At Histon "Following discussions between manager Steve Fallon and Roscoe Hipperson the 33 year old player has decided to make a move away from the Glass World Stadium after nine seasons which have been packed with glory and trophies. The athletic centre half probably enjoyed the pinnacle of his career in the season 2006 -2007... During the club's first season in the Blue Square Premier Roscoe has found opportunities limited and with the imminent arrival of new players has viewed his options carefully before making the decision to move to pastures new. The club understand Roscoe will be joining Bury Town... Roscoe advised the club of his decision and spoke of his love affair with Histon FC which has spanned nine amazing seasons, 'When I joined Histon I have to admit I was not sure if the club could achieve the rise to the Conference they spoke of but as promotion after promotion started to happen you believed anything was possible and I,,, would not bet against them going onto the football league very soon'".

GOAL SPONSORSHIP

Sponsored goalscorers:

Please send your cheques to Jon Stack at 86 Main Road, Wigginton, Tamworth, Staffs. B79 9DZ or hand them in at the football club (marked goal sponsorship), payable to Altrincham Football Club. Many thanks once again for your support. Jon and Winnie Stack".

BSP NEWS

The BBC says that "Droylsden manager Dave Pace is looking forward to working with Pablo Asensio next season after the Argentine joined the Bloods' management team. English-based Asensio, who has played in Argentina, Greece and Spain, will assist Pace following the club's relegation back to Blue Square North. Pace told BBC Sport: 'We have got the same ideas about attacking football. We will obviously use his culture and experience. We are trying to go down a different avenue'. Pace, who is also the Bloods' chairman, added: 'If we are fortunate enough to win promotion next season, we don't want to be in the same situation again. He's played in Argentina and Europe. Obviously his connections with Argentina are strong'. Asensio is the director of Asensio Sport Group.

Promoted "Exeter City have signed Emmanuel Panther from York City. The 24-year-old midfielder started his career with St Johnstone before joining Partick Thistle in 2003. He signed for York in 2005 and made 123 appearances, scoring four goals in his time there. Exeter have also agreed new terms with strikers Ben Watson and Richard Logan, but have released Lee Elam and former club captain Andy Taylor", says the BBC.

According to the Argus "Crawley boss Steve Evans has continued his signing spree with the captures of midfielder Simon Weatherstone and striker Danny Forrest. Weatherstone, 28, was captain at Weymouth last season before being released and played for Evans at Boston. Forrest, 23, joins after making 98 appearances over three seasons for Halifax and played in the Championship with Bradford City. The double-swoop comes less than a week after Evans signed experienced striker Steve Fletcher, former Albion full-back Sam Rents and ex-Crawley favourite Chris Giles. Striker Magno Vieira has been released after returning from a loan spell at Cambridge United".

From the Northants Evening Telegraph we are advised "Don't run the risk of ruining Rushden & Diamonds' long-term future. That's the stark message from chairman Keith Cousins who is calling on fans to show full support for the club. He introduced an initiative for trust members to waive a discount when renewing their season tickets by instead forwarding that money towards Nene Park's youth set-up which faces a £70,000 shortfall next season without a parachute payment from the Football League. But only a few supporters have pledged to help the programme which has previously produced professionals such as Andy Burgess, David Bell and Simeon Jackson – so far raising just a couple of hundreds of pounds rather than thousands in extra income. Cousins admitted: 'That has been disappointing and losing the funding was bad enough. We will fight hard to maintain the high standards within the youth set-up where more than 300 boys are associated to us. This is a community club. But people seem to be supporting the first team rather than the club as a whole. Because of that lackadaisical approach by some, we are running the risk of losing those talented youngsters. Do they really want that? It's a business about pounds and pence. We have to find the £70,000 taken away by the Football League and if we don't then we won't have a youth scheme. I want supporters to stand shoulder to shoulder with the ambitions which we have got for the club'. Diamonds automatically miss out on annual funding two years following relegation into non-League football along with Oxford United. An appeal over the decision seems certain to be dismissed so the club's head of youth Paul Driver is leading the fight for sponsorship".

The Kidderminster Shuttle states that "England C goalkeeper Adam Bartlett has joined Harriers on a free transfer from Blyth Spartans. The 22-year-old turned down moves from Torquay and Oxford United to join Harriers... The former Newcastle United youngster arrives at Harriers as one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers outside the Football League... The 22-year-old was an ever-present for the side in their league campaign last term, and arrives at Aggborough on a one-year deal. He was also part of the England C squad which won the Four Nations tournament over the weekend. He will be expected to compete with Dean Coleman for a first team place next season".

Meanhwile "Striker Darryl Knights became Harriers' second new addition after signing a two-year deal. The 20-year-old committed himself to Harriers until 2010, after being released by Yeovil Town at the end of the season. Knights impressed manager Mark Yates when he came on loan at Aggborough in January until the end of the campaign, scoring four goals in 13 starts... Knights said: 'I got to meet the chairman and the gaffer in my loan spell and got to see how the club is run, and that helps. It's a good club with a good set of fans and that made my mind up - Kidderminster has the potential as a club to really push on and I'm glad to be signing'... Knights's two-year contract with Harriers gets underway from July 1". The Shuttle elsewhere reports that "Defender Luke Jones has joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year deal, while midfielder Andy Ferrell has committed himself for another season. Jones signed a one-year deal... The 22-year-old was released by League Two side Shrewsbury at the end of the season. He enjoyed a six-game spell with the Blue Square Premier Club in the second half of the last campaign, before being re-called by Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson... Ferrell will be plying his trade at Harriers next season after signing up for another season. The hard-tackling Newcastle fan had man joined the club from Hereford United last season".

Blue Square Football adds that "Kidderminster Harriers have revealed that goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie has decided to part ways with the club. The veteran rejoined the Harriers for a second spell at the end of January this year but has now decided his future lies elsewhere. 'We've held a lot of talks with Chris since the end of the season', Kidderminster boss Mark Yates told the club's official website. 'In the end we both feel that it's best we part company whilst Chris pursues some other avenues'".

According to This is South Devon "Striker Roscoe Dsane has agreed to re-sign for Torquay United for the coming season, and Gulls boss Paul Buckle says he has four more targets he hopes to add to his squad soon... Dsane started last season at League Two Accrington Stanley".

This is Weymouth claims that "Weymouth boss John Hollins is still hopeful that Stephen Henderson will be his first choice goalkeeper next season. The 20-year-old, who has been offered a new deal at Bristol City, enjoyed a two-month loan spell at the Terras last season and was one of the major influences behind the club's successful bid for survival in the Blue Square Premier. However, he remains third in line at the Robins behind Adriano Basso and Chris Weale, and that is why Hollins is confident he can strike another loan deal. He said: 'I would like to think Stephen will be here. At the moment the plan is still the same but if it does not happen we do have two other options. I actually spoke to City manager Gary Johnson when they were on their way to Wembley and I will certainly be in contact with him again later this week'". Henderson, when playing for York City last season, was the player involved in the controversial diallowed goal for Chris Senior at KitKat Crescent.

ANOTHER OP FOR VAL

TINO APPROACHED?

YOUTH FINALS

OLD BOY

Witton Albion have announced that "manager Jim Vince has stepped down from his post due to 'personal circumstances'. Vince, who originally agreed to return to the Wincham Park hot seat three weeks ago after initially resigning in the wake of the club's failure to win promotion, is currently recovering from an operation on his ankle, and has been told that rehabilitation will take four to six months. Witton Albion acting Chairman Mark Harris said that he was surprised and disappointed but that 'Jim's welfare must come first. When he accepted our offer to return to the club, the full extent of his recuperation wasn't known. Although we offered him the option of going on sick leave and returning when fully fit, he felt that this would not be fair on the club or on any caretaker manager, and so we reluctantly agreed to part company. Jim leaves with our very best wishes, and I am sure his managerial reputation will continue to grow when he is able to return to the game'... Vince said 'I really appreciate the 2 and half years I spent at the club and wish them all the best. I'm always here to help in any way I can'... Mark Harris would not be drawn on a timetable for the new appointment however".

The Northwich Guardian adds that "Jim Vince has walked out on Witton for the second time a month... 'I'm surprised and disappointed', was the initial reaction of acting chairman Mark Harris... Earlier this month he had been persuaded to perform a u-turn after fans agreed to fork out to pay his players. Supporters pledged to make up the shortfall in the club's playing budget - a major reason behind his shock decision to resign in the first instance - after former chairman Mike Worthington moved to cut the Wincham Park wage bill following Witton's failure to secure promotion to Blue Square North. Worthington himself brought a premature end to his decade-long tenure over the issue, leaving Harris at the helm on a temporary basis".

NW NEWS

BSP NEWS

Meanwhile NL Daily confirms that "Havant & Waterlooville`s raid on beleaguered former Blue Square South rivals Lewes continued with the signing of Jay Conroy on a two-year contract. The defender made thirty-five appearances with the Rooks last season after signing from Chelmsford City in July 2007... While Conroy will probably not be the last signing of the close season, he is said to be the last likely to come from title holders Lewes, making a total of four players now with the Hawks from last season’s championship-winning side".

From the Northwich Guardian we learn that "Dino Maamria strengthened his squad before jetting off on his holidays yesterday, Sunday. The Vics boss ended a week of talks with former Crewe Alexandra defender [and ex-Alty loanee] Mat Bailey - a striker for the club in a previous loan spell - to finally seal a deal. 'It's been a long negotiation', he told the club's official website. 'But it's a great signing - he's got great physical presence which is vital in this league'. Bailey, 22, ended last season on loan at Weymouth before his release from Gresty Road. The second new arrival this weekend is goalkeeper Michael Jones from Wrexham. The 20-year-old Scouser, released by the Blue Square Premier newboys at the beginning of the month, replaces Ben Connett. Scott Tynan's understudy has decided to end a seven-year stay at the club to seek first team football elsewhere".

According the This is Nottingham "Departed midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea today revealed his shock at being told he had no future at Mansfield. The former Manchester City trainee indicated at the end of the Stags' relegation campaign he would be keen to stay on at Field Mill. And he was initially told by Paul Holland - who still hopes to be boss next season - there would be a deal on the table but when the final retained list was released, D'Laryea had been handed a free transfer... 'It came as a big surprise to me because Paul Holland said to me I would definitely be offered a contract',said D'Laryea".

Further cost saving is reported from Cambridge United by the local Evening News which says that "General manager Heather Wilkanowski and commercial and public relations man Andy Duncan have both been made redundant by United. It is understood the decision to lay off Wilkanowski and Duncan is due to plans to restructure the club behind the scenes in a bid to cut costs. That is despite chairman Phil Law stating United were in better shape financially than they had been for many years when he spoke to the News last week. However, it is well known the club is still some way from reaching its goal of being able to break even. A long-time supporter, Wilkanowski had been involved with United, initially as commercial manager, for nearly five years and played a key part in saving the club from extinction when it went into administration a few seasons back... Former captain Duncan was a United stalwart as a player, spending nine years at the club on the field following his arrival from Manchester United in 1998... Law would not comment on the decision to dismiss the duo". And the Cambridge United unofficial site adds that "Cambridge United have revealed that assistant manager Willy Wordsworth will leave the club when his contract expires next week. The reason behind Willy Wordsworth leaving the club is believed to be his recent plans to emigrate to Australia, where he has family and a home. Willy was originally brought to the club in the summer as the 'Chief Scout', checking out opposition teams and prospective new signings... The former Hayes manager was asked to step into the Assistant Manager berth after the shock departure of Alan Lewer, who earlier this year made the surprise decision to join John Hollins' Weymouth revolution.An announcement is yet to be made on Wordsworth's successor, although the front runner is Jason Tindall, the former Weymouth manager who took on the Chief Scout mantle when Lewer departed".

Eastbourne Borough have "carried out a detailed analysis of admission/season ticket costs throughout the Blue Square Premier during the 2007/2008 season and it is felt that the agreed prices for the coming year provide Priory Lane supporters with admission costs that are below average costs in the division for the past season and are likely to be significantly lower than at other grounds for the coming campaign. Admission ranged, in the main, between £12.00 and £19.50, with clubs generally charging an additional average of £3.00 for a seat in the Stand. There will be no such additional charge at Priory Lane for the forthcoming season... Admission: Adults £12.50 (BSP Av. 2007/2008 £13.00), Concessions £8.00 (BSP Av. 2007/2008 £9.00), Children £4.00 (BSP Av. 2007/2008 £6.00)".

Meanwhile, The Argus says that "Simon Wormull and Jean-Michel Sigere are poised to quit Lewes to join Sussex rivals Eastbourne Borough. Former France under-21 international striker Sigere is in talks over a move to Priory Lane after turning down an offer from AFC Wimbledon. Midfielder Wormull could also move across the county after becoming disillussioned with developments at the Dripping Pan since Steven King was replaced by Kevin Keehan as manager. Borough boss Garry Wilson said: 'We are in negotiations with lots of players at the moment and are also talking to last season's squad. We hope a high percentage of our existing squad to stay and will then add a few new faces to that'. The break-up of Lewes' title-winning squad shows no signs of slowing down with Jay Conroy becoming the latest player to leave the Rooks after joining former team-mates Paul Booth, Ian Simpemba and Gary Holloway at Havant and Waterlooville. Conroy's exit takes the total number of departures to eight. Jamie Cade and Leon Legge moved to Tonbridge Angels, Dale Binns switched to Maidenhead and Matt Groves joined Eastleigh".

PRESS REPORTS

YOUTH HONOURS

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER NEWS

"Nicky Law made it three signings in a week for Blue Square North club Alfreton Town when he landed vastly experienced 6'3'' central defender Martin McIntosh... Mansfield Town released him at the end of last season following relegation".

Stalybridge Celtic's chairman is quoted as saying "We continue to talk to players about signing up for next season. Despite the fact that he wants to play full time football at some stage (hopefully with us), I'm delighted to say that "Smarty" [Andrew Smart, who had a couple of games for Alty Youth] has agreed to extend his contract. His class is there for all to see and everyone is pleased he's signed up... I don't want to do anything that would threaten the long term financial success of our club. We've seen too many clubs fall by the wayside in recent years and one only has to look at the debacle at the bottom of the Blue Square Premier each season to understand where i'm coming from. Last season we ran at a deficit, but this was swallowed up by the board of directors. However, when we looked at the subs bench, it often consisted of Lee Ellington, James Dean, Terry Barwick/Barrie Keeling, Garry Burke and Martin Pearson. I would argue that those five players would walk into a lot of Blue Square North sides and we had, by far, the strongest subs bench in the league. Also, being candid, that bench took up a fair chunk of the budget... Before anyone thinks that there are wholesale changes ahead, let me calm your fears. We have brought in a fantastic keeper who has helped his old team win our league once already. We will be bringing in other quality new players too that Steve Burr is currently talking to. Moreover, the bulk of the current starting XI have either already been booked up (Phillips, Payne, Sykes, Smart, Barlow, Barwick), or are being talked to about extending (Hall, Torpey, Meecham, Winn, Keeling etc etc). So the future looks very promising. However, a circular will go to other clubs notifying them of the availability of Lee Ellington. Lee has been a major asset to this club and has consistently scored goals throughout his career and everyone at the club certainly wishes him well". Ellington, too, was briefly at Altrincham in 1999-2000 season.

Blue Square have installed Stevenage Borough as title favourites for next season. "On Tuesday three players were seen by Stevenage management and told that they would be made available on free transfers. Ashley Westwood, Peter Vincenti and Wayne O'Sullivan - all signed by Peter Taylor at the end of last season - were told that, as it stood at this moment, they were behind players recently signed, that each had a limited chance of playing first team football next season and that it might be in their interest to find another club where they could play regular first team football. However Graham Westley made it clear that, should any of the 3 players not be able to find another club, then they would have the opportunity to show in preseason training that they could earn a place in the squad".

This is Mansfield Town tells us that "Scunthorpe United are the latest club linked with Mansfield's out-of-contract hotshot Michael Boulding. The 32-year-old striker topped the scoring charts with 25 goals, despite the Stags' relegation from the Football League. Along with younger brother Rory, he has been offered a new deal at Field Mill. But a host of clubs are interested in the player, including Lincoln and Grimsby. Now the Iron are understood to have declared their interest. Stags know Boulding will be offered better terms elsewhere, but Paul Holland believes he will stay if he is confirmed as manager".

NORTH WEST NEWS

Bleasdale will also have a new assistant manager for the new season in the shape of former Southport man Brett Harris, with Terry O'Brien, Bleasdale's assistant last season, becoming the club's new Physio, Strength and Conditioning Coach as the club improve their training regime in order to aid the development of each player in the best possible conditions. Leaving the club is secretary Alan Robinson who, after several years of endeavour and hard work, is to leave his role, allowing Alan Greenhalgh, formerly of the Lancashire FA, to become the club's new secretary".

Our neighbours Trafford, promoted to the UniBond League under Ged Kielty, have arranged the following friendlies:

The UniBond season starts on 16 August, a week after the Blue Square Premier.

YOUTH TEAM AWARDS

Above: Manager George Heslop reviews the past season..

On Friday night Altrincham FC held its annual Youth Team Presentation Night at Moss Lane. Once again, the team (under-18s), under the direction of George Heslop, Tony Spilsbury and Gareth Thomas had had a very successful season. In pre-season, the team reached the final of the prestigious Umbro international tournament despite entering Altrincham in the under-19s group with a team whose average age was 17. Although they finished as runners up in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division, they won the Neil Thomason Memorial Cup and, under the mantle of the Altrincham and District FA, they lifted the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup for the third successive season. A full report is now on the Youth page.

NON-LEAGUE INTERNATIONALS

The stadium at Park Hall is unusual. It is a G3 artifical pitch with no terracing at all on any of its four sides. Apart from a railing and path around the perimeter of the pitch there is just one side which has any facilities at all. These comprise a large and bar/restaurant called The Venue, which has a viewing balcony with one row of moveable chairs, which is very pleasant inside but not particularly attractive from outside. Nearby is a small temporary marquee type stand, of the kind seen this season at Stafford Rangers but much smaller than that at Marston Road. The ground is not signposted as The New Saints' ground - it is shared with the Oswestry rugby club and signs relate to that. Even so, the ground is very easy to miss it from the road, especially from the north. Until you reach the only two turnstiles at the ground, which are concealed from the main car park, there was no external advertising at the ground to indicate that a match of any kind was taking place.

Gibraltar included several players who were listed in the grossly inadequate programme as from "Manchester United" a supporters' club side based on the Rock. The 12-page programme, at £2, was a huge disappointment as it failed to contain any pen portraits of two of the four sides in the tournament- namely England and Gibraltar. Given that the four teams' participation had been known for some time this was an inexcusable omission. To add insult to injury the page about Gibraltar was headed "Our visitors, Gibralter". The programme also did not give any squad numbers so those supporters who did not find a teamsheet in the bar were reliant on the tannoy for identification of players.

Right: The agony and the ecstasy; Scotland scored two late goals as Gibraltar tired. Here, substitute Sam Mackay scores the first of his two decisive goals.

The side from Gibraltar was the better team for the first half and should have led by more than 1-0 at the break. But Scotland came back strongly in the second half as the Gibraltarians tired, with their keeper Macedo making several fine saves to keep the Scots at bay. But the stamina of the Scots finally won through and they ran out 4-2 winners. It was a very entertaining game but the marketing of this tournament needs a huge improvement if the event is to raise the profile of non-league football. England clinched the trophy by beating Wales 3-0 at Rhyl thanks to goals by Andy Burgess (pen), Michael Morrison and Shaun Harrad .

The excellent Welsh Premier site reports that a "new stand will replace the current temporary structure at Park Hall. The New Saints have applied for planning permission to build a 1,000-seater stand in a bid to play European football at their Park Hall ground in Oswestry. 'It'll be a close call, but we really want to play our UEFA Cup tie at home', says Saints' commercial director Jonathan Martin. ''I'm told it'll take a month to build the stand, which is pretty tight for the game in mid-July.'. The new 1,060-seat structure will be built on the same side of the ground as The Venue leisure development but, if TNS cannot get the stand built in time, the club's home leg will be played at Newtown. The first and second leg ties are scheduled for 17 and 31 July".

BSP NEWS

"John Hollins, manager of Weymouth, may have lost out to Crawley Town for the services of former AFC Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher, but he reckons he has found a real gem in Adam Bygrave... Hollins said: 'I am very pleased that we have managed to sign Adam. I saw him play once for Reading against Arsenal and he was on loan at Gillingham last season where he did very well and made fifteen appearances. He is only 19 and is another product of Reading's youth academy... We have got a good quality squad coming together with a few older heads and I am pleased with the progress that is being made'. As for missing out on Fletcher, Hollins added: "Steve came to us and gave us the opportunity to talk to him, but unfortunately a deal has not materialised because he has found a better one elsewhere... A lot of clubs are still releasing players and there is a lot of them out there so there is no need for us to rush or break our necks'," he told the Dorset Echo.

According to This is South Devon "Torquay United have carried out the first significant back-room surgery since the devastation of missing out in the Blue Square Premier Division promotion play-offs... And now they've parted company with general manager Darryl Batten - almost 12 months after Batten left Torquay's four-star Grand Hotel where he was also general manager. The decision...was relayed by United's chief executive Colin Lee on Thursday night before Batten was due to go on holiday. 'Colin (Lee) said the board had decided to let me go', Batten told the Herald Express yesterday. 'I have no regrets and bear no malice, but I am disappointed, because the boat had turned, and we were turning things around... but, at the end of the day, the board are the club owners and the club is re-structuring'... His assistant and nephew, Daniel Batten, has lost his job with United at the same time... He said: 'However, I don't think they will maintain the momentum when it comes to hospitality'". Colin Lee added, 'It's a case of reviewing all sections at Plainmoor, and re-structuring in various ways'... Lee explained that the lack of a parachute payment from the Football League was bound to have a knock-on effect... 'We are trying to re-structure, that is all'.... They have already signed midfielders Michael Brough, 26, from Forest Green Rovers and Tyrone Thompson, 27, from Crawley".

The Cambridge Evening News states that "Cambridge United have been forced to concede defeat in their attempt to turn Paul Carden's loan spell into a permanent deal. U's director George Rolls met the 29-year-old midfielder yesterday, but quickly realised that United could not compete with the money offered to Carden by another club, believed to be Wrexham. Rolls said: 'Obviously, it is disappointing, but Paul's had an offer from a club which is realistically League One money or at least top-end League Two, and our club can't go to this level. We've got a budget to stick to, not only a playing budget but a Blue Square Premier budget, where we are only allowed to spend a certain percentage of our turnover before we get docked points if we go over it. The wages Paul has been offered by the other club would have certainly broken our wage structure and he would have been by far and away our top earner'... Rolls added: 'The club Paul's going to is only 30 minutes from where he lives and he's got a young family, so wouldn't have to relocate... Neither of us have ruled out working with each other again as he loves the club'".

The same paper reports that "Danny Wright has become the latest player to commit his future to Histon by signing a new three-year deal ... The striker was the leading scorer with 18 goals in the Stutes' debut campaign in non-League's top tier. And Histon manager Steve Fallon is happy to have tied down one of his prized assets after defenders Matt Langston and Craig Pope, keeper Danny Naisbitt and midfielder general John Kennedy also agreed to extend their stays at the Glass World Stadium. The boss said: "Danny has enjoyed a great debut season at this level and I think he would be the first to admit he can improve even more. That is great news for us and worrying news for the defences of other teams in this league'... So far only the retiring Neil Kennedy and Matt Haniver have left Histon, but Fallon has hinted that there may be a few more departures to clear the way for new players by next month".

"Steve Fletcher has revealed he joined Crawley because of manager Steve Evans" claims the Argus. "Fletcher signed for Reds yesterday along with former Albion full-back Sam Rents and ex-Crawley defender Chris Giles. The 36-year-old striker made almost 500 appearances for Bournemouth and turned down an offer of a contract at Chesterfield to join Evans's side. He said: 'I only intended to speak to Steve for half an hour and it ended up being three. I really liked him as a manager and liked what he said. After speaking to him I was really keen to join Crawley and I'm looking forward to playing for him'".

YOUTH TEAM HONOURS

At the annual Altrincham FC Youth Team presentation night, manager George Heslop and his team were able to look back on a very successful year. Before the presentations began, the team posed for a photo as can be seen above. The line up is: BACK ROW - Gareth Thomas (coach), Lee Berrill, Emmanuel Ladu, Gavin O'Connor, Danny Browne, Tom Cosgrave, Ben Oliver, Sam Madeley, Alex Murphy, Andrew Jones, Tony Spilsbury (coach). FRONT ROW - Jake Leigh-Watson, Charlie Weir, Declan Wakefield, Tom Browne, George Heslop (manager), jack Kimber (captain), Dominic Lillie, Steven Crane, Daniel Killilea. (If anyone would like a larger version of the photo e-mailed to them, please contact the website).

There were awards to all the team from the Altrincham and District FA and the NW Youth Alliance League whilst the winners of the individual awards were:

There will be a fuller report and more pictures from the presentation night, later this weekend

FRIENDS WINNERS

OLD BOY

SEMI-PRO INTERNATIONALS

BSP NEWS

The Northants Evening Telegraph says that "Keith Cousins is ready to splash the cash as Rushden & Diamonds target a return to the Football League. The club chairman confirmed there will be more money spent this summer in a bid to build a promotion-chasing squad following last season's bottom-half finish in the Blue Square Premier. Diamonds have signed prolific striker Daryl Clare from Burton Albion and also paid £17,500 to Torquay United for Lee Phillips with the promise of further signings. Cousins said: ''I'm not another Max Griggs. But I'm prepared to do everything I can here. I've decided this year we are going to have a real go – a bit of a thrash at the league. Our first two signings give an indication of where we are going. Our ambition is getting back into the League. At the moment we are having conversations with at least eight different players who are high profile for this division. We've made a couple of offers. I've given the money to Garry Hill so we can try to bring some success back to this club. Clare and Phillips are expensive signings. But that's just the start and we're looking at players from the same level in different positions'. Former Cambridge United chairman Lee Power – who joined the board of directors at Nene Park towards the end of last season – will help Hill in the transfer market to find the right blend of players to challenge near the top of the table.

Cousins added: 'Lee has put in an amount of money. But the funding generated for these deals is coming from me. I just can't sit there and watch football like we had here last season. Lee is going to be working closely with Garry to attract players. I wouldn't be able to do that and there's a limitation on my time with other businesses to run. I've known Lee for a number of years and I have businesses with him. I thought he did a great job at Cambridge as well. His expertise and knowledge will get us the best deals for new players. He's another experienced head at the club'".

From NL Daily we read that "Steve White, commercial and media director of Lewes, has issued a statement regarding the current situation at the Dripping Pan.

'Steve King has been aware since August 2007 that the board had an ongoing interest in finding potential new investors to help manage the club going forward. With this knowledge, he has made two approaches to the board. The first of which was made in February 2008. The board can confirm that they are in receipt of a further draft business plan from the consortium. No presentation was made - a paper was presented to the Lewes FC head office on May 20th. The draft business plan has been reviewed. It is not deemed to be a robust plan. There is no evidence of specific plans on how the "proposed" figures would be achieved. There has been no offer to purchase any shares in Lewes FC from the consortium (despite claims in the media that this would be made)... At no time has the club been up for sale. The emphasis of the board has always been one of added support and involvement with others. In the absence of any specific offer to purchase any shares in Lewes FC, the business plan is of no significant interest to the board. The matter is now closed, and we look forward to working with our new manager and those individuals willing to back and be involved with Lewes FC as the club moves into a new season in Blue Square Premier'.

"Rhyl`s Lee Hunt is believed to be on Blue Square Premier new boys Barrow's shopping list. Hunt indicated towards the end of last season he wanted to leave Belle Vue because he felt he was being unfairly targeted by referees. Barrow`s joint-manager Dave Bayliss says the player concerned had gone away with his girlfriend for a couple of days. He adds: 'We have sold him Barrow as the only non-League club to go to even though some of the others have been offering silly money. It could be that a Football League club has made an offer, good luck to him if they have. We don’t know anything for definite yet. We have been talking to other forwards as well because we definitely need four strikers in the squad'. Despite widespread speculation Bayliss has not named any of their close season targets, but local sources in Cumbria have named 26-year-old Hunt, who has been the Lillies' leading goal scorer at Belle Vue since signing from Bangor City in December 2003. Hunt has notched ninety-two goals from 153 league appearances and was named in the league's team of the season for 2004/05 and 2006/07. He has previously attracted attention from Football League sides Accrington Stanley and Chester City". reports NL Daily

"Former Bournemouth striker Steve Fletcher has chosen to join Crawley ahead of Weymouth after leaving Chesterfield, reports BBC Radio Solent. The 35-year-old has signed a one-year deal at the Blue Square Premier outfit, with the option of a second year. Crawley have also signed defenders Sam Rents and Chris Giles, from Brighton and Forest Green respectively. 'Each one of these lads will play a big part next season', boss Steve Evans told BBC Southern Counties Radio. 'We identified key areas in the team that we had to strengthen and there is no doubt we have done that with these three signings'. Fletcher turned down a new contract with League Two side Chesterfield to move closer to his Bournemouth home. He spent 15 years with the Cherries, making over 500 appearances".

According to the Halifax Courier "A fourth resignation has hit the Halifax Town Supporters' Trust board. Mark Yates resigned this afternoon and follows Pam Burton, Roger Bottomley and Anne Stajic". Earlier "The Football Association has revealed there has been no appeal from Halifax Town over the club's expulsion from the Blue Square Premier League" and that "Fans are being encouraged to take up positions on the board of the Halifax Town Supporters' Trust following a spate of resignations... The trust is working on a possible alternative option of starting a new club from scratch run and owned by supporters. Last night it decided to invite fans to take up the vacancies on the board until the annual meeting at a date yet to be fixed. Those invited include club vice president Jack Haymer and club historian Johnny Meynell. 'With regards to the future of Halifax Town we will be writing to our members within the next seven days with the aim of ensuring everybody is fully consulted and represented in what happens next', said a trust statement".

EURO SWEEPSTAKE

YOUTH PRESENTATION NIGHT

TWO PLAYERS TARGETED

PATRONS' BONUS

END OF SEASON DVD

Please contact the club or email altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

BSP NEWS

"Salisbury City boss Nick Holmes hopes that new signing Rob Sinclair will play a major role in the team next season. The 18-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year deal with the Whites after being released by Luton. Holmes told BBC Radio Wiltshire the youngster was very impressive during his 10-week loan spell at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium last season. 'Hopefully he'll play a massive part', said Holmes. 'He gets around the pitch well and has an eye for scoring goals'. Sinclair, who will officially sign on 1 July, scored just once in his 16 Blue Square Premier appearances following his arrival on loan from Kenilworth Road in February. 'If anything, he thinks that was the thing that let him down while he was here', said Holmes. 'He missed a few chances but hopefully he can put that right next season'. Holmes also reveals that he is keeping an eye on another former loan signing from Luton, Ed Asafu-Adjaye. We're just keeping our ears open as to what's going on', said Holmes. 'We do know that Luton have offered him a contract'". Alty matchday announcer Steve Raftery, who has to read out the names of visiting players, will be hoping that he takes it up!.

The BBC says that "Peterborough United have completed the permanent signing of Cambridge United striker Scott Rendell. Rendell, 21, was widely expected to make his February loan move permanent during the close season".

Meanwhile, the Cambridge News reports on apparent cut backs at the Abbey Stadium where "Jimmy Quinn has embarked on a mass clear-out following Cambridge United's failure to win promotion. Up to 10 players could be culled from the squad after United missed out on a return to League football following their 1-0 defeat to Exeter in the Blue Square Premier play-off final at Wembley on Sunday. Definitely on their way are Courtney Pitt, Mark Peters, Leo Fortune-West, Dan Chillingworth and Michael Hyem, who were all released following a board meeting. United have also ruled out offering a contract to Accrington Stanley striker Lee McEvilly, who was on loan at the Trade Recruitment Stadium for the second half of the season, while Quinn remains undecided over whether to make a move for Brazilian hitman Magno Vieira, who arrived on a temporary deal from Crawley two months ago. Meanwhile, captain Danny Brown, Lee Boylan and Mark Convery, who all have another year on their contracts, have all been told they are available to leave if other clubs come in for them over the summer. But on a brighter note, Stephen Reed, Ben Farrell and Jordan Collins have all signed new one-year deals with United, while Darren Quinton, who missed much of last season after tearing his cruciate ligaments, has been handed a month-to-month contract while he attempts to prove his fitness. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the decision to allow left-winger Pitt to leave after almost three years at the club. Director George Rolls said: 'Courtney has been fantastic for us over the years and he's certainly a match-winner on his day. But Jimmy is looking at bringing a few of the youngsters through and we've got Robbie Willmott and Craig Bussens, who can play there... Mark has been fantastic for us again this season and it's the situation that we're well covered defensively and he was the only one who was out of contract'. As for the futures of Brown, Convery and Boylan, Rolls said: 'They are contracted to us and they will be welcome back next season. But we've had a straight conversation with them and if offers come in for them they'll be free to go'".

From the Gravesend Reporter we learn that "Liam Daish has confessed Ebbsfleet United risk losing yet more star players if they do not tie them down to long-term deals following Michael Bostwick's defection to Stevenage. Out-of-contract Bostwick, 20, swapped Stonebridge Road for Broadhall Way on Monday... The switch was disappointing for Daish, who had regularly urged the boardroom to secure the ex-Millwall midfielder to fresh terms without success. He now fears the club have 'left themselves open' to further exits with their restrictive, maximum one-year renewal policy still in place.'Before MyFC came in, I was pressing the club to get people like Michael Bostwick and Chris McPhee signed up', he Ebbsfleet boss explained. 'I pressed a number of times to try and get Bostwick and McPhee on longer deals. I could not do that and this is what happens. You leave yourself open a little bit. As the season goes on, people start getting in touch with players and they start realising their worth as a consequence of the FA Trophy success. We missed the boat really or, at least, the club did. I would not say I missed the boat because I wanted to sign them to longer deals. We wanted to retain Michael. I offered him a contract which I thought was decent for a 20-year-old, but obviously Stevenage have put a phone call in and I could not compete with what they were offering him. He's an U-24 player, so we can command a fee for him'. Daish did concede though that sealing players' stays beyond a 12-month period is a big ask for an outfit who don't have the financial clout of some of their Blue Square Premier rivals. 'To get people on longer deals, you've got to commit to a player financially', he added. 'At the moment, we're not competing with Burton, Cambridge, Crawley, Exeter, Grays, Rushden and Diamonds, Stevenage and Torquay - that's the status quo'. Daish conducted one-on-one talks with his squad yesterday, but has already snapped up Luke Moore and Sacha Opinel".

According to The Comet "Stevenage Boro boss Graham Westley is looking to add some 'class and experience' to complete his rebuilding of the squad. Westley has already brought eight fresh faces to Broadhall Way and said this week: 'There are discussions with three or four others that are ongoing. There's a lot of youth at the club and we probably just need to top off the squad with a bit of class and experience'. Westley has signed four players in the last week - Michael Bostwick, Anthony Thomas, Andy Drury and Craig Westcarr. Westley continued: 'I want players who have the hunger and ambition. They're the ones I've tried to go for; I want players who are on the way up'... Last season's captain Ashley Westwood, Peter Vincenti and Wayne O'Sullivan have been transfer listed, while midfielder Sammy Moore has been released and left-back Fred Murray is another sure to be exiting Broadhall Way. Goalkeeper Alan Julian officially joined Gillingham yesterday (Wednesday), while transfer listed striker Steve Morison remains at the club for the time being".

On the South coast, This is Weymouth tells us that "Chairman Malcolm Curtis heralded a fresh era at the launch of the new brand of Weymouth Football Club at the Wessex Stadium last night. The media presentation unveiled the club's new crest and underlined the Terras' objective to reach out to a wider audience in the community. The contemporary crest, which is the brainchild of marketing specialists Fireworx, has retained the historic ship of the previous badge but also includes the club's new motto Forward Together'. It was also the most popular design in a public vote held in the Dorset Echo. Curtis said: 'After consulting fans, it's great that we now have a new motto and crest that both celebrate the history of Weymouth Football Club and take us into the 21st century, recognising what we are doing now. I think the chosen crest will look fantastic on the new strip next season and will also demonstrate the togetherness at the heart of the club'".

FOUR NATIONS

BSP NEWS

Defender Ellis, meanwhile, joined the Gulls on loan from Bolton Wanderers and is regarded highly by Buckle. 'He's 19 and still in the development bracket but we've got his services for nothing when Bolton paid good money for him'".

Burton Albion report that "After the disappointment of losing leading scorer Daryl Clare to Rushden & Diamonds there was great news for Albion manager Nigel Clough and all the clubs supporters when Player Of The Year John McGrath put pen to a new deal with the Brewers last night after reported interest from three other Blue Square Premier clubs".

Following the cancellation of a planned pre-season friendly with Altrincham, promoted Barrow have arranged games at Holker Street against Morecambe on 15th July and Oldham Athletic on 30th July.

Following the cancellation of a planned pre-season friendly with Altrincham, promoted Barrow have arranged games at Holker Street against Morecambe on 15th July and Oldham Athletic on 30th July. From Forest Green Rovers we learn that "the Club confirmed that the remainder of the players on their retained list had now all completed contracts for next season. The complete list is, Ryan Robinson, Terry Burton, Alex Lawless, Paul Stonehouse, Darren Jones, John Hardiker, Jonathan Smith, Jamie Pitman, Les Afful, Simon Clist and Adriano Rigoglioso".

At Mansfield Town it has been announced that "Lee Bell will sign for Macclesfield Town tomorrow morning following his release from Field Mill".

Meanwhile another famous club has suffered financial disaster as The Coventry Telegraph reports that "Nuneaton Borough relegation fears were confirmed last night - they will be forced to drop out of the Blue Square North next season. Director Ian Neale said after talks in Birmingham yesterday that the club would go into administration following a board meeting later this week, triggering the demotion. But the Liberty Way club do not know at what level they would be able to compete in non-league's pyramid for the 2008-2009 season as they struggle to solve their financial crisis. Neale explained Boro were now consulting the Football Association about the best course of action they can take but admitted that, with debts totalling more than £750,000, administration is the only option left open to them to ensure the long-term survival of the club... 'As soon as we go into administration the Conference will automatically relegate us but we shall take our punishment and look to take the club forward from there', said the Nuneaton-based builder, who came to the club in late March as major shareholder along with five other new directors and is in the process of buying the club. 'Once we are relegated and out of the Conference's jurisdiction we come under the Football Association and they will decide at what level we shall start the 2008-2009 season.... One of the biggest problems is Conference rules. They offer no incentive for clubs who are struggling with insolvency to try to sort out their problems without being kicked out of the league. I believe the Conference will revise these at their annual general meeting next month'. Boro could have held off going into administration and kept their place in Blue Square North next season but it would have only delayed the inevitable, acknowledged Neale".

The above is confirmed ny IC Coventry which says that "Borough will be expelled from the Football Conference... Mr Neale said: 'We've been told the conference will relegate us. It's now a case of when, not if. We can't avoid some kind of insolvency procedure'".

According to the Argus "Lewes manager Kevin Keehan has defended the appointment of Terry Graves as his assistant. Keehan said: 'He keeps getting labelled as the assistant manager at Peacehaven (in the 1990s) but he coached at Crawley under John Maggs and coached at Lewes when Sammy Donnelly won the championship. 'He is an intelligent chap and I have faith in him'".

From the Chad we learn that "Mansfield Town supporters are being urged to attend a major public meeting at the beginning of June to find out how they can back new group Stags Fans United (SFU) - and its bid to support any new owners of the football club. SFU was launched through Chad two weeks ago after a merger of the four main supporters group - Stags Supporters Association (SSA), TEAM Mansfield (TM), Stags Fans For Change (SFFC) and the Ollerton Stags Supporters Club (OSSC). It aims to try to persuade controversial owner Keith Haslam to finally complete his protracted sale of the club - and has called on fans to boycott season ticket sales and businesses to withhold sponsorship through a 'Haslam Free Zone' until suitable new owners are in place... Mr Haslam, who put the club up for sale 18 months ago and is still at the helm after an unprecedented season of drama off the field, has previously said that he wants to sell with a zero balance sheet".

This is York asserts that "Council members will tonight be asked to agree a recommendation to take over repayments for York City's £2 million Football Foundation loan. The plan is on the agenda at a City of York Council meeting this evening in which a report on delivering a community stadium by deputy chief executive Simon Wiles will be discussed. Also included in the report is a suggestion to sell both Bootham Crescent and Huntington Stadium to fund the building of a new stadium... The Minstermen currently pay £138,000 a year in repayments to the loan, which was taken to regain ownership of the football stadium from previous owner Douglas Craig and his fellow Bootham Crescent Holdings directors Barry Swallow and Colin Webb. Under the conditions of the loan, the £2 million would revert to a grant from the charitable body during the building of a new stadium. Wiles will therefore recommend the council consider repaying the loan, subject to legal considerations, as a way of 'improving the football club's short-term revenue position'. In the report, he said: 'This would be attractive because the current loan is at 6.9 per cent interest and the council can borrow at around 4.6 to 4.8 per cent currently. In addition, the council could allow York City to roll up the interest in the period prior to the move to the new stadium, thus relieving the club of a cost of £138,000 per year... Wiles's report adds that, because of the current state of the property market, only a combined value of £9 million can be assumed from the sales of both Bootham Crescent and Huntington Stadium. He predicts the cost of building a 6,000-capacity stadium - the minimum required under Football League regulations - along with fees, inflation in building costs over a three-to-four year period and the provision of a more sustainable and aesthetic design would be £7.5 million before the additional seven-figure sum required to relocate the athletics club".

An official Cambridge United spokesman on the Conference Forum says that "Courtney Pitt, Mark Peters, Leo Fortune-West, Dan Chillingworth and Michael Hyem have all been released by Jimmy Quinn. Paul Carden is a permanent transfer target. Ben Farrell, Jordan Collins and Stephen Reed have all signed one year extensions until the end of next season. Darren Quinton will operate on a month to month contract to prove his fitness after an anterior cruciate ligament injury. We will not be following up on any interest for Magno Vieira and Lee McEvilly".

BSP NEWS

Keehan promised another source of income through sponsors he could bring to the club although there has been no confirmed investment at this stage. The changes have also resulted in the break-up of the title winning squad with the majority of players having already left - the latest being defender Leon Legge, who is on his way to Ryman League Premier Division side Tonbridge Angels. A previous offer was turned down by the club but it is understood the consortium is now stronger in numbers and have come up with a properly considered business plan for the future of the club. They want King back as manager with Justin Skinner as coach and will also finance a squad capable of holding its own in the Blue Square Premier. They are also prepared to come up with the money to help the club achieve the `A` ground grading it needs to stay in the top flight of non-League football. It is understood a number of existing sponsors are ready to pull out of the club but would return if the consortium's offer is accepted.

Elliott has been vilified for the club's decisions in recent weeks but does have a genuine concern for the future of Lewes... King, who is still without a job following his dismissal, refused to comment but supporters have made their feelings clear. Chairman of the Supporters' Club, Steve Watts, said: 'We are very excited about this new development. We hope it is given the due consideration it deserves. The vast majority of the fans will hope it succeeds'".

According to Blue Square Football "Weymouth have announced the capture of Brazilian defender Marcio Santos Gaia and Crawley striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois. Gaia is an experienced defender who can count Exeter City, Stevenage Borough and Halifax Town amongst his former clubs and was released by Grays Athletic at the end of the season. Highly rated striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois (20) has joined Gaia in penning a one-year contract at Wessex Stadium. Joseph-Dubois started his career as a youth trainee at Reading and has gone to play for Grays Athletic and Crawley Town. 'Santos is an experienced player and when he was at Exeter he scored a lot of goals from set plays', Weymouth assistant manager Alan Lewer told the Dorset Echo. 'Since then he has struggled to settle at the other clubs he has been at but he is excited about coming here and left-sided centre backs are not easy to come by. He is the type of player we want right through the spine of our side and with him, Anton Robinson and Stuart Beavon, with Ryan Williams out wide, things are shaping up well'. Terras' boss John Hollins added: "Pierre is a quick forward that can also go out left or right'".

Weymouth "are delighted to announce that James Coutts has signed a contract that will keep him at the Wessex Stadium for the 2008/9 season... [and] two new signings, Márcio Santos Gaia who is a left sided centre half and has previously had conference experience with Exeter City, Stevenage Borough and Grays Athletic. Márcio is a very strong and competitive player that both John Hollins and Alan Lewer have been tracking since the end of the season. Also signed is highly rated 20 year old striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Pierre who has great pace, started his career as a YTS youngster at Reading where he went on to gain a full time professional contract.Since leaving Reading he has had spells at Grays Athletic and Crawley Town where he scored ten goals last season,

But Weymouth are also shedding players as "Forest Green Rovers have clinched the signatures of Weymouth forward Conal Platt and Bury striker Andy Mangan. Manager Jim Harvey has wasted no time in strengthening his squad following the departure of skipper Michael Brough to Torquay United earlier in the week. Leading marksman Stuart Fleetwood has already voiced his desire to play league football and is also expected to follow Brough out the Rovers exit door... Both players are 21 years old and have put pen-to-paper on one year contracts at the New Lawn. 'I've never worked with Conal but I've been aware of him since he had a loan spell at Morecambe (in 2006) and played against us for Weymouth and Rushden, Harvey told this is gloucestershire. 'He's a talented boy who can play in the hole or on either flank, so he fits the bill for the way we play. Andy plays in a similar style to Stuart Fleetwood, in that he looks to get in behind defenders with his pace, but he's a bit taller and has other qualities'... The pair join Terry Burton, Darren Jones, John Hardiker, Alex Lawless, Jamie Pitman, Simon Clist, Jonathan Smith, Les Afful, Paul Stonehouse and Adriano Rigoglioso, who are all under contract for next season. Harvey was also keen to explain the departure of captain Brough, 'When "moneybags" Torquay came in for him there was only going to be one outcome. He's a great lad and I wish him well, but we coped without him for half of last season when he was injured'".

Wrexham report that "Despite interest from two Football league clubs, defender Carl Tremarco has become the first player to sign a new contract for the upcoming campaign, after agreeing a two-deal with the Dragons. 'I'm happy to be staying', said the former Tranmere man. 'In the time I have been here I have enjoyed it - at least the time when I was fit and playing! The players who were here then were a good set of lads, and while there has been a big turnover this summer, I'm sure the manager will bring in players who can do a job for the club'. There was the chance for him to stay in the Football League, but Carl was happy to spurn those advances: 'There were a few clubs interested, Chester did offer me a deal, but after playing for Wrexham I just couldn't see myself going there. Rotherham also wanted me to move over to Yorkshire, but I didn't really fancy it'".

From Stevenage Borough we learn that the club "moved quickly to secure the signature of 19 year old Michael Bostwick on a 2 year deal. The utility player starred for Ebbsfleet in their FA Trophy Final victory on Sunday and was out of contract after the club's last game. He is equally comfortable in midfield or as a defender and has made 80 appearances in the Conference, including 46 appearances last season for Ebbsfleet. Graham Westley is now close to completing the backbone of his squad, with 2 or 3 final additions to come during the next 4-6 weeks".

At Rushden & Diamonds "Paul Nicholls, Andrew Gooding, Alex Bolt and Abdou El Kholti have all been released, and are free agents to join other clubs. Chris Hope, Jon Challinor, Curtis Woodhouse, Andy Burgess, Michael Rankine, Lee Tomlin, Tom Shaw, Marcus Kelly and Sam Smith have all been retained. Martyn Margarson, Jake Beecroft and Michael Corcoran have all had an extension option taken out on their contracts, keeping them at Nene Park for the 2008/09 season. Finally Phil Gulliver has signed a new contract, keeping the centre-back at Nene Park until the end of the 2008/09 season".

According to the Northwich Guardian "Defender Danny Meadowcroft has parted company with Northwich Victoria. The 22-year-old has moved on because he could not commit to Dino Maamria's new training regime. 'Danny was left with a choice to make' said the Vics' boss. 'He could only commit to training a couple of times a week last season and I need more than that this time. But Danny has a job outside of football and he felt he could not do any more than that'. Paul Brayson did not return to the Marston's Arena at the turn of the year for the same reason. Meadowcroft joined Vics from UniBond Premier Division outfit Ossett Town in January, making nine starts plus two as sub as a stand-in stopper. He had started the campaign at Bradford Park Avenue after leaving Conference National play off winners Morecambe last summer. Mark Roberts is the only defender currently signed up for the next term, although Maamria told the Guardian he expected Michael Welch and Cortez Belle to put pen to paper on new deals shortly. Club captain Welch has agreed terms already, while Belle's contract does not run out until the end of next month. Vics have an option on him and Maamria said he intends to take it up".

In Cumbria, the NW Evening Mail reports that "Barrow AFC are expecting their prime close season target to give them a Yes or No within the next 48 hours. But the club are now up against late competition from a Football League club in the chase for their favoured forward. AFC manager Dave Bayliss – who has not publically named the non-league striker – said they wanted an answer by the middle of the week. He said: 'We have sold him Barrow as the only non-league club to go to and offered a contract over the weekend. But a league club has come in and he may get a firm offer from them. The player is the kind to excite fans, he is a goal-scorer who also works his socks off. He has never been a pro footballer and has league ambitions. We can’t offer him full-time terms and would never stand in the way of a lad wanting to progress. I understand his situation but we need an answer soon. I was talking to another couple of forwards last night and we need to know where we are'.

Flookburgh-based Jason Walker is already contracted for another season and leading scorer Nick Rogan – who is still sorting out his university course for next year – wants to remain at Holker Street. There is more of a problem over the experienced Paul Tait who works with Everton Academy under-16s. Says Bayliss: 'We have offered Paul a deal but with the increased travel in the Conference there may be problems with his job commitments. He missed an Everton tour for the play-offs and we’re glad he did. We’ll now have to wait and see.. We definitely need to have four strikers in the squad'” Bayliss added that goalkeeper Tim Deasy and midfielder Andy Bond had agreed one-year and two-year deals respectively".

The Halifax Courier states that "The Halifax Town Supporters' Trust will meet tonight [Tuesday] following the huge fall-out over the consortium. Criticism of its ongoing involvement in the club has led to the consortium offering to stand down and forced the resignation of Trust leaders Pam Burton and Roger Bottomley. They have thrown their support behind the consortium while the handful of remaining trust board members back a supporters' run club... Mrs Burton, who was trust chairwoman, said from day one consortium leader David Bosomworth had offered to step down if a better offer came along. 'The way I and Roger Bottomley feel is to go with the consortium. That man has done so much for us and can offer us a positive future', she said... The consortium is currently considering the possibilities of reforming the existing club which it feels would enable it to compete at a higher level than starting a new club from scratch.... [Trust] plans to form a new, supporters' owned and run Halifax Town, have been pushed forward recently due to the ongoing uncertainty. A letter of intent has been lodged with the FA, and contact made with the FA, Unibond League, Shay Stadium Trust and Supporters Direct. The latest Trust statement released today on progress said: 'It is still our belief that any new club will start in the Unibond League Division One North. The Shay Stadium Trust have confirmed the club will be able to play at the Shay... We are currently putting together a 5-year budget for the new club".

CELTIC GAME

BSP NEWS

From NL Daily we learn that "Wrexham will run the rule over the best of the players when the Four Nations Tournament kicks-off in North Wales on Tuesday. Although manager Brian Little, who managed Darlington in the Conference, will be on holiday, coaches Martin Foyle and Brian Carey are planning to watch the games as Wales bid to regain the trophy they won in Sussex two years ago. The home country kicks-off the tournament against Scotland at Rhyl's Belle Vue, while England play new boys Gibraltar at Colwyn Bay, and Little says: 'We have been monitoring a lot of what’s happening in the Blue Square Premier, including the play-offs, and we have been busy getting up to speed with what we need to do to prepare for next season. One or two potential targets have been here to have a look around and get a feel for Wrexham, but it’s the time of year when people discover what’s on offer and then take their time to come to a decision'. The Welsh squad, managed by Tony Pennock, includes the Welsh Premier's leading goalscorer Rhys Griffiths and the likes of Kyle Critchell, Danny Parslow and Michael Byrne, who are Blue Square Premier regulars with Weymouth, York City and Northwich Victoria respectively. Meanwhile, Pennock believes that playing all their games at Belle Vue will help Wales to lift the crown... 'I asked for our three games to be at Rhyl as having played there I know what a good ground it is and they get big crowds so I'm hoping we get good attendances', said Pennock".

The BBC reports that "Aldershot have paid an undisclosed fee to neighbours Woking to sign striker Marvin Morgan. The 25-year-old was voted the Cards' player of the season after joining the club from Yeading. Shots boss Gary Waddock said: 'Marvin is a real handful to play against and he will give us a different dimension. All of our strikers did well last season but we now have good competition in the squad and that is what I am looking for'. Woking chairman David Taylor told the Cards' website: 'We will be using funds raised from the transfer to secure another striker as soon as the new manager is appointed'.

"Mansfield Town boss Paul Holland has admitted he did not have the final say on which players would leave the club. The Stags announced last week that eight players had played their last matches at Field Mill, including goalkeeper Carl Muggleton. Holland told BBC Radio Nottingham: 'I put a budget into the people above me, and Carl was in the budget'. Meanwhile, defender Jonny Mullins' future at the club is unclear after he rejected the offer of a new contract. Mullins, 22, was Mansfield's player of the season last year and is thought to have set his sights on staying in the Football League. Meanwhile, Holland is yet to find out whether he will remain as Stags manager, following their relegation".

The NW Evening Mail says that "Barrow AFC have exhorted the legions of fans who turned out to celebrate in the town at the weekend to: Stay With Us Next Year. Club officials realise it is going to be highly competitive in the Conference after miraculously snatching promotion from the jaws of relegation this season. And AFC chairman Brian Keen... says, 'We are aiming for the top but can’t do it without the fans and backing of the community'. Club vice-chairman Neil McDonald added: 'This season has been a great achievement and, whichever sport does well in Barrow, it helps bring the town together'. AFC joint manager Dave Bayliss today said the players had again been overwhelmed by the response of the fans at the weekend. He said: 'You know in football that fans can be fickle after a couple of bad results but they have to be realistic, playing part-time at this higher level. I’m not thinking about where we will finish, we will want to win the first game, then the second and just keep going'. Barrow are still chasing a highly-rated non-league striker and are looking for an answer from the 25-year-old this week".

In Sussex, The Argusreports on another departure from the Dripping Pan where "Lewes have agreed a fee with Tonbridge Angels for the sale of Leon Legge. New manager Kevin Keehan said: 'They have made him an offer which is acceptable and they have made us an offer which is acceptable'. Keehan had been hoping to keep the big defender but Legge made it clear he wanted to move on". And also leaving the county is "Crawley skipper Tyrone Thompson [who] has signed for Torquay United on a two-year deal" whilst former Crawley owner "John Duly wrote off debts of £208k in order to save the club, it has been revealed. Meanwhile recruitment boss Stephen Mansell and Susan Carter have been named as the other two directors at Crawley Town. At a press conference, club chairman Vic Marley said: 'For the sake of clarity it is most important that I make it clear who owns Crawley Town Football Club. Prospect Estates Holdings Ltd was a company formed very quickly as a vehicle to transfer the club's shares. That company's registered office is here at the Broadfield Stadium and they own eighty per cent of the football club. That company has three equal shareholders and as you are aware they are Phil Jarman, Tom Scott and myself. Each of us has and will continue to invest monies into the football club but we are also keen to sell some of our shares with the monies being invested directly into the football club and not the pocket of any individual. John Duly, the football club's former owner owns the remaining 20 per cent of the total shares which he received in return for writing off a payment of £208,000 which was the balance owed to him by the SA Group [the Majeeds] when he sold the football club in 2005. I will now briefly discuss the monies we have invested since we took control of the football club in April. I can advise you that they have come from Prospect Estates Holdings Limited shareholders and those monies have put this football club on a stable footing.

I am delighted to announce that as of last week we have appointed two new additional Directors to the football club's board... Stephen Mansell and Susan Carter. Both are in business in the local community... Both of them have invested monies in the football club, will continue to do so... I am extremely positive that two further appointments will be made to our board within the next few weeks... They are local business people who will invest with us in taking this football club forward. Today is not about the past, it is solely about the future. Given the resource, integrity and experience we have around our boardroom table we really have given ourselves the chance to move this club forward. We must learn from the previous mistakes and use the vast successful experience we have brought together at board level. However I stress that whilst we are all ambitious we must always be realistic. Affordability is a word you will hear said numerous times from now but it is vital we keep to that strategy.

Since we have taken control of the football club in April we have paid a number of pressing debts. This includes the HMRC, the football club payroll and a number of creditors. To date that amounts to a figure in excess of £200,000. I am in the position today to tell you that we do not owe anyone any money that has not now been paid in full, restructured or within our normal trading terms. The figure above (£200,000) has been paid out for debts this football club owed so you can see we have invested our monies but done so in a dignified and silent way. From now on we will only look to the future and save our time and energies for that. We recognise the past but we will refrain from giving opinions, good or bad... In relation to the press we ask for nothing other than a chance to show the highest standards of integrity but at the same time remind you we are a private business. We have a business to operate and that should be respected. However we intend to be as open and transparent as we can as that is the type of people you have directing this football club... We will direct this football club in a manner our community can and should be proud of... Our season ticket sales have been outstanding and our commercial income streams look excellent for the new season... I must thank our Landlords Crawley Borough Council who have been understanding of the business issues we faced since we took over. We have restructured our debt with them and given assurances on the future payments. I can tell you we will build our relationship with them by delivering everything we have agreed. Every penny owed will be repaid in full and I can tell you they are delighted with what we have done in a short space of time".

"Garry Hill is predicting a goals bonanza for Rushden & Diamonds fans to enjoy next season" says the Northants Evening Telegraph. "His first two summer signings Daryl Clare and Lee Phillips fired Burton Albion and Torquay United to the brink of promotion through the Blue Square Premier play-offs... The Diamonds boss said: 'Clare has been the best striker in this league over the last five or six years without doubt... He has joined this club because we can offer the facilities and ambitions to get back into the League. We want to push on again. I've tried to sign him a few times in the past... We are both winners. While we managed to get Clare on a free transfer because he was out of contract, we had to pay a fee for Phillips... All credit to the chairman (Keith Cousins) and board of directors. Last season we had to work to financial restrictions and they have responded to my views that to be successful in the Conference you will be judged in the last third with the strikers scoring goals'".

Nearby, "There was a double boost for Kettering as longest-serving player Brett Solkhon and left-back Tommy Jaszczun both signed new deals to to stay at the A-Line Arena. Cooper added: 'Brett has done well in helping us to win the championship. He's versatile and, without being the most technically gifted, he gives 100 per cent and scores a few goals. He wants to win and he's a good lad. We've lost Westcarr and Bridges. But there are going to be a lot of players available in the summer to replace them'".

Mansfield's Chad confirms that "Almost inevitably, Mansfield Town's Player of the Season John Mullins has turned down the offer of a new contract at the club. Mullins is aged under 24 and so would command a fee, set by a transfer tribunal, if he moves on. But Mullins said: 'I have enjoyed my time here but I want to stay in the League and play at as high a level I can... I don't want people to think I am going for the wrong reasons. It is purely for my career'... The official Stags web site this afternoon suggested they would meet Mullins and his agent to offer an improved deal, but it is almost certain nothing will change the impressive young defender's mind.Stags boss Paul Holland said: 'To be fair to him he deserves to go and play a lot higher'".

Departures are reported by the Woking News and Mail. "Jay Gasson has become the second high-profile name to depart Kingfield today having opted to leave Woking in favour of pursuing his full-time studies. His departure follows the news that striker Marvin Morgan has joined Aldershot Town. The solid defender, who was on around £300 a week at Kingfield, enjoyed a good first season with The Cards and as a natural left-sided centre back, there is no natural replacement at the club. Gasson is expected to rejoin Frank Gray at Basingstoke Town".

STAYING UP

OLD BOYS

Former Alty midfielder Ally Pickering has returned to Woodley Sports as manager whilst another ex-Robin, Jim Vince has been re-instated as manager at Witton Albion, where Mark Harris, former Alty chairman, is now acting chairman.

BSP NEWS

York City announce that "22 year old midfielder, Nicky Wroe, has been placed on the transfer list following a statement by the player to Jason McGill and Colin Walker that he no longer wants to play for York City Football Club. Nicky Wroe signed a one year contract last season with a further one year option, which the Club has since exercised. Although York City was under no obligation to improve the player’s terms this season, Nicky Wroe was offered an enhanced contract, which is in line with the majority of his team mates. York City Football Club also supported Nicky Wroe with his recent injury, paying £3,000 for an operation for the player in April. Nicky Wroe was set to be part of Colin Walker’s plans for next season and everyone at the Club is very disappointed the player is not committed to the forthcoming campaign".

Newly promoted Eastbourne Borough, who suffered with waterlogged pitches in the last two seasons, are installing a new drainage system. The 520-mile return journey to the Sussex coast will be Altrincham's longest away trip next season. Alty's next longest trip is to Borough's Sussex neighbours Lewes (506 miles), with Torquay (496 miles) and Weymouth (476 miles) the longest after that. Details of all the mileages to away games next season are on the Links Page, which has now been updated for 2008-09 season. As usual STAR will be running coaches to all of the away games so save the strain on your car and use the Go Goodwins coach service next season.

Stevenage Borough report that "Anthony Thomas, the pacy 24-year-old Barnet striker, was signed by Stevenage today after Barnet did not take up their option year on the player. Thomas was scouted in 2007 by Barnet after scoring over 40 goals in one season for Hemel Hempstead and they signed him at the start of the 2007/8 season. He made 14 appearances for the Bees last season. Sammy Moore was released this week whilst Fred Murray is out of contract and yet to be offered new terms. The senior squad is now 21 players and looking well balanced with 6 junior pros pushing to get into the senior squad. Graham Westley expects to make at least 3 more signings before the end of June and there will therefore be some adjustments to the squad over the coming months". Stevenage have also signed midfielder Andy Drury from promoted Lewes.

PLAY-OFFS COMPLETED

BSP Play-Offs

Sunday 18 May (4pm)

BSP North Play-Offs

Wednesday 30 April:

Sunday 4 May

Friday 9 May

BSP South Play-Offs

Tuesday 29 April:

Saturday 3 May

Thursday 8 May

UniBond Premier Play-Off SF

Final: Sat. 3 May: Gateshead 2 Buxton 0 - Gateshead promoted to the BS North.

COMMERCIAL & MARKETING OFFICER NEEDED

This dual role will be split on a 60/40 basis between Altrincham FC and Premium Collections, who are one of the Club's regular sponsors. The successful candidate will be expected to have marketing, selling and administrative skills and be competent with MS Office. Good interpersonal skills are essential as is the ability to act on their own initiative. Candidates will have to meet the sales targets set by both organisations and be prepared to further develop the business by introducing new income streams. He or she should have a passion for football. Separate candidates for each role will be considered. If you are interested, please write to Barry Pond at Altrincham AFC, Moss Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8AP as soon as possible.

END OF AN ERA

It is with great regret that Altrincham FC announce the departure of their longest continually serving current player, Gary Scott (right), who has decided to move on in search of more first-team football, just 4 games short of his 300th appearance for The Robins. Gary (30) made his debut in midfield on 3 October 2000 as a midfielder (v. Stalybridge). Born in Liverpool, he began his career at Tranmere Rovers but moved to Rotherham United in 1997. He then played for Marine and Leigh, who released him after he had made 9 Conference appearances. After two games in Alty's midfield, his first appearance for Altrincham in what was to become his regular right-back position was at home to Leek Town (10/10/00) and he opened his scoring account with two goals at Hyde United (16//10/00). Gary represented Unibond XI against the F.A. XI (22/11/00).

Defensive experiments meant that he was an irregular rather than ever-present member of the team at the end of 2000-01 but he became a regular starter in 2001-02, either at right-back or in midfield, until injured in March 2002. He made a brief return at the very end of the 2001-02 season but re-established himself as the regular right-back for 2002-03 and 2003-04 till injury struck again in late August 2003. On his return he played mostly in right midfield until a non-football facial injury sidelined him in February 2004 but he recovered to reclaim his place in April 2004. However, a knee injury sidelined him in September 2004 before he returned in October. In early 2005, Gary was playing in left-midfield or left-back but in late summer 2005 had a hernia operation. He then re-established himself in the team, initially on the left of midfield but more recently at right- or left-back before injury to his knee again sidelined him, in September 2006. After returning to action he was largely on the bench before regaining a place at right-back in February 2007 but injury limited his appearances and he had a further hernia operation in the summer of 2007 but was virtually back to fitness for the start of the 2007-08 campaign. Gary returned to the side at left-back in September 2007.

A Scouser, Gary became the heart and soul of the Altrincham dressing room and, as well as his exploits on the field, his rendition of "Bad, bad Leroy Brown" at a supporters' event will not be forgotten by anyone who heard it! Gary was also very popular with the supporters with whom he was always willing to share a word before or after games.

As outlined above, Gary's recent seasons were blighted by injury which, in turn, made it difficult for him to command a regular starting place. His career record at Altrincham was as follows:

His commitment to the Alty cause in his almost eight years at Moss Lane was evident to all. Although Stuart Coburn joined the club earlier than Gary, Stuart's spell at Leigh means that Gary was the club's longest continually-serving player at the time of his departure. All at Altrincham FC wish Gary the very best of luck in his future career.

Also leaving Moss Lane is Steve Aspinall (right), who like Gary Scott, was an important member of the Altrincham team which rose back from the UniBond to the Conference. Now 32, Steve was signed in early July 2003 from Vauxhall Motors, where he had been during much of the previous two seasons. He is the son of John Aspinall, who played for Tranmere Rovers and Altrincham in the 1980s and managed Bangor City. Steve started his career at Poulton Victoria and was also on Tranmere's books and has also been at Runcorn, (whom he joined from Bamber Bridge in December 2001), Chorley, Winsford, Vauxhall Motors and Macclesfield Town.

Though Steve originally played as a central midfielder for Alty, he performed so well at right-back when Gary Scott was injured, that he kept the position. Steve also became the first-choice penalty-kick taker, in which role he was remarkably reliable. Like "Scotty", "Asa" suffered with injuries in his last few seasons. Towards the end of 2004-05 an ankle injury sidelined him for several games and he underwent an operation on it in summer 2005. His comeback for 2005-06 was hindered by continuing ankle/foot problems and he did not start his first Conference game until Christmas 2005 but re-established himself afterwards as a regular starter either in central midfield or at right-back. In 2006-07 he started regularly at right-back but he managed only 9 league starts in 2007-08. In his Alty career he made a total of 158(+18) appearances and scored 20 times, virtually all from the penalty spot. All at Moss Lane wish him well in his future career.

With the departures of Gary and Steve, just three members of the starting line-up from the 2005 play-off final side are left at Moss Lane - Stuart Coburn, Val Owen and Colin Little. Now that Steve Aspinall, Jake Sedgemore, Carlos Roca and Pat McFadden have left and last season's loan players have returned to their parent clubs, the Altrincham FC squad currently comprises the following players who are either definitely staying or who have yet to decide their futures:

SEASON TICKETS

YOUTH SEASON ENDS

Further details of the Altrincham FC Youth team's season will be appearing on the site over the weekend. The youth team finished as runners up in the NW Youth Alliance Premier Division this season.

NEIL SEEKING TALENT

Neil is arranging pre-season trials and would be pleased to hear from anyone, aged 16 and above, who thinks they could perform at NW Counties division one level. Prospective players do not have to have league experience - good performers at local and junior level will be welcome to a pre-season trial game on Saturday 14 June. Please ring Neil on 07968 045657 if you are interested in playing; Neil has a fine track record for developing young players both at Fletcher Moss and Altrincham as well as with Abbey Hey.

COLIN AND HALIFAX

Of his own career Colin adds, "I'm 36 years-old now but luckily my game has never been based on blistering pace. Having scored 21 goals this year and finishing third in the goalscoring charts, I feel I can definitely do a job... I don't have much weight on me either so that's another thing not to worry about'".

REPRIEVES

BSP NEWS

According to NL Today, "Mansfield could be sold within the next few days" as talks with "one of five interested parties were ongoing". Fans' groups are boycotting season ticket purchases till the club is sold.

Crawley Town have released defenders Paul Watson and James Krause as well as midfielder Lee Blackburn.

With the loss of Halifax, Farsley, Stafford and Droylsden from the BSP, there are now only two clubs north of Altrincham left in the division. They are York City and Barrow. According to Barrow chairman Brian Keen, talking to NL Daily, "The results over the last few months have put the smiles back on people's faces.. But the fixtures are already frightening me for next season and we are going to need at least 1,500 fans at every home game to break even". The Barrow management duo of Darren Sheridan and Dave Bayliss are new to management but have 600 League appearances behind them. The chairman said of them, "They've got a command over the players that I've never seen. If they asked them to put their heads in an oven, I reckon they would".

An equally successful management duo is behind Eastbourne Borough's rise where "The key factor in Borough's remarkable rise was the appointment of Gary Wilson and assistant Nick Greenwood eight years ago". Borough, formed only in 1968 as Langney Sports, have grown from "playing in an open field with an earth mound behind the goal" to possessing a "5,600 capacity B-grade stadium which has hosted non-league internationals".

Another former Football League club, Gateshead, promoted to Blue Square North, are going full-time next season despite attracting low gates to the International Stadium. Manager Ian Bogie told the NL Paper, "The chairman believs the only way to be successful at the next level is to have full-time staff, as Kettering showed".

The NW Evening Mail says that "Barrow-based Bluebirds fans will have to travel over 11,000 miles if they want to follow their side to every away game in the Conference next season. The furthest away trip will be to Eastbourne Borough on the south coast (716 miles return), while the shortest journey will be the two-way 206-mile journey to Altrincham, who look set to gain a reprieve in non-league’s top flight at the expense of financially troubled Halifax Town. Irrespective of whether Exeter City or Cambridge United win promotion to the Football League in tomorrow’s Conference play-off, Barrow-based fans will still top a whopping 11,000 miles if they go to every game. The total distance covered by the same fans during last season’s regular Blue Square North campaign was around 6,500 miles.

Many of Barrow’s players are based in and around Liverpool and Manchester, so the long away trips down south to clubs like Weymouth, Lewes and Torquay will be shorter than if they were going from Barrow. 'The travelling will be more, sure, but don’t forget they’ve all got to come up to us', said Barrow skipper Paul Jones. 'Obviously I’ve heard the noises that the Conference is so much better, but that’s come from the teams that struggled, the likes of Droylsden. I think those teams are just making their own excuses, saying it’s too tough a league and blaming it on the travelling. The main thing for us is to establish ourselves in the Conference next season. I don’t want the club to go down after one year'".

Regarding fellow promoted team from BSN, Kettering Town, the Northants Evening Telegraph says that chairman "Imraan Ladak has assured Kettering Town's fans the club will not enter Blue Square Premier with a lack of ambition. The Poppies chairman has revealed he is still waiting to hear from the Conference about the confirmed budget for the new season – with wage-capping coming into play following their promotion from Blue Square North.. Yesterday it was confirmed Craig Westcarr will be joining Stevenage Borough amid accusations of an illegal approach being made for the player. However, Ladak revealed the Poppies have agreed deals in principle with a midfielder and striker and have also submitted a bid for a defender. Ladak said: 'Unfortunately, we are at a huge disadvantage to other Conference Premier clubs... 'We have already lost David Bridges because we could not match his salary expectations until our budget was confirmed... Fortunately, most of the players we are looking to bring in are happy to wait. We have agreed deals in principle with a midfielder and striker, subject to the Conference getting back to us this week. What I can tell our supporters is that we will be improving our squad from last season and are not going into the Conference with a lack of ambition'".

Bullsnews reports that "Mansfield want to sell transfer listed defender Alex John Baptiste on the cheap ahead of their proposed sale. The £200,000 rated man has allegedly been touted round for a £70,000 fee on orders of owner Keith Haslam, who appears to want to cash in before he cashes out on the club".

FC UNITED

There has been some concern raised by Altrincham fans about the planned friendly between Altrincham FC and FC United of Manchester ; FC United are aware that this concern arises from an incident at the last match between our two clubs. Immediately following the last fixture FC United caried out a thorough investigation resulting in the FC fan identified as being the cause of the trouble being banned from matches.

FC United values the relationship we have with Altrincham FC and Altrincham supporters, we would like to repeat the apology we made at the time of the original incident and hope that the swift action that we took reassures those fans currently expressing concern.

FRIENDLIES

The friendly at Moss Lane against Bradford City has now been moved to Tuesday 29th July at 7.45pm - twenty-four hours earlier than originally announced.

FANS' FORUM REPORT

Sarah writes:

There were approximately 75 people present at the start of the meeting.

Is it true what was ‘quoted’ in the Non-League Paper?

Geoff Goodwin (chairman, pictured right) clarified that he said some of it but never said “I want us to go down”. Geoff said “If you ask me whether we have got enough money to be in the Conference, the answer would be no. We have brought the club from nothing. There is no point in asking me to put my own money in, the answer is no. I already give the coaches. I have got no answers as to how to feed this greedy league”.

Barry Pond (director) added that the first thing the Board did was make a mission statement which went along the lines of “This club wants to play in the highest league possible within the resources we have got”. Graham Heathcote (manager) then said “You have to be careful with the NLP because I never spoke to them after the Weymouth game and yet they still quoted me. When I confronted them about this, they said they had actually spoken to the chairman, which they hadn’t as he wasn’t even there. Now I am still waiting for them to get back to me”.

Are you going to ask for a retraction?

Graham said that the club has asked for a retraction but they won’t.

What is the latest situation with the reprieve from relegation?

Grahame Rowley (vice-chairman, pictured left) stated that we are planning for Conference National next season. There seem to be two ways to go; have no money, try but get demoted or throw money at it, survive but often end up in financial trouble. How do we go about it?

Geoff said that we have got what we’ve got and we will try our best to survive using that. David Burns (director) stated that a big aim is to try and encourage more young people to come down to the games at Moss Lane which will subsequently lead to increased income. Grahame added that this is why we have started community initiatives. The club costs the same to run in the Blue Square North or Blue Square Premier except for wages, therefore it is everyone’s job to try and help raise as much as possible. All extra monies that come into the club go towards the playing budget. (There are four fundraising schemes that were advertised on the night and details of all of these are shown below. Information can be collected on all of these schemes from the Football Club).

Is it an option to have a few full time players and the rest part time?

Graham said that he didn’t think this was possible because you can’t see some players in the day and others in the evening. “We paint the picture to prospective players that we are a part time club and they have to decide if this is what they want. The difficulty in this league is finances. People are asking me why I haven’t signed players but Northwich have already signed four. Firstly you can’t sign non-contract players until after the 31st May. Our first priority is to tie up existing players already at the club”.

Graham then announced that both Colin Little and Greg Young have signed two year contracts with the club. Many other players have already committed too such as Darren Tinson, Chris Senior, Chris Lane, Joe O’Neill, Stuart Coburn, Robbie Lawton and Warren Peyton. “The fact is, players are coming in with ridiculous figures.” Graham thinks we might have to contract more players than we first anticipated.

What’s the Conference’s position with Northwich – no stadium, no saleable assets, spending loads on players?

Andrew Shaw said that Northwich could have taken two routes; to go into administration or to do as we did and pay it all off. Northwich have done it quite well and are acting as good role models and doing it properly as we did. The APB has not been working and they are looking at changing this for next season.

Do you think the press statements we put out are a little negative and this may put people off being attracted to the club?

Geoff said that when he first came to the club, the fan base was approximately 500 and it is going up. He jokingly said that if it’s going up and we’re losing every week, what might a good season bring?! Graham enlightened the fans that there are 400 children playing under the name of Altrincham FC Juniors and that the Club ran a Junior tournament last weekend where 700 children were playing at Moss Lane. Geoff said that we are getting there slowly, but this will build over the next five years. Graham added that we should be proud of what we have done but all the hard work through the last five years has been turned on its head and people are disappointed that we can’t sustain ourselves in this league. We have got to try and get full time players to come part time, which is hard to do. We’ve got to sit and wait for players to get that mentality and realise that they might not make it full time in football so they’ll get a job and play part time instead.

Where do you think we sit in the non-league pyramid?

Graham told the fans that Bradford Park Avenue has got a wage bill of £6500 and ours isn’t much different to that. We are a part time team trying to fight in a full time league. Graham said he went to watch both the Barrow and Stalybridge play-off games and he wouldn’t have swapped two players. There is a massive difference between BSN and BSP. People are not aware of how difficult it is to get players to come here on our wages. We have got a sound reputation and our players are looked after very well, the only thing we can’t give is the money. Graham used Greg Young as an example - he wouldn’t travel from Doncaster for the next two years if he didn’t get looked after.

You announced earlier that we just signed Greg Young who is a great player. Is this not the sort of thing we should be shouting about and getting some good publicity about it?

Graham said that they have become sensitive to all the criticism in the papers and it’s like people are saying “Thanks for your work, but out you go now”. He said that if someone wants to come in and take us up the league and plough the money in, we won’t say no. Geoff added that he has thought of jacking it in many times over the last year. He wants to be able to walk out one day with his head held high, not under a cloud. If someone will come and plough money in, Geoff said he will move over, but until then, we have got a great Board and a wage bill that’s low. He added that hopefully this year we will be able to pick up a few points and end up higher up.

Grahame said that when the Board met the other Monday, Geoff said he will step aside if we wanted him to, due to his [son's] karting commitments, but we’re happy to have him as a figurehead and to run a tight ship as we are now, and the Board would like to thank Geoff for everything. David added that the Board all think that Graham is the man for the job and he has their backing.

Why did we give teams far too much respect and play negatively last season?

Graham disagreed that we played negatively and thought that we played the best football of the last few years at the start of last season. The problem was that we weren’t competitive enough when the opposition had the ball. Our performances are not defendable but if you look at the videos, we did play well but often got steamrolled at the end of the game, losing about 14 games by one goal.

We, as fans, think we should have gone for them.

Graham talked about reports that he had made for him before playing games. He said that fitness could not be used as an excuse as our fitness held up this year. We have to make contingency plans when playing better teams. We haven’t got the best team in the league and we are trying to plug all of the little holes. Graham thinks we were competitive in 85% of the games this season. He gave an example of when he put Chris Senior and Joe O’Neill on the wide wings, and Colin Little upfront. People complained that he was playing negatively with only one upfront but it was actually like playing three upfront. We haven’t got players to play adventurous and attacking football, therefore we can’t do it, so we play the workhorses who will give all they have got for us. He said that he can’t get a big striker because there aren’t any and so we’ve got to readjust and be conservative.

We have been poor defensively at times, especially from set pieces. Graham disagreed and said we had been good from set pieces and haven’t conceded many goals from corners last season.

Why do we take everyone back for a corner against us?

Graham told us that every player has a job to do, to try and stop the ball going in the net. Our first priority is to stop it going into our own net. Graham said he watches corners being taken and analyses how to defend them to nullify them scoring. If we left one up, it would leave a space in the penalty box and a clever player would pick out that space. Graham highlighted that the player left up is no good then.

Is the way forward to go out lower down, even below Unibond, and spot talent to bring in?

Graham said that he has people that go out and look for him. He told us that he had a report given to him on Weymouth by another club with photos etc but that scout was on £300 retainer. Graham told us that our scouts go out and do reports but nothing like this, there is only so much people will do for nothing. It depends what we want to do with our money. Our aim is to be a solid-based community football club and there are more Alty shirts in schools now than ever. Our foundations are great.

Is there a case for a reserve side now?

Graham (left) said that his main fear is the level they are playing at. Farming players out as we do, e.g. to Radcliffe and Leigh, is much better. Some of the Youth Team will be staying around but others are impatient and don’t want to wait around, they want to get straight into the first team. Also, Graham said that is it still too big a step from the Reserve Team to the First Team and they would have to go somewhere else in between. Pat McFadden has gone somewhere else to gain more experience and try and score lots of goals and get back to Altrincham – this is the route more youngsters need to take. A reserve team would cost £3000 - £4000 to run and we can easily get players games if needed.

Graham used Ryan Shotton as an example saying that if he goes out on loan next season from Stoke, he will go to a higher level as they need to see where his level is. Just like any great players at reserve level, would then need to be seen higher up such as in the North West Counties, Unibond etc. Graham told fans that Ken McKenna would love to be manager of Alty one day but he has got a lot to learn about the English leagues.

Have you got similar plans for loan players next season?

Graham said hopefully not as that would show that we’re good enough. He said he had spoken to some of our loan players from last season already but they are all already speaking or going on trials at other clubs.

What are Graham Barrow’s plans?

Graham Barrow is very happy to stay. He came on the basis that if a league club approached him then we’d shake hands and say goodbye but he doesn’t think that is going to happen now. He played a big part in our improvement.

Does the Conference have any say in what games Setanta show? Andrew said that you’re never going to get even showings of all clubs; it’s like the choice of showing United or Reading in the Premiership. He also stated that Setanta brings in approximately £80K which equates to approximately an extra £2,000 per week. Barry added that Setanta is good when trying to bring in sponsors – the prospect of your firm being on TV.

What is the difference to the non-playing budget arising from being in the BSP?

Geoff estimated this at approximately 30% more expensive. DerekWilshaw (director) clarified this by saying that the day-to-day runnings are similar so the increased costs are generally related to travel costs. Barry said that we get 300-400 more spectators and the TV money which makes a real difference. We are getting more interest in the club and a couple of people came to me wanting to help increase the number of spectators and so we have set them a project to bring in more people. We are heading in the right direction but we need fans to help and give names of potential sponsors and supporters.

We need to be more positive, we always hear the bad but not much on the good such as the 700 children down last weekend. Do we need a press officer to coordinate statements?

Grahame openly admitted that this is a problem the club has. Everyone is very busy and don’t have enough time. He said that they need to sit and maybe nominate one person to give out all statements. A special thank you was made at this point for all Barry Pond’s efforts over the last 13 years to bring in vital funds to the Club.

Can the club give assurances that FCUM goes no further than Cup matches?

Geoff said we have only agreed Cup matches with them. Andrew added that FCUM cannot push it any further. Graham doesn’t think that FCUM will ever get a ground in Trafford; it will be somewhere in Manchester or Salford. Grahame said that it was purely done on a financial basis for cup games. People are reading into it that it will mean all games will be played next year.

Is there any news on season ticket prices? The following are prices for entry in 2008-09 -

Turnstile Prices

Geoff concluded the meeting my saying “I hope you can agree that this is what makes the club unique – that we can have meetings like this. It hurts when people say things about others but it is good that we can all sit and talk about them. Thank you for all your support and don’t forget about all the fundraising ideas.

OLD BOYS

The Sports Echo reports that "Paul Ellender has shocked Boston United by turning down their offer of a new deal. The inspirational skipper is ready to call time on his seven years of dedicated service at York Street after he felt the new offer was one he could not afford. Ellender, who last season went without pay for four months, was willing to accept a pay cut this summer. However, the defender said the offer the club came up with was too low. 'I was willing to accept that there would be a pay cut', said Ellender. 'However, the one they offered me just wasn't one I could live with. I've got to think about my family and the price of living these days is getting expensive. It's costing me more than £25 every time I drive down to Boston for training and I simply couldn't do that and provide for my family on the deal they offered me'. Ellender admitted he would be 'gutted' to leave the club he has spent so long with. 'I've got some great friends at Boston, and I would love to stay, but I told the manager, Tommy Taylor, I couldn't live with the offer they came up with', he said. 'He said he would go away and see what he could do, but I'm going to have to be practical about it. I would be gutted if I had to leave, but I've got to do what is right by my family first'".

BSP NEWS

"Mansfield Town have offered new contracts to 11 players, but are allowing seven first-team members to leave Field Mill. The surprise departures include midfielders Jon D'Laryea and Matt Hamshaw... Leading scorer Micky Boulding and player-of-the-year Jonny Mullins are amongst those offered new deals...The full list of players released is: Lee Bell, Simon Brown, Jonathan D'Laryea, Matthew Hamshaw, Ian Holmes, Dan Martin and Carl Muggleton. Those out of contract, and offered new terms are: Micky Boulding, Rory Boulding, Jake Buxton, Stephen Dawson, Gareth Jelleyman, Johnny Mullins, Lewis Trimmer and Chris Wood".

At fellow relegated club Wrexham, "Manager Brian Little says Wrexham could not compete in the Blue Square Premier next year without the changes he plans. 'We've done a lot of work looking at the Blue Square Premier, and the top six teams there are way better than we are at this point', he told BBC Sport. 'That is what instigated the major changes at this club (with a major squad revamp), we would not have been competitive next season otherwise. The changes had to happen, the team obviously needs reshaping'. Captain Neil Roberts, Chris Llewellyn, Danny Williams, Mike Carvill, Alex Darlington, Jamie Reed and Mike Jones will not be offered new deals, while Steve Evans will find out his fate on Thursday. Mark Jones, Jeff Whitley and Phil Bolland [ex-Alty] will not be retained, Sam Aiston, Richard Hope, Michael Proctor, Silvio Spann and Anthony Williams have been put on sale. Loan signings Drewe Broughton, Richard Duffy, Paul Hall, Stuart Nicholson, Danny Sonner and Robert Garrett have gone back to their parent clubs. 'It's been such a strange time, the club nearly going out of existence, but the saving of the club has not co-incided with a revival in form', Little told BBC Radio Wales's Sportstime programme. In a relegation battle you get very close to the players, but after that someone has to be brave enough to help the team rebuild. 'For the first time in many years the club itself is in good condition, yet for the last two seasons the team has way under-performed, and a lot of the players were involved in that. Some of them have been losing too many games for too long, that mentality had to be changed... Someone has to be brave enough to help the team rebuild and to bring in a new group of players with no fears for the future. It's not a nice or an easy thing to do, everyone should understand that. I hope we've gone as low as we can possibly go. There are a lot of league players coming out of contract who will be interested in coming to Wrexham... I've tried to send those I've released in the right direction', said Little. 'For example, a lot of the youngsters have been pointed towards Welsh Premier and Conference North teams'".

From the Argus we learn that manager "Kevin Keehan remains in talks with four senior players at Lewes but has confirmed the rest of the squad has gone. Keehan still hopes to persuade Leon Legge, Simon Wormull, Jean-Michel Sigere and Anthony Barness to stay at the Dripping Pan although other clubs are interested. Gary Holloway and Paul Booth have been sold for a combined fee to Havant and Waterlooville where they will link up with Ian Simpemba. Dale Binns (Maidenhead), Matt Groves (Eastleigh) and Jamie Cade (Tonbridge) have also found other clubs while the likes of Steve Robinson, Andy Drury, Jay Conroy, Lewis Hamilton, Hamid Barr and Steve Williams will not be returning. Tom Davis remains on the transfer list and has attracted some interest but no firm offers yet. Youngsters such as Steve Elliott, Stefan Cox and goalkeeper Stuart Robinson remain at the club while Keehan has already started filling the gaps by signing Bognor defenders Chris Breach and Seb Wallis-Tayler as well as striker Chamal Fenelon. Former Albion reserve Breach has signed a one-year contract and Wallis-Tayler, who began with Southampton, will follow suit.

Fenelon arrives from County League side Chichester, where he was on loan from Havant. He also had a spell at Horsham last season, having made his name at Pease Pottage. Bognor duo Dan Beck and Chris Greatwich have also being linked with Lewes and Keehan remains in talks with players released by Albion. He said: "The change of leadership (at Brighton and Hove Albion) has put a different complexion on things but I plan to talk to a few players next week, a couple of senior ones and a couple of youngsters'. Keehan hosted a meeting at Brighton racecourse this week for potential investors when Gareth Barry and Adam Virgo were there to support his plans for the club. The Lewes boss described the meeting as positive although he revealed there is no commitment to invest yet from any of the 25 in attendance".

NL Daily reports that "Following meetings of both the Alliance and the FA`s National Leagues Committees, the club allocations for season 2008/09 have been agreed. It should be noted that in arriving at these allocations the following have been taken into account:

Meanwhile, from Halifax Town we read a "Further Update From The Consortium. Following the previous announcement from the Football Club and the Consortium on Tuesday 13th May, we are updating the situation as it currently exists. We are waiting for an official response to our situation, following a meeting of the Football Conference Board, on Wednesday 14th May. We are not currently party to the outcome of that meeting, but we are aware communication will be forthcoming, once they have taken advice and had further discussions with relevant parties. In connection with this, we have today received communication from the Football Association (FA), informing us Halifax Town will not appear in the Club Listings for Steps 1-4 of the Football Pyramid. This is because we are still a member club of the Football Conference and the Leagues Committee is not able to confirm our placing, until matters are resolved. This situation has occurred in previous seasons and no conclusions can be drawn.

In view of this, you will appreciate we are unable to provide any further explanation at this time. As much as we all want to know where we stand, we must be patient and await the news in due course. It must be remembered, that the livelihoods of the staff of the Football Club are involved in these discussions and we are desperately keen for the most favourable outcome. A lot of work is going on behind the scenes to try and secure a future for the Football Club, in line with recent standing. We can assure you, when we are in a position to make a public announcement, we certainly will do."

The excellent Tony Kempster website lists the clubs which he expects to be in the Blue Square leagues next season:

From Blue Square Football we learn that "Torquay United manager Paul Buckle has made his first foray into the summer transfer market by clinching the signature of Forest Green Rovers skipper Michael Brough. The Nottingham-born midfielder can also be deployed in a defensive role and has joined the Gulls on a two-year deal, subject to the completion of a medical".

Weymouth "have bolstered their squad by signing the son of a former England international. Joshua Webb, whose father Neil made his name at Nottingham Forest and was player-coach of the Terras for a short two-month stint in 1997, arrives at the Wessex Stadium on a one-year deal after learning his trade at Reading's youth academy... The Terras have also brought in Sam Cutler, an 18-year-old from Cambridge United and assistant-manager Alan Lewer is delighted. He said: 'John Hollins and myself are very friendly with Eamonn Dolan who is the Academy and Under-18s manager at Reading and he was the one who recommended Josh to us. Eamonn has put several players our way in the past including Scott Rendell when he could not find a club. Since then Scott has done really well and earlier this year was sold for £115,000 so we put trust in his judgement. Josh could have gone to Wolves or Coventry City on a six-week trial and I think Exeter City and Brentford were also interested in him as well so to beat them to his signature is very pleasing. Being Neil Webb's son, he already has a pedigree, and Neil himself has said to us he would rather him come here and learn his trade in men's football than just play in someone's reserve team for a couple of years. As for Sam, he is a midfielder who can also play at right back. He was at Cambridge United when I was there and before that he was at Charlton Athletic's academy'... Weymouth are also keeping close tabs on forward Tony Bedeau, who was released by Torquay United on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who is a full international for Grenada, made nine appearances for the Terras during a loan spell earlier this year. Boss Hollins said: 'Alan has already spoken to him but it will take a bit of time to talk with the various people involved to see if anything can be done'. James Coutts has agreed terms with the Terras and is just waiting to put pen to paper, while Michael Malcolm is also believed to be close to securing a deal. However, the futures of Trevor Challis and Paolo Vernazza are still in doubt with the former being heavily linked with a move to Blue Square South side Eastleigh".

Meanwhile, Stevenage Borough "have agreed personal terms with out of contract striker Craig Westcarr. The 23-year-old will join subject to the club agreeing a compensation fee with Kettering as the player is under 24".

Salisbury City "manager Nick Holmes has confirmed that a quartet of the club's out of contract players - Scott Bartlett, Robbie Matthews, Matt Robinson and Wayne Turk - have all been retained and have agreed new deals. Striker Marvin Brown and midfielder Danny Clay, have been placed on the transfer list. Luke Prince, Craig Richards, Jon Beswetherick, Nick Eastham, Chris Weedon, Lewis Benson and Oli Barnes have all been released".

From the Northwich Guardian we learn that "Dino Maamria reckons he has found the perfect replacement for Michael Carr. Stafford midfielder Chris Flynn has been earmarked by the Vics' boss as the ideal man to fill the void left by the club's former captain. 'I'm delighted to sign him', said Maamria after clinching the 20-year-old's signature yesterday, Monday. Former Crewe Alexandra midfielder Flynn could have switched to Blue Square Premier high fliers Forest Green Rovers but he preferred to join Vics instead. He is the second recruit from Rangers so far this summer following Richie Sutton's arrival last week. 'There's no coincidence in that', added Maamria. 'Chris Flynn and Richie Sutton were Stafford's two best players last season and now we have both of them here'... Southport midfielder Paul Barratt became Maamria's fourth addition after leaving the Sandgrounders... The ex-Liverpool youngster had joined Southport on a short term deal in November after starting the season at Worcester City. He played left back for Maamria's former club but the Vics boss plans to use him in a more attacking role. 'I see Paul as a winger', he said".

Burton Albion announce that "Keith Gilroy has added his name to those joining up with Burton Albion again for next season. The Irish winger has today penned another contract along with Aaron Webster and Darren Stride who had previously agreed new terms but not actually signed their new deals. The news will come as a relief to supporters still reeling from the news of Daryl Clare's departure to Rushden & Diamonds".

NEW SIGNING

Unusually for a footballer, Kevin "hopes to eventually swap his football strip for a clerical robe and be a priest" reported the Express and Star last year and he is "studying for a degree in theology. He says it was his ‘original aim’ to go into the priesthood. He said: 'I’m not a stereotypical priest - I just love God. I’m as loud as anyone else when I’m on the pitch and enjoy the banter -I’m just also extremely religious'. He says of his team mates: 'They do lay into me about it. I suppose it’s because its unusual. It’s lighthearted banter. Becoming a priest is something I definitely want to end up doing. I have to finish my degree and then do a devotional ministerial course which will take a few years. I imagine it will be about 10 years time before I finally make it. I love football to bits but know eventually the time will come when I will finally become a priest. I would always like to keep a hand in football though'. Kevin, who lives in Nantwich, said he wants to use his football experience to help him. He said: 'The youth of today idolise footballers so it would be a good way in to speak to them about Christ'".

THREE LEAVING

Sedgemore's time at Alty was largely disappointing, the midfielder never living up to expectations at Moss Lane... Roca arrived at the club in February from Blue Square North promotion contenders Stalybridge Celtic with the reputation as a quick and skilful wideman. But the former Northwich player struggled to make his mark with the Robins... The decision to release McFadden is possibly the hardest of the three, as the striker has been a hardworking and enthusiastic squad member at Alty for the past three seasons... The 21-year-old went on to make 36 appearances for the Robins, of which only six were starts, while also spending loan spells at Trafford, Radcliffe Borough and Leek Town".

The Club wishes all three good luck in their future careers and thanks them for their services.

BSP NEWS

Mike Appleby, league manager for the FA, said there would be a place for a Halifax team but the issue would be at what entry level. 'We will accommodate Halifax. We are not going to let football die in Halifax', he said. The consortium and the Halifax Town Supporters' Trust have both indicated they were interested in running a club. 'We have had notice of intent but not the detail', said Mr Appleby... The trust is now split with some wanting to back the consortium - with its financial standing and business expertise - and others want the trust to run a members' club. Mr Appleby said whichever group came forward to form a team it would have to prove security of lease. A team playing at the Shay can expect to compete in the fourth tier of non-league football in the Northern Premier League Division One North (Unibond). If games are not played at the Shay then the fifth tier Northern Counties East Football League is the likely scenario". Even before the season is over, there is plenty of transfer activity involving this season's BSP clubs. The champions, Aldershot Town report that "boss Gary Waddock has signed 25 year old defender Chris Blackburn from Swindon Town.Despite being offered a new deal at Morecambe Chris chose to move south and link up with Paul Sturrock at Swindon Town last season. During the campaign he also spent a loan spell at Weymouth where he played an influential part in the late revival as John Hollins's side remained in the Blue Square Premier".

Meanwhile, major new signings are reported at Rushden & Diamonds who have "signed twenty seven year old striker Lee Phillips from Torquay United for an undisclosed fee... Phillips signed for Plymouth as a youth player, becoming the youngest player to appear for the Argyle first team aged just 15 years old. Phillips then had spells at Weymouth and Exeter before joining Torquay in the summer of 2007". And "Diamonds are delighted to announce the signing of Burton Albion Striker Daryl Clare. Also left back Dean Howell has left Nene Park signing for Aldershot".

At Stsvenage Borough it has been "confirmed that Damian Batt, Mark Molesey and Tyrone Berry have not been offered new contracts and have been released. Graham Westley has been busy this past week and Stevenage have confirmed that three new players have signed, with two more expected tomorrow. Goalkeeper, Ashley Bayes, joins the club from Crawley Town to replace Alan Julian, who has told the club that he intends to take up a previous offer from a Football League club... Midfield players Gary Mills and David Bridges join Stevenage from Kettering Town. Exciting young right-back, Eddie Anaclet, has agreed terms and signed a two-year deal with Stevenage Borough. The 22-year-old was out of contract at Oxford United on 3rd May and had been an ever present for the U's for the past two seasons making 73 appearances after joining from Southampton, despite being injured for part of last season. Stevenage have notified Championship and League One clubs that striker Steve Morison has asked for a transfer. Chairman Phil Wallace said: 'Steve handed me a written transfer request on the Monday after our last game. I told him it wasn't the time or place and that I wouldn't consider it until we'd appointed a new manager. I fully understand his point that he's ready for League One or the Championship and 57 goals in two seasons can't be argued with'".

Activity closer to home is reported by NL Daily which says that "Northwich Victoria have confirmed that midfielder Michael Carr has agreed terms with Morecambe... Meanwhile, Maamria has also released half a dozen players in a bid to free up some transfer funds. Keith Barker, Michael Bowler, Cayne Hanley, Jake Speight, Luke Horrocks and Josh Wilson have all been shown the door".

According to NL Daily, "Kettering Town have lost the battle to keep striker Craig Westcarr... after the striker agreed to sign for new league rivals Stevenage Borough. The Poppies claimed that Boro had made an illegal approach for Westcarr earlier this week. However, Stevenage felt they were well within their rights to offer Westcarr a deal as he had previously turned down a new deal at Kettering. Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak said: 'Craig phoned me a couple of days ago to let us know he had accepted an offer from Stevenage. Of course, we already knew this following Stevenage's illegal approach last week but we wish Craig well for the rest of his career. Of course, we will be entitled to compensation for Craig. For the record, I can confirm that the player had not rejected our offer when Stevenage were speaking to him and so both parties were in breach of FA rules. Unfortunately, we are at a huge disadvantage to other Conference Premier clubs. As of today, the Conference are yet to confirm our budget for next season which as you can imagine is very frustrating. We cannot risk signing the big players we want and then find we do not have enough left in the budget to have a full squad. We have already lost David Bridges because we could not match his salary expectations until our budget was confirmed, whilst we can't make an offer to either of the two proven Conference strikers that are currently available".

Fellow newcomers "Eastbourne Borough intend to remain part-time next season to give the players who won promotion to Blue Square Premier a chance to perform at a higher level... Chairman Len Smith admits Borough's attendances are not big enough for them to follow suit. Smith is due to meet with manager Garry Wilson and assistant Nick Greenwood today to discuss their plans for next season and has confirmed that going full-time is not on the agenda. Smith said: 'It is almost certain we won't be going full-time. Other clubs have managed as part-time or a mix of part and full-time and we hope to do the same'", reports the The Argus.

The other promoted side from East Sussex, Lewes report that "New boss Kevin Keehan is expected to make his first signings as manager " says According to NL Daily. "Keehan is expected to finalise a deal with Bognor Regis Town midfielder Chris Breach. The former Brighton man signed for the Rocks in the summer of 2007. Keehan has also agreed terms with fellow Bognor player Seb Wallis-Tayler and is expected to confirm his signing in the next day or so. Wallis-Taylor once spent a year on loan with Havant & Waterlooville and signed for the Rocks in September 2006". The Argus confirms that "Lewes have made their third new signing with the capture of striker Chamal Fenelon. Fenelon finished last season on loan at County League side Chichester from Havant and Waterlooville. He also had a spell at Horsham last season, having made his name with Pease Pottage the year before. His capture follows the arrival of Bognor defenders Chris Breach and Seb Wallis-Tayler".

Meanwhile, "Kidderminster Harriers want to make Dean Bennett and Darryl Knights permanent additions to their squad for next season. The pair enjoyed successful loan spells at Aggborough during the last campaign... Bennett and Knightshave since been released by Chester City and Yeovil Town resepctively and are looking for new clubs. Midfielder Bennett made thirty-three starts for Mark Yates' side in two seperate loan spells, while striker Knights scored four goals in seventeen appearances... Meanwhile, midfielder Andy Ferrell is also set to give the club a boost by signing a new contract in the next few days. Howarth added: 'We are quietly confident we will be able to keep the players we have made offers to'" says NL Daily.

From the Worcester News we learn that "Grays Athletic have continued to re-shape their squad for next season by signing Mark Haines from Northampton Town. Defender Haines has joined the Essex outfit on a one-year deal. The 18-year-old initially joined Grays on `work experience` in April and will now step up to the full squad for next year's campaign. Haines is manager Mick Woodward's latest addition to the side, following on from the acquisition of Stuart Elliott [ex-Vics and York] and Ishmael Welsh last week".

"York City have signed Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael Ingham, who has had a loan spell at the KitKat Crescent, following his release from Hereford United. Ingham, 27, made seventeen appearances for the Minstermen during a previous loan spell from Sunderland five years ago. He started his career at Cliftonville before moving on to Sunderland in a £30,000 deal in July 1999. Inghamwas subsequently sent out on loan to a number of clubs, including Carlisle United, Coleraine, Stoke City, Stockport County, Darlington and Doncaster Rovers. The 6' 4" Preston-born stopper, who also has two full international caps to his credit, finally signed a permanent deal with Wrexham in July 2005... before joining Hereford two years later. Ingham becomes the second new recruit at KitKat Crescent following the capture of experienced former Hull City and Burton Albion defender or midfielder Mark Greaves".

In Blue Square North "AFC Telford United have signed 30-year-old prolific striker Terry Fearns on a free transfer from relegated Blue Square Premier side Droylsden. 'When he saw the facilities and what we have at the Bucks Head, it didn't take much to sign him', said Telford boss Rob Smith. 'He's what we want, an out-and-out scorer. He's renowned as a 30 or 40-goals-a-season man. What's more, his contract was up at Droylsden, so it's a free transfer'. Fearns, wanted by Blue Square North champions Kettering Town last season, is Telford's second early post-season signing, following the arrival of Southport midfielder Liam Blakeman".

"Salisbury City chairman Neville Beal is confident the club will not suffer financially despite the departure of major backer Peter Yeldon. Yeldon's money has played a large part in helping the Whites to gain two promotions in the last three seasons. Beal told BBC Radio Wiltshire: 'Peter put a great deal into the football club and we wouldn't be here without him. I don't think we'll find anybody as generous as Peter so we're hoping to bring in more people to be directors'".

The BBC says that "Torquay boss Paul Buckle has released experienced midfielder Tony Bedeau and three other players. Bedeau, 29, originally joined the Gulls in 1995 and has played over 400 times in two spells for the club. He was loaned to Weymouth earlier this season. Also leaving are midfielders Matt Hockley and Darren Mullings and defender Paul Hinshelwood. Buckle is still in discussions with Kevin Hill, who broke the club's appearance record on Saturday. Defender Chris Robertson is also set to have talks with the club. Meanwhile loan players Chris Zebroski, Mark Ellis and Jody Banim have all gone back to their parent clubs. After returning to Droylsden, Banim has subsequently joined Torquay's Blue Square Premier rivals Burton".

Further up the south coast, "Weymouth have secured Scott Doe, Anton Robinson, Marcus Browning and Stuart Beavon on new deals. Defender Doe, midfielders Robinson and Browning as well as striker Beavon have signed after Ryan Williams joined as the club's first summer signing", claims the BBC.

"Crawley manager Steve Evans has been given a four match touchline ban for his behaviour in their 1-1 draw at Woking... The Reds' boss will also have to pay a £1000 fine. Evans has admitted three more charges from March and has asked the Football Association for a personal hearing", states the BBC.

Interesting news of two BSP clubs comes from the Crawley Observer which says that "London's High Court lifted the winding up order made against Crawley Town FC today after it heard the club had paid its debts off. The Reds had their future reassured along with other Blue Sqaure Premier club Northwich Victoria who had the same order. Winding up moves had been launched in each case by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. During two brief hearings, Mr Registrar Nicholls was told that Crawley Town had paid its debts, and agreement had been reached to pay-off Northwich Victoria's debts. The judge ordered each club to pay legal costs to HMRC after formally dismissing the winding up moves. If Crawley had been wound up, its affairs would effectively have been handed over to an Official Receiver. Crawley will now unveil the new owners of the club at a press conference on Monday afternoon".

Confirmation of the Vics' financial state comes from the Northwich Guardian which states that "Northwich Victoria could have gone out of business as recently as last month. The Guardian understands that the club's new owners reached agreement with one outstanding creditor, claiming to be owed thousands of pounds, to remove the threat of closure. As a result a winding up petition against the Blue Square Premier outfit was finally withdrawn yesterday, Wednesday, 10 months after it was first laid. HM Revenue and Customs petitioned to wind up Northwich Victoria Football Club (2004) Limited last July, claiming it was owed more than £500,000 in unpaid taxes. The UK's tax department agreed a deal with a consortium led by Jim Rushe and Nick Bone in the last week of November and the duo bought the club the following week. They pledged to make an initial down payment, followed by monthly instalments over the next three years to settle Vics' debt. However, while satisfying the taxman, that appears not to have permitted the pair to focus fully on the club's future. Until now, that is. During a brief hearing at London's High Court of Justice yesterday morning, Mr Registrar Nicholls was told an accord to pay off all the club's debts was now in place. He then dismissed the winding up petition, along with another laid against Vics' Blue Square Premier rivals Crawley Town. While assuring the club's future in non league football's top tier, it means a legal line can finally be drawn under Mike Connett's three year tenure as owner".

BACK IN BUSINESS

FLEET LIFT TROPHY

HALIFAX ENTER ADMINISTRATION

NEW SIGNING

Unusually for a footballer, Kevin "hopes to eventually swap his football strip for a clerical robe and be a priest" reported the Express and Star last year and he is "studying for a degree in theology. He says it was his ‘original aim’ to go into the priesthood. He said: 'I’m not a stereotypical priest - I just love God. I’m as loud as anyone else when I’m on the pitch and enjoy the banter -I’m just also extremely religious'. He says of his team mates: 'They do lay into me about it. I suppose it’s because its unusual. It’s lighthearted banter. Becoming a priest is something I definitely want to end up doing. I have to finish my degree and then do a devotional ministerial course which will take a few years. I imagine it will be about 10 years time before I finally make it. I love football to bits but know eventually the time will come when I will finally become a priest. I would always like to keep a hand in football though'. Kevin, who lives in Nantwich, said he wants to use his football experience to help him. He said: 'The youth of today idolise footballers so it would be a good way in to speak to them about Christ'".

THREE LEAVING

Sedgemore's time at Alty was largely disappointing, the midfielder never living up to expectations at Moss Lane... Roca arrived at the club in February from Blue Square North promotion contenders Stalybridge Celtic with the reputation as a quick and skilful wideman. But the former Northwich player struggled to make his mark with the Robins... The decision to release McFadden is possibly the hardest of the three, as the striker has been a hardworking and enthusiastic squad member at Alty for the past three seasons... The 21-year-old went on to make 36 appearances for the Robins, of which only six were starts, while also spending loan spells at Trafford, Radcliffe Borough and Leek Town".

The Club wishes all three good luck in their future careers and thanks them for their services.

BSP NEWS

Mike Appleby, league manager for the FA, said there would be a place for a Halifax team but the issue would be at what entry level. 'We will accommodate Halifax. We are not going to let football die in Halifax', he said. The consortium and the Halifax Town Supporters' Trust have both indicated they were interested in running a club. 'We have had notice of intent but not the detail', said Mr Appleby... The trust is now split with some wanting to back the consortium - with its financial standing and business expertise - and others want the trust to run a members' club. Mr Appleby said whichever group came forward to form a team it would have to prove security of lease. A team playing at the Shay can expect to compete in the fourth tier of non-league football in the Northern Premier League Division One North (Unibond). If games are not played at the Shay then the fifth tier Northern Counties East Football League is the likely scenario". Even before the season is over, there is plenty of transfer activity involving this season's BSP clubs. The champions, Aldershot Town report that "boss Gary Waddock has signed 25 year old defender Chris Blackburn from Swindon Town.Despite being offered a new deal at Morecambe Chris chose to move south and link up with Paul Sturrock at Swindon Town last season. During the campaign he also spent a loan spell at Weymouth where he played an influential part in the late revival as John Hollins's side remained in the Blue Square Premier".

Meanwhile, major new signings are reported at Rushden & Diamonds who have "signed twenty seven year old striker Lee Phillips from Torquay United for an undisclosed fee... Phillips signed for Plymouth as a youth player, becoming the youngest player to appear for the Argyle first team aged just 15 years old. Phillips then had spells at Weymouth and Exeter before joining Torquay in the summer of 2007". And "Diamonds are delighted to announce the signing of Burton Albion Striker Daryl Clare. Also left back Dean Howell has left Nene Park signing for Aldershot".

At Stsvenage Borough it has been "confirmed that Damian Batt, Mark Molesey and Tyrone Berry have not been offered new contracts and have been released. Graham Westley has been busy this past week and Stevenage have confirmed that three new players have signed, with two more expected tomorrow. Goalkeeper, Ashley Bayes, joins the club from Crawley Town to replace Alan Julian, who has told the club that he intends to take up a previous offer from a Football League club... Midfield players Gary Mills and David Bridges join Stevenage from Kettering Town. Exciting young right-back, Eddie Anaclet, has agreed terms and signed a two-year deal with Stevenage Borough. The 22-year-old was out of contract at Oxford United on 3rd May and had been an ever present for the U's for the past two seasons making 73 appearances after joining from Southampton, despite being injured for part of last season. Stevenage have notified Championship and League One clubs that striker Steve Morison has asked for a transfer. Chairman Phil Wallace said: 'Steve handed me a written transfer request on the Monday after our last game. I told him it wasn't the time or place and that I wouldn't consider it until we'd appointed a new manager. I fully understand his point that he's ready for League One or the Championship and 57 goals in two seasons can't be argued with'".

Activity closer to home is reported by NL Daily which says that "Northwich Victoria have confirmed that midfielder Michael Carr has agreed terms with Morecambe... Meanwhile, Maamria has also released half a dozen players in a bid to free up some transfer funds. Keith Barker, Michael Bowler, Cayne Hanley, Jake Speight, Luke Horrocks and Josh Wilson have all been shown the door".

According to NL Daily, "Kettering Town have lost the battle to keep striker Craig Westcarr... after the striker agreed to sign for new league rivals Stevenage Borough. The Poppies claimed that Boro had made an illegal approach for Westcarr earlier this week. However, Stevenage felt they were well within their rights to offer Westcarr a deal as he had previously turned down a new deal at Kettering. Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak said: 'Craig phoned me a couple of days ago to let us know he had accepted an offer from Stevenage. Of course, we already knew this following Stevenage's illegal approach last week but we wish Craig well for the rest of his career. Of course, we will be entitled to compensation for Craig. For the record, I can confirm that the player had not rejected our offer when Stevenage were speaking to him and so both parties were in breach of FA rules. Unfortunately, we are at a huge disadvantage to other Conference Premier clubs. As of today, the Conference are yet to confirm our budget for next season which as you can imagine is very frustrating. We cannot risk signing the big players we want and then find we do not have enough left in the budget to have a full squad. We have already lost David Bridges because we could not match his salary expectations until our budget was confirmed, whilst we can't make an offer to either of the two proven Conference strikers that are currently available".

Fellow newcomers "Eastbourne Borough intend to remain part-time next season to give the players who won promotion to Blue Square Premier a chance to perform at a higher level... Chairman Len Smith admits Borough's attendances are not big enough for them to follow suit. Smith is due to meet with manager Garry Wilson and assistant Nick Greenwood today to discuss their plans for next season and has confirmed that going full-time is not on the agenda. Smith said: 'It is almost certain we won't be going full-time. Other clubs have managed as part-time or a mix of part and full-time and we hope to do the same'", reports the The Argus.

The other promoted side from East Sussex, Lewes report that "New boss Kevin Keehan is expected to make his first signings as manager " says According to NL Daily. "Keehan is expected to finalise a deal with Bognor Regis Town midfielder Chris Breach. The former Brighton man signed for the Rocks in the summer of 2007. Keehan has also agreed terms with fellow Bognor player Seb Wallis-Tayler and is expected to confirm his signing in the next day or so. Wallis-Taylor once spent a year on loan with Havant & Waterlooville and signed for the Rocks in September 2006". The Argus confirms that "Lewes have made their third new signing with the capture of striker Chamal Fenelon. Fenelon finished last season on loan at County League side Chichester from Havant and Waterlooville. He also had a spell at Horsham last season, having made his name with Pease Pottage the year before. His capture follows the arrival of Bognor defenders Chris Breach and Seb Wallis-Tayler".

Meanwhile, "Kidderminster Harriers want to make Dean Bennett and Darryl Knights permanent additions to their squad for next season. The pair enjoyed successful loan spells at Aggborough during the last campaign... Bennett and Knightshave since been released by Chester City and Yeovil Town resepctively and are looking for new clubs. Midfielder Bennett made thirty-three starts for Mark Yates' side in two seperate loan spells, while striker Knights scored four goals in seventeen appearances... Meanwhile, midfielder Andy Ferrell is also set to give the club a boost by signing a new contract in the next few days. Howarth added: 'We are quietly confident we will be able to keep the players we have made offers to'" says NL Daily.

From the Worcester News we learn that "Grays Athletic have continued to re-shape their squad for next season by signing Mark Haines from Northampton Town. Defender Haines has joined the Essex outfit on a one-year deal. The 18-year-old initially joined Grays on `work experience` in April and will now step up to the full squad for next year's campaign. Haines is manager Mick Woodward's latest addition to the side, following on from the acquisition of Stuart Elliott [ex-Vics and York] and Ishmael Welsh last week".

"York City have signed Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael Ingham, who has had a loan spell at the KitKat Crescent, following his release from Hereford United. Ingham, 27, made seventeen appearances for the Minstermen during a previous loan spell from Sunderland five years ago. He started his career at Cliftonville before moving on to Sunderland in a £30,000 deal in July 1999. Inghamwas subsequently sent out on loan to a number of clubs, including Carlisle United, Coleraine, Stoke City, Stockport County, Darlington and Doncaster Rovers. The 6' 4" Preston-born stopper, who also has two full international caps to his credit, finally signed a permanent deal with Wrexham in July 2005... before joining Hereford two years later. Ingham becomes the second new recruit at KitKat Crescent following the capture of experienced former Hull City and Burton Albion defender or midfielder Mark Greaves".

In Blue Square North "AFC Telford United have signed 30-year-old prolific striker Terry Fearns on a free transfer from relegated Blue Square Premier side Droylsden. 'When he saw the facilities and what we have at the Bucks Head, it didn't take much to sign him', said Telford boss Rob Smith. 'He's what we want, an out-and-out scorer. He's renowned as a 30 or 40-goals-a-season man. What's more, his contract was up at Droylsden, so it's a free transfer'. Fearns, wanted by Blue Square North champions Kettering Town last season, is Telford's second early post-season signing, following the arrival of Southport midfielder Liam Blakeman".

"Salisbury City chairman Neville Beal is confident the club will not suffer financially despite the departure of major backer Peter Yeldon. Yeldon's money has played a large part in helping the Whites to gain two promotions in the last three seasons. Beal told BBC Radio Wiltshire: 'Peter put a great deal into the football club and we wouldn't be here without him. I don't think we'll find anybody as generous as Peter so we're hoping to bring in more people to be directors'".

The BBC says that "Torquay boss Paul Buckle has released experienced midfielder Tony Bedeau and three other players. Bedeau, 29, originally joined the Gulls in 1995 and has played over 400 times in two spells for the club. He was loaned to Weymouth earlier this season. Also leaving are midfielders Matt Hockley and Darren Mullings and defender Paul Hinshelwood. Buckle is still in discussions with Kevin Hill, who broke the club's appearance record on Saturday. Defender Chris Robertson is also set to have talks with the club. Meanwhile loan players Chris Zebroski, Mark Ellis and Jody Banim have all gone back to their parent clubs. After returning to Droylsden, Banim has subsequently joined Torquay's Blue Square Premier rivals Burton".

Further up the south coast, "Weymouth have secured Scott Doe, Anton Robinson, Marcus Browning and Stuart Beavon on new deals. Defender Doe, midfielders Robinson and Browning as well as striker Beavon have signed after Ryan Williams joined as the club's first summer signing", claims the BBC.

"Crawley manager Steve Evans has been given a four match touchline ban for his behaviour in their 1-1 draw at Woking... The Reds' boss will also have to pay a £1000 fine. Evans has admitted three more charges from March and has asked the Football Association for a personal hearing", states the BBC.

Interesting news of two BSP clubs comes from the Crawley Observer which says that "London's High Court lifted the winding up order made against Crawley Town FC today after it heard the club had paid its debts off. The Reds had their future reassured along with other Blue Sqaure Premier club Northwich Victoria who had the same order. Winding up moves had been launched in each case by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. During two brief hearings, Mr Registrar Nicholls was told that Crawley Town had paid its debts, and agreement had been reached to pay-off Northwich Victoria's debts. The judge ordered each club to pay legal costs to HMRC after formally dismissing the winding up moves. If Crawley had been wound up, its affairs would effectively have been handed over to an Official Receiver. Crawley will now unveil the new owners of the club at a press conference on Monday afternoon".

Confirmation of the Vics' financial state comes from the Northwich Guardian which states that "Northwich Victoria could have gone out of business as recently as last month. The Guardian understands that the club's new owners reached agreement with one outstanding creditor, claiming to be owed thousands of pounds, to remove the threat of closure. As a result a winding up petition against the Blue Square Premier outfit was finally withdrawn yesterday, Wednesday, 10 months after it was first laid. HM Revenue and Customs petitioned to wind up Northwich Victoria Football Club (2004) Limited last July, claiming it was owed more than £500,000 in unpaid taxes. The UK's tax department agreed a deal with a consortium led by Jim Rushe and Nick Bone in the last week of November and the duo bought the club the following week. They pledged to make an initial down payment, followed by monthly instalments over the next three years to settle Vics' debt. However, while satisfying the taxman, that appears not to have permitted the pair to focus fully on the club's future. Until now, that is. During a brief hearing at London's High Court of Justice yesterday morning, Mr Registrar Nicholls was told an accord to pay off all the club's debts was now in place. He then dismissed the winding up petition, along with another laid against Vics' Blue Square Premier rivals Crawley Town. While assuring the club's future in non league football's top tier, it means a legal line can finally be drawn under Mike Connett's three year tenure as owner".

BACK IN BUSINESS

PLAY-OFFS

Sunday 18 May (4pm)

BSP North Play-Offs

Wednesday 30 April:

Sunday 4 May

Friday 9 May

BSP South Play-Offs

Tuesday 29 April:

Saturday 3 May

Thursday 8 May

UniBond Premier Play-Off SF

Final: Sat. 3 May: Gateshead 2 Buxton 0 - Gateshead promoted to the BS North.

FLEET LIFT TROPHY

HALIFAX ENTER ADMINISTRATION

AN EVENING WITH THE TEAM OF 1978

If you are planning to attend on Saturday but aren't able to pick up a ticket, please phone the club and let them know you are coming for catering purposes on 0161 928 1045.

END OF SEASON DVD NOW OUT

Please contact the club or email altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

FA TROPHY TICKETS AVAILABLE

ALTY TO HOST FCUM CUP GAMES

"FC United are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement to play our home FA Cup and FA Trophy matches at Moss Lane, home of Altrincham FC, next season 2008-09. FC United have one more year remaining on the current licence agreement to play league matches at Gigg Lane. The agreement with Altrincham FC is for one season and extends to FA Cup and FA Trophy matches only".

FANS' FORUM

BOARD STATEMENT

"The Board confirmed their plans to continue to develop Altrincham FC as a community club, aiming to play in the highest league that we can afford, and will continue to work and develop the Altrincham FC Juniors link.

The Board paid tribute to the work carried out by Graham Heathcote in putting out a team which has overachieved against clubs with more significant financial resources.

Geoff Goodwin (Chairman), and Graham Heathcote have been a very successful team in developing and stabilising the Club over the last 5 years and are committed to continuing to work together for the foreseeable future."

A SHORT INTERMISSION

BSP NEWS

Meanwhile, "Farsley Celtic's hope for a reprieve looks over, though, after Lee explained that as the club only had a 'B' grade for their Throstle Nest ground, and were not looking to move, they would fail the necessary criteria [to stay in the BSP] should a second [BSP] club be offered a reprieve... Question marks also remain over two BS North clubs, Boston United and Nuneaton Borough". Regarding the Pilgrims, Lee said, "We will need to see in writing that they [the criteria] are satisfied".

The NL Paper has a an article on Alty midfielder Jake Sedgemore and his brother Ben, who has won two championship medals this season as he played both for Chelmsford City (Ryman champions) and King's Lynn (BGB Premier winners). Ben said of Alty "They got relegated so I've been giving him plenty of stick". The article adds that "Jake, 29, is out of contract at Moss Lane. He said, 'I've had a fair bit of success in recent years, thankfully, so Ben's had to keep quiet for a while. I got promoted with Shrewsbury, had the Cup run with Burton and got to the Trophy Final with Kidderminster, while he was struggling at places like Canvey Island.. I'll let him have his moment of glory and then, hopefully next season I'll see if I can reverse it again, wherever I may be".

Alty defender Greg Young's partner, Kerry-Ann Booth is again pictured in the NL Today Paper as she has been chosen for the finals of the "Miss Non-League" competition.

New Stevenage boss Graham Westley told the NL Paper, "The most important thing to the Stevenage public is that the team plays entertaining, attacking football, in the Corinthian fashion".

According to NL Today, Woking have had 31 applications for their managerial vacancy. As well as Justin Edinburgh, a late applicant was ex-Lewes boss Steve King who left the club in strange circumstances just as they were promoted to the BSP. Ex-Spurs player Graham Roberts is another applicant. New Lewes boss Kevin Keehan told the NL Paper, "The board of directors at Lewes are not fools. They've put a lot of money into the club and are not going to throw it away... I'm untried but Steve King was as well". In the BS Premier, Keehan has a lower budget than King had in BS South.

Alty gained promotion back to the Conference National in 2005 by beating Eastbourne Borough in a play-off. The Sussex team has now reached the BS South play-off final on 8 May, which will now be held at Ebbsfleet. Their opponents are Hampton & Richmond, nicknamed The Beavers, whose manager is former West Ham midfielder Alan Devonshire.

Former Eastbourne Borough striker Yemi Odubade has been taken off the transfer list at Oxford United.

NW NEWS

Jim Vince resigned last week as manager of Witton as, for the second successive year, they narrowly failed to win promotion. He told NL Today, "Losing in the play-offs did not make me quit. I was offered a lucrative contract at the club but I was never in it for the money... We finished as runners up for two years running on a minimal budget... But even the size of the budget did not force me to leave. I left because there were issues at the club".

OLD BOYS

Our Edgeley Park correspondent informs us that Paul Turnbull, a recent loanee at Moss Lane, played 80 minutes for Stockport County's first team on Saturday.

FCUM PROMOTED

"FC United of Manchester became the first lower tier runners-up to gain promotion [to the UniBond Premier] via the play-offs when they came from behind to beat Skelmersdale United 4-1 with “Skem” playing all the second half with ten men and the last twenty minutes with nine. The First Division South play-off final went to extra-time and penalties with Nantwich Town, who had come from behind to beat Grantham Town on Tuesday evening, overcoming Sheffield FC [Steve Hawes's club] 4-1 from the spot after the sides had finished all square at 2-2. Just over six thousand fans watched the three play-off games". .

STAFF 5 SUPPORTERS 3

Right: Alan Ainsley holds the trophy, as Gavin Rathbone (left) and Steve Foster (right) look on.

On Friday night, for the first time in four years the Altrincham FC Staff side emerged victorious against the Supporters to cast serious doubts over the managerial future of the Supporters' genial boss Mark Eckersall who, until now, has known only success. Meanwhile, the Staff manager and vice-chairman of the Club, Grahame Rowley, declared that he would now be emulating the Grays Athletic model established by chairman Micky Woodward and would be managing the Alty first-team next season. Dave Mitten, the Alty kitman, aided Grahame on the touchline whilst Alan Ainsley from the club's physiotherapy team captained the Staff on the pitch . Fraser Thorley, last season's victorious captain, again wore the armband for the Supporters. On the pitch the Staff were without their dynamic duo of chairman Geoff Goodwin and vice-chairman Grahame Rowley whilst the Supporters had lost the services of defender Neil Faulkner to a training ground injury.

It did not start well for the Staff as referee Phil Taylor pointed to the spot with just four minutes on the clock, following a tackle inside the box, and the Supporter's striker Wayne Thorley beat goalkeeper Steve Downes from the spot. But the Staff side were soon enjoying the better of the game and they levelled in the 14th minute when former Alty left-back Chris Adams advanced impressively up the middle and struck an excellent left-footed shot into the top corner of Martin Jordan's net to make it 1-1.

With Alty goalkeeper Stuart Coburn bossing the midfield the Staff continued to set the pace but when Charles Heathcote went down in the box, referee Taylor turned aside the Staff side's strong appeals for a penalty. A sequence of regular, rolling substitutions started with Brian Flynn, who just before the transfer deadline had moved on a Bosman transfer from the Supporters to the Staff, being replaced by Adam Martell (25 mins). Soon afterwards Charles Heathcote had a goal ruled out for offside but it was not long before the Staff took the lead with a snap shot from Alty official photographer Gavin Rathbone, a developing talent, whose profession lens itself to awful puns such as the ones above. Gavin expertly converted a fine cross from the right by Martell.

Like the players, the match officials were rotating their roles as Phil Taylor now moved to a linesman's position. After Adams had shot narrowly wide at one end, Alan Ainsley got in an excellent covering tackle at the other, where centre-back James Dawson, son of Neil from the club's hospitality team, was also impressing. Downes then made a save from a fine shot by the Supporters' number 17 - apologies for not knowing all of the supporters' names but as manager Eckersall explained that he had simply dished out the team numbers according to which shirt fitted whom, his team-sheet was of limited use! Half time arrived just after Stuart Coburn had won a corner for the Staff.

Changes were made at the break with Ian Senior taking over in the Staff goal and Steve Downes becoming an outfield player instead. At the other end, Youth team defender Tom Cosgrave took over in goal from Martin Jordan. Tom was underlining his versatility having played part of a recent youth game as a striker. There was more controversy in the 49th minute when Youth team joint-coach Gareth Thomas went down in the box but again no penalty resulted for the Staff. The Supporters almost levelled the score when Ollie Needham's shot from left of goal came down off the cross bar but Russian linesman Taylorovski was adamant that the ball had not crossed the line. Almost immediately the Staff went close, too, when Rathbone's cross from the left found Heathcote whose shot came out off the inside of the post (53 mins).

Next, fine play from Stuart Coburn almost set up a goal for Heathcote but Cosgrave saved. The game was now decided by two well-taken Staff goals in as many minutes by Charles Heathcote. His first came from Steve Foster's feed from the left and ended with a fine strike from 20 yards (56 mins), His second came direct from a freekick to make it 4-1 (58 mins). Many of the first team, who had been watching the game would have been proud of these strikes!

The Supporters responded well and almost immediately made it 2-4 when Wayne Thorley scored another good goal direct from a freekick, from 23 yards, on the hour mark. The Supporters then made it 3-4 four minutes later as Needham's cross from the right was headed home at the back post by Nick Roberts. But goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was to net the decisive goal in the 67th minute, finishing well from left of goal to complete the scoring at 5-3 to the Staff. At this point Alan Ainsley was subbed and Steve Foster took on the armband.

The Supporters went close to a goal from their number six before Ian Senior had to make a fine save from Ollie Needham in the 80th minute. The Supporters continued to press but time ran out and they had to concede the game to the Staff team. The Trophies were presented by Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin with Brian Flynn picking up yet another winner's award after his timely transfer to the Staff side. If you are having a bet on the outcome of the game next season, just check which side the astute Brian elects to join!

STAFF: 1. Steve Downes, 2. Alan Ainsley (capt), 3. Steve Foster, 4. Chris Adams, 5. James Dawson, 6. Charles Heathcote, 7. Brian Flynn, 8. Stuart Coburn, 6. Chris Rowley, 14. Gareth Rathbone, 11. Gareth Thomas. Subs: 12. Adam Martell, 24. Ian Senior. Manager: Grahame Rowley. Coach: Dave Mitten.

SUPPORTERS: Martin Jordan, Tom Cosgrave, Noel Shield, Glyn Dutton, Nick Wright, Wayne Thorley, Eddie Owen, Sam Atkinson, Jamie Taylor, Ollie Needham, Fraser Thorley (capt). Subs: Allan Simper, Dave Johnson, Matt Day, James Harwood, Nick Roberts. Manager: Mark Eckersall.

BSP NEWS

NL Daily says that "Salisbury City has scored an ‘own goal’ after it was fined for using excessive amounts of water at its Raymond McEnhill Stadium. Local magistrates took a dim view of the club’s overzealous watering and volleyed a £3,000 fine into the back of the net. The Whites were also ordered to pay £1,392 costs in a case brought by the Environment Agency. The court heard there was a long history of problems at the club over its failure to comply with the conditions of a water abstraction licence originally issued by the Agency in 1997. The licence enabled the club to abstract water from a borehole for pitch irrigation. The club had struggled to adhere to the authorised quantities and regularly exceeded the maximum permitted limits. In March 2006 the Agency issued the club with a formal warning letter. The borehole used by Salisbury Football Club lies within one of the most important chalk river catchments in Britain – the Hampshire Avon... It was discovered that over a seven-day period the club had abstracted more than three times the amount of water to which it was entitled... Despite 2007 being one of the wettest summers on record, the club continued to water the pitch... The club pleaded guilty to two offences under the Water Resources Act 1991".

"Aldershot Town manager Gary Waddock has confirmed the signings of three more members of his championship-winning squad. [Former Alty midfielder] Lewis Chalmers, who was his first signing for the club, has agreed a new two-year deal... Also agreeing deals for next season are Joel Grant and goalkeeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz. Twenty-two-year old Chalmers played a crucial role alongside Ben Harding in the Shots` success and the Manchester-born midfielder has attracted much attention this season" says NL Daily.

The Woking News and Mail says that "Impatient chairman Shahid Azeem is ready to uproot Guildford City and move the club out of the borough. And, we can reveal, a groundshare deal with neighbours Woking is his top target. Azeem and similarly driven Cards chairman David Taylor held talks last Sunday in a bid to thrash out a mutually beneficial way ahead on a variety of topics". Taylor said, “'If he comes with a proposal, I will discuss it with Chris Ingram [owner] and the board. We will do whatever we can to help Guildford City.. Shahid has already helped us by identifying one player who we may be having a look at and there might be other talent at Guildford'. And Taylor, who said he wanted to work closely with Aldershot and Farnborough too, added: 'It would be crazy if we didn’t do as much to help each other, with their managers Scott Steele and Lloyd Wye being ex-Woking players'. Azeem is equally excited about the marriage and has promised Taylor to help the Cards forge closer links with the Asian community and with Surrey University, where he is an honorary fellow".

"As relieved Terras' fans enjoy the thought of Blue Square Premier Football again next season, manager John Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer have been rewarded for their efforts. Chairman Malcolm Curtis has given the go-ahead for the duo to build a squad for next season, although their contract details have not been revealed... Signing over parts of the land surrounding the Wessex Stadium to his company Wessex Park Ltd and talk of re-branding the club certainly upset many of the Wessex faithful... Curtis says the club is still haemorrhaging money and he and the board have to get on top of that. Proposals are underway to produce plans for a new stadium by the end of the summer and it seems there are two sites in mind... One setback has been the end of Park Engineering's tenure as main sponsor. Partner Dave Higson, a long-time saviour of the club, has sold the company. A new backer needs to be found quickly to help the club build for the new season" reports This is Weymouth.

FRIENDLIES

STAFF BEAT SUPPORTERS 5-3

Above: The victorious Altrincham FC Staff side. Back row: Chris Rowley, Ian Senior, Adam Martell, Gavin Rathbone, Dave Mitten (coach), Steve Downes, Stuart Coburn, Chris Adams, Gareth Thomas, James Dawson. Front row: Grahame Rowley (manager), Charles Heathcote, A Spectator, Alan Ainsley (capt), Steve Foster, Brian Flynn.

Right: Stuart Coburn and Brian Flynn are the Staff players seen here, with (l to r) Ollie Needham, Jamie Taylor and Nick Wright of the Supporters' team.

In Friday night's match at Moss Lane the Altrincham FC Staff side overcame the Supporters' team 5-3 in an entertaining game which put an end to a run of three defeats for the Staff. The Staff fell behind to an early penalty which Wayne Thorley despatched in the 4th minute. A superb freekick by Chris Adams levelled the score in the 14th minute before Alty official photographer Gavin Rathbone snapped up a chance to put the staff ahead in the 29th minute. Two well taken goals in as many minutes by Charles Heathcote made it 4-1 to the staff after 58 minutes but a well-struck freekick from Wayne Thorley reduced the arrears on the hour. When Nick Roberts made it 4-3 with a far post header after 64 minutes a comeback seemed to be on the cards. But a well taken goal by Alty keeper Stuart Coburn, who played in an outfield role made it 5-3 in the 67th minute and that is how it stayed. Report to follow.

BSP NEWS

A familar face has returned to Stevenage Borough who "have appointed Graham Westley and John Dreyer on a one year contract to spearhead the club's push for promotion to the Football League next season. 40 year old Westley left Stevenage in 2006 after a 3 year spell which saw them reach the Promotion Final in 2005, narrowly missing out to Carlisle. Westley and Dreyer first teamed up in a short, successful spell at Rushden in season 2006/7 where they suffered 2 defeats in 11 matches towards the end of the season to cast off the threat of relegation. Graham Westley will head up the new look team as manager and former fans' favourite John Dreyer will be assistant manager. A new fitness coach and first team coach will be appointed in the near future from a small list of identified, highly qualified coaches.

Chairman Phil Wallace said “The opinion of the board is that we need a manager who can hit the ground running coming August, so extensive knowledge of the Conference is essential. Graham most certainly has that and is our preferred choice. We also know that we need people around him that are the right types and John Dreyer is most certainly that. The board has no doubt that Graham and John are a formidable partnership and the right people for us, right here, right now. Graham has changed a lot in 2 years but his energy, motivation and desire to succeed are even stronger than before. He’s had a while to gather his thoughts about how to lead a club to success and has learnt over the last few years that Stevenage fans, including myself, want to watch a high tempo passing game played in the right spirit. That is the driver and motivation for everyone employed at Stevenage from now on, irrespective of who the manager is. We’ll be beefing up our coaching staff during the summer with an instruction to deliver winning football with pace and flair and that mindset will determine everything we do from now on”.

He continued 'We have three top names on our list for the coaching position but we’ll wait a bit before making that appointment as there are some great coaches out there and we'll see who else applies'".

From the BBC we learn that "York City striker Craig Farrell has signed a new contract with the club. The 25-year-old has been with the Minstermen for two years after spells with Leeds, Carlisle and Exeter. Farrell scored 14 goals in 30 appearances last season despite missing part of the season with injury. City have 13 full-time professional players under contract for next season and are waiting for decisions from four youth-team players".

The Sports Echo reports that "Boston United manager Tommy Taylor has offered Lincoln City trialist Tom Griffiths a chance to join the Pilgrims for pre-season training... Meanwhile, Taylor, who has targeted Boston Town pair, left winger Laszlo Lovas and right back Liam Parker (brother of Gainsborough's Wes) as potential signings has expressed his delight at being able to keep hold of striker Kieran Leabon... At Wednesday's trial game, players from Barnsley, Ipswich and Wigan were among those lining up, but Taylor is unsure as to whether he would be able to offer any of the hopefuls anything... 'Would they be able to handle challenges flying in every minute from your Tony Cranes and Paul Ellenders of this world?', queried the manager.

Also in Lincolnshire, "Winger Chris Hall has signed a new contract to stay with Gainsborough Trinity next season. The highly-rated left-sided player spent the last month of the season on loan with York City and was expected to sign with them next season. But the move did not work out... Meanwhile, striker Simon Bird has also penned a new deal for next season, but club captain and right-back Danny Wood has been released. Winger Alex Callery has refused to sign a new deal and is expected to join Guiseley".

From the Harrogate Advertiser comes news that "Chairman Bill Fotherby has appealed for a Harrogate Town white knight insisting 'it's all about money'. Town are absent from Sunday’s play-off semi-finals after falling at the final fence and missing out by just two points.... In a town full of millionaires, Fotherby is convinced a saviour is out there and dreams of the day when they knock on his door. 'We’ve had a real go, financially I’ve tried and it’s been the second year in a row we’ve been as close as we have', said Fotherby. 'I wanted to win it. Whether we could have stayed there I don’t know but I just wanted us to get there. But it’s difficult this game and somewhere along the lines there is somebody in Harrogate who likes football and wants to be involved. I just wish they would come and see me as at the end of the day it’s all about money'.. Dreadful home form, lack of funds and no training facilities have all been blamed but Fotherby admits the buck ultimately stops with Neil Aspin and his players... 'We’ve just missed out at crucial times, the FA Cup, the FA Trophy, the Setanta Shield and the league. Thank God we won the County Cup'" he said.

This is WCFC claims that "Nick Colley feels let down by Worcester City manager Richard Dryden's decision to release him. Colley has been deemed surplus to requirements for next season and joins George Clegg, Chris Smith and Ryan Clarke on their way out of St George's Lane. But the 33-year-old midfielder, who has made more than 100 appearances for the club, was surprised to be shown the door. He said he was led to believe City would offer him a new deal and had turned down approaches from Chasetown, where he had dual registration, and Halesowen Town for next season. Striker Rory May has been invited back for pre-season training".

"Simon Heslop has almost certainly made his last appearance for Halifax Town" claims the Halifax Courier. "The 20-year-old midfielder has been a big hit at the Shay since arriving on loan from Barnsley in mid October. He started 28 league games scoring five goals, all of which were spectacular and two of which proved to be match winners. But he has returned to Oakwell for the final week of the Championship campaign and when asked whether that was it for his Halifax career answered: 'I would have thought so. I am back training with Barnsley this week', he added. 'I will return to Barnsley for pre-season training and take it from there".

The Northwich Guardian reports that "Vics unveiled their new official website [on] Thursday. Designed by Saul & Company Limited, the firm run by Nick Bone's father-in-law, it offers a range of information pods to bring fans up to date on happenings at the club. It even includes a TV station that includes interviews with Jim Rushe and other members of the consortium... The site takes a live news feed from the Northwich Guardian website and tracks the latest stories from their Vics section, updated daily... 'We want a site that can develop and evolve in response to the needs of the club and its supporters', said Malcolm Saul.

The Daily Post says that a "brief loan spell with Droylsden in the Blue Square Premier has proved to Conall Murtagh that Wrexham should be in prime position to regain their Football League status at the first attempt. And after returning from relegated Droylsden to Wrexham, midfielder Murtagh is desperate to make an impact in tomorrow’s final game of the campaign and prove he warrants a place in next season’s squad. Murtagh was signed at the Racecourse by then manager Brian Carey last summer and had impressed in pre-season, before missing a chunk of the season through injury. After Brian Little took over as manager he was eventually allowed to go out on loan to Droylsden.... 'From what I’ve seen of the league I honestly think Wrexham have got a very good chance next season', said Murtagh [a former Alty trialist], who has one year left on his contract. There are some big sides in the Conference, like Oxford and Exeter, but everyone is full time – with the exception of Droylsden and Northwich Victoria – so it’s not going to be easy... I am confident we should go back up. There’s a bit of mixture in the league with some big clubs like Oxford and Exeter, but there are also a lot of smaller clubs as well, and we are going to be the big fish in a wee pond. But I honestly think looking at the side we have now, and assuming that the manager is looking to bring people in that we are more than capable of going back up... I’ve been back at Wrexham a while now with the gaffer giving some of the younger lads in the side the chance. We already know some of the lads are leaving, and no-one really knows what’s happening for next season, only the manager'".

STAFF v SUPPORTERS TONIGHT

Pictured right is the Supporters' victorious management team of 2007: Martin Jordan and Mark Eckersall.

NO APOLOGIES

He told SAM Sport: 'If we do get another reprieve, it will be because we do things right. Football is a package, it's about off-field matters as well as on-field matters and you have to make sure you succeed in both.If everyone was operating their clubs correctly, where would we have finished? There are teams who are gaining an unfair advantage by overspending on players and then writing off debt. It might sound like sour grapes but it's not and if we stay up we'll deserve it and I'll offer no apologies'". Referring to Halifax, Geoff said: "I can't understand how this can happen when you have to send your returns in to the league. Why don't they jump on it straight away? I wouldn't be allowed to run my own company (Go Goodwins coaches) in this way. It's time for a proper punishment to be brought in for teams who go into administration. Ten points is not enough and automatic relegation would be far more of a deterrent". The Alty chairman continued, "I think Graham Heathcote is a great manager and there a few people who are as knowledgeable as him on non-league football. People think I say these things because I'm his mate but the whole board agree on this. If Graham was to go, it would leave a massive hole at the club, more than anyone could imagine. As far as we're concerned he's got a job but it's in his own hands now. He has to decide what he thinks is best. Whatever happens though, the club is in good shape. Attendances this season were better than they were in the 1985/86 season when we won the FA Trophy and we were losing this year, so does that not show we are going forwards? There is so much good being done at the club and we will continue to build on that for as long as we can".

COLIN BACKS GRAHAM

YOUTHS GO CLEAR

BSP NEWS

Meanwhile, NL Daily reports that "Colin Gardner, chairman of Forest Green Rovers, has allayed fears the playing budget will have to be slashed next season... Disappointing crowds at the New Lawn mean manager Jim Harvey is unable to reward his key players with bumper new contracts for 2008/09, and several could be tempted away by the comparative riches elsewhere... 'In terms of our overall budget, we have actually hit all the targets we set at the start of the season', said Gardner. 'If we didn't have interest to pay back on loans for the new stadium then we'd be in very healthy shape, but unfortunately that expenditure won't be cleared for another eight or nine years. In the meantime, the board of directors and myself will continue to support Jim as best we can. It's inevitable our best players will be attracting the attention of others, and I won't pretend that running this football club isn't an expensive business. But I have every faith in Jim and he's shown what a shrewd operator he is when it comes to signing players'. Gardner shares Harvey's disappointment at this season's average home gate of 1,178 - seven fewer than in 2006/07... Gardner said: 'Certain people want more every year but then complain about having to pay for it. We've just had the greatest season in the club's history, with some wonderful football played, so I'm not sure what the answer is. `Kids Go Free` days are all very well but the novelty soon wears off - I think four per season is the right amount... Jim is under contract until 2010 and there's been no contact from anyone, end of story'", he told This is Glos.

"New Lewes manager Kevin Keehan says the club must scout and develop players from the local area to be competitive. He told BBC South East Today: 'We want to play mostly local players with potential. This is the way, ultimately, that the club can survive'. Lewes have been promoted to the Blue Square Premier next season and Keehan realises the size of the task ahead. 'I'd take 5th bottom now in a flash', he added. 'We'll be on a smaller budget than everyone else and part-time'".

"Former Stafford Rangers defender Chris Brindley is set to return to the club as assistant to manager Steve Bull, BBC Sport understands. The pair have been friends since they played for Wolves in the late 1980s. The 38-year-old also played for Telford United and Kidderminster Harriers before managing Hednesford Town's promotion to Conference North in 2005. He is currently player-assistant manager to Paul Holleran at Southern League side Rushall Olympic".

At Woking "Colin Lippiatt has confirmed that Danny Bunce has signed for season 2008-9".

Oxford United manager Darren Patterson is the BSP manager of the month for April. "The Blue Square Premier have shortlisted five players for its April player of the month award - Danny Potter (Cambridge United), Russell Penn (Kidderminster Harriers), Yemi Odubade (Oxford United), Shaun Harrad (Burton Albion) and Dean Moxey (Exeter City).

Grays Athletic "have announced that the following players have been released from the club:Nicky Eyre, Danny Knowles, Charley Hearn, Cameron Mawer and Santos Gaia... The following players have been offered new or extended contracts: Andy Sambrook, Simon Downer, Aaron O‘Connor, Mark Haines, Neil McCafferty, Scott Taylor, Jeff Goulding".

OLD BOYS

BSP NEWS

Directors Martin Elliott and Kevin Powell announced that, even with the extra money coming into the club, the budget for next season would still not have been big enough to cope with the financial demands of manager Steve King and his championship-winning club. The decision to discard King has dismayed Rooks` fans... Elliott and Powell said that Lewes's 'phenomenal' rise up the non-League Pyramid had put intense financial pressure on the board.... Elliott said: 'We effectively now have a professional football club in lots of different ways. It's got to be run and managed accordingly'... Powell added: 'Over the last few years, if you look back at our accounts – and they are open to the public at Companies House – we have made losses. Those losses are covered by money been put in to cover the budget... The club would not be where it is without the benefactors – the board members – putting money in... Lewes Football Club, without significant moneys, could not continue at this level – with the same playing budget and the same manager... The fact that we've actually found some people who are looking to inject sponsorship and improve the sponsorship budget means we can revise our budget for the better. So it is an improvement on what we would have had if we hadn't had any injection. But it is NOT up to the level that Steve King needs to run his team'. New boss Keehan has limited experience in management, with a stint at Horsham YMCA" adds the Sussex Express.

Arriving in the BSP from the opposite direction are Mansfield Town, who were relegated to the BSP on Tuesday. The Chad reported that "Controversial businessman John Batchelor said on Tuesday night he hoped to gain control of the Stags from Keith Haslam within a couple of a days. And he revealed that he had been having takeover talks with chief executive Stephen Booth - but mainly with Haslam's accountant Chris Harrison. Batchelor, speaking on radio station 103.2's special phone-in, said: 'Stephen (Booth) and I have agreed to cease hostilities. He has been working on what the prospective budget would be in the Conference. I would hope that the deal can be done within a couple of days . . . perhaps on Wednesday or by next Monday'. Two weeks ago both Keith Haslam and Stephen Booth said there would be no takeover talks until the club's League fate was known. But on Tuesday night Mr Booth, who had made it clear that Mr Batchelor was not welcome at Field Mill and that he did not want to sell the club to him, dismissed the would-be Stags' owner's claims - and said he did not expect any deal to be concluded over the next few days.

He told Chad: 'John Batchelor called me on Tuesday morning to talk about the incident at Field Mill on Saturday which is now a police matter. I told him I was working on alternative business plans for the benefit of any potential bidders. That's all there was to it'. However, Batchelor insisted to Chad later in the evening - when told of the chief executive's comments - that his takeover talks were well progressed. He said: 'I hope to be in control as early as tomorrow, who knows? I have plenty of plans and ideas already in place. I am just waiting to take control to start to implement them. I have a team lined up to come in - a manager who could still play, a director of football and a coach - and they are already working on players they would like for next season'. When asked about the fans' dislike for him, what happened when he had to be escorted away from them at Macclesfield for his own safety, and the attack on the equally unpopular Keith Haslam on Saturday, he replied: 'I am not in this to win friends. If the fans don't like me, so be it. I tried that at York, and it didn't work. By now everyone knows what I want to do with the club. I have not tried to hide anything. If the club makes money, I make money. It is as simple as that really'".

And another strong personality is in the driving seat at Kingfield. "Colin Lippiatt insists he will have an integral role in the new managerial set-up at Woking next season - whoever is appointed. And the man chiefly responsible for bringing the good times back to Kingfield on Saturday, by sending his team out to produce a feast of flowing football, has not ruled out a return to management - if asked... Lippiatt was keen to stress that the new man would report to him, even a personality such as Graham Westley. 'David Taylor has backed me on that 100%', said Lippiatt. 'Whoever the new manager is I have asked that there continues to be a link in what is a three-man team if you like; David, as chairman, the new manager and Colin Lippiatt. I have been, and have asked to be next season, an integral part of that set-up. I would expect that a new manager, and his new staff, would understand that I am involved in that way and I can’t see that changing... Whoever the new man is, I would expect him to report to me on a daily basis. Whether or not it’s a big personality who gets the job, who wants to do things his way, I would say that the aim for any manager and staff at a club is that everybody pulls in the same direction. Any fair-minded manager would listen to an opinion if it was offered. If cracks start to appear that’s when there’s a problem. I can’t see there being any issues surrounding that issue'. Lippiatt reiterated the point that he will not be applying for the job but added: 'You can never say never. I think I’ve still got a lot of attributes for the job and I’ve always said that'... Justin Edinburgh, one of four men known to be in the running, along with Westley, Graham Roberts and Kevin Hales - another understood to have applied - has done his chances no harm' said the caretaker boss. Colin Lippiatt added that for their last game "Colin Lippiatt picked the team, the shape and the formation because I [i.e. Colin Lippiatt] was in a better position to make those decisions [than Edinburgh]... But he is a strong contender. And the players like him'".

From Halifax Town we learn that "Doncaster Rovers midfielder Anthony Griffith has joined Port Vale on a two year deal. Griffith spent last season on loan at the Shay from Doncaster making 37 league appearances putting in a string of impressive which saw him come runner up in the Supporters Club player of the season".

"Boss Chris Wilder has admitted he considered quitting Halifax Town but is now determined to carry on" according to the Halifax Courier The former right back's sixth season in charge at the Shay ended at the weekend with Halifax securing their Blue Square Premier status. 'Of course I have considered leaving', he said. 'And I think there are some people who would have been glad if I had walked away... but I have a year left on my contract. Why should I walk away? It is with me 24-7. I have played the cards I have been dealt and have done it to the best of my ability... The consortium, who have been spot on, came to me to explain the situation and I didn't think it [the 10pt deduction] would rock us as much as it did', said Wilder. 'And I think a lesser team would have gone down. I could have said no to having 10 points knocked off, I could have shouted and bawled. But where would the club have been? I took it on the chin and have been battered for it. "Where's the justice in that? I spoke to Stevenage manager Peter Taylor who has managed England under 21s and he said it is not like taking 10 points off, it is like taking 20. The vast majority of teams that lose 10 points end up out of business or down. Not many survive. Rotherham did all right this season, but they were in the play off places when the points were taken away and it has even rocked them. The mental part of the game is what suffers most and there were players out there making mistakes who would not normally make them'".

NL Daily confirms that "Manager Darren Patterson has announced his retained list at Blue Square Premier club Oxford United Craig McAllister, Justin Richards, Jamie Hand, Carl Pettefer and Danny Rose have all been told they will not be offered a deal with the U's next season, as have Rob Duffy and Michael Blackwood The club are in discussions with Eddie Anaclet, and Matt Day to stay with the club, and would very much like to discuss signing Matt Green on a permanent basis when his contract at Cardiff City ends. Eddie Hutchinson, Joel Ledgister and Alex Jeannin remain on the transfer list. Mickey Howard has returned to Morecambe after his loan spell but the club hope to speak to him again over the summer. Young striker Matt Taylor has also been offered a new contract. Patterson said: 'It has been a hard few days. Some tough decisions have had to be made, made harder by the fact that they are all smashing lads. In the end it comes down to two factors really. The financial restraints from the wage cap mean we have to make money available to bring in new players. We finished the season strongly but ninth place is eight places lower than we would like to be next time. But the biggest consideration has to be purely from a football point of view. I have targeted the players I would like to bring in and am excited about the prospects already'", he told the Oxford Mail

At Kidderminster Harriers "The official website can confirm that out-of-contract defender Gavin Hurren has been released.... The former Nottingham Forest youngster will not be offered new terms. 'There were one or two things we had left to talk about and in the end it was decided it was best for all parties if Gavin goes to play football elsewhere', Manager Yates told harriers.co.uk".

Meanwhile the Kidderminster Shuttle reports that "WInger Brian Smikle has signed a one-year contract to keep him at Harriers for another season" and "striker Matthew Barnes-Homer has signed a new one-year deal" too.

Never a dull moment at Crawley Town where "Chairman Vic Marley has moved swiftly to confirm that no further directors have been added to the newly formed board of directors at Crawley Town Football Club or indeed Prospect Estates Holdings Ltd. A report in this morning's Crawley Observer newspaper gives reference of a new appointment and names a Mr Mark Butler of E-Brokers in Birmingham. Marley spoke of the press in general of having to be correct before they go to print, as he claimed they at times can interpret things wrongly. Marley explained; 'We have an excellent relationship with the Crawley Observer, indeed a fine local newspaper. However on this occasion I wanted to clarify a few points. When Prospect Estates Holdings Ltd was formed, the agent we used was Mark Butler of E-Incorporators Ltd. When any new company is formed the listing company provides a holding director until the other necessary appointments are made and I would believe that anyone checking this out with any care would be aware this is how the process works. It disappoints me that anyone can have confusion over this... Let me be fairly explicit, no other directors other than those previously stated at the outset of the takeover have been appointed... I look forward to talking more about our plans next week. In all honesty most of the big news had already been released... We will be open and transparent, that is certain'”.

According to the BBC "Aldershot are releasing four players following their promotion to the Football League. Defenders Rob Gier, 27, and Dean Smith, 21, along with midfielder Ryan Scott, 21, are not being offered new contracts for next season. And experienced winger Ryan Williams, 29, has left by mutual agreement",

The Comet says that "Departed Stevenage Boro boss Peter Taylor claims the club might need to splash the cash to achieve its goal of playing in the Football League... The former England under-21 manager said: 'Stevenage have got a chance but might have to invest in some players to go all the way. The club got £175,000 in during the season and didn't spend a penny. There will be a time when you have to spend money... I never signed a contract and me and Phil Wallace (Boro's chairman) were happy with that. We both said we would look at it at the end of the season... I spoke to Phil [chairman] on a couple of occasions and he knew I wanted to be in the League. I was hopeful the club would get into the League and the buzz would have been enough for me to stay on then... I'm pleased I came to Stevenage and gave it a go. I did enjoy the experience although it was tough because we lost so many players to Gillingham when Mark (Stimson) left, as well as several others... My contacts are in the League and the ones I know would have cost too much for the Conference. The players I could get were youngsters or reserve team players from the Championship or the lower leagues. Lots of the players I brought in will be good players. Someone like Tommy Smith was an out and out success. Others have also come out of reserve football where it's too easy for them; you need to get tested. Some of the players struggled at the end when it was a bit nervy. We were the least experienced of all the play-off teams... I have to say it was more difficult than I thought. It wouldn't surprise me if Stevenage now got someone with experience in the Conference. The Conference is a good level and it's a good league because anybody can beat anybody. As for the club itself, the support is good and the training facilities are okay. There were one or two things I said to Phil about which need improving'".

From This is Weymouth says that "Goalkeeper David Roberts has become the second player to be released by Weymouth manager John Hollins... The former Liverpool man made just one appearance for the club after being drafted in by former boss Jason Tindall in January. Roberts follows Franklin Anzite out the exit door at the Wessex Stadium... He said: 'I want a squad of around 18 quality players with a couple of boys in there that I have not seen yet. I want young legs around and I have got a couple in mind... I am not going to be held to ransom, I can't be held to ransom. I want people who want to be here and I do not want a travelling armada of people that we have to pick up all over the country. I want the team here so I can keep an eye on where they are and what they are doing'. Terras' fans are particularly hoping Hollins can land defender Chris Blackburn. The Swindon Town man had a huge influence on Weymouth's successful survival bid in the Blue Square Premier but he is also attracting the interest of other clubs. Hollins said: 'Chris is one I am talking to. He has helped us a lot but he is also in very high demand so we will just have to see what we can do. Matt Bailey, Tony Bedeau, Jake Hyde and Stephen Henderson have also helped us and I am keeping an eye on their situations as well'".