FESTIVAL SUCCESS

The festival is not only an opportunity for TASC and the club to raise money, but it is also a great opportunity to increase awareness and raise the profile of the club in the local community.

Right: Alty vice-chairman, Grahame Rowley, shows his goalkeeping prowess at the Festival.

The Club and TASC would like to thank Mike Antrobus, James Antrobus, Dawn Abbott, Ian Cox, Louise Bowyer, Jack Bowyer, Colin Mitchell, Jill Mitchell, Carole Mitchell, Kate & Michael McGann, Mike Ainsworth, Graham Jackett, Mike Ford, Sarah Rowley, Karen Rowley, Grahame Rowley, Pete Foster and Graham Horton for their assistance with the TASC floats and stalls on the field. The Club and TASC would also like to thank Graham Horton, Rick Brennan, Donald McIntosh, Nick Milne and Chris Machin and all the junior players and their mums and dads who took part in the parade for the their help with the Juniors' float.

TASC would like to say a particularly special thanks to Dunham Scaffolding for their donation of the two floats, without which the parade would not have been anywhere near as much of a success!".

CHARITY GAME

UNITED AT MOSS LANE

Manchester United Reserves' league fixtures for 2010/11 are below; this year the league is national rather than regional so the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham will visit Altrincham. Kick off is normally 7pm.

Alty groundsman Neil Brown is again to be congratulated for producing a pitch acceptable to the exacting standards of Manchester United.

BSBP NEWS

NL News 24 tells us that "Forest Green have encountered a lot of red tape in their efforts to add talented African players to their ranks. Five Ghanaian students from Hartpury College were expected to feature in Rovers’ second pre-season friendly of the summer at Harborough Town today, yet the club’s two-year campaign to register Sam Mensah and Isaac Shaze for competitive matches remains unresolved.

Home Office regulations prevent overseas students playing in the Premier League and Football League, but there is no such ruling in the Football Conference. Nonetheless, the FA have warned Rovers not to field the Ghanaians in Blue Square Bet Premier games until rules on student visa credentials for players from outside the EU are clarified, This Is Gloucestershire is reporting.

Shaze and Mensah are studying at Hartpury as part of the Right to Dream scheme, along with goalkeeper James Nortei, defender Thomas Boakye and wingers David Accam and Bismark Kwarteng. They regularly return to Ghana to coach under-privileged children and have starred for Rovers’ reserves during the past two seasons".

From Bullsnews comes information that James Smith's nemesis at Mansfield Town, "Bradford striker Jake Speight, has been released from prison after having his 12 week jail sentence reduced to a suspended sentence on appeal. Cheltenham have signed defender Martin Riley from Kidderminster. The 23 year old hasn't cost them a fee despite Kiddy offering him a new deal".

And "Cheltenham boss Mark Yates has raided former club Kidderminster for defender Martin Riley" reports http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0,20970,13040_6267529,00.html">Blue Square Football. "Riley, who began his career with Wolves, has signed a one-year contract at Whaddon Road".

SATURDAY'S RESULT

RHYL'S VIEW

Above left: As the most senior player at Rhyl, Nicky Clee captained Alty for the first time last night. Here he shakes hands with his opposite number as Kyle Wilson (background) and Craig Mahon (no.19) look on. As can be seen, Mahon does a passable impersonation from behind of Chris Senior, whose old shirt he was wearing. Above right: Former Rhyl defender Matt Holt (left) warms up with a front view of Craig Mahon (right).

After their deserved win over Altrincham's trialist-packed team on Friday, Rhyl reported: "Another encouraging performance for Rhyl was on show at Belle Vue tonight. The home team were on top for the majority of the match and took the lead midway through the first half through impressive Australian trialist Pasquale Polistina who netted from close range following neat work from [ex-Alty striker] John Toner. Polistina was replaced at half time by fellow countryman Nicolas Le Ruoco who also put in an exciting performance, showing off plenty of trickery and pace.

Ex-Rhyl defender Matthew Holt played the full match for the visitors. Anthony Costa played the full match in goal and although he didn't have much to do, he managed well when called upon. As a team, everyone made an impression and once again they can be proud of their display".

Altrincham received a friendly welcome at Belle Vue and wish their opponents every success in the coming season.

BSBP NEWS

Asked what he thought of a rumoured bid for Keane from the Sussex outfit, Money said: 'When they (Crawley) put a bid in I'll have some thoughts on it and they'll be told where to go in no uncertain terms. I can't believe there's been such a fuss about it, to be perfectly honest. I think everybody needs to understand, both the media and supporters, that (Crawley manager) Steve Evans is trying to be clever. I wouldn't call it mind games, I'd call it petty, ridiculous rubbish. We've had no bid for Keith Keane from Crawley.

We've had a bid for one player this summer - not Craddock, not Gnakpa, not Keane, not Howells, not Asafu-Adjaye. One player - Matthew Barnes Homer. 'He's going nowhere either. It was from Crawley but he ain't going anywhere and neither is Keane. I don't think Keith Keane wants to play in front of 700 people. I'm hearing that they (Crawley) are going to make a six figure bid, so I presume we'll get a bid on August 3 for £100,01. That's clever isn't it? We'll pre-empt that and say that unless the offer starts with a nine, they can forget it."

On the Red Devils' bid for Barnes-Homer, the manager said: 'It was a lot of money'. Asked if it was in the region of what they have paid for Matthew Tubbs and Sergio Torres, Money said: 'I would say it's in a similar range, yeah... I think it's flattering that Steve Evans obviously feels that he wants to try and intimidate us in whatever way he wants to, but it's the oldest trick in the book. We'll just ignore it and we'll see how well they do. They've obviously got the biggest budget and are paying the most for players and, I would guess, the biggest salaries with it.

They are having a go at it, fair play to them, I've got no problem with that whatsoever, but it means they've got a lot of new players who need to gel together. Let's see how they do, but for me, the two clubs coming down (from League Two) will replace those who have gone up. The four coming up will definitely be much stronger than those who have gone out of the league. York are going to be the biggest challengers. The teams that were up and around it (promotion), like Rushden, Kettering and Mansfield, will again have a go at it. Wrexham and Cambridge will be much stronger'".

From This is Nottingham we learn that "Michael Boulding has left Mansfield Town to put himself in the running to join Barnsley. The 34-year-old had impressed for the Stags in two pre-season games after joining on trial. But after scoring in the second of those, a 3-0 win over the Tykes in a behind-closed-doors fixture yesterday, the Championship club want to have a second look". Manager David Holdsworth said, 'We have to try to attract the right players – and that is what I was trying to do here. Of course I'm disappointed, but that's the way it goes sometimes'".

The Football Conference says that "Rushden & Diamonds [have] signed Lewis Spence following a successful medical. The 22-year-old midfielder started his career with Crystal Palace, where he was a regular at Youth and Reserve levels, playing three games for the club, also playing three games for Palace’s feeder club Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USA on loan.

In 2008 he moved to Wycombe Wanderers, playing 30 games for the Chairboys between 2008 and 2010. During that time at the start of last season Spence went on loan to Forest Green Rovers, playing seven times".

Meanwhile "Lincoln City defender Danny Hone has joined Darlington on loan,... a deal which will see him join up with the Quakers until January 1st, 2011".

YANKEE JACKPOT

RHYL 1 ALTRINCHAM XI 0

Pictured right, are the starting eleven, joining in a minute's clapping before the kick-off to honour a local soldier who had recently been killed in Afghanistan.

ALTRINCHAM: Russell SAUNDERS; Adam CARDEN, Danny HOLMES, Matt HOLT, Vernum ROWLAND; Clive MOYO-MODISE, Tom McCREADY, Frazer McLACHLAN; Kyle WILSON, Craig MAHON; Subs: Mark KIDDIE and four others.

PREMIER LEAGUE SUPPORTS FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

The Premier League today announced a solidarity package with the Football Conference worth £6m over the next three seasons.

Following the £1m payment made to the Football Conference in 2009/10 the Premier League has decided to provide funding for seasons 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 that will support all Football Conference clubs.

The funding will be split into general payments made to all sixty-eight Conference clubs and a separate club development fund which any Conference club can apply to for specific projects.

The funding will be structured in the following way:

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said, 'The Premier League and our member clubs recognise the importance of the continued health of football outside the Football League and it is with this in mind that we have made this commitment to the Football Conference.

'In particular, we are extremely pleased to be working with the Football Conference to establish a new club development fund that will allow Conference clubs, all extremely important within their local communities, to invest more funds into local youth development and good cause initiatives'.

Football Conference chairman Brian Lee said 'This is a further wonderful gesture of friendship from the Premier League towards the Football Conference. The solidarity commitment for three years is most welcome whilst the new funding will allow our clubs to express themselves in a tangible form for the benefit of their communities. We accept the challenge with gratitude'".

GRAHAM IS RUNNER-UP

The NLN also curiously describes Graham as "The Robins' all-time leading goalscorer".

IDOLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Right: As promised, here is a photo of the victorious Alty Idols who, as announced yesterday recently won the Altrincham Sunday Leisure League for the first time. The title went right down to the wire as the Idols, needing a point in their final game, defeated main challengers Clansmen 3-1, with goals from Steve Foster (2) & Mike Barton.

BSBP NEWS

Also, according to the BBC "Kettering Town player-manager Lee Harper says they are looking closely at signing midfielder Alex Dyer. The 20-year-old midfielder, was released by Northampton in May, and played in the Poppies' 1-0 defeat by the Cobblers in a pre-season friendly. Harper told BBC Radio Northampton: 'I've been impressed with him so far. His fitness levels are above any of our players and he plays it simple. We're seriously considering him. It'll depend on our budget'...

Meanwhile, Harper may be forced to play in goal for Kettering in their first league game against Gateshead, despite a serious back injury. He said: 'Nathan Abbey is suspended. My back isn't good and I need to retire, but I'll do what's best for the football club. I'll give Niall Cooper a chance in [the] next three friendly games, and if he impresses, maybe he'll play. But it's vital we get off to a good start. We've got some tricky games as it is, so experience might be the answer, and I'll probably play'".

From Blue Square Football we learn that "Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss has revealed that goalkeeper Tim Deasy is unlikely to join the Bluebirds for the upcoming campaign. The 24-year-old rejoined the Bluebirds for pre-season training after parting ways with the club at the end of last season. However, Bayliss has admitted that he is currently running the rule over a number of other possible targets. Bayliss told BBC Radio Cumbria: 'You never say never but the deal doesn't look likely at the moment'".

Alty's leading scorer last season, Chris Senior, has yet to kick a ball in anger at his new club, Darlington, but his third manager since joining the Quakers this summer "Mark Cooper, has clinched his second signing of the summer, with former striker Liam Hatch joining on loan from Peterborough United" reports the Darlington site. And the new man is a "6ft 3ins forward, who scored nine goals for Darlington in 26 league games while on loan during the 2008-09 season. [He] has joined the Quakers from League One side Posh until January.

Cooper said: 'I've been waiting patiently to bring in some quality players so we're delighted get Hatchy in. We're trying to bring in the right kind of people. There's no point rushing out there to bring in ordinary players who won't improve the squad, we want quality signings and Hatchy certainly fits into that criteria... He'll complement Tommy Wright, Chris Senior, Curtis Main and Michael Smith. We're still looking to bring in another two or three. We're looking at defenders as we do think we're short in that area, and we'll hopefully have some news on that front fairly soon'".

Cambridge News says that "Wayne Gray must prove his injury problems are behind him if he wants to turn a trial spell into a permanent deal with Cambridge United. The 29-year-old striker, who is a free agent after leaving Grays Athletic, is training with the U’s... United manager Martin Ling worked with Gray at Leyton Orient and the pacey forward is bidding to join Daryl Clare, Danny Wright and Adam Marriott in the striking ranks.

But the U’s director of football Jez George admits Gray must prove a troublesome knee problem is behind him if he wants to earn a contract.... 'Martin has made it pretty clear we’ve got room for maybe one more striker and we’d want one with a bit of pace, which Wayne’s got in abundance'... Gray began his career at Wimbledon and can list Swindon Town, Southend and Yeovil among his former clubs...

'You can never have too many front men', George added. 'You try to make sure your main four strikers cover all the bases and can give you different qualities. We’ve got good pace in wide areas with Robbie Willmott and Conal Platt, but someone with explosive pace would be good to have in the mix up front'".

The Uxbridge Gazette says that "Hayes & Yeading have four goalkeepers in the frame to fill the vacancy between the sticks if Garry Haylock's number one target rejects a move to Church Road. Haylock has made an offer to an experienced goalkeeper with over 300 Football League appearances under his belt and is awaiting a response later this week from the man in question.

But Haylock is also running the rule over ex-Torquay United and Crawley number one Simon Rayner, released at the end of last season. Young pair Josh Lennie and Jonathan North, released by Brentford and Watford respectively, played a half each in the 2-0 friendly win over Beaconsfield SYCOB... while retaining Chris Baker for next season is another option.

Haylock signed up both Nathan Webb and Charlie Wassmer last night with Daniel Wishart, Bradley Pritchard and Tom Cadmore also having agreed terms with a view to signing later this week. The Hayes boss is also hopeful that he has offered his number one goalkeeping target and Peter Holmes the terms to seal a deal for the pair after a board meeting approved the contracts".

"Rushden & Diamonds welcomed a new goalkeeper coach this week. Lance Key joins the club for the year as our First Team Goalkeeper Coach. Lance has a wealth of experience as a keeper since starting his career with Sheffield Wednesday, with over 100 games for Kingstonian and Histon, along with playing for Oldham Athletic, Oxford United, Lincoln City, Hartlepool United, Rochdale, Dundee United, Northwich Victoria, Altrincham and Wivenhoe Town."

Dean Holdsworth told the Newport County site "I am pleased that we have captured the signature of experienced, 33 year old Goalkeeper Glyn Garner. 6ft 2 inch Glyn, who along with his family are firm County fans, was released from Shrewsbury Town at the end of last season. He started his career at Cwmbran, has made over 250 league appearances for Shrewsbury, Bury and Leyton Orient and has achieved 1 full Welsh cap. Additionally, I am hopeful of capturing the signature of another striker".

JOIN THE STEWARDS!

"Altrincham are appealing for more volunteers to help bolster their growing reputation for crowd safety after no fewer than 10 of their stewards achieved unparalleled levels of success at a recent awards ceremony.

The club's Safety Officer, Darren Gregory, described his pride at seeing 10 of his team, himself included, receive an NVQ3 certificate in spectator care, ahead of their annual pre-season stewards meeting in the Manchester Glass Lounge at Moss Lane. Mindful of the extra emphasis on crowd control in an increasingly competitive Blue Square Conference, he urged more people to come forward and play a part in a success story that mirrors the progress made on the pitch over the past two seasons.

'This is the first time anyone at the club has reached this level of competence in spectator safety, and we all feel a great deal of pride at seeing our efforts and dedication to the job recognised in this way,' said Darren. 'Of course, you always want to keep improving and developing, and I would very much like to see our numbers increase for the new season.

'We had a squad of about 30 stewards last season, but five or six have left during the summer, for various reasons, and we could do with a few new faces. There are more and more ex-Football League teams in the Conference these days, and they tend to have a large away support.

'Darlington are first up at Moss Lane, and you can be sure they will bring a sizeable following. We must be ready for the challenge and keep ensuring Moss Lane is a safe and friendly environment for watching football. Knowing people have been able to watch a game under those conditions is what makes the job so rewarding. We are a close-knit team, and anyone wanting to join us will not only be welcomed on board but given full training. If you are reasonably fit and active, I'd be delighted to hear from you'.

Darren can be contacted on 07588 251295 or via the club on 0161 928 1045".

SATURDAY'S OPPONENTS

"CHAMPIONES!"

We hope to have a photo of the victorious team shortly. It comprises Tom Jacobs, Grahame Rowley, Ross McEwan, Steve Foster, Mike Barton, Brian Flynn. Congratulations to all concerned for bringing Alty some silverware!

WORLD CUP BLOG

"Back to life.....back to reality......our adventure is over and I’m penning my final blog at home in leafy Timperley and looking forward to Altrincham’s first pre-season friendly at Woodley Sports on Saturday! We drove almost five thousand kilometres in South Africa...saw nine games involving fourteen teams in seven stadiums (Polokwane, Rustenburg and Nelspruit were the three we didn’t manage to see a game at).

Our last two matches were probably the best and worst of our footballing extravaganza. Paraguay and Japan were completely phased by competing in a Round of Sixteen game that each side had a decent chance of progressing in. This was the first penalty shootout of the tournament and as Oscar Cardozo calmly converted the winning spot kick for Paraguay, Keisuke Honda......probably the most talented player on the field, immediately walked to each side of the stadium to bow to the Japanese supporters........a fascinating cultural contrast to the post match antics of one or two other players in the tournament!

There is little doubt that Ghana should have been victorious over Uruguay in our final match last Friday. There were probably less than two thousand Uruguayan supporters in a crowd of over eighty four thousand as all of the South Africans and the vast majority of the neutrals willed on Africa’s final World Cup representatives. The atmosphere was electric and the drama intense as Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan rattled the crossbar with his last ditch penalty and Uruguay made the ‘Black Stars’ pay by triumphing in the ensuing penalty shootout. My son, Niall, was happy though......having had the Uruguayan flag facepaint treatment before the game!

During our last week, we visited the battlefield from the Second Boer war at Spion Kop, which was the inspiration for the naming of the Kop at Anfield and the fascinating....but woefully laid out (IKEA...all is forgiven!).....Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. South Africa has clearly had a pretty turbulent history but there is a real sense of optimism everywhere that hosting this World Cup can act as a positive springboard for the future of the country".

BSBP NEWS

The BBC states that "The Forest Green Rovers supporters' trust is re-launching its scheme to try and increase the club's playing budget. Any money donated to the GRASS (Give Regularly to Assist Squad Sponsorship) fundraiser is ring-fenced and can only be spent on players' wages. 'We would be trying to work to a target of £2,000 a month', trust chairman Tim Barnard told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

'That would be either one really good player, a couple of decent part-time players or other combinations. Want to do it quickly so that [manager] David [Hockaday] would still have time to shop around and look for more players'. Hockaday has so far recruited 13 players, with that number set to be boosted by academy players and possibly one or two extra additions...

'The reason that the playing budget is low is that we have a historic debt, the businesses are now trading profitably', Barnard said. 'The future will be bright providing we get investment to pay off some of the debt but in the meantime we all need to club together this season and get David Hockaday two more players'".

Confirmation comes from the Football Conference that "Bath City`s busy summer continues with the arrival of striker Lee Phillips from Cambridge United and Exeter midfielder Joe Burnell. Twenty-nine-year-old Phillips made his name with Weymouth, netting thirty-three goals in sixty-seven appearances before spending spells with Exeter City, Torquay United, Rushden & Diamonds and, last season, Cambridge. He was released by U's last month.

Experienced former Bristol City and Wycombe Wanderers captain Burnell also agreed to join City for the 2010/11 season. The 29-year-old, who has also played for Northampton Town, Oxford United and Exeter City, has played over 250 Football League games and can also operate in defence".

"Former Brentford defender Lewis Ferrell is on trial with Blue Square Bet Premier club Hayes & Yeading United" reports NL Daily. "The full-back was released by Bees boss Andy Scott without playing a game for the first-team earlier this summer".

According to NL News 24 we learn that "Mansfield Town’s Rob Duffy has been struck down with chronic appendicitis, leaving boss David Holdsworth with a major striker dilemma. Holdsworth is desperate to get the go-ahead for the Welshman to receive private treatment, and if he does, Duffy’s absence could be limited to around three weeks. But should he have to wait for NHS treatment, it could be months, This Is Nottingham is reporting.

The timing could not be worse for Holdsworth, who has seen Jake Speight sold to Bradford City and then allowed fellow front man Kyle Perry to join Tamworth. It leaves Lee Gregory as the only recognised striker on the club’s books. Holdsworth has drafted in the Boulding brothers, Michael and Rory, on trial. He revealed he is also in talks with four other frontmen".

RHYL GAME

The Welsh Premier site says that "Rhyl, relegated from the Welsh Premier League at the end of last season after difficulties in clearing an unpaid tax bill were looking forward to a bumper crowd against the newly-reformed Chester FC. But, after drunken Chester fans ran amok through Colwyn Bay and caused a mini-riot at their Llanelian Road ground last Saturday, North Wales Police advised Rhyl to cancel the game.

The Lilywhites will instead play Altrincham at Belle Vue on Friday evening (7.30pm). Rhyl manager Greg Strong, who has a long-standing friendship with his Alty counterpart Graham Heathcote... told the Daily Post, 'Graham is an old friend and he has helped us out massively by agreeing to send a side along on Friday evening. It is much appreciated and it should be an attractive match for our supporters'...

Chief Superintendent Andy Williams said: 'The events at Colwyn Bay on Saturday July 10 were unacceptable. Police resources from across North Wales were called in to deal with groups of people causing violence both before and during the game... I recognise that the majority of Chester FC followers are law abiding people who simply want to watch a game. However, we are not willing to tolerate a repeat of despicable behaviour by a minority of mindless thugs intent on causing harm to people and property'".

BSBP NEWS

Meanwhile "Crawley Town left-back Sam Rents is expected to miss the opening game of the campaign after sustaining a serious injury at the weekend. The former Brighton & Hove Albion man suffered a fractured cheekbone and a broken nose after clashing heads with Millwall's Steve Morison on Saturday.

Rents told The Argus: 'It's the first time I have had to have surgery in my career'... Rents says he is not sure when he will be able to return to training. He said: 'Normally these things take four to six weeks'".

From the BBC we learn that "New Bradford City striker Jake Speight has been jailed for 12 weeks after being found guilty of assault.The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges against him but could be released after six weeks. Bradford manager Peter Taylor was unaware until the player's agent rang him on Friday morning and told him Speight was appearing in court . Taylor told the Telegraph & Argus: 'I'm very disappointed because we were totally unaware this was happening. This incident happened in February and Jake and his agent never told anyone that it would go any further. That's why I didn't know and Mansfield Town didn't know'...

He will not be paid by the club while in prison, and could have his wages capped until ready for first-team selection. Taylor added: 'To be fair to Jake, his desire to play for Bradford was so strong that he felt he might mess his chances up. He thought he would get a warning and the outcome has been a nightmare for him'". Perhaps almost as much a nightmare as for his victim?

"Speight was brought to Bradford at the end of June on the back of his goal-scoring record of 17 goals in 33 matches for Mansfield Town last season".

Meanwhile "Swansea City have been told they will not be refused permission to speak to Newport County boss Dean Holdsworth about their vacant managerial position... The Swans are struggling to lure their preferred choices so Holdsworth, linked to the post, could become an option. 'If another club comes in, it is anticipated we would want to hear what they had to say', County chairman Chris Blight confirmed to BBC Sport...

Promising young League One manager Paul Tisdale, the man that guided Exeter City to back-to-back promotions... [has] dismissed interest despite being in a lower league...

Chairman Blight confirmed Newport would demand financial compensation should the Swans wish to prize Holdsworth away just weeks after he signed a two-year contract extension at Spytty Park... 'He came to us as a bit of a rookie and we took a gamble. Although the first season didn't bear much fruit, it clearly sowed the seed as we won the league last season at a canter... Dean has said to his players "I want you here to do a job for me" and Dean is really loyal to his players. So I don't think he would turn around to them and just simply walk away from the club, just like that, having made so many promises to the players he has brought here - especially those new signings this summer'".

Still in the Principality, Welsh Premier confirms that Neath have signed Lee Trundle. "Released by Bristol City in May, he was not offered a deal at Swansea where he had been on a season-long loan, and rejected moves to League One clubs Yeovil Town, Tranmere Rovers and Swindon Town to stay in his adopted South Wales home. Trundle also turned down an 11th hour bid from Newport County, who hoped Trundle's goals could fire them into the Football League".

The BBC says that "Tamworth are playing Aston Villa's teenage goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist in two friendly games with a view to signing him on a season-long loan. Siegrist, 18... is set to stay for the whole campaign. The Swiss youth international has signed a professional contract at Villa Park and recently won the Under-17 World Cup with his country. He was also a key figure in Villa's run to the 2010 FA Youth Cup final.

Tamworth general secretary Rod Hadley told BBC WM Siegrist also had offers from another Premier League club and a number of Championship sides".

"Cambridge United boss Martin Ling is considering signing former Leyton Orient striker Wayne Gray. The 29-year-old, who played at Orient under the U's boss, is currently without a club. Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'He's got pace and power and did a job for me for two years at Orient. He had a season hindered by injury last year. He's looking for a second chance'...

The forward was released by Grays Athletic in May, where he scored once in eight appearances... The former Southend man joined AFC Hornchurch after leaving Brisbane Road 12 months ago, but has struggled with injuries ever since... Meanwhile Ling says he is still making up his mind about whether former Lincoln City boss John Schofield will be joining his coaching staff. Schofield has been helping with the U's training sessions and the club hope to make a decision within seven days".

"Grimsby Town midfielder Adrian Forbes is training with Darlington with a view to a permanent move. BBC Radio Humberside understands the 31-year-old arrived in the North East on Monday and could secure a switch. The former Luton and Norwich player was one of several transfer listed by the Mariners this summer following their relegation from the Football League".

The Kidderminster Shuttle says that "Harriers' assistant manager Gary Whild admits he was surprised about David McDermott's decision to leave Harriers and go on trial at York City. The 22-year-old had started Harriers' first pre-season at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday but decided to try his luck at their Blue Square Bet Premier rivals.

McDermott had been asked back to try his hand at earning a new deal at Harriers this summer after injuries and illness hampered his attempts to impress Steve Burr last season... 'I'm surprised to see David try his luck at York', commented Whild".

According to This is Bath "Bath City boss Adie Britton has added further top-flight Conference experience to his squad with the acquisition of powerful striker Lee Phillips. Following hot on the heels of utility man Joe Burnell, Phillips signed a one-year deal at Twerton Park last night. The 29-year-old Cornishman left Cambridge United at the end of last season last season and lists Rushden & Diamonds, Weymouth, Torquay United and Exeter City among his former clubs. Before signing for Weymouth, Phillips made 50 Football League appearances for Plymouth Argyle, where he was a trainee...

Britton said: 'It’s fantastic to have a player of Lee’s quality on board. He and his agent had obviously done their research on us and asked around and he was really keen to come. Lee did have other offers but we had a massive advantage in that he’s just got married and moved to Cirencester and didn’t want to be travelling a million miles... At 29 he is a good age because he has the experience but also a good few years of football left in him'".

The NW Evening Mail says that "Barrow Raiders and AFC have assured their fans the £50,000 grant from the local council will be used wisely. Barrow Borough Council have given both the semi-pro outfits a one-off payment in place of their traditional £5,000-a-year contributions to the clubs, which have now come to an end...

Barrow AFC director Tony Keen said the Bluebirds were equally delighted with the council’s £50,000 payment. Asked what AFC would do with the money, he added: 'We have to invest in the ground... The developments we’ve done in the Crossbar facility, that’s generated more money in the club to allow us to stabilise the football team and will also help us invest in the right places in the ground as well... What the £50,000 will allow us to do is support any outcome of the study into the best future use of Holker Street'".

LOCAL NEWS

Project Manager Phoebe Marshall said: 'It's a really nice ground, it was just looking tired. Now it looks really smart in blue and light grey... We didn't want to go in there and maybe change too much'... Ewan Fields, which once had a plastic pitch, will now have one of the best grass pitches in non-league after work by City grounds manager Roy Rigby and head groundsman Lee Jackson. A new irrigation system has been installed. Phoebe added: 'There's been a massive paint job inside and out, the home changing-rooms have been done out to a high standard and the club lounge has had a makeover'".

TWO FRIENDLES THIS WEEKEND

Rhyl confirm that "Following the cancellation of Rhyl v Chester which was due to be played this Saturday, a friendly has been arranged for this Friday night against Altrincham. Kick off will be at 7.30pm. Gareth Owen, Chris Williams and Lee Jones will all feature in the game as will the three Australians, Anthony Costa, Nick Ruoco and Pasquale Polistina. Entry prices will be:

A Rhyl fan adds, "Shame the thugs have won again, with the cancellation of the Chester game, but from my point of view, what a replacement. I was happy when I heard Man City were coming, but now Altrincham as well, I am over the moon, if you will pardon the expression. I have family connections with Altrincham. My uncle and my late grandfather both played for them, and my grandfather was a member of the committee running the club. Ian Johnson".

In last Saturday;s friendly Rhyl lost 1-2 at home to Kidsgrove Athletic. The match report says "One of the players currently on trial at the club that featured in the match is former TNS [and Altrincham] forward John Toner who was released from Bala Town at the end of the season. Our trial goalkeeper was forced off after suffering a hand injury and debutant Brad Maylett was also injured during the match which saw him limp off".

The Rhyl site adds that "Following on from news that Australian goalkeeper Anthony Costa will be joining the club on a trial basis, we are now pleased to announce a further two Australian players who are due to arrive in Rhyl on Monday 12th July. Nick Ruoco and Pasquale Polistina both play in midfield and are in their early 20s and they have both been recommended by Nick Tarquinio who has worked with many youth players from Sydney, New South Wales... If their trials at Rhyl do not work out, they will move on to trial in Italy".

Altrincham's game at Nantwich Town on Saturday 17th is still on. In their last game, Nantwich fielded former Alty reserve Chris Rowley in goal for the second half, whilst ex-Alty Youth striker, Sam Madeley played up front. Admission prices on Saturday will be £5 for adults, £3 for concessionaries and £1 for children.

Nantwich play at the Weaver Stadium, Water Lode, CW5 5BS. They are managed by former Alty players Kevin Street and Darren Tinson (right).

SUMMER SOCCER FUN WEEK

SATURDAY SOCCER FOR UNDER-EIGHTS

BSBP NEWS

Left: Action from Alty's game at Woodley last Saturday; as Shaun Densmore tracks an aerial ball, Robbie Lawton (wearing Ross Thaker's shirt), Robbie Williams, Anthony Danylyk and Ryan Brown await developments.

According to the Football Conference "Gateshead have been dealt a blow with the news that central defender James Curtis will miss the start of the season. Curtis, the Tynesiders' longest-serving player and last season's player of the year, has broken the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The 27-year-old is now on crutches and it is expected to take three-four weeks for the injury to heal and then a couple more weeks of rehab".

"'I felt the bone snap during the few minutes I was on the pitch in the opening pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough', said Curtis. 'I have never had an injury like this before and obviously it is disappointing, but hopefully I won't miss too many games. As I am now a full-time pro I can receive treatment and do the necessary physio every day rather than on a couple of nights so hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later'.

Manager Ian Bogie is... philosophical about the situation. 'Ideally he will only miss the first week of the season'", he said.

According to Blue Square Football "Forest Green Rovers' hopes of signing Julian Alsop have ended after the veteran striker returned to former club Bishops Cleeve. Alsop has enjoyed a long and varied career but surprised many by resigning for Cheltenham Town last season, after a six year absence. The 37-year-old defied expectations by snapping up the supporters' player of the season award as well as breaking the club's Football League goalscoring record. But after training with Rovers, he has now put pen-to-paper on a deal with Bishops Cleeve".

Meanwhile "Kidderminster Harriers boss Steve Burr has expressed his disappointment at seeing David McDermott leave the club. The 22-year-old winger was offered a chance to resurrect his Harriers career after spending most of last season on the sidelines with illness and injury. But after a week's training with the Aggborough club, McDermott decided rather to try his luck with rivals York City.

Burr told the club's official website: 'Since I came here last season David has hardly played any football, through no fault of his own, so it was obviously the most we as a club could offer him; the chance to come back and show us what he could do. But he is a free agent and it is his right to decide where he wants to try and earn a contract. As far as I know he has not been offered anything concrete by York so we're disappointed to see him go - especially as we offered him the same chance straight after the end of the season'".

Blue Square Football also confirms that "Former Stockport and Leeds striker Anthony Elding is looking for a new club after Hungarian giants Ferencvaros paved the way for him move back to England. The 28-year-old moved to Budapest in January after being given a free transfer by Crewe Alexandra while on loan at Kettering. Elding... bagged eight goals in 15 league appearances as the side managed by Craig Short just missed out on a Europa League spot.

With Short having left for Notts County and the Hungarians' other English backroom staff and players - apart from ex-Port Vale midfielder Sam Stockley - now back home, Elding is also keen to return... Ferencvaros are understood to want around 25,000 Euro (around £20k) to release the former England C striker's registration".

The South Wales Argus says that "Ambitious Newport County made an eleventh hour bid to sign legendary Swansea hot shot Lee Trundle. The former Swansea, Wrexham and Bristol City man is set for an astonishing move to Welsh Premier League outfit Neath Athletic, according to reports, on a three-year deal said to be worth over £2,000 a week... It allows him to stay in his adopted hometown of Swansea.

However, when the news of Trundle’s shock move became public, County boss Dean Holdsworth – currently on holiday in Italy – was in instant contact with the prolific marksman in a bid to lure him to Spytty Park, although the attempt appears to have been unsuccessful... County were hopeful that the opportunity to thrive in the Conference, as well as complete his coaching badges alongside A-licensed Exiles coach Matt Bishop, would be enough to tempt Trundle.

The Argus understands that there was even mention of Trundle being entitled to a percentage of any future transfer fee the club received for him (with a specific sum written into his contract), but that wasn’t enough with Neath’s huge offer already on the table".

Still in Wales, the BBC reports that "Ex-Swansea City midfielder Kristian O'Leary is set to join Welsh Premier side Neath. The 33-year-old will become the second former Swan to join in the space of a few days after striker Lee Trundle agreed a three-year-deal. Port Talbot-born O'Leary spent a spell on loan at Wrexham last season".

Swansea City report that "Chad Bond was in action for Newport County on Saturday - and scored. The young striker has been training with the newly promoted Blue Square Premier outfit and played in their weekend friendly at Aberystwyth Town".

From the BBC we learn that "Grimsby Town have signed former Bournemouth striker Alan Connell on a two-year deal with the club having an option of a further year. The 27-year-old was released by the Cherries this summer after 119 appearances and 19 goals... The former Ipswich trainee has played for Torquay, Hereford and Brentford".

"Bath City are poised to sign former Bristol City utility man Joe Burnell" says This is Bath. "The 29-year-old, who can play in midfield or at the back, has agreed to sign on at Twerton Park after leaving Exeter City at the end of last season. Burnell made more than 200 Football League starts for City, where he started his career as a trainee, Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers.

His 2009-10 campaign was ruined by a long-term groin injury, however, and City chief Adie Britton does not expect to be able to call on his new recruit for at least another three weeks as he completes his recovery. Britton said: 'Joe’s a really good character who gives us cover in a number of positions... He’s opted to play part-time for us because he is starting up his own business in the Bristol area'. Britton is also on the verge of bringing a new striker to the club but is resigned to losing Sean Clohessy just 10 days after signing the former Salisbury City full-back on a one-year deal

The ex-Gillingham man is attracting the attention of league clubs and did not attend City’s friendly with Cardiff City last Thursday. Britton said: 'I said at the time he was the best player I’d ever signed for Bath and since then two or three league clubs have come in for him. It’s better it happens now than in October or November and right-back is not a massive problem for us. Sean hasn’t got a clause in his contract but I’m not going to stand in his way of somebody who has the chance to get back into the league'".

The Cambridge News tells us that "John Beck has admitted he faces an uphill task to assemble a squad capable of keeping Histon in the Blue Square Bet Premier next season. The Histon boss put 12 trialists through their paces in Friday night's home friendly against Ipswich Town, but only a handful stood out in the 6-0 defeat.

Beck said the Stutes had spread their net far and wide in a bid to recruit new players, but he is finding it difficult to find the right kind of player because of the low wage bill which the club will be operating with. He said: 'We've emailed 417 FIFA-registered agents saying "help, we've got no players". We've gone through 65 trialists now and we keep whittling them down and there were a couple that showed some promise. We've got a lot of work to do, though. We'll have a really low budget and the most we'll be able to pay is about £125 per week. But we'll keep looking and keep working hard'...

Beck was most impressed with defenders Gomez, Remi and Ben Clark, while last season's first-team squad members Joe Welch, Adam Tann, Erkan Okay, Lee Smith, Callum Stewart, Daniel Sparkes, Lewis Taffe and Jim Stevenson all featured during the game. Former Stute Antonio Murray also played, and Beck remains hopeful that a deal may be done to secure his services for next season. But it seems unlikely that Adam Bygrave will return.

'I don't think we'll be able to afford him', said Beck. He added: 'It looks like we'll have a back four and we'll probably have a midfield four. But we're a bit short on strikers... Hopefully we won't go down at the end of the season', he said. 'It certainly won't be for a lack of effort or organisation'".

Reports from the Uxbridge Gazette say that "Hayes & Yeading star James Mulley is on trial at Charlton Athletic. United boss Garry Haylock told the Gazette last week that the 21-year-old midfielder's future was hanging in the balance after failing to agree terms at Church Road.... He featured in the Addicks' 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday".

The Leader says that "Dean Saunders is hoping to clinch the signing of goalkeeper Wayne Brown and an un-named centre-back from a higher division on a season-long loan deal. Brown, a free agent, having been released from Bury at the end of last season, has held talks with Saunders, although he feels the 33-year-old, who has also played for Chester City and Hereford United, 'might be out of our price range'. Saunders [added], 'I thought I had got him... but I may have to look elsewhere'.

Saunders is also in discussions with a club about bringing in a defender on loan after losing Ashley Westwood and Mansour Assoumani. As he is operating on a reduced budget, Saunders is hoping the player’s club will contribute towards his wages. 'We want to take the player on loan for a year from a club higher up than us', said Saunders. 'We are waiting for their chairman to agree to the offer we have put in. The player wants to come... but we can’t pay all the wages'".

LOCAL NEWS

The Blues are to play reserve, Under-21 and selected Academy matches at the Stadium, which has benefited from summer improvements to the ground and to the pitch. City in the Community are also continuing as shirt sponsors for the 2010-11 campaign in the Blue Square Bet North by Hyde FC, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary.

Chief Executive Garry Cook said: 'We are very much looking forward to taking our games to Hyde for the new season. This is a win-win situation for both clubs. Hyde are a fantastic local club with which we have long enjoyed a strong relationship'.

Delighted Hyde Chairman Steve Hartley said: 'We have always had a close relationship with City, and Garry Cook and Life President Bernard Halford have both given us tremendous support during the past few seasons'... City's Phoebe Marshall, the Project Manager, said: 'The ground was looking a bit tired, now it's looking good'". Coincidentally, Hyde recently dropped "United" from their club name.

WORLD CUP COMPETITION

Team Competition:

Players Competition:

STEWARDS' AWARDS

"At Saturday's pre-season stewards' meeting, the following were awarded their NVQ level 3 certificates in Spectator Safety, the first ever stewards from the club to achieve this level.

L-R back row: Ian Kershaw, Steve Murray, Louise Bowyer, Darren Gregory and Alison Lewis

L-R middle row: Steve Jamieson, Keith Armstrong, Peter Lewis and Ian Cox.

Also qualified to this level but not pictured is Mike Ainsworth. Also pictured on the front row are the latest stewards to qualify at NVQ 2 level in Spectator Safety.

L-R Sam Lewis, Michelle Henshaw and Ian Langford. Not present: Chris Ainsworth And Emma Henderson.

I would like to thank the stewards for their continued commitment and also Tony Dunkerley and Telford College for their continued support.

Thank you, Darren Gregory"

Altrincham FC would like to thank Darren and all of the stewards' team for their dedication to their work for the club.

OLD BOYS

Having began his career with Rotherham United, 32 year old Scott made eight appearances for Leigh while on loan at Hilton Park for the first month of the club's Nationwide Conference debut season in 2000/2001 before going on to make more than 250 appearances over eight years with Altrincham.

After playing alongside each other in the Altrincham defence, Maddox and Scott teamed up again last year as Formby's management team, with Scott also proving to be a useful addition to the playing squad along with the coaching staff.

Scott's appointment completes Maddox's coaching set up, with Scott filling the position of assistant manager, midfielder Andy Heald as player-coach and the recent appointment of Richard Ward as coaching assistant".

Former Alty player Danny Heffernan signed on Saturday for Woodley Sports. He and former team mate Pat McFadden were both at the pre-season game at Woodley against Altrincham. Pat is not currently attached to a club.

YOUTH TEAM

Alty Youth captain Jamie Brown tussles for possession.

Identifying the eleven faces who were in Alty's first team squad on Saturday at Woodley was a challenge, especially as they all wore shirts with names of other players on them and had different numbers on their shorts! But the problem was potentially worse at BTH on Sunday when Alty Youth fielded 13 players who had not been in their squad at the end of last season. But, thanks to manager George Heslop, everyone could be identified correctly.

Sunday's game, a pre-season match with Congleton Town, ended 0-0. There is a match report in the youth section

FRIENDLY PRICES

Right: Michael Twiss, Alty's new striker who was at Morecambe and Stalybridge Celtic last season.

Altrincham FC season ticket holders for 2010-11 get free entry to all the Moss Lane pre-season games but if you are paying at the turnstile, entry is still good value:

BRIAN'S WORLD CUP

"We finally managed to see England live on Sunday and, for the majority of the game, I really felt that we would get a result, but the team’s defensive frailties were ultimately cruelly exposed by the impressive Germans, who I fancy to push Argentine all the way in the Quarter Final on Saturday.

The rumours here proved unfounded that the England team flew back into Glasgow Airport to ensure a heroes' reception and whilst many will feel that we underperformed, my view is that reaching the last sixteen reflects the current team’s abilities.

We sought sanctuary for our disappointment in Bethlehem! Not the birthplace of Jesus, but the Lions Rock Big Cat Sanctuary near the city of Bethlehem, situated about three hours away from the scene of England’s demise in Bloemfontein. There was plenty of room at this inn though and the lions, tigers and cheetahs helped to soothe the disappointment of our World Cup exit.

We have been to three games in the last four days, watched Brazil twice (against Portugal in Durban on Friday and last night against Chile at Ellis Park, Johannesburg), with the England game in between.

We now have a bonus game in our sights as tickets are available for this afternoon’s clash between Paraguay and Japan in Pretoria about thirty miles from Johannesburg. We are taking Mark and Pete, two Australian brothers from Sydney and Pastor Julius O. Akeng’a from Nairobi in Kenya... It will be the first time that we have been to a match with a man of the cloth! Julius is hoping to pick up a ticket outside the ground for about a hundred Rand (about £9) so he may need a little divine intervention to be successful in that venture!

We’re entering the final few days of our African adventure, but no doubt there are still some interesting experiences ahead before we head back to England’s green and pleasant land on Saturday".

BSBP NEWS

Left: Danny Adams, Alty's left-back from 1997 to 2000 returned to play in Alty's pre-season game at Woodley last Saturday. Here he is seen, after that game, with James Smith, an established member of Altrincham's current back-line.

Not content with spending £170,000 in transfer fees, plus handsome wages, to acquire Argentinian Sergio Torres from Peterborough United and Matt Tubbs from Salisbury, plus six other new signings, the NL Paper reports that Crawley boss Steve Evans has made a "mega money move for star midfielder Kevin Keane" from Luton Town believed to be in excess of £100,000. The paper adds "Crawley are also prepared to push the boat out on the player's wages" and Evans confirmed that "Crawley have lodged bids for three more players". This comes after a £150,000 bid for Tomlin from Rushden was turned down. The £100K paid for Torres "is the highest a non-League club has paid for a player in nearly ten years" says the NL Paper.

Meanwhile, Conference chairman Brian Lee said, "We have only to take the word of the club in question... that they have the resources to back up what they are buying. We know what happens if they don't... It will be interesting to see if their money is being spent wisely... Money does not guarantee trophies".

Even fellow manager Graham Westley, at promoted Stevenage, has his doubts about Crawley, as he told the NL Paper, "I sincerely hope, for everyone involved, that the [big money] approach does not end in pain but I cannot help feeling that it might... It takes much more than just money to win promotion. Nobody can guarantee that a big player won't get injured. Nobody can gift you an 8,000 home crowd... Despite all of the [Crawley] investment, there will still be stronger squads in the league".

The Crawley situation is all the odder for being so sudden. The club's two main owners have not changed since last season when they were portrayed by Steve Evans as obliging him to offload players such as Jake Wright, Jamie Cook and J-P Pitman, all of whom he wanted to keep, in order to balance the books. As recently as the May issue of the NLN24 magazine, Evans said, "I don't kid myself that I wouldn't prefer to still have those players on board. When you've only got 15 or 16 players in your squad... you have to ask kids to come in... you just don't get away with it". Evans claimed that last season he operated on a budget of "around £350,000 for the whole season". That is not much more than he will have spent in one month on transfer fees alone this summer.

According to Blue Square Football "Tamworth assistant manager Darron Gee is delighted that Des Lyttle will be staying at the club next season. The 38-year-old has a long and successful career spanning almost 20 years... Gee told This is Tamworth: 'He has been magnificent for us over the last couple of seasons and has been a big part of what we have achieved. From a coaching point of view, he has been a help to us. And, on the playing side, at 38, he still has that will to win - that desire is still there... He will push the young lads to make sure they are playing to the best of their ability'" .

WOODLEY GAME

Above: Alty's Damian Reeves gets to grips with Woodley's Peter Band.

There is a report on the abandoned friendly at Woodley, here.

Woodley Sports add that "Woodley Sports opening pre-season fixture against Conference neighbours Altrincham FC was abandoned following a clash which resulted in The Steelmen’s Matt Cotton being stretchered off. Early reports indicate that Matt sustained 2 fractures to both tib & fibs and will undergo surgery at Stepping Hill Hospital. Everyone connected with Woodley Sports wishes Matt a very speedy recover. The game, although now meaningless, was 1-1 at the time after Dennis Sherriff had put the home side in front".

TRIALISTS

Danny was a permanent fixture for Altrincham at left-back from 1997 to 2000 when he went into the Football League with Macclesfield Town (for a £25,000 transfer fee). He then joined Stockport County and in March 2005 he moved on to to Huddersfield Town. After a period at Morecambe, he briefly joined Stalybridge Celtic last season.

Lewis is a Bootle-born striker who reached the Everton senior Academy side at the end of the 2006/07 season after impressing in the Under-16s. He went on to play for Everton Reserves during the 2008-09 season as well as turning out for the Under-18s. 2009-10 saw him still involved with the Toffees' reserves for whom he made two sub appearances.

5 feet 11 inch central-midfielder Fraser McLachlan joined Morecambe in March 2006, initially on loan from Mansfield Town, making the deal permanent by signing a two-year contract in summer 2006. He started out with Stockport County making 43 league appearances befoe moving to Northwich Vics for three league games in 2004-05.

Next came 23 league games at Mansfield Town before he left in 2005-06 for Morecambe where he suffered a broken leg and missed most of the 2007–08 season . Morecambe released him in May 2010.

Danny is a former Burton Albion midfielder who spent last season at Ilkeston Town.

OLD BOYS

Secondly, we learn that another ex-Alty Youth player, in 2003-04, has received a lengthy soccer ban. "Langley celtic's chances of again representing Manchester with distinction in the highly coveted Manchester Sunday Cup have been dealt a hammer blow due to the indiscipline of their skipper. David Neville, who captained Langley to the last 16 stage... last season, has been suspended from all football for six minths for assaulting a referee. Neville, 23, was found guilty at a County FA hearing to a charge of common assault on the official... in April.

In addition to the 182-day ban, he was also handed a fine of £150. The incident is reported to have taken place when Neville reacted angrily to being sent off. The fiery midfielder, whose clubs have included FC United, Accrington Stanley and Salford City, will now be sidelined for the whole of next season as the marathon suspension will only start when Neville completes bans totalling three months imposed for previous offences". Neville's career with Alty Youth ended prematurely in September 2003 when he was sent off for violent conduct when representing the Altrincham & District FA representative side.

Team Talk says that "Macclesfield Town got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 3-1 win at non-league outfit Buxton... Boss Gary Simpson will be delighted with his side's run out... trialist Osebi Abadaki [ex-Alty Youth] set up Butcher's opener. Simpson also included new signings Sam Wedgbury and [ex-Alty midfielder] Lewis Chalmers in his side".

BSBP NEWS

Boss Dean Saunders told the Daily Post: 'There's been some interest in Andy Fleming from Morecambe. We're waiting to see what they are going to offer and we are talking about a compensation package... He won player of the year last season and we've had interest from a few clubs, but none have been willing to put the money on the table... He will be a good signing for some club in the Football League'.

Fleming added: 'If the opportunity to move comes along I will take it because you don't get too many chances to play at a higher level. My agent is handling everything and I think he's talking to Morecambe while their people are talking to Wrexham. I'll be sad to leave if it goes through but I want to be playing in the Football League'".

FRIENDLY ABANDONED

Player-identification was as difficult as it could have been. Even last year's squad were wearing shirts with other (mostly departed) players' names and numbers on them and most were wearing a completely different number on their shorts! Shaun Densmore, who was no.6 last season, for example, wore no.11 and the name Clee on his back.

The team sheet gave two different line-ups for each half of the game. Alty included all the fit squad from last year except Nicky Clee, who was presumably playing cricket in Yorkshire. New signings Michael Twiss and Damian Reeves started up front. Dale Johnson was present but will not play till next week after his injury. Matt Doughty and Tom Kearney were not involved but physio Sean Riley reports that both are making good progress towards fitness.

The trialists were as follows and more details about them will appear on the website later tonight...

More on the match and pictures will follow tonight.

TODAY'S GAME - 2PM

It is exactly eleven weeks since Alty's last game of the 2009-10 season and since then six players have left; Colin Little has retired, Chris Senior has gone to Darlington and Greg Young has departed to York City. Michael Welch and John McAliskey have been released and Peter Doran has decamped to Fleetwood Town. With Dale Johnson, Matt Doughty and Tom Kearney still on the recovery path after serious injuries last term, there are nine faces currently missing from last season's end of campaign squad. Only two new signings had been made to date, both strikers: Michael Twiss and Damian Reeves. So a number of trialists will be on display today, hoping to fill some of the vacant slots in the squad.

Alty's last pre-season game at Woodley was on Saturday, 1 July 2006 when Alty lost 3-1. Alty fielded their two new signings from Halifax Town, midfielder Steve Bushell and winger Justin Bowler. Woodley included several former Alty players including David Swanick, Chris Young and Mario Daniel, whilst former trialist Gavin Salmon was on their bench.

Alty's side that day was 1. Craig ELLISON, 2. Stephen ROSE, 3. Richard GRESTY, 4. Karl MUNROE, 5. Peter BAND, 6. Steve BUSHELL, 7. Lewis CHALMERS, 8. Warren PEYTON, 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Kieran LUGSDEN, 11. Justin BOWLER. Subs: 12. Ben DEEGAN, 14. Blake NORTON, 14. Laurence BALL, 15. NEVINS, 16. Pat McFADDEN, 17. Astley MULHOLLAND, 18. Lee MANNION.

Not one of the Alty 18 remains at the club now though Peter Band will feature this year - for the Sports rather than for Altrincham. Pictured, above right, during that game we see Steve Bushell, in front of Warren Peyton and, right, Justin Bowler. In the background is assistant manager Dalton Steele.

OLD BOY

BSBP NEWS

Manager David Holdsworth said: 'Mark has been on jury service for the past two weeks so he is playing 'catch up' in regards to fitness... He is a hungry young man who wishes to continue his progression here'".

Meanwhile "Hartlepool United's Director of Youth Development, Terry Mitchell, has been appointed as the new assistant-manager and first-team coach at Gateshead. Mitchell, 48, replaces Adam Sadler, who was appointed number two during the summer but left this week to take up a coaching post at Plymouth Argyle. Tynesider Mitchell was a successful manager/coach at Newcastle Blue Star and West Allotment Celtic before he moved into the professional game with Hartlepool...

Said Mitchell, 'They are a progressive club and while many clubs are struggling Gateshead are moving in the right direction'".

Over on the west coast, "Skipper Paul Jones and winger Paul Rutherford both signed new one-year deals with Barrow after their previous contracts expired at the end of last season. Young midfielder James Owen, on non-contract terms last season following his departure from the old Chester City club, has earned a new twelve-month contract at Holker Street. Completing the quartet was debutant hat trick hero, Danny Forrest, after the winger/striker elected to reject a new offer from Crawley Town".

Newport County manager Dean Holdsworth says "I am really pleased to announce... the signing of the experienced right sided full back / midfielder Eddie Odhiambo [formerly Anaclet]. Eddie has played for both Oxford and, last season, Stevenage, in the Conference and I have had my eye on him for some time. I was really pleased when he became available and we have secured his services for the coming season".

From Southport we learn that "The Southport Visiter revealed today that Ciaran Kilheeney is engaged in talks with Droylsden along with Robbie Booth and Bradley Barnes while Chris Simm has been placed on the transfer list as Liam Watson reshapes his striking line up. The pre season friendly tomorrow versus Eastwood will feature a number of trialists as the fixture Liam Watson states has come too soon for some regulars. Liam Blakeman and Kevin Lee are ruled out with Daniel Lloyd-McGoldrick poised to start".

According to NL News 24 "Just a month after leaving Barrow, goalkeeper Tim Deasy is back at the club on trial. The 24-year-old left the club after three years earlier this summer, but has this week returned to pre-season training. The Salford-based stopper will feature this weekend when the Bluebirds tackle Oldham Athletic..

AFC joint-manager Dave Bayliss tells the North West Evening Mail: 'It was his choice to leave us originally. We offered him a contract and he turned it down. Tim, however, rang both myself and Shez (fellow joint-manager Darren Sheridan) earlier this week. Fair play, it takes a lot to ring someone up and admit you were wrong, but that’s what he did. He’s come back on trial. He’s admitted he made a mistake by leaving the club in the first place, so he’ll start on level pegging again. Tim is decent, as good as anyone you’ll get in this league. It’s now a case of having a look at him and seeing how the land lies'".

"Rushden and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh says midfielder Mark Byrne will not be re-joining them on loan. The 21-year-old scored seven goals in 44 appearances last season while on loan from Nottingham Forest. 'I'm disappointed because we gave him the platform to perform', Edinburgh told BBC Radio Northampton. 'Everyone else I wanted to re-sign has stayed with us'".

BROAD BRUSH APPROACH TO MANAGERSHIP

"The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has launched a summer scouting mission to find some of the most marvellous non-league managers in the UK. As proud of sponsors of the Football League Trophy, Johnstone’s has enjoyed its most successful season yet and would like to thank its grass roots fans, courtesy of a new campaign to put amateur managers in the spotlight. Whether it’s a promising Pardew or an ambitious Abbott, the trophy is inviting everyone to nominate their favourite amateur bosses.

Every nomination will be displayed on the website during August for fans to log on and vote for their favourite. The winner will receive the first ever ‘Johnstone’s Marvellous Manager’ trophy, a commemorative ball from the 2009/10 final and a new strip for his team. Ten runners up will each receive a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy replica ball.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s sponsorship manager Teresa Hardwick said: 'It could be a club coach of more than 20 years or a newer kid on the block who has masterminded some recent successes. We really want pub footballers, non league players and anyone else to dig out their stars of the dug-out for us to celebrate'.

Players who wish to nominate their manager will have until the 31st July to upload a picture and short explanation as to why they think their manager deserves to win. So to be in with a chance [of] crowning your manager the best in the UK, visit our competitions section to upload your photos and complete the online entry form".

WE'RE OFF

Speaking of the new league season in Wednesday's Manchester Evening News, Alty keeper Stuart Coburn said, "It's probably the toughest opener we could have had but our performance at Luton in APril shows we should not have any fear".

YOUTH CUP DRAW

AFC Fylde add that "The U18's will play in the FA Youth Cup for the first time and take on Conference side ALTRINCHAM at home. AFC Fylde v Altrincham Mon 6th September 2010 FA Youth Cup Kick Off 7.45pm. FA Youth Cup Qualifying Round". However, the date is subject to confirmation.

OLD BOY

BSBP NEWS

The spending goes on in Sussex as Peterborough United confirm that "Peterborough United winger Sergio Torres has signed a two-year deal with Blue Square Premier side Crawley Town after successful talks with boss Steve Evans this week. Torres moves to the Broadfield Stadium for a fee in excess of £100,000 as Town look to secure promotion into the Football League. The Argentine midfielder, who signed for Posh from Wycombe Wanderers, was hampered by injury problems at London Road". Meanwhile Bulls News tells us that "Peterboro say six League Two and two Conference sides are chasing [former Kettering] defender Exodus Geoghaghon".

But if you think Crawley Town are splashing the cash at Step 1 of the Pyramid, how about this from Bullsnews about Step 3 club, Brackley Town? "Halesowen boss, and former Bull, Matt Clarke... revealed that Yeltz [Halesowen] striker Stefan Moore had received a £1,000 a week offer from Southern League Premier rivals Brackley Town, who are managed by ex-Bull Jon Brady". The BBC recently reported that "Brackley Town have bolstered their squad by signing Michael Blackwood and Tom Kemp. Versatile Blackwood, 30, joins the Saints from Tamworth, while centre-back Kemp, 23, arrives from Worcester City... The signings follow the high-profile acquisition of goalkeeper Billy Turley from the U's".

At Mansfield Town "Strikers Mickey and Rory Boulding are expected to play some part in Saturday's friendly match at home to Sheffield United. Mickey, 34, started his career with us and enjoyed a second spell more recently between 2006-08, scoring 30 goals in 77 starts. Rory, 23, made his debut for us in October 2006 and spent two years with us since turning professional. The duo both plyed their trade with Bradford City last season

Manager David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net: 'I have given Mickey and Rory the opportunity to train with us and they both have a variation of knowledge about the game. Mickey is someone who was regarded as a hero in his previous spell here, I understand. Rory is a different type of player and is also a very talented individual. Both have trained very well today'".

CHESHIRE NEWS

'The FA wants clarification on one or two more things before releasing the money', said owner Jim Rushe yesterday, Tuesday. 'They aren’t major issues; one is to do with crowd figures and another related to transfer fees we’ve received for our players over the past few months. I’m confident they can be resolved quickly'.

He proposes a new firm, Northwich Victoria Football Club (2007) Ltd, buys the old one and takes on the responsibility of paying off a proportion of its debts in monthly instalments over a five-years period. The FA has insisted on thorough checks before agreeing to the sale... A delay in releasing the six-figures sum means the club’s creditors, who agreed to a dividend of 42p in every pound owed to them last December, continue to wait too.

That offer, which breached Football Conference rules that insisted on full repayment of cash owed, led to Vics’ expulsion from Blue Square North in May. However this week the Conference gave the biggest hint yet that Vics – and Salisbury City – would be accepted as members next summer should they win promotion this time around. 'We would not wish for double jeopardy but I do not wish to pre-judge or pre-empt any situation', general manager Dennis Strudwick told the Guardian".

CAN YOU HELP?

"We are looking to source a Portakabin for use by the stewards on matchdays - if anyone has a contact for acquiring one or knows of one being disposed of, please contact the club.

JOIN THE PATRONS

Details of the Patrons' Scheme are here.

FRIENDLY PRICES

ALTY "OLD BOY" JOINS FRIENDLY OPPONENTS

Woodley Sports' squad comprises:

Granite and Wareing were in the Stockport & District FA Youth side which beat Altrincham & District FA Youth on penalties earlier this year. Chris Curley was a Reserve at Altrincham who originally joined Woodley in 2005 before re-signing this summer.

SPONSOR A PLAYER

OLD BOY

BSBP NEWS

'Adam is something we were really looking for: an established midfield player who knows the league and has excelled at this level as captain at Oxford', Money told lutontown.co.uk. 'We see him as a very important signing and one with which I am genuinely surprised to have been able to secure. We were astounded that he was made available'...

The Hatters' pursuit of Heslop was well documented before the former Barnsley man ironically opted to sign for Oxford... In the squad we've pieced together [there are] a lot of good, intelligent footballers with craft, industry and enthusiasm. Andy Drury, Dan Gleeson, Danny Crow... We're not signing any more forwards', Money said. 'We've got four strikers that are all capable of hitting 20 plus goals each. And we're not in for another defender either. Whether the midfield jigsaw is complete, I don't know, we'll take another look during pre-season...

Who will play in goal? It's the same with the front pair. Who would the two be? That's if we play with two. I really couldn't tell you... It takes all sorts to get out of this league', Money continued. 'Going to Gateshead and Barrow and winning 1-0 is just as vital as beating Grays 6-0 or Hayes & Yeading 8-0 at Kenilworth Road...

'The squad we have is adaptable. It will enable us to play 4-4-2 or a diamond, which will give us options all over the pitch depending on the situation'... With only one trialist - Stefan Bailey - joining the group for pre-season, it will be the first time for many summers that the Town will have a settled squad to pick from...

'A lot of clubs go through a period of regeneration in the summer, none more so in this league, and I think ourselves and York have been able to maintain the core of our squads which I believe will make both teams stronger. It means that come our first game against Altrincham on 14th August you could feasibly see a similar team that played against York in the final play-off game - albeit without Heslop. It could result in the likes of Gleeson, Murray, Crow, Pilkington and Drury not in the starting XI and that emphasises our strength in depth'".

Meanwhile, Hayes & Yeading United manager "Garry Haylock has today confirmed that Esmond James has undergone surgery to repair cruciate ligament damage suffered at the end of last season during our game at Crawley Town... Esmond will continue his re-habilitation with United during the forthcoming season and if all goes well, is aiming for a return to action in March 2011".

According to the Football Conference "Grimsby Town have signed defender Scott Garner from league rivals [Mansfield] on a two-year plus a year option deal... Ahead of the 2008/09 season he joined Ilkeston Town on loan where David Holdsworth was then the manager. With Holdsworth later becoming Mansfield manager... the Coventry-born centre half signed a contract at Field Mill... Garner was named in the England `C` squad to play Hungary under-23's in 2009, and captained the side".

The BBC adds that "The Mariners have also extended 29-year-old midfielder Mark Hudson's deal by another year. The duo [Garner and Hudson] join striker Charles Ademeno, 21, who signed a two-year deal on 1 July from Crawley Town".

Meanwhile news of Ademeno's old club is that "Peterborough United winger Sergio Torres is in talks with numerous clubs over a move, but Crawley are front-runners for the Argentine's signature... A statement on the Peterborough website said: 'Torres held talks with Crawley boss Steve Evans on Wednesday morning. Several other clubs are in for his services including League Two clubs'".

The Southport Visiter says that "Striker Chris Simm has been transfer listed - as Robbie Booth and Bradley Barnes close in on moves to Droylsden. The 19-goal hitman has rejected the chance to follow the duo to the Manchester side in favour of looking for a full-time deal.

Southport manager Liam Watson told Simm on Thursday, at the club’s first pre-season training session, the 26-year-old would be third choice striker in the forthcoming season. Watson has hinted at a preference for playing a 4-5-1 formation, making the Sandgrounders difficult to break down, and therefore limiting the speedy Simm’s chances of regular football.

Disappointed but appreciative of the boss’ honesty, Simm has now acquired football agent Rob Shields to help him find a club for the new season. Simm remains a Yellows player for the time being, training with the side last night, and has not ruled out staying at Haig Avenue if no offers are tabled.

The forward’s refusal to form part of the transfer to Droylsden - which saw Tony Gray move in the opposite direction - now means only three players will swap Southport for the Butcher’s Arms Ground this summer. A deal, believed to be in the region of £13,000-15,000, would see Gray return to Port and the quartet move to the Bloods, but that transfer must now have Simm’s value removed.

'I had a chat with Liam on Thursday and he was honest with me about playing 4-5-1 next season and that I would be third choice' said Simm. 'He said he’s been in the Conference before and tried to go at teams but it didn’t work - he wants to park the bus this time. Liam didn’t really want to see me leave because I would probably have a part to play and be the best sub he has. But he knew I would want to play every week and I’m not that tall striker who can hold the ball up. Last season if I got dropped for one game I was moaning. Liam was just honest with me and I am appreciative of that. I have got to look after number one and want a crack at full-time. I’ve got an agent and he says there has been a few enquiries. I’ve stopped my job as a joiner because I want to try full-time. Obviously I’m disappointed that I might be leaving Southport because I like it there. The news came as a shock but if nothing comes up then we’ll see what happens, I could end up staying'".

GRAYS' DECLINE

FA CUP DRAWS

But it's not just The FA Cup, we'll also be releasing the early round draws for The FA Trophy, The FA Vase and The FA Youth Cup.

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON:

The FA Trophy:

FA Youth Cup:

CRAWLEY SIGN TORRES AND PABLO

Also Crawley Town Football Club can confirm that Pablo Mills, last season's captain at League Two beaten playoff finalists Rotherham has joined the Reds. Mills (26) started over forty matches for Rotherham last season and led his team out as Captain in the Play-off Final at Wembley where they lost out to Dagenham & Redbridge by the odd goal in five. Pablo has just enjoyed a superb season and has been courted throughout the summer by a number of Football League clubs and Blue Square Bet Premier clubs but after several weeks of talks with Reds manager Steve Evans he arrived at The Broadfield Stadium this morning to complete a medical and sign his contract.

Manager Steve Evans was delighted with the capture, speaking exclusively to www.crawleytownfc.com he said, 'Pablo is a super signing for us. In fairness all the players we have signed, including him, have been carefully selected because our project this season is to get promoted to the Football League. Those selected players have either played at that level or in my opinion have the ability to perform and play there. We are building a squad not just for the season ahead but for the next two to three years, this is a serious project.

I watched Pablo many times last season and he was brilliant every time I watched him. He is a leader of men, a very talented footballer and a player who will make us better as a team and that is what we are - a team - it will never be about individuals. The lad can also play in a number of positions in the team; at centre back and in midfield Pablo has demonstrated he is simply outstanding.

The player spoke after completing his formal documentation to become a Red: 'I have been speaking to the Gaffer for weeks now and just to get him off the phone I signed for him; - no seriously, I am excited by the ambitions of the club and when I looked in detail at the squad for the new season I wanted to be a part of the project here. I told the Gaffer a few weeks ago that there was only one manager and club I would consider playing for in the Football Conference and his interest allowed me to turn down several clubs at Football League level to do that. This really is an exciting project and I want to be a big part of it'".

... OTHER BSBP NEWS

He left Derby in November 2003, joining Notts County and then rejoined Kidderminster Harriers and was a regular in their side until the end of the season. In June 2004, he joined Mansfield Town and then moved to Carlisle United in March 2005... At the start of 2006/07 he moved on to Torquay United for £10,000. In January 2007, Murray joined Macclesfield for a fee of £17,500 before he joined Oxford half way through the 2007/08 season... He was installed as Oxford captain at the start of the 2008/09 season...

Murray faces a baptism of fire when he travels with his new team mates for an intensive six-day training trip to Portugal tomorrow".

According to the Football Conference "Shane Huke has signed up to stay with Rushden & Diamonds for the 2010/11 season... The 24-year-old midfielder had been at Nene Park towards the end of last season, playing nine games, six starts and three substitute appearances - both in midfield and covering in the wing-back position".

Blue Square Football says that "Cambridge United manager Martin Ling has revealed that John Schofield has joined the U's with a view to earning a full-time coaching role at the club. 45-year-old Schofield held a training session with Ling's squad earlier this week after recently leaving his job as Cheltenham assistant manager. Ling told Cambridge News: 'We're assessing each other to see if it's a workable situation at the moment'... Schofield is a Uefa Pro Licence holder and made a name for himself at Lincoln before moving on to join Scunthorpe and Walsall".

"Alex Rodman’s future as a Tamworth player remains uncertain" reports the Birmingham Mail. "The exciting wide player has rejected a new contract... Lambs' assistant boss Darron Gee said: 'Alex had turned down our offer but he remains a Tamworth player. At the moment nobody has come in for Alex. “There was a feeling he was going to Notts County and join them in Austria for a pre-season tour but he has declined it'.

The Lambs... are close to securing a deal, however, with defender Michael Wylde. The centre-back had been wanted by Kidderminster Harriers but the Lambs expect to sort out a new deal with the former Cheltenham Town player".

Later, Tamworth reported that "The Lambs trained at Whittington today for the first time after the summer lay off. All of the players signed were in attendance along with Alex Rodman who is still to sign and Des Lyttle. Des will again be signing for the club on a non contract form. Gary Mills invited a number of trialists to attend so in total there was 25 players... Michael Wylde called into The Lamb after training and finally put pen to a new contract for the new season".

The York Press says that "Monks Cross is today set to be named as the preferred site for York’s new community stadium... creating a 6,000 all-seater home for York City FC and York City Knights on the edge of the city... The other sites named on a shortlist revealed last month were redeveloping City’s current Bootham Crescent home and the neighbouring Duncombe Barracks, a site at Mille Crux and Nestle North off Haxby Road and land at Hull Road near the University of York’s Heslington East campus extension.

But City’s chairman Jason McGill has already said a completely new ground on the site of the existing Huntington Stadium is the club’s preferred choice, and Coun Steve Galloway, the council’s executive member for city strategy, was due to tell today’s meeting City, the Knights and City of York Athletics Club had all made a 'firm commitment' to Monks Cross... 2014 has so far been earmarked as the earliest completion date".

McGill added, “I can also say to the football and rugby fans who have written to say they would like to have standing areas within the new stadium that the requirement for an all-seater design is currently imposed by the Football Foundation. Certainly the council would not seek to impose such a restriction, at least as long as the clubs are outside the upper reaches of their respective league pyramids.

There will be concerns at Monks Cross about traffic issues... The site has the advantage of a good Park&Ride service which I would expect most fans would wish to take advantage of".

Meanwhile York City "have confirmed the signings of George Purcell for an undisclosed fee from Braintree Town and Jonathan Smith from Forest Green Rovers".

From the Daily Post we have confirmation that "Dean Saunders returned from holiday yesterday and wasted no time in adding to his squad with the capture of former Forest Green player, David Brown... [He] also is in talks with ex-Grays Athletic defender Cameron Mawer, who took part in the first pre-season training session at Colliers Park, and expressed optimism that striker Gareth Taylor and midfielder Kristian O’Leary were close to signing new deals...

Saunders said: 'It’s shaping up nicely and the average age of the squad is up to 27 when it was probably 22 last year. Dave is another experienced player who can play in midfield and he connected well with Andy Mangan at Forest Green and made a lot of his goals. I’ve been chasing Brown all summer and it’s been a case of fitting him into the budget. He hasn’t cost me an arm and a leg but money is tighter than last year so I’m hoping now that fans will come along to get behind the team and buy some season tickets...

If the gates are on the up I’ll be able to go out and bring in better players again... I need to make another couple of signings, a centre-back and a goalkeeper', added Saunders. 'But we’ll be short in certain areas and we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed we don’t get too many injuries or suspensions. I have tried to fit as many players into the budget as I can and the only way to do that is to bring in versatile people who can play in several positions'. Saunders refused to be drawn on the future of Andy Fleming, who was voted player of the year by fans but was dropped for the final four games after refusing a new deal".

"Newport County are hopeful that manager Dean Holdsworth will remain with the club despite the boss being linked to the vacant managerial post at Swansea City" reports the Spith Wales Argus. "The Argus understands that Holdsworth is on a shortlist to replace departing manager Paulo Sousa and his name is mentioned across the South Wales media as a potential replacement for the Leicester City bound boss... However, with more experienced names such as Gareth Southgate, Gustavo Poyet, Paul Tidsdale, Roberto Martinez’s assistant Graeme Jones and Chris Coleman also in contention, County are hopeful that they won’t be dealing with any approach from the Swans... Holdsworth inked a new contract just weeks ago, so the Exiles would at least be compensated financially should Swansea make an approach...

Meanwhile, The Exiles’ record points haul of 103 in the Conference South has led to a drastic improvement in season ticket sales, up by over 20% on last term. County are closing in on 500 ticket sales for the season and with increased away attendances in the Conference National, that all but guarantees four figure crowds for every home clash... It has also prompted interest from the bookies.

County are seventh favourites for promotion... a better bet than Welsh rivals Wrexham and sides like Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon, and are also ahead of former League outfits Kidderminster, Cambridge United and Altrincham". Former League?

The Chronicle Live says that "Gateshead hope to bring in a new assistant manager/first-team coach by the weekend following the unexpected loss of Adam Sadler, who only joined the club during the close season... Sadler has been lined up to join Peter Reid and John Carver at Plymouth Argyle...

Gateshead gave the 30-year-old the chance to return to the professional ranks when Bogie’s No 2 Jeff Wrightson was unable to commit to a full-time role... Manager Ian Bogie said: 'Adam has been offered an opportunity to join Argyle, but fortunately I have been able to fill the void. The man coming in has an excellent pedigree. He is at a Football League club who have indicated they will not stand in his way...

Bermuda international Tyrell Burgess is one of five trialists... having trained with Gateshead for the first time yesterday. Former Liverpool apprentice goalkeeper Josh Mimms, ex-Burton Albion and Chester City central defender Shaun Kelly and England C international midfielder Michael Carr will all be out to impress. Bogie will also take a look at left-back David Brown following the England youth international’s release from Sunderland, where he played 16 reserve-team games last season. Bogie added: 'I am offered players on a daily basis. There are still four or five berths to fill and the players on trial will have the chance to impress first'".

This is Glos says that "Veteran striker Julian Alsop is training with Forest Green Rovers after being released by Cheltenham Town. The 37-year-old, who had a spell at the Nailsworth club in 2005/06, is a free agent after enjoying a remarkable second coming with the Robins last term.

Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday insists Alsop is working with his squad at Hartpury College purely to improve his fitness, but any fresh injection of funds could see the former Bristol Rovers and Swansea City man offered a surprise deal. Hockaday said: 'I'm very pleased to have him because he's a brilliant personality to have in and around the dressing room and he still knows where the goal is. At the moment we've got what we've got and there is not a lot left in the budget. But if somebody from outside wants to contribute to a new player's wages, whoever that may be, then great'.

Alsop made a shock return to Cheltenham last summer, having spent the previous five years playing outside the Football League with Forest Green, Newport County, Cirencester Town and Bishop's Cleeve. He went on to make 22 starts and 22 substitute appearances, scoring four goals and scooping the Supporters' Player of the Year award...

Hockaday oversaw a gruelling pre-season session yesterday, which involved a sizeable contingent of Hartpury College students. Among them was former West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Gavin Carlin, who looks in pole position to be named as back-up to new number one James Bittner. Striker Ross Dyer, another new recruit from Hednesford Town, trained alone in the gym as he recovers from a minor knee injury".

The Holker Street Newsletter says that "In the Evening Mail's article on the friendly against the Furness Select XI on Saturday, [Barrow joint manager] Dave Bayliss has this to offer: 'It's not just the locals today, we've been doing the soccer camps and there are one or two really good youngsters and it's opened my eyes to be honest. The sooner we can get the development team sorted - which Neil Doherty has - it will be brilliant for the area. We are losing out to a lot of good players from this area who are going to the likes of Blackpool and Blackburn". Anyone wanting a pre-season look at Barrow will find them at Salford City on the evening of Wednesday 4 August.

FRIENDLY FOES

MATTY CROWELL

"Hopes of seeing Matty Crowell (left) pull on an Altrincham shirt again have been dashed after it emerged he is living in South Wales and likely to sign for Conference newcomers Newport County. The former Alty midfielder was a huge favourite with Moss Lane regulars, after forming an impressive partnership with Tom Kearney in his brief spell at the club, and appeared to be back on manager Graham Heathcote's radar after cutting short his stay in Australia.

But his return to this country will not lead to a reunion with Alty followers after he chose to base himself in South Wales. 'Matty is living in Swansea, so that's a bit too far away for us,' said Heathcote, who looked to have pulled off a masterstroke by pairing Crowell with Kearney before the former Northwich midfielder accepted an offer to play for Australia 'A' League side Central Coast Mariners last August.

'That's often the way it is when you are looking to sign players at this level. It's down to where they are based. 'He has been doing some pre-season training with Newport, so you would imagine there must be a fair chance he will end up joining them. I'm still looking at players and talking to some, with a view to strengthening the squad further, so I hope there might be some news on that before long'".

OLD BOYS

Johnson said 'Re-signing are Danny Caldecott, plus Ben Smith, Alex Frost [ex-Alty youth and reserve], Matt Landregan, Adam Morning, Gareth Richards and Kieran Killackey [ex-Alty reserve]. The club are also expecting Terry Smith, Ian Bennett, Matty O'Neill, Ged Murphy [ex-Alty] to put pen-to-paper in the next few days. Also joining the club for the first time is... [an Alty trialist last summer] David Owens from Rossendale United'".

BSBP NEWS

At York City there's no buy now, pay later... I think people at the club have learnt a lesson from the experience of nearly losing their club'. York are generally offering new players one-year contracts to keep the club stable".

Also in the NL Paper, Stuart Hammonds confirms that from Crawley Town "a £150,000 bid for Rushden winger, Lee Tomlin, was rejected by both league rivals and player. A £125,000 punt for York City striker, Richard Brodie, in a bid to pair him with £70,000 Matt Tubbs, was also turned down. A further £50,000 swoop for Luton striker, Matthew Barnes-Homer, was aborted with even Crawley's new majority shareholders, Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter put off by wage demands of around £2,000 a week.

That is not to say there aren't going to be players at the Broadfield Stadium picking up decent four-figure salaries. Tubbs was said to be earning around £1,000 at Salisbury so a club record move to a club at the same level... is not going to entail a pay cut. Fellow strikers Jamie Cook and Craig McAllister from League One Exeter City also don't come cheap".

Stuart also tells us that another club seeking success are Fleetwood who "have made a statement of intent with a two-year deal, understood to be around £1,500 a week for [ex-Alty midfielder] Ian Craney. Kettering appear to be having a go too, with players like Moses Ashikodi and Ashley Westwood on two-year contracts believed to be for four figures"

Southport manager Liam Watson told the NL Paper why he might let Chris Simm leave. "I've got four forwards and we're likely to go with only one up front next season so I've been honest with him. It might be a decision that comes back to bite me on the bum".

At Darlington "Mark Cooper says the publication of the new fixtures last week will get fans buzzing for the 2010-11 campaign. Darlington's new boss is pleased to have been given a home game in the opening match of the Blue Square Premier season... But he admits the Quakers face a difficult opening few games.

'They could have been easier and could have been harder', he said. 'Newport County are on the crest of a wave at the moment... so they'll be full of confidence going into the new season, but we have to deal with that. We then go to Altrincham on the Tuesday night, which is a tough place to go for Darlington fans who haven't been before. [Darlington have played at Alty before, in 2002, in the FA Cup, as well as in the Conference in 1989/90 season].

It's a return to Kettering for me the following Saturday and that's another big game and then it's two home games against Grimsby and Gateshead, so for different reasons it doesn't get much bigger. But it gets them out of the way early on... We're keen to get off to a flying start'".

Meanwhile, "Mark Cooper today made his first signing as Darlington manager, with versatile midfielder Michael Brough signing a one-year deal... The 28-year-old, who can play in centre midfield and in defence, spent the second half of last season with the Stags [Mansfield] in the Blue Square Premier after signing for them permanently in January. Brough has also played for a number of other non-league clubs such as Stevenage Borough, Salisbury City and Forest Green Rovers".

Demoted "Salisbury City`s firebrand manager Tommy Widdrington is leaving the Zamaretto League Premier Division club to join Southend United as assistant-manager to new boss Paul Sturrock" reports the NL Daily.

"The man credited for keeping the Whites motivated on the pitch during last year's stormy season off it saw the approach by the npower League Two side as too big an opportunity to miss. However, Salisbury has moved quickly to ensure continuity at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium as it prepares for the new campaign which kicks off on August 14th and have given responsibility for football coaching to Mikey Harris and Darrell Clarke. Harris had worked closely with Widdrington preparing the club’s pre-season schedule while club captain Clarke, who has already completed his UEFA coaching badges, was regarded by the former manager as his ‘general in the dressing room'".

And, at Bath City "Sean Clohessy has become City's fourth summer signing after switching to Twerton Park from Salisbury City. The right-sided defender joins former teammates Danny White and Luke Ruddick in moving from the demoted Wiltshire club. After beginning his career as a trainee with Arsenal the 23-year old spent four seasons with Gillingham, where he made 43 first team appearances. He joined Salisbury in May 2009 after a successful loan spell there the previous season".

Wrexham report that following a holiday, "Manager Dean Saunders wasted no time in tying up one deal and progressing another. First to agree a switch to the Racecourse was striker David Brown. The former Manchester United trainee was with Forest Green Rovers last season and even had a short spell as manager at the New Lawn. Now 31, he is being reunited with partner Andy Mangan, and it is Brown who the Scouser credits with setting him up for his Conference leading goals tally two years ago... Based in Wigan, he helped Accrington to win promotion into the Football League in 2005.

Also likely to agree a deal is former Watford, Weymouth and Grays Athletic defender Cameron Mawer. A youngster at Vicarage Road, he later joined Grays Athletic during their glory days before heading to the south coast and spell with Weymouth in 2008/09".

"Bath City manager Adie Britton has spoken of his shock after securing the services of the highly-rated Sean Clohessy for the 2010-11 campaign" claims This is Bath. "Clohessy, 23, is a right-sided player who featured heavily for Salisbury City in the Blue Square Bet Premier last season. He is the third member of the Whites’ squad to switch to City this summer, following in the footsteps of defensive duo Danny Webb and Luke Ruddick...

Based in Croydon, Clohessy made more than 40 Football League appearances for Gillingham... He has signed a one-year deal...

Britton said: 'He’s a seriously good footballer and you don’t sign somebody like that and not play him – he’s like Adam Connolly and Lewis Hogg in that respect. I’m shocked that we got him. He wasn’t on my radar because we thought he’d end up in the league. Then Luke [Ruddick] said that he wanted to come training because he didn’t have anything sorted and I couldn’t believe my luck. This will really open some people’s eyes. It’s a major, major signing for us'.

Britton also confirmed that a pair of former Bristol Rovers youngsters, striker Joe White and defender Alex Kite, are training with the club. White is the son of former City assistant manager Steve".

The Cambridge News says that "John Beck stepped up his search for some new players when Histon began pre-season training on Saturday. The Stutes’ manager put around 35 trialists, who were eager to impress..., through their paces at Impington Village College. There were some familiar faces taking part in the session as well, with a group of 11 first-team players taking part in separate fitness tasks.

Leading the first-team squad, which included Antonio Murray, Joe Welch, Callum Stewart and Daniel Sparkes, through their regime were Erkan Okay and Adam Tann, with the latter appearing to be close to agreeing a deal which will see him become a player-coach at Bridge Road... Other players in the first-team group included David Knight, Jim Stevenson and Sam Mason-Smith.

Beck began by sending the group of potential recruits on laps of the playing field, with alternate bursts of slow and half-pace jogging. A couple were unable to last the pace... Beck will need some of the trialists to impress or he will have to bring in players from elsewhere as he needs at least five additions to form the 16-man squad he expects to have at his disposal".

DEMOTIONS

The National League System Rules have been updated and the wording 'reformed' has been removed. In future, a club would either be considered an Old or New Club. Any New Club taking over from an Old Club would be placed at Step 5 [e.g. Vodkat NW Counties Premier]. League Secretary John Deal said: 'Hopefully, this now means that if any future occurrences arise similar to the formation of Chester FC, there will be no doubt or debate as to where a newly formed club would be placed in the National League System'.

CONGRATULATIONS, GRAHAM!

As the season kicks off for 2010-11, Graham will also be the longest-serving current manager in the national division of the Conference, having operated continuously at that level since the start of the 2005-06 season. John King, under whom Graham also served as an assistant manager, had three spells in charge which make him the longest-serving manager overall as the Managers' List shows.

Graham has had an eventful period as manager; after securing a place in Conference North, he steered the club into the play-offs in 2005. Victory over Eastbourne Borough in the play-off final brought promotion to the Conference National. Alty finished eighteenth, comfortably clear of relegation in 2006, only to be docked 18 points for the James Robinson registration issue. Alty were reprieved from relegation that season and in the following two, due to other clubs' breaking the financial rules. Graham has secured lower-mid-table finishes in each of the last two seasons - commendable outcomes given that he has not spent a penny on transfers in his eight seasons of managership and also given that Alty remain part-time on a small budget in a largely full-time league.

SENSPORTKITS

FLYNNY'S BLOG

"When we arrived in South Africa two weeks ago, we were a bit tired and weary after a long flight, but that was put into very clear perspective on Wednesday when we met Shane from Newry in Northern Ireland, who had cycled from Tangiers on the northern tip of Morocco to the Cape of Good Hope to get here. The journey took SIX MONTHS and was part of the Cycle for Hope charity effort (www.cycleforhope.org) and the riders were joined for the last week of their journey by that renowned cyclist and former Manchester United and England player Lee Sharpe.

We have been in Durban for the last five days and the weather has been glorious at our beachside hostel. Niall is a seasoned visitor to hostels around Europe, but this is the first time that I have been in one and I was a bit mortified when we checked in as you have to put your age down on the Guest list........suffice to say I was top of the league.....comfortably! We went to the very entertaining 2-2 draw between Nigeria and South Korea on Tuesday and today it is the eagerly awaited clash between Portugal and Brazil.

There was a bit of angst on Wednesday afternoon when we headed down to the beachside Fan Fest area with three lads from Belfast.....inevitably all United fans....... only to find that they were showing USA v Algeria instead of England v Slovenia. Hordes of England fans swiftly migrated to the local bars and restaurants who cashed in big style.....meanwhile there was plenty of room on the beach!

A much better performance from England against the Slovenes and whilst the USA’s late winner against Algeria has set a much more tortuous route for Fabio and his boys, the Flynns are quite happy as we have tickets for game against Germany in Bloemfontein. This is the part of the trip, where the games come thick and fast and in the next four days we will see Portugal v Brazil, Germany v England and probably Portugal or Brazil against the runners up in Group H.....possibly Spain. Life’s a beach!"

ALTRINCHAM FESTIVAL

From St Margaret's Road, the parade moved on to Timperley where the TASC stand in the Festival grounds included a penalty shoot out competition with vice-chairman Grahame Rowley excelling himself between the sticks. The club is grateful to everyone who gave their time to support the Festival and to raise the profile of the Football Club.

OLD BOYS

Meanwhile "FC Halifax Town have signed winger Scott Metcalfe" who turned out for Alty Reserves a coupole of seasons ago. "The 21-year-old proved his credentials with an impressive display for league rivals Trafford against the Shaymen last season. Boss Neil Aspin admitted 'We tried to sign him midway through the campaign, but Trafford would not let him go'. Metcalfe spent three seasons at Trafford, with whom he won the 2008 North West Counties League title".

Hyde United "are pleased to announce three new signings. [One of theses is] ex-Stalybridge Celtic defender Andy Smart". Andy, a product of Altrincham Grammar School, played a couple of games for Alty Youth a few years back.

The Tameside Advertiser says that "Ashton United chairman David Aspinall is optimistic the club may win their fight for survival. Last Saturday’s Northern League AGM ended with the Robins accepted into the competition for the 2010/11 season. That proved a great boost for all concerned at Hurst Cross as they await to hear whether [ex-Alty forward] Marcus Hallows will accept a settlement rather than the £32,000 he was awarded following an injury sustained when playing against Ashton.

'The AGM was quite positive as we’re in the league next season', said Mr Aspinall. 'However, it all depends on Marcus Hallows and what he thinks because the other parties seem to be OK with our plans. What we’ve got to do is physically sit down and talk about it but we can’t do that until we hear from Marcus Hallows'".

BSBP NEWS

Boydy, too, it's a big year for him. He knows last season he wasn't as fit as we wanted him and we've told him what we expect this season fitness-wise. He is the best technical player at the club, probably one of the best I've ever played with, but knows he needs to get fitter. He'll get his chance in pre-season".

According to This is Glos "Dave Hockaday will add five Hartpury College students to his Forest Green ranks before the new Blue Square Bet Premier campaign begins on August 14. The Rovers boss has so far assembled a squad of 13 players, who gathered for the first day of pre-season training on Thursday alongside a crop of Hartpury students keen to catch his eye.

College quartet Tom Pass, Ben Pugh, Jon Else and Marcus Palmer all made league appearances for the New Lawn club last term, and Hockaday has challenged others to follow their lead. He said: 'Steve Davies became the 13th permanent signing this week and it's looking like he will be the last, unless some fresh money suddenly becomes available from outside. That means there is a real opportunity for the Hartpury boys, and there is a pretty strong pool of talent to choose from. We're looking for five of them to step up before the start of the season, who will be registered as first-team players and available for selection straightaway. Injuries and other factors will probably mean we need to register a few more as the season goes along, but generally I want a more settled squad'.

Winger/forward Davies and midfielder Mike Fowler are the only members of the new-look squad not recruited by Hockaday – both were signed by Jim Harvey last summer. The current boss said: 'This is now my squad and I'm very happy with it, although if I could get one more in I would be even happier. It's a small squad but it's a powerful one and full of the right sort of characters'".

ALTRINCHAM FESTIVAL

The parade leaves St Margaret's Road at 11am and proceeds to Grange Avenue, Timperley where entertainment actually starts from 10am. Please support this event if you can and help to raise the Club's profile in the local community.

BSBP NEWS

The Football Conference reports that "Rushden & Diamonds have signed Max York, a central midfielder formerly with Histon. York started his career with Cambridge United and then Histon’s academy – making six appearances last season for the Stutes` first-team after becoming a member of the senior squad at Christmas. York said after signing: 'I’m glad to have signed for a club like Rushden & Diamonds, they’ve got a great set up and amazing facilities. I’m looking forward to playing my part in the team and I just can’t wait to get started and stuck in. I’m a 90 minute midfielder – box-to-box. I spoke to the manager as to what sort of role he is looking for and I’ll be happy to play it!'”.

From The Argus we learn that "Steve Evans says he will have failed if he does not get Crawley into the Conference play-offs next season. Evans made his seventh summer signing and fourth in a week when Matt Tubbs, the league’s leading scorer last season, sealed his move from Salisbury yesterday for a fee close to £100,000.

More new signings will follow as co-owners Bruce Winfield and Sue Carter finance a genuine bid for promotion having cleared the club’s debts. Evans took his side to seventh last season – the highest finish in Crawley’s history – despite operating with one of the lowest budgets of the full-time clubs and selling £300,000 worth of players. But he is confident he can lead a club into the Football League for the second time in his career after getting Boston United promoted.

He said: 'We don’t hide our ambitions and neither do the board. The bar has been raised from survival to having a top five objective and if we don’t finish in the play-offs I would personally consider it a failure. We finished seventh last year but after the investment we have made we have to improve on that. That message is loud and clear and the players are as excited about the challenge as we are. If we do fail it will not be because of a lack of effort. There are some big clubs in this league and it is going to be difficult. Stevenage won the league but where were they last October? Not in the top three. It is a marathon so if we lose our first game then it won’t be head-in-hands time'”.

"AFC Wimbledon have announced the signing of defender Ismail Yakubu following his release by Barnet" reports Blue Square Football. "Nigeria-born Yakubu spent his entire career with Barnet, racking up over 260 first-team appearances... Dons' boss Terry Brown told the club's official website: 'Despite what the various web sites say, believe me he is over six foot tall and he has a very powerful physique. I am sure he will be the commanding, experienced figure in central defence that we have been looking for this season. He is still only 25 and has a great career ahead of him - we hope that a large part of that will be with us... He suffered an injury last season that meant he missed about 20 games, so we took the precaution of having a couple of scans done before completing the deal'".

Meanwhile, the BBC reports that "Forest Green Rovers chairman David Drew has admitted the club continues to face a financial struggle after the failure of a campaign to raise £250,000. Drew acknowledged the 'Keep the Green Alive' campaign, launched earlier this year, fell 'sustantially' short of its ambitious target.

But he told BBC Gloucestershire: 'We're alive. I won't say we're healthy but we are keeping going'. Last season Rovers fought off two winding-up orders. Drew said: 'We're receiving monies to help with the playing budget and other things, but we're not out of the woods yet. It's always very tough to find the money each week to pay the players and the other staff who make an important contribution. Fans need to get behind the club and people need to use the facilities. We have a number of investors who are interested in putting some serious money into the club. We'll only be happy when we've had a good season but also when we have some more investment in place. We're having to cut our cloth much more conservatively at the moment because the money just isn't there any more'".

So it is perhaps no surprise that the Stroud News & Journal reports that "York boss Martin Foyle expects to rubber-stamp a deal for Forest Green Rovers midfielder Jonathan Smith... The 23-year-old is currently out-of-contract at the New Lawn after making more than a hundred senior appearances over the past three seasons".

Mansfield Town report that "Burly forward Kyle Perry has left Field Mill by mutual consent and is expected to join rivals Tamworth next week. The 24 year old hitman netted 11 goals in 43 appearances since making the switch from Port Vale last summer".

This is confirmed by This is Mansfield "have let a second striker leave inside the space of three days, with Kyle Perry joining Tamworth. His exit follows that of Jake Speight, who was sold to Bradford City for £25,000 on Wednesday... The 24-year-old started the season like a house on fire and was first choice in the early stages of the campaign alongside Rob Duffy. But his form dipped and the goals dried up in the second half of 2009-2010 and he was often left out of the side".

Whilst Perry joins the Lambs, This is Tamworth asserts that "Bradley Pritchard is set to move to Hayes and Yeading... after joining the club two years ago from Nuneaton. Manager Gary Mills said: Bradley is one of those lads who wanted to stay but we couldn't offer him what he wanted. 'Hayes offered him a deal we couldn't match. He's a lad I really enjoyed working with. He's a good player, has a great attitude and always trained with a smile on his face'".

Manager Dean Holdsworth at Newport County says that "We [have] secured the services of experienced Conference striker Robbie Matthews on a two year contract. I have watched Robbie for a good period of time and I'm convinced that he gives a totally new dimension to the team. Robbie has shown a clear desire to play for us and I intend to push him hard and with his personality I'm sure he will respond well and really fit in with the lads".

Matthews said, "I always remember Newport as a massive club and it was an easy decision to make to come here. The opportunity to work under such a fantastic player as Dean made me jump at the chance and I'm sure that I will learn a lot and that he will make me a better player. I am am still very ambitious and from my conversations with Dean it is evident that Newport County are too".

From the other side, Kidderminster Harriers "confirm that striker Robbie Matthews is to depart... The front man had a year remaining on his deal here but the club and player have reached an agreement for this to be terminated...

Boss Steve Burr told harriers.co.uk this morning: 'In terms of location it is probably better for Robbie to be a bit nearer to home as that was maybe a problem for him while he was here... It just unfortunately has not worked out for him'. Burr also went on to confirm that Robbie's departure from Aggborough... 'has freed up quite a bit of money for us and we will probably now be able to add two, maybe three players with it'".

According to the Express & Star "Kidderminster Harriers have lost one, signed one and been turned down by another in a frenetic 24 hours of transfer activity...

Manager Steve Burr’s mystery top striking target was released Notts County striker Sean Canham, but the 25-year-old turned down a move to Aggborough to stay in the Football League with Hereford. Harriers then completed the signing of defender Michael Briscoe, who was a free agent after leaving Tamworth, on a one-year deal ahead of his 27th birthday on Sunday....

Burr negotiated an agreement with transfer-listed striker Robbie Matthews to terminate the remaining year of his contract. Matthews was on par with the highest earners at Aggborough".

Having made seven signings recently, Crawley Town "can confirm that out of contract striker Charlie Ademeno has signed for Grimsby Town... and unless both clubs can agree a transfer fee a FA independent tribunal will sit to decide on the player's transfer value. Grimsby Town did make a formal written offer for the player on Wednesday afternoon but this offer was swiftly rejected. The offer received was substantially less than an offer made last week from a Coca-Cola League club; that offer was also rejected, as it fell below the valuation placed on the player.

Manager Steve Evans said, 'The offer from Grimsby Town for Charlie Ademeno was rejected, in simple terms it was a derisory offer. Last week Bruce Winfield rejected an offer for Charlie that was substantially higher than that of Grimsby Town's offer, so I suppose we might be heading to a FA Tribunal. Bruce Winfield will deal with that issue, I only want to concentrate on the players I have or who I would like to have'.

The manager did confirm that Michael Malcolm has returned to The Broadfield Stadium after signing a new deal late last night. Steve said, 'Michael has blinding pace and it was important after the loss of Charlie that we kept that raw pace in the squad'... The manager is expected to meet with two signing targets over this weekend".

Barrow "will have new signing Danny Forrest and traillist Marc Goodfellow on display for the charity Furness Select game on Saturday 1pm. Striker / winger Forrest agreed a deal this week, while Goodfellow has agreed to train with the Bluebirds in pre-season following his successful loan spell last winter. Several other trialists are expected to feature".

"Luton Town fans can expect more pre-season arrivals at the club according to assistant boss Gary Brabin. The Hatters have already signed four new players... Brabin told BBC Three Counties Radio: 'We're certainly a little bit light in certain areas. There's one player, or one position, we'd like to fill but the squad of players we have we're excited about'...

Brabin also hinted that striker Taiwo Atieno will not be kept on at Kenilworth Road. The 24-year-old joined Luton in March after a spell in the USA but 'I think he only played one-and-a-half reserve games and didn't train that much and I don't think it was fair for us to have a good look at him', said Brabin. 'I think he probably wanted a bit more commitment and we would have liked to have seen a bit more from him. At the moment we've got four quality strikers and we're looking forward to working with them'. Town have strengthened their options with the signings of striker Danny Crow, full-back Dan Gleeson, winger Andy Drury and goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington, but Brabin expects tough competition in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

'I don't want to start naming names but when you're involved with football you know what's going on and I think there'll be a few surprises this year', he said. 'There's a couple of clubs that are going to be very ambitious this year and they'll be tempting players with financial backing. I think it's going to be an even tougher league than last season'".

The Northants Evening Telegraph reports that "Justin Edinburgh is optimistic Lee Tomlin will sign a new deal with Rushden & Diamonds. The Nene Park boss admitted they had received a 'substantial' offer for the star forward this week but refused to name the club involved – although Crawley Town are known to be interested.

'There has been a bid and it was a very big one', he explained. 'A club at our level came in and it was a substantial figure. It was a huge amount of money for a club like this. But we have turned it down and I can't speak highly enough of the chairman for that. I thank him and the player for turning it down. It is a big statement on our behalf that we are not prepared to let players go to our rivals. The only way our best players are going to leave is to go into the Football League. But we want them to do that with us. We talked to the player and he wanted the offer to be rejected as well. Hopefully now we are in a position to enter negotiations with him about signing a new deal'".

FLYNNY'S BLOG

World Cup Blog 3

On Friday morning it was an early start as we had a three hour drive from picturesque Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth, to see Germany surprisingly turned over by a resilient Serbian side to really throw that group wide open. There seem to be quite a few Americans at each match, some hugely knowledgeable about the beautiful game and others clearly experiencing it for the first time, such as the guy I overheard on his mobile telling a friend that his seats were 'between the big box and the half way line'!

That evening,we watched England’s hapless display against Algeria at the Fan Fest area in Port Elizabeth, which was at the St.George's International Cricket Ground, a lovely old fashioned stadium.

The following day, the one hour drive to Addo Elephant Park finished on a sour note as I was fined 500 Rand (about £45) for failing to stop at a railway crossing just before the entrance to the national park. This was clearly a money making tourist trap as within a few minutes, we were joined by four Borussia Monchengladbach fans who were also guilty of being distracted by the Police vehicles and missed the Stop sign......hey ho!

Everyone visiting South Africa goes on at least one Game Drive and Saturday afternoon saw us marvelling at the likes of warthogs, giant tortoises, hyenas and of course lots of elephants.

This is the section of our adventure where we are travelling a lot and Sunday saw us staying at our sixth new location in as many days.......Morgan Bay on the Wild Coast between East London and Durban. We watched part of a fascinating township Football game on route with the match being played by 14-15 year old kids on a pitch with no grass on it and one corner completely submerged in water......plenty of raw young talent on show though! Today (Monday) is the shortest day of the year in the Southern hemisphere and we have a nine hour drive to Durban where our fourth match, Nigeria v South Korea ,awaits us tomorrow."

FRIENDLY PRICES

FRANK'S FAREWELL

Sievey, who passed away after a short battle with cancer last week, was found to be virtually penniless when he died, leading to concerns from his family that he may not be afforded a proper funeral. However, writer and broadcaster Jon Ronson, along with former manager Guy Lovelady, set up an online fund to pay for the ceremony, attracting donations from 'thousands' of well-wishers. The fund closed yesterday after raising £21,240.

In a fitting final note, Sievey's funeral, which will take place at Altrincham Crematorium, should be almost as interesting as the character he created, with guests invited to arrive in fancy dress, if they so desire. The ceremony is private, while a public celebration is expected to take place within the coming weeks".

Many of Frank's songs featured the Altrincham area including references to the Football Club.

OPENING FIXTURES

Tuesday 17 August 2010

For all of Altrincham's fixtures, please see the Fixtures page.

BSBP NEWS

The 21-year-old will become the seventh summer signing at Blundell Park. Neil Woods told the Grimsby Telegraph: 'I'm very pleased. We've tracked Charles for quite a while. We were very close at the end of last season to getting him here. He has a good goalscoring record, is a very intelligent player and very quick. With what we already have, Charles gives us an added option of pace in behind defences. He's not the complete package yet but he knows that and is keen to learn. Being an ex-striker I understand the position and have big expectations'".

Three of Ademeno's goals came in one game, so he netted just 8 in his other 31 appearances last season.

The BBC confirms that "Crawley Town have signed striker Matt Tubbs from Salisbury for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £70,000, on a two-year deal with an option of a third... Previously an apprentice with Bolton Wanderers, Tubbs had spells with AFC Bournemouth and Dorchester Town before signing for the Whites in October 2003. He is the fourth striker to sign for Crawley this summer, joining Craig McAllister, Liam Enver-Marum and Jamie Cook".

"Hereford United have signed former Notts County striker Sean Canham on a two-year deal. The 25-year-old joined Notts in 2008 from Team Bath... The former Exeter trainee had a loan spell at Hayes & Yeading last term where he scored six goals in 15 games" says the BBC.

According to the Uxbridge Gazette, "Hayes & Yeading boss Garry Haylock has confirmed the club’s intention to move away from part-time football. United will move away from the traditional part-time structure of training in the evenings to more daytime sessions. 'We do not have the infrastructure to go full-time, but we are going to train more during the day', he said. 'It means that players released by clubs like Reading and Wycombe, who would previously not have considered a move, may now decide to come here'".

The BBC reports that "Crawley Town have announced they have cleared their debts and are now aiming for promotion to the Football League. The side were £1 million in the red when Bruce Winfield became co-owner and were losing £400,000 a year.

Winfield told BBC Sussex 'We've gone through a process of reconstruction. It gives us a great platform to go forward and compete in this league. We've had to pump money in as well as work on saving any money we could. We've raised the share capital to half a million pounds, which is significant at this level'.

Winfield paid tribute to Tom Scott and his family, who have been major investors in the club. 'The club was pretty much bankrupt and would have gone into administration', he said. 'We wouldn't be here today if they hadn't put their money in'. Winfield has given manager Steve Evans a task of achieving promotion to the Football League, and has broken the club transfer record with the purchase of striker Matt Tubbs from Salisbury City. He said: 'We've still got a long way to go - we're competing with some big clubs and it's not going to happen overnight. We think we've got the resources and the players to get where we want to be'.

After attending a press conference a Crawley Town supporter produced the following interesting report on the Conference Forum...

"There was about 20 press people from Sky, BBC, Non League Paper and various other rags. In addition there was hundreds of supporters who came down during lunch hour to see was going on.

Here are the facts:

Before the press conference, The Argus reported that "Evans has so far signed eight new players and expects to add two more in the next few days. It is an unprecedented level of spending for a club whose average gate fell by 16% last season to 1,003 despite their seventh-placed finish – the highest in Crawley’s history...

Carter said: 'All will be revealed today but we believe we have a sustainable strategy to make the club successful and hopefully this will be reflected next season in increased gates and interest at the turnstiles'. As recently as last month Evans admitted he expected to be operating with a small squad again of around 17 players but... he will now have around 22-23 players for the forthcoming campaign.

The aim of Carter and co-owner Bruce Winfield last season was to make the club debt-free and able to pay its way after years of financial mis-management under the Majeed brothers. Carter refused to comment when asked yesterday whether the new investment was coming from outside the club but the indications are that lifelong fan Winfield is financing the rebuilding of the squad".

Meanwhile the Crawley Supporters' Trust tells us "Ever since the club announced the Press Conference which they held this morning, the Crawley Town rumour mill has been working overtime. The calibre of recent signings led to much speculation about new investment, and now we know for certain that this new investment is a reality. This is an exciting time to be a supporter of CTFC, and it is an exciting time to be a member of the Supporters' Trust.

But what do we know about the new investors? In truth, only what we were told this morning. Given events in the not too distant past, Crawley Town Supporters may be a little disconcerted with the pace of recent changes, and that is understandable. We've been through some difficult times; times we're unlikely to forget in a hurry. But whilst the pace of events has been unprecedented in our history, we believe that we have good reason to be positive.

Over the past season the Trust has developed good working relationships with shareholders, Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter- and with Director of Operations, Alan Williams. Local Heroes, WAGS for a Day, our sponsorship of Reggie Red and particularly the recent announcement that the Trust had agreed to run- and to pay the costs- of the Junior Reds scheme were born from those relationships... Bruce and Susan are the driving force behind bringing this new investment into Crawley Town. They believe that the new investors will give us strength and stability, and the fact that they remain shareholders and will be members of the new board should give us all confidence.

We must not, however, get carried away with the new investment and the quality of the new signings and believe that success is guaranteed... Steve Evans is not Kevin Costner. He may build a good team, but that does not in itself mean that people will come and watch it. New supporters have to be attracted, and there are many other attractions available... The club needs to engage with the community if the community is to engage with the club. It is the role of the Trust to help build that relationship, and we will do our utmost to make it happen.

It is also the role of the Trust to be independent, however. We will be the moral compass of CTFC. When the club is doing the right thing, we will be steadfast in our support. If the club acts in a way which we believe is not in its best interests, we will say so... Let's embrace this new world with optimism. The coming season promises to be eventful, so let's enjoy it together. The future is bright. But the future is red!".

NL Daily says that "Officials at new Zamaretto League Premier Division club Salisbury City have described the offer for star striker Matt Tubbs from former Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Crawley Town as ‘too good to turn down'...

'We had budgeted for the season ahead and Matt Tubbs was always a major part of our plans', said a club spokesman. 'Our finances are such that we were not looking to offload any of our first-team squad – we were certainly under no pressure to sell Matt. However, Crawley tabled a bid that was simply too good to turn down and we owed it to the player to allow him to see what was on offer... The deal is good for the club, good for Matt and good for Crawley as they are getting one of the best players in the division'...

Tubbs said: 'I’ve had the time of my life there and it wasn’t an easy decision to move away but I kind of had to make the break'...

Salisbury boss Tommy Widdrington agreed that the deal, which includes potentially lucrative sell-on clauses, was too good for the club to ignore... 'Steve Evans has now got the best striker in the Conference as far as I’m concerned and a player who could easily play at a much higher level... He rose through the leagues with us and by working his socks off, he got better and better'... A club spokesman confirmed that no other details relating to the deal would be made public. 'We agreed with Crawley that the fee would remain undisclosed'".

Cambridge News reports that former Alty loan-keeper "Lance Key feels he has been treated shabbily by Histon after seemingly being ditched by the club. The veteran goalkeeper and coach spent more than a decade at Bridge Road in two spells but has been angered by the way his time with the Stutes has come to an end. Last season Key was helping coach the scholars alongside Ian Hart, who quit the club on Friday after being unhappy working under new manager John Beck, and also assisted former boss Alan Lewer with first-team duties.

He believes his links with Hart and the fact he is the step-father of midfielder Lee Smith - who is considering his Histon future - could be why he is no longer wanted. And the shot-stopper also claims the club still owe him a month's wages. 'I've had no contact from the club (regarding his position) whatsoever since the last day of the season', said Key. 'And I'm still owed money for April. I'm Lee Smith's step-father and I've spoken to John Beck a couple of times about him, but that's the only contact I've had. I feel very disappointed about it because I've had 12 years at the club over two stints. I was one of the old guard, if you like. I've given the club a lot of time. It was especially hard work towards the end of last season and it would have been nice to have had a telephone call. I suppose that's football, but it's still not nice when it happens to you'.

Key, who was an unused substitute for several games towards the end of last term because of Joe Welch's contract dispute, added: 'I don't feel I've been treated very well'". Key is pictured, left, warming up at Histon when they entertained Alty last season.

York Vital Football says that "York City's released goalkeeper Josh Mimms is currently having a trial with rivals Gateshead. Mimms was released at the end of last season after managing only a couple of senior starts and just a dozen in three years with the club... The 20-year-old was called into the England 'C' squad at the end of last season after playing in York's final game of the campaign at champions Stevenage. Gateshead have already recently signed former York winger Craig Nelthorpe, while ex-Bootham Crescent midfielder Andy Ferrell also moved there last season".

From the BBC we learn that "Kidderminster Harriers have signed the 26-year-old former Tamworth defender Michael Briscoe. Harriers' manager Steve Burr said: 'I tried to sign him when I was Stalybridge and Northwich but, as a Birmingham lad, location was a problem. Obviously that is not the case for us here and I am really pleased about that as this is a good solid signing'".

NW NEWS

ALTRINCHAM BSP FIXTURES 2010-11

The full list, with kick-off times, is on the Fixtures page.

JACKPOT TO BE WON

NUMBER NINE

FIXTURES

It was originally anticipated the release of fixtures would take place on Monday, 5th July but as most football supporters will now have a free World Cup weekend, the Football Conference felt it would be prudent to allow fans the opportunity to have them a few days earlier and to look forward to the new season with relish, rather than bemoan England having already returned home from South Africa".

BSBP NEWS

Free-spending Crawley Town "have announced they will be holding a press conference at 11am on Thursday July 1st 2010... Everyone will have the chance to meet the clubs new signings for the coming season, some of which are still to be finalised and announced. You will also hear a full statement outlining the clubs new and exciting plans for the coming season and beyond. In attendance to answer questions will be Manager Steve Evans, Bruce Winfield, Susan Carter and Chairman Vic Marley".

Meanwhile The Argus confirms that "Jamie Cook is re-joining Crawley Town. The 30-year-old striker left Reds last September to return to his home town club Oxford United. But things did not work out for Cook at Oxford... and he was released in May. Cook is the third striker signed by manager Steve Evans in the last week and another, Matt Tubbs, is on the verge of completing a club record £70,000 deal today.

Evans also has the option of playing Cook in wide areas. Cook scored 33 goals in 78 appearances for Reds. He said: 'It is great to be back. I played my best football under Steve Evans and he was one of the big factors in my decision to return to the club'.

Cook's return will excite Reds' fans but that is nothing compared to the arrival of the prolific Tubbs, who was top scorer in the Blue Square Premier with 26 goals last season. The £70,000 fee Reds will pay Salisbury City shatters Crawley's previous transfer record when they paid £20,000 for Daryl Clare.

Evans was expecting to be operating with a small squad again this season but it appears wealthy co-owner Bruce Winfield is prepared to back him to have a real tilt at winning promotion. Evans could make two more signings before the weekend, both widemen, and his new faces will all be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday".

More on the Tubbs deal comes from NL Daily which says that "The fee, which is understood to be in excess of £70,000, was needed to see off the alternative offers from York City, AFC Bournemouth, Cambridge United amd Mansfield Town to land the England `C` attacker. Last summer York paid £55,000 to land Michael Gash from Ebbsfleet United and they were prepared to match that fee to secure Tubbs. However, they could not compete with Crawley's bid...

Tubbs, along with fellow new signings Craig McAllister and Jamie Cook, should give Crawley a much needed boost up-front. The Reds scored just fifty goals, the lowest of any side in the top-half of the division".

The Football Conference adds that "Striker Jamie Cook has returned to Crawley Town after manager Steve Evans made a last minute move to capture the player from under the noses of a number of Blue Square Bet Premier rivals and a Coca-Cola League Two club...

Evans said: 'Jamie Cook is a wonderful signing for us. I must admit I was gutted when we lost him last August to Oxford United but the lad had travelling issues then and secondly his boyhood club, who happened to be just 20 minutes from home came calling, so I guess it was to be expected. He was played out of position at Oxford, so unfortunately for them they did not see the real Jamie Cook.

Cooky is such a talented lad, he is a proven natural goalscorer and can produce that bit of magic that is needed to win the big games we play at this level. The lad will be living a lot closer to us and as a minimum I needed this commitment from him. In return he gets a manager who not only loves working with him but gets the best out of him. I know that was a key factor in the lad's decision to join us in preference to a few others who were keen to sign him.

The Conference National is now widely regarded as being at its strongest in its history and we intend to go into this season with plenty of firepower; we have four strikers now who can easily score sixty-five goals between them - that's more than two of the top five scored last season. During the next few days we intend to add yet another striker who will wear our number 9 shirt and complete us giving us the most powerful front line in the division.

I must pay a special thanks to chairman Bruce Winfield, who has been fantastically supportive of me in our player recruitment tasks this summer.'"

At AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown says that, "The Dons have made another significant signing in Rashid Yussuf, usually known as 'Toks', from Gillingham. The midfielder, who made eight senior appearances for the Gills last season, also has a spell at Charlton Athletic under his belt and is a former England under-18 international -[he was also briefly at Northwich in 2008-09].

Yussuf is 20, and is a highly-talented midfielder with blistering pace, great on the ball and predominantly left-footed. He can play either left-sided midfield or up front...

Brown said: 'From Thursday we will increasing the training schedule and the first week in particular will be very physically demanding. After Saturday's training we are looking next week to work with the squad towards our first pre-season friendly on July 10th against Charlton. We will also be looking to play two teams with 45 minutes each. This means that several of our trialists will get an opportunity to push for a place in our squad. We are also very close to signing a centre back we've been targeting'".

The Grimsby Telegraph confirms that "Peter Sweeney has had his Grimsby Town contract cancelled by mutual consent ahead of a move to Bury. The 25-year-old was midway through a two-year deal but is set to stay in league football after agreeing a similar contract at Gigg Lane. Sweeney is the eighth departure from Blundell Park this summer, following Leigh Overton, Matthew Bird, Nathan Jarman, Joe Widdowson, Adam Proudlock, Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Paul Linwood out of the club. The former Leeds man... ended the campaign as the club’s leading scorer on six goals".

Still at Grimsby Town "Assistant manager Chris Casper will not be returning to the club and is set to take up a post elsewhere. Neil Woods was keen to keep the former Bury manager at Blundell Park and he was offered a new deal at the club. Casper joined the Mariners in December after the departure of Brian Stein but was only contracted to the club until the end of the 2009/10 season".

News of a fellow relegation club comes from The Northern Echo, which says that "Darlington will today appoint their fifth manager in what has been a traumatic 14 months... Assistant Sports Editor Craig Stoddart [writes].

Mark Cooper’s appointment means that the Darlington managerial merry-go-round continues to spin at a pace. Since Dave Penney’s three year reign ended in May last year there has been a revolving door policy that has seen a startling total of seven different managers at The Northern Echo Arena. That includes two caretaker spells, but of the so-called ‘permanent’ managers, Ryan Kidd’s stay was easily the shortest.

He quit yesterday after only 12 days and without ever having opportunity to take a seat in the dug-out as Darlington manager. Some supporters this summer will have had longer holidays than Kidd spent time in charge. He is believed to have had “second thoughts” about being boss, and it is surely better that he makes that acknowledgement now rather than in the middle of next season when Quakers will be in the Blue Square Bet Premier. After all, nobody wants another Steve Staunton.

That 12-day spell puts him fifth in the all-time list of shortest managerial reigns while Simon Davey stands at 13th following his 77-day visit to the North-East... Cooper who finds himself in the well-worn hotseat, occupying a role that he was first offered in March With Quakers crying out for stability, a period of calm, Singh and supporters alike will be hoping that Cooper lasts longer than his two predecessors. So too will Cooper who was sacked from his last job at Peterborough United after only 76 days – one day less than Davey managed at Darlington".

Darlington's new boss "Mark Cooper insists all of Darlington's players already at the club will get a fair crack of the whip next season... 'They're probably thinking 'what's going on here?' admitted Cooper. 'But I'll speak to them, I'm very fair. If they're all right with me I'll be all right with them, and everyone will get a chance to impress. If you look at the squad you can see that we need two, three, four experienced players to help the good ones that are already here. There's a lot of players available and out of work and you have to use your contacts and loans.

But it's good timing. There's no need to rush into anything, there's a lot of players out of work so we'll take our time and have a good look at the boys that are here and see where we need to add. If we can get the players that I think we might need, I think we can have a good season'".

Meanwhile Northampton Town "have agreed terms on a 2 year contract with the former Darlington striker Tadhg Purcell".

At Bradford City "Peter Taylor has moved to boost his striking options by completing the signing of Mansfield Town striker Jake Speight for £25,000. Speight, 24, has put pen to paper on a two year contract to become Taylor's fifth summer signing... after enjoying a hugely successful season at Field Mill with the Stags. The Sheffield born striker finished the 2009/10 campaign as Mansfield's top scorer. Speight managed to notch up 17 goals in the Blue Square Premier last season despite starting only 15 matches...

After starting his career at Sheffield United in 2004, Speight enjoyed a brief spell at Scarborough before returning into league football with Bury... Speight left the Shakers to join Northwich Victoria in 2007. After a season with Northwich, Speight returned to Yorkshire with Farsley Celtic, where he scored six goals in 15 matches. A move to Droylsden beckoned for Speight in 2009 before he moved his career to another level at Mansfield with his amazing goalscoring feats". Speight was the player involved in the notorious 'trial by video' case against made by Mansfield against Alty's James Smith last season.

Mansfield Town themselves confirm that "Striker Jake Speight has joined League Two outfit Bradford City for a fee of £25,000... Chairman Andrew Perry said: 'It was a great disappointment to learn that Jake Speight no longer wanted to play for Mansfield Town. We have had no option other than to grant Jake a transfer as he stated that he would refuse to play for the club unless a transfer was forthcoming. We did all we could as a club to keep Jake but both he and his agent refuted any fresh offers and made it clear he wanted to move on. Bradford City were the only club to have registered a serious interest in Jake. I am very disappointed it has come to this. Jake was a great asset for us last season and I am even more disappointed when a player doesn't honour his side of his contract, as we have done'".

Forest Green Rovers state that "Ahead of the playing squad reporting back for training on Thursday (1st July) Manager David Hockaday has made another signing by re-engaging 21 year old Steve Davies on contract...

Finally to co-inside [coincide?] with the restructuring at the club Colin Peake will assume on a full time basis a new role of Operations Director, taking on management of the stadium, together with administration and commercial aspects of the football side of the Ltd Company. Ahead of the new season he would like to hear from anyone who would like to offer their service to the club on matchdays and in the first instance they are asked to contact him via the Club Admin Office to discuss their personal expertise and experience".

According to the BBC "Histon have been offered as much advice and help as necessary by Cambridgeshire FA as they work to rebuild the club's infrastructure before the new season. With the first game less than eight weeks away, the Stutes have only a handful of players signed up. They are also without a chairman, chief executive or assistant manager.

Chief executive Roger Pawley told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'We will support them in any way we can and we'll do everything to ensure they keep going. Providing people ask for advice and don't just carry on and get in big trouble, we'll do everything we can to make sure they get off to a good start and continue'.

Histon survived in the Blue Square Premier by just one point last season, but have since lost a series of first team players as well as their manager and chairman. Pawley fears that 'Their success over recent years and has obviously come at a price and there have been many changes over the last twelve months that we never expected', he said. 'There are so many rumours going round that the club are struggling and they probably are but which club is not struggling, particularly financially? They're relying a lot on the youth system', he said. 'We know what Wrexham, Luton, Cambridge United and others have got in their resources, so putting a full team of youngsters in the Conference is not advisable...

I hope John Beck will have the right mix and they won't be struggling but at the present time you'd say they would be struggling'".

The BBC says that "Southern League side Brackley Town have bolstered their squad by signing Michael Blackwood. Versatile Blackwood, 30, joins the Saints from Tamworth... The signings follow the high-profile acquisition of goalkeeper Billy Turley from the U's".

"Boss Steve Burr has added a defensive rock to his 2010/11 squad today after clinching the signature of Mark Albrighton following his departure from Blue Square Premier Champions Stevenage Borough" state Kidderminster Harriers. "The 34 year-old is a massive signing for Harriers in more ways than one - as well as having clinched promotion from this division with both Borough and Doncaster Rovers, he has also reached the play-off final with Cambridge United.

Standing at 6'1'', the Nuneaton-based player began his career with Atherstone United in the late 1990s and it was whilst here he first came across his new boss Burr... He's spent the last two seasons at Stevenage as part of the Borough side...

Kidderminster Harriers have agreed a deal to bring Rugby Town goalkeeper Andrew Stevens to the club on a one-year deal, subject to some final dealings between club and player".

Tamworth "have signed 22 year old Tom Marshall who was last season playing for Eastwood Town in the Blue Square North Division. Tom began his footballing career at an early age at Hednesford Town rising through the youth set at Keys Park to finally make his First team debut at the age of 17. He went onto make over 170 First team appearances for the Pitmen and had the honour of Captaining the side for a season. Tom is a centre back who is equally at home at left back and lives localy in Burntwood".

Welsh Premier confirm that "full Welsh international and Wrexham midfielder Mark Jones is set for a move to ambitious Bala Town. Mark Jones The 25-year-old, who has won two full caps for his country as well as five at Under-21 level, has made 162 appearances for the Dragons [Wrexham], scoring 26 goals".

And another departure from Wrexham is reported as "Swansea City have announced the signing of Wrexham's left-sided Wales international Neil Taylor. The 21-year-old has agreed a three-year deal... The Swans are currently in discussions with Wrexham over compensation, as although Neil is out of contract, the Racecourse club are due compensation because he is under the age of 24 and has been with Wrexham since the age of 16".

Bullsnews has sad news from a recent BSP club, as "Torquay vice chairman Paul Bristow has died after being taken ill overnight. The £15 million lottery winner, 59, was one of the main backers of the club since their 2008 takeover".