutes' first team in the Blue Square Premier if they want him. The 39-year-old veteran keeper, who can list Sheffield Wednesday and Dundee United [and Altrincham, on loan] among his former clubs, turned out for [Bury Town] for the first time on Monday, but they lost 4-1 at Arlesey Town. Key, who played an instrumental part in Histon's climb into the non-League's top flight, knows if he is to get an SOS from Stutes' boss Steve Fallon, he needs to be fit enough. The stopper said: 'I have always been up front about Bury Town. My stepson, Lee Smith, plays there and I obviously know the director of football, Trevor Collins, from his Histon days, so there is a connection. At the tender age of 39 I still believe I can do the job, but the opportunity to coach at Histon and play at Bury is right for me, although I would have loved one more year in their first team. I am happy and still feel part of the club. I am the go-between for the players and the manager, and will be on call whenever they need me'. Key said: 'The club know I want to carry on playing at Histon this season, but with the signings of Danny and Mark, I have taken a back seat. They are both very good goalkeepers... this year will be all about survival'".
Halifax Town "have issued a short statement following the Halifax Courier article. 'The Club is fully aware of the winding up petition and has the matter in hand. The Club requests that all fans and friends, including shareholders, former Directors and supporters organisations get fully behind the Club, Manager, Players and Staff as the takeover by the Consortium enters its finals stages.It is the Club's intention to ensure this takeover is completed prior to the date of the winding up petition. Subject to completion of the deal and a 75% shareholding being achieved, funds have been secured that would allow immediate settlement of the monies owed to the Crown. Angie Firth, General Manager'".
The Football Conference says that "Exeter City have suffered a major blow with news that Andy Taylor faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after fracturing his leg. The midfielder picked up the injury on the opening day of the season [at Altrincham], although the initial prognosis claimed that the injury was not too serious. However, fresh scans have revealed that the 24-year-old had suffered a stress fracture of the tibia - which will rule him out for around six weeks. The Grecians' manager Paul Tisdale told the club's website: 'I'm afraid it is not good news. He has a stress fracture of the tibula which is usually an eight week injury. He has already missed three weeks so it looks like it could be another five or six weeks out for him, it's another big blow, I can't believe the luck we have had in that area of the field'".
Blue Square says that "Droylsden [are] keen on Chester players. City have not named the players which have attracted Droylsden's interest but Ashley Westwood, Sean Hessey, Phil Bolland, Dean Bennett and Simon Marples are all yet to make an impact for Bobby Williamson's side so far this season. And Chester chairman Vaughan confirmed: 'It is no secret that we have a close relationship with Droylsden, and they have spoken to us enquiring about taking two or three of our players either on a temporary basis or permanently'".
"Nigel Clough will this week renew his efforts to strengthen his injury-ravaged Burton Albion squad before the transfer window slams shut... [He has] holes left by injuries to defensive trio Darren Stride, Ryan Austin and Tony James and the versatile Andy Corbett... Clough tried all last week to make temporary signings and knows time is running out because emergency loans are not permitted for seven days after the closure of the transfer window. He said: 'The fact you cannot make an emergency loan signing for seven days from Friday is a strange contradiction in terms, but they are the rules and we have to abide by them. We have an array of players in mind and, with a bit of luck, we'll have a couple on board by the time we go to Crawley on Saturday'. Albion... had only 12 fully fit senior players available for the visit of Farsley Celtic" claims the Burton Mail.
In last Sunday's Non League Today (the new newspaper), Colin Little (left) reacts to Graham Heathcote's statement the previous week that he might consider his future at Moss Lane. "'I think he's entitled to blow his gasket after 37 years', said Little who claimed his team were 'lucky' not to be beaten by a mammoth scoreline at the New Lawn (Forest Green). ' Graham (right) has the players's backing - that's an understatement. He had a set-to with a supporter in the first game of the season... How can you criticise a man like that after he has devoted near enough his entire life to the club? There is nobody that works harder... Some fans get a bit above themselves at times. And when they do, it's Graham's nature to say things back... I know I speak for the rest of the team, I am desperate for him to stay and take us forward. But it's up to us to take some of that pressure off and help him out... We're all taking a bit longer to gel than everyone would have hoped for. There are some good new players here and we're not playing how we can. We know we can do better'". Colin continued about Graham, 'He is the reason I'm here and I know a lot of players turned down big-money contracts elsewhere because of Graham. They came for him and I'd be concerned, massively concerned, if he did see through his threat to leave. I'm not even sure I'd stay if he goes. That's how important he is and what he means to everyone here... He is Altrincham Football Club, I can't emphasize that enough... I can't see another manager coming in and turning it round. he has done every job here. he has been a player, a captain, a secretary, a manager - I think even the tea-boy! How do you go about replacing someone who is irreplaceable?"
The Northwich Guardian reports on how Witton Albion won at the weekend. "Albion... handed a debut to former Crewe Alexandra full back Cavell Coo" who had joined Altrincham this summer but made just one substitute appearance for The Robins.
When Aldershot last visited Altrincham, on the final day of last season, they seemed to have condemned Alty to relegation by securing a goalless draw. The sides that day were:
Just three of Alty's line-up for that game (Aspinall, Lawton and Peyton) were in the Robins' starting line-up last Monday at Stafford.
The unofficial Shotsweb says that "The Shots somehow succumbed to their second home defeat of the season against a typically solid and robust Crawley Town... A lack-lustre display, which twice had Waddock warning his team that they were 'too relaxed', was punished just seven minutes into the second half... ATFC: Bull; Gier (Soares 71), Day, Charles, Straker; Hudson, Chalmers, Davies, Harding; Grant, Dixon. Subs not used: Winfield, Jaimez-Ruiz, Hylton, Elvins".
Right: The new floodlights being installed at Moss Lane can be lowered to the ground for maintenance. This picture shows one of the new sets of lights being installed last Saturday. By Tuesday lunchtime, the only two of the original 1966 pylons which were left standing were those in front of the Carole Nash Stand.
Don't forget that Altrincham has a similar monthly draw scheme called the Friends of Altrincham FC; follow the link to sign up, please!
From the Yorkshire Evening Post we learn that "Troubled Halifax Town boss Chris Wilder again refused to speak to the media despite a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Droylsden... Rob Scott, Matt Doughty, Darryn Stamp and Tom Kearney were all dropped following the weekend game while Wilder took the captain's armband off Adam Quinn and gave it to [ex-Alty man] Steve Bushell. Assistant boss Peter Atherton, who stood in for Wilder at the post-match press conference said: 'It is certainly a happier dressing room and it is nice to talk about the football instead of what's going on behind the scenes'". But the Halifax Courier has a headline, "Halifax Town Football Club could be shut down next week. HM Revenue and Customs has brought a winding-up petition against the club which will be heard on Wednesday, September 5. The taxman is a creditor of the club and presented its petition some time ago. Club director Geoff Ralph revealed to the Courier recently that action had been delayed temporarily pending a takeover deal. But so far that deal has failed to materialise and the action has plunged the club further into crisis. The petition will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice, London... Should Town go into administration, under Football Conference rules they would automatically face a 10-point deduction, even if a saviour was to then emerge".
"Grays' unbeaten start to the season came to an end on Monday when they went down in disappointing style to newly promoted Histon. The visitors... were methodical, well-drilled and based their game on getting the ball forward as quickly as possible. But they certainly were not pretty to watch. It was a shame then that a lacklustre Grays side resorted to similar long ball tactics in a bid to wrestle back the game after they had gone behind... Boss Justin Edinburgh said afterwards, 'They made it difficult for us and we lacked the initiative in possession of the ball to break them down. There was not much in the game at all. We just didn't show enough guile and in the end ran out of ideas... Histon's notorious set-pieces posed the most threat" says the Thurrock Gazette
"Neil Redfearn reckons he could be without Lee Steele for six weeks. The Vics boss told the Northwich Guardian he fears the worst after his star signing limped off during yesterday's 1-0 defeat to York City. 'It looks like a tear again'," he said. 'If that's the case then it's a massive blow for us because I brought him here to get our goals'... The 33-year-old was recovering from the injury when he agreed a switch from Chester City earlier this month... Steele is not Redfearn's only worry.Brad Maylett went off with slight concussion... while Michael Byrne was ruled out with a thigh strain. Redfearn hopes to have both of them back in time for the weekend trip to Farsley Celtic".
Meanwhile, This is Staffs says that "Stafford Rangers have broken their duck in the Blue Square Premier - thanks to teenager Marco Adaggio. On his full debut for the club, Adaggio not only earned a first half spot-kick, but also put it away with confidence to level the scores in this tense bottom-of-the-table battle with Altrincham. Rangers still share last place with Northwich and Altrincham [not so, we have two points!] as a result of this Marston Road draw... With a goal apiece and both teams desperate for the points, the scene was set for an entertaining duel, which ultimately failed to materialise... the end product was a stalemate with hardly any clear cut chances... Rangers' manager Phil Robinson said after the game: 'It is a step in the right direction... At times we played well and passed the ball well, at others, we tried to and it just didn't quite come off.... we have a lot of positives to take from this game'".
Above on a dull afternoon, Lawton nets for Alty
Despite taking the lead and having most of the second-half play, Alty had to settle for a point in a generally uninspiring game. Alty went ahead after 15 minutes when a good turn in midfield by Whalley led to Senior getting in a shot from left of goal which was parried out to Lawton who netted from close range. But Alty gifted Rangers an equaliser when Rose was outpaced by Adaggio who was chasing a hopeful punt forward. With goalkeeper Acton staying on his line, Rose brought down his opponent to concede a penalty, which Adaggio converted comfortably (20 mins). With Potts on at the interval, Alty looked the more likely to score but their closest effort was Sedgemore's superb freekick, which Alcock saved equally well. Match report here.
Above: Adaggio beats Acton from the spot.
Monday 27th