|
September 2008 |
|
September 2008 |
Rushe added that first team coach Mike Marsh had been put in charge of team affairs... The Guardian tried to contact Maamria, but he was not answering calls this morning... Last week [Maamria] denied abusing a referee, asking for a personal hearing to put his side of the story after the Football Association charged him for comments made to match official Andrew Sainsbury during his side’s 2-1 defeat at Torquay... On the pitch Vics sunk to their eighth reverse of the season on Saturday when they surrendered a 2-1 advantage before losing 3-2 to Weymouth. It was a result that sent Northwich spinning to the bottom of the Blue Square Premier".
Please can everyone who is traveling to Salisbury try and support or encourage others to use the Supporters' Travel service. Without continued support we can not guarantee to run a coach to all away games. Please can everyone who is booking on the coach for Salisbury do so ASAP as the coach will only run when economically viable. Please be aware that we will only being running a coach service to this game and that if there are not enough numbers will simply not be running any travel, there would be no minibus service. I would also like to thank Geoff Goodwin for running this trip at a considerably lower cost than originally quoted as he understands that the team need as much support as possible and that our away support is a great asset to the team. See the Away Travel page for times and prices. To book on the coach you can either call the club on 0161 928 1045 or book on at a home game by visiting the club shop. A decision onwhether the coach will run will be made by Saturday and posted here.
Above: Alty defend a corner at Rushden. Alty deservedly took their first ever point at the Nene Stadium to halt Rushden's run of three successive wins and to lift themselves above Oxford United into 19th place.
Rushden & Diamonds have a match report on how "Leon Knight salvaged a point for Rushden & Diamonds in front of the Setanta cameras as they struggled against lowly Atrincham".
Only five of that starting line-up (Coburn, Young, Lawton, Peyton and Little) remain at the club. Rushden, too, are much changed, but seven of last season's starters against Alty remain at the club. New faces include Daryl Clare, Lee Phillips and the on-loan Manny Panther, but the ex-York man is suspended tonight.
The BBC says that "Rushden & Diamonds may recall striker Lee Phillips, who recently suffered a cut head and came on as a substitute at Wrexham last Tuesday... Altrincham look set to welcome back striker Chris Denham, who appears to have resolved his differences with boss Graham Heathcote after a fall-out. But long-term absentee Val Owen (knee) is still sidelined".
More bad news for Dino Maamria as "Michael Welch was taken to hospital after he left the pitch on a stretcher during Vics' 3-2 loss to Weymouth. The Vics' skipper collided with keeper Scott Tynan after heading the ball into his own goal seven minutes into the second half. He was treated on the pitch before being carried from the field. Ironically Weymouth sub James Coutts scored his side's winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time added on to account for the time spent treating Welch. 'It's too early to tell what the damage is', manager Dino Maamria told the Guardian after the game. 'It looked bad from the sidelines and now we'll just have to wait for news'. Welch suffered a small cut above his right eye in the incident as well as taking a hefty blow to the same side of his head" reports the Northwich Guardian.
And "John Hollins, the Terras’ manager told the Guardian the visitors could easily have left the Marston’s Arena pointless after they came from behind to win 3-2. 'That was fun wasn’t it?' he quipped. 'We went in front with a lucky goal which is something we haven’t had for a long time... I was fuming at half time. I’m sure Dino will point to three or four headed chances inside our penalty area but I can’t believe some of the chances we missed'... On the game’s turning point – Mark Roberts’ foul on Ryan Williams that led to the Terras’ equaliser from the spot at 2-1 – Hollins was adamant. He said: 'It was a definite penalty. Ryan got himself into a good position and their player took him down. I was pleased with the winner too, especially after Coutts’ first effort had gone out of the ground'...
But "Dino Maamria questioned his side’s character after they threw away a winning position against Weymouth... 'We are nearly men', he said. 'We have come so close in so many matches yet we miss out and I think it’s because we lack character. We should win matches like that, it’s that simple... The loss of Michael Welch disrupted us because he had been the best player on the pitch... After that we started defending so deep it was frightening. They didn’t score because they put us under any pressure... Scott [Tynan] was too slow to react for their first goal and Welchy had to make a decision to head the ball because he was under pressure. I thought Robbo got the ball for the penalty, no question... People will say their guy scored a wonder goal but he had far too much time to come forward and shoot – we were asking for trouble... Sometimes it feels like we are waiting to concede a goal before we start playing', added Maamria. 'I though Aaron Burns was different class again today', he said. 'He’s hit two chances out of the ground but kept going and look how he took the third opportunity. He had the bottle to take his chance and I want to see that from everybody out there'".
In Non-League Today, keeper Stuart Coburn indicates that following criticism of the players from the Alty manager the "team's reaction to Heathcote's shock tactics proves how respected the boss is in the dressing room. 'All the players are behind Graham' he said. 'We showed that with our performances in the last two games. We all had our backsides kicked and the response has been good. But it's only two results and now we've got to take that to Rushden. It'll be tough but we'll take confidence from the two wins'". The paper adds that Stuart "also fels it's wrong that Heathcote has taken the brunt of the stick from fans. 'The chants have mostly been aimed at the manager', he added. 'That's unfair. He can only send us out to play with the knowledge we need. If we don't put that into practice, the buck shouldn't always stop with him. And we saw the other night that, if we put in a performance, the fans soon forget about calling for the manager's head'". Stu is also pleased at two successive clean sheets "after just 14 in his last 100 games for the club, the keeper has now kept three in [the last] three home games. And he is determined to surprise everybody, including Setanta Sports, by achieving another shut-out at Nene Park. 'Last year they put us on TV at Stevenage probably thinking we would be cannon fodder', he said. 'But we ran them close and we'll go to Rushden hopeful we can get something'".
Organizer of the game, Suzanne Goodwin, has revealed that the charity football match at Moss Lane this Sunday (2pm) will include a host of well-known sportsmen playing for Darren Gough's XI against the celebrity All Stars of Ennerdale, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. As well as Darren himself, The Gough XI includes Bryan Robson, cricketers Gerard Brophy, Tim Bresnan, Andrew Gale, Chris Lycett, Anthony McGrath, Richard Prior, Jacques Rudolph, Chris Taylor and former Alty striker Rod Thornley. It is also hoped that another ex-Alty man, Dave Gardner, will play.
The proceeds of the match will be split 50-50 between the McGrath Foundation cancer charity and Altrincham FC. In addition there is an Ebay auction to play in Darren Gough's side, with the proceeds going to the Cancer for Kids charity. On Ebay insert item number 300261096989 to locate the auction.
Altrincham had no game on Saturday so a few of the Robins' fans took themselves to Nantwich's new ground at the Weaver Stadium. Situated not far from the town centre, it boasts an excellent cantilever stand and a fine club house. The Dabbers were playing a second qualifying round match in the FA Cup against FC Halifax Town, from the league below them - the UniBond Division One. Though the visitors took the lead, in front of a crowd in excess of 1,000, Nantwich came back to win 4-1.
For Alty fans there were quite a few former players on show. For a start the Halifax boss is ex-Alty man Jim Vince, whilst
his team included Cavell Coo, who started in right midfield. The Nantwich side included Darren Tinson and former Alty reserve Ashley Stott. On the bench for the Dabbers was Ryan Shotton's brother, Liam, who came on and laid on one of the goals. A familiar name from League football on show was the Halifax assistant boss Nigel Jemson, the former Nottingham Forest striker. He came on in the first half to replace an injured player and put himself about but showed little of his former skill on the ball. Darren Tinson was named Man of the Match.
Right: Left to right, in green, Nantwich's centre-backs Charlie O'Loughlin and Darren Tinson, with Halifax strikers Ashley Stott and Nigel Jemson.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, Ryan Shotton was again on the mark for Tranmere Rovers, where he is on loan, whilst this Saturday Ian Craney scored Huddersfield Town's goal in a 1-1 draw.
Saturday 27th
League match:
And The Chad adds that "McEwan has spoken at length with his players about Tuesday's miserable 1-0 defeat at part-timers Altrincham... 'We had a long discussion about the match this morning...I am not happy with our defending... But, apart from Gary Silk clearing off the line and the goal Altrincham didn't worry us all night. We were playing a part-time team and we have to be better than that. I am not putting up with that nonsense, giving goals like that away. Of course we want to win away but the pressure is coming from the media... I can think of four good chances we had on Tuesday'".
Surprising news comes from the Salisbury Journal Salisbury City Football Club have set themselves a target of raising £100,000 in the next two weeks so that they can maintain their position at the top level of Non League football... Supporters will be able to assist by collecting donations from their friends and business colleagues, and also by bringing new football-watchers along to home games, whilst the club's existing business partners will each be asked to raise £1,000... Chairman Neville Beal, who will speak to home fans on Saturday at the match against Mansfield Town, said: 'Our supporters will learn the full details of how these initiatives will be put into practice at Saturday's match. I am confident that we can achieve our target'".
Later the Journal added , "Speculation is rife around the city as to why the club requires that specific amount in such a precise time frame, but City officials are adamant the money is urgently needed, not to meet a specific financial deadline, but simply to get the club back on an even keel. 'We need to raise £100,000, or more if we can, to put this football club back on a level playing field financially in order to give us a chance to kick on', the chairman told The Journal... 'If we can raise this money we will owe very, very little as a club', he explained... Mr Beal, a former City player, who helped save the club when it almost folded six years ago, revealed that the speech he gives on Saturday will be an emotional one. 'I'll be trying to get across to the fans that it's as much their club as it is mine. The speech will be from the heart because it's how I feel'... Behind the scenes the club is reeling following the departure of millionaire director Peter Yeldon, who quit the board towards the end of last season... Mr Yeldon helped bankroll the club's meteoric rise through the non-league ranks... A marked dip in attendances this season has helped contribute to a shortfall in revenue. Last season... saw Salisbury average 1,542 supporters at each home match. But this term, that figure has already slipped to 1,227... The current economic climate, a significant rise in admission prices at the start of this campaign and adverse publicity concerning what was viewed as an escalating anti-social behaviour problem on the terraces of the Raymond McEnhill Stadium have all been implicated in the decline. Mr Beal [added], "An extra 300 people a week works out at £60-65,000 and that makes a massive difference'. Addressing the recent issue of undesirable behaviour by a small number of City supporters who have since been banned, Beal acknowledged: 'Unfortunately everyone knows what happened in terms of the arrests'... The club has achieved tremendous early season success despite boasting a much-reduced playing staff compared to last season when the decision was taken to make many of its players full-time professionals".
A recent Conference star is on the move as the BBC confirms that "Cheltenham boss Martin Allen has signed Charlton striker Stuart Fleetwood on loan for a month, his fifth signing. The Robins made two offers to Forest Green last season for the 22-year-old striker before he moved to Charlton after a tribunal in the summer. However, he has not made his competitive debut for the Addicks yet".
Rushden & Diamonds report that "Justyn Roberts [has] signed for Welsh side Newport County... They are managed by former Diamonds' striker Dean Holdsworth".
According to Kidderminster Harriers the club is "pleased to announce that midfielder Neil MacKenzie has re-joined the club on loan from Notts County. The 32 year-old midfield veteran enjoyed a previous spell at Aggborough in the 2000/01 season... Defender Paul Bignot is to leave Aggborough Stadium on a temporary basis after agreeing a loan move to Newport County."
A third Conference player joining Newport County is Grays Athletic's "striker, Craig Reid... on one month's loan".
The Oxford Mail says that "United boss Darren Patterson is confident he can persuade Brentford to agree to extend Karleigh Osborne's loan. The 6ft 2in defender has been excellent in his month's loan... Negotiations took place yesterday with Patterson and Bees boss Andy Scott, the former United forward, and the Brentford chairman, and the upshot is expected to be that Osborne will be able to stay at the Kassam Stadium for a further two months. Patterson said: "Karleigh has been exactly what we needed. He's like Ronseal, he does exactly what it says on the tin. He's big and strong, kicks it far, heads it a long way and is a real no-nonsense defender. But as well as being big and uncompromisig, he's got good pace and is a physically strong boy, and you need that in this league. I'm a bit annoyed not to have done the loan initially for six months, because then there wouldn't have been an instant recall, which there has to be now under the regulations. But it wasn't possible at the time'".
The club would like to thank both players for their efforts during their time at Moss Lane and wishes them good luck for the future.
Altrincham fans will be delighted to hear this news as Chris has had a bright start to the season, after joining Altrincham over the summer.
SAM says that "Alty fans already knew Chris Senior (right) was quick - but nobody realised just how quick. On Tuesday night, the pacy striker scored after just 11 seconds to lead the Robins to a 1-0 win over Mansfield Town. It was the quickest goal he had scored in his career - suprising even himself - but Senior was not prepared to take the plaudits for the result. He told SAM Sport: 'It was superb, obviously the result's the main thing but to get such an early goal is great. It sets you off, gives you that early confidence to go on and hopefully push for another one. That didn't come but tonight you could see the confidence after a few good results and now hopefully we can pick up and carry on from where we left off today. "I haven't got a clue what my quickest goal was before that. When I came off the lads were all saying it might be a Conference record. Its something nice to enjoy personally but the team performance was unbelieveable, we worked our socks off and got our just desserts with the result. We can't wait to play Rushden on Monday now, we'll go there full of confidence. Everybody will be backing against us so hopefully we can spring a surprise'.
The victory against Mansfield - who started the game in fourth place in the Blue Square Premier - provided a welcome lift for Alty after 10 days of turmoil. Fans had called for the head of Graham Heathcote during Saturday's 1-0 win over Lewes, leading to verbal exchanges between manager and supporters. But Senior insists that has not affected the players and that they remain behind Heathcote and fully focused on improving results. He said: 'It hasn't really affected us. I think Graham was justified in making sure we got off the pitch at the end of the Lewes match because fans have got their say but we enjoyed the result Saturday, we won and it was much needed. We've been working hard for the last few weeks but hopefully now we've got the confidence to win games and we can carry on where we left off. I wouldn't have said it badly affected the players but confidence is starting to come back now'.
One of the most impressive aspects of Tuesday's victory was the fluid formation employed by Heathcote. While in possession of the ball, Alty lined up almost in a 3-4-3 formation, with full backs Shaun Densmore and Matt Doughty pushing into midfield and widemen Lee Elam and Chris Senior joining Colin Little up front. When the opposition had possession, however, the entire team tracked back well, forming a solid 5-4-1 unit... 'Graham mixed it up a little bit and we went with three up top and it seemed to work, giving us a few more options than we have with just a flat two because we had three up who were all interchanging. The main thing was hard work and if you work hard you find yourself in little pockets of space and then obviously try and do your business from there. I've played on the left before and Lee's played on the right but on Tuesday we switched round. At times we did interchange and Colin found himself out wide, with me or Lee down the middle'" said Chris.
The final results in Round One were:
Ex-Alty man Rod Thornley, a substitute, scored the fifth Albion goal after Cheadle had led 2-0. Former Alty youth Mark Drew started the game and scored Witton's third goal.
Vics' manager Dino Maamria scored and also had one disallowed. According to the Vics' forum "Richie Sutton is off to hospital re his injury... he says he felt something 'snap'".
According to the Mid-Cheshire Chronicle "Northwich Vics have appealed against a transfer embargo imposed by the Blue Square Premier. The league invoked the punishment when Vics failed to provide details of their finances by Wednesday’s deadline. Mansfield are also affected. It prevents manager Dino Maamria boosting a squad trying to wriggle out of the relegation zone".
Despite the above claim, Mansfield Town's "Manager Billy McEwan stated he is waiting by he telephone, as he looks to add to his playing squad. 'I spoke to two Football League managers yesterday with regards to bringing a couple of players in on loan', said Billy. '"I received a phone call in relation to one of the players this morning, saying that a deal couldn't be done this week, but it may happen next week. On the other player, I am just waiting for a phone call from his manager. I have a good amount of money left in my budget, given to me by the club, but I will not be squandering it', he added".
Oxford United chairman Nick Merry writes that "Fans, sponsors and the press are aware of the action taken by the Stadium Company, Firoka (Oxford United Stadium) Ltd, on Tuesday at the Oxford United home game against Cambridge as they failed to service the Club's food and beverages requirement for the fixture. This affected supporters, sponsors and officials alike and was hugely embarrassing all round for everyone involved with Oxford particularly with the live cameras there showing Oxford United finally break its live-TV duck. We would like to apologise to all of our supporters who dealt with the situation with a tremendous show of loyalty and a large dose of common sense, perhaps buoyed by a great win. It is not the first time that supporters have had to deal with disappointment from this source.
We have been asked to comment publicly on the reported statements made by John Angus and Firoz Kassam in the past 24 hours on this matter. We would preface these responses by pointing out that we have to continue dealing with these people if the main Oxford United objective is ever to be reached of acquiring the Stadium and Conference Centre in order for Oxford United to be self-sufficient with its own incomes and without the current high rent.
Mr Angus is quoted as saying: 'Each quarter a payment is required for the rent which has not been met. We have spoken to the club since lunchtime today (September 23rd) and asked them for payment. The payment was not forthcoming and we could not provide a food service without that'. Mr Kassam is reported as saying: 'The rent is due. Every quarter we have had to get the bailiffs to get the rent. In the current financial climate we are looking to run our business more efficiently'.
The true facts are that the rent was not due at the time of Tuesday's game. It is only due on the 29th September, next Monday which is quarter day. The Stadium Company insisted that it was due on September 25th (this coming Thursday) and - in breach of the Stadium Licence - that Oxford United provides them with a September 25th postdated cheque for the full £117,103 by that afternoon of September 23rd or they would withdraw services from the game. In response to the assertion that bailiffs have been used every quarter to enforce the rent, the true facts are that bailiffs have never been used to get the Stadium rent throughout the 10 quarters since we took over the Club. It is always a great struggle to pay the quarterly Stadium Rent of £117,103 yet on average, over two and a half years and 10 quarters since we acquired the Club, the Rent has been paid an average of only 8 days late and the latest ever was 30 days.
The shop rent of £7,931 was overlooked one quarter and the bailiffs arrived unannounced after only 6 days. That is the only occasion in our tenure when bailiffs have been used against Oxford United as was disclosed at the recent AGM. Most Landlords are reasonable with rental payments, particularly in difficult times. This seems not to be the case with Firoka. For completeness, when considering amounts owed by Oxford United to Firoka, there are always routine small amounts outstanding between the parties for catering, hotels etc. As at Tuesday's invoices, Oxford United owed Firoka £3,645 and Firoka owed the club £1,902... This recent event is a clear example of the kind of unreasonableness which has made dealing with the Stadium Company so difficult over the last 2 years... We make no secret of the financial difficulties of running a Football Club with falling attendances and high Stadium rent and other costs. Every month is a struggle and our Investors and myself have already put in far more money than we wished.
However, whilst a serious possibility, it would be so frustrating and annoying for the Board and for all Oxford supporters for us to fail when we are closer than ever to a realistic partnership which, within 12 months, could return the Stadium to Oxford United, allow Mr Kassam a reasonable financial exit and allow the Club thereafter to fund itself within its own means from stadium revenues. We would ask Mr Kassam to help as much as possible in these mutually difficult times".
Meanwhile, Oxford Mail adds that "After a turbulent few days for the club, chairman Nick Merry and chief investor Ian Lenagan broke their silence, as former owner Firoz Kassam claimed that he was still owed money... No official statement has been made on speculation among fans that the club might opt to go into administration. However, the Oxford Mail understands that option is not being seriously considered. Responding to claims that he was being made a scapegoat for the on and off-the-field problems, Mr Kassam said: 'It's very nice and easy to blame Kassam for everything'... Mr Kassam's Firoka company refused to serve food to United's directors, in protest at what it called 'non-payment of bills'. United pay more than £400,000 a year to their former chairman for the use of the stadium that bears his name... The acquisition of the stadium is crucial to United's future financial stability, but Mr Kassam remained defiant over Mr Merry and Mr Lenagan's apparent inability to come up with the £13m needed to buy it. He said: 'The situation has always been there. If they cannot raise the money it is the current owner's problem, not mine'. When asked if he wanted to see United fold, he said: 'Absolutely not, but people have to run their business'".
"York City have agreed to let Jimmy Beadle leave the club" stats the Football Conference. "The 20 year old midfielder has spent the last month on loan at Whitby Town and his spell is due to end on Saturday... It is understood that Whitby are keen to offer Beadle a permanent deal and that the player has reluctantly decided to leave City".
Torquay United report that "boss Paul Buckle has signed Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Scott Bevan on a month long loan. Bevan, 29, started his career at Southampton and, among others, has featured for Huddersfield, Wycombe, and MK Dons. The 6'6'' goalkeeper joined Shrewsbury from Kidderminster, where he played over 50 games, in January this year... 'We have lost Michael (Poke) to injury so it was important to act quickly and get a replacement. We could have recalled Martin (Rice) from Truro but Scott became available. He is a goalkeeper who has a lot of experience at this level and I earmarked him before as a possible signing but he chose to go into the Football League. I am very pleased that he has decided to come to Torquay on loan'" stated Buckle.
"Lewes have denied rumours they have applied to join the Ryman League" claims The Argus. "Communications director Steve White said: 'These rumours are completely unfounded... “The club is in the process of putting together a statement to outline the requirements and funding needed to attain the A ground grading which we very much want'".
The Northants Evening Telegraph says that "Imraan Ladak insists Kettering Town are pulling out all the stops to finally try and resolve their long-running stadium saga. The current lease on the A-Line Arena is due to end in five years... Ladak has revealed there are a number of irons in the fire and says he will continue to do everything he can to solve the problem. 'If the problem wasn't so immediate maybe we wouldn't be pulling out all the stops to get it sorted out. My view on it is that until we get a position where we have passed a deadline and it becomes in the hands of other people then I will be doing everything I can. I am pleased with the progress we have made. We have got so many different things that we are close on and if one of them does work out then we will be fine'. The popular rumour at present would suggest the Poppies could even be thrown out of Blue Square Premier on March 31 next year if a long-term solution isn't found due to their lack of a 10-year lease. Ladak, though, believes Kettering have a strong defence and is hopeful it won't come down to that.
He said: "We have an email from the Football Association from January 2007 which clearly states, following a conversation with then Conference chief executive John Moules, that our lease is acceptable for the Conference Premier. We were given that information. We understand that we are supposed to have a 10-year lease and if we hadn't been told that information then maybe we wouldn't have put as much financial backing into going up because we felt we had a bigger window. The way I am looking at it is we do have a defence there that we would work on. But I would rather it not get to that. We have to look at it that Mark (Cooper) might get us into the top five and if that happens we want to be able to challenge for a place in the Football League. As we stand our present lease definitely isn't good enough to go up into it. So, regardless of the Conference, if Mark carries on doing what he does I need to solve the problem... It's a long shot but that's the way I have to look at it'".
Grays' defeat leaves Alty out of the relegation places.
Right: Gavin Rathbone's photo captures Lee Elam wrestling for possession against Mansfield Town.
SAM says that Alty's win over Mansfield "was just what the club needed to ease the pain caused by arguments and in-fighting. Since defeat at Stevenage 10 days ago calls for change at the club had grown louder, coming to a head when fans clashed with manager Graham Heathcote during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Lewes. But as the game got underway all the talk swiftly stopped. Moss Lane was stunned into silence by the brilliance of Senior. Taking the ball straight from kick off, he weaved his way through the entire Mansfield team and exchanged passes with Colin Little before poking a deft finish into the bottom corner. There were just 11 seconds on the clock. It took a few moments for the Alty faithful to realize what had happened but when it finally registered, they quickly found their voice... Mansfield simply could not keep up with the high tempo style employed by Alty and the home side’s fluid 5-4-1 formation allowed them to dominate the midfield without losing any attacking edge. The wide areas were key for the Robins, with Senior and Lee Elam both busting a gut to make a difference in both defence and attack... Alty man of the match: Anthony Danylyk. Plucking Danylyk from the Unibond League was a masterstroke by Graham Heathcote. Despite being the least heralded of Alty's summer signings, he has probably been the Robins' best player so far this season. Against Mansfield he never stopped running. Danylyk was always there to help out his defence and break up play but was a calming and creative influence on the ball. He was the heartbeat of the team".
"Mansfield's lack of cutting edge in recent matches is an increasing worry, admits boss Billy McEwan. The Stags failed to net for the first time in a Blue Square Premier game this season as they lost 1-0 at Altrincham last night" reports This is Mansfield. "He said: 'A lack of penetration is a problem, but it's not for a want of trying. We miss (Aaron) O'Connor and the way he can stretch teams, but we don't know if he has a chance for Saturday... Nothing dropped for us in the final third but we also had problems in the build-up. There was a lot of effort from the players but not a lot of thought'... Mansfield did not help themselves by conceding what proved to be the winner after only 11 seconds. McEwan said: 'I can't believe it. I never saw it because I was coming out of the tunnel when it was in the back of the net. We gift silly goals and there is another one. Altrincham gave it a real good go, but I never thought we were in any danger of conceding any other goals other than us committing hari-kari. And their keeper has made a couple of really good saves'. McEwan saw the game as an ideal chance for Mansfield to break their away duck and so was disappointed with the result. He said: 'I thought we had got a good opportunity. It is the kind of start to a game normally confined to a pub team'.... Chris Senior could hardly believe his luck as he advanced to almost the edge of the penalty area without so much as being challenged. He was probably just as surprised he was allowed to take a return pass from Colin Little in his stride on the edge of a crowded penalty area. Suddenly, as Senior broke through a weak tackle, he had a sight of goal but still had plenty to do to find the target. Paddy Gamble looked well positioned as Senior stretched to get a foot to the ball with Stags defenders trying to recover, yet he was beaten by a well-placed shot that sneaked inside the corner... Mansfield have now taken only one point from their last nine and the early optimism is fast disappearing. Not only are the Stags finding things tougher on the pitch, they are also under a cloud off it with the revelations they are being investigated by the Conference and the FA for allegedly fielding ineligible players".
The Chad quotes Billy McEwan, "You have to respect the opposition and if you are not right than anyone can beat anyone... In the first half we played some decent football without carving them open'. Stags could be without left back Alex Jeannin at the weekend after he limped off with a thigh injury that he been having treatment on prior to the game. Earlier in the day McEwan had taken the precaution of registering former Sheffield Wednesday youngster James Kay in case of needing another left back... 'I thought we lost our shape a bit when Alex when off and Michael had to change position', said McEwan... McEwan refused to let the press speak to any of the Stags players last night".
SAM adds that "Chris Denham's Altrincham future is in doubt after the winger refused to commit to extra training sessions.
Robins' boss Graham Heathcote insisted last week that Denham was still an Alty player following rumours he had left the club.
But it appears the summer signing will not be at Moss Lane for much longer after a bust-up with Heathcote over extra training sessions. In a bid to improve his side's form, Heathcote is bringing his squad in for extra training on Friday evenings, in addition to the usual Tuesday and Thursday night sessions. Denham said he would not commit to the extra training though and now looks likely to leave the club, although Heathcote refused to be drawn on the player's future. 'I asked something of the players but Chris wouldn't comply', said the Alty manager. 'I'm trying to sort the dressing room out, it's nothing to do with the player's ability'. Denham has become an immediate fans' favourite at Moss Lane since arriving from Droylsden in the summer... In his last outing for the club - the 4-2 Cheshire Senior Cup victory over Vauxhall Motors - he had an argument with Heathcote before the start of extra time. Alty beat out a host of clubs to sign Denham in the summer, including big-spending Rushden and Diamonds, and there is likely to be no shortage of takers for the 26-year-old".
On the Alty Fans' Forum is a message relayed from Graham Heathcote, saying "I have not touted Chris Denham around to any clubs. One manager had already expressed an interest in Chris some weeks ago. I told him he was not available. I subsequently recontacted him to let him know of Chris’s discontent. I have no desire to keep anybody who is unhappy at the club. Chris made it clear that he would not be available for training on Fridays after I had agreed that the funeral last week would take precedence. Chris contacted the manager of another club, who phoned me on Thursday. That club is currently trying to find a way of signing Chris that is agreeable to all parties". Monday 29th
According to Blue Square Football, "Rushden & Diamonds have been unsuccessful in their bid to have Manny Panther's red card against Burton Albion rescinded. The midfielder, who is on loan from Exeter City, was sent off on his debut for an alleged head-butt on Albion's Michael Simpson. Panther was convinced of his innocence and hoped that video evidence would confirm his view of the incident, but the FA decided to reject the appeal. The 24-year-old now faces a three match suspension, one game of which has already been served after Panther missed Diamonds' clash with Wrexham on Tuesday night". He should therefore miss the game against Altrincham this Monday.
The Northants Evening Telegraph says that on Tuesday "A third successive win moved Rushden & Diamonds up to sixth in the table with a crushing 3-0 victory over Wrexham. Curtis Osano's free kick from inside his own half set up the opening goal as Daryl Clare shot right-footed past Gavin Ward. Chris Hope doubled the advantage with a header from close range from a ball in by Lee Tomlin. And Hope scored his second and Diamonds' third from a free-kick, provided by Tomlin, six minutes from time. Wrexham's woeful defending made it light work for Diamonds."
Rushden & Diamonds has an interview with Garry Hill after their win last Tuesday. The manager said,"We'll now prepare properly for the game against Altrincham... We're getting there - we're not good enough yet". Asked about the withdrawal of Daryl Clare, Hill said, "You've got to realise that Daryl's been out for 7 weeks, sometimes when you've got diamonds you've got to put them away in the cupboard, and he's one of them to me!... When you see the work rate from some of the midfield players getting forward tonight, Wolleaston is getting fitter now, Lee Tomlin tonight was a different class".
The club statement continued: 'There have been a number of challenges since the takeover last November. Since then substantial investment – well into six figures – has been made. It is fair to say that the financial records of the club were in various different locations and some documents could not be found'".
The Football Conference tells us that "Torquay United have recalled goalkeeper Martin Rice, currently on loan at Truro City.. after first-choice keeper Michael Poke picked up an injury in Tuesday's fixture with Forest Green, which resulted in striker Tim Sills taking his place in goal for more than 75 minutes. Buckle told the BBC 'He's been keeping clean sheets at Truro and I'm confident he can come in and do the business'. Commenting on the injury to Poke, manager Paul Buckle added 'It's a pulled muscle and it's a thigh muscle so it's massive for him with striking the ball. The downside is we've lost Michael but the upside is that Martin Rice is match fit'".
the Conference also confirms that "Woking FC have annouced the appointment of Phil Gilchrist as 1st Team Manager. The former Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Oxford United defender will take charge from immediate affect, initially on a contract until the end of the season".
"Grays Athletic has signed hitman Jonny Dixon on a month's loan from League One side Brighton. The 24-year-old has struggled to hold down a regular place at the Seagulls since joining them in January. Dixon is likely to make his debut for Grays when they take on Stevenage Borough on Thursday night. The striker has had previous spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Crawley Town and Aldershot Town" says BS Football.
The BBC tells us that "Lewes have issued a statement backing manager Kevin Keehan, while admitting results have been 'disappointing'. It says the club remain 'confident' Keehan can take them forward and also states the playing budget has been cut by 35% from last season. Keehan told BBC Southern Counties Radio: 'The board have had to make tough decisions. We've got to try and get the crowd back on our side. We gave a determined performance at Histon, people will accept that'. The Rooks remain without a win after 11 games since promotion. Keeper Rikki Banks, signed from Worthing, welcomed the public backing for Keehan. 'Kevin's brought eight of us in who have not played above Ryman Premier. We want to get him out of the trouble people think he's in. Everyone is working their backside off'".
Barrow's "Keeper Tim Deasy last night revealed he had been playing for several games with a broken thumb – and vowed to regain the number one spot" reports the NW Evening Mail. "The Bluebirds drafted in Scottish U-19 international Alan Martin for his debut at Northwich but still went down to their third successive defeat... AFC managers Dave Bayliss and Darren Sheridan yesterday released second-string keeper Aaran Taylor and brought in Martin from Leeds. The 19-year-old youth and reserve team player has joined on a one-month emergency loan, the club citing Deasy’s broken thumb as the reason".
From The Argus we read that "Kevin Keehan has begun to repay the faith shown in him by Lewes directors. Keehan’s side produced a performance full of spirit and character away to Histon last night just hours after their manager had been given a vote of confidence. The ten-man Rooks seemed to be holding on for their first win of the season until their fifth-placed hosts struck a 90th-minute equaliser. Earlier in the day Lewes had issued a statement backing their underfire manager, whose side remains bottom of the table. The Lewes manager said: 'It is a genuine vote of confidence which is good. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The directors have had to make difficult decisions and you have to cut your cloth accordingly. Lewes fans will accept performances like that, showing the spirit we showed. We have now got to build on that. The players don’t know what went on today but I am convinced if we can match teams for effort we will do well. We showed a lot of passion and desire, which we lacked on Saturday [at Altrincham]. We passed it really well, created chances and could have had three or four'”
The manager’s performance was discussed at a board meeting on Monday and again in a meeting with Keehan yesterday, after which the directors issued their vote of confidence. A carefully worded statement confirmed the board are still behind their manager... 'It was agreed by all parties that results have been disappointing and that some changes will be required to improve the team’s poor form. As a result, Kevin Keehan is looking to strengthen the playing squad in key areas and equally the board of directors are looking to raise more funds via commercial activity. The board of directors remain confident that Kevin Keehan will be able to move the club forward'.... The statement also confirmed Keehan’s budget was 35% less than his predecessor, although there were funds yesterday to bring in 19-year-old striker Sam Gargan on loan from Albion".
Reading This is Weymouth we learn that "Weymouth boss John Hollins has not yet received any offers for the five players he transfer-listed at the weekend. However, AFC Bournemouth manager Jimmy Quinn and his assistant Jason Tindall, and Yeovil Town's number two Steve Thompson were all in attendance at the Wessex Stadium last night as Weymouth captured a creditable 2-2 draw against Crawley Town. Three of those up for sale, Scott Doe, Michael Malcolm and James Coutts, signed for the Terras when Tindall was at the helm but so far the non-League club has received no firm enquiries for either man, or Danny Knowles and Josh Webb. Hollins said: 'If I could I would like to be able to give them more money but at the moment there is nothing left in terms of the playing budget... it will be up to them to decide if they want to go or not but so far we have had no offers. That is the way I work and I want to do the right thing for them and for the club. None of them have let me down and I want them to reap the rewards.. If we do let them go it means we can bring in new players which is the other side of it... I am a point collector, that is my job, and that is what I want to do and so far we have not collected enough'".
Solihull will now face AFC Telford away in round 2
There was no good fortune about this result as Altrincham put their disappointing win over Lewes well behind them with this throroughly deserved win over a Mansfield side still seeking its first away win of the season.
Match report here.
Right: Action from the game with Mansfield.
This is Nottingham reports that "Mansfield's dismal away form continued at Altrincham as they were sunk by the only goal of the game after just 11 seconds... when Chris Senior was given far too much space in the box and he poked home into the left corner... Altrincham played largely on the counter after their early success, but Mansfield lacked the imagination to break the Reds down. Their best chances were set piece headers from Jason Lee and Alan O’Hare and a strike just before the interval from Nathan Arnold that was well saved... Alty almost doubled their advantage again in the 26th minute when Greg Young’s header from a right-wing corner was heading for the net before Gary Silk hacked the ball off the line".
And the Mansfield Town site adds that "As Altrincham began to tire after their gung-ho start, Stags started to come into their own... Stags' best chance of the first half came one minute from the end. After good build up play through the middle, Nathan Arnold struck a powerful 25 yard drive which home goalkeeper Stuart Coburn did well to get down to push wide. Striker Jason Lee should have done better from the resulting corner, after heading over from only a few yards. Mansfield were unfortunate to be behind in the opening 45... In a second half of few clear cut chances, Stags failed to test the home goalkeeper nowhere near enough".
According to the BBC "Kettering Town chairman Imraan Ladak has admitted that there is a 'problem' with their lease at the A-Line Arena. The Poppies' deal is running out and they will need to act fast or face the possibility of demotion from the Blue Square Premier. 'In early 2007 we had correspondence with the FA and the Football Conference that our lease was acceptable;, Ladak told BBC Radio Northampton. 'It now appears that there might be an issue with it'. Ladak added: 'It's a bit of a complicated situation. My ideal solution is to obviously solve the ground issue permanently and then we don't need to worry about the length of lease but, yes, it is a problem...[but] I'm really positive at the moment'".
"Strugglers Oxford United's owners have not considered putting the club into administration, BBC Oxford have been told. The club are losing money, but it is understood the club's only major debts are soft loans from their owners. This would mean they would be the ones who stood to lose money if the U's were to go into administration. Meanwhile, chairman Nick Merry admits the credit crunch is making it hard to raise money to buy the Kassam Stadium. But he says talks are on going and he has not given up hope".
"Lewes have signed Brighton's 19-year-old striker Sam Gargan on a month's loan" according to the BBC. "The targetman goes straight into the Rooks' squad to face Histon after loan spells at Bognor Regis and Havant & Waterlooville among others".
Lee Sinnott started last season managing BSP side Farsley Celtic but Bullsnews reports that "Another Football League manager has parted company with his club. The latest casualty is Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott. It is understood that he was fired following a directors' meeting. Last Saturday Vale were defeated 4-1 at home by Macclesfield... Vale have played just seven League games this season. Sinnott was in charge for 11 months, winning only nine of his 44 games in charge".
Before Tuesday's game NW Evening Mail said that "The Bluebirds could have a surprise new face on show against Northwich Victoria tonight. AFC joint-manager Dave Bayliss today said they hoped to have the necessary paperwork tied up by the 4pm deadline. Said Bayliss: 'There could be a big surprise in the team tonight, depending on the paperwork. 'I spoke to the player last night, he is very good player and keen to join us'. Bayliss and fellow boss Darren Sheridan have also decided to release second-string keeper Aaran Taylor increasing speculation on Tim Deasy’s position after conceding seven goals in the last two games. However, the managers have also been looking to strengthen the squad in other defensive areas and midfield. With over 200 Barrow fans expected to make one of the club’s shortest journeys of the season, Northwich are hoping to get back towards a four figure crowd. It dropped to 600 for the 0-0 draw with Forest Green a week last Saturday".
< http://www.northantset.co.uk">The Northants Evening Telegraph says that "Mark Cooper felt sorry for his players as their unbeaten record... was ended last night.But the Kettering Town boss also moved quickly to dismiss speculation linking him with the managerial post at Grimsby Town – or anywhere else... The rumour mill has been working overtime after Kettering's impressive start... They were reduced to 10 men with Iyseden Christie being sent off for an ugly-looking challenge on Matt Bailey in the first half... The Poppies' boss said: 'My future at the present time is as manager of Kettering Town and I haven't heard anything different. I just want to keep winning games with Kettering'".
"Injury-hit Salisbury City have made their second emergency loan signing in a week after recruiting 18-year-old defender George Beavan from Luton Town" states the Salisbury Journal. "The player... has made one senior appearance for the Division Two side".
According to The Press yesterday, "Rotherham United midfielder Peter Holmes will make his full debut for York City at Kidderminster Harriers tonight. The former Luton Town player has arrived at KitKat Crescent in a one-month loan deal and Minstermen chief Colin Walker is ready to throw him straight into the team".
Prior to tonight's encounter, Altrincham FC have not played Mansfield Town in a competitive match. However, there are half a dozen recent Alty players who have also played or trialled for the Nottinghamshire club, which was relegated from League Two at the end of last season.
However our visitors face a problem familiar to Alty - a possible points deduction. The Chad reports that "Mansfield Town Town seem to be facing two separate investigations into allegations that they fielded ineligible players. National reports and an FA spokesman on Sunday confirmed Chad's Saturday evening story that the signing of Aaron O'Connor is subject to a separate probe - that he signed for one club while under contract to another. While the Football Conference is also continuing to look into the registration of several players, signed in the hours leading upto the start of the season, who it is claimed were ineligible for the first two matches... This relates to more than one player (not including O'Connor) and it is thought that this is an administrative error - rather than a deliberate attempt to break any rules.It appears that the Conference did not receive a fax from the Stags containing the details of the players' signings and registration. There is also no suggestion that the Stags are to blame for the O'Connor alleged rule breach - but both rule breaks if proved could lead to significant points deductions for Mansfield...
The Stags thought they had signed O'Connor at the start of the season having been told he was a free agent, but Grays Athletic are claiming that they had already secured the striker after taking up a one-year option to retain his services from the previous season. The problem came to light only after the 25-year-old had featured in the first five matches of the season - during which the Stags gained 10 points. In theory Mansfield could lose those 10 points for this breach - and also four should they be punished over the ineligible players from the registration investigation as that concerns just the first two matches of the season. However, no club has ever been punished twice over one match, so the maximum punishment from the two investigations would likely be 10 points - not 14. But the club will be hoping for leniency, given that they believed O'Connor was a free agent - a fact supported by Grays chairman Mick Woodward - and also that any registration breaches would not have been deliberate. A more likely outcome at the moment would seem to be a possible points deduction punishment over the registration issues - upto four points - with the Stags cleared of any wrongdoing over the O'Connor saga. Grays' chairman Woodward told The Non-League Paper on Sunday: 'It's the player's fault, not the club's. I don't want to see them lose points, but he was still our player'".
This is Nottingham says that "Mansfield Town boss Billy McEwan paid tribute to the returning Stags faithful as his side extended their unbeaten home record to six games... They now have five wins and a draw from six league games at Field Mill... McEwan was delighted with the 3,171 fans inside the ground, the highest gate of the season so far. He said: 'They were absolutely fantastic and I want to thank them for that. They made it a great atmosphere. The hair was picking up on the back of my neck during periods of the game because of the noise they were making. That brings back memories for me of when I was here as a player... It is important from a financial point of view that away teams can bring good followings'. But McEwan was not so happy with the goal his side conceded... He said: 'We have not dealt with the ball into the box, not properly, and we have not reacted to the knock down, the second ball'".
Left: Greg Young is dragged down to celebrate by Chris Senior after Saturday's late winner from the defender on Saturday against Lewes. For more of Gavin Rathbone's great pictures' see his GR Photography site.
In Sussex, the Argus says that "Kerry Mayo has challenged Lewes to bounce straight back against Histon tomorrow. The storm clouds are gathering over the Dripping Pan following a tenth game without a win. A 1-0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Altrincham left Lewes six points away from safety... Mayo, playing the second game of a month’s loan from [Brighton & Hove] Albion, said: 'In the two games I have been here I have seen some major improvements. We defended well and it didn’t look like Altrincham were going to score. In the first half especially we played some good football and 0-0 would have been a good result... When we have got possession we have to keep it. It is not rocket science... There are good players here, the team spirit is good, we just need to stick together, take the game to Histon'... There will again be calls for manager Kevin Keehan to resign following a defeat which leaves Lewes rooted to the bottom of Blue Square Premier... None of the directors were at the game on Saturday. The board made major decisions in April to change the manager and reduce the budget. If they still believe this is the way forward then maybe they should show some public support for their underfire boss. Keehan’s commitment cannot be faulted. He is putting his heart and soul into the job but whether that is enough remains an unanswered question. Saturday’s game was an important one with Altrincham also in the relegation zone.
The home side were on a wretched run of form, both in terms of results and goals. They went into the game having not scored in 445 minutes and that run passed the 500-mark long before Greg Young’s late winner. Defeat was probably hard on Lewes but I repeat a comment made two games ago – that you cannot see where the first win is coming from... They did not once test Altrincham goalkeeper Stuart Coburn who could have stood there with a cup of tea in the second half".
From On a similar theme "Mark Yates, manager of Kidderminster Harriers, insists that he’s under no pressure to part company with any of his players. Yates... stressed that had nothing to do with midfielder Michael McGrath moving to rivals Worcester City last week on a month’s loan... Yates confirmed: 'Michael was getting a little bit frustrated that he wasn’t getting in the side. Like all players, they think they should be in the starting line-up... Money’s tight at the moment, but I’m trying to keep as many players as I can. But if one or two want to go out, then that’s up to them. I’m not under any pressure to get rid of people, but obviously I’m aware I can’t keep everybody happy all the time'" he told the Birmingham Mail
The Football Conference reports that "Forest Green Rovers manager Jim Harvey has upgraded striker Michael Symons from non contract status and the 22 yr old has signed a contract to the end of the current season. Michael... started the season with Gloucester City... Rovers have struggled to find the back of the net this season on a regular basis and the inclusion of Symons, which will see him now train daily with his team mates, will provide Harvey with a further option".
"Dino Maamria has recalled [former Alty trialist] Aaron Burns to bolster his injury-hit attack" claim the Northwich Guardian. "The out-of-favour front runner is in the squad for tomorrow’s crunch clash with Barrow... after spending the past month on loan at Droylsden. He could partner Jonny Allan against the Bluebirds with Darryn Stamp (hamstring) set to miss out through injury. Phil Marsh or Mat Bailey, thrown on as an emergency striker at Histon on Saturday, are the other options open to the Vics' boss... Burns, 20, has been training with his Northwich teammates through his loan spell, in which he scored one goal in four starts. He has not netted for Vics since a 2-2 home draw with Halifax Town back in January. Burns joined Vics during the transfer window at the turn of the year after starting last season with Cardiff City following his release by Manchester United. A brief stint at FC United of Manchester preceeded his switch to Northwich, turning down offers from Altrincham and Droylsden to play for the Wincham club".
Before Monday's game Burton Mail said that "The Brewers could be down to only 14 fit players when they face unbeaten Kettering Town... after an afternoon of mishaps at Nene Park. Goalkeeper Kevin Poole and midfield general Michael Simpson are both ruled out and Albion also fear they could be without the services of Jake Buxton. Poole has a groin injury while Simpson starts a three-match suspension after being sent off with Diamonds' Manny Panther... Manager Nigel Clough admitted last night: 'We could do with 14 days off... We don't see there is much point in taking Michael's sending-off any further with our record on appeals'".
Is there a happy manager in the land? Certainly not at Cambridge United where the local News reports that "Gary Brabin was doubly disappointed after seeing Cambridge United draw 1-1 at Mansfield... The U's manager felt hard done by after the hosts were awarded a controversial free kick... And he was unhappy with his team's defending from the set-piece as Alan O'Hare was allowed to head home... Brabin said: 'The referee and the linesman didn't know whether to stick or twist over the decision for their goal - the referee's said play on and the linesman's said free kick'".
Yesterday we reported Dino Maamria's criticism of Histon's aerial game. But in the Cambridge News we read the other side's version. "'Taking his Histon side above Cambridge United in the league table for the first time in the village side's history was a "nice feeling', admitted boss Steve Fallon... Fallon said: 'It certainly is a nice feeling to be above them. Diplomatically, we have always said if we find ourselves above them, we will be in the play-offs. But however long it lasts for, we will enjoy it - and it's our intention to stay there... I think Reeves and Midson did very well up front, they look like a good pairing'. The visitors' physical style disrupted Histon for long periods of the match, and Fallon admitted his defence had struggled to cope with Northwich's long ball game. 'Their big striker up front made some problems for us', he said. 'With a player like that they are going to win 90 per cent of the balls in the air, so it's important to do well on the second balls. But we got caught out from a corner'".
According to This is Glos "FGR manager Jim Harvey admitted he esperately needed his best players back after watching Stevenage Borough canter to a 3-0 win at the New Lawn... Rovers have lost three out of four matches since and are paying a heavy price for a lack of depth in their ranks... 'I've said right from the start of the season that, if we have everybody fit, then we're not a bad side', said Harvey... It has been confirmed that club captain Hardiker will not need an operation on ruptured knee ligaments, although the defender is expected to be out of action for six weeks. Of more immediate concern to Harvey is Rovers' habit of shipping early goals... He said: 'There were possibly only two lads out there who I was happy with in terms of their commitment, attitude and their ability on the park. The rest of them were all below-par'".
After the game with Lewes, the NL Paper says that "Alty boss Graham Heathcote... was beseiged by angry fans at the final whistle". But Alty assistant manager Graham Barrow told the NLP, "It's about time that people realised that no team has the God-given right to win games. Fans should come here to support the team and not get involved as they did at the end. The players are 100% behind their manager and came in for extra training this week."
As an addition to the coaching, Altrincham FC is issuing a complimentary ticket to each of the coached pupils to allow them to see a live match at Moss Lane. Special offers are also being made to their parents so that they can visit the club and see the facilities that it offers as a a small, family-friendly club. Our next guests will be children from Bollin Primary and Heyes Lane Junior schools, who will be invited to our game against Ebbsfleet United on October 4th.
The football game starts at 2pm at Moss Lane and is between a Darren Gough XI (including England & Manchester United ex-captain Bryan Robson) and an All Stars XI, captained by Mike LeVell and including stars of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. At just £5 (£2 for children, or £10 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children) it is a great chance to see a host of famous names and enjoy a game of football at the same time. Kick off is at 2pm at Moss Lane.
’I’ve hit a brick wall’, he said. ‘I’ve done my bit but I’m not a chairman for the Conference. I can’t afford it’. I want to go but I’m not going to do that until someone comes in with a three-year business plan to take the club forward. To sustain things in this league you need people to put massive amounts of money in. I’d love that to happen but it has to be done with a proper plan because I can’t let what we’ve done over the last six years be destroyed. The fans expect to do well in the Conference now, and I understand that, but I’ve been getting some stick and I don’t deserve it. It’s about what you can afford. You are where you are and the fans have to accept that’.
Unfortunately, for all concerned, Goodwin does not expect things to change anytime soon. ‘In today’s climate, what are the chances?', he explained. ‘People aren’t going to invest in a football club when they are having to lay people off. So we’ll have to keep going as we are for now’.
The chairman also insists that boss Heathcote is still the right man to lead the team. ‘He’s not under pressure’, said Goodwin. 'Graham doesn’t enjoy getting beat any more than the fans do. You can’t always blame the manager. You could sack him but where would you find the money to pay the next manager and bring in more players? It’s not about changing the manager, it’s about being realistic’”.
It was an eventful day for Altrincham FC manager Graham Heathcote who faced criticism for his team's performance during the 1-0 win over Lewes on Saturday. After the game he hosted the fourth Altrincham FC "New Recruits Evening", at which the format is for players who have recently joined the club to enjoy a meal with supporters before answering questions from the audience. In a full Sponsors' Lounge, the four new recruits who were guests were Anthony Danylyk, Mark McGregor, Kevin Street and Lee Elam. They are pictured, right, though Kevin and part of Lee are obscured by the manager. Far right is Lee's partner, Amy, who stood up well to the banter directed at her by Graham! These social events are great opportunities for the players and supporters to meet and they invariably throw up plenty of interesting anecdotes, so don't miss next year's!
We learned that, outside football, Anthony is a civil service Benefits Adviser. However, when asked by Graham Heathcote, tongue in cheek, what the benefits were for an out of work football manager, the young midfielder smartly replied that pensioners such as Graham were not part of his remit! Kevin explained that he is a coach at Crewe Alexandra but he also does "a bit of theology and teaching" as a trainee Religious Education teacher. Lee, for his part, is a qualified football coach who works with school children and he added that he was hoping to become a manager- "very soon", he added, looking at Graham. Mark has been a full-time footballer to date and has no job outside football currently, describing himself as a "house husband".
All of the panel were asked to describe their strangest moments in football which varied from Anthony Danylyk seeing his former manager almost die of a heart-attack on the touchline, to Mark McGregor's experience in an away game at Reading, where kick-off had to be delayed for 15 minutes as a heap of ladies' underwear was removed from the pitch where it had been thrown by supporters who were celebrating a "No Pants Day"!
The players all named the best manager they had played under; for Mark this was Brian Flynn (not the STAR chairperson who was in the audience, but the former Welsh international who managed Wrexham!). Lee Elam selcted Jim Harvey Whilst he was at Morecambe, whilst Kevin Street named Dario Gradi at Crewe. Anthony tactfully, but also sincereley, said that Graham Heathcote had been his best manager as he had given him a chance to play at this level. Graham himself singled out Roy Rees as the most astute manager under whom he had played at Moss Lane.
As for their view of Altrincham, all were confident that we could climb the table. Anthony had joined the club after a 40-minute sales-pitch from Graham, whilst Mark had signed up very quickly as he had found his first few hours very welcoming when he came on trial. One of the reasons Kevin Street was happy here was the excellent playing surface - sadly groundsman Neil Brown who had been at the event had left at this point so did not hear this unsolicited praise. Indeed Kevin drew a round of applause when he explained how happy he was at such a well-run club as Alty despite "not playing as much as I would have liked to" this season.
The players also talked us all through the best goal they had ever scored. Manager Graham Heathcote's description of his strike against Sheffield United in the FA Cup was the most expansive account! As usual Graham ensured that the conversation was enlivened with plenty of banter at the expense not only of himself and the players but also of the audience- as commercial director Barry Pond will testify. Barry will never wear a pink shirt again as a result. Graham also spoke frankly about the team's difficulties this season and volunteered that the squad had not yet fully bonded. Alluding to the extra training session for the players, introduced last week, the Alty boss added that in future he would give the players a choice between extra training or meeting up after games in the bar with the supporters. He felt that the odd drink after a game did as much to bond players as the additional training did.
Many thanks are due to the Rowley family and the other volunteers who helped to prepare and serve the food and drink - not to mention the washing-up. Jenny Heslop, as ever, did a sterling job in the bar and everyone was also grateful to the players and manager for giving their time to produce such an entertaining and informative evening.
We Live In The Shadows: Altrincham.
For a team once regarded as the ‘Manchester United of non-league football’, Altrincham F.C. have endured an uncharacteristically tough time during recent years. The club has finished in one of the Blue Square Premier division’s relegation spots for three consecutive seasons, only to be reprieved from ignominy by blizzards of legal and administrative chaos at rival clubs. Unfortunately, after seven games, the 2008-09 campaign threatens to follow a similarly nerve-wracking trail; defeats to Barrow, Kidderminster and Eastbourne have left ‘Alty’ just one point from the drop zone.
Despite teetering on the brink of such a descent, Altrincham’s famous reputation as the doyens of non-league football carries an indomitable weight about it. Although reported financial problems may indicate a struggle to compete with the league’s more affluent members, any grim realism is negated by the swelling aura of faded glamour that still slinks around Moss Lane; the everlasting remains from a series of remarkable F.A. Cup jaunts and dashing bids for the big-time.
It helps that they have heroes. Of course, every football fan in the country thinks their club’s history is uniquely blessed with stalwarts and firebrands. In reality, we’ve got Eric [Cantona] and City have Peter Beagrie. But how many non- league teams can muster the kind of memories invoked by Altrincham warrior John King? During a 1979 F.A. cup tie against Tottenham, Alty’s prime bruiser mercilessly scythed down Argentinian aesthete Ossie Ardiles just fourteen seconds into the match: surely the most clinical welcome in North-West history. The Robins have a notable roster of fabled greats; cult figures of a particularly bold and daring disposition.
In 2008, striker Colin Little (right) stands virtually alone as the club’s latter-day icon. A 35-year-old lad from Wythenshawe, Little has emerged top scorer for the last four seasons, performing unstinting feats of brilliance when a struggling team most needed it. His superb last-minute winner against Woking is available on YouTube, and presents a startling reminder of football’s potential for grace and deceptive beauty at every level. It quickly became clear, that, along with manager Graham Heathcote (an Altrincham servant of almost biblical proportions), his name is almost completely synonymous with the club’s public image.
I spoke to Colin two days after Alty’s lengthy sojourn to Sussex, where they went down by a single goal to Eastbourne Borough. Though Little failed to start the match due to a persistent neck injury, he appeared bravely in the second half to aid the search for an equaliser. Colin is grieved by the result, but proffers that the team are not too far away from good form. “Most of our defeats have been in tight games. We’re working hard and battling well. if we can produce a bit more creativity in our midfield play, we’ll start picking up the points".
When I mention the rave reports he’s received from those who follow the club’s fortunes, the striker is noticeably bashful. The word ‘hero’ raises an embarrassed chuckle. “I don’t know about that!” he says. “Alty is a great club and I’m delighted to be playing for them. They were always the club whose results I looked out for when playing elsewhere. It feels like home to me".
‘Home’ is an appropriate description. In the week leading up to the Eastbourne fixture, manager Heathcote noted a slew of lucrative offers for Little to move to pastures new. “I could have moved to Linfield F.C. in Northern Ireland and been involved in qualifying matches for the Champions League. They were offering me three times my current wage, but, you get to a stage in your life where you are settled and content.” Colin’s rapport with Altrincham is built around his upbringing in Wythenshawe and a strong circle of friends and family. He quickly dismisses the allure of money and keenly reaffirms the ties he made with the club at a young age, when he would regularly venture down to Moss Lane to watch the side with his mates.
He goes on to talk about his ‘fantastic’ time at Crewe Alexandra, where he made almost two hundred appearances and currently coaches an under-15s team, which he is vigorously passionate about. Though he describes Crewe as ‘the highlight of his career’, there is a linear flow to the way he talks about his journey around the Football League and clubs like Mansfield, Macclesfield and Hyde United, as if his own road was always destined to lead him back to Altrincham, and the pitch where he trained as a junior for Manchester Boys.
Maybe it’s his fondness for Altrincham that keeps him striving, or maybe he’s simply an excellent professional with a deep love for the game. Like most notable players, he’s inevitably a mixture of many great qualities, even if he’s reluctant to admit to any notions of heroism, or the ‘legend’ status afforded to him by Alty’s fans. Though Altrincham’s days of notoriety and appearances on Match of the Day may be in temporary suspension, for a club with a rich and storied existence there’s no doubt that Colin Little represents a loyal and unflinching addition to a canon of rebels and mavericks.
Joe Ganley
Next Month: Salford City
Andy, who as Alty fans will know, is the brother of Josh Mitten, our former striker, is also writing a big feature for 442 magazine on Setanta's television coverage of football and will be spending a day in Essex shortly watching how the Grays v Stevenage game is covered. For his part, Josh is currently completing a three-match ban at his current club, Trafford.
Graham Heathcote could hardly have spelled out his dissatisfaction with our recent shortcomings any more clearly than in Tuesday night's matchprogramme. I read his column, and if there were any doubts about just how frustrated, angry and upset he feels about our failure to deliver since winning at Woking on the opening day, there surely can't be any now. He gave us both barrels, just as he did in the dressing room after a shocking first half at Stevenage, and he wasted no time matching words with deeds.
No sooner had we been taken to task in his programme notes than we were being told training would now be three times a week, rather than two. Already required for sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, we will now be convening on Fridays as well, until we snap out of our slump and begin belatedly living up to expectations. Instead of the usual Friday routine of a leisurely tea at home and a bit of telly with the kids, we spent last night being put through our paces by the manager, working on drills and set-pieces, defending and attacking. We will keep doing it until we get it right, and I don't think there's a single one of us with too much cause for complaint.
For some reason, we simply haven't done it, and answers are hard to come by when you consider our pre-season showing and the players at our disposal. Maybe we were taken in too much by what we did in the build-up to the campaign, because there is an intensity about this league that places different demands on players, compared to meaningless friendlies. Whatever, the only thing that matters now is doing something about it, because, believe me, no-one wants things to carry on the way they are now.
Let's not pull any punches, it is not a happy dressing room at the moment. You wouldn't expect any different, would you? It is like any other industry. You don't bounce around the place laughing and joking when problems are piling up, like ours are. You face up to them and find a solution, and that is what we will be doing now on Friday nights, as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays. I don't think Graham wants to spend his Friday evenings with us any more than we do with him, so it is up to us to pull together and start showing we have all the necessary attributes to represent this club at this level. That is something Graham has called into question. Not whether we have the ability but whether there is a collective will to battle it out and work for our rewards. Do we know what Altrincham FC is all about? Does it mean anything to us to be wearing the Alty shirt and does it hurt enough when we lose?
These are the questions he has been airing, because we have ruined too many weekends for him - whole weeks, in fact - and he wants to know if it bothers us as much as it does him. One answer I can give him is that we are committed and we do care. He has frequently reminded us that our fans will accept a defeat, provided they can see we have given it every last ounce of effort. I know that. We all appreciate it, but I honestly feel if you asked any of the players, after a game, if they had given their all, the answer would be 'yes'. You can find fault with all sorts of aspects of our play, but, hand on heart, commitment isn't one.
I can still understand the manager's stance this week. though. He and the board rightly feel they have been thoroughly professional in their approach off the field, by carefully selecting the right food and drink for us and hotels, but are getting nothing in return. We can't really argue with that, particularly after such a flat, uninspiring first half at Stevenage, when it almost looked as if we were content to settle for being a couple of goals adrift. We were soon jolted out of that by the manager and came out fighting in the second half. We need more of the same now, only from the first whistle. These extra sessions will help, because it gives the manager a chance to speak to us at length, for the in-form players to help those whose confidence has dipped and for the natural leaders in the squad to lift the others with their example. Other than that, it just needs a decision to go our way on the pitch, or the ball to bounce kindly. Just something to hold on to. Let's hope it starts today"
Right: Greg Young leaves the pitch having scored the winning goal against Lewes.
Altrincham brought in Shaun Densmore for his debut at right-back and Alex Meechan, on the right flank, with Chris Denham and Richard Battersby both omitted from the squad. Greg Young dropped to the bench as Joe O'Neil started for the first time in the BSP this season.
The Argus says that, after today's game, Lewes manager "Kevin Keehan admitted his frustration but refused to blame goalkeeper Rikki Banks after Lewes lost 1-0 away to fellow strugglers Altrincham. Banks, who was the Lewes man-of-the-match, failed to hold an 87th minute shot from Warren Peyton which allowed substitute Greg Young to fire home the only goal... Keehan said: 'It is frustrating. They had a chance in the first couple of minutes but after that we had the better possession and passed the ball quite well without ever getting that final ball into the box to kill it off. We were comfortable until the last ten minutes when we started giving a few silly free-kicks away and invited them to put the ball into the box and ultimately they have scored. The fella has miskicked it, it is probably going wide, Rikki has made the save and unfortunately it has gone straight to their player'... He added he would be trying to add new players to his squad before Tuesday's trip to Histon".
Saturday 20th
The Board of Altrincham Football Club are searching for new people to come forward who can invest in the Football Club and take it to the next level. Six years ago Geoff Goodwin, Grahame Rowley and Andrew Shaw formed a new Board after the previous directors resigned. Since then Altrincham Football Club has made massive strides on and off the pitch. The team, under the guidance of manager Graham Heathcote, has progressed from the UniBond League Premier Division, via Blue Square North to the highest level of football outside the Football League, the Blue Square Premier, where it has played for the last four seasons. Off the pitch £650,000 of debt has been paid off through sheer hard work and good financial housekeeping and the club is currently 100% solvent, a major achievement for any Football Club in this day and age.
Altrincham Football Club is in many ways a role model for how to run a Football Club in the third millennium. The Board now feel that the time is right for the club to try to progress to the next level, whereby it has the resources to compete on a level playing field with the majority of clubs in the Blue Square Premier. Chairman Geoff Goodwin states "I feel that the Board has taken the club about as far as it realistically can go with our current resources and what we now need is an investment injection to push for the next level. Everyone on the Board has worked exceptionally hard to maintain our Blue Square Premier status, but this is our fourth successive season where we have struggled to compete with most of the other clubs. Whilst we believe that we can avoid relegation this season, we do not feel that we have the infrastructure to progress the club much further. If there is anyone out there who is interested in investing in a well run solvent Football Club, then I am interested in speaking with them. Altrincham Football Club is essentially a volunteer-run Club and we are very thankful to the many people who put so much into it, often for little or no reward. We want to maintain the very strong community spirit that has been built here, whilst using further investment to develop the infrastructure of the club onto a higher plain.” Grahame Rowley, Vice-Chairman, and I both love Altrincham Football Club, but are not precious about remaining in our positions and would happily stand aside and hand over to the right individual(s) who could provide the funds to push us on".
Cullip was Keehan’s major summer signing and he knows the value of the former Seagulls' skipper. He said: 'What we need to do at the moment is stop crosses com