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June 2008 |
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June 2008 |
Altrincham FC press release from John Edwards:
Striker Colin Little and vice-chairman Grahame Rowley (pictured right) presented the trophies at a recent kids' tournament in Wythenshawe - and had little trouble smiling for the camera after an amusing encounter with a star-struck youngster.
Grahame and Colin had just arrived at Benchill Community Centre when the little lad ran up to them for a word. After initially mistaking Grahame for our prolific frontrunner (honestly!), he turned to Colin and said: "You're the footballer, are you, mister? Have you come in your Ferrari?"
Colin had to explain that his part-time earnings weren't quite a match for Wayne Rooney's, even if his scoring feats were last season, before spending an enjoyable couple of hours with Grahame watching the teams do battle.
After helping Grahame distribute the silverware at the end of the Benchill Community Centre tournament, Colin said: "All the players and organisers seemed to appreciate us being there, and it was good to be able to help out. It was a particularly good day for me, because I grew up in the area and it was great to see so many people who remembered me."
According to the Burton Mail "Burton Albion are hoping to sign former Liverpool starlet Jon Newby. The 29-year-old striker is available on a free transfer after being released by Morecambe. He has agreed to join the Brewers for pre-season training with a view to signing a one-year deal at the Pirelli Stadium. Albion boss Nigel Clough said: 'Jon is a nicely experienced striker - just the type of player we have been looking for to add to our squad. He is a hard-running type of player who is so well regarded that people we have spoken to are surprised that Morecambe have released him... Hopefully we'll get him sorted and signed as soon as possible'. The proposed deal probably means Clough has cooled on the idea of bringing Jon Shaw back to the Pirelli Stadium. The Brewers boss said earlier this week that the Halifax Town striker was on his list of options ... Clough revealed he had also inquired about Bishop Stortford's Greg Pearson, but the highly-rated striker - currently training with Notts County - is expected to be sold to a Football League club. However, the potential capture of Newby and former Derby County star Lee Morris could give Clough the four-man strikeforce he is looking for after releasing Jake Edwards and losing 28-goal top scorer Daryl Clare... England C striker Shaun Harrad has penned a new deal, while Clough has already secured the services of Jody Banim from relegated Droylsden. Banim and Newby are both Manchester-based, which Clough said was ideal for travelling purposes".
From The Argus "Lewes will be running a reserve team in the same league as Brighton & Hove Albion next season. The Rooks have entered a side into the Pontin's Holiday Combination League where their group opponents will also include the likes of Southampton, Reading, Charlton and Millwall. There was no reserve team at the Dripping Pan last season but new manager Kevin Keehan believes its resurrection warrants the costs involved for a club who are working on a vastly reduced budget in 2008-09. The side will be run by Steve Ibbitson and will use members of the club's successful youth team from last season as well as first team squad players and trialists. Keehan said: 'They stopped having a reserve team and I would agree with why they did that because they could not get the stepping stone right to the first team. I think it is well worth it now. From my point of view I can use this league. If we haven't got a midweek match we could use it as first team practice. We can try players in different positions or bring in trialists. The beauty is you can sign a player half an hour before kick-off so it will help us if we are short or want to experiment. It will be good for the young players. It is one thing being decent in the youth team but if they do well in this league then they will not be far away. Hopefully the fans will get behind the team and maybe come down to watch the reserves, which would also help with the cost involved'... Keehan has no more signings to date but is pleased with the way training is going.He confirmed he had spoken to former Rooks striker Lee Newman, who is staying at Maidenhead, and is currently targeting a big defender".
The Crawley Observer reports that low-budget "Crawley Town have signed goalkeeper Simon Rayner from Torquay Utd. The 6ft 4ins custodian impressed against Reds...at the end of the season. Two mystery goalkeeping trialists will fight it out to get the remaining goalkeeper's contract".
This is Nottingham says that "Notts County have beat off competition from rival League Two clubs to land Matt Hamshaw. The 26-year-old midfielder today became Ian McParland's second signing in two days... Hamshaw has penned a two-year deal with the Magpies, following his release from relegated Mansfield Town at the end of last season".
Meanwhile This is Mansfield states that "Former Notts favourite Mark Stallard, Andy Campbell and Alan O'Hare are three players Paul Holland says he wants at Mansfield Town. But the would-be Stags boss warned the trio may be forced to seek an alternative club if they are not offered deals by the start of next week. Derby-born Stallard, 33, scored 69 goals in 201 games in two spells with the Magpies and was released by Lincoln at the end of last season after two years at Sincil Bank. Fellow front man Campbell, 29, played for Middlesbrough as a youngster in the Premiership... Irishman O'Hare was released by Chesterfield at the end of last season having made more than 150 appearances. The 25-year-old left-back or central defender began his career as a trainee at Bolton. As yet, Holland has been unable to offer any new contracts while takeover negotiations continue".
"Wrexham FC have announced their sixth summer signing this morning. Centre-half Nat Brown, 27, joins the Dragons from league two side Lincoln City" claims The Daily Post.
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Right: Alex Meechan (no.16) lines up against Altrincham in the 2-2 draw at The New Lawn in September 2006. When FGR beat us 5-0 in January 2006, Alex scored for Rovers.
Before the signing of Alex Meechan was confirmed last night, SAM reported that "Alty are on the verge of wrapping up another signing that will further signal their intent for the coming season" reported . A forward with experience in both the Football League and the Blue Square Premier has agreed terms on a move to Moss Lane and is expected to put pen to paper tonight (Thursday night). He will become the third forward to arrive at the club this summer, adding yet more firepower to an attacking arsenal that looked somewhat tame at times last season. Manager Graham Heathcote has already promised to bring more attractive football to Moss Lane in the coming season and he believes his dealings in the transfer market so far prove he is ready to deliver on that vow. He told SAM Sport: 'There is not going to be much difference in how we will prepare for the new season but we will approach games differently because we have different types of players. I said I wanted to play slightly differently so I have recruited players that will allow us to do that. There are a lot of attacking options that we have taken on board but, at the end of the day, we do still have to make sure we stay tight at the back'".
Despite attempting to make a comeback, the player was never able to take to the field again and, as a result, has decided to bring a lawsuit for loss of earnings against White and Ashton United... But Heathcote is worried about the possible repercussions on the non-league game, where such lawsuits are not as prevalent as in professional football. He told SAM Sport: 'Lawsuits set a dangerous precedent because I don’t believe anyone would ever deliberately go in to a tackle looking to cause someone serious harm. Any mistimed tackle that ends up in injury to a player could become subject of a lawsuit and players will start to think twice about going in for tackles'. The case is expected to go to trial next year and should it be found in Hallows’s favour, it could spell the end for Ashton United. Club chairman Dave Aspinall said: 'I don’t know what we’d do if they found in his favour because they would look at claiming our assets but we have none to fall back on... there was no booking and neither the ref nor the linesman took any action at the time'".
The BSP NEWS Grays Athletic "have secured the services of Simon Downer for the 2008/09 season, Simon will be signing a contract with the club on Saturday. Simon said he was pleased to be back at the club and wants to prove himself to the fans during next season".
"Coming in to Broadhall Way is Luke Cole" reports Stevenage Borough FC. "The young midfield player, who was part of Exeter City’s youth set up last season, has joined the club after impressing in a trial match".
York City "have signed former loanee Daniel McBreen to lead their strike force next season. Several weeks of negotiations between the player, City Manager Colin Walker and Chairman Jason McGill were concluded on Wednesday culminating in the striker agreeing terms... McBreen represented City on loan from Scunthorpe last season making five appearances... He was recalled by Scunthorpe at the end of his loan period and subsequently re-loaned to St Johnstone at the end of last season"... Commenting on the capture of McBreen, Colin Walker commented 'He is a big strong Centre Forward who will lead our strike force well next season. He is the final piece in the jigsaw and I now feel that we have a squad of players ready to compete in the Blue Square Premier next season'".
The Crawley Observer says that "Crawley Town have appointed a former Vice President as their new company secretary. The Reds have appointed long term fan Mr Alan Foot (CIMA) who will take up a position alongside the board of directors... Chairman Vic Marley said: 'Alan Foot is a talented man with the highest integrity and we are delighted he has joined us. He has a wealth of experience in business and football. At this time he is also the company secretary to the Southern Football League so we will benefit greatly from his experience in football administration and finance generally'... Alan Foot admitted that he is now able to take up the position at the club after the departure of the previous owners. He said: 'In the past I never felt comfortable enough to take up this position when offered but given the integrity and make up of the new board it made my decision easy. I have a real love for this football club and want to see us in the football league but that is easier said than done... Everything at the football club is being structured properly'".
Does this sound familiar? The Northants Evening Telegraph reports that "Mark Cooper insists Kettering Town will have to accept losing out on players to clubs with bigger budgets after revealing he missed out on one his transfer targets. The Poppies' boss had got to the stage where he was due to meet former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Stefan Bailey – who had looked set to sign a one-year contract with the Blue Square North champions last week. However, the player failed to show and two days later signed a one-year deal with Blue Square Premier rivals Grays Athletic to become their ninth summer signing. And while the situation with 20-year-old Bailey left Cooper frustrated, he conceded it is a problem the Poppies may have to get used to. 'I was due to meet him last Tuesday after we had agreed a one-year deal'," the Kettering manager said. 'He didn't turn up and then signed for a club who were offering him more money. He has gone there for that reason and we can't moan about it. Yes, I am disappointed with the way it was handled. But what has happened is a fact of life and we just have to carry on working hard to try and bring the best players in who are within the budget'. Cooper, however... is confident of landing at least two or three more players before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August. Striker Nathan Smith and midfielder Dwane Lee have already signed while Alfie Potter is expected to complete a season-long loan move from Peterborough United. Cooper added: 'Those people who are panicking should remember we already have around 16 or 17 players here so I am only looking for two or three more. But I don't just want your run-of- the-mill Conference player who always finds a club but, perhaps, doesn't run himself into the ground for the cause. I am searching for something a bit different'".
Meanwhile, This is Nottingham says that "Mansfield Town are refusing to set a date for the completion of the proposed takeover by Dr Colin Hancock... It was set to be formalised on Monday. But nothing concrete has yet been signed - although talks between the two parties are continuing. Chief executive Stephen Booth said: 'We will not be making any further comment until a deal is done. It will be completed as soon as is practicable'. Fans are becoming increasingly frustrated as a manager for next season has yet to be appointed and the club have not been able to begin work on putting together a squad, as they look to bounce back into the Football League at the first attempt. Paul Holland, who took over at the end of last season, still hopes to be in charge... Meanwhile, his hands are tied when it comes to making new signings or negotiating new contracts with Stags' players".
The Chad says that "Paul Holland tomorrow enters the final seven days before pre-season training with just eight players and no guarantee on his own future. The Stags boss is in an impossible situation at Field Mill and said that the club now has to give the green light to bring players in before the weekend, whatever the state of the proposed takeover".
Gary Brabin, new manager at Cambridge, is not a popular man in Southport where the Southport Visiter reports that "Southport FC are a club in turmoil. With less than two weeks to go before their first pre-season friendly, they have no manager and only eight players on their books. Gary Brabin walked out on the Sandgrounders on Monday afternoon to take over at Cambridge United. He is supposed to have been contacted by Cambridge when on holiday last week and, miraculously in such a short space of time, has already appointed Paul Carden as his assistant. His wages will be higher, his playing budget will be higher and Cambridge have higher gates. Everything is sweet for Gary Brabin. Good old Gary. We couldn’t get hold of him yesterday (surprise surprise) but in his press conference he said he wanted his players to give 100 per cent, enjoy their football and entertain the fans. Sounds like he was reading from the Visiter back page when Southport first appointed him.
Back at Haig Avenue, the club he has left in the lurch, Southport seem to specialise in jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Chairman Charlie Clapham had gambled everything on the club’s new ‘saviour’ and given Brabin his first chance at management... Brabin will be in good company at Cambridge United, whose chairman was still denying any contact with him only hours before Monday’s announcement. What a great way to do business... The Visiter could not get hold of Clapham yesterday (not a great day for getting hold of people) but chief executive Haydn Preece was pragmatic... He said: 'How many other clubs have had their manager head-hunted when he’s only been in charge for seven matches?'... Preece admitted that the move to full-time football had not worked out as planned. 'We have never benefited from going full-time. The changeover from part-time was probably too much in one swoop rather than a slower evolution. We have a very short time to get it right and need to utilise the opportunity of full-time football effectively... Southport should be on the same stage as Cambridge United'... It is widely thought that one of Brabin’s main reasons for leaving was the tight budget, believed to be around £5000 a week. Preece said: 'Brabin knew the wage structure and agreed to it.... We can’t rush into an appointment, it has to be someone who can bring success... We just have to get it right this time' ... One disgruntled player yesterday said: 'The only way forward for the club is to loosen the purse strings because at this rate a top-10 finish will be hard to achieve'".b>
Stalybridge Celtic say that "Alex started as a trainee at Swindon Town, signing professional forms in 1997, aged seventeen. Playing mostly for the reserves, he made one substitute appearance, before signing at Bristol City in 1998. During his two year stint at Bristol, he made sixteen appearances and scored four times. His best period came when he joined Forest Green Rovers in the Conference in November 2000, where he went on to make a hundred and thirty-six appearances and score forty-two goals. A couple of loan spells, one to Yeovil and one two Dagenham before he was released to join Leigh RMI at the start of the 2004/05 season. He was ever-present for Leigh, making fifteen appearances and scoring once before signing for Halifax in November 2004 for the remainder of the season. First team appearances were hard to come by, and he re-signed for Forest Green at the start of the 2005/06 season, making another seventy appearances and scoring a further seven goals. In the January transfer window of 2007 he joined Chester to the end of the season, but did not get a good run in the side, and at the start of the 2007/08 season joined York, scoring once in his seven appearances". The website at Forest Green quotes from “Something to Shout About, The History of Forest Green Rovers AFC” (Tempus Publishing Ltd ) - "Heroes of the new millennium - Steve Perrin, Alex Meechan, Jim Harvey... Another great servant to the Club this decade was Alex Meechan, currently the Club’s leading scorer in the Conference and with most appearances as well. Alex always promised much and was a handful going forward, and scored some memorable goals in a Rovers shirt since joining in 2000".
According to NL Daily "Striker Matthew Berkeley (right) says he is hoping to help fire Droylsden to Blue Square North title glory following his switch from Workington. The 20-year-old netted eleven times in twenty-seven matches for Reds last term, in his second spell at Borough Park, but he revealed the chance of moving closer to his Manchester home had appealed. Berkeley said: 'Next year Droylsden will be contenders to win it. It’s a new challenge. The way they sold the club to me was really interesting, and hopefully I can help them be champions'... He added: 'People at the club [Workington] were so friendly and made me so welcome. I’d never say a bad thing about the club. I enjoyed it there, but it was time to move on'...Berkeley launched his career with Gretna, switching to Borough Park in 2006, playing nine games before being recalled. He later had a brief stint at Blue Square Premier Altrincham, rejoining Reds last term. Workington director Alec Graham said he understood travelling had become an issue for Berkeley" reports the News and Star.
Former Alty defender "Cavell Coo will join the growing clique of former Witton Albion players at Droylsden... The full back has called Witton boss Nigel Deeley to let him know he won't be returning... He joins Jon Kennedy and, probably, Alex Brown at Butchers Arms. "Cavell rang and told me he had made his mind up', said Deeley. 'I have wished him well'. The former Altrincham man, 20, switched to Wincham Park in August upon his release from Moss Lane. A favourite of former boss Jim Vince, he went on to make thirty-eight starts for the club in league and cup" claims This is Cheshire.
And Kyle Wilson who had a loan spell at Altrincham has now joined FC United of Manchester.
The youth team plays in the NW Youth Alliance Premier Division. Because of increasing numbers in the League, next season will see two Premier Divisions of ten teams each, with the members being drawn by lot for each of these divisions. In all, 33 teams will be in the League, whether at Premier or First Division level. Amongst the newcomers to the League are New Mills, AFC Liverpool and Stalybridge. The League season starts on Sunday 24th August.
The Evening Leader says that "Wrexham FC centre-back Richard Hope has signed a two-year deal with League 2 side Grimsby Town. The 30-year-old spent one season with the Reds at The Racecourse after being released by Shrewsbury... His move to the Mariners is expected to pave the way for more signings" The BBC reports that "Wrexham have signed former Wales Under-21 defender Kyle Critchell on a two-year deal. The one-time Southampton trainee joins fromrivals Weymouth and he is Dragons' boss Brian Little's fifth signing this summer. Critchell had one year remaining on his Weymouth contract but has joined Little's revolution as Wrexham aim to restore their Football League status. The 21-year-old last represented young Wales in 2006 against Turkey". He was the player involved in Gary Scott's sending-off at the Wessex Stadium in April.
"Salisbury City have been dealt a severe blow ahead of pre-season training after goalkeeper Ryan Clarke broke a bone in his foot... after stepping on a rock whilst on holiday. Clarke will be in plaster for two weeks he hopes to be fit for the new season. He said: 'I'll be in the cast for the first week of pre-season training. It'll give me three weeks to get ready for the first game of the season. I went for a dip in the sea and when I came out I went over on a rock in the water... The break wasn't all the way across the bone so that's positive'" reports the BBC who alo tell us that...
"Grays Athletic look to set to sign forward Jeff Goulding and midfielder Barry Cogan, provided the pair come through a medical and a trial. Goulding spent the latter part of last season with Grays after leaving Blues Square South side Fisher. Former Barnet, Millwall and Gillingham player Cogan, 23, also had a spell on loan with the Blue Square Premier club last season. If both players sign it would take boss Mike Woodward's acquisitions to 12".
"Cambridge United's new assistant manager Paul Carden has denied he had signed a pre-contract agreement with rivals Wrexham. The Accrington midfielder was appointed as assistant to Gary Brabin on Monday, but Wrexham claimed he had signed a contract to join them next month. The Welsh side claimed they would report the move to the authorities. Carden told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'I couldn't have signed a pre-contract as I still had a year at Accrington... When an opportunity like this arises, you can't turn things down'. The midfielder apologised to Wrexham manager Brian Little when he decided he wanted to accept Cambridge's offer. 'He was fully understanding of where I was coming from', Carden said... Carden, 29, spent much of last season on loan at the Abbey Stadium from League Two club Accrington, but left after the U's lost the play-off final".
A puzzling tale comes from the Halifax Courier which says that "A High Court action to wind up Halifax Town has been dismissed, administrators revealed last night. A petition by the Inland Revenue against the club has been rejected, said administrators Begbies Traynor. The company, looking after Town since the Shaymen went into administration in March with debts of £2million, did not make it clear what would happen next. But it did say said it was aware a newly formed Halifax club was in talks with the Unibond League to play next season. It suggested the company would remain in administration. The statement said: 'Although it is not possible for a Creditors' Voluntary Agreement to be approved and the Football Conference has expelled the club from its competitions, the administrators are continuing to act in order to try and maximise the realisations from the company's assets'... Yesterday documents and a £5,000 deposit were sent to the Unibond League, paving the way for a Halifax team to compete in Unibond's Division 1 North".
Meanwhile "A fans' group has again urged the [Halifax takeover] consortium to make an announcement on its plans. Yesterday, the businessmen met the deadline set them by the Unibond League and barring a last-minute hitch they will be fielding a team in its division one north next season. The Halifax Town Supporters' Trust is now seeking a clear outline on the future of the new club being formed - and earlier asked for fans to be involved in a decision on the new name, which will need approval from the Football Association. 'We would hope the consortium would now issue a statement. The waiting continues', said a spokesman. He added the long-awaited statement from administrators Begbies Traynor did little to inform fans. The administrators have declined opportunities to directly talk to the Courier".
From This is Mansfield reports that "Jake Buxton is being chased by two League Two clubs - but the Mansfield defender is still weighing up his options. The Stags' club captain last season has not yet rejected the offer of a new deal at Field Mill. But he has made it known he is keen to move on in a bid to avoid dropping into non-league football. If Buxton leaves he would command a fee despite being a free agent because he is under the age of 24, so cannot leave on a Bosman free transfer. Mansfield were initially looking for a figure believed to be in the region of £20,000 for Buxton. But it is understood that Stags are now looking for £5,000 up front and the rest when the former youth product reaches a set number of appearances. Holland insists he is not yet aware of any interest in fellow defender Alex John-Baptiste, transfer listed at his request at the end of last season".
According to the Comet, at Stevenage, "One player has left this week - winger Wayne O'Sullivan has signed for Conference South side Braintree Town on a free transfer".
The Manchester Evening News confirms that "A footballer whose career was ended by a horrific injury is suing the player who tackled him for £100,000. Altrincham striker Marcus Hallows (left), 33, suffered an open fracture of his shin in the tackle by defender Danny White. He almost died when his heart stopped after he was taken to hospital. He had to undergo two operations. Now he is bringing a lawsuit for loss of earnings against Mr White and the team he played for, Ashton United.
Ashton say they are dismayed at the action and believe there is no case to answer. The club could be ruined if the court hearing goes against them... Mr Hallows is claiming loss of earnings based on a career in semi-professional football until the age of 35. The case is expected to go to trial next year... A preliminary hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre heard Marcus's injuries had been so severe that he could not continue playing - he has since started a new career as an Elvis impersonator. It is expected that a soccer expert will be called to give evidence about the tackle, in March 2005. There was no video footage of the incident but witness and photographic evidence will be given to the court.
His solicitor Gareth Williams said the key question to be asked was whether there had been a significant risk of causing injury when the tackle was made. Ashton United chairman Dave Aspinall said: 'We simply don't agree that it was a malicious tackle. The person best placed to comment was the referee. There was no booking and neither the ref nor the linesman took any action at the time. In our view it was a collision and it was very unfortunate. Danny White is a real gentleman and not surprisingly most upset about what has happened. He's a hard player but an honest one and we're backing him all the way. This was just a tackle that went bad. It happens sometimes but there was nothing deliberate about it. We'll just have to see what the court makes of it now'.
Mr Hallows, from Harwood, Bolton, was once a Bolton Wanderers reserve team player. He had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes after being brought on as a substitute in the non-league match. His club's physiotherapist said it was the worst injury he had seen. X-rays revealed that both the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg had been fractured".
Meanwhile, according to the Wrexham Leader "Wrexham FC have signed midfielder Tom Kearney from Halifax Town. The former Everton trainee joins the Reds on two-year deal... Wrexham boss Brian Little had been tracking 27-year-old Kearney for some time, but the deal was held up because of the Shaymen's financial problems. A statement issued by Wrexham said: 'We certainly didn't want to be seen to be cherry-picking Halifax's best players when they still had an opportunity of remaining in the Football Conference, but following their demotion to the Unibond League for financial reasons, it was clear they would be unable to continue with their present staffing levels'. The statement added that dealings with Halifax have been 'very amicable'... He has been at Halifax for two seasons, having previously played for Bradford".
Despite their protestations yesterday at operating on one of the smallest BSP budgets, Crawley have somehow found the money to see off bigger and more local opposition to lure Halifax's Jake Wright - their third signing from the full-time Yorkshire club, 238 miles away. The Crawley Town site reports that "Young Halifax Town defender Jake Wright has completed his move to Crawley Town... Wright was in outstanding form throughout last season and has been subject to a number of offers for his playing services over the last two months. Wrexham, York City and the Reds are all believed to have kept themselves in talks with the player with the boy deciding to join the Broadfield club late last week. Town manager Steve Evans said; 'Jake Wright is a natural defender. More importantly he is a left sided central defender and they are hard to get especially when they come with excellent pace and are very brave. The boy was set for a move to Doncaster Rovers but their quality of player needed has gone up again, with them being promoted to the Championship. Sean O’Driscall rates the lad very highly and there is a manager who’s opinion of the players I rate very highly. I did think he would head elsewhere but I asked his mates, Danny Forrest and Lewis Killeen, to get on the case to help persuade him to join us. All the boys are due back next week so there is a lot of preparation work going on. I would expect we will add to the squad this week... We have agreed terms with a goalkeeper and ... I am also due to meet two players for a second time this week and we must obviously have a chance of signing them or they would not be wanting to meet up again... The offers we make will be what we can afford. We cannot compete with the likes of Stevenage, Rushden, Wrexham or Torquay who have big budgets in comparison with 'ourselves but I can tell everyone last seasons champions (Aldershot Town) did not pay the wages that some did and they won the championship in a canter... We have a selected number of trialist for us to take a close look at but as for names... not yet anyway!'".
From the Burton Mail we hear that "Albion boss Nigel Clough is considering making a shock move to bring striker Jon Shaw back to the Pirelli Stadium... [Shaw is] the player he sold to Halifax Town in September... But the Brewers' boss has warned that Halifax's asking price and competition from Football League clubs could prove stumbling blocks... He scored 27 times for the Shaymen last season and won England C caps. Clough said: 'We thought it was the right decision to sell him when we did, but by the same token, we'll try to bring him back if we think it's the right thing to do... We've even seen Stuart Fleetwood go from Forest Green to the Championship (with Charlton) this summer, so it is quite possible that Jon will end up either in League One or Two'. Albion picked up a £10,000 fee for Shaw, who had scored 33 times in 123 appearances after joining them from Wednesday in November, 2004".
According to the Cambridge Evening News "Gary Brabin has vowed to bring League football back to Cambridge United in his first foray into management. Brabin signed a two-year deal yesterday (Monday)... And he brings a familiar face to United fans with him in the shape of former Blackpool team-mate Paul Carden, who had two spells on loan at Cambridge last season, as his player-assistant. Despite being a managerial novice with only a brief caretaker spell at Southport at the end of last term under his belt, Brabin, 37... The former Hull midfielder said: 'People keep going on about the word experience, but you can have someone with experience who has done nothing in the last 10 years. I'm not a loser, I'm a winner. I played for over 20 years, I coached at Everton and I've been an assistant manager for the last five years, so I've got a lot of experience in other fields. I want to be up there competing with the top six sides in the league and looking to get promotion... [At Southport] I was offered a contract, but I wasn't under contract and I had a solid offer of another job as well. When I found out Cambridge were interested I wanted to listen to them and I liked what I heard. It's a big club and I've played here a few times in the past. I couldn't turn down the opportunity... I admire [Carden] as a player and as a person and I trust him 100 per cent... 'First and foremost, I want him to keep doing his bit on the field. He has consistently been the best midfielder at this sort of level for the last eight years'".
Across the city, "Steve Fallon is ready to move Histon a step closer to becoming a full-time club when his players report back for pre-season training this week. The Stutes' boss... wants to up the ante in the pursuit for a place in the play-offs next season by adding extra afternoon training sessions to the regime at least once a week, starting next Thursday ... The Histon manager said: 'Training was one of our main issues last season because we didn't really get to do anything different from when we were in the Conference South. We ended up training on the edge of the pitch most of the time, which is demoralising for the players, so we did well last season... We have had it written into the players' contracts that they will be available through the week to have extra afternoon training'.... They have signed striker Damian Reeves from Farsley Celtic - Fallon is still keen to bring in a central midfielder".
Kent Online conforms that "Ebbsfleet defender Peter Hawkins has signed a new one-year contract... The former Wimbledon and Rushden defender is the 13th Fleet player to sign on for next season. Back-up goalkeeper Sam Mott is close to agreeing a new deal".
The Halifax Courier confirms that "The Unibond League received documents mid-afternoon which should pave the way for a Halifax team to play in division one north next season. League secretary Phil Bradley said the consortium sent the documents, including a £5,000 deposit, by courier. 'At first glance, I do not see any problems', he said... The consortium will also have to seek approval from the Football Association on a new name for the club. Administrators Begbies Traynor also confirmed this afternoon they are about to release a much waited statement clarifying issues surrounding the club".
"Mark Cooper will try to sign Tes Bramble" says the Northants Evening Telegraph "If the striker is able to prove his fitness when Kettering Town return for pre-season training next week. The frontman, who is 28 next month, was released by Stevenage Borough at the end of last season... Bramble – who has enjoyed lengthy spells at Southend United and Stockport County in the past – required knee surgery last November and that kept him out of action for the remainder of the campaign. However, he will link up with the Poppies when they return next ... The Kettering boss said: 'Tes is going to come in to try and prove his fitness. If he can do that, then there is good chance we will take him'".
The Chad says that "Paul Holland tomorrow enters the final seven days before pre-season training with just eight players and no guarantee on his own future. The Stags' boss is in an impossible situation at Field Mill and said that the club now has to give the green light to bring players in before the weekend, whatever the state of the proposed takeover. 'I don't want to come back in for pre-season training on Wednesday with just eight players. It sends out the wrong signals to players already here and makes those very important first few days very hard. Ideally I would like to have an absolutely packed weekend meeting players and sorting contracts. My target would be bringing in at least six or seven new faces by Wednesday. I spoke to all the players I want to bring in again at the start of this week and they are all still very keen... They can't wait forever... If Colin Hancock does take over then I will be straight in to see him... It would seem the deal is very, very close to being done without being finalised'".
Both Suzanne and I were desperately sad to hear that our good friend Jane McGrath lost her long fight against cancer over the weekend. Jane was an incredibly brave lady who, despite being very ill, attended the event at The Cresta Court Hotel organised by Altrincham Football Club last September to raise funds for The McGrath Foundation.
As you know, I got to know the Australian Cricket Team that toured England in 2005 very well and many of them have become good friends of the Football Club. Glenn has done more than most over the last three years to help us and I have been in contact with him to offer not only Suzanne's and my condolences but also those of everyone at Altrincham Football Club.
Despite the very sad recent events, I am still planning to support The McGrath Foundation and there will be a Celebrity Football Match and Dinner in September. The Dinner will include a Questions and Answers session with some very high profile names from the world of cricket and hopefully both of these events will act as a fitting tribute to Jane.
The Chad says that "Stags' chief executive Stephen Booth has refused to reveal when any takeover of the club by Dr Colin Hancock will be completed... He said: 'The position is that a deal has been made between the two parties but it has not been signed, although that should be done today. It is, to my understanding, Dr Hancock who is in position to take over the running of the club... The timetable is not in the public domain and I don't want to comment further'"
The Chad continues, "Keith Haslam is today set to relinquish control at Mansfield Town, ending a 15-year spell at the helm of the club. The Stags' owner has verbally struck a deal to sell to Nottingham-based dentist Dr Colin Hancock... It is not clear if Paul Holland will be given the manager's job... Booth revealed he will stay on at the club in his role in the short-term while the handover takes place... Haslam first gained a majority shareholding in Mansfield in 1993... He was the youngest chairman in the Football League at 34 and vowed to take the club to the Championship".
Bullsnews says that "Peterboro have now put [former Grays Athletic striker] Aaron McLean in the £5million bracket. Speaking to the press, Barry Fry said the club had rejected a £1.5million second offer from Wolves and told them the deal would be struck at £3million plus sell-on - plus £2million when they won promotion to the Premier League because 'if you get Aaron, that's where he'll take you.' Last week the Express and Star reported Wolves had been given a £1.75million asking price".
From the Northants Evening Telegraph we learn that "Curtis Woodhouse has announced he is to quit Rushden & Diamonds at the end of the season to concentrate on his bosing career. Speaking after his first round knockout victory against Wayne Downing last night he said this season would be his last in professional football. Woodhouse extended his unbeaten record to seven fights at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham ... Woodhouse will now return to pre-season training with Rushden & Diamonds next week... Woodhouse said: 'I've only been in boxing for two minutes and I'm under no illusions that I've still got a lot to learn. But it is no coincidence that my best performance has come in the football close season. Rushden have been brilliant to me in allowing me to pursue both sports but I am only staying in football for one more season so I can support my family. Within 12 months I will be boxing full-time and you will see a startling difference''".
The BBC confirms the surprising news that "Former Southport boss Gary Brabin has been named as the new manager of Cambridge United. The 37-year-old replaces Jimmy Quinn, who left the club earlier this month, on a two-year deal. Brabin is joined by midfielder Paul Carden, 29, who returns to the U's from Accrington to take up the position of assistant manager. Brabin made more than 200 League appearances during his time as a player before retiring in 2004".
Meanwhile, the Southport Visiter confirms that "Rumours and speculation relating to Cambridge United's interest in rookie Port manager Gary Brabin was proven over the weekend, much to the Port board's chagrin. Brabin confirmed to chairman Charlie Clapham belatedly on Sunday morning he had been approached by representatives of Cambridge United while away on a midweek break abroad. Southport officials had not been contacted by either Cambridge or, more worryingly, Brabin before the link hit the national headlines. Brabin's hand had been forced after a blaze of publicity revealed the Port boss as the U's first choice.
Southport FC released a statement which underlined the club's disproval of the way both Cambridge United and Brabin had conducted their affairs. Brabin was not given permission by Southport to talk to Cambridge who had dismissed Jimmy Quinn a week earlier. A Southport insider said: 'It looks like Gary Brabin has jumped ship before the Southport ship has left the dock and before he had recruited a crew. Gary's espionage [????] has, it seems, made his position at Haig Avenue untenable'. Brabin had been given his first management number one role by Southport and had managed the club in just seven matches... This summer, after the club boldly elected to remain full-time, Brabin was given the task of rebuilding the squad... A new manager will have to be in place in rapid time.
From the other end of the saga, the Cambridge Evening News tells us that "United were at the centre of a row last night after allegedly trying to poach Southport boss Gary Brabin... According to the Blue Square North outfit, United have approached the 37-year-old former Blackpool and Hull midfielder about the vacant post without their consent. In a statement released on Sandgrounders' official website yesterday (Sunday, 22 June), the club said it would speak to Brabin, whose only previous managerial experience was a brief spell as No 2 at Welsh Premier League side The New Saints, to discover where his future lies. It said: 'We are now aware for the first time that Cambridge United have seemingly approached Gary Brabin directly. This contact appears to have taken place while Gary Brabin was on holiday abroad this week'...
United chairman Phil Law said, 'I'd always want to do things in the right manner and I know their chairman Charlie Clapham very well, so I'd certainly not want to be accused of doing anything inappropriate. I'll make a couple of phone calls to see what might have prompted this, but I'm sure if there has been any contact, it will have been done in the appropriate way'. Meanwhile, Brabin said: 'I'm still contracted to Southport and I've promised them I'm not going to make any comment. I know Southport are a little bit unhappy with the speculation'".
And the unofficial Cambridge site adds that the "Amberarmy can exclusively reveal that "Cambridge United are chasing the signature of Brighton & Hove Albion legend Gary Hart... Striker Hart, who can also play right back, wing back and right midfield, is nothing short of a legend for the Seagulls... Gary was recently voted as the best bargain buy the League One club have ever made, seeing him make over 300 games, and playing a massive part in three of Albions recent promotions in 2001, 2002 and 2004... Should Cambridge pull off this signing, it could prove a major coup, especially after missing out on Antonio Murray, Charlie MacDonald and the unlikelihood of Clayton Donaldson arriving, especially after a flood of interest from League clubs such as Darlington and Crewe".
The Evening Leader reports that "Brian Little admitted that there are doubts whether or not Paul Carden is a Wrexham player. Midfielder Carden was Reds' boss Little's first summer signing when he was brought in from League Two outfit Accrington Stanley, penning a two-year deal at The Racecourse. But the 29-year-old has been linked with the assistant manager's position at Cambridge United where he spent last season on loan, and he has not responded to Little's telephone calls".
Grays Athletic have completed the signing of ex Dagenham & Redbridge Midfielder, Sam Sloma, Sam started his career at Wimbledon and has played for Hampton & Richmond, Aylesbury, Wingate & Finchley before moving to the USA where he played in the A-League for Milwaukee Wave United. During 2005-06 he was on loan with Thurrock before joining Dagenham & Redbridge, Sam can play left midfield or left defence".
It has been a while since there was any news from Crawley Town but the Sussex club announces that "The newly formed board of directors at Crawley Town Football Club have today confirmed that they have fully endorsed the three year contract given to Manager Steve Evans prior to the new owners taking control. Evans joined the Reds back in May 2007 and steered the team to a mid-table finish in last season's Blue Square Premier... The team also produced highly respectful [i.e. respectable] cup runs in the FA Trophy and Setanta Shield while the manager was also working within a largely reduced budget compared to previous seasons so the season overall was successful... Director Phil Jarman speaking on behalf of his fellow board members said; 'We wanted to re-iterate to Steve Evans how much we value his services.In our opinion he did a remarkable job last season given the circumstances. The fact is he had a reduced budget and he had to manage the points deduction which came at a time which must have devastated the players and himself. On top of that he was instructed to sell his leading goal scorer when Guy Madjo was sold to Shrewsbury Town and of course the team budget was subject to cuts throughout the season. In our opinion he has put together a very decent squad of players on a budget that gets nowhere near at least half the clubs in the Blue Square Premier so that is another piece of good management. He has been told we have to make progress but on a cost effective basis... The board has set the manager a target of a mid-table finish for this season and we are confident he can achieve that. He himself will strive for higher than that but that is the nature of a winner. He is a very passionate man about football but he now knows we expect him to control and channel that appropriately. He is now working for people who portray the highest standards... Over a quarter of a million pounds on outstanding bills have been paid out by the new owners to get this football club on a solid footing but in all fairness there is still such a long way to go'".
The local Crawley Observer adds that "Crawley Town have turned down interest from a mystery club to take on manager Steve Evans... Co-owner Phil Jarman explained: 'We had an approach from another club asking for permission to speak to Steve Evans. We politely said no! I cannot say which club that was'... Blue Square Premier rivals Cambridge Utd are among those clubs known to be looking for a new manager, having sacked a one-time contender for the Reds' job, Jimmy Quinn".
"Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish has had his transfer kitty boosted by at least £20,000 by the club's supporters" claims Kent Online. "More more than 1,000 people pledged £20 or more online towards his playing budget. The news comes after more than 30,000 MyFootballClub members approved a weekly playing budget of £10,000 for the Ebbsfleet boss. The idea of pledging £20 towards Daish's playing budget was started by a MyFootballClub member, with the money only being made available if 1,000 people did the same. The deadline was set for June 21 with a total of 1,015 people signing up".
According to the Halifax Courier "100 years of history look set to come to en end this afternoon with Halifax Town's liquidation in the High Court, London... Halifax Town fans look set to be following a team playing Unibond Division One North football next season. But their team will effectively be a new club with a new name. It could be the end of July before detailed plans for completing the Shay stadium are finally agreed. But Calderdale Council says it remains committed to spending £2.7 million on the superstructure, changing rooms, roof, seats and the external walls of the East Stand, increasing the total capacity to 11,500.
The Shay Stadium Trust has still to decide whether it can afford further enhancements, including executive boxes and bars. The Council's regeneration and development director Ian Thompson said: 'The recent problems facing Halifax Town Football Club have not impacted on our commitment to get on with this... We now expect work to begin later in the summer. Although the club appears to have dropped three levels into the Unibond League North, we want and expect them to continue playing at the Shay'. Work on the East Stand ground to a halt in October 2001 but in April last year councillors agreed to spend up to £2.7 million on completing it. They intend to recoup the money by making other areas of the complex available for commercial development".
From This is Weymouth we learn that "Weymouth have ended their interest in former Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell. The Halifax Town hitman had a medical at the Wessex Stadium last week but negotiations broke down over the weekend and now the Terras are moving on to other targets. Campbell has also been heavily linked with a switch to fellow Blue Square Premier side Mansfield Town, who now appear to be in the box seat to land the 29-year-old after the club was taken over by a new owner yesterday".
The Daily Post says that "Wrexham boss Brian Little, who is hoping to add to his four summer signings this week, admits it could be next month before there are any departures from the Racecourse. The Dragons boss has already recruited Paul Carden, Jefferson Louis, Simon Brown and Shaun Whalley... He will be hoping that as many as five contracted players deemed surplus to requirements find themselves new clubs before the new season gets under way in August. As things stand Anthony Williams, Richard Hope, Michael Proctor, Chris Llewellyn and Silvio Spann, who have all been told they can seek pastures new, are due to return for the start of pre-season training on Friday".
There is very sad news from the BBC which reports that "Jane McGrath, wife of former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath, has died after a long battle with breast cancer. England-born Jane, 42, died peacefully at her Sydney home with her husband and two children, James and Holly, by her side, Cricket Australia announced... The McGraths started a Foundation to raise money for breast cancer research. They were recognised for their charity work earlier this year when they were appointed as Members of the Order of Australia. Jane was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, then bone cancer in 2003, but made a full recovery on both occasions. She was diagnosed for the third time in 2006, prompting McGrath to take eight months off cricket to care for her and their two young children. He returned to the team later that year to help Australia regain the Ashes from England, before suddenly announcing he was retiring despite still being at the top of his game". In September 2007 Glenn led a football team in a charity game at Moss Lane, Altrincham against an All Stars team. Altrincham FC chairman Geoff Goodwin had earlier forged a friendship with Glenn and other members of the touring Australian cricket team which led to the charity football match taking place in aid of the McGrath Foundation. The condolences of everyone at Altrincham FC go to Glenn and his children at this time of their loss. Glenn is seen, right, at the end of the game at Moss Lane.
Both of the Sunday non-league newspapers have features on the "Top 50 non-league managers". In the NL Paper, the approach is statistical. Based on points gained per game, Wrexham's Brian Little is top as he had one successful season in the Conference with Darlington. Needless to say Alty's boss Graham Heathcote, who has had to compete with a much smaller budget than virtually everyone else, is low down in the various tables though Alty do come out well for entertainment being mid-table for "Total goals per game" under his managership with an average of 2.75. In terms of games in charge, Graham is now the sixth in seniority but three of those ahead of him in experience have changed clubs in the last couple of years (i.e. Jim Harvey, Garry Hill and Graham Westley), so Graham is only beaten by Nigel Clough and Liam Daish for Conference games as a manager with his current club.
NL Today takes a different approach, selecting its own Top 50 ranking and including some odd choices. After selecting Steve Fallon of Histon as no.1, it places Lewes's ex-boss Steve King second followed by Aldershot's Gary Waddock. Amongst the curious choices are John Reed (no.37) who was sacked at Stalybridge last year and then failed to get promotion at Buxton.
From Mansfield's Chad we learn that "Glapwell-born dentist Dr Colin Hancock revealed on Saturday night that controversial Mansfield Town owner Keith Haslam has agreed to sell the club to him... Dr Hancock - who took over as chairman of non league football club Glapwell last year with ambitions to lead the club into the Unibond League - told Chad.co.uk late on Saturday night that the deal involved the purchase of the club and Field Mill. He will join the club immediately as an executive director ahead of an official handover - but would not disclose details of the figures involved... He stressed he would not have been prepared to have gone public in such a manner if he felt a deal was not on the cards... 'I was literally pulling into the car park here (at the Civic Centre) when I got the call from Keith',he told Chad.co.uk. 'I'm going to go in straight away because the place needs tidying up'.
Dr Hancock first shot to prominence earlier this year when he rang into a BBC Radio Nottingham football phone in to reveal he had funds in place financially back Notts County... Then it emerged that he was pursuing a possible buyout offer at Field Mill. [He said,] 'When I could not go any further with Notts, the logical thing to do seemed to be to look closer to where I was born and to Mansfield, which also needs help'. The Hancock deal brings to an end a controversial 15-year stint at the helm for Haslam, who has been the subject of fans anger for several seasons. It also looks to have extinguished the hopes of eccentric entrepreneur John Batchelor's hopes of buying the Stags, while there has also been speculation of a bid being made a group of Mansfield businessman".
Meanwhile "Supporters' group Stags Fan United has given a cautious welcome to news that Mansfield Town could soon be in the hands of a new owner... An SFU spokesman told Chad.co.uk on Sunday: 'We are cautiously welcoming the announcement made yesterday. However, we have been here not just once before, but many times before. Agreeing a sale and actually going through with the sale are two completely different things. Until we get Keith Haslam's signature on a piece of paper we won't be jumping for joy just yet'... So far, Chad.co.uk has been unable to get a comment from Mr Haslam to confirm the news".
Lisa Jones (right) has recently been appointed as Altrincham FC's Commecial Executive but, although her job description did not include painting the turnstiles, that is what she was doing yesterday along with other volunteers at Moss Lane on the latest pre-season "Working Day" at the ground. There will be another chance for any volunteers to come along and help to spruce up the ground next Saturday from 10am; please do come along if you possibly can.
John has supported the Robins since the 1960s and hails from Brooklands in Sale. He is a sports writer with the Daily Mail, primarily covering Liverpool and Everton and lives in Ripponden in West Yorkshire.
Brian Flynn has been an avid Altrincham fan since 1972 and, for the last 20 years, has kept supporters updated with match reports and interviews on Altrincham ClubCall as well as covering games on Radio Manchester.
John and Brian will utilise their excellent contacts to work together to promote Altrincham Football Club positively within both local and national media.
The Birmingham Mail reports that "Blue Square North club Solihull Moors have snapped up former England semi-professional international Jake Sedgemore. Previously with Blue Square Premier side Altrincham, the central midfielder has also featured for Kidderminster Harriers, Shrewsbury Town and Bury. Moors' chairman Nigel Collins said: 'We’re looking at Jake as a major signing. He wanted to leave full-time football and concentrate on business interests'".
NL Daily tells us that "Newcastle Blue Star have made their seventh summer signing... Director of football Bob Morton has snapped up Darren Craddock, who has played in the Blue Square Premier with York City for the last two seasons... The Kingston Park outfit have already lined up [ex-Vics' striker] Paul Brayson... from Gateshead" states the Chronicle Live.
"In a surprise move announced by manager Jim Harvey, which suggests that on occasions those in charge have second thoughts about their decisions, it is announced that 21-year-old central defender Mark Preece has re-signed for Forest Green Rovers on a one-year contract. Many supporters were surprised that the ex-Bristol Rovers player had been released and thought he had done enough to earn himself another contract" says NL Daily.
According to the Daily Post "Wrexham boss Brian Little is still trying to bring in a player in each position – and hopes to unveil his next new signing on Monday. The Dragons' manager says he already has a side which will be competitive in the Blue Square Premier next season, but wants to create as much competition for places as possible to drive their promotion bid. And Little hopes a fifth signing of the summer will be arriving at the Racecourse early next week... 'I’m very keen to try and build my own team – although I’ve said before the players who played last season are certainly capable of playing this level. What I’m trying to do is create competition within the club, and my plan is to hopefully help people further their careers. By August we’ll have done a lot of work together and hopefully we’ll have a group of players with whom I can see us being successful – but I would like to bring in one or two more players.”
Don't forget that you can get a £10 discount on most categories of Altrincham FC season ticket if you order one before the end of June. So if you are an adult, you can see 23 league matches for just £199; that is just £8.65 for each league game - and you get free entry to the pre-season home friendlies too!
The prices (before the £10 discount) for tickets in 2008-09 are:
Turnstile Prices
Season Ticket Prices
The £10 discount will apply to the above categories (only) if bought before the end of June.
The BBC report that "Harrogate Town have signed utility player Ryan Toulson from former Blue Square Premier side Halifax Town. The 22-year-old played 39 games for the Shaymen before joining Altrincham on loan for the last four months of last season, where he made 13 appearances". .
Blue Square Football says that "With just 50 days until the start of the Blue Square season, the team from Sports 360 are working up and down the country on behalf of league sponsors Blue Square. They are travelling through county after county in the specially branded Blue Square van - making sure things are in place at all of the grounds in the three Blue Square divisions. There are advertising and welcome boards to remove from teams as fortunate as Aldershot and Exeter who have graced the Blue Square Premier to find a place in the football league, and the equally fortunate sides who will get their first and hopefully happy taste of non-league action next year at Mansfield and Wrexham. There are also a number of promoted and relegated teams that are switching divisions within the league and need new welcome boards. Lewes and Eastbourne Borough will be welcoming visitors to Blue Square Premier football rather than Blue Square South football to name just two.
The van will take two weeks to complete a journey taking in 25 stadiums along the way and travelling over 10,000 miles - the team consists of Jason Whalley, Glenn Bowman and Anthony Parkinson. Anthony is also a linesman in the Blue Square North division, so this will be a busman's holiday with a difference!!! Any fans that see them on route can stop them (providing it's safe!!!) to claim some Blue Square merchandise. Starting on Monday 23rd June - their route is as follows - Halifax, Farsley, Droylsden, Leigh, Barrow, Stafford, Worcester, Bath, Exeter, Eastbourne, Lewes, Basingstoke, Aldershot, Chelmsford, Wimbledon, Stevenage, Cambridge, Kings Lynn, Kettering, Boston, Mansfield, Nuneaton, Wrexham and Fleetwood"
At Ebbsfleet United "Liam Daish has secured a season-long loan of central defender Darius Charles after a deal was this week agreed with Brentford. The 20-year-old will already be familiar to Fleet fans having impressed during a loan spell at the tail-end of last season when he featured in nine games... He can play as a central defender, left-back and also on the left of midfield. Daish's second signing of the day confirms the rumours that have been doing the rounds in recent weeks as former Gillingham midfielder Craig Stone joins on a one-year contract. He is a local player who came through Gillingham's youth ranks having joined at age 10 and broke into the first team at the age of 16 under then-manager Andy Hessenthaler in November 2005, Craig spent part of 2007-08 on loan at Brentford, making six appearances, and appeared for Gillingham 15 times in all. The six-foot midfielder... was released in May 2008. Playing mainly in the centre of midfield, Liam Daish clearly thinks the strong, combative Craig, 19, can fill the gap left by Michael Bostwick's move to Stevenage".
"Bristol Rovers have agreed to loan James Fraser to Lewes. The deal is for one month, with the Rooks having a view to possibly extending the loan period to a total of three months" confirms the Sussex Express. "Fraser is an ex-Brighton & Hove Albion schoolboy and is the brother of Albion's Tommy Fraser...Lewes boss Kevin Keehan said, 'They are really pleased with him at Bristol Rovers but they'd like him to have a little bit of experience of Conference football before he goes back and tries to break into the Rovers' first team'. Work commitments are hampering Richard Carpenter's decision to join the club. The ex-Albion man has just started a new job and working hours are currently making it difficult for him to commit to playing for anybody next season. Another Keehan target, Scott Taylor, is holding out for a full-time contract. It is believed Oxford United have made an offer for Taylor, who has a good pedigree at Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle before his leg break at Grays Athletic last season".
This is Weymouth says that "Weymouth have done everything they can to persuade ex-Premier League striker Andy Campbell to move to the Wessex Stadium according to assistant manager Alan Lewer. The former Middlesbrough man underwent a medical on Monday but the move remains on a knife-edge due to interest from other clubs including fellow Blue Square Premier side Mansfield Town. Campbell initially told Terras' officials that he would make his mind up by today but he has now put that deadline back by 24 hours. Lewer said: 'He wants until tomorrow. Mansfield have also come in for him and that is fair enough. A player of his quality is always going to attract interest from other teams and we have no problem with that... We have sold the club properly to him and it is now down to location. His wife has got a good job up north and it would mean her coming down on the weekends and that is what they want time to talk about'... Lewer added: 'Andy has got goals in him. He was not sold for one million pounds for nothing and there is no doubt that he would be a great addition'. Weymouth have also held talks with a goalkeeper. Lewer said: 'He wants the weekend to think about it'"; rumours suggest this is Halifax's Craig Mawson.
"Wrexham boss Brian Little says he is assembling a fearsome frontline that can fire the Dragons back into the Football League. And the Racecourse manager says letting winger Matty Done go to Hereford might be the best bit of business he’s done. Little signed 20-year-old forward Shaun Whalley on Wednesday, the fourth signing made this summer by the Dragons boss. Little has already brought in strikers Jefferson Louis and Simon Brown, and midfielder Paul Carden... Done's departure will free up cash in Little’s wage budget for more players... And while the Dragons have lost Done’s pace and trickery down the left flank, Little believes Whalley and 24-year-old Brown can combine to create a new-look front line that will strike fear into the Blue Square Premier’s defenders" claims the Daily Post. "Little said of Whalley: 'He’s got pace, he’s very attacking and his signing is something that certainly doesn’t leave us with a gap after Matty leaving. It might eventually prove that we’ve got the better end of the bargain... We’ve not had that pace in the front line for a while but Simon Brown and Shaun are both that type of player'. After releasing 10 players and transfer-listing five... Little plans to continue his squad overhaul by creating a whole new team for the new season’s promotion bid. And he is targeting more signings.... 'My aim is to try and make us a completely different team – but including some of the current players, of course' he said".
"York City manager Colin Walker has completed his fifth signing of the summer by securing the services of midfielder Niall Henderson. Henderson was released by Scottish Second Division side Raith after one season in which he accumulated just 14 league appearances. The 20-year-old started his career with Gretna and played in their Scottish Cup final defeat by Hearts in 2006. The former Northern Ireland Under-19 international was loaned out to Scottish Third Division club Dumbarton where he scored one goal in 16 appearances" says Blue Square Football
Meanwhile "Stockport County have announced the signing of defender Johnny Mullins on a two-year deal from Mansfield. Mullins joined the Stags in 2006, making 97 appearances and scoring four goals. The two clubs have agreed to a compensation fee as the versatile footballer is under the age of 24".
According to NL Daily "Grays Athletic have signed former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Stefan Bailey on a year-long contract. The 20-year-old was released by Rangers at the end of last season after making eighteen appearances in three years. Bailey played four games on loan with Grays' league rivals Oxford United last season".
"Eastbourne Borough have released midfielder Robbie Kember. Kember joined Borough from Tonbridge Angels in March and made six appearances but was not offered a new contract following promotion to Blue Square Premier", reports the Argus.
From Kent Online we learn that "Any approach for Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish would be put to the club’s 30,000 members. That’s the view of chairman John Moules after Daish and assistant Alan Kimble were linked with rivals Cambridge. United sacked boss Jimmy Quinn... Mr Moules said: 'The people who have the final say are the members. If we’re approached as a club we will seek the views of the members. We have had no contact or approach from Cambridge United whatsoever. We’ve also had no indication from Liam or Alan that they have been approached'".
"Former Gillingham midfielder Craig Stone could be on his way to Ebbsfleet. The 19-year-old was released by Gills manager Mark Stimson at the end of last season, and admitted he has held talks with the Fleet. Stone said: 'They're a club that has shown a bit of interest in me. I was born in Gravesend and spent a lot of my time there'... Stone added: 'I was very impressed with them and he seemed like a good manager. He wants to be in the league next season and to be pushing on. I know a few of the players there and it is a good set-up... but nothing is concrete'".
From Mansfield, The Chad tells us that "With pre-season training now less than two weeks away, Stags boss Paul Holland has submitted the names of the players he wants to bring in to the club. But, although the Stags hierarchy are pleased with who has lined up and the budget he wants, there will be no movement until the club takeover is sorted out... 'This was the first time I had actually told them the names of the players I want to bring in and they were pleased with the work I have been doing behind the scenes', he said. "But they said I still have to wait for an okay before I can actually go ahead and do anything. I have spoken to the players involved and they are all positive about coming here and are still very interested. We have spoken figures with therm and we are not a million miles away. They are all experienced players who I think can help to get us back out of this league straight away... I have spoken to Mickey Boulding and he is still waiting to see if I will be here as manager next season. I spoke to Stephen Dawson and Gareth Jelleyman again yesterday and neither of them have yet signed elsewhere though Dawson has a couple of clubs interested in him'".
"Oxford United's hopes of a huge cash windfall have been dealt a blow - after Dean Whitehead vowed to stay at Sunderland" says the Oxford Mail. "The midfielder, who has spent the last four seasons at the Stadium of Light after leaving United, has been linked with a £3m move to Stoke. And because of the 25 per cent sell-on clause negotiated by the tribunal following Whitehead's sale, United were licking their lips at a possible £750,000 bonus. However, the ex-Abingdon-based star wants to stay with Sunderland. 'It's exciting times for the club and I want to be a part of it', he said".
From The Comet we read that "Stevenage Boro are close to agreeing the capture of their sixth striker this summer. Kettering's Craig Westcarr agreed to join the Graham Westley revolution last month but deadlock ensued after the clubs could not agree on a price. But Boro chief executive Bob Makin said this week: 'We're still negotiating with Kettering and I would hope we're close to sealing the deal. As well as Craig, we're still talking to other players as we will always do if we feel they can improve the squad'. Westcarr is a former England youth international who, aged 16, became the youngster player ever to make his debut for Nottingham Forest. He can play in a variety of positions including striker, link player and wide right".
There have been two changes to the Board of Altrincham FC. Carole Hassan (right), who joined the Board in summer 2006 has left due to work commitments. But Paul Daine, of Premium Collections Ltd and a frequent match sponsor at Moss Lane, has joined as a director. The Club would like to thank Carole for her services over the past two years and wishes her well for the future.
Meanwhile, Barry Pond continues as the Club's Commercial Director but the Club now welcomes Lisa Jones who has been appointed to assist Barry as the Club's Commercial Executive.
Chris Zebroski, who spent last season on loan at Torquay United "is the subject of a bid from Wycombe" according to the ever reliable Bullsnews. "The out of contract Millwall man has been offered a new deal at the New Den but is expected to leave after a less than happy time at the club". The same source informs us that "Scunthorpe have been told by Chesterfield that Jamie Ward is not for sale. The want-away former Torquay and Villa man still has 12 months left on his current deal. The Irons have also ended their interest in Mansfield striker Michael Boulding". Meanwhile our old Conference rivals "Morecambe have delayed their new stadium by 12 months after delays at the planning stage. They intend to be in their new home by the 2010/11 season".
"Scott Tynan is heading for a showdown with manager Dino Maamria after allegedly using the Facebook website to announce he wants to leave Northwich Vics", the Mid-Cheshire Chronicle claims. "The England C goalkeeper, whose arrival from Rushden and Diamonds was a major reason behind Vics’ survival last season, says he wants an improved deal... Tynan says Vics now want him to be full-time and should give him more money. Maamria recently signed goalkeeper Mike Jones, from Wrexham, to challenge Tynan, whose behaviour will be seen as extraordinary by club officials.
Club owner Jim Rushe may consider opening Vics up to investment from supporters. But he was cryptic in his response to being asked about his intentions. The Vics' Supporters' Trust annual meeting is at the Floatel on Tuesday (7.45pm) and Rushe will attend. Chairman Peter Grimes said: 'The discussion will include how the Trust might buy shares in the football club'. Rushe, though, said: 'I don’t know what’s on the agenda. We’ll talk to anyone. I haven’t got plans to issue shares, but then I haven’t got plans not to issue shares either. We will think about it. What matters is what is in the best interests of Northwich Vics and if the Supporters' Trust can play a part then that’s good'".
In Wales, the Evening Leader says that "Wrexham have signed attacking midfielder Shaun Whalley. The former Accrington Stanley player becomes the fourth new signing for Brian Little, who has already signed two strikers - Simon Brown and Jefferson Louis - and midfielder Paul Carden. Shaun Whalley, 20, who made his Football League debut in 2004 for Chester City, was one of 11 players released by Accrington at the end of the season. He has also turned out for Mansfield and non-league outfits Runcorn and Whitton Albion".
According to This is York "York City will reject an ambitious bid for striker Richard Brodie from Blue Square North new boys Gateshead. Brodie has already been the subject of one enquiry from his home-town club and the International Stadium outfit are in the process of making a second offer. Gateshead are prepared to shell out a four-figure sum for the 20-year-old frontman and double the amount should they gain promotion to the Blue Square Premier next season. But City's communications and community director Sophie McGill has confirmed that the KitKat Crescent club would not be entertaining any further interest from the UniBond League Premier Division play-off winners. She said: 'We received a call from Gateshead enquiring about Richard Brodie, but we stated we were not interested in discussing the matter with them. We view Richard as a player with a lot of potential who we want to continue to develop. He is very much part of York City's plans for the coming season and beyond'".
The news is a blow to Witton, who had hoped to boost new manager Nigel Deeley's playing budget with cash from the sale of Brownhill. The 21-year-old was one of ex-boss Jim Vince's first signings when he took over the first team reigns almost three years ago. Vince successfully converted the right-footed defender to one of the finest attacking left backs in non-league football, a transformation that forced England scouts to become regulars at Wincham Park in the past 12 months. Brownhill made more than 130 appearances for the club in league and cup - scoring eight goals - before agreeing a new deal to stay with Witton at the end of last season.
Vince's acrimonious departure persuaded him to re-think his commitment with a queue of admirers - Altrincham and Droylsden among them - forming for his signature in recent weeks".
Altrincham FC Juniors held their awards night last month at the Altrincham Leisure Centre, where Alty first-team boss Graham Heathcote was a guest of honour. Pictured right is a montage from the programme for the event, which shows a variety of the Juniors' teams.
Players wishing to register for the forthcoming season with the Juniors must do so on one of the following evenings between 6-8p.m. at Altrincham FC, Moss Lane:
Any new players to the club should first contact the relevant age group manager for information as to team numbers and available places. Subscriptions for next season will be £100 per player ( for all ages) with a 50% discount for I additional players from the same family. New players or those being provided with a new kit will also be required to pay a kit deposit of £15. Subscriptions and deposits will be required at registration.
For those registering for under 9s, 11s, 14s and Youth teams for the coming season two passport size photographs will be required; in addition, for players not previously registered, proof of date of birth (copy of passport/birth certificate). It is expected that a photographer will be available at the registration evenings - a nominal cost will apply for this service.
The Juniors run a Saturday Soccer Club, every Saturday from 10am - 12 noon at Blessed Thomas Holford all weather facility, Urban Road, Altrincham, for boys and girls from 5-8 years old, in a safe and friendly environment. FA qualified coaching is provided. Please contact Chris Bullock on 0161-962-2369 for further details.
Visit the Juniors page for more details of the teams run under the Altrincham FC Juniors' banner.
According to the Halifax Courier "Chris Wilder has cast a major doubt over his future as manager of Halifax Town following their demotion from the Blue Square Premier. The Shaymen have transfer-listed all eight remaining contracted players and are asking fees for Darryn Stamp, Adam Quinn, Jon Shaw, Tom Kearney and Nathan Joynes. Thomas Harban, Daryl Taylor and Craig Mawson have been told they can leave on free transfers... 'My future will have to be resolved in the next week or so', said Wilder who was appointed manager in the summer of 2002. 'I am in the same boat as the contracted players. When I took over six years ago I had not envisaged the club being in the Unibond League'. Wilder was clearly stunned by the news that the Shaymen would be playing Unibond League football next season... 'It is nothing short of disastrous for everybody', said Wilder. 'After all the hard work that has been put in over the past six years, it seems very unjust. I know more than anyone that the club has not overspent and has not been involved in anything underhand. But we have always tried to be as competitive as possible on the pitch. For us to be relegated three leagues for something that happened seven or eight years ago is devastating'".
FromWrexham we learn that "Matty Done has decided to turn down the offer of a new contract from Wrexham and has opted to sign for Hereford United instead. The 19-year-old winger was the subject of interest from the Bulls during the January transfer window and following their promotion to League 1, they have returned to take him back into The Football League. While the Oswestry-born player was out of contract this summer, because he is under-24 there is a claim for training compensation, but the two clubs have agreed on an undisclosed fee and Matty will switch to Edgar Street with immediate effect".
The Wrexham site also says that "you might well have seen in the local press about the efforts of Glyn Davies to get the Racecourse Ground recognised as a Guinness World Record for being the oldest surviving international football ground in the world. Glyn has been working with the people from the world famous publication to authentic the claim and we are delighted to learn that his efforts have paid off after receiving the following. 'We were contacted a few months ago by lifelong Wrexham fan Glyn Davies who believed the Racecourse Ground to be the oldest international football ground', said Ralph. Hannah, the Records Manager at Guinness World Records. 'Today, after receiving confirmation from the FAW that the Racecourse will still be used for senior international matches, we are delighted to confirm that the Racecourse is indeed the holder of the Guinness World Record for 'Oldest international football ground. As you may be aware, this world record has already led to media interest and we would be delighted for a media-trained Guinness World Records adjudicator to visit the Racecourse to present a certificate to a representative of both the FAW and Wrexham FC at the forthcoming Wales vs Romania U21 game on August 20th'".
The Woking News and Mail confirms that "Abdou el-Kholti has become the first of Kim Grant’s signings at Woking. The left-sided defender/midfielder has signed a one-year deal at Kingfield having had previous experience with Yeovil Town, Cambridge United, Chester City, Weymouth, Grays Athletic and Rushden & Diamonds. 'I played in the same team as Abdou at Yeovil where we won the Conference so I know all about his qualities', said Grant. 'He is an exciting player who will entertain the crowd and I am delighted to have signed him. I won’t rush into getting new players in and it might be some time before I sign another'".
"Championship side Charlton have won the race to sign highly-rated striker Stuart Fleetwood from Forest Green Rovers" states Blue Square Football. "The 22-year-old marksman scored 36 goals for Rovers last season and, along with the Golden Boot, was voted the Blue Square Premier Player of the Season. The former Wales Under-21 international has signed a three-year deal... Despite being a free agent, Charlton will pay Rovers a "developmental" compensation fee for Fleetwood because he is under the age of 24. The fee will be decided at a tribunal in due course".
NL Daily asserts that "Rushden & Diamonds striker Lee Tomlin has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract ... until the end of the 2010/11 season. Nineteen-year-old Tomlin has been with the Diamonds since joining as a youth player from Leicester City and made his full League debut in early 2006 against Peterborough United at the age of just 16. Shortly after that, on his 17th birthday, he signed a two-year deal with the club, and went on to make four starts in the Football League during the remainder of that season. He went on to become the club’s youngest league goalscorer with his debut goal at Weymouth in October 2006 - a record that he still holds. Tomlin made a total of forty-two appearances for Diamonds last season".
Meanwhile, "Gateshead are on the trail of York City’s Geordie striker Richard Brodie, and are expected to table a bid later this week. Brodie, 21 next month, cut his teeth in Arngrove Northern League football at Whickham and Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics before he joined the Minstermen. The Gateshead-born frontrunner won over the York fans last season when he scored fourteen goals... Gateshead’s initial enquiry was rebuffed by York, but they will go back with a four-figure bid that, if accepted, would be doubled should the Tynesiders` gain a second consecutive promotion. Said chairman Graham Wood. 'He’s a local lad and one that would add to the good quality forwards we already have at the club'".
From Torquay United we read that "Record breaking midfielder/forward/defender and goalkeeper Kevin Hill has today left Torquay United. The Gulls all-time league appearance maker has decided to move on".
"Barrow AFC are not scared to face the Conference’s new tough stance on finances. The Holker Street club say they are running a far tighter ship than the one that sank down from the corresponding league ten years ago... In recent years, the Conference have run an Approved Playing Budget (APB) scheme whereby Blue Square Premier clubs are allowed to spend a certain percentage of their turnover on players’ wages" reports the NW Evening Mail... Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick says that if the quarterly reports show that a club is getting seriously into debt, the league will impose a registration embargo... He adds: 'We want to know if clubs are paying the Inland revenue. They are often the biggest creditor – and that is public money'... AFC director Tony Keen says that – with key input from fellow board member Keith Allen – they have already installed good book-keeping practice. He states: 'We have projected our cash flow and based the players’ budget on it. We have also tightened up yet again on things like VAT. It was a decision probably well overdue from the Conference. Our only worry is if the crowds don’t turn up in the numbers we hope for. We have held ticket prices down to try and get numbers and turnover up. We need to turn Holker Street into a fortress'. Keen added that they had already decided to bring forward the annual general meeting to this November so that the accounts for the previous season would be more relevant. The Evening Mail understands that the club’s player budget is based on some 60 per cent of turnover, which is expected to rise from £350,000 to around £500,000 in the Conference. The Bluebirds’ last foray into the Conference during the Stephen Vaughan era ended in liquidation in 1999 and a controversial demotion despite finishing the season out of the relegation spots".
"Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish has distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant manager's post at Cambridge United" claims Kent on Line. "United sacked boss Jimmy Quinn after 21 months as manager on Sunday, with Daish and his assistant Alan Kimble emerging as front runners to replace him... He said: 'I’ve not had any contact'. When asked if he was surprised by the timing of Quinn’s dismissal, Daish added: 'That’s down to Cambridge. I don’t know what’s going on there. I’ve got too much to do this end. I don’t comment on things I don’t know about... If you are a former player at any club you get linked to it. I’m sure that’s as far as it goes'".
This is Weymouth judges that "Weymouth assistant-manager Alan Lewer is hopeful that the ex-Premier League striker the club has been chasing will put pen to paper later this week. The mystery forward held further talks with Terras' officials over the weekend and underwent a medical yesterday, and it is hoped that the deal will be finalised by Friday. Lewer said: 'We have held talks and it was all very positive, positive enough for the player in question to have a medical yesterday... His wife and baby came down with him and they had a good look around the town and he said he would come back to us by Friday so we should have a decision then'. The Terras are also close to finalising agreements with a couple of other targets, and Lewer is pleased with how the squad is coming together. He added: 'If we can get the ones we want and are in talks with at the moment we should have a very strong squad that has a nice balance of youth and experience'... Lewer has also drawn a line under the contract offers that were put to Paolo Vernazza and Michael Malcolm at the end of last season. He said: 'We have not heard anything back from either of them and we have now moved on. We have set our sights on other targets and now there is no room left in the budget for them'".
We will be offering fans a special 'one of a kind' photo opportunity. On the day of the official team photo (31st July before training or 2nd August before the Blackburn match are the provisional dates) Graham Heathcote has agreed (along with Gavin Rathbone) that for a period of about half an hour, a space will be made available on one of the rows for fans who wish to wear their Alty shirts and pose for a photograph as 'one of the team'. We will be charging £35 for the experience and that will include a copy of the picture (A4) which we will frame with a special 'Face in the Team' mount.
So that we can get an idea of the numbers we can expect, would anyone interested please call the club (928-1045) or email me.
The finished photos will be available and displayed in the club shop for collection at the first home match of the season. Payment will be asked for on the day of the photograph. For those who do not have a current shirt one can be provided.
The BSP season starts on Saturday, 9th August and the fixtures are due to be published "by 4th July". But "Fixtures" are often not fixed - as well as the dates of televised games being changed, non-league is also plagued by fixture changes due to local FA County Cups, which take precedence over the league and also because of England internationals. The first dates to check in the latter regard are 6th and 10th September when England meet Andorra and Croatia., whilst on 15th October England play Belarus followed by England v Ukraine on 1st April.
The FA Cup starts with the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday 16 August 2008. The rounds affecting Alty hopefully include some of the following...
The FA Trophy starts with the Preliminary Round on Saturday 4 October 2008. The BSP teams enter at Round One:
And in the FA Youth Cup:
Quinn was appointed manager of Cambridge United on 15th September 2006, taking over from Rob Newman, and guided the U's to the safety of 17th place that season. After rebuilding the squad last summer he took United to a FA Cup third round tie at Wolverhampton Wanderers and secured second place on the final day of a season that ended in the disappointment of a 1-0 Play-off Final defeat to Exeter City at Wembley".
And the local Cambridge News adds that "United chairman Phil Law has remained tight-lipped on the reasons for manager Jimmy Quinn's shock departure from the club... Law said: 'Jimmy is back on Friday and he will explain in his own way'... Quinn said: 'I'm on holiday at the moment and I'm not saying anything. I believe the club are putting out a statement today'... Supporters' Trust chairman Dave Matthew-Jones said: 'This news does not send out the message of stability we would like to be seeing. We urge the club to appoint a new management team as quickly as possible'".
In another University city, Oxford United confirm that "Joel Ledgister will be leaving the club after both parties agreed to cancel his contract by mutual consent. Joel, 20, made seven starts plus three sub appearances after joining from Southend last summer but was unable to hold down a regular first team place, going on loan to Hayes and Yeading towards the end of the season. Boss Darren Patterson told us: 'It hasn't worked for Joel at Oxford'".
On the South Coast, the Argus reports that "Lewes manager Kevin Keehan has secured the loan signing of Bristol Rovers midfielder James Fraser. Fraser, who is the brother of Brighton's Tommy, joined the Pirates last summer from Worthing... The former Albion schoolboy will join initially in a one-month loan deal with a view to extending that to three months".
The Northants Evening Telegraph reports that "Nathan Smith has become Kettering Town's second summer signing. The striker joins from Stafford Rangers having fully recovered from a knee injury which kept him out of the vast majority of last season. The 23-year-old has now completed his deal for the forthcoming Blue Square Premier campaign and follows midfielder Dwane Lee through the doors of the A-Line Arena this summer."
Mansfield Town report that "Mansfield midfielder Stephen Dawson is close to agreeing a move to League Two Bury. The Irishman is a free agent, with his one-year deal at the Stags expiring this summer. He has been offered fresh terms at Field Mill, along with the likes of Michael Boulding, Jake Buxton and Gareth Jelleyman. But Dawson is understood to have held talks with Shakers boss Alan Knill at Gigg Lane. Johnny Mullins has already rejected a new deal and is set to join Stockport. If Dawson were to leave too, it would be another blow for the club as they prepare for the Blue Square Premier League. He has been offered fresh terms at Field Mill, along with the likes of Michael Boulding, Jake Buxton and Gareth Jelleyman".
According to the Daily Post "Brian Little was delighted last night after winger Ricky Shakes issued a come-and-get me plea to Wrexham. But the Dragons boss warned he would have to wait until he had funding in place before any potential move for the former Brentford player. Shakes, 23, has been shown around at the Racecourse and said at the weekend he would re