Saturday, 4 February

OLD BOY

SOCIAL EVENTS

Saturday 18th February – Meet the New Recruits, Part 2

Following the game against Blyth Spartans we will be holding our second “Meet the New Recruits” evening in the Manchester Glass Sponsors Lounge. Three recently arrived players along with our Management duo will be in attendance to be quizzed by all the attendees. Chicken and chips will be served along with a dessert.

The players' line-up has now been confirmed as comprising the defensive trio of Kieran Walmsley, Marlon Broomes and Matty Flynn. Brian Flynn (no relation!) has kindly accepted an offer to compere the evening and it is hoped that manager Lee Sinnott will also be in attendance.

Tickets are priced at £15 and are available immediately. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

Thursday 5th April – Steve Claridge Sportsman’s Dinner

What better way to start the Bank Holiday weekend than attending our annual Sportsman’s Dinner. Steve, star of the Football League Show, will entertain you with his stories followed by a Q & A session. A comedian will complete the evening where a 4 course Dinner will be served.

Ticket prices are £35 a ticket or £350 + VAT for a table of ten. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

The event is at the Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and will include a four-course meal. The event is open to all supporters

Saturday 28th April – TASC Race Night

The ever popular Race Night brings our season to the end on Saturday 28th April following our game against Gainsborough Trinity. You can sponsor a race or buy a horse. More details to follow.

May 11th – 13th Altrincham FC Beer Festival

In association with John Glover and the Old Market Tavern, Altrincham FC are holding their first ever Beer Festival at the club. Starting on Friday night with the Staff v Supporters game followed by a night of entertainment, on the Saturday there will be the corporate 7 a side tournament, a ladies' football match and finally two live bands to round the day off. Sunday will be a family fun day with Junior exhibition games, a Past Players vs TV celebrity game, the final Premiership games live on big screen and finally a balloon race.

Please make a note of these dates and support as many as possible – your club needs your help.

BSBN NEWS

"The Football Conference confirm that the member club adjudged to have made the best contribution towards the competitions efforts of improving 'Respect', at the end of this season, will be awarded a new trophy at the AGM at Celtic Manor on Saturday 9th June. The trophy, which stands 24" high, will be kept by the winning club.

At the start of the current season each of our 68 clubs were issued with a series of posters to display around their stadiums. Entitled '3D Respect Campaign for 2011-12', the campaign concentrates on three key areas, of Dignity, Distance and Director.

The overall object of the campaign, in tandem with the Football Association's efforts to bring more respect into our sport, does so by addressing areas which the Football Conference believes should see a dramatic impact, by including management, players, directors, match day staff and most importantly supporters.

We recognise that football will often be emotive and stir the obvious passion we all have for the game. Whilst there can be an instant reaction to something which happens, often there is ample opportunity and time to take a step back, take ownership of what they are about to do or say, thus avoiding the consequences of their actions, to them personally, their club and the reputation of football in general.

The member club earning the end of season accolade and the award of the trophy, will need to demonstrate many attitudes from the boardroom to the terraces, its ultimate destination not judged solely on how players and managers react or behave on and off the field of play.

We all have a major part to play in making the game at our level one which is enjoyable, family orientated and a match day experience we wish to be part of. Primarily our aim is to encourage everyone, no matter how they are associated with us, to look forward to attending matches in the Blue Square Bet.

If supporters have during the season felt that another club has shown that they can go that extra mile to make it a pleasant day out, then we would like to know of their experiences and can do so by emailing media@footballconference.co.uk. Other views will be welcomed in our efforts to ensure that the award does go to a club which has demonstrated that they do meet the objectives set out in the campaign".

According to the Daily Post, "Rob Hopley scored a nine-minute hat-trick as Colwyn Bay moved into the top eight by sweeping aside 10-man Stalybridge... 'Everything Hoppo touches seems to be going in at the moment (six goals in his last five games) and that is great for him' agreed [manager, John] Newby. 'He deserves it for the hard work he has put in but, again, it was very much a team effort and the unbeaten run we are on is down to the work-rate that the whole squad puts into training as well as matches'...

The Seagulls have now kept five consecutive clean sheets during a month that has seen the side chalk up five wins and a draw in six league and cup games – four of them away from home. The game turned after Stalybridge fullback Andy McWilliams got a straight red card for diving into a tackle on the outstanding John McKenna with his studs showing".

GOOD WIN

BSB NORTH NEWS

Colwyn Bay tell us that "Rob Hopley headed home with the match ball in his bag after notching his first hat-trick in nearly a year in Colwyn Bay's extraordinary 4-0 away victory at Stalybridge Celtic. His three goals came in the space of just nine minutes either side of half-time, after Stalybridge had full-back Andy McWilliams sent off".

Bay player-manager Jon Newby added, "We've got a lot of people in the team that probably don't get the credit they deserve - people who do what I call ' the dirty jobs' like Fraser (McLachlan), Evo (Gaz Evans) and John Mac (McKenna), as well as the two full-backs, and they help give us a really good squad."

Meanwhile, "Frank Sinclair again marshalled the back four superbly to keep a fifth consecutive clean sheet... Said Newby ,'It helps massively to have Frank (Sinclair) in there organising and talking to the younger players'... The straight red card of Celtic left-back Andy McWilliams on 36 minutes for diving in to a tackle on McKenna with his studs showing, was clearly a big turning point in the game. Celtic had started the brighter and had twice gone close through Greg Wilkinson, but within nine minutes of the sending off the Bay were 2-0 up with both goals coming from attacks down that side where McWilliams had been playing...

Newby wasn't entirely convinced the sending off had too much of effect on the game. 'Possibly, but I thought we were playing well before that anyway', he said. 'We knew they weren't in a great run of form and have conceded a lot of goals of late... With four away wins and a home draw during January, Jon Newby must be favourite to be named Manager of the Month in the next week".

At Stalybridge Celtic, they report that "Celtic are still looking for their first win of 2012 after handing the initiative to Colwyn Bay. Celtic easily looked the most likely winners in the opening half hour... The game changed just past the half hour mark when Andy McWilliams was running up the pitch with a trademark run, only for John McKenna to look more likely to reach the ball. McWilliams launched himself to reach the ball first, and did take the ball, but with McKenna right on top of it, the referee decided it was dangerous play and dismissed McWilliams... Leaving Celtic goalless and with one point from four games. The torrid start to 2012 continues.

Celtic Line-up: Craig MacGillivray; Joel Bembo-Leta (Callum Warburton 69 mins); Andy McWilliams; Rhys Meynell; Chris Lynch; Jack Rea; Stephen Brogan; Greg Wilkinson; Craig Hobson; Arthur Gnahoua (Phil Marsh 45 mins); Nick Rogan (Mitchell Austin 45 mins). Unused subs: Kristian Platt; Lloyd Ellams".

News of a BSBN player move comes from Nantwich Town, who inform us of "Dennis Sherriff... 20 year old striker on month loan from Stalybridge. Sherriff started out with Rochdale as a trainee, becoming a regular in their youth and reserve sides – netting 41 goals in the process. After leaving Spotland in the summer of 2010, he joined Woodley Sports before quickly being snapped up by Stalybridge. With first team opportunities limited at the Blue Square Bet North high-flyers, he has had short spells at Worksop Town and Radcliffe Borough".

From Corby Town who entertain Alty a week on Saturday, we learn that "Manager Graham Drury has spoke[n] of his disappointment following his side’s latest home defeat against Boston United... Ben Fairclough bundled the ball over the line for the visitors in the 93rd minute, ensuring they snatched all three points at Steel Park...

Talking to www.corbytownfc.co.uk he said, 'I thought the lads really put in a shift today and worked as hard as they can. Gulliver and Malone dealt with everything that was thrown at them, some of Mackenzie’s saves were amazing and Jones had a good game up top. The whole team grew in confidence throughout the game and started passing the ball really well. Unfortunately Boston got us with a sucker punch right at the end and there was no way back from that'.

The result against the Pilgrims marks the Steelmen’s fifth successive home defeat and without a league win at Steel Park since November".

Our neighbours at Radcliffe Borough announce that "They have signed 29-year-old defender John Hardiker from Droylsden... Hardiker was released by Morecambe and spent some time at Fleetwood Town before being snapped up by Jim Harvey by signing a contract at Forest Green Rovers. He had a turbulent 2008/09 season with Forest Green... In late February 2009 he was suspended by the club over a non-club related matter. In March 2009 Hardiker resigned from his contract with Forest Green...

On 19 March 2009 it was announced that Hardiker has signed a contract with Stalybridge Celtic. In late 2010 he joined Droylsden after the two teams agreed an undisclosed fee. Hardiker has been out of the picture at Droyslden and has come to a settlement figure over his remaining part of his contract where he joins the 'Boro' from".

Radcliffe boss, "Benny Phillips added, 'We have been looking for another centre back since we lost Steve Howson (emigrated), Stephen Rose (emigrated), Simon Kelly (retired)".

GAINSBOROUGH GAME

Left: Joe Collister comes off the pitch at half-time at Gainsborough; and he's wearing Ian Senior's SK Kits gloves already!

Today's Non-League Paper has a report on the defeat at Gainsborough, which quotes the Trinity boss Steve Housham as saying "The only downside of the first half was the fact we weren't three or four-nil up... This could be Gainsborough Trinity's year". The NL Paper adds that goalkeeper "Collister (left) was the only Altrincham player to come away with any credit".

Alty boss, Lee Sinnott added, "I'd like to able to pick on some positives but I think, overall, Gainsborough deserved to win... In its entirety, we were second best today. We are obviously very disappointed because we are far better than that. Joe Collister's first touch is a penalty save, so he heas endeared himself to the Altrincham fans but he pulled off some very good saves. That was probably testament to our defending, or our lack of quality defending. So, thankfully, he was on form".

Joe's move to Alty became a straightforward loan one, for a month, when it was confirmed that he had actually signed a contract with his parent club, Tamworth. Originally it had been thought that he was non-contract at the Staffordshire club, which would have meant a cancellation of his registration with Tamworth, registration with Alty and then de-registration to facilitate his return to the Lambs.

Alty took strong support to The Northolme on Saturday, ensuring the home club's second highest gate of the season and the highest attendance anywhere in the division yesterday:

JACK'S MOVE

Jack remains with Alty till 25 February.

DAMIAN'S OUTLOOK

Manager Lee Sinnott pointed out that "It sounds bizarre, because he's suddenly scoring all these goals, but it's his all-round play that's improved. He's fine-tuned the runs he's always made. His finishing ability is there for all to see. He gets in the right place at the right time and I think his link-up play has improved, too. He's 26 now, so his awareness of what's around him is better but he's still not the finished article".

Damian agrees, "I've always been the type who will play on the shoulder and prefer the ball to be played behind. But when I last played for Lee [at Farsley] I was young and naive and my hold-up play wasn't as good as it is now".

Damian observed that "Much of the improvement has come from from the role I had to play last season. When I eventually got in the side and stayed there, I was playing up front on my own a lot, because we were struggling. I had to hold the ball up".

Stuart Hammonds says that, "Reeves was disappointd to see Ken McKenna leave but was delighted when chairman, Grahame Rowley, rang to say Sinnott had been appointed. 'It was a nice surprise because he coached me in the Under-14s and 15s at Leeds and I had a good spell under him at Farsley... I signed for them in the UniBond Premier but we went up through the play-offs and then, again, the same way, from Conference North... It's taking a similar pattern this season. It may be a differnt club and different payers but... we won a fair amount of games to sneak in the play-offs by the back-door".

Speaking of his short time with Histon, Damian said, "I had a nightmare time. I didn't really get on with John Beck... He was trying to turn me into a right-winger, which I'm never going to be. It was a different world. You go from what I had under Lee, which was "Whenever you can, let's get the ball on the deck", to "Whenever you can, get the ball in the corner". It wasn't pretty, although it was effective". Speaking of Alty's trip to Histon later this season, he added, "I'll be happy to go there and score".

OLD BOYS

ALTY LOSE 2-0 AT GAINSBOROUGH

Right: Alty played the first half into a bright sun at Gainsborough. Here, Matt Flynn and Kieran Walmsley squint skywards as they track the ball.

Altrincham were beaten by a better side today at The Northolme. Gainsborough kept Damian Reeves tightly shackled and Jack Redshaw also found his chances limited, though he did nearly score in the second half when keeper Emery pushed his shot onto the post.

Gainsborough won a second-minute penalty when Densmore clearly brought down an opponent but Joe Collister, making his Alty debut on loan from Tamworth, made a good save from a poorly hit effort...

SATURDAY GAMES

ALTY SIGN KEEPER

Altrincham FC have signed Wirral-born goalkeeper Joe Collister (d.o.b. 15 December 1991), from Tamworth. As he is a non-contract player at The Lamb, a loan is not permitted. So, Joe's registration at Tamworth has been cancelled to permit the move to Moss Lane but it is agreed that he will return to the Staffordshire club on completion of his spell with Alty, which is set to end on 25 February.

Right: Joe Collister kept goal for Tranmere against Alty at Moss Lane in 2010.

A product of Tranmere Rovers' youth system, Joe made his League One debut as a substitute in September 2009 and made 14 appearances in all for his local club. He was released at the end of the 2010–11 season and joined Tamworth for the 2011-12 season. He went to Barwell on loan in late September 2011 before making his Tamworth debut on New Year's Day, 2012. Joe has played at Moss Lane previously, having kept goal for a Tranmere Rovers XI against Altrincham in a pre-season game in 2010.

ADIE STAYS ON

SHAUN'S 150TH

Shaun's experience for the club is in marked contrast to that of most of the current Altrincham squad. If Joe Collister is named in today's squad, he will become the 32nd player named in an Altrincham squad this season, 23 of whom had not made a league appearance for the club before the start of this season.

BEFORE THE GAME: TRINITY v ALTY

Altrincham last visited The Northolme for a match on Saturday, 2 April, 2005 in the inaugural season of the Conference's northern division. A second-half goal from Colin Little gave Alty a 1-0 win. A curious feature of the game was that Colin Potts was named as the visitors' Man of the Match, just 23 minutes after coming on as a substitute! A weakened Alty were without their two broken-leg victims, Marcus Hallows and Stephen Rose, as well as the injured Steve Aspinall and Eddie Hussin, though the latter was on the bench. Lewis Chalmers started only his second match for the club in a side comprising: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. George MELLING, 3. Chris ADAMS, 4. Mark MADDOX, 5. Gary TALBOT (capt), 6. Richard NORRIS, 7. Gary SCOTT, 8. Val OWEN, 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Jonathan MITTEN, 11. Lewis CHALMERS. Subs: 12. Eddie HUSSIN, 14. Adam BRINDLE, 15. Kieran LUGSDEN, 16. Colin POTTS, 17. Paul TILLEY.

Right: Gary Talbot and Mark Maddox exchange views with the referee at The Northolme in April, 2005.

This is Lincs reports that "Gainsborough Trinity's impressive 2-2 draw at high-flying Halifax should bring a swagger back to the team ahead of Saturday's visit of Altrincham, says boss Steve Housham... Town had taken a seventh-minute lead through Lee Gregory and were threatening to run riot in front of 1,300 fans before Housham changed his formation with Leon Mettam coming on for Lee Ridley.

'I did feel sorry for Lee (Ridley) who had played just half an hour, but I had to change the formation', he said. 'Halifax are a very good team and something had to be done, we had to press more and get to the second ball. So I changed to a 4-3-3 set-up and I think it saved us in the first half... I think we did well to go in at 1-1 at the break...

But we had a chat at half-time and got ourselves organised and in the end I think we could have won the game. It's a mark of a good side when you can earn a draw away at a good team like Halifax and still be disappointed not get all three points. But the lads will take a lot of confidence from this result for the game against Altrincham on Saturday'...

'It was a good result for us and it moves us back into the play-off places', said Housham... 'It is ours to keep now'.

Trinity have another big tests on Saturday when they welcome Altrincham to the Northolme, a team on a four-game unbeaten run and who also have the services of striker Damian Reeves, who has hit five goals in his last two games.

'It is a big game for us, a real six-pointer', added Housham. 'We will have to watch Reeves but, at the same [time], Altrincham will have to watch Paul Connor and Ryan Kendall. Connor has scored three in two games now and he was excellent again on Tuesday... and on Tuesday he showed another aspect to his game playing just behind the front me'".

ALTY IN THE NLP

BSB NORTH NEWS

But manager David Livermore is pleased to have regained the youngster’s services and expects him to make an impact. 'I think he was keen to come back, especially with the opportunity now that Omer’s left and it’s a good opportunity for him', said Livermore. 'I believe in him and I didn’t want him to go in the first place. He’s got a lot of ability and he’s still learning the game, but I hope he can come back and truly show what he can do. He really does have all the attributes to be a top, top player... Hopefully he does himself justice, because he’s a good player and sometimes his performances haven’t shown that'".

And Pitchero Non-League adds that "Worcester City have signed winger Greg Mills following his release by AFC Telford United. Mills originally signed for the Bucks on loan from Derby County early in the 2010/11 season... In 2009/10 he gained first-team experience with loan spells with Solihull Moors, where he scored four goals in six games, and for Macclesfield Town in League Two. He returned to Telford on a one-year contract in August 2011 after his release from Pride Park. Mills, 21, played thirty-eight times for the Bucks, scoring eight goals, but has found his first-team opportunities limited this season and his contract was cancelled by mutual consent".

Welsh Premier reports that "Airbus UK Broughton manager Andy Preece has made his first signing since arriving at The Airfield... Attacking midfielder Luke Mack arrives from Hyde FC".

DAMIAN AND LUTON

PLAYER NEWS

Turning to Jack Redshaw's return, on loan for a month from his new club, Morecambe, Lee indicated that a factor in this was that the Lancashire club has no game for twelve days and so being with Alty will help his match fitness and is mutually beneficial to both clubs.

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY v ALTRINCHAM

It does however, move Trinity back into the play-off positions in Blue Square Bet North at the expense of Nuneaton. Substitute Leon Mettam was introduced as early as the 35th minute and added more potency to the Blues' attack after Housham made the decision to sacrifice left-back Lee Ridley.

Housham said, 'It was a good, hard earned point after a disappointing first 25 minutes and we needed to change something. We started poorly and were not at the races and I feel like it worked (when we brought Leon Mettam on.) I hold my hands up and I got it wrong to start but I don’t like changing formations to compete against other teams. Something needed doing tonight because we were getting overrun...

We’ve come away happy with a point but we probably could have won because they’ve got a bit of a flukey goal at the end'...

A different Trinity side emerged after the break. Full of confidence and ideas, the visitors deservedly edged ahead... Gainsborough entertain fellow play-off hopefuls Altrincham on Saturday... Gainsborough Trinity: Emery; Watts, Sandwith, Cowan. Boyce, Clarke (Leary 77), D’Laryea, R. Williams, Kendall, Connor, Ridley (Mettam 35). Subs (not used): Yates; McMahon, Roma."

DAMIAN'S BIG INTERVIEW

Right: Damian Reeves may have been at the back of the queue of Alty players taking to the pitch on Tuesday at Blyth, but he's ahead of the pack in the goalscoring charts this season.

ALTY SCORERS

Terry writes:

"Ken McKenna has been covered but Bert Lister scored in each of his first 9 games for Altrincham from debut, (and that after coming out of retirement). But some of these, admittedly, were in the FA Cup. Alan Foster scored 7 games in a row in 1963/64, as did Jack Swindells in 1965/66.

As to ratios, doubtful that Stewart Littlewood's 105 goals in 113 games over three seasons will ever be bettered. Some pre-War leading scorer totals, (although in many cases not complete, so could be higher), are:

OLD BOY

BLYTH MARKS

However, the nominated Man of the Match was their goalscorer, Wayne Buchanan, who "was imperious at the heart of Blyth’s defence on an eventful evening at Croft Park. The Ulsterman and his central defensive partner, Jordon Mellish managed to keep the Blue Square Bet North’s leading goal scorer, Damian Reeves quiet for the duration of the game – with the striker’s only real chance being his penalty conversion in the 95th minute. After taking the lead Blyth came under intense pressure but it was invariably Buchanan who was putting his body on the line to prevent the visitors from scoring an equaliser".

BSBN NEWS

Blue Square North Semi-Finals:

Following yesterday's Conference meeting at Telford it is believed that it was agreed, subject to confirmation, to start next season on 11 August 2012 and complete it on 20 April, 2013.

According to the Cambridge News, "Gordon Boateng has called on Histon supporters to support the board’s decision to axe Omer Riza and embrace their future vision. The chief executive, along with chairman Russell Hands and board members Angelo Dama, Mac McDonald and Graham Muncey, told captain Riza the club could no longer afford his weekly £400 salary at a meeting on Monday night.

Boateng insists the decision was vital in order to help the club have the finances to tie down the promising youngsters coming through the scholarship system. 'We didn’t want Omer to go, but we’ve got young players coming through that need to be playing for contracts for next season', said Boateng. 'Omer was not on a contract and we had to cut our cloth accordingly, so it was a no-brainer. He was a good player, and our captain, but we had to think about the new breed of players coming through.

Our brand and our unique selling point is the natural progression we offer to the young players. We want to be able to offer young players coming through a contract and have the ability to re-engage players that are already on contracts. Of course, we didn’t want to lose our captain but we had to make an executive decision'.

As well as still working to clear the debts inherited from previous regimes, another factor in Histon’s financial plight is lower attendances this season. The average gate at Bridge Road in the Blue Square Bet Premier last term was 596 but relegation to the Blue Square Bet North has resulted in that figure dropping to 383...

'We’ve got incentives to get families in, and we’re doing things with schools and went to hand out presents at Addenbrooke’s Hospital at Christmas', said Boateng. 'We’re trying to do lots more with the community to get people back in. We’re working hard day and night, seven days a week, speaking to businesses to get support. Everything that’s being done is for the good of the club, and not for personal egos. There are a lot of people that used to come and support Histon and we’re saying to those people, "we need you". It’s certainly not all doom and gloom. We’re close to where we need to be to be a club on an even keel and debt free'">

In the North Wales Weekly News we read that "Colwyn Bay will be optimistic they can continue their recent unbeaten run and put another dent in Stalybridge Celtic’s title aspirations at the Bower Fold on Saturday... Jim Harvey’s full-timers are currently having a wretched run, without a win in seven league outings and having fallen 12 points behind... Hyde – albeit with three games in hand.

They even surrendered a 4-1 half-time lead to be held to an amazing 5-5 draw by third-bottom Hinckley last weekend, and... Stalybridge have averaged only one goal a game in six of their last seven league fixtures. Colwyn Bay, meanwhile, are on the crest of wave after three away wins on the run, four games unbeaten in 2012 and three consecutive clean sheets since keeper Chris Sanna returned to the side after injury.

Player-boss Jon Newby described last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at top 10 rivals Worcester City as probably the most complete performance since he and assistant manager Stuart Barlow took charge. And a good result on Saturday could put the ex-Liverpool striker in the running for the Blue Square North’s January Manager of the Month award after just three months in the job".

Reports in the Coventry Telegraph say that "Former Hinckley United wing-back Neil Cartwright could join Nuneaton Town’s promotion bid after playing in last night’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Barwell. The 29-year-old, who made a record 398 appearances for the Knitters in a nine-year stay at the club, was one of three trialists in the Boro line-up alongside Notts County youngster Nathan Fox and Shrewsbury’s Luke Male.

Cartwright was released by Worcester City last week and Kevin Wilkin gave him the chance to impress by handing the wing-back a start against The Canaries and he produced a sound display. Meanwhile Fox and Male put in workmanlike performances but on this showing one asks whether they are any better than what Wilkin has at his disposal. Cartwright can operate in defence or midfield but with Graham Ward still troubled by his long-suffering knee injury the problematic right-back position could be his destination.

Ex-Coventry City midfielder Kevin Thornton also figured in the Nuneaton line-up last night and played the first half but Wilkin is not expected to give him a recall for the home clash on Saturday’s against Vauxhall Motors".

JACK'S BACK - FOR A MONTH

JACK'S DEPARTURE

Right: Jack's last appearance for Altrincham was against Harrogate Town last Saturday , where Alty photographer Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography, captured him in action.

21 year-old Jack signed for Altrincham from Salford City as recently as 13 October 2011. His football career had begun with Manchester City, whom he joined at the age of nine and he progressed there to earn his first contract at the age of 18. Jack turned out for Manchester City's first team against the United Arab Emirates in a friendly in November 2009 in Abu Dhabi.

After trials with Blackpool, he joined Rochdale, for whom he made a first-team debut as a used substitute in League One in August 2010. But in January 2011, he left Spotland by mutual agreement as his first-team appearances were limited to two games.

Jack signed for Salford City in March, 2011, and scored almost as many goals as he made appearances for the rest of the season. He made his Alty debut as a used sub against Vauxhall Motors on 15 October 2011 and soon started scoring, bagging eight goals in a total of 11(+4) appearances. Such was the impression Jack made at Alty that FC Halifax Town and Hyde FC both indicated they were making approaches for Alty's striker, who had opted not to sign a contract at Moss Lane to retain his flexibility as he sought to return to League football. Finally, League Two Morecambe came in and, after a run-out for their reserves, they signed him on 22 January 2012.

Everyone at Moss Lane thanks Jack for his services and wishes him the best of luck in his future career.

Football 365 has an inaccurate report that "Morecambe have signed striker Jack Redshaw from Altrincham for an undisclosed fee [no fee was involved] after he impressed the club on trial. The 21-year-old has signed an 18-month [actually 20-month] contract with the Shrimps and manager Jim Bentley says he is delighted to have secured the services of the young striker.

The former Manchester City forward impressed on trial last week and scored twice for the reserves in their 4-1 win at Tranmere. Bentley told the club's official website, 'Jack is a player with great potential. He may only be small but he is strong and quick and has a real eye for goal. He has a good attitude and I am really looking forward to working with him. He is definitely one for the future and a lot of clubs were interested in signing him so I am delighted that he has chosen us.

'Altrincham FC and their manager Lee Sinnott have been very understanding and have been keen to help Jack progress his career'".

GOAL RUSH

All three of the above win 2 tickets to a forthcoming home match of their choice. The bonus prize of two football biographies was won by No 28 - Steve Foster. Congratulations to all four winners. The next Goal Rush draw will be held when the Mighty Robins reach 70 goals for the season. The current total after the Blyth match stands at 67".

NEXT GAME

Details of TASC's coach travel for supporters going to Gainsborough are here.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 28 January

Tuesday, 24 January

BLYTH'S VIEW OF GAME

With mere seconds remaining, Richie Slaughter committed a needless foul on James Lawrie in the Blyth box and Damian Reeves levelled matters from the spot. The draw follows similar results, in similar circumstances, at Boston United and Nuneaton Town, while the Spartans should have claimed more than defeat against Corby Town. They remain deep in relegation trouble but have shown a glimmer of hope in recent displays and, Cassidy says... 'I am devastated, it is just unbelievable. I went into the dressing room after the match and did not know what to say to the lads. I thought we were about to beat this pattern but now I am thinking "where does this end?" We were 1-0 up in the 91st minute. I looked at my watch and there were five added minutes.

Then all of a sudden they are given a penalty, it was a stupid penalty. It was naive. Slaughter is a young full-back, and he had quite a good game, but he made contact which he did not have to do'”.

Meanwhile, Blyth Spartans report that "Referee Andrew Miller awarded Altrincham a controversial 95th minute penalty - which Damian Reeves duly tucked away - provoking uproar on the terraces of Croft Park. Ironically, Miller was in charge the last time Spartans won in the Blue Square Bet North – against Boston United – but this balmy Tuesday night is certainly one he will never forget as home supporters made their feelings clear on full-time.

The incident which sparked such vitriol amongst the partisan crowd came about when James Lawrie went to ground under a challenge from Blyth’s Richie Slaughter in the area, prompting Miller to point to the spot without hesitation. Even the visiting radio commentators from the Cheshire club were heard labelling the decision "harsh" but these words will be of little consolation to Tommy Cassidy and his battling side, who had victory snatched away from them in the cruelest of circumstances.

It’s a shame in fact that a refereeing decision should overshadow what was actually an enthralling game of football. The visitors set the tempo early on... For a spell midway through the opening period it became quite a heated affair, typified by a late challenge from Michael Twiss on Wayne Phillips which resulted in a booking for the Altrincham forward...

Spartans had their best spell just after half-time which culminated in them taking a deserved lead on 57 minutes. Before notching his second goal of 2012 Taylor had came close with a header which Reid managed to hold on to... Pressure finally told when Wayne Phillips supplied the overlapping Phil Cave whose cross-shot found Taylor at the back post – leaving the striker with the simple task of tapping into an unguarded net...

Such was Blyth’s aerial domination in their own box the away side were limited to only long range efforts... Pivotal moment number one arrived on 91 minutes when Utterson should have put the result beyond any doubt but instead fired his shot over the crossbar and out of the ground from 12 yards after playing a neat one-two with Jamie Mole. It was to prove costly as, with time running out for Altrincham, a long ball was hoisted into the Spartans' area and taken down by Lawrie who fell to the ground in a theatrical manner under a challenge from Slaughter.

Having endured a disastrous campaign so far, Miller made sure that the nightmare continued for Spartans fans by awarding a penalty. And to complete a script that not even the most creative minds could dream up; the player to take the spot kick could only be the Blue Square Bet North’s leading goal scorer. As expected, Reeves fired past Birdsall to score his 28th [32nd] of the campaign and destroy Blyth’s hopes of a vital three points in the process. Spartans are now 12 points from safety and will make the trip to Manchester on Saturday to face Altrincham’s North West neighbours, Droylsden". Spartans named Shaun Densmore as the away team's Man of the Match.

BSB NORTH NEWS

Meanhwile, "Ashington made a move into the transfer market on Tuesday when they signed Michael Tait from Harrogate Town. The former Blyth Spartans midfielder will go straight into the squad for Saturday... Tait is the son of former Blyth Spartans manager Mick Tait and earlier this season he spent a spell on loan back at Croft Park" reports the News Post Leader

From Pitchero Non-League, we learn that "Two players recently plying their trade in non-League football have been handed a chance of returning to the League. Port Vale have handed trials to midfielder Paul Marshall and striker Tommy Wright. Marshall is a former loanee with Vale, having finished the 2008/09 season on loan at Vale Park from Manchester City. The 22-year-old has most recently been playing for Droylsden".

In the Telegraph & Argus comes news that "Guiseley’s long-serving chairman Phil Rogerson has announced that he is to step down. He will remain on the board and will continue as finance director until the end of the current season. The role of chairman will pass to the club’s major backer Steve Parkin, with Neil Shackleton acting as his deputy. Club secretary Adrian Towers will take over the day-to-day running of the club as chief executive officer.

Rogerson, who has been an official of the Nethermoor club for 30 years, said, 'The time is right for a new management structure. I have been giving consideration to this since the end of last season... Our ambition is to win promotion to the Blue Square Premier and we need to have an organisation which can meet the demands of that'".

A millionaire, Mr Parkin was in the news last summer as he tried to take over at Bradford City.

Following yesterday's news, Bulls' News says that "Histon have released striker Omer Riza as a cost-cutting measure. The former Shrewsbury forward was the club's top earner and was axed due to falling income at the club".

BSB North states that "Colwyn Bay have rewarded locally-based midfielder Gareth Evans with a new 18-month contract. The 24-year-old joined the Seagulls from neighbouring Llandudno 17 months ago and player-boss Jon Newby said the contract was reward for his hard work and the improvement he has made since coming to the club".

At FC Halifax Town, manager "Neil Aspin was not downhearted despite his side's winning streak coming to an end. Despite a strong performance, 'The Shaymen' could only manage a draw against their promotion rivals Gainsborough, which saw their 7 match winning streak come to an end...

'We didn't get what we deserved tonight', declared Aspin. 'I felt the first 30 minutes we played really well, probably the best we have played at home. We played some good football, went 1-0 up and should have been more than 1-0 up'...

Halifax had a string of chances throughout the game and failed to capitalise, which opened the door for 'The Holy Blues' [?Dolly Blues!] to actually take the lead midway through the second half...

Aspin admitted 'It is important you don't lose games because Gainsborough are one of the teams in the pack and a defeat would have allowed them to close the gap but that's why it is important that if you aren't going to win games you don't lose... The players have got us into a challenging position from nowhere really and we've just got to keep going. It is the end of the winning run but I would like to have an unbeaten run which we can extend for a lot longer'".

TUESDAY RESULT

LEE'S VIEWS

"Lee Sinnott urged his Altrincham players to maintain their recent momentum after a last-gasp penalty from Damian Reeves extended their unbeaten run to four games at Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night.

Prolific marksman Reeves (right) kept his cool to slot home the injury-time spot-kick and take Alty to within three points of the Blue Square Conference North play-off places. With a trip to fifth-placed Gainsborough next up on Saturday, Sinnott stressed his side could ill-afford to drop their guard.

‘It was a hard-earned point, but a deserved one,’ said the Alty boss. ‘My observation was that, looking at the game in its entirety, neither team created enough, or troubled the keeper enough, to claim all three points.

‘I do have some sympathy for Tommy Cassidy, who is still searching for that elusive first win since taking over at Blyth. Conceding a penalty in the third minute of injury time must have felt like a kick in the teeth.

‘But, overall, we deserved that break. Both teams huffed and puffed, on a surface that was difficult to play on, and I thought a draw was right.

‘Three of the four unbeaten games have been away, and we have shown we can stand up to a challenge, never more so than on Tuesday, when we kept going right to the end and got our reward.

‘It was almost like sudden-death for Damian with that penalty. Score, and it’s a point; miss, and we’re heading home empty-handed. It takes a certain kind of character to step forward and accept that responsibility, but no-one should be surprised at the outcome. He’s on a hot streak.

‘It is starting to bubble up now. You sense the run-in isn’t too far away, so it’s good we are getting ourselves into position, ready to try and make a move. Credit to the players for what they have done. You are always looking for momentum, and we have to make sure now we pull out all the stops to keep it going.’

Alty’s battling point came hard on the heels of a 5-2 home win over Harrogate, with Reeves scoring four.

‘Damian’s record is quite wonderful,’ added Sinnott. ‘It would look special in any league in any country, and long may it continue. Others have played their part by laying on chances for him, as James Lawrie did on Tuesday night, by winning the penalty.

‘But from a personal point of view, Damian must be feeling almost delirious at how things are going and the way he is scoring in every game.

‘It was a strange game against Harrogate, really, when you compare it to the opening day of the season at their place. We could have scored far more than five goals there, but lost, yet, on Saturday, we ended up with a convincing scoreline, when I’m not sure we created many more than five chances in total.

‘Either side of half-time, we struggled to deal with the blustery conditions, and let them back in it. But we kicked on again, and our goals for record certainly shows we know where the back of the net is. That’s a great asset to have in your armoury.’

Sinnott saluted Adam Reid’s composure, after the Alty Youth keeper filled in for injured Stuart Coburn.

‘I think Adam (left) has coped really well,’ he said. ‘He has to be the most laidback 17-year old I have ever come across, which is no bad thing for a keeper. He is still learning his craft – and will probably continue to for at least another 10 years, given his position – but he just doesn’t look nervous.

‘Full credit to him for the way he has stepped in and contributed to our run of results and, if we do end up bringing in another keeper on loan, it will be no reflection on him. He has done extremely well, especially considering his age.’

Sinnott backed Jack Redshaw to make his mark on League Two defences, after the Alty striker duly completed his move to Morecambe.

‘It has been well documented how open and up front Jack was about wanting to get back to League football, and it has certainly happened for him rather quickly,’ said Sinnott. ‘If I can take my manager’s hat off for a moment, I’d have to say I’m pleased for him.

‘I know some people look at his size and wonder, but his ability is absolutely beyond doubt. I’ve had chats with him, and he does seem to be learning all the time and improving to an extent where his size need not be an issue.

‘He has so many attributes, and his movement and quickness, in thought and particularly with his feet, will continue to cause problems for defences. I’m grateful for what he did in an Altrincham shirt, and I’m sure he will make the most of this opportunity. We wish him all the best.’

Coburn is again missing on Saturday, but Simon Richman is expected to be fit, after a bug, and Marlon Broomes could be available the following weekend, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury".

BLYTH SPARTANS 1 ALTRINCHAM 1

Right: With the departure of Jack Redshaw, the illness of Simon Richman and injuries to Stuart Coburn and Marlon Broomes, Alty boss Lee Sinnott was again forced to adapt his starting line-up, at Blyth on Tuesday night. Here, we see the 4-4 element of the 4-4-2 featuring, in defence (l. to r.), Matt Flynn, Adie Hawes, Mark Lees and Nicky Clee and, in midfield, Kieran Walmsley, Shaun Densmore, Chris Lynch and James Lawrie. Out of this picture are strikers Michael Twiss and Damian Reeves, as well as 'keeper Adam Reid.

ALTRINCHAM: Reid, M Flynn, Hawes, Lees, Clee, Walmsley, Densmore, Lynch, Lawrie, Twiss, Reeves. Subs ; Summerskill, A Flynn, Tolson and Holden.

CLUB EVENTS - UPDATED

Saturday 18th February – Meet the New Recruits Part 2

Following the game against Blyth Spartans we will be holding our second “Meet the New Recruits” evening in the Manchester Glass Sponsors Lounge. Three recently arrived players along with our Management duo will be in attendance to be quizzed by all the attendees. Chicken and chips will be served along with a dessert.

The players' line-up has now been confirmed as comprising the defensive trio of Kieran Walmsley, Marlon Broomes and Matty Flynn. Brian Flynn (no relation!) has kindly accepted an offer to compere the evening and it is hoped that manager Lee Sinnott will also be in attendance.

Tickets are priced at £15 and are available immediately. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

Thursday 5th April – Steve Claridge Sportsman’s Dinner

What better way to start the Bank Holiday weekend than attending our annual Sportsman’s Dinner. Steve, star of the Football League Show, will entertain you with his stories followed by a Q & A session. A comedian will complete the evening where a 4 course Dinner will be served.

Ticket prices are £35 a ticket or £350 + VAT for a table of ten. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

The event is at the Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and will include a four-course meal. The event is open to all supporters

Saturday 28th April – TASC Race Night

The ever popular Race Night brings our season to the end on Saturday 28th April following our game against Gainsborough Trinity. You can sponsor a race or buy a horse. More details to follow.

May 11th – 13th Altrincham FC Beer Festival

In association with John Glover and the Old Market Tavern, Altrincham FC are holding their first ever Beer Festival at the club. Starting on Friday night with the Staff v Supporters game followed by a night of entertainment, on the Saturday there will be the corporate 7 a side tournament, a ladies' football match and finally two live bands to round the day off. Sunday will be a family fun day with Junior exhibition games, a Past Players vs TV celebrity game, the final Premiership games live on big screen and finally a balloon race.

Please make a note of these dates and support as many as possible – your club needs your help.

BSBN NEWS

The Football Cpnference reports that "Bishop`s Stortford have signed defender Emmanuel Udoji, who was recently released by Bromley. Udoji was on the youth books of the sadly now defunct Rushden & Diamonds before moving to Portsmouth's youth Academy. He signed a professional contract at Fratton Park but was released in the summer of 2008. He moved to the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain in the autumn of 2008 and graduated from there to play for Stafford Rangers for part of the 2009/10 season.

After leaving Stafford, he had trials at Queens Park Rangers and Weymouth before playing for Ebbsfleet United`s reserves in August 2010. Capable of playing in the centre of defence or at full-back, he agreed terms at Stonebridge Road a few games into the 2010/11 season after a short spell with Aveley. However, he moved on to join Bromley`s league rivals Havant & Waterlooville in November 2010, joining league rivals Bromley last March".

Nearer to home, "Carl Macauley, manager of Vauxhall Motors, has drafted in midfielder Liam Wynn on loan from Fleetwood Town. A first-year professional at Highbury, Wynn has made the step up from the youth ranks. He was captain of Fleetwood`s under-18 side who won the Lancashire FA Youth Cup in 2009/10. The midfielder was handed a professional contract in the summer of 2011 and spent the first few months of the season on loan at Clitheroe... Motors have also signed 18-year-old youth striker Mark Winslade on Conference forms".

According to Pitchero Non-League, "Eastwood Town`s defender Cameron Fearon is on his way back to Rainworth Miners Welfare, from whom he joined the Badgers only last month... Fearon was persuaded to make the step up and test himself at Conference North level by Badgers' manager John Ramshaw at the beginning of December, and although he made a promising debut, Ramshaw has agreed to release him and allow him to return to the club he first joined during the 2009 close season from Ilkeston Town."

TUESDAY GAMES

Tuesday, 24 January

JACK GOES

With doubts over Stuart Coburn (elbow), Simon Richman (illness) and with Duncan Watmore unavailable because of an exam, Altrincham could be strteched tonight at Blyth.

If you cannot get to Blyth on Tuesday night, there should be a choice of how to follow the game, live.

FIFTY UP

Right: Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography captures the joy of scoring as Damian Reeves and James Lawrie join Simon Richman (no.7) in celebrating one of Alty's goals on Saturday against Harrogate.

Damian Reeves's fourth goal on Saturday was also his fiftieth for Altrincham, a total reached in just 62 starts and 12 substitute appearances. This has prompted much reaching for the record books. A glance at the Alty Top Scorers chart shows that Damian's most recent target to aim for is the 38 goals netted by Colin Little in the 2004-05 promotion season. Of those, 24 were league goals and 14 came in cup matches. All of Damian's 31 goals this season have come in the league.

Damian has also now scored in nine successive league games and in fifteen of the last sixteen league matches. His tally of 15 in the last nine matches recalls the scoring burst of Keith Russell in 1997-98 who scored 13 times in ten games towards the end of that season, a campaign which, like this year's, was Alty's first after a relegation from the national Conference. Russell's achievement was remarkable as he had been a full-back at Hednesford Town before becoming a striker and, later, a midfielder.

In the league, Damian has a long way to go to match Jack Swindells who netted 56 times in the less demanding Cheshire League of 1965-66. However, Jack's league total of 33 in 1967-68 is well within sight, a total matched by Walter Jones in 1947-48.

BEFORE THE GAME -BLYTH v ALTY

Altrincham last met Blyth in the FA Trophy last season when Alty lost 2-1.

Blyth Spartans report on their last game, a home defeat by Corby Town, last Saturday. "The marks were awarded by Martin Hunter.

And the Chronicle Live tells us that "Spartans’ improvement under new manager Tommy Cassidy has yet to bring the league win which has proved so elusive over the last four months. The Spartans looked to be heading for a third straight draw when a poor Jamie Mole throw-in saw Sam Mullarkey snatch a late winner for Corby Town...

Blyth have been linked to midfield pair Kyle Nix and Michael Tait, released from Gateshead and Harrogate Town, but it is up front which is the priority. Cassidy said, 'We need a goalscorer. We scored a great goal from midfielder Harrop from distance, but we need a poacher in the box. We have been as good as the opposition in the last three games but have only two points from nine and need someone to put the ball in the net... Harrop has done well and is a good prospect. He wants to stay at Blyth on loan so I will have a word with Bury boss Ritchie Barker... It was naive play from Mole which led to Corby’s late clincher, but we also need a break somewhere'.

Blyth hope for a bigger crowd than the 305 who turned up on Saturday when they host play-off chasers Altrincham tomorrow night".

Altrincham Mad lists the most recent previous encounters at Croft Park. It adds "Blyth Spartans' home form is most definitely relegation standard, collecting just 1 solitary point from the last six. While Spartans have scored 6, a worringly large 14 have been leaked at the other end. Altrincham's away form is none too clever either, winning and losing 3 each of the last six games. While the Robins have hit 12 goals, 15 have hit the back of the wrong net".

Admission prices at Blyth are:

KEEPER COVER

ALTY LEGENDS

THANK YOU

GOAL RUSH

"Altrincham’s fine 5-2 victory over Harrogate Town last Saturday takes their total goal tally in all competitive league and cup matches to 66 for the season to date. Those supporters who kindly made pledges are in the process of being contacted to request interim payments.

The TASC Goal Rush Scheme also includes a draw for every 10 goals scored, in addition to the end of season draw for two prizes of a signed match ball and shirt and the added bonus of a draw for a free season ticket if the Robins manage to reach 100 goals in the season.

The draws for the 40th, 50th and 60th goal benchmarks will all take place on Radio Robins at half time during the commentary on Altrincham’s away trip to Blyth on Tuesday evening.

In addition we will be holding a draw for the chance to win an extra bonus prize of two football biographies by former Manchester United manager, Frank O’Farrell entitled ‘All Change At Old Trafford’ and former Nottingham Forest winger John Robertson’s ‘Supertramp'.

Don’t forget to tune in to Radio Robins for full match commentary starting at 7.40pm. Commentators are Brian Flynn and Paul Salt".

GAINSBOROUGH TRANSPORT

OLD BOYS

BSBN NEWS

According to the Football Conference "FC Halifax Town have signed former Leeds United midfielder Will Hatfield. Hatfield was allowed to leave Leeds recently after agreeing a mutual termination of contract. The 20-year-old, who captained the reserves to title success two years ago, is a product of the club's Academy system. He progressed through the youth ranks and was a reserve team regular before loan moves to Conference Premier York City and League Two outfit Accrington Stanley. Hatfield, who trialled with Lincoln City last month, was an unused substitute in Saturday`s 3-1 win at Vauxhall Motors."

Pitchero Non-League has news that "Matlock Town have signed midfielder Harry Winter from Hyde FC. Winter, 22, signed for FC Halifax Town from Northwich Victoria in 2010 having impressed during a loan spell for the Shaymen. He missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, but is clearly back on his way up after signing for Hyde last December looking for regular first-team football. He has also previously played for Trafford".

Following his first-half injury at Altrincham on Saturday, Harrogate Town report on "the injury to Captain Michael Brough. We will not know the full extent of the damage to his hamstring until a week's time, but the initial prognosis is that he may be out for several weeks due to him being in pain even when walking".

CONFERENCE ON TV

You can contact the show via twitter, email or facebook, and once again become part of the coverage in a unique and original way. Non-League fans are encouraged to contact the commentators during the show - including in-game - and they will incorporate the messages into the coverage. Luton v Mansfield is a massive game in the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion race. To sign up see this game and another 15 matches including all the play-offs and final please visit www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000.

If you want to get in touch with the show, please contact:

Colin Peake"

ALTRINCHAM 5 HARROGATE TOWN 2

After the game Harrogate Town said that "Town gave a start to new signing, central defender, Patrece Liburd... [At 2-2], hopes were high that Town, with the elements in their favour would snatch a win, but two quick goals made the game safe for Alty. On 57 minutes Town failed to cut out a free kick from the left and Jack Redshaw scored at the back post. Then three minutes later, Alty’s goal machine Reeves scored with a 30 yard snap shot via the post... Harrogate were caught on the break with 15 minutes left when Reeves flicked in Richman’s cross to make it 5-2".

And the BBC adds that "Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver wants his side to be more consistent after they lost 5-2 at Altrincham... 'I think we had at least as much possession as they did', Weaver told BBC Radio York. 'When we did get up there we looked dangerous. We've got to cut out these bad spells where we look vulnerable... We probably created as much and as many chances as they did if not more. But they put their chances away and we didn't at times. The attackers were on top mostly in the game. Both defences looked very vulnerable. Probably ours was a little bit worse than theirs. We were defeated today and some bad goals went in against us but we said, attacking-wise, we looked a constant threat. We'll be in a scrap for the next few weeks until we're up past midway [in the table] and I think there are probably nine or 10 teams who are in it' [at the bottom]".

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 1 WARRINGTON TOWN YOUTH 4

Right: Alty Youth captain, Sam Grimshaw, goes up for the ball in a crowded part of the Clay Lane pitch on Sunday.

NEXT OPPONENTS

'We have got two points from the last three games when it could have been nine, due to the way we have played', said Cassidy. 'But there’s no denying that we need an out and out goal scorer. We dominated large parts of the Corby game but couldn’t take advantage of the chances we created. It was very disappointing'... Responding to Cassidy’s urging from the touchline – 'Go, go, go!' – the Spartans were closing down well and with a new found conviction...

'Graeme Armstrong and Glen Taylor work hard but we’re not putting our chances away'... [Corby's winner] was another stupid goal to give away... We need to get some breaks as well as clearing up our injury list'. As well as issues with Armstrong and Groves, Lee Mason, Phil Bannister and Carl Jones are out while Phil Cave is also struggling. 'On top of that', said Cassidy, 'Goalkeepers David Knight and Matt Hunter are also injured and to add insult to injury – literally – our goalkeeping coach Carl King is injured too!'.

Turning to this Tuesday’s game at Croft Park against Altrincham Cassidy is looking for a breakthrough. 'If we can win on Tuesday everything changes. We need that first win on the board and, although we would still face a hard slog, it could ignite us. I’d like to thank the supporters for sticking with us and I hope they come along and get behind us again this week'".

FLYNNZINE

"Even by our own standards, the ups and downs of this very odd season have been fairly dramatic. 2012 has continued in exactly the same vein as the first half of the season and the four games played this month have been a true microcosm of the season to date.

We finished 2011 on a real high in destroying Droylsden here on Boxing Day, only to slip-slide away to a 3-1 reverse at The Butcher's Arms on New Year’s Day. Colwyn Bay was an absolute masterclass in ‘How Not To Defend’ and, all of a sudden, our season was lurching on the edge, particularly with the prospect of four of the next five games being played away from Moss Lane.

On to Hinckley and Workington for the next two rolls in 'Alty Roulette' and, all of a sudden, things look much brighter and we are back on the cusp of the play-offs! Full credit should be given to the players and management for two very disciplined and effective performances. Most importantly, we have defended really well, which has rarely happened this season on our travels.

Having drawn four of our first seven games in the league, since that last gasp equaliser for Gloucester in the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on the first Saturday in September, we have drawn just once in seventeen league games, twenty games in total, if you include our three ignominious first-fence exits from the cup competitions.

Statistically, things have a natural way of eventually balancing out and, in many ways, the last thing we want now is a run of draws. Therefore, maybe, the 'Alty Rollercoaster' isn't the worst ride on the Blue Square Bet North Funfair to be on!

Who knows what will happen this afternoon but, if the evidence of our opening day encounter with Harrogate at Wetherby Road is anything to go by, we may be in for an interesting afternoon!"

I can’t finish today’s article without saying a few words about Jack Thorpe, our legendary former groundsman, who passed away at the beginning of the month at the fantastic age of ninety eight.

I got to know Jack in 1972, when I became a ballboy. My first game was the FA Cup First Round game against Notts County, which we lost 1-0 to a late... and harsh penalty. The ball-boys' changing area was Jack’s shed, which was a magnificent hotchpotch of a place, filled with all sorts of agricultural equipment. There was a fantastic old brazier that we would huddle around in the winter to keep warm before the match.

Having proudly jumped into our blue tracksuits, sponsored by ‘McDougall Rose’. Jack’s shed was one of my favourite places in the world at that time and we all would love talking to Jack about ‘all things Alty’. In recent years, I would always be amazed to see Jack at various grounds around the country with his son, Dave. I specifically remember talking to Jack outside Kenilworth Road, before our FA Cup First Round game with Luton Town in 2008... it was just before his 95th birthday!

Rest in peace, Jack, you will always be an Alty legend!

Brian Flynn".

CHESHIRE NEWS

Davis finished his playing career by turning out 24 times for Vics between 2000 and 2002... Northwich have since suffered three demotions without actually finishing in the relegation zone as they have become regular clients of the administrators' offices. Vics' Mid-Cheshire Cup tie against Winsford next week has been switched to the neighbouring Barton Stadium, but they need to fulfil a home fixture with Marine on January 28 – a date when Crewe are at Barnet.

'Nothing has been mentioned here about a groundshare but, if we could do something to help them, I am sure we would', said Davis. 'Northwich Vics is a great club with nice people involved and I hope they can sort themselves out'" he told This is Staffs.

SUPPORTERS' TRAVEL GAINSBOROUGH

"TASC are hoping to run a coach to Gainsborough next Saturday. However, if that is not possible, there will be two minibuses instead. Full details, including prices and departure times, will be announced within the next 48 hours".

ALTRINCHAM 5 HARROGATE TOWN 2

Right: Kieran Walmsley's freekicks have been an impressive feature of his play since joining Altrincham recently.

Saturday's attendances:

DRAW WINNERS

1. 57 Ian Jones
2. 47 Terry Surridge
3. 5 Grahame Rowley
4. 85 N Griffin

Details of how you can join the Draw and help the club are here.

BEFORE THE GAME

We must now make sure that we maintain that level of performance and take it into today’s game away at Altrincham. They are a good team currently lying in 7th spot. They have plenty of experience running down the core of their team and a lot of pace up front. It will be a tough game and they will be looking for revenge after we ran out the winners on the first day of the season. If we are being honest we were very fortunate to gain the victory that day as Altrincham were a lot stronger than us in the middle of midfield and to be fair they put is under a lot of pressure. We must improve on that performance today if we are to achieve a positive result.

It should be a good crowd today as Altrincham always have a good home support so it will be good to see how our lads deal with that. For most players the bigger the crowd the better it is.

Earlier this week we signed Robbie Youhill on a contract. Robbie was recommended to the club by Paul Clayton who I’ve got to know over the last year or so. Paul works in the Bradford City Academy and has a good eye for a player. His verdict on Robbie was spot on and I’ve been delighted that Robbie has made the impact that Paul predicted. Robbie used to go to school in Harrogate before taking up a scholarship in America. After completing his course Robbie chose to stay over there and he played for New Jersey and when he came home he occasionally played for Tadcaster Albion. He has shown tremendous pride in playing for his home town club. He was prepared to come here for a month to show what he can do".

OLD BOYS

At Salford City 2 Bamber Bridge 2 on Saturday, both City came from ex-Alty players or trialists - Gavin Salmon and Jamie Baguley netted. New Mills scored five in beating Quorn with Ben Deegan and Ashley Stott (2) on their scoresheet.

DUNCAN AND MATT IMPRESS

BSB NORTH NEWS

The Football Conference reports that "Hinckley United have taken young defender Tendayi Darikwa on a month`s loan from Chesterfield. Darikwa was given a year's deal with the Spireites after impressing in the youth side and that was extended by another year in the summer. An attacking midfield man who can play up front, the Nottingham-born youngster has a great burst of pace and an eye for goal. He made his senior debut as a substitute in the FA Cup game at Burton Albion in November 2010 having returned from a month's loan at Conference Premier side Barrow AFC".

Meanwhile, "Bishop's Stortford have signed defender Callum Stewart from Hampton & Richmond Borough. A product of the Histon youth system, Stewart made a number of starts for the Stutes in last season’s Conference Premier campaign, but was released at the end of the season. Standing at 6`1”, the 21-year-old is a real presence at the back. He was previously with the Ipswich Town Academy and Cambridge United`s Centre of Excellence."

According to This is Lincs, "Substitute Andrew Boyce scored a superb winning goal with his first touch after coming on for Gainsborough Trinity. The clock showed almost 90 minutes were up at the Northolme and with the game poised at 2-2 visitors Histon looked likely to take a point back with them to Cambridgeshire.

But a poor tackle on Kevin Sandwith led to Boyce replacing the Trinity skipper. The resulting free-kick missed everyone in the box but found Boyce lurking at the back. His diving header flew past the Histon keeper to send the Northolme wild...

[Earlier] Trinity boss Steve Housham threw on Leon Mettam for Shane Clarke and the speedy striker changed the game. His pace and determination piled the pressure on Histon's defence".

The Journal said before Saturday's defeat that "After two draws, Tommy Cassidy has hope. However, the Blyth Spartans boss is urging supporters not to burden his side with fanciful expectation at home to Corby Town today...

Cassidy said, 'Corby have a good record, they have only been beaten once away from home, so it will be a hard match. The worst thing is we have had two decent results away from home. Supporters will expect, having drawn twice away from home, that we should win the next two home games... It will be a very hard game, they are a very physical side'..

Cassidy has praised assistant Gavin Fell. He added: 'We are training twice a week, and trying to get them bouncing around and enjoying it. There is nothing worse for non-league players, working all day then having to come to training at night, if it is not enjoyable... If you can get them bouncing in training, it does go into the game on a Saturday. You cannot really coach them very much because you do not get enough time... We train four hours a week, so you have to make them want to come, and then enjoy it. That is very important... I still don't know my players, and they have to get to know me too, how I want us to play'"

ALTRINCHAM 5 HARROGATE TOWN 2

Right: The celebrations after Alty's opener, from Damian Reeves, were centred on Simon Richman, whose cross set up the goal. Simon (green flashes on boots) and Damian (yellow flashes) are concealed by Kieran Walmsley (no.2) and James Lawrie (11).

Four goals from Damian Reeves ensured Altrincham got revenge for the defeat at Wetherby Road on the opening day of the season. The game today was played in a strong, gusty wind, which was behind Alty in the first half....

ALTY 1. Adam REID,2. Kieran WALMSLEY, 5.Adrian HAWES, 6. Mark LEES, 3. Nicky CLEE; 7. Simon RICHMAN, 8. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 4. Chris LYNCH, 11. James LAWRIE; 9. Jack REDSHAW, 10. Damian REEVES, Subs - 12. Brian Summerskill, 14. James Holden, 15. Michael Twiss, 16. Neil Tolson, 17. Adam Flyn

Harrogate Town: 1. Cook, 2. Bore, 3. Heckingbottom,4. Brough, 5. Liburd, 6. White, 7. Youhill, 8. Bolland, 9. Brayson, 10. Allan, 11. Radcliffe Subs - 14. Pell, 15.Elam, 16. Turnbull, 17. Picton and 18. Turl.

BSBN FIXTURES

SATURDAY'S GAME

In their match preview, Harrogate Town say that "It’s off to Cheshire for Simon Weaver’s men on Saturday as they travel to Moss Lane to take on Altrincham. Following the Guiseley match being cancelled, the players are desperate to get on the pitch and keep their run of good form going. Hopefully we will be in for another cracker of a match against Altrincham like the one we witnessed on the first day of this season when we won 3-2, with our goal scorers being Paul Brayson (2) and Laurie Wilson.

Our hosts are lurking just outside the play-off places at the moment. In their ranks, they have the leading scorer in this division in the form of Damian Reeves, who has scored 27 so far, and he is someone that the Town defence will definitely need to keep an eye on. Home form-wise, Altrincham have made Moss Lane a pretty hard place to go to and get anything from. They have won 7 of their 12 games whilst losing just 2. They have scored 33 whilst conceding just 15.

Injury-wise, apart from our long term players there are no fresh concerns for Simon Weaver at this moment. There are also no players facing a suspension at the moment. According to Altrincham’s website, they have several injury concerns including defender Adam Flynn, new signing Marlon Broomes and goalkeeper Stuart Coburn. There will be full match commentary courtesy of BBC Radio York (MW 666)".

LEE ON JACK

OLD BOYS

BSBN NEWS

City have had to release two players to keep to the playing budget, with Neil Cartwright and Martyn Naylor both having left with immediate effect. Additionally, Lee Smith has been loaned to Cirencester Town for a month in a bid to regain match sharpness".

Nearer to home, "Djeny Bembo-Leta has joined Stalybridge Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season from neighbours Oldham Athletic. The 20-year-old forward will help the Bower Park club in their promotion bid having made six first-team appearance for the Latics, scoring once at Scunthorpe United last season in the Carling Cup. However, early in the 2010/11 season Bembo-Leta sustained a serious injury after dislocating his ankle and also badly damaging ligaments. Bembo-Leta, who only recently regained full fitness, will also be joining up with his brother Joel, who also plays for Stalybridge".

Stalybridge Celtic also report that "David Lynch has returned to Burnley without featuring for Celtic".

The Conference says that "Boston United have snapped up right-back Conor Marshall from Brigg Town. The 18-year-old, who turns 19 in March, has been in impressive form for the Zebras since joining from Grimsby Town earlier in the campaign. Marshall was close to being awarded a professional contract by Grimsby bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst in the summer, but he was released from Blundell Park at the end of August. The young defender has established himself in senior football during almost five months with Brigg".

Meanwhile, "Droylsden have taken young striker Tom Fisher on a month`s loan from Macclesfield Town. Fisher made his debut for Stockport County towards the end of the 2008/09 season two months shy of his seventeenth birthday. A former trainee at the club, he went on to make twenty-nine appearances for the Hatters, but following their relegation to the Conference Premier he was one of many players released and arrived at the Moss Rose on an initial one-year deal".

In the Telegraph & Argus, we learn that "Former top scorer James Walshaw’s return to Guiseley for less money than he had been offered elsewhere meant two other major signings almost slipped under the radar. While Walshaw decided to rejoin the Lions following his release by Darlington, Gavin Rothery and Chris Senior were already at the club.

But Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick was just as delighted that they also put pen to paper and will remain at Nethermoor for the immediate future. Kittrick said, 'I think it is important for the longer term that we have got these players settled and signed on better deals because they have been big players for us this season'. Rothery has signed an extension to his contract that will see him through until the summer of 2013, while Senior has penned a deal until the end of this season. Senior, another former Darlington player, was at Nethermoor on loan from Alfreton Town until January but Kittrick has negotiated an extended stay with the player and Alfreton boss Nicky Law.

'It was quite straightforward for me asking the board to come up with the funds for both deals', said Kittrick. 'To my mind, the players have been a big part of the success we have had so far in being promotion candidates and reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy yet again... Chris is a very good player and he came up with some important goals in his initial one-month loan and he enjoyed it here. He asked to stay on and I said "yes" but reminded him that he had to ask his club. Once that was done, we all agreed terms quite easily'".

According to the Chronicle Live, "Tommy Cassidy is still on the lookout for 'experience and quality' – and admits any squad strengthening at Blyth Spartans must pay heed to the possibility of relegation or survival come the end of the campaign...

'We have moved to second from bottom now but, more significantly, seven or eight of our lads put in a really good shift at the weekend', Cassidy said. 'We did well at Boston and again at Nuneaton, so why can’t we do that every week? Those types of performances give us hope and confidence. I’m much happier than I was two weeks ago. I know the rest of the season will be difficult, but we’ll keep at it and I’m sure other teams around us will drop points.

Cassidy added, 'I am working really hard at the minute to bring players in. I’d like to sign a couple of experienced 28-year-olds who know the league and will also bring the required quality to the squad but it’s easier said than done. January is a particularly tricky time to do this as club’s don’t want to let their better players go. We had 15 at Boston, which is ridiculous. I don’t want shoe-ins, I want competition for places to get the best out of the lads... I’d like to strengthen across the pitch. We need a plan for if we go down and one for if we stay up'". Alty are away at Blyth next Tuesday night.

CHESHIRE NEWS

'We at Thor Specialities (UK) Limited wish to thank the Northwich Victoria supporters for their exemplary behaviour yesterday and acknowledge their feelings at this time. Yesterday, Thursday, we received via our legal representatives the first official request to meet with Northwich Victoria Football Club (2007) Limited, and we will respond to this request as soon as practically possible. We have stated that unfortunately we are not in a position to allow Northwich Victoria to continue to operate from the stadium as we have a significant amount of work to undertake. It is our intention to invest in the region of £2.5 million building new facilities...

Meeting our time scales on this project will ensure that this operation remains in the UK at our Wincham site. We have also stated that we wish to provide some assistance to the club, and with this in mind we would like to clarify the following:

Thor recognises that the heartbeat of any football club is its supporters, therefore we would be delighted to donate both the Danebank and the floodlights to the club and its supporters in such a way that it protects the club's longer term interests'"

The paper adds that "Northwich Victoria have not given up hope of a return home despite their ground’s new owners saying the no more matches could be played there... Else Solicitors said, 'We remain instructed by Northwich Victoria Football Club. The club is extremely disappointed with both the manner and content of the press statement released today by the proposed purchasers of the Victoria Stadium; Thor Specialities (UK) Limited... The release comes as something of a surprise given the exchanges that were taking place.

We wish to be clear that the club continues to do all that it can to protect its right to play home fixtures at the Victoria Stadium, and all legal options continue to be explored over the coming days.. The football club continues to assert legal rights over its occupation of Victoria Stadium and the receivers are fully aware of the club’s position in this respect. We have requested undertakings from the receivers that they will not endeavour to complete the sale of the stadium while these avenues continue to be explored, and that they will ensure that the football club’s possessions and stadium are preserved in their current status in the short term.

We reiterate that despite the statements made by Thor, it is most surprising that they have not yet spoken to the football club, despite its heritage, fanbase, place in the community and given its intentions to demolish the stadium, which was only built in 2004. The offers made in respect to the football club by Thor in its statement are noted, but the club can make no comment until such time as the parties can meet directly. It does not seem however that Thor has any intention of discussing matters with the football club with an open mind'".

Footnote: Thor describes itself as a "Multinational manufacturer and distributor of biocides, flame retardants, personal care ingredients and other speciality chemicals". It adds, "Our Group headquarters are located in the UK [Canterbury] with the main manufacturing plant and technical facility in Germany - other production units and operating companies are strategically located in 13 countries world-wide". Google Satellite Maps shows the company's location, adjacent to the Victoria Stadium.

PREDICTION COMPETITION

"What a weekend. Altrincham's second away win on the trot and Nuneaton only draw - that means 11 of the remaining 21 entrants in the competition lost their place. With Hyde drawing and all the other results taken together 18 people are "out"!! The 3 remaining contestants for the £100 prize are Barry Pond, Luke Vayro and, because FGR was postponed, Brian Flynn. We'll be starting a new competition from the beginning of February so, if you'd like to join in, please send your entrance money (£5) to the club for my attention".

The Altrincham FC Prediction Competition - How It Works

To enter the competition, please pay your cash or cheque (payable to Altrincham FC) to the Club offices at Moss Lane and nominate your team. If you require further details please contact the club on 0161 928-1045 or by e-mail.

Below is a pro forma which you may cut and paste and print off, if you wish...

I wish to enter the online prediction competition and enclose by £5 entry fee.

Name:-

My email address is:-

You will be contacted prior to the fixtures to choose your team.

NEW SIGNING

Born on 16 October, 1986, he started his career as a 7 year-old with Manchester United, staying with the club for five years. James then spent four years at Bury. The FCUM webbsite adds that after this, "Jimmy took a little bit of time out until he started training with Altrincham when he was 17. It was an easy route back for Holden who was mates with the son of Alty's youth team boss. Whilst he never made any great impression at Moss Lane it did get him back into ?proper' football after a period away from the game. Once he'd built up his fitness and sharpness he moved to Ashton United". Actually, he was with Neil Brown's Altrincham Reserves (as pictured, right) rather than George Heslop's Youth team.

After Ashton, he joined Chorley in summer 2007 but soon moved on to FC United. However, after a handful of appearances, he graduated to Vauxhall Motors in Conference North, where he played against Alty in the CSC in 2008. A spell at Bala Town in Wales followed in 2009 before he returned to FCUM in 2010. Briefly at Curzon Ashton in September 2011, he came back again to FCUM before joining Altrincham.

PRE-MATCH NEWS

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Stuart Coburn's elbow, injured last Saturday at Workington, is improving by the day. As for Jack Redshaw, Lee confirmed that the position as regards his staying or leaving the club following his trial with Morecambe, remains subject to change. However, at present, Jack has trained with Altrincham this week and, unless the situation changes before the weekend, the young striker will be part of the manager's thinking for Saturday's game.

CLUB EVENTS - UPDATED

Saturday 18th February – Meet the New Recruits Part 2

Following the game against Blyth Spartans we will be holding our second “Meet the New Recruits” evening in the Manchester Glass Sponsors Lounge. Three recently arrived players along with our Management duo will be in attendance to be quizzed by all the attendees. Chicken and chips will be served along with a dessert.

The players' line-up has now been confirmed as comprising the defensive trio of Kieran Walmsley, Marlon Broomes and Matty Flynn. Brian Flynn (no relation!) has kindly accepted an offer to compere the evening and it is hoped that manager Lee Sinnott will also be in attendance.

Tickets are priced at £15 and are available immediately. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

Thursday 5th April – Steve Claridge Sportsman’s Dinner

What better way to start the Bank Holiday weekend than attending our annual Sportsman’s Dinner. Steve, star of the Football League Show, will entertain you with his stories followed by a Q & A session. A comedian will complete the evening where a 4 course Dinner will be served.

Ticket prices are £35 a ticket or £350 + VAT for a table of ten. Please contact Karen in the office on 928-1045 or email Grahame at altrinchamprog@yahoo.co.uk to book your place.

The event is at the Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham at 7.30pm for an 8pm start and will include a four-course meal. The event is open to all supporters

Saturday 28th April – TASC Race Night

The ever popular Race Night brings our season to the end on Saturday 28th April following our game against Gainsborough Trinity. You can sponsor a race or buy a horse. More details to follow.

May 11th – 13th Altrincham FC Beer Festival

In association with John Glover and the Old Market Tavern, Altrincham FC are holding their first ever Beer Festival at the club. Starting on Friday night with the Staff v Supporters game followed by a night of entertainment, on the Saturday there will be the corporate 7 a side tournament, a ladies' football match and finally two live bands to round the day off. Sunday will be a family fun day with Junior exhibition games, a Past Players vs TV celebrity game, the final Premiership games live on big screen and finally a balloon race.

Please make a note of these dates and support as many as possible – your club needs your help.

BSB NORTH NEWS

And "Manager Simon Weaver was very pleased to announce that, following a successful trial period with the club, winger Robbie Youhill has now put pen to paper and signed a contract for Harrogate Town. Robbie has been in great form recently and has already shown what he can do against Histon and Bishop’s Stortford."

We learn from the Boston Standard that "Lee Canoville says Boston United couldn’t have done anything more to try to keep hold of Spencer Weir-Daley in the summer... but admitted the striker’s goals have been ‘missed’. However, he is delighted to have the forward back in the squad at last. A contract offer was put to last season’s leading scorer in the close season, but was rescinded after Weir-Daley didn’t accept the terms by the deadline handed to him.

Instead, the former Nottingham Forest forward fulfilled his ambition of returning to the full-time game, signing with AFC Telford. 'I don’t think we could have done anything more', said Canoville. 'He’s a young lad and wanted to try something higher. We couldn’t convince him to stay at our level if he has an opportunity to play at the level above'. Instead of waiting to discover Weir-Daley’s summer decision, and risk missing out on potential further targets, Canoville and fellow boss Jason Lee opted to look elsewhere. They brought in Mikel Suarez and Julian Joachim to boost the front line.

But while they were released after failing to make impacts in the starting XI, Weir-Daley’s time was equally as miserable, making just three appearances for the Bucks... Better late than never, goal-shy Boston and bench-warming Weir-Daley have been reunited in a move that appears to suit both parties... Said Canoville 'There were a lot of clubs interested in him from our league and he chose us. That showed his desire to come back... He’s probably someone we’ve missed. He’s got pace and he can finish... He’s similar to Newsh (Marc Newsham), but has that bit more pace'".

From the Football Conference, we learn that "Central defender Stuart Whitehead has been released by AFC Telford United and has agreed terms with Worcester City. Whitehead, 35, joined Telford in January 2008 and has made almost 100 appearances".

In the division's most southerly outpost, "Rod Stringer, manager of Bishop`s Stortford, has returned to one of his former clubs, Braintree Town, to sign midfielder Matt Johnson".

CHESHIRE NEWS

Solicitor Chris Else is hoping to secure a 14-day extension in a bid to fully explore their legal rights... with the unnamed [they were actually named yesterday] buyers of the stadium demanding Northwich are evicted today after notice was served on Monday. The news came just an hour after chairman Jim Rushe was informed that manager Andy Preece was set to join Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK.

'Northwich is one of the oldest clubs in the world', he said. 'We are 135 years old but that could be gone if they kick us out. It could be the end of the club. It’s devastating. It means everything to the town. Anything that has lasted 135 years shouldn’t be allowed to be jeopardised in the space of four days'.

The stadium, which was owned by former chairman Mike Connett’s company, Beaconet Ltd, went into receivership in 2008. Since then Northwich Victoria Developments (NVD) were granted a licence to continue to occupy the land while trying to buy it. That is the loophole solicitors will attempt to exploit, claiming the football club – which is a separate entity – were never party to such agreement.

Instead, they claim the club were tenants of NVD, which could give them a legal right to remain until the end of the season. Else, who has been conferring with property law expert John de Waal of London barristers Hardwicke Chambers, said, 'If we can establish a relationship of landlord and tenant we can establish a statutory right to continue playing there'.

Dan Butters, of Deloitte, said, 'It is with some regret that we have come to this stage and it is clearly a time of great concern for the supporters of a club with a long history. However, after providing NVD with several years to find the required funding to acquire the stadium, this has not been forthcoming and so the principal chargeholder and their agents have been left with no option but to consider alternative offers for the site'".

Later, the Northwich Guardian added that Vics "were evicted tonight, Thursday, from the Victoria Stadium after it was bought by a firm based on the same street.... 'The club intends to leave peacefully to avoid a fractious situation', said Paul Dodds, from Else Solicitors. 'However if a diplomatic solution can’t be reached then injunctive action is likely to follow next week'.

Bailiffs working for Deloitte Touche, de-facto landlords at the nine-acres site since 2008, told the club on Monday they had to leave the ground today. They intend to hand the keys to Thor Specialities UK, who last night confirmed to the Guardian that they had bought the ground".

YOUTH FIXTURE

CLUB STATEMENT

"Jack Redshaw will not be taking up the option of joining FC Halifax or Hyde FC. Jack and the Football Club would like to thank both clubs for the professional way in which they have approached the matter".

JACK'S TRIAL

He trained with the League Two club on Monday and Tuesday and was handed the chance to seal a place in their squad after being selected for a Reserve game against Tranmere on Wednesday night.

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley and his assistant, former Alty boss Ken McKenna, were expected to reach a decision on the 21-year old after watching him in match action, with Alty chiefs anxiously awaiting the outcome.

‘Much as we want to keep Jack, he was up front with us from day one about wanting to get back into the League as quickly as he could,’ said Alty manager Lee Sinnott. ‘He has got this opportunity now, and we should know by the end of the week how it has panned out. All we can do is wait and see what happens.’

With Harrogate Town visiting Moss Lane on Saturday (3pm), Sinnott could be short of options up front, should Redshaw move on.

‘Michael Twiss (left) didn’t travel to Workington because of illness, after previously picking up a calf niggle at Droylsden on New Year’s Day,’ he said. ‘He’s ok now, but that’s three game he has missed, so we will have to see how he reacts to training.

‘It’s no great secret that our away form has been holding us back, so it was particularly pleasing to reel off two straight wins, at Hinckley and Workington. Funnily enough, at Hinckley, I was telling the lads I’d be delighted with a 1-0, so they were all taking the mickey out of me after sticking four past them! I thought the players’ mental attitude was first-class in both games.’

Midfielder Liam Tomsett has been recalled by Blackpool, after finishing his loan spell, while keeper Stuart Coburn hopes to be fit after suffering a bruised elbow at Workington".

Footnote: Morecambe Reserves beat Tranmere Rovers Reserves 4-1 on The Wirral with three trialists in the visitors' team. Alty's Jack Redshaw scored twice, one a penalty. Rovers report that "Morecambe went 2-1 up with a shot from the edge of the area from Jack Redshaw... A foul by Chris Lynskey gave Morecambe a penalty early in the second half which Redshaw converted to go 3-1 up".

OLD BOYS

Elsewhere, "Greg Clowes, manager of Stafford Rangers, has made former FC United of Manchester striker Ben Deegan his latest transfer target. Deegan was released by United last week and joined New Mills, who play in the league below Rangers, on a short-term deal. But Clowes is still keeping tabs on the 23-year-old and hopes to entice him back into the Evo-Stik League Premier Division... Clowes admits he’s still searching for the big target man...

He said, 'I have made Ben aware that we will be very interested to speak to him... He’s a big strong lad, who can occupy two centre-halves when playing up front. He will score more goals, too'” he told the Express & Star.

FA TROPHY

BSBN NEWS

From BSB North we learn that "Young Chelmsford City central defender Mark Haines has made a one-month loan move to neighbours Bishop's Stortford in a bid for match practice".

At Nuneaton Town, "Justin Marsden has been released by Boro manager Kevin Wilkin following discussions with the Nuneaton supremo. Marsden, who joined the club in the season 08/09 has struggled to hold down a regular first team starting place this season and wants to find a club where he would feature more prominently". "

According to NL Daily, "Worksop Town will today sign Lee Beeson from Corby Town. The 21-year-old midfielder will join Worksop on loan until the end of the season. Beeson started his career with Grimsby Town before moving to Stamford AFC, where he was leading scorer for the past two seasons. Corby paid an undisclosed fee for him in November".

The Tines and Star reports that "Injury-plagued striker Jonny Wright needs a £400 injection to correct a problem in his ankle. The Workington hitman has been missing since... November with the niggling knock... One course of action could be to pay for an injection, which would alleviate all pain from the area and allow Wright to return.

Boss Darren Edmondson said his star striker was desperate to get back on the field, but insisted he couldn’t risk it. Missing Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Altrincham was the final straw for the 40-year-old, who is now trying to find the money for the procedure. He said, 'Saturday was make or break for Jonny. If he was pain free then he would have been part of the match squad, but he wasn’t. Knowing that Jonny is still hurting more than two months after going down hurt shows we need to take decisive action because we need him playing. The injection is expensive and the club are looking at ways to fund it because Jonny has never been a member of the PFA, so the bill falls at our door. Once he’s had the injection he will be free to play and it’ll be great to have him back... We have some tough matches coming up, so it’s vital that Jonny is on the pitch'”.

Stalybridge Celtic report that chairman "Rob Gorksi is delighted to announce that Jim has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2013/14 season. 'I have said on many occasions that Jim is the most important man at this football club and he is the man we have built the whole structure around', said Gorski. 'I have also continually mentioned the importance of continuity. Invariably the clubs with patience and a long serving manager are the clubs that succeed and it was therefore imperative that we kept our man... We've actually reached this point in the project earlier than anticipated', admitted Rob.... 'The lads are still learning and as long as they continue to listen and learn from the maestro, they will only get better and better'".

NW NEWS

OLD FOES

The Northwich Guardian reports that "Deloitte Touche say Northwich Victoria owner Jim Rushe ran out of time to buy the club's home ground... A spokesman for Deloitte Touche has confirmed to the Guardian that they intend to evict the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division club before the weekend. They will hand the keys to a new owner shortly after that.

'We’ve waited several years for Jim Rushe to come up with the money', said Deloitte’s Dan Butters.. 'It’s not happened, so we’ve been left with no option but to consider alternative offers for the site. Following a recent enquiry from a third party, an offer was received to acquire the land that our agents recommended we accept'.

He gave no indication as to who the mystery bidder is, nor what they intend to do with the nine-acres site. However, he confirmed that contracts had been exchanged. Vics were served by bailiffs with a notice to vacate the Victoria Stadium, their home since 2005, on Monday afternoon.

Only minutes earlier manager Andy Preece, plus his assistant Andy Morrison and first team coach Darren Ryan, had resigned after agreeing to take over at Welsh Premier League club Airbus UK... Vics will be left with nowhere to play once the locks on the gates to their ground are changed...

Meanwhile Deloitte, hired by Scottish lender Clydesdale Bank in October 2008 to recover money owed to it by the club’s previous landlord, will repossess the Victoria Stadium. They had originally been asked to recover £1.2m in debts owed by Beaconet Limited, a firm set up by Vics’ former chairman to manage the site with the club as a tenant...

'We agreed in 2009 to grant Northwich Victoria Developments Ltd a licence to occupy the property so that the football club could continue to play there', added Butters... In August last year Deloitte confirmed that Northwich Victoria Developments Ltd, a company registered by Rushe in March 2009, had agreed a deal to buy the ground, subject to contract... But the deal fell collapsed, according to Rushe, when the two parties failed to reach an accord on the terms of the mortgage".

Later, the Guardian added, "Northwich Victoria’s home ground has been bought by a company based on the same street. David Hewitt, managing director of Thor Specialities UK, contacted the Guardian this afternoon to confirm that the firm had agreed a deal to buy the Victoria Stadium... Mr Hewitt added that he did not wish to comment further until the company, part of chemicals manufacturer Thor Group Ltd, had issued a full statement tomorrow, Thursday".

The NL Paper confirms that "Garry Wilson has left his position as manager of Eastbourne Borough. The former Queens Park and Stranraer defender took the reins in 1999... [In 2005], they won the Conference South play-offs but were beaten by Conference North play-off winners Altrincham in the play-off final... However, they set that defeat right in 2008, winning promotion to the Conference National via the play-offs...

Borough have struggled since their return to the Conference South and currently find themselves just six points above the dropzone. That precarious position had led Sports to sack Wilson, along with head coach Nick Greenwood and assistant coach Steve Eke.

Wilson told the Eastbourne Herald, 'Myself and Nick have given everything to this club... we have achieved tremendous success'... Club captain Ben Austin has been placed in charge of first team affairs for the time being and will be supported by other senior members of the squad".

BIG-MONEY YANKEE

TUESDAY FIXTURES

As for FAT 2R replays:

And both of Saturday's postponed FAT games have again been hit by the weather:

BSB NORTH NEWS

John would also like to place on record a big thank you to goalkeeper Kyle Clancy who, as a big favour, signed for The Badgers as emergency cover just in case the ongoing negotiations with James Severn and Ian Deakin did not materialise. Even though James was recalled back to Derby County, the signing of 'Deaks' was completed in time for the New Year's Day game. This now leaves Ian and young Jake Want fighting for the number 1 shirt".

Another keeper is in the headlines in the Cambridge News which tells us that "Russell Hands has denied telling Gloucester supporters he wants Histon goalkeeper Jorg Stadelmann to leave the club. The Stutes’ chairman was confronted by a visiting fan in the bar after Saturday’s match at the Glass World Stadium – which the hosts won 4-3 – who alleged the Austrian goalkeeper had directed a hand gesture at him.

A message then appeared on the Gloucester messageboard, which was later quoted on Histon’s messageboard, saying Hands had approached some Gloucester fans and told them he 'wants rid of him (Stadelmann) ASAP'. But Hands said that was not the true course of events and is now waiting for a report from safety officer Mac McDonald before deciding if any further action is necessary.

'I did speak to one of their supporters and I listened to their complaints', said Hands... 'I’ll go back to David (Livermore, manager) as he manages the players. We’ll look at the report and deal with it accordingly'... Histon boss Livermore told the News after the game he felt Stadelmann had no case to answer and spoke of his unhappiness at abuse received by the keeper this season".

OLD FOES

The EvoStik League tells us that "The following is a statement posted by Northwich Victoria on their website this afternoon; 'Northwich Victoria Football Club has today been dealt a further blow following the departure yesterday of management team Andy Preece, Andy Morrison and Darren Ryan. The club has been issued with a notice to vacate the Victoria Stadium, after learning from joint charge receivers at business advisory firm Deloitte Touche that a third party bid for the land has been accepted. It is not known at this stage who the buyers are.

The club has asked Deloitte for further information, but has not yet received a reply. In the meantime, owner Jim Rushe is seeking legal advice on the club’s current position. Arrangements for forthcoming home matches, including next Tuesday’s scheduled Mid Cheshire FA Senior Cup semi final against Winsford United, will be announced shortly'.

The Evo-Stik League has no further comment with regard to this statement pending further information which will be required from Northwich Victoria Football Club".

Meanwhile, according to the Northwich Guardian "Northwich Victoria could be left with nowhere to play after the club were told that a mystery bidder has agreed to buy their home patch... 'It’s a devastating blow', said Vics' owner Jim Rushe. 'At the moment all of my attention is being put into finding out more'".

Elsewhere, the BBC reports that "George Houghton is to speak to Darlington administrators to discuss a potential takeover bid. Houghton preceeded the club's most recent owner Raj Singh, passing the club on in June 2009.

'I'm going along to see if I can salvage them, although not for the kind of money they have been talking about', Houghton told the Northern Echo. Administrators parted company with the manager and players on Monday, warning the club could fold imminently. Houghton's approach is potentially the last opportunity for the club to be saved, with funds running dangerously low despite the exit of all playing and non-playing staff.

Saturday's home fixture with Fleetwood Town is in serious doubt with players yet to commit to the fixture following their redundancies and without the prospect of gate receipts, the club have no revenue streams...

The club finished short of the promotion places in 2006-07, and were beaten semi-finalists in the 2007-08 League Two play-offs. However despite a promising first half of the season with the club poised for a play-off push, Houghton placed the club in administration amid mounting debts and automatically triggered a 10-point penalty.

That decision ended Darlington's hopes of reaching the play-offs, but without a buyer found when the season finished in May, Houghton returned as chairman and appointed Colin Todd as manager. Eventually, with the help of Singh, a Company Voluntary Agreement was brokered to allow the club to emerge from the period of administration in time for the 2009-10 season".

THROUGH THE YEARS

WORKINGTON OPINIONS

As the ball fall fell kindly to the 30-year-old, it looked destined to be the beginning of Green’s revival, but he lashed wildly over the bar after being played through by David McNiven... Losing 2-1 to play-off chasing Altrincham is no disgrace though, especially with both first choice strikers Jonny Wright and Gareth Arnison missing. Without the deadly pair, Workington were devoid of ideas in attack...

McNiven’s hold-up play is often the striker’s strong point, but the veteran struggled against Adrian Hawes and Mark Lees in the heart of the visitor’s defence. The opening 45 minutes were among Workington’s worst of the season so far... Workington were second best across the park. And against highly rated Jack Redshaw, the usually resilient defence struggled to cope with his pace and trickery...

Redshaw, who is receiving interest from Hyde and Halifax, was the stand out player on the pitch, but saw another chance go missing with Taylor saving his 32nd minute shot".

Having fallen behind, Workington's "May bundled Richman from behind, and the slight midfielder instantly dropped to the deck. Referee Kevin Mattocks wasted no time pointed to the penalty spot, and Reeves emphatically smashed home his 27th goal of the season".

The same paper adds that "Workington Reds slumped to a first defeat in five outings at the hands of Altrincham, one of the league’s top scorers... Boss Darren Edmondson branded his side sloppy and admitted using some strong words in the dressing room at half time. He said, 'We were so sloppy and not really a unite in attack or defence. We gave the ball away too easily. We should have been confident coming into the match on the back of a four- game unbeaten run... They are all told what to do, they can still run around and pass the ball 10 yards to a team-mate, which was so sloppy in the first half'".

BSBN NEWS

'The scoreline flatters us because we got it close late in the game', Housham told BBC Lincolnshire. 'We only lost by two goals but we conceded five. Defensively we were awful and deservedly got beat'... Gainsborough were awarded a penalty... when Leon Mettam was brought down, but his spot-kick was saved by Jasbir Singh... Housham felt Mettam's penalty miss, which would have made it 3-2, was a turning point in the game and was unhappy that the striker ignored his instructions.

'He wasn't even on penalties', he said. 'Paul Connor was my penalty taker today. I knew we were going to miss because there were three of them fighting over the ball and they need to grow up. I can't see how we could go from beating the league leaders as comfortably as we did last week to today's match. The mistakes we made, the sending off, it's hard for me to praise anybody'".

"Mansfield Town's forward Danny Mitchley has extended his loan stay at Nuneaton Town until the end of the season" reports the Mansfield Town website, which adds that "The ex-Blackpool frontman has scored two goals in seven appearances so far for the club".

OLD FOES

And news of a startling change at Northwich Victoria comes from the Welsh Premier website. "Airbus UK Broughton have turned to Northwich Victoria manager Andy Preece as the man to succeed Craig Harrison as their director of football. Andy Preece, the 44-year-old former Bury boss, who scored 125 goals from 387 Football League appearances as a player, will be joined at The Airfield by his assistant at the Victoria Stadium, Andy Morrison, as well as Darren Ryan, a former Stockport County team-mate, who had a brief spell with the Wingmakers last season and managed Newtown over a four-year period.

Born in Evesham, Preece began his career as a junior with local club Worcester City, making his debut in the Conference at the age of 16... He became caretaker manager of Northwich in February 2009".

The Northwich Guardian adds that "Northwich manager Andy Preece has resigned less than 48 hours after his team took another step towards playing at Wembley. He is expected to take over as director of football at Welsh Premier League outfit Airbus UK tomorrow, Tuesday, following an approach by the Wingmakers last week. Assistant manager Andy Morrison and first team coach Darren Ryan quit on Monday too.

'I’m disappointed', said Vics owner Jim Rushe. 'Andy came to see me this afternoon, but it was obvious even than that he’s made up his mind. Airbus have offered him a long-term contract to take their club forward and the lure of perhaps taking them into Europe has proved too big a one for him to turn down. He believes that is a better stage for him to show what he can do'...

[Vics] sit second in the standings behind Cheshire neighbours Chester... Northwich remain in the running to win the [FA Trophy], Doodson Sport Cup and the Mid-Cheshire FA Senior Cup too.

Rushe added, 'The timing is bad, there’s no doubt about it. It wasn’t too long ago that some supporters were calling for Andy’s head, but I stuck by him and this season he’s done a remarkable job. He’s ambitious and there was always going to be a day when he left Northwich, but I have to admit I thought he would have wanted to wait for an opportunity at a bigger club. Airbus obviously have the financial support – be it from the board or sponsors – that we don’t have. I’m not in a position to offer him a long-term deal'...

Meanwhile Airbus UK chief executive Stewart Roberts has confirmed that Preece will meet his new team, currently seventh in the Welsh League’s top tier, tomorrow evening".

FA TROPHY

CONFERENCE ON TV

JACK REDSHAW

BLYTH GAME

REDS' REGRETS

'The first half did the damage with our overall play too sloppy', commented an honest Darren Edmondson afterwards. 'It shouldn’t take words at half time to get them started but we were much better in the second half and, in the end, unlucky not to salvage something from the game'. Edmondson had to go into the encounter without Jonny Wright and Gareth Arnison so opted for a five man midfield to start with. That was quickly adjusted to four with Jake Simpson pushed further forward to join David McNiven. But the service to the front two was non-existent enabling Alty to put their own stamp on the game.

They were well on top throughout the first half but only because of Reds deficiencies. The lively Jack Redshaw was causing problems... Reds’ only shot of note was from Mark Boyd but a well struck effort didn’t trouble veteran goalkeeper, Stuart Coburn...

Tonsilitis victim, Phil McLuckie, was forced to retire at half time but his misfortune led to a debut for Reserves’ top scorer, Stefan Scott. The teenage striker didn’t save the match for Reds but did enough to suggest he has something to offer at this level. Generally, though, Reds were much better after the break and for the first time in the game the Altrincham back four were having to defend... Reds shot themselves in the foot by giving away a sloppy penalty. May hesitated making a clearance and clipped Simon Richman who fell spectacularly to the ground. The League’s top scorer, Reeves, thumped home the subsequent spot kick... Taylor then saved superbly to keep out Redshaw and Reeves in quick succession to prevent an even heavier defeat.

To their credit, Reds showed a bit of character in the later stages and Altrincham did not look quite as good as they had earlier... Coburn had the final say, though, and he made the save of the match diving full stretch to his left to palm away McNiven’s goal bound effort".

MATCH POSTER

Matt Royle has sent the website his latest match poster (a reduced-size version is shown, right, - click on the image for the larger version), for the Harrogate Town match on Saturday, 21st January, at Moss Lane.

Matt writes:

"The last two home games at Moss Lane have seen Alty's highest attendances of the season. This excellent support is very much appreciated by players and staff at the club, and provides the club with valuable income to reinvest. To help the club's push towards a promotion place we want to maintain and build these attendances. Our average attendance last season was 1,038 and we would love to be getting towards this figure again as the season progresses.

As per the last game, we have produced a match poster to promote the upcoming match against Harrogate. If you are a local business or community facility in the Cheshire, Trafford or South Manchester area please display this to promote the club and attract people to the game. If you are not, then please encourage any of these establishments you regularly visit, or have contacts at, to do so.

If you see posters around, why not take a picture of them and upload them onto Facebook or Twitter to show everyone the local support for Alty!".our team for the first day’s fixtures."

BSBN NEWS

'A draw away to a team like Nuneaton is good but I feel it’s two points lost rather than a point gained', he said. 'When you’ve been one goal up then 2-1 up we should have won the match. Having said that their supporters told me after the game that they would never have guessed that we were at the bottom of the table and I certainly think that any neutral would have seen little difference between the sides on Saturday'...

The Blyth boss was however to be disappointed... when parity was restored following a free kick awarded just outside the Blyth penalty box. 'It was a bad goal to concede. We were naive. It was obvious that Adam Walker was going to peel away to receive the ball and cross it. Someone should have seen that coming and gone to close him down', he suggested".

After going 2-1 up "Town’s Simon Forsdick shot straight at Matt Hunter in the Blyth goal. Hunter appeared to get down well to collect the ball but tragically let it slip through his body and in to the back of the net... Richie Slaughter and Jami Mole replaced Shaun Utterson and Graeme Armstrong for the final 25 minutes as Cassidy attempted to breath new life in to his side...

Cassidy drew several positives from the performance. 'We have moved to second from bottom now but, more significantly, seven or eight of our lads put in a really good shift at the weekend. We did well at Boston last Saturday and again at Nuneaton, so why can’t we do that every week? Those types of performances give us hope and confidence. I’m much happier than I was two weeks ago. I know the rest of the season will be difficult but we’ll keep at it and I’m sure other teams around us will drop points.

Two weeks ago we only had 14 players but now we’re better off but we still need more. I’d like to strengthen across the pitch. We need a plan for if we go down and one for if we stay up. I’m applying myself to those'. Regular goalkeeper David Knight was left out of the team on Saturday. Northern Ireland international player Cassidy commented, 'David tells me he has a shoulder problem but also that he can play. That’s Irish! I’m giving him time to recover – last week and this one, and then we’ll see how he is'.

Alty's next opponents are Harrogate Town and the Harrogate News confirms that "Giant 6ft 4 central defender Patrece Liburd has joined the ranks of Harrogate Town. Patrece, 23, has played for Bradford City, Nottingham Forest, Worcester City, Dorchester Town. Macclesfield Town, Farsley Celtic and Droylsden. At present, he is playing non-contract football for Thackley to build up his match fitness and manager Simon Weaver is confident that he will 'be challenging very soon for a spot in our back four'...

At the weekend "Harrogate’s first visit to Woodside Park [Bishop's Stortford] ended with an excellent 4-3 victory. Town, with Craig Radcliffe and Rob Youhill attacking down the flanks, made the early running... Scorers Allan 67 73 Brayson 35 (Abdullahi 19 og)".

From the other side, the Herts & Essex Observer tells us that "The Blues suffered their first defeat in four matches when they were beaten at home by Harrogate Town... Blues striker Danny Subuola was unavailable through illness and forward Ricky Sappleton was unavailable. Dwight Gayle, as the lone man up front, scored two goals but Stortford were let down by defensive errors. They were also weakened by key central defender Sean Francis going off with a hamstring injury after 55 minutes when the score was 2-2".

TROPHY FIXTURES

FAT 2R postponed matches

WORKINGTON 1 ALTRINCHAM 2

The bright sun was a problem for the players and spectators in the first half at Workington; here, Nicky Clee shields his eyes, with Mark Lees providing cover in the background.

Altrincham deservedly won their second away game in a week but they had to thank Stuart Coburn for a magnificent late save to deny David McNiven an equalizer...

LUCKY NUMBERS

THANKS

"I should like to thank everyone who sent messages to me or posted them on the Fans' Forum for their kind words regarding my father, Jack. These proved a great comfort after the loss of my father".

BEFORE THE GAME

The 40-year-old believes his side have the weapons in their arsenal to pick apart the vulnerable defence of today’s visitors.

The trio could be used to link midfield and attack this afternoon with Gareth Arnison missing through suspension and Jonny Wright still injured...

Said Edmondson, 'We will have to change our game plan and move players around. We still have the attacking flair of Jake Simpson, Phil McLuckie and Anthony Wright so it’s not total panic stations just yet. Altrincham are vulnerable at the back and we have pace to burn, so we know we can cause them problems. We have the players to hurt them, but they are not a team to take for granted. If we perform at our best then we will win the match and extend our unbeaten run to five matches.” New recruit Marlon Broomes will definitely miss out this afternoon."

OLD BOYS

ALTY TV

FOLLOWING THE GAME

Alternatively, you can follow live text updates of the match on this website's new

Both services are, of course, dependent on suitable wi-fi/internet connections in Cumbria.

Right: Adie Hawes keeps David McNiven in check at Workington.

Saturday 14 January, BSB North

TROPHY GAMES

PURSUING JACK

KNITTERS' VIEW

The Knitters failed to show the energy that saw them pick up recent wins over Nuneaton Town and Eastwood Town, although this was more to do with Altrincham’s ability to force Hinckley to retreat rather than a lack of effort...

In the 43rd minute the away side gained a lead that had been on the cards for a while. An umpteenth corner was met by Hawes who this time put his header under the bar and past Denham Hinds in the Knitters goal... The deficit was doubled just 60 seconds later as James Lawrie found space inside the box to blast the ball into the corner... A free-kick early in the second period fell to Damian Reeves who put his side three up... The score became 4-0 on the hour mark when Jack Redshaw put the game beyond any doubt.

The Knitters fans finally had something to cheer about when Danny Newton’s free-kick span off the edge of the defensive wall to wrong-foot Coburn and nestle into the net for 4-1. The Robins had the ball in the net seven minutes from time but the goal was disallowed for offside".

BSB NORTH NEWS

The Conference also says that "Kevin Wilkin, manager of Nuneaton Town, has taken striker Danny Mitchley back on loan from Mansfield Town until the end of the season. Wilkin decided to bring the 22-year-old injury-hit Mitchley back on board after he played for Mansfield`s reserves at Eastwood Town in a friendly earlier this week. Mitchley, who joined Boro from the Stags in late September on loan, has been sidelined since suffering a thigh muscle injury in the 2-0 home win over Harrogate Town on Bonfire Night. But he showed no ill-effects after Tuesday night’s game, and is now back at Nuneaton until the end of the season".

Meanwhile, "Worcester City have signed former Aston Villa youngster Ellis Deeney from rivals Hinckley United. Deeney only signed for Hinckley in December having been released by crisis outfit Kettering Town".

From Pitchero Non-League we learn that "Blyth Spartans have announced the signing of Shaun Utterson following a spell playing for the University of North Carolina in the United States. The 21-year-old, who is a product of Monkseaton Academy, has been training with the Spartans for the last couple of weeks... He has also recently been trialling with a couple of teams in Scotland in a bid to secure a career in full time football. The right-sided midfielder, who can also operate at right-back, has already obtained his international clearance".

Still at Croft Park, Blyth Spartans announce "the signing of central midfielder Tom Richardson, on a month’s loan from Lincoln City... The 19-year-old, who hails from Newcastle upon Tyne, started his career at York City and was captain of their reserve side, but was released in the summer... He has since been playing with Sheffield FC... before signing for the Imps earlier this week".

In the Telegraph and Argus, "Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick has revealed that striker James Walshaw turned down more money to re-sign for the Nethermoor outfit. Walshaw was a talismanic figure in the Lions side which won the UniBond League Premier Division and also the following season, the club’s first in the Blue Square Bet North Division. But he was tempted away by a full-time contract at Darlington.

The former Football League club had dropped into the Conference but still had the structure and financial clout to continue with a full-time playing squad. But as this season rolled on, the north-east club released some their contracted players while allowing others out on loan as they headed into administration.

Walshaw was snapped up by FC Halifax Town... but had an eye on his former club. 'Wally contacted one of our players and expressed an interest in coming back', said Kittrick, explaining the situation. 'He felt he had been messed around by a few clubs and wanted to know if he had an option of coming here again. He was a free agent after being released from his contract so we met him and had a long chat. It was an easy decision for us regarding Wally because we knew what we were getting and he had a desire to come back to the club where he had enjoyed the best of his recent career. He had been with Guiseley for two-and-half-years and had been playing for me almost twice as long as that.

We put an offer on the table for him but Halifax offered him a better financial deal, so we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be. In the end it came down to Wally’s love of the club.... He has copped a lot of flack off the Halifax supporters on their websites since – and so have I – but we expect that because it's football'".

PItchero Non-League says that "Harrogate Town have signed St Kitts & Nevis international defender Patrece Liburd, who was most recently with Belgian side RRFC Montegnee. Liburd, who stands some 6'4", began his career with Bradford City before moving on to Nottingham Forest where he played in youth and reserve team games.

He was then released and, after a short spell on trial with Cardiff City, he joined Worcester City. After recovering from an injury, he joined Dorchester Town for the remainder of the 2007/08 season. At the end of that season he was offered a twelve-month contract at Dorchester and was made team captain. However, after the club went into financial difficulties in February 2009, he was released from his contract and, after impressing in a trial with Macclesfield Town, joined on a non-contract basis until the end of the 2008/09 season. In March 2010, Liburd signed for Droylsden after Farsley Celtic folded and then moved over to Belgium".

END OF SEASON

"The Football Conference announce [that] the Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures scheduled for the final round of matches on Saturday 28th April, will ALL kick off at 1.00pm. Not only will this ensure fairness [in] that all matches commence at the same time, it will enable Premier Sports Television to select one match for LIVE transmission without affecting other competitions and broadcasters. Importantly, it will allow the four clubs who go on to contest the Play Off series of matches maxi[m]um time to prepare.

By issuing this statement now, it will enable supporter groups and individuals the opportunity, especially those playing away, to plan with more confidence their usual the [sic] end of the season celebrations, by being able to book accom[m]odation and make travel arrangements at the best possible rates.

Please note this does NOT affect Blue Square North or South fixtures, which will all remain with a 3.00pm kick off.

Colin Peake, PR & Media, Board Director. The Football Conference".

RECYCLE 4 ALTY

"Now that the Christmas festivities are over, it is time to clear out your old clothes, shoes, DVDs, CDs and mobile phones and what better way than to “Recycle 4 Alty” and make money for your club?

A clothes bank is situated on the car park at the back of the Moss Lane ground and any other items can be brought into the offices Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.

This is a very easy way for every supporter to donate to the Club, which raises vital funds towards the playing budget.

Thank you for your support, look forward to seeing you at Moss Lane".

PLAYER NEWS

Of Michael Twiss the news is less good. Having been recently sidelined by injury, he has also been ill this week, so his availability for this Saturday remains in doubt. Recent signing, defender Marlon Broomes, limped off at Hinckley after less than half an hour of his Altrincham debut. His hamstring problem is thought not to be too bad which means as Lee says, "We are possibly looking at three or four weeks' absence, rather than the six it might otherwise have been".

Jack Redshaw will be available on Saturday and any issues arising from FC Halifax Town's "seven-days" approach for his services will be addressed after that.

Talking of Monday's fine performance at Hinckley, the Altrincham manager said he was particularly impressed by the players' energy levels. "In fact, the energy levels on Monday were better than on Saturday, which leaves me scratching my head", he stated. But the performance was "very pleasing and showed what we are capable of. But there's no escaping the fact that we are inconsistent and we are working hard to correct that, though it is not something you can just solve overnight".

JACK THORPE'S FAREWELL

Jack's son David, and former Altrincham player and manager Graham Heathcote delivered brief recollections of the 98 year-old who died earlier this month, which underlined what a character Jack had been. One of the stories told by both men was of how Jack on one occasion wanted to protect his pitch from damage by an Altrincham training session so he mocked a tractor break-down on the centre of the Moss Lane pitch to stop the players using it!

As a lover of Western films, Jack would have been pleased to know that the congregation left the chapel to the strains of the theme tune from Gary Cooper's classic "High Noon". All at Altrincham FC extend their condolences to David, his brother Roy and David's girlfriend, Julie.

"A GAME WE CAN WIN" SAYS REDS' BOSS

David McNiven has impressed in recent weeks, but a switch from 4-4-2 is likely to be on the cards. Edmondson said, ' We might have to switch the way we play and bring the likes of Phil McLuckie, Anthony Wright and Jake Simpson into the attack. No decision has been made, but we have players who can play behind David and offer him the support he needs to lead the attack. It’s not ideal because, in Gareth and Jonny Wright, we have two very good footballers for this league, and without them we are not as potent in attack. The other lads will have to step up to the mark because this is a game we can win'.

'Altrincham won’t be push overs but we have played some nice football in recent weeks and our home form has been impressive'. Workington have won four and drawn one of their last six outings at Borough Park... Edmondson is confident his side can pick up a result.

Stuart Green is the other option to sit alongside McNiven. The fleet-of-foot player is fully fit following a ankle injury. Edmondson said, 'Stuart will be given time on the pitch. He’s fit now and he is a player that offers a lot'".

Also in the Times & Star is news that "Daddy cool Darren Edmondson is on Reds alert with his heavily pregnant fiancée expected to give birth at any time. The Workington boss should be on the touchline tomorrow but will be ready to rush to Louisa’s side if she goes into labour during the match with Altrincham...

Edmondson, 40, said that as long as the new arrival was healthy it didn’t matter which sex it was, and added, 'It’s an exciting time for us both, but I hope Louisa can hold on until after the game'...

Workington go into the home clash with Altrincham four games unbeaten, but without the suspended Gareth Arnison... leaving Edmondson with just one recognised front man in David McNiven. He said, 'We will have to change our game plan and move players around. We still have the attacking flair of Jake Simpson, Phil McLuckie and Anthony Wright so it’s not total panic stations just yet'...

Edmondson said, 'Altrincham are vulnerable at the back and we have pace to burn, so we know we can cause them problems. We have the players to hurt them but they are not a team to take for granted. If we perform at our best then we will win the match and extend our unbeaten run to five matches'".

SATURDAY GAMES

Subject to wifi or internet limitations, this match will be covered, live, both by Radio Robins (details to follow) and this website's revamped Live Matchday Update service on Saturday afternoon.

MARLON'S FORMER CLUB

Broomes has moved to Altrincham, but was injured during the first half of his debut in their 4-1 Conference North win over Hinckley United as he pulled a hamstring... Said Garner, 'The point of the discussion was to debate whether there was any merit in continuing to pay high wages to one or two individuals. We decided to let a few people go. Josh Hine was contracted, and earning decent wages for a club like Clitheroe, so we circulated him for transfer. And Marlon was a big earner. The magnifying glass fell on them because they were earning high wages.

We’re not in any financial trouble, the decision was based on value'... He feels he has the personnel already at the club to step into the boots of Broomes... Said Garner, 'In terms of defenders, there were a couple of young, promising central defenders whose paths in to the first team were being blocked... 'Paying over the odds for players really wasn’t benefiting us'".

OLD BOYS

A former Alty loanee from Stockport County, is the subject of news from Bulls' News, to the effect that "Northampton have told summer signing Paul Turnbull... [he] can leave the club."

BSB NORTH NEWS

Cooper told bufc.co.uk, 'He has suffered minor medial ankle ligament damage... We hope Ben will not be sidelined for more than two to three weeks'".

Meanwhile "Striker Jamie Rainford has turned down the chance of a lucrative move to the Blue Square Bet North in order to go back to Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Chester and put his Facebook spat with fans behind him.

The club record signing, who has been on loan at FC Halifax Town since his angry exchange with ‘three or four’ supporters on the social networking site in November, now hopes to break into Neil Young’s team and ‘show the Chester fans the real me’. Rainford said, 'When I joined in the summer there was a lot of expectation but for whatever reason – and I won’t make excuses up – I wasn’t playing to the level I know I am capable of. But things have turned around. I went up to Halifax and that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I went there, got minutes and most of all got my confidence back. I’ve been scoring goals but my all-round play has improved'...

Rainford has not played for the Blues since allegedly branding some supporters ‘muppets’ on Facebook... Rainford said, 'I got involved in something I shouldn’t have and it blew up out of proportion. The comments I made were referring directly to the three or four people giving me stick. I wasn’t branding every Chester fan'" he told the Chester Chronicle.

More on this comes from the Halifax Courier, which says that "Halifax Town’s bid to bring Jamie Rainford to the Shay appears to be over after the striker decided his future was with Chester... Town are believed to have agreed a fee with Chester but Liverpool-born Rainford has announced on Twitter that he is staying in the north west".

The North Wales Weekly News reports that "Colwyn Bay player-boss Jon Newby says his side will go into two huge games in four days with confidence boosted by last weekend’s thrilling 4-3 victory at Altrincham. The Seagulls travel to second-bottom Eastwood Town on Saturday and are then at home to fourth-bottom Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night...

But the manner of last weekend’s victory against an Altrincham side who boast one of the best home records in the division has brought new confidence to the squad. A new-look 4-4-2 attacking formation, with player-boss Jon Newby playing up alongside Rob Hopley with great effect and Karl Noon and Lee Davey raiding down the flanks, revamped the side’s attacking play...

'After going three games without a goal we knew we had to change things and get more support to Rob Hopley and I thought the new formation, although it left us a little bit open at the back at times, showed what a good attacking side we can be', he said...

He does have worries at the back, however, with new signing Frank Sinclair, the former Chelsea, Leicester and Wrexham defender who hit the injury-time match-winner on his debut last weekend, ruled out by a one-match suspension for five bookings picked up with Ryman League side Hendon. The Bay may also have lost Matty Hughes whose loan spell from Fleetwood expired last weekend, while skipper Danny Meadowcroft is again unlikely to be available with one of his newly-born twin baby daughters seriously ill in hospital.

'I understand Fleetwood are happy for Matty (Hughes) to stay out on loan, but a couple of other Conference Premier clubs have now come in for him', reported Newby... Meanwhile Chris Sanna is set to return in goal after missing five games with a shoulder injury, while Jack Cudworth has returned to Macclesfield at the end of his month’s loan".

Reports in the Boston Standard say that "Speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blyth Spartans, the winger [Ryan Semple] revealed the club’s on-off form has left him pulling his hair out all season (well, he would be doing were it long enough).

'At times we’re bombarding the opposition and then shooting ourselves in the foot', he said. ,We’re our own worst enemy. "Inconsistent" was the word that regularly cropped up in Semple’s post-match interview. Ironically, that was also the same word his manager, Jason Lee, used to describe the club’s wide players moments earlier...

Lee added that he believes Semple is currently doing the club a better service as an impact player, arriving from the bench to add some spark to a slow game".

According to the Football Conference, "Stalybridge Celtic have taken young midfielder Ollie Banks on loan Rotherham United until the end of the season. Banks is the son of former professional Ian Banks who had a long playing career and also was a coach at Chesterfield and Bradford City... Banks has just completed a loan spell with Buxton, where he made six appearances."

Boston United "have completed the signing of AFC Telford United striker Spencer Weir-Daley. The 26-year-old, who played for the Pilgrims between 2009 and 2011 and netted 35 goals in 79 appearances, has returned to The Jakemans Stadium for a second spell. Weir-Daley has endured a frustrating season in the Blue Square Bet Premier with Telford, but recently scored four times in a three-match loan spell with Buxton".

From Stockport County comes news that "Striker Cameron Darkwah is set to join FC Halifax on loan from County and will be available to play for the Blue Square Conference North side from January 14th until February 14th. The young striker enjoyed a very successful loan period at Mossley AFC earlier in the season".

CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP

Quarter-Final

Semi Final

MATTHEW FLYNN

VIEWS ON HINCKLEY GAME

The 34-year-old ex-Blackburn and Preston central defender, who had signed for Alty only hours earlier from North West Counties League Clitheroe, pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Nicky Clee when it became clear he could not continue. But Altrincham recovered from Broomes’s swift exit to post their first win of the New Year following back-to-back losses against Droylsden and Colwyn Bay...

Altrincham were comfortable winners and were unlucky not to add to their four-goal haul as both Simon Richman and the lively Redshaw hit the woodwork late on. Robins’ boss Lee Sinnott also gave a full debut to midfielder Kieran Walmsley, who has joined Alty on loan until the end of the season from Evo-Stik Premier outfit Kendal... Robins’ skipper Shaun Densmore is now nearing fitness after more than a month out with a knee injury and was on the bench at Hinckley".

From the other side, the Hinckley Unofficial Site says that "Hinckley United were brought back down to earth days after recording their highest home league victory, being soundly beaten by Altrincham at De Montfort Park 1-4, recording their highest home league defeat.

Altrincham were value for their win and dictated the game for most of the night, whilst Hinckley looked off the pace, were second to the ball through out the game, and only managed to have one shot on target all night. Even though Altrincham were the better team, Hinckley had held reasonably solid until just before half time when they were hit by 3 goals either side of the break...

With the game well won for Alty, they stepped off the pace a little and Hinckley began to get a little more into the game. They registered their first and only shot on target on 64 minutes when a free kick on the edge of the area was hit by Danny Newton and helped by a deflection into the corner of the goal... The goalpost came to Hinckley's rescue on more than one occasion, including one effort from Simon Richman which incredibly came off both posts of the goal before being cleared. A mixture of fortune and sloppy finishing kept Altrincham's win down to just the 4 goals to 1".

BSB NORTH NEWS

And BSB North reports that "Blyth Spartans have clinched the signature of defender Jordan Mellish following his release by Hartlepool. The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with Pools in the summer of 2011 after progressing through the club's youth system. However, he was unable to force his way into the first-team reckoning at the club and was released upon the expiry of his short-term deal".

The Non-League Paper tells us that "Chris Emms has left Blue Square Bet North basement boys Blyth Spartans. The midfielder was brought to Croft Park ahead of the 2011/12 season by former Spartans boss Steve Cuggy. He went on to feature 26 times for them, scoring on three occasions before agreeing a move to Billingham Synthonia last week. Meanwhile, Spartans' youngster Adam Forster has rejoined Billingham's league rivals South Shields on loan".

"Histon manager David Livermore has confirmed the departures of on-loan winger Matt Breeze and defender Dallas Moore" reports BSB North. "Breeze has returned to parent club Peterborough United after failing to feature for the first team in their last four fixtures... Livermore told the Cambridge News, 'I think it was Breezey's decision. He's not started the last couple of games and he feels, at his age, that he needs to be playing. He's been available for selection for 21 games, starting 15 of them and coming off the bench in another five. But Peterborough want him playing and we weren't contributing to his wages. It doesn't help me out as we've lost another player, but it is what it is and it's what you can get with loan signings.

The only way I'll be able to do it again is if it's for nothing, and I'll have to make sure they're better than what we've already got', Meanwhile, American defender Moore has returned to California for personal reasons. He joined the Stutes in the summer, but made just 12 appearances due to injury problems."

Elsewhere, BSBN reports that "Colwyn Bay player-boss Jon Newby looks to have secured the signing of young Welsh forward Shelton Payne from Chorley. The 22-year-old Welshman, who was born in Cardiff and has had spells at Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, has recently been on loan at Hyde, where he scored three goals in five appearances... Payne has been in dispute at Chorley and on the transfer list at his own request. He was even threatening to hang up his boots for the rest of the season if the Lancashire club refused to release him.

He can play on either wing or down the middle and Colwyn Bay will see him as a great replacement for Danny Lloyd who recently signed full-time for Lincoln City".

Meanwhile, "Worcester City are looking into a possible ground-share deal with Midland Combination Division One club Bromsgrove Sporting for the 2013-14 season. The club have to be out of St George’s Lane in 18 months so that Careys New Homes can demolish it for housing. Although there is renewed hope of a new stadium being built at Nunnery Way, after Worcester City Council planners last week approved plans from St Modwen, it is highly unlikely to be ready within that timescale.

City would need somewhere to play beyond the end of next season and the Victoria Ground, which Sporting took over in 2010 following the demise of Bromsgrove Rovers, is one of the options they are considering... Blue Square Bet North requires a ‘B’ grading and, although Sporting only play in Midland Combination Division One, the ground was cleared to grade ‘C’ standard when Rovers played in the Southern League Premier Division in 2008.

Sporting, who attract average gates of 350, more than some of the teams in Worcester’s division, have since spent a lot of money improving the facilities and it is hoped the ground would be good enough.

City vice-chairman Colin Layland said: “We need to be looking at places because, even if Nunnery Way goes through as planned, it wouldn’t happen overnight so we could start 2013/14 needing somewhere to play... Another option open to Worcester is Evesham United’s new ground at Cheltenham Road which should be ready for the Robins to move in to by May following the completion of long-delayed road access. Evesham have been tenants at the Lane for five years and City have already scouted the £2million, 13-acre facility.

Redditch United’s Valley Stadium hosted Blue Square Bet North action last season and could be added to the list of potential solutions. Blue Square Bet Premier neighbours Kidderminster Harriers could also come into the equation but it is thought renting at Aggborough would be too expensive" claims the Worcester News.

In the Boston Standard we learn that "When Alan White rejoined Boston United back in August, York Street breathed a collective sigh of relief. His arrival not only brought an experienced head who knew the Blue Square Bet North well, but also a quick fix for a side that was shipping goals. Yes, the defender was the wrong side of 35. But that fire in the belly will never be put out. The snarling, barking attack dog in the back lines will never be tamed.

When the veteran defender opted to leave the club to make the closer-to-home switch to Harrogate just before Christmas, York Street knew his presence would be missed... Since White - who was making the thrice-weekly commute from Darlington – switched to Harrogate for economical and practical reasons, the Boston defence has been, at best, shaky. Those five matches have seen United claim just five points. Those five matches have seen United concede 10 goals...

The past four games have been against Eastwood, twice, Blyth Spartans and Bishop’s Stortford. These three teams make up (or did before they started being gifted points) three-quarters of the bottom four... Without White, they have played 15 matches, conceding 25 times... He didn’t appear in, arguably, the most humiliating matches of the campaign – the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic and the the 6-1 drubbing at Altrincham.

But White wasn’t under contract... So when Harrogate, smarting from the loss of Ian Ross to United, put in their seven-day approach, nothing could be done... But what none of the club’s defenders have that Alan White does is that anger. But none of them approach football like Alan White does – like a man who’s just come face-to-face with the bloke who burgled his house, and ran his dog over making his escape. He plays like a ball of rage. No matter who you are, if you’re in the opposition’s shirt, he hates you. His unshaven face, wild locks and tattooed forearms, combined with his physical presence, intimidates opponents".

An the Boston Standard reports that "Lee Canoville has blasted his Boston United squad and vowed to iron out the poor form following last night’s defeat to Bishop’s Stortford... He spoke openly, honestly and passionately while also labelling the performance ‘embarrassing’. He also promised to make each member of his squad sit through the match DVD, so they could ‘see what the fans see’...

'I don’t usually come out and criticise my players as I’m a big believer in sticking together, but there’s no excuse for that performance... We seem to lack confidence if we don’t start well, and slowly decrease in our performance...

I’m getting DVDs of this game - and they’re all going to watch it. I want them to see what I was seeing and what the fans were seeing. Sometimes it doesn’t make players play instantly well. But it does buck their ideas up and make them sure they wont drop to that level again... It had a positive effect after Altrincham (where the players watched the match DVD following a 6-1 defeat)'".

The Manchester Evening News tells us that "Stalybridge Celtic chairman Rob Gorski insists the Celts can push Hyde for the Blue Square Bet North title despite selling Connor Jennings to Scunthorpe United for a club record fee...

Jennings’s exit coincides with an alarming dip in Celtic’s form... But, even though Bridge have now picked up just two points from their last five games, Gorksi remains confident they can bounce back... He said, 'We’re far from a one-man team and he wasn’t even our leading scorer'".

NW NEWS

Every football club works out its budget at the start of the season, decides what it can spend and briefs its Manager. Kendal Town AFC built into its financial plans for this season income from the use of the clubhouse, currently occupied by a separate legal entity Parkside (Kendal) Limited, which it has been unable to generate. The football club’s management committee on behalf of the club’s members and supporters are committed to resolving this issue and establishing modern facilities at our stadium. This will release income to adequately finance our men’s and ladies teams, establish a local youth feeder system and meet all our fans ambitions for Kendal Town AFC to progress upwards through the leagues."

MATT'S RETURN

"Lee Sinnott was on the brink of another transfer breakthrough that should significantly improve Altrincham’s defensive options after persuading Fleetwood to let him have Matt Flynn (below,left) on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year old full-back’s initial one-month stay at Moss Lane came to an end after last Saturday’s home game with Colwyn Bay, and there were fears Fleetwood had insisted he should return to Highbury after he failed to make the team sheet for Monday’s emphatic win at Hinckley.

But Alty bosses were working feverishly behind the scenes to secure his services for the remainder of the campaign, and they appear to have succeeded after reaching agreement with their Fylde coast counterparts.

Signing the relevant forms is the only remaining formality, and it is expected to be completed in time for Flynn to return to the Alty squad for Saturday’s Blue Square Conference North trip to Workington.

With fit-again skipper Shaun Densmore also pressing for a recall against Workington and Kieran Walmsley making a favourable impression on his debut at Hinckley, after joining on a season-long loan from Kendal Town, Sinnott suddenly has selection decisions to make.

‘Matt’s loan finished last Saturday, but the only reason he missed the Hinckley game was because we were still trying to resolve things with Fleetwood,’ said the Alty boss. ‘He made a positive impact during that initial loan with us, and it was always our intention to try and keep him longer.

‘Shaun is looking OK and is due to take a full part in training this week, with a view to being available for selection on Saturday, and I thought Kieran looked very accomplished at Hinckley. He has settled in very well and can operate in midfield or at right-back. Either way, you know he is going to cause problems for defences with the way he whips in crosses or free-kicks. He came with a reputation for being a set-piece specialist, and you can see why.’

One player whose temporary move to Alty did end after one month is Blackpool full-back Adam Dodd.

‘I would have liked to have kept him longer, but it wasn’t to be,’ said Sinnott. ‘I think he is earmarked for going somewhere else, so really that’s out of our hands. We tried, but there wasn’t much we could do.’

The club are about to assess the extent of new signing Marlon Broomes’s hamstring injury and will announce details as soon as they are available".

FIXTURE

NEXT UP

Spectators are welcome at both games.

ALTY SPONSORS

STUART'S PHILOSOPHY

He is one of the few goalkeepers in the country to have scored a goal at the other end himself – against Runcorn in the Boxing Day match in 1998 – which resulted in him being interviewed on Radio Five Live, after Tim Howard did the same for Everton recently.

And he is one of a rare group of goalkeepers who have collected five yellow cards resulting in his suspension. He first joined Altrincham from Trafford after spells at Irlam Town and Maine Road. And he has been with them ever since apart from a season at Leigh RMI where he was player of the year.

Since then, the only time he has not pulled on the Altrincham goalkeeper’s jumper was during times he has been injured and one eight-week spell when he lost his place last season. Now, he is back as undisputed first choice between the posts for the club.

Stuart is very much a local lad, having always opted to play close by to his home in Sale, which he shares with his wife Eve, a fan, and four year-old son, Finn, who is a keen member of the Saturday morning club.

The fact that Altrincham FC is renowned as a family friendly club is one of the reasons he likes being on the team. He also works in Altrincham as the manager of his father-in-law’s company, B & J Hire Services. Although he is now 36, Stuart has no intention of retiring in the near future and says he will be happy to carry on playing in a lower league team as and when the time comes to leave Altrincham. Like the goalkeeper he most admires, Brad Friedel, he will have to be carried off kicking and screaming when he leaves the pitch for the last time.

Stuart shows little concern over the pressures of being a goalkeeper, even when he let seven goals in against Crawley last season. 'You have to keep telling yourself that they’ve got past 10 other players before they got to you', he says. 'And that helps keep it all in perspective...'”.

OLD BOY?

FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Right: We see Alty's new central defenders Adie Hawes and Marlon Broomes (yellow kit), with midfielder Chris Lynch in the foreground, in action against Hinckley on Monday night.

Three goals in a five-minute spell around the interval led to United’s downfall with Ade Hawes and James Lawrie both netting within 90 seconds, on the break, while Damian Reeves added a fourth on 48 minutes. Danny Newton’s 10th league goal this term cut the arrears, Jack Redshaw added Alty’s fourth just before the hour to seal the victory".

CONFERENCE PUSHES FOR MORE TV COVERAGE

Premier Sports has the rights to show 30 live Blue Square Bet Premier each season but, so far, Virgin viewers have missed out. It can take a couple of months to get onto the platform so, if people want to get the channel in time for the play-offs, then now is the time to act.

The subscription channel is currently only available to Sky customers, and now fans of sports on the channel such as Rugby League and Ice Hockey are lobbying Virgin Media to take the channel on and make it available on their service. If you are a Virgin customer and would like to view Premier Sports please get in touch with Virgin using the details below. If you have contacted them in the past then please do so again while this campaign is running. Hopefully as a group the effect will be stronger.

Details of the campaign message can be found below:

Key points:

BSB NORTH NEWS

Pitchero Non-League says thyat "Darren Edmondson, manager of Workington, has called for patience from the 'edgy' Borough Park faithful. Picking up a valuable point in the battle to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight, Edmondson’s men drew 1-1 against ten-man Nuneaton Town. Edmondson admitted being frustrated with what he described as a disappointing result. But he said the fans need to support, not chastise during play.

He added, 'The pitch wasn’t great. It was heavy and made it difficult to play the attractive kind of football we strive to produce. It’s annoying when a pass goes astray, but the fans’ reaction made us nervous... There was a negative atmosphere in the ground. The fans were edgy and it affected us'.

Jake Simpson opened the scoring just after the break in spectacular fashion... Simpson’s inclusion was the only change from the team that beat Blyth last time out. Replacing Adam Main, Edmondson said he needed to go offensive against the play-off chasers. He added:, 'We’re now four games unbeaten'".

The News & Star reports on "Workington Reds 1 Nuneaton 1... The visitors were forced to play without Gareth Dean after his dismissal on nine minutes, but dominated proceedings for long periods... Two plus points for Workington were the continued improvement of defender Paul Johnson, who was lucky not to see red for the most blatant, but unintentional hand ball you’re likely to see...

Edmondson opted to switch tactics, making one change to his winning team. Deciding to go on the offensive, Adam Main dropped to the bench, with Simpson, an out-and-out winger, starting. There were also returns to the bench for Gari Rowntree, who spent time in hospital over the New Year, and Stuart Green, who has been ravaged by calf injuries...

Workington Reds: Taylor; Andrews, A Wright, May, Johnson; McLuckie, Simpson, Boyd (Main 85), Hewson; Arnison, McNiven. Subs not used: Green, Sloan, Scott, Rowntree".

In the Coventry Telegraph we learn that "Nuneaton Town manager Kevin Wilkin experienced a dramatic and energy-sapping weekend in Cumbria but he returned happy for two reasons.

Wilkin witnessed his Boro side show their grit and determination on Saturday by coming from a goal down with ten-men to snatch a valuable point. And the following day he endured a stamina testing ten-mile trek around Skiddaw View... 'The walk on Sunday was definitely more relaxing than the football and a lot more peaceful', said Wilkin. 'But it was a tough game against Workington and I thought the lads showed real character and commitment'...

Wilkin felt the officials were not the best he’s seen this season – while he had no major complaints about Dean’s dismissal he was fuming that two penalty appeals for his side were turned down".

In the News Post Leader it says that "Blyth Spartans manager Tommy Cassidy was realistic in his assessment of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Boston United, claiming it was a fair result and it is all about confidence from now until the end of the season if the club are to avoid the drop...

Spartans remain bottom and are now 12 points from safety, but the performance in Lincolnshire at least provides a platform upon which to build on after a run of disappointing results... Cassidy said, 'There’s still a long way to go and there is still a lot we can improve on, but we need a bit of belief in ourselves and each other and that takes a little while to build up... It’s all about confidence', he said...

On Saturday Cassidy was just ten minutes away from recording his first win as Spartans manager in what would have also been Blyth’s first away victory in the league this season... He added, “Being realistic, I think a draw was a fair result.... They are a really hard team to play against because they’ve got two or three big guys and play route one football which gave us a lot of problems, but we managed to handle them well'...

Jordan Mellish completed the full 90 minutes in central defence on his Spartans debut and midfielder Max Harrop impressed again in only his second game for the club since moving on loan from Bury Town. And the Spartans manager was happy with the way his two 18-year-old signings performed... Another of Cassidy’s new signings, Sam Hodgson, entered the contest as a second half substitute and the Irishman says he is hoping to bring more players in ahead of Saturday’s trip to Nuneaton Town".

According to the Herts & Essex Observer, "Bishop's Stortford boss Rod Stringer reflects on Saturday’s superb 4-1 home victory against play-off chasing Guiseley...

'It was a great performance from the lads. We dominated the game. If they are third from the top, we will surprise a lot of people. Scott [Shulton] worked his socks off. Alli [Abdullahi] was like a Kango in there. He breaks things up. The kid has a great attitude... I am a great believer that if you work hard you will get your rewards. “I have been doing this [management] for a little while now. I proved [myself] at Braintree. The boys know where they stand. I’ll give them lots of love. We have not got a big budget. Seven or eight of the players are boys, but they are buying into what we are about'.

Meanwhile, the Blues boss had a special word from the fans who helped create a brilliant atmosphere at Woodside Park with their singing which was a throw back to the days when Stortford were riding high in 2006-07 and gunning for the Conference South play-offs. 'The support has been magnificent. There was a bit of singing and some banter. It helps the lads. There was a bit of an atmosphere. At this level of football that’s what it’s all about'".

HALIFAX COME IN FOR REDSHAW

"Lee Sinnott has vowed to fight tooth and nail to hang on to Jack Redshaw after revealing that FC Halifax have made an official move to speak to Altrincham’s livewire striker.

The Alty manager confirmed that our Blue Square Conference North rivals have submitted formal notice of an approach for Redshaw and will be free to hold talks with him sometime next week.

But, after seeing the diminutive 21-year old’s partnership with Damian Reeves develop into one of the most lethal in non-League football, Sinnott insisted he will do everything in his power to convince his free-scoring frontrunner to remain at Moss Lane.

After tasting first-team football with Manchester City, in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates just over two years ago, and making three appearances for Rochdale, Redshaw is in a hurry to nail down a place with a Football League club.

But his prospects will be best served by continuing his prolific alliance with Reeves, according to Sinnott, who will argue the point in face-to-face talks with the former Salford City marksman.

‘We have received seven days’ notice from Halifax, and Jack (left) will be entitled to speak to them in the middle of next week,’ Sinnott told Alty’s official website. ‘It has to be Jack’s decision, but we are not going to just stand by and allow another club to take him away. I have spoken to him about it, and will do again, and you can rest assured that, as a club, we will be doing everything we can to keep him here.

‘Jack has his ambitions and was very clear, when he joined us, about how he saw things. He wanted to get back into the Football League, full stop. That was it. We were made well aware of that, and we respect his feelings on the matter.

‘But will leaving us for Halifax in the middle of the season help him achieve his aim any quicker? With every respect to Halifax, I don’t see that for one minute.

‘He is settled here and enjoying his football as a regular starter for a team he knows, alongside players who are creating chances for him. At Hinckley the other night, his goal was a tap-in, because of the vision shown by Damian Reeves, who could have had a go himself but laid it on for Jack, instead. Jack is in a rich vein of form, but that sort of support play is one of the reasons why.

‘We have done well for each other. He has been good for us, and we have been good for him. He is in a team who know him and certainly seem to suit him. He has a good rapport with the supporters and his team-mates, and the question he needs to ask himself is whether his interests might be best served staying here, for the rest of the season, at least. Keep banging the goals in and playing well, then see what happens in the summer.

‘I’m sure there will be other teams whose ears are twitching at word of Jack’s exploits, and I’ll be impressing on him that the best chance of attracting even more attention is remaining in a set-up where he is settled and where he knows there will be scoring opportunities.

‘Of course, we want to keep him here as long as possible, but we know where his ambitions lie. He’s got his sights set on another crack at the League, but it may be worth remembering that you can sometimes move to another club and find that things go off the rails a little bit. That has happened to many a player, and I am convinced Jack is best off where he is.

‘I will be talking to him again, and you can be sure I will be presenting the case for Altrincham Football Club as strongly as I possibly can'".

MARLON BROOMES

Marlon had earlier been signed as a 17 year-old for Rovers by Kenny Dalglish. His other league clubs include Swindon Town (two-month loan 1997, 12 appearances), Queens Park Rangers, Grimsby Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, Stoke City, Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra. In all he has made 223(+22) league appearances.

An under-19 and under-21 England player, Marlon represented his country in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship

In 2000/01 he had a month-long loan spell at Queens Park Rangers (5 apps) before a further loan at Grimsby Town for three months (18 games). He was released from Ewood Park in December, 2001 and joined Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 18 league appearances. In 2002 pre-season he joined Preston North End, under Craig Brown, on a three year contract. He played 59(+10) league games for PNE before gaining another three-year contract in the Championship at Stoke City. He played 36(+1) league matches for the Potteries team before a ruptured Achilles tendon made him miss the 2006/07 and 2007/08 league seasons completely, prompting his release.

In summer 2008, he briefly joined Blackpool before signing on loan for Crewe Alexandra in January 2009. The Seasiders released him in summer 2009 and he joined Tranmere Rovers, whom he left at the end of last season (2010/11). He next joined Clitheroe, after having a trial with Stockport County over the summer.

Marlon made his Altrincham debut in central defence at Hinckley on 9 January, 2012 but, unfortunately, had to go off injured just before the half-hour mark.

HINCKLEY GAME

Above: Six of Altrincham's starting line-up had made six or fewer starts for the club before they lined up at Hinckley last night; and three of those on the bench were in the same category, underlining that it is a season of change for the Robins. Another indicator of the rebuilding at the club is that Stuart Coburn is one of five players to have worn the captain's armband this season. Here we see, left to right, Redshaw, Lawrie, Reeves, Lees, Lynch, Walmsley, Broomes, Hawes, Richman, Tomsett and captain Coburn.

Altrincham made four changes to the starting line-up last night, as Kieran Walmsley and Marlon Broomes made their debuts and Simon Richman and Mark Lees came in. Adam Flynn was out with an ankle injury, whilst loanee defenders Adam Dodd and Matt Flynn had returned to their parent clubs. Altrincham FC thanks both players for their services and wishes them well in the future careers.

On the bench at Hinckley there was a first league appearance for Altrincham Youth team striker Duncan Watmore which, with the debut of Marlon Broomes, brought to 28 the number of players named on a league team sheet for Altrincham this season.

Alty have won only three away games this season but all of these wins have been achieved very impressively - 6-1 at Colwyn Bay, 4-2 at Halifax and, now, 4-1 at Hinckley. Last night's win means that Alty fans have seen 95 goals (for and against) in the league this season, far more than any other supporters and they are now the league's second top scorers after Hyde, who have played three more games. A full report is to follow on the Hinckley game; there is a brief summary of the match below and last night's live updates are also available.

REPORTER WANTED

"Altrincham F.C. Coverage on Salford City Radio

Salford City Radio commences coverage of Altrincham’s Saturday games from this afternoon.

Whilst Altrincham is not part of Salford City Radio’s core coverage area, reception is generally good throughout Trafford and we are delighted to partner with this community radio station, which broadcasts from a studio in Swinton.

Match reports will be included each Saturday in the ‘Sportzone’ programme, which broadcasts from 3-5pm. Initially, at least, reporting duties will be carried out by the Radio Robins team, however, we are looking for a radio reporter who can be our regular ‘Salford City Radio’ man or woman. Therefore, if you attend most Saturday games and fancy yourself as a budding radio reporter, please contact me (07860 561011 or by e-mail and I will provide informal training and support to help you get settled in the role. You can tune in to Salford City Radio on 94.4 FM or online here".

BSB NORTH NEWS

Meanwhile, following the the completion of his loan deal, central defender Greg Pearson has returned to his parent club Huddersfield Town... In all Pearson featured in 12 games for the Spartans".

Meanwhile, Mossleyweb tells us that "Gareth McClelland has resigned as manager of Mossley to take up a position with Blue Square Bet North promotion hopefuls FC Halifax Town... McLelland has accepted the position of Part-Time Chief Scout with FC Halifax Town".

HINCKLEY UNITED 1 ALTRINCHAM 4

Just after the interval Reeves made it 3-0 when a defender got the ball under his feet. Ten minutes later Reeves unselfishly fed Redshaw to make it 4-0. Hinckley got one back with a deflected freekick midway through the half. But both Richman and Redshaw struck the post as Alty remained well in control. Report to follow.

ALTRINCHAM : 1. Stuart COBURN (capt), 2. Kieran WALMSLEY, 5.Adrian HAWES, 6. Marlon BROOMES, 3. Mark LEES, 7. Simon RICHMAN, 8. Liam TOMSETT, 4. Chris LYNCH, 11. James LAWRIE . 9.Jack REDSHAW, 10. Damian REEVES, Subs 14. Nicky CLEE, 12. Brian SUMMERSKILL, 15. Duncan WATMORE, 16. Shaun DENSMORE, 18. Adam REID (gk).

WORKINGTON GAME

MATCH COVERAGE

The commentators on Monday night are Paul Salt and Brian Flynn, with match summaries from Shaun Densmore. Commentary begins at 7.40pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet here.

Alternatively, you can follow live text reports on this website. It is hoped to use new software for this match, which will be covered on the Live Update page. However, if there are problems with that, I shall revert to the Matchday Updates page.

Howard Watts's Through the Years data for January 9th are here.

Four clubs in the BSN have not yet faced Altrincham this season, three of whom are in the bottom four places in the table. The highest placed of those, lying 19th, are Hinckley United, who are Alty's opponents on Monday, 9th January. Alty's only previous encounter was at the Knitters' Middlefield Lane ground; this time Alty visit the new Greene King Stadium in Leicester Road, Hinckley, LE10 3DR, which has a capacity of 4,329. Car parking is available at £2 per vehicle, £5 for mini buses.

The Altrincham Mad site which forecast a goalless draw against Droylsden, has forecast the same outcome at Hinckley on Monday night. It says, "Altrincham travel to take on Hinckley United at Middlefield Lane on Monday evening, looking to break their duck against the hosts. The Robins lost the only previous game played between the two... at Middlefield Lane back in August 2004... [with] the Knitters carving out a narrow 2 - 1 victory...

Hinckley United have collected 2 wins and 3 draws from their last six home matches. A total of 12 goals have been scored by the Knitters in those games, with 6 conceded. Altrincham have an average recent record on the road, winning 2 of the last six, but losing the other 4. While the Robins have hit 12 goals, 16 have hit the back of the wrong net... Not a lot has been going right generally for Altrincham on their travels as of late, but we can certainly see them gleaning a point from their game against Hinckley United. No-score draw".

Mike Garnett summarises our previous meetings with Hinckley United, as follows:

YOUTH TEAM WINS

The latest league tables are at the NWYA website. And there is a form guide here.

NEW RECRUITS

FLYNNZINE

"Over the holiday period, I was contacted by Club President and former Chairman, Noel White, who was keen to make a statement regarding the sad recent loss of Roy Rees and Noel’s reflections on one of Altrincham’s great managers are below:-

Ahead of his time! By Noel White.

I was very sad to hear that Roy Rees had passed away recently. In many ways, he was the manager who built the platform for fourteen years of success for Altrincham Football Club between 1972-1986. As Chairman, I brought Roy to the club in 1972 and he proved to be a man who was thirty to forty years ahead of his time in terms of his thinking and coaching methods.

Roy built a magnificent team, with the obvious highlight being the 1-1 FA Cup 3rd Round draw at Everton in January 1975. In fact, today is the 37th anniversary of the replay at Old Trafford, when we bowed out 2-0 in front of a crowd of 35,530! Roy arrived from Skelmersdale United, whom he had guided to an F.A. Amateur Cup Final win at Wembley, where they beat Dagenham 4-1 in 1971. He also managed the British Universities' team during his tenure at Moss Lane, before a work promotion took him from his post as Assistant Head of Department (Physical Education) at Liverpool University to a Head of Department role at Bangor University and this triggered the end of his time at Altrincham at the end of the 1974/5 season, when he became manager of Bangor City.

We will never know what Roy could ultimately have achieved but it was fitting that it was Tony Sanders, his assistant manager, who subsequently went on to lead Altrincham through the most successful period in the club's history. Perhaps that was Roy's legacy. Roy epitomised everything that we, as a board of directors, were looking for in a manager and it was no surprise to any of us that he went on to achieve sustained success as a coach in the U.S.A. Roy Rees probably didn't receive the accolades he deserved for his contribution to Altrincham

BAY VIEW

Jon Newby played himself in a much more attack-minded 4-4-2 formation and the transformation in the side was extraordinary. They looked really good going forward, could have had at least three more goals with better finishing, and although they looked vulnerable at the back at times, their exciting and adventurous attacking play, with Newby playing up alongside Hopley with great affect and Lee Davey and Karl Noon raiding down the flanks, was outstanding.

Said a delighted Newby, 'After three games without a goal we decided we had to give Hoppo (Hopley) more support and although 4-4-2 left us a little bit open at the back at times, I thought this formation showed what a good attacking force we can be. Going forward we were outstanding'...

Two minutes into added time, Coburn dropped the ball, under pressure, from a Mike Lea corner and when it ran loose from a goal line scramble, Sinclair was there to rifle it into the net for the winner. 'That is probably the first goal I have scored for at least two years since my Lincoln days', beamed the ex-Chelsea and Leicester City defender. 'I got an awful lot of stick from the crowd today and yet I pop up and score the winner; things happen like that sometimes!'"

Sinclair was booed and jeered throughout by the home fans following an incident last season, when he was with Wrexham, and Altrincham player Tom Kearney suffered a badly broken leg. 'I suppose I can understand the crowd reacting like they did but I honestly went for the ball in that tackle and the player himself was fine about it when we talked later', added Frank... 'I only spoke to the gaffer on Tuesday, came down and trained with the boys on Thursday and was made to feel very welcome. I have to thank Hendon who have kept to their word. I said I would play for them until January and then see what my options were and they have made it as smooth a move as it possibly could be, so I am very happy about that. I live in Bolton so it is a lot better for me and I am playing in a lot better league - but that means suddenly I have to get my mind set back again. The Isthmian League is a couple of steps down the ladder and you get into bad habits playing with players of lesser ability. Now I have to up my standard again. I was determined to try and do that today and we were up against two very good front players (Redshaw and Reeves) who had great movement and pace and caused us all sorts of problems. But I really enjoyed it and to get the winner was a brilliant way to finish the game!'".

BSBN NEWS

He told www.corbytownfc.co.uk, 'We’ve been very inconsistent in all our performances recently, the whole team. Like Jordan Smith, he looked like a world-beater today, but what will you get next week? That’s the story of the whole team at the moment. You can keep switching and changing players every week to move with their form but you don’t want to be doing that. I’m dying to get that established 11. I want the players to stake their claim for the shirt'..

Corby have not won a league match at home since mid-November. Gaffer Drury admits he is flummoxed by Corby’s current inability to win at Steel Park. 'It’s weird. Really weird. Just don’t know what it is about the ground. Early days we were beating teams four, five, six goals to the good and I thought, "Oh this is great, we’re really making this a fortress". I don’t know, at the moment there’s just something going wrong when we play at home and it’s frustrating... It’s always disappointing to score two goals at home and then come away empty-handed'”.

COLWYN BAY GAME

CAPTAIN'S CHAT

"The New Year began with a distinctly familiar look to it, as we once more followed a resounding home win with a disappointing away defeat at Droylsden last Sunday.

It was the same pattern we have seen so many times before, as we stuck five past Droylsden in a show of lethal finishing on Boxing Day, then ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline at their place a few days later.

The 5-1 result, here at Moss Lane, may have flattered us slightly, given that Droylsden carved out a few chances of their own. But fair play to the lads, while our opponents missed most of their scoring opportunities, we were clinical about making the most of ours.

It was frustrating, then, to make the short journey to the Butchers Arms on New Year’s Day and finish empty-handed after more than matching Droylsden for most of a game that was never likely to be a free-flowing spectacle after torrential rain throughout the morning.

The roles were certainly reversed, with the chances they created ending up in our net, and the ones we had somehow staying out, prior to Damian Reeves maintaining his phenomenal record by scoring for a 12th league game in a row. Jack Redshaw, for instance, had one in the second half that he knows, and would readily admit, he would normally convert.

The conditions were the same for both teams, but I know, from warming up with the lads before kick-off, just how wet the surface was and how treacherous it was underfoot.

So does Adrian Hawes! I’ve never seen anything like the way he seemed to end up flat on his back every time the ball came near him. It was like someone had tied his bootlaces together, and that’s exactly what we told him afterwards!

To be fair to big Adie, he and the other recent arrivals have made an encouraging start to their time at Moss Lane. He was a dominant figure against Droylsden on Boxing Day, while Matt Flynn could count himself unlucky to miss out on New Year’s Day, because of a knock, but has already shown his all-round qualities.

In midfield, Liam Tomsett (left) has settled in pretty quickly and made it clear he has a good, tidy touch on the ball. He’s got a good engine, too, as has Adam Dodd, who illustrated just how much he likes to get forward at Droylsden. It is the mark of the all-purpose, modern-day full-back, and Adam has the chance to nail down the left flank position, now that Ryan Brown has left.

I was sorry to see Ryan and Anthony Danylyk go and will miss them both, as players and mates. With Anthony, you couldn’t wish for anyone better alongside you in a midfield battle. Always fully committed, you knew he’d be there when you needed him and you knew you were guaranteed a seven out of 10 performance every game.

You couldn’t wish for anyone better alongside you on a night out, either! He may have come across as a bit quiet to some, but, believe me, he was the opposite. He was the life and soul, always up for a laugh, and used to come out with some classic lines. As we would say in Liverpool, he was a boss lad.

Ryan was similar, in many ways, and had a really dry sense of humour. Both Stokies, both little troublemakers! We’ll miss them both, but we wish them both well.

It was good to see Robbie Lawton in the stand at Droylsden. He was there with the Marine manager, and, as we chatted, it was clear he was enjoying the challenging of mounting a promotion bid with his new club that no-one really expected to materialise.

That’s Robbie. Never one to do things by halves, but while it was good to sit alongside him and catch up on a few things, I’d much rather be out in the middle, trying to do my bit for the team.

Touch wood, the wait is nearly over. I’ve been driving Danny, the physio, mad, because it has been so frustrating recently, running to build up my fitness but not being able to kick a ball.

That’s about to change, and I’ve got my eyes on a comeback at Workington next Saturday. Here’s hoping..

Shaun".

KEEPING IT IN PERSPECTIVE

OLD BOYS

BSBN NEWS

Blyth Spartans confirm that "Following the the completion of his loan deal, central defender Greg Pearson has returned to his parent club Huddersfield Town. Despite the results and performances not being the best during Greg’s time at the club, he is one player who can hold his head up high, as he was always one of the best performers".

JACK'S FUNERAL

ALTRINCHAM 3 COLWYN BAY 4

Above: Alty defend their lines against Colwyn Bay

The clearest measure of Altrincham's inept defending today was that a Colwyn Bay team which had not scored in any of its three previous league games put four past them and, but for missing two sitters, could have had six. And, to rub salt in Alty's wounds, it was Frank Sinclair, roundly booed from start to finish for his tackle when playing for Wrexham, which ended Tom Kearney's career, who netted the injury-time winner today...

RESULTS

Saturday, 7 January 2012

KEEPING UP WITH THE GAME

The commentators on Saturday are Simon Ellis and Paul Salt, with match summaries by Jack Jolly. Commentary begins at 2.50pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet here.

BEFORE SATURDAY'S GAME

Sinclair began his career at Chelsea, making over 160 appearances for the Blues, before moving to Leicester City, where he added a further 164 appearances to his tally. After being released by Leicester at the end of the 2003/04 season, the now 40-year-old has had spells of varying length with the likes of Burnley, Huddersfield Town and Lincoln City as well as loan stints with Hull City and Wycombe".

Sinclair's lst encounter with Altrincham was on 9 March 2010 in a Conference game which saw him sent off following a tackle on Tom Kearney, which left the Alty midfielder with a broken leg.

The North Wales Pioneer adds that "Frank Sinclair is set to play for Colwyn Bay at Altrincham on Saturday. Providing international clearance goes through in time, Sinclair, who made over 300 appearances for Chelsea, Leicester and Burnley between 1990 and 2007 and was at Wrexham last season, is likely to replace skipper Danny Meadowcroft who is unavailable due to family reasons. One of Danny's new twin daughters is seriously ill in hospital...

Although Sinclair has just turned 40, he has remained very fit and previously this season has been playing for Hendon in the Isthmaen League. 'He will bring a lot [of] experience and leadership to what is a comparatively young back four at a time when we are bit short of numbers', said Newby.

Teenage loan signing Matty Hughes, who has recovered from a nasty virus which would have ruled him out the New Year's Day game against Vauxhall, plays what is the last game of his current loan spell from Fleetwood - although Newby added, 'We remain hopeful that we can sort something out with Fleetwood over the next few days which will enable us to keep him a bit longer'.

Goalkeeper Jack Cudworth, however, definitely plays his last game for Colwyn Bay before returning to Macclesfield at the end of his loan spell. 'Jack has been superb. He trains really well and has been a delight to have around the place but Chris Sanna is now training again after his shoulder injury and should be fit to return at Eastwood next week', reported the manager. Colwyn Bay have also have Andy Metcalf, who is home from college in America, as goalkeeping cover until the end of the season.

In attack, Lee McEvilly is still ruled out by suspension and with Danny Lloyd this week joining up with Lincoln City on a full-time contract until the end of the season, Newby's strenuous efforts to bring in a couple of extra forward players on loan have been knocked back. 'One of them has decided to go one of our big rivals Hinckley, which is disappointing, but I am quite hopeful of bringing in a centre forward with Conference experience, who is also a Welsh lad, by the middle of next week', added Newby.

Altrincham, who inflicted a shock 6-1 defeat on Colwyn Bay at Llanelian Road back in September, have lost only once at home in the league this season and boast the division's top individual scorer in 23-year-old Damian Reeves, who tops the scoring charts with 24. 'He is a player who can produce a goal for himself out of nothing, which is something we probably lack at the moment', said Newby. 'Altrincham have been very strong at home but we have watched videos of their last two games and may change our formation slightly to try and combat their attacking threat'.

Colwyn Bay (from): Cudworth, Denson, Lea, Sinclair, Hughes, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby, Parkinson, Noon, Davey, King, Benson, Metcalf."

Mike Garnett's statistics reveal the following about previous games between Alty and Colwyn Bay.

TASC PENALTY COMPETITION

BOTTLE BAR

LADIES' GAME OFF

ALTY LEGEND

BSB NORTH NEWS

From Pitchero Non-League, we learn that "Gainsborough Trinity have brought in defender Adam Watts, who was released by neighbours Lincoln City recently, and re-signed striker Sam Mulready. Watts began his career at Fulham but he failed to make a first-team appearance for the Cottagers. He made a League appearance during a loan spell with MK Dons and in September 2008 he signed a new two-year contract with Fulham.

In April 2009 he signed for Northampton Town on loan until the end of the season and made a handful of appearances... After starting the 2009/10 season in Fulham's first-team squad, making the bench against CSKA Sofia and Manchester City, he departed and moved to Lincoln City on loan until January 2010... and he made seventy-seven appearances before being released at the end of last month. In May 2011, he was made available on a free transfer... Mulready was already on loan to Trinity until the end of December. He signed a six-month contract with Grimsby Town during the summer and has also spent time on loan with Boston United".

According to the Hinckley Timew, "Hinckley United are basking in the spotlight after their triumphant win over fierce rivals Nuneaton Town which saw them smash five past the Boro on their own soil... And the man who masterminded the spectacular performance was the least surprised of everyone... Manager Dean Thomas said, 'Over the last few weeks we have been threatening to get a good win by about four or five goals... People will say they were awful but you always get that when one team beats another by a few goals'..

The victory will give the Knitters a major boost ahead of a busy weekend which sees them entertain Eastwood Town on Saturday before Altrincham make the journey to the Greene King Stadium on Monday night. Two wins could see Hinckley move up the table to as high as 14th".

Thomas added, “January will be a defining month and we have got some tough games coming up, but by the end of January we want to look more safe and I believe we can do that".

Meanwhile, "A depleted Nuneaton Town manager Kevin Wilkin said, 'Our defending was woeful and we lacked concentration. You cannot make the mistakes we made and expect to win games. I’m gutted for the people who paid good money to come and watch us... This was the most difficult 90 minutes I’ve ever had to deal with... It was totally embarrassing'.

Since then "Hinckley have strengthened their attacking options after securing the signatures of strikers Craig Farrell and Connor Deards. Farrell, 29, has joined from Telford United and brings with him a wealth of experience having also pulled on the shirt for York City and Rushden and Diamonds. Meanwhile 19-year-old Deards has signed a one-month loan deal from Walsall and has already impressed while on loan at Redditch United earlier this season.

Dean Thomas said.'We don’t always keep the ball enough with our back to goal and it is a lot to ask Andre [Gray] and Danny [Newton] to keep doing it week in, week out. This will help us to strengthen the spine of the team and gives us competition for places, which we need with the number of games that are coming up'. The Knitters' boss will definitely be without the suspended Matt Langham for Saturday’s match with Eastwood Town while Tom Byrne and Andy Gooding both face a fight to be fit after limping off the pitch at the Triton Arena".

The BBC reports that "Plans to build a new stadium for Worcester City Football Club have been approved by the city council. The decision on the 3,000-seat Nunnery Way site, near junction 7 of the M5, was made at a meeting on Thursday...

Director of the club Anthony Hampson said, 'I'm delighted, it's a major step forward for the survival of the club'. The club has sold its current St George's Lane ground for housing development and needs to move by July 2013. Mr Hampson said it was 'very difficult to say' whether the stadium would be completed in time. 'These things don't happen overnight, plans will be phased in over time - the club will not want to run before it can walk'. Councillors voted six in favour and five against the application, which was first submitted in 2008...

Mr Hampson added, 'We were near bankruptcy at one stage but we've managed to swing the situation round and make the club break even and invest in the playing squad as well'".

Reports in the Coventry Telegraph claim that "Nuneaton striker Ben Pugh could be reported to the FA and Blue Square Bet North officals after playing for Evesham United over the Bank Holiday period without Boro’s permission. The 22-year-old has not been in touch with manager Kevin Wilkin for a fortnight and speculation is rife that he had fell [sic] out with the club and wanted to sign for Evesham.

Pugh’s absence from the squad for the Boxing Day local derby at Hinckley United was noticeable and the media were told the left-winger had car problems. However, reports circulated that he had issues with Boro although Wilkin chose not to comment on the day as to whether there had been a dispute between the club and player. But Pugh, seven goals in 20 outings for Boro since signing in September, lined up for Evesham against Brackley at their shared ground at St George’s Lane on Monday...

Boro secretary Ian Brown said, 'Ben played for Evesham without our permission. Although he’s with us on a non-contract basis, he still has to have our OK before playing with another club, even if they are outside our own league'".

At the division's most northerly club, the Chronicle Live reports that "Tommy Cassidy hopes to bolster his Blyth Spartans squad before tomorrow’s trip to Boston United... with a daunting run of fixtures thereafter. Their following four league games are against teams in the top half of the table...

'I’ve put a few calls out, believe me', said Cassidy, who has Adam Forster available after a loan spell at South Shields. 'Blyth supporters can rest assured I’m working hard and doing everything I can to bring in a couple of fresh faces. This has been like a full-time job for me over the last week or two. Everybody at the club is working really hard, we’re up for this and we want to give it a real go. I’m hoping that in the next day or so we’ll be able to bring a couple of new players in. The squad needs it because although the players are good enough, they need a lift. It’s not easy to get people in at this time of year – teams don’t want to part with good players'".

More news of Alty's opponents next Monday comes from This is Leics, which says that "Hinckley United boss Dean Thomas has added to the feel-good factor around the club by signing two new strikers ahead of tomorrow's visit of Eastwood Town... Walsall's Connor Deards, 18, and experienced Telford goalscorer Craig Farrell, 29.

Thomas hopes both men will be able to support the likes of leading forward Andre Gray... 'Andre is great at getting around the back of sides but we do give the ball away too often when we are trying to hold it up', said Thomas. 'Connor and Craig will be able to hold the ball up well and their arrivals will give me more options and variation during what will be a pretty hectic spell for us... The 5-2 win at Nuneaton was great for our belief, and I thought we were the better side in the 1-1 draw at our place too.

We need to take that confidence into the games with Eastwood tomorrow and Altrincham on Monday. We are a fit side and have plenty of firepower to get a couple of good results'".

PLAYER NEWS

Lee also confirmed that Shaun Densmore's recovery is continuing and he should be available for consideration for the Workington game on 14th January. New loan-signing Kieran Walmsley will be in the squad against Colwyn Bay, providing the paper work is completed in time. The Alty boss revealed that the Kendal Town midfielder had been on his radar from the days when he managed Bradford Park Avenue and they had played against the Cumbrians.

As for the other loan players, Adie Hawes's loan from Alfreton has been extended to 28 January and discussions are ongoing in an attempt to extend the loans of Adam Dodd (from Blackpool) and Matt Flynn, whose current loans end after Saturday's game. Both players are enjoying their spell at Moss Lane.

STUART'S DOUBLE

Alty fans will recall that Stuart performed the feat in the 1998/99 season at Runcorn but, less well known is that he had previously scored a goal whilst keeping goal for Irlam Town.

BSBN NEWS

'I knew the situation when I took over as manager', he said. 'At that stage we were going quite well, and some people were even talking about the play-offs, but I always knew that with our limited resources, just staying in this division would be a big task. We remain positive and optimistic about doing that, but clearly we need to start to pick up points again and we have been working hard to strengthen the squad. I have spoken to eight or nine different managers this week alone, but our location in North Wales is proving a big hurdle in getting the players we want to come here'.

Newby had high hopes of bringing in two experienced Conference forwards on loan this week after agreeing money with their clubs, but has suffered a knock back on both. Colwyn Bay could also lose centre back Matty Hughes whose loan spell from Fleetwood runs out after this Saturday’s game, although the 19-year-old has been laid low by a virus and would not have been fit to play last Sunday".

Two BSBN clubs have lost players to higher-placed teams in the football pyramid. The BBC reports that "Scunthorpe have signed Stalybridge Celtic striker Connor Jennings for an undisclosed fee... Jennings, 20, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Iron". And the Football Conference tells us that "Jake Sheridan has agreed terms on a deal which will see him join Lincoln City on a permanent basis following the conclusion of his loan from Eastwood Town".

The Boston Standard reports that "Jason Lee has demanded that Boston United become more consistent...

'Consistency is something that’s affected us all season', said Lee. 'It’s something we’re striving for but it’s plagued us all season, whether it’s personal performances or team performances. As far as I’m concerned our season starts now and we need to be pushing on and getting a run of games showing people we mean business'.

Despite knocking league leaders Hyde out of the FA Trophy and earning victory at promotion hopefuls Gainsborough, Boston have suffered some defeats against weaker teams this campaign. Losses to Solihull Moors, Vauxhall Motors and a 6-1 drubbing at Altrincham have provided some miserable moments. A defeat at basement club Blyth Spartans and being dumped out of the FA Cup by lower league Kidsgrove have also provided matches to forget. So Lee has pledged to get tough in a bid to turn things around.

'We’ll be as harsh as we need to be with people', he added. 'If they’re not performing then they won’t be in the team. It’s as simple as that'".

FC Halifax Town report that "Following Darlington FC going in to administration, the existing structure for the loan terms with James Walshaw's parent club have not been honoured. Due to the circumstances surrounding their 'Administration' all players under contract have been circulated and, as a result, James has chosen to return to Guiseley rather than continue playing with FC Halifax Town, as was intended".

ONE NEW LOAN SIGNING AND EXTENSION OF ADIE'S LOAN

Altrincham have also extended the loan from Alfreton Town of centre-back Adrian Hawes. Adie will now stay at Moss Lane till at least 28 January, 2012. So far, he has started four games for The Robins.

LEE LOOKS TO REINFORCE

"Lee Sinnott is looking to reinforce Altrincham’s promotion push with more new signings after Ryan Brown followed Anthony Danylyk out of Moss Lane this week.

Hard on the heels of midfielder Danylyk’s move to Leek Town, left-back Brown also returned nearer to his Potteries roots by joining Stafford Rangers.

‘Once Anthony left, I wasn’t totally surprised to hear from Stafford about Ryan, because they travelled in together from the same area,’ said Alty boss Sinnott. ‘Seven days’ notice was put in for both players, by the different clubs, and both wanted to take the opportunity of moving on. Anthony explained to me how he had played for Leek before and being with a club nearer his home appealed to him.

‘Stafford then came in for Ryan, and with Anthony having left, it was no great surprise when that one came to fruition.

‘I have no problem with that, and they both go with our best wishes. It is just another indication of how we are in a transitional period, with players coming and going, and it is important now that we make the right decisions, when it comes to strengthening the squad.

‘I would rather spend the budget carefully, than sign players for the sake of it, but if targets we want become available, we will try and bring them in. Believe me, there is a lot being done behind the scenes in that respect. There are a lot of names being mentioned, and a lot of follow-up work being done. We are being thorough, but it is a case of finding the right players, then hoping we can attract them to Moss Lane if other clubs are also interested.

‘Now we are into January, we can make loan signings for the rest of the season. You are allowed four long-term loans, and we haven’t made any yet, so that is an option.

‘We are also looking at extending the loans of Adam Dodd, Matt Flynn and Adrian Hawes (left). For how long could be dependent on their clubs, but all three have made an impression, and we would like to keep them longer.’

Hawes struggled more than anyone with the heavy conditions at Droylsden on New Year’s Day, frequently losing his footing in a 3-1 defeat.

‘I did ask him about that, but he insisted he was wearing the longest studs he had,’ said Sinnott. ‘He had a difficult afternoon, but to be fair, he was a dominant figure in the Boxing Day home win over Droylsden.

‘Adam (right) again showed he is a very forward-thinking, expressive full-back, and Matt has also done well. There have been positives from all three, but we are looking to bring others in as well, if we can.

‘It was an opportunity missed at Droylsden, a game that slipped away from us, and that was frustrating. Our away from continues to be our Achilles heel. As a unit, we have to travel better. But we are still close to the play-offs, and I certainly wouldn’t want to dilute our attacking threat. On any given day, I would back my team to beat anyone in this league.

‘It was disappointing at Droylsden, because a 3-1 scoreline sounds like they were in charge, when the reality was anything but. We had plenty of possession and chances, but the crucial moments seemed to go against us, starting with the penalty that gave them an early lead. Adrian let their lad come off him, and then lunged at him in the area. If you do that, you always run the risk of conceding a penalty, and so it proved.

‘Adam Flynn let his man get across him for the second goal, and it was always going to be an uphill battle after that. Stuart Coburn actually blamed himself for the third, but I think he was being a bit hard on himself. I don’t think he had much of a chance with it, from such close range.

‘Overall, concentration levels let us down a bit. At crucial times, we didn’t do the right things. James Lawrie took one step too many, and let a defender get his foot in, in the first half, and Jack Redshaw missed a wonderful opportunity in the second. Jack knows what he did wrong and that he would have scored if he had simply sidefooted it.

‘You are always going to be chasing the game, if you give away cheap goals, but we still should have done better in the final third. That’s what made it all the more frustrating, the feeling we could still have salvaged something from it.

‘But there is still so much right about us, in my view. We have to pay attention to our defensive duties, and make sure we carry them out more efficiently, but our home form is a match for anyone and there is an attacking threat about us that is troubling most defences. There is still work to be done, and there are improvements to be made, but I believe we are making progress'".

TASC SUPPORTERS' TRAVEL

"Supporters' Coach Travel for the Remainder of the Season

Having got pretty well back on track with balancing the books for the Supporters' Coach Travel, following the very generous gesture of the board to provide a coach for the Halifax game in early December, we have been dealt an unfortunate body blow, in having to pay the full charge of £495 for the coach to Blyth, despite the fact that the game was postponed.

We are still in discussion, with our current coach suppliers, to try to negotiate an improved financial arrangement for the cancelled coach to Blyth. However, at the moment, we are having to plan to cover the Blyth deficit. This means that we need at least to break even on each of our remaining coach journeys and, therefore, our short term plans are to run a minibus service to Hinckley and Workington, and to review our travel options, in the meantime, at the next TASC Meeting on January 10th.

We will issue a further statement following that meeting next week, but we wanted to keep all supporters informed of the current position".

JACK THORPE

Jack was the club’s groundman for 23 years, until his retirement in 1996. His devotion to Altrincham was a family affair that stretches back more than 100 years. Jack’s father, also Jack, played for Alty, making his debut in the last fixture of the 1906/07 season in a 2-2 draw, away at Salford City.

His grandson, David, runs the souvenir shop. Mr Rowley said, 'He is a legend at the club and made an amazing impact over the years. I have nothing but praise for the contribution he made to the club'".

DROYLSDEN'S VIEW

Droylsden were helped on their way by Robins defender Adrian Hawes as early as the 6th minute. A low cross into the Altrincham box from Carlos Logan, playing in a more advanced role, was collected by Ciaran Kilheeney with his back to goal but, as the Droylsden striker twisted goalwards, he was tripped by the Alty defender leaving Mr. Young with no alternative but to point to the spot. Kilheeney picked himself up to beat Stuart Coburn from 12 yards to give the hosts an early lead...

A couple of defining moments in the game arrived inside the first 25 minutes of the re start. Firstly, Droylsden only half cleared an Alty corner, and when Adam Flynn's drilled effort rebounded to Jack Redshaw some ten yards from goal, there seemed to be only one outcome, but the Robins' striker somehow blazed over with the goal at his mercy. Hence, instead of bringing the game to a tense 2 - 1 situation, Droylsden soon made it 3 - 0 just two minutes later when Kilheeney recorded his brace from Nat Kerr's cut back.

The visitors did reduce the arrears with 18 minutes left when Damian Reeves made it four in two games from close range, but it was all too little, too late for Alty".

BSB NORTH NEWS

First-year professional, Deards continues his footballing education with a one-month loan move to the Greene King Stadium. Deards, who turns 19 later this month, earned rave reviews following a temporary switch to Redditch United earlier this season".

Meanwhile, "Eastwood Town have taken defender David Haggerty back on loan from FC Halifax Town. Haggerty is a former Rotherham United youth product who made one appearance for the South Yorkshire club following a loan spell at Ilkeston Town. Whilst at Rotherham, Haggerty also spent time on `work experience` with Sheffield FC. Haggerty joined Eastwood in the summer of 2010 and his impressive performances caught the eye of Neil Aspin enough to jump at the chance to bring the young centre half to The Shay. He returned to Coronation Park in November on a two-month loan".

The Nuneaton News tells us that "Richard Lavery says there is no chance Hinckley United will be relegated from the Blue Square Bet North after their 5-2 mauling of Nuneaton Town. The veteran midfielder, who opened the scoring after just 46 seconds, says the New Year’s Day win, combined with excellent cup performances, highlights the potential of a young team which is still third bottom of Blue Square Bet North.

He said, 'In the cup games we’ve played Darlington, Tamworth and Wrexham and given them great games. It’s about the easy games, where we should be taking points, and we’ve not taken any. In the two games against Nuneaton we’ve outplayed them or out-battled them. League tables don’t lie though. We are down there for a reason and we’ve got to get out of it. We’ll stay up — if we go down I’ll eat my hat. We’ve got enough to do it. We’ve got some great kids in the dressing room.

I’m the senior player. Most of the players are 20 or 21 so we don’t have much experience but lots of talent'".

However, The FA tells us that Hinckley United's Matt Langham is, from "31/12/2011 to 09/01/2012, suspended from all football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a Sending Off in a match played on 17/12/2011". Another player who is likely to miss an encounter with Altrincham is at Workington where Gareth Arnison is, likewise, according to the FA, from "09/01/2012 to 14/01/2012, suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 1 first team match". Alty meet Hinckley on 9 January and Workington on 14 January.

According to the BBC, "Stockport County have signed striker Danny Rowe from rivals Fleetwood Town on an initial one-month loan. Rowe, 19, who joined Fleetwood in December 2010, scored 12 goals during a loan spell with Droylsden earlier this season". Rowe played against Alty recently for The Bloods.

In the Worcester News, we read that "Worcester City are hoping they can prise defender Tyler Weir away from rivals Gloucester City. The 21-year-old full-back, who played for the Tigers against City in both games over Christmas, is on loan at Whaddon Road from Hereford United until Saturday. Gloucester want to keep Weir beyond that date but Worcester are also keen to take him on loan to St George’s Lane as they step up their bid for the play-offs.

Manager Carl Heeley is looking to bolster his options defensively and Weir, a product of the youth system at Edgar Street, fits the bill. 'We have made an enquiry about him', the City boss said. 'But I believe there’s another club as well as us and Gloucester chasing him'".

Coventry City Mad tells us that "Former Coventry City and Coventry Sphinx midfielder Kevin Thornton could be in-line for a return to Nuneaton Town. Nuneaton still hold Thornton's registration, despite releasing the midfielder when he suffered a hamstring pull back in October, and reports say that Thornton, who was released by Northampton Town back in August, could be part of Kevin Wilkin's squad to face Blyth Spartans at Liberty Way on January 14th".

And still at Nuneaton, the Coventry Telegraph adds that "Former Nuneaton Town midfielder Sam Belcher was delighted to return to the Triton Arena and net twice as his Hinckley United side strolled to an impressive 5-2 win on Sunday but he was only concerned about improving the Knitters’ position – not getting one over on his old team-mates.

Belcher, along with fellow ex-Boro man Richard Lavery, was a key figure in the Knitters engine room... 'Sunday’s victory proves we are in a false position. We showed in the 1-1 draw on Boxing Day against Nuneaton that we are better than the bottom-three place shows and we are all overjoyed with our performance in the return. Obviously I’m delighted to have scored twice but I’ve been getting goals in crucial games recently and long may that continue', added Belcher, who was at Nuneaton earlier this term but never made the starting line-up".

Cambridge News, we read that "David Livermore paid credit to his opposite number Rod Stringer after Histon’s 3-2 defeat by Bishop’s Stortford. The Stutes’ player-manager felt some tactical alterations by the Stortford boss were key as the Hertfordshire side gained revenge for Histon’s 2-0 Boxing Day victory.

Said Livermore, 'We were good at times and poor at times. I’ve got to give credit to Rod Stringer as Bishop’s Stortford were more organised and came with a better gameplan. He changed things around and it’s paid off for them. They came here to nullify us and they did it. The opposition didn’t allow us to do what we wanted to do, and what we’ve been doing well in recent weeks'...

And "David Livermore is regularly weighing up the pros and cons of bringing Football League youngsters to Histon on loan. The Stutes’ manager receives plenty of offers from clubs at higher levels, who are keen to give their budding stars valuable experience at the Glass World Stadium. Crystal Palace defender Charlie Holness trained with Histon at the start of last month, while Livermore was offered a West Ham youngster just before Christmas.

But the boss, who has only recruited Matt Breeze from Peterborough and Kaine Sheppard from Leyton Orient on a temporary basis so far this season, does not want any loanees to adversely affect his own young players. 'We’ve got loads of room in terms of bringing people in on loan if we want to but, if we did, then they would be as a stop-gap because we want to develop our own players', said Livermore. 'We’ve got belief in the academy and scholarship system, and we don’t want our pyramid system to fall inwards at the peak. We want to follow the plan all the way through and get as many home-grown players playing in the Histon way, with the Histon mentality. The difficulty with bringing in players from a higher level, especially if the club are giving them to you for nothing, is that the club want them to play. We have to be very careful with that. There’s no point bringing in, for example, a centre-half and not playing Remy (Clerima)'".

SHAUN ON ALTY'S INCONSISTENCY

He said, 'Inconsistency has been killing us this season. I wish I could put my finger on the cause of it, but I can’t. As the boss has been quick to point out, we can’t afford many more poor performances if we want to finish in a play-off place. That has to be our minimum aim and we need start stringing together performances and results on a consistent basis to achieve it. The good thing is, we’re still within touching distance of fifth place, although, realistically, we have to concede that the title and automatic promotion are now out of reach.

It now looks like being a straight fight between Hyde and Stalybridge for the championship – and my money’s on the latter. We’ve already visited both this season and, while we were outplayed by Bridge, I thought we were a match for them in all but the final score'.

Perhaps Densmore should not be quite so surprised by Alty’s up-and-down fortunes, given the scale of the re-building job manager Lee Sinnott is currently carrying out. No fewer than 17 players made their league debuts for the Robins in the first-half of the campaign, while veteran keeper Stuart Coburn’s present total of 532 Alty starts is far higher than the figure amassed by the rest of the squad put together".

NEXT GAMES

Right: Pictured by Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography at Droylsden is Jack Redshaw, battling with Nat Kerr.

In action this Sunday are Altrincham FC Youth, who at home to New Mills Youth at Clay Lane (2pm). Spectators are welcome.

Keith Edleston, manager of Altrincham FC Ladies, announces that the next match for his team is away to AFC Stockport this Sunday (8 January). This is a 2pm kick off and, again, spectators are welcome.

MATCHDAY SPONSORS

YANKEE

OLD BOYS

BSB NORTH NEWS

BSB North also reports that "Hinckley United boss Dean Thomas was over the moon with his side's emphatic 5-2 away victory over Nuneaton Town on New Year's Day. Thomas's men now begin 2012 in fourth place on the Blue Square Bet North standings [actually, they are 20th; it is Nuneaton who are fourth!] and the United boss couldn't have asked for a better start.

'It was a wonderful performance', Thomas told the Nuneaton News... 'I thought the pace of Andre Gray and Danny Newton was a big problem for them... It's obviously a very heavy defeat for them, but it's just another victory for us and three more points and we've managed to get four points over Christmas against one of the best teams in the league, which is a good positive step for us. We knew that we could expose them, and we did'".

In the Nuneaton News we learn that "Passion, commitment and quality were all factors totally monopolised by Hinckley United as they hammered Nuneaton Town by a score that is hard to believe.

While it was massively difficult to see the strugglers thrashing the promotion chasers 5-2 on New Year’s Day, the hosts cannot say they had not been warned about the all action approach the visitors would take... On the evidence of the two festive derbies, Hinckley should surely press on for a mid-table finish even though they remain third bottom of Blue Square Bet North. Anyone watching the games in isolation would not give Nuneaton a prayer of getting promoted, but this is not the time for panic...

They are still fourth in the table and fully capable of recovering from what should be a blip. One thing that does look clear is the squad in its current guise is blatantly lacking in the depth... To use the club’s own term, forward Ben Pugh has gone AWOL, while left-back Aaron James has joined Bedford Town. Hopes of signing a loan target identified last week have been scuppered and Conor Baker, a youth team player striker massively hyped by the club a matter of months ago has been released... With Eddie Nisevic at Brackley Town and unable to be recalled until the end of his month long loan, the one positive is the potential re-signing of striker Danny Mitchley...

Nuneaton’s performance in the first 25 minutes was genuinely pathetic and without doubt they deserved to be 3-0 down"

Meanwhile, BSB North reports that "Gainsborough Trinity have signed midfielder Levi Reid from AFC Telford until the end of the season. The 28-year-old, who began his career as a youth player at Port Vale, joined the Bucks towards the close of the 2010/11 campaign from Stafford Rangers. With also some time with Macclesfield Town and Oxford United under his belt, it was Reid's second spell at Rangers having left the Valiants in 2005 for the Marston Road outfit. However, he struggled to cement a regular place in Andy Sinton's match squads and was subsequently farmed out to Chasetown".

Elsewhere, "Boston United have confirmed that midfielder Ben Milnes will be out of action for close to a month with a serious ankle injury. Having started the Pilgrims' last 12 matches, the 20-year-old was forced to leave the field early on the New Year's Day's 2-2 draw at Eastwood Town...

Joint-boss Lee Canoville believes the injury will be quite a setback. 'He's turned his ankle quite badly', he told the Boston Standard...'It looks like he's sprained his ligaments on both sides. He could be out for anything through to three or four weeks'".

NL Daily reports that "Neil Young, manager of Chester, revealed he is close to securing a deal for a Blue Square Bet Premier midfielder and the club has also received offers for striker Jamie Rainford... Young said, 'Jamie Rainford is currently finishing paperwork to sign for the club after his loan spell at Halifax, but we have had two or three offers for him. “We are currently waiting for official offers to be sent to us, and if the club are happy that the offers meet the player’s valuation then Jamie will be given permission to speak... [Ex-Alty man] Wes Baynes is out with a groin problem... so we are hoping to bring in a loan player or possibly somebody on a permanent deal before Saturday. A lad who is a midfielder in the Conference is hopefully going to play for us... he is fairly young with football league experience'" the manager told Leader Live.

According to the Chronicle Live, "Blyth Spartans are now 10 points from safety and staring into the abyss after new boss Tommy Cassidy labelled their performance against fellow strugglers Workington as 'embarrassing'... A section of the bumper Bank Holiday crowd of 641 at Croft Park booed the side off at the end as Workington eased to a comfortable festive double.

Worryingly for Cassidy, his new charges showed little desire for the fight... Cassidy said, 'It was worse than when we lost by two goals at Workington on Boxing Day and I have to be up front and concede we were very poor. There was no threat up front, we defended poorly and there was no creativity in midfield, Workington were by far the better side. It is going to be a long road... We need to get another two or three new players in at least. It is all about players at this level. We only train a couple of times a week so you have to get the right sort of player in...

The two games I have seen since I took over we look a poor side and I can see why we are bottom of the league... We have 12 points out of 66 and there needs to be an overhaul of the whole club'... Teenage on-loan Bury midfielder Max Harrop worked hard on his debut... Cassidy added, 'We were lacking in all aspects. Harrop did all right, but he must be thinking what has he let himself in for by coming here'".

From the other side, the Times & Star tells us that "Workington completed a hugely successful Christmas and New Year programme when they wrapped-up a comfortable double over the Blue Square North’s basement side. Three successive victories, all without conceding a goal, have seen Reds leap out of the relegation zone...

Johnson, who is starting his third month on loan with the Reds, turned in a super performance at the back. He won almost every ball he contested in the air, timed his blocks and tackles to perfection and generally distributed the ball intelligently... With two home games coming up against Nuneaton and Altrincham, the revitalised Reds will be hoping to consolidate and move towards mid-table respectability. Workington Reds: Taylor, Andrews, Main (Simpson 79), May, Johnson, Boyd, McLuckie (McLellan 79), Hewson, McNiven, Arnison (Sloan 86), A. Wright. Sub (not used) Snaith.

Star man: Paul Johnson - Hardly put a foot wrong and has emerged as a major recruit for the Reds in his loan spell which has now entered its final month. An honourable mention, too, for David McNiven’s hold-up play and two superbly struck goals".

OLD FOES

Singh says he has paid the wages of the off-field staff, leaving just the playing side awaiting wages as well as a compensation package for departed manager Mark Cooper. Total debts are believed to be just £150,000 but the club is running at a loss of £20,000 a week on the current wage bill. Several players are now expected to leave, with defender Greg Taylor completing a permanent move to Luton this morning.

On the pitch, the remainder of the season will be a struggle for the Quakers. They have only 17 registered players, seven of which are teenagers, and are currently under a transfer embargo. They will receive a 10 point penalty from the Conference leaving them just five points above the relegation zone".

RYAN BROWN LEAVES

Altrincham Football Club wishes Ryan well and thanks him for his service at Moss Lane. Ryan becomes the third established player to leave Moss Lane in the last seven weeks, after the departures of Robbie Lawton and Anthony Danylyk. In all, Ryan made 62(+17) appearances for The Robins, mostly at left-back but also in midfield. He scored one goal for the club.

Ryan was signed by Altrincham on 16 February 2010 from Northwich Victoria as emergency cover till the end of the season following the serious injury to Matt Doughty earlier that month. Originally, he had joined Port Vale at the age of nine and was also briefly with both Manchester United and City, a rare distinction.

He made his first-team debut for Port Vale in May 2003. After 38 league appearances he was released in May 2005 and he joined Leek Town and, from there, he went to Northwich Victoria in June 2006.

At Moss Lane, Ryan established himself at left-back from March 2010. Outside football, he works as an engineer in Stoke on Trent.

Ryan was a regular starter for the first 24 games of last season, failing to appear in only three of those matches. But, under Ken McKenna, he started only four of the final 22 league games of 2010-11. This season followed a similar pattern with his starting all of the first 14 league matches for Altrincham but, then, only starting three of the most recent seven BSBN games.

Ryan Brown is the 13th player to leave Moss Lane since the end of last season. Seven (Mark Beesley, Chris Denham, Craig Dootson, Dale Johnson, Marc Joseph, James Smith and Rob Williams) left for various reasons over the summer, whilst a further five have moved on this season (Anthony Danylyk, Paul Jones, Robbie Lawton, Astley Mulholland and Josh Ollerenshaw). Just five of last season's squad now remain at the club (Stuart Coburn, Nicky Clee, Shaun Densmore, Michael Twiss and Damian Reeves).

HINCKLEY GAME

MORE ON JACK THORPE...

Jack Thorpe's father, also called Jack, "made his Altrincham debut in the last fixture of the 1906/07 season on 13th April 1907 in a 2-2 draw, away at Salford City. The following season he played three games on the left wing. He made his home debut v Tonge in a 4-0 defeat on 2nd November 1907. He also played in 3-2 win against Witton Albion on New Year's Day, 1908. Then, he featured in 4-1 CSC 4th Round win over Crewe Aleaxadra. Jack next featured in 1909/10, scoring in a 5-1 win over Ramsbottom; he played at least four games that season but records are still incomplete".

LIVE AT MOSS LANE

Come along and enjoy the games whilst also supporting Altrincham FC!

JACK THORPE

As Barry Pikesley reminds us in his "When Alty Were Kings" series of articles, "The summer of 1979 saw various ground improvements undertaken at Moss Lane... In addition, Alty’s legendary groundsman Jack Thorpe was entrusted with the task of lengthening the Moss Lane pitch by two yards at each end in order to bring the dimensions up to European standard". And Brian Flynn wrote in 2010 about a 1960s' film called ‘Cup Fever’. "The film was made by The Children’s Film and Television Foundation and tells the story of a junior Football Club from Manchester and Moss Lane is featured significantly towards the end of the film". film cincerns a fictional cup final played at Moss Lane and Brian adds that "there is some wonderful footage of our ground which is packed with the schoolchildren of Altrincham... Filmed in glorious black and white... The scenes that resonated the most with me personally, were shot in a part of the ground that is now part of the Sponsors’ Lounge. At that time it was The Groundsman’s shed or as it was more commonly known 'Jack Thorpe’s shed'. Jack is [in late 2010] still a regular at Moss Lane with his son Dave who works in the Club Shop. His shed was an important place as far as my early days watching Alty were concerned, as it doubled up as a changing room for the ballboys....my first official role at Moss Lane".

And, also in 2010, The Sale & Altrincham Messenger reported that "Altrincham’s Thorpe family have remained loyal for more than 100 years. At the turn of the century Jack Thorpe played for Alty, six decades later his son Jack became the club’s groundsman and today his grandson David works in the souvenir shop... Jack... is a familiar face at the Moss Lane ground where he worked as a groundsman for 23 years until his retirement in 1996. The veteran fan was first inspired with a love of Alty by his dad, who played for the team in the 1909/10 season.

He then passed his love of the club to his son David and the pair are a regular sight cheering Alty on at almost every match, both home and away. David said supporting Alty was a ‘way of life’ for both him and his dad... David and Jack are also regular visitors to their local pub, the Tatton Arms on Tipping Street, where their family also has a long history. Jack, who has been drinking in the pub for 82 years, since he was 15, remembers his dad, who was a footballer and a firefighter, putting out the blaze that gutted the original pub in the 1920s".

Condolences go from Altrincham FC to Jack's son, Dave, who looked after his father for many years. Jack was still regularly attending away games till less than a year ago and attended home games well into 2011. He will be greatly missed.

TAKING A BUTCHER'S AT ALTY

Alty club photographer Gavin Rathbone got a soaking at the Butcher's Arms on Sunday but he managed to capture some excellent photos despite the conditions. Here, right, we see Chris Lynch in action with Adam Dodd in the background, contesting possession with Dale Johnson. More are on the GR Photography website.

ROY REES

BSBN NEWS

NEW YEAR'S DAY GAME

DAMIAN'S GOALS

BSB NORTH NEWS

Commenting 'What a blow! There is something special about the atmosphere at Boxing Day and New Year's Day games, people are in holiday spirit, there is immense goodwill and not least nearly all Clubs enjoy probably their biggest league gates of the season. Many fans will have travelled up for this game as part of the holiday period and it will be a huge let-down for all concerned'.

Continuing, 'From a financial perspective it is a disaster, the loss of the game could mean a loss of revenue approaching £10,000 with a drop in gate for a midweek game, general income on the day, plus the cost of programmes And food'. Even more disappointing for Neil Aspin and the team, is the loss of momentum, with four straight wins and an exciting return fixture against Gainsborough Trinity'.

'Here we are in the middle of winter, rather than worrying about snow and ice, we have double digit temperatures and now due to heavy rain, we still cannot get a game on at such an important time. It has been known for some time there is a major problem with pitch drainage. And, unfortunately, the water simply cannot get away fast enough if the water table is high, coupled with consistent rainfall over a period of time, which is what has happened in Halifax'".

News of an Alty "old boy" comes from Guiseley who "are pleased to announce that on-loan striker Chris Senior will remain at Nethermoor until the end of the season. Chris was originally on loan from Alfreton Town until today’s postponed tie with Harrogate Town but due to his impressive form so far at Nethermoor, a deal has been struck to keep him here until the end of this season".

Meanwhile, at Vauxhall Motors, "Two of Motors' most consistent performers this season have put pen to paper by signing contracts until the end of next season. Central defender Tom Hannigan has extended his existing contract until the end of 2012-13 season. Arguably Motors’ best player this season, Hannigan has made the centre back position his own over the last couple of seasons and has made 129 appearances for the Motormen to date, scoring 8 goals in the process.

Motors have also tied down young midfielder Danny Fearnehough on an 18-month contract. Fearnehough joined the Motormen in September 2011 after being released by Barnsley".

DROYLSDEN 3 ALTRINCHAM 1

Right: Jack Redshaw is caught between Droylsden's defender, Nat Kerr, and goalkeeper, Paul Phillips, at the Butcher's Arms on Sunday. Meanwhile, Adie Hawes waits for the ball at the back post.

Droylsden deservedly got revenge for their Boxing Day mauling at Moss Lane on a very soft pitch at the Butcher's Arms...

NEW YEAR GAMES

ALTY AT DROYLSDEN

Brian Flynn announces that Radio Robins coverage of Droylsden v Altrincham on New Year's Day will be sponsored by "New Delhi Alty".

He writes, "Radio Robins, sponsored by Paradox-Computers.com will be broadcasting a full internet commentary of this game on New Year's Day. The match commentary is sponsored by 'New Delhi Alty'. 'New Delhi Alty' is David MacBean, who is an Altrincham fan who lives in New Delhi, India.

The commentators on Sunday are Paul Salt and Brian Flynn. There will be a pre-match interview, repeated on a loop, from 2.15pm with match commentary from 2.50pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet here".

In addition, the usual text updates will be appearing on this website's Matchday Updates page. Howard Watts's Through the Years data shows that, despite their proximity, today's fixture is the first New Year's Day clash between Altrincham and Droylsden. For the seventh successive time on a January 1st Altrincham are playing a different club; the most recent New Year opponents have been Winsford United (1998), Frickley Athletic (2001), Stalybridge Celtic (2004), Halifax Town (2007), Northwich Victoria (2008) and Wrexham (2011). In fact, you have to go back to 1991 to find the last time Alty had the same New Year's Day opponents in successive years - the opposition in question being Macclesfield Town.

Mike Garnett's statistics reveal the following about previous games between Alty and Droylsden...

Despite Alty and Droylsden being involved this season in matches producing more goals per game than any other clubs in the division, Altrincham Mad's preview forecasts a goalless draw at the Butcher's Arms on New Year's Day.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

In the calendar year of 2011, Altrincham's league record is as follows:

As for Cup games in 2011...

BSB NORTH NEWS

The Blue Square Bet North 'player of the month' for December is Wesley York from Nuneaton Town. The 18-year-old forward made his debut for Nuneaton at Harrogate Town in November and has gone on to make eleven appearances as a regular fixture in the side. York had a fantastic December starting with a goal and a hat-trick of assists in his side's 5-0 win at Eastwood Town. He bagged a goal at Gloucester City in the following game and contributed with two more assists during the period".

Bishop's Stortford confirm that "Jordan Archer has signed on loan until the end of season... Additionally the club have signed a work experience player from 'The Posh', Arron Wickham, an 18 year old midfielder. The club had to await confirmation of this signing as it was due to be a double signing. The club has also secured the services of George Artemi (19), previously he has played midfield for Southend, prior to that he has also played centre back for Rushden & Diamonds".

Meanwhile, "Jean-Paul Marna has returned to Kettering Town after having his loan spell with Corby Town terminated a match early. The striker's loan was due to expire after Sunday's match with Solihull Moors however Kettering Town put in a request to recall Marna and in light of the recent acquisition of Mark Jones, the Steelmen were happy to agree to this... The Football Conference have sanctioned the move because the player had been with the club for over 28 days" say Corby Town.

"Mansfield Town’s midfielder Paul Bolland has joined Harrogate Town on a month's loan... Paul, 32, began his career at his hometown club of Bradford before moves to Notts County, Grimsby Town and Macclesfield occurred. Paul joined his current club in June 2011".

In the Times and Star, "Tommy Cassidy is demanding a major improvement from his Blyth Spartans side ahead of Monday’s visit of former club Workington Reds. Croft Park’s newly appointed boss described his side’s defending as tragic at Borough Park on Boxing Day as Blyth went down 2-0...

He added, 'We are not at the bottom of the league with just two wins for no reason. I was very disappointed at what I saw in Workington... Some of the defending was tragic and we did not pass the ball particularly well... Our marking was not good enough and we only had fourteen fit players so we need to address that situation'. Jonny Wright (ankle) is still weeks away from a first team return, with Stuart Green (calf) also not fit. Dan Wordsworth will again take his place in the squad, but is likely to miss out with Lee Andrews, Kyle May and Paul Johnson preferred".

According to the Cambridge News, "The winter sale at Histon will be over before it has even begun if David Livermore gets his way. The Stutes’ manager wants to keep hold of his promising talents, including Daniel Sparkes, Jim Stevenson and Zak Mills, all of whom have caught the eye at the Glass World Stadium.

But Livermore knows the club’s financial state may mean chairman Russell Hands and the board being forced to listen to any offers when the January transfer window opens. 'At present we’ve not had any approaches I’m aware of', said Livermore. 'I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some in January, but we want to keep the team together as best we can... It could be taken out of my hands, but I can categorically say I don’t want anyone to leave. I want to keep the team together... but I understand the financial situation at the football club and if a good offer comes in you’d have to deal with it and decide what to do'.

Histon will be looking to make it back-to-back wins over Bishop’s Stortford tomorrow... That match was only the second at the helm for new Stortford boss Rod Stringer, who led Braintree to Blue Square Bet South glory last term".

Pitchero Non-League report that "Colwyn Bay have signed Andy Metcalf as goalkeeping cover for the rest of the season as Simon Williams is joining a club in Australia in January. Metcalf, who stands 6'5" and was Bay's reserve keeper last season, has been away at college in America with Union College in Kentucky, but is doing the rest of his first year studies back in this country and so is available to Bay until May. Metcalf was voted the 2011 AAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-AAC selection".

And the Daily Post confirms that "Colwyn Bay have suffered a major blow with key forward Danny Lloyd agreeing terms to join full-timers Lincoln City. Lloyd, who is Colwyn Bay’s joint top scorer, impressed Lincoln scouts when he netted a hat-trick against Droylsden at the start of December and did well again when Colwyn Bay played the Imps in the FA Trophy a fortnight later.

Seagulls player-boss Jon Newby said, 'It is a huge blow to lose Danny, but it is a chance of full-time football for him and we couldn’t stand in his way'. Meanwhile, Newby is set to bring himself back into the starting line-up as he tries to end a four-match losing run... with a Fraser McLachlan penalty against Lincoln the only time the Seagulls have found the net in their last six hours of football".

League leaders Hyde "are delighted to announce that Scott Spencer has signed a contract with the club. Scott recently told Middle Eastern newspaper the National why he loves life at Ewen Fields, 'I’m playing men’s football regularly for the first time in my life. I love it and the team spirit is amazing. Training was cancelled the other night, but the lads got together to arrange our own session'. Scott has scored an amazing 19 goals in just 20 appearances for the Tigers after joining the club from Lincoln City in the summer".

Elsewhere in Tameside, Stalybridge Celtic are "pleased to welcome aboard Nick Rogan, a proven goal scorer who has helped Barrow, Southport and Fleetwood to promotion. Previously with Corby Town, Nick has also had spells with Workington, Kendal Town after starting out at Morecambe. The twenty-eight year old was something of a cult hero at Barrow and is a welcome addition to the Celtic squad". Rogan was a pre-season trialist at Moss Lane in 2011.