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3 September 2010
Graham explained how the team in 2009-10 had finished comfortably in mid-table and, with the addition of one or two new faces, could have been expected to push on this season.
But, unexpectedly, key players in the shape of Greg Young and Chris Senior had moved on, Colin Little had gone into a coaching job and three other players were sidelined by long-term injuries. In the end, he had been faced with bringing in eight new players this season.
Graham repeatedly expressed his own doubts about the performances of his recruits and concluded that, whilst there were numerous good players in his squad, there were some who were "not good enough", particularly at the front end of the team. He explained his decision, 24 hours earlier, to release striker Dale Johnson who had scored seven goals in 69 appearances for Alty. Graham had received expressions of interest in Dale and decided to let him go - he has now joined Hyde FC in BSB North.
He has also circulated other clubs indicating that unnamed Altrincham "players in all areas" are potentially available for transfer. Given the limited budget of the club, Graham can only acquire new players if existing ones leave.
Graham several times indicated that it might be time for the club to consider a change of manager. The Alty manager responded to a question about whether he actually wished to stay as manager by saying, "I want to have the chance to win football games. I want to get some enjoyment from football. There is no enjoyment in fighting relegation and looking ahead to a season of struggle. I want to be given a chance to win a game of football".
He indicated several times that he saw the club in a phase of rebuilding, which might take four or five years. However, he Alty boss described the present situation of having played six games and sitting at the foot of the table as a "problem and not a disaster". There were enough good players, if they could all be fit, to suggest the team could more than hold its own. But his big worry was the team's inability to score goals.
He also explained how, with so many new players, it was difficult to get the team to follow pre-match instructions.By way of example, Graham alluded to several occasions in the game with Mansfield last Monday when players had taken freekicks who should not have been taking them.
Graham has also been concerned at the low levels of fitness of some of the new players as well as their goalscoring ability. Asked whether open criticism of the players was the best way to proceed, Graham stressed that he had always felt that he should be honest in his appraisals and that players should respond positively. "I believe in honesty", said the Alty boss.
Graham concluded that he would be holding discussions with the chairman and board about the way forward. His own future role would be part of those discussions. The manager added that he felt that a substantial increase in the budget of around £100K-£200K was necessary now to compete effectively at this level. Various suggestions were made from the floor about fundraising and improving publicity but there was felt to be no overnight solution to that problem.
Despite being early in the season, they now face what is already seen as a huge game, when they take on bottom of the table Altrincham away on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Burr admitted the squad he assembled during the summer has yet to consistently perform during their disappointing start.
The players’ confidence was hit by Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Newport, although Burr and assistant Gary Whild took heart from their spirited display against Tamworth, where Harriers came from behind to draw 2-2, despite Mark Albrighton’s sending off.
'The team isn’t firing how I want them to and it’s up to Gary and myself to fix that', commented the manager. 'I don’t think it’s down to systems, I believe players win games and we’ll be looking at what we can do to change things around. This is the first time this has really happened to me and I want us to be up the top half of the table challenging. Anyone can see all the players are committed but at the moment things aren’t coming together how I want them. It’s important for everyone to know we’re working hard to sort things out.
'I thought we were unlucky against Tamworth but the players responded really well to the sending off and we got our rewards.
Against Newport I thought we were unlucky to lose Tom Sharpe but we weren’t good enough and I also made a mistake with my team selection. I hold my hands up to that but we’ve got to look forward'”
Burr boosted his squad by bringing in Leicester utility player Aman Verma on a month’s loan and signed centreback Ollie Thorne on Tuesday after he was released by Newport. The 20-year-old stopper’s arrival will ease Harriers’ defensive problems going into Saturday’s vital clash. Albrighton misses the game with a one-match suspension, while Sharpe is a doubt after sustaining a facial injury at the weekend. Thorne’s presence will also allow keyman Chris McPhee to be used in a more advanced role. The versatile player featured in the back four in both Bank Holiday weekend matches...
Burr said: 'We’ve had Chris in defence and he’s done well but I want to utilise him further up the pitch, because I think he’s at his best when he’s playing up front or in midfield. He’s a great professional and when he was left out against Wrexham he took it on the chin'".
The Express and Star adds that "Kidderminster Harriers' new signing Ollie Thorne could make a full debut in Saturday’s game at Altrincham... The 20-year-old could be in team to face the bottom club at Moss Lane on Saturday, with Mark Albrighton serving a one-match ban and Tom Sharpe struggling after a blow to the head... Thorne had fallen out of favour with Newport just six games into the season, despite having only joined the club in the summer from Forest Green Rovers".
The New Saints' midfielder Aeron Edwards, who has started all three matches at this level since being called into the squad 12 months ago, misses out with an injury and is replaced by Barrow's James Owen. Wrexham striker Marc Williams, who is currently on-loan at Kidderminster Harriers, is the only other change to the squad that travelled to Portugal for the last match in the International Challenge Trophy...
Three former domestic league players now plying their trade in the Blue Square Premier are also included - Scott Barrow, who made a summer move from the Steelmen to Tamworth, Curtis McDonald (ex-Carmarthen) of Forest Green and Rob Williams (ex-TNS) of Altrincham.
Newtown's Latham Park stages the game on Tuesday 14 September (kick-off 7.30pm). Admission is £6 adults and £3 concessions.
Squad: Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest County), Stephen Cann (Aberystwyth Town); Lee Surman (Port Talbot Town), Michael Johnston (Bangor City), Kyle Critchell (Dorchester United), Rob Williams (Altrincham ), Curtis McDonald (Forest Green Rovers), Michael Pearson (Barrow); Scott Barrow (Tamworth), Craig Jones (The New Saints), James Owen (Barrow), Luke Sherbon (Aberystwyth Town), Ashley Williams (Airbus UK Broughton) Craig Moses (Llanelli AFC); Alex Darlington (The New Saints), Jamie Reed (Bangor City), Jack Christopher (Haverfordwest County), Marc Williams (Kidderminster Harriers).
Stand-by: Craig Williams (Aberystwyth Town), Mike Williams (Kidderminster Harriers), Ryan Edwards (Airbus UK Broughton), Sion Edwards (Bangor City), Drew Fahiya (Port Talbot Town), Chris Jones (Neath FC), Jordan Follows (Llanelli AFC), Luke Bowen (Port Talbot Town)".
Alty have no game that night so why not go down and cheer Robbie on?
Former Alty midfielder Ally Pickering has been named Vodkat League Premier Division Manager of the Month after his New Mills side won seven games out of seven in August.
Having just lost Richard Brodie to Crawley, York Press confirms that two other York strikers could be unavailable soon, too. "Two York City footballers and a former team-mate have been told they could be jailed for their part in a late-night brawl in the city centre. Striker Michael Gash and former winger Craig Nelthorpe pleaded guilty at York Crown Court yesterday to affray. Fellow player, striker Michael Rankine, 25, denied affray but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper and former Northern Ireland international Michael Ingham’s not guilty plea was accepted after the prosecution said his involvement in the incident was 'minimal'. No further action will be taken against the 30-year-old.
The court also accepted a not guilty plea from Nelthorpe to a count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Nelthorpe, 23, has since left Bootham Crescent and is currently with Gateshead.
The four players were involved in an incident in August 2009 outside the Subway sandwich shop near The Gallery nightclub, where the players had been celebrating the completion of pre-season training. Gash, 23, was signed by City for £55,000 only weeks before.
Shortly after the incident, Acting Chief Inspector Mark Iveson of North Yorkshire Police told how an argument had broken out between the players and two males. He said: 'The incident escalated in to violence and the two males were subject to a violent assault'... David Brooke, for the prosecution, told the court the incident involved 'a lot of drink” and said it had been caught on CCTV.
He said: 'Nelthorpe is by far the most involved and he was to admit in interview that he caused the injury to the defendant'.
Nelthorpe, Gash and Rankine will learn their fate when they return to court for sentencing on October 6, for their part in the incident. Recorder Anthony Kelbrick told the three that 'all sentencing options, including custodial, would be open'".
At Grimsby Town "Adrian Forbes and Drew Rhoades have both had their contracts with the club cancelled by mutual consent".
Setanta Ireland are showing the Premier Sports BSBP games, with Grimsby v Luton being shown on Saturday. Meanwhile, "York City will make their debut appearance on Premier Sports TV against Darlington later this month. The club's Blue Square Bet Premier home game against relegated Darlington was originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 28. It has been brought forward 24 hours to Monday, September 27 (7.45pm) to allow the game to be screened live. Club secretary Nick Bassett said: 'The club apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, however we have no control over the selection and rescheduling of fixtures for TV coverage as this is a Football Conference agreement'".
"Gateshead are tracking an experienced midfielder with over 150 Football League appearances with four clubs after missing out on Republic of Ireland international Jim Goodwin" reports the Chronicle Live.
The Tynesiders had offered Goodwin terms following his release from Huddersfield Town, but the 28-year-old is hoping to remain in the Football League.
Last month Gateshead made an unsuccessful bid to bring in Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker on loan, the player since moving to Watford on a free transfer... Manager Ian Bogie said: 'The calibre of player we are trying to attract shows the ambition of the club... I have also talked to a host of clubs about possible loan signings'. Bogie has spoken to Newcastle manager Chris Hughton and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce this week, while also contacting Hull City, Swindon Town and Sheffield Wednesday among others...
'I was delighted to see Jon Shaw and James Curtis come through the reserves’ 2-0 win at Hartlepool United yesterday, where Brian Wake scored both goals. They will be like two new signings as they have missed all of pre-season and the first five Conference games, and both will be in the squad for Cambridge on Saturday' said Bogie... Another close-season capture, Jonny Allan, however, faces another spell of inactivity after suffering a recurrence of his knee injury against Pools' second string".
All BSBP clubs have been advised that "As part of the Football Conference’s TV deal with Premier Sports TV, each Club is entitled to a free subscription for the Team Manager, and the Football Club for use in your bars/social facilities. This subscription is for these two areas of the your Club only and are not transferable to other members of your Club".
Dale signed for Altrincham on 6 June 2008. After making his first start for the club on the opening day of the 2008-09 season, Dale suffered knee ligament damage in mid-September 2009 which was diagnosed in mid-October as a ruptured cruciate ligament. Dale sadly missed the rest of 09-10 season, as a consequence, but returned to the side at the start of the 2010-11 pre-season. In all, he made 49+20 appearances and scored seven goals for the club. Altrincham FC wish him well in his future career.
Graham Heathcote reflected on Altrincham's plight at the foot of the Blue Square Bet Premier and spelled out a stark message about his side's shortcomings.
Looking back on successive defeats by York and Mansfield that left them with just one point from six games, four adrift of Saturday's visitors Kidderminster, Heathcote admitted they had been found wanting and that he had been in discussions with the board about all aspects of the season so far, including his own position.
'I couldn't possibly fault the players for effort,' he said. 'That's good in one way but worrying in another because, if they are giving their all and still falling short, you've clearly got problems.
'We have played some good stuff at times, and we have faced some of the top sides, but the fact remains we are bottom with one point from six games. I don't enjoy seeing Altrincham propping up the rest.
'I could bleat about injury problems, but I won't, because the plain truth is we haven't got the depth of quality required. Not on the evidence so far. Answers have to be found. I have been talking to people at the club, the directors, and decisions have to be made, because it feels like we are back to square one, in terms of rebuilding the team.
'We have played some decent stuff in general terms, and even against Mansfield, there were patches where we played OK. But I saw shoulders slumping when we went behind, and it concerns me that we are making it easy for opponents. Teams aren't having to work too hard for their goals, and that is a worry.
'It's not a disaster, but the aim at the moment seems to stretch no higher than trying to get out of the bottom four, and that's not the sort of target I want to be setting myself. Not after we came so close to establishing ourselves as a good Conference side before being decimated by retirement and players leaving to go full time during the summer.
'We needed replacements, and I went through a list as long as your arm, trying to entice players of the right standard. The same problem applies now. If you are looking to replace any of these lads, how do you find the required quality with the funds available?
'After the steady progress of recent seasons, I was hoping to add just one or two new faces but ended up having to bring in eight. That's almost like starting with a whole new team. It takes time for the players to gell and develop the team spirit you need, and when you are losing game after game, it doesn't help. Confidence inevitably takes a knock.
'You can analyse players in defeat, just as you can in victory. I'm not decrying their effort, but, in a way, that makes it even more clear cut. When they are giving their all and still struggling, in a league that is getting stronger all the time, then it tells you something. I brought them in hoping they would be good enough, but you only begin to find out once the games are underway.
'It hasn't helped that a few are still catching up fitness-wise, Michael Twiss being one, or that we seem to be up against so many teams who can send on quality strikers near the end who are capable of making a difference. We had that against Luton and Darlington, and at York on Saturday, when Michael Rankine came on and scored twice.
'My main concern is the attack, and I have said that to the players. Their answer is they are not getting the service, so if you add those two together, you've got problems. Attendances are a worry. It can't be a reaction to performances after three games, surely? And, anyway, the performances against Darlington and Crawley were decent enough. Maybe people are away on holiday, I don't know, but I keep going on about it because it has such a direct effect on the playing budget.
'We have fantastic backing from loyal supporters and local businesses, and from people working tirelessly within the club. Even so, we need more in through the gate, and we still haven't got that injection of cash from an investor that's so desperately needed.
'The repeated calls for substantial financial input continue to fall on deaf ears, and it makes it all the more difficult. You can't keep going to the freebie tree and finding freebies who are good enough for this level. You try and borrow players from wherever you can, but the point of management is to try and build a proper team, rather than take stop-gap measures all the time.
'I take 100 per cent blame, because I put the squad together and the evidence so far suggests the players I brought in may not be up to the mark. There have to be changes, whether it be myself or on the playing side, and I have been talking to the board about the way ahead, in all areas.
'I'm not burying my head in the sand over my own position. If there's someone out there who can conjure up seven or eight Premier players on the funds we've got, then fine. Good luck to them.
'It hurts, I can tell you, and I hope the players are hurting as much. One bright spot against Mansfield was the way James McCarthy showed some decent touches. You could tell he has spent some time at Crewe. He looked that type of footballer, good in possession and some promising touches.'
Robbie Lawton and Chris Denham remain doubtful for Saturday, and Nicky Clee is struggling with a groin problem. Kevin Holsgrove should be fit after a dead leg, while Matt Doughty is stepping up his rehab work. With internationals taking centre stage this weekend, £5 admission is available against Kidderminster for Premier League or Football League season ticket holders".
With so many talking points, just six Blue Square Bet Premier games into the new campaign, it promises to be a lively evening, particularly with the Alty manager making a typically forthright promise not to duck any issues supporters may care to raise.
'This is an opportunity for them to come along and get things off their chest, and I will be there at eight o'clock, ready for any questions they might have,' he said. 'All they need to do is fire them at me, and they will get an honest answer back'".
Commenting on the season ahead, Fairclough said: 'The side had a successful season in 2009-10 culminating with the excellent performance and victory against the Republic of Ireland in Waterford. However, once again, that success has meant that the team will continue in the International Challenge Trophy without some of that squad. Sam Deering and Matt Green have moved into the League with Oxford United and will be joined at the Kassam Stadium by Tom Craddock who signed on transfer deadline day. In addition, Rossi Jarvis has moved to Barnet, Andrew Fleming to Morecambe and Darius Charles to Stevenage...
This leaves the door wide open for the next batch of hungry cubs who will be eager to impress... We have the opportunity to bring in fresh faces for the Welsh clash. We have been busy checking out new arrivals to gauge the standard of players who either dropped out of the league or have been snapped up from the lower leagues to play Conference football'".
The squad comprises:
One of several players to follow manager Neville Powell from Deeside to Farrar Road three summers ago, he appeared a further fifty-three times in Bangor City colours. He also won Welsh Cup winner's medals with the Citizens in the 4-2 defeat of Llanelli in 2008 and the 2-0 victory over Aberystwyth in 2009.
Swanick made his Robins' debut as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night's 4-2 League Cup defeat at Airbus UK Broughton".
Transfer deadline day proved to be an extremely busy day for Reds` boss Steve Evans. A closed-door match with Peterborough United was on the agenda but the frenzy started when York gave permission for Brodie to talk to the Reds. At the same time discussions were ongoing with an experienced goalkeeper and as he is not affected by any transfer window restrictions, those negotiations will continue today...
Evans said: 'What a day that has been and despite the late hour it has not finished yet. We have tried to sign young Brodes since July but on several occasions we could just not make it happen for one reason or another. The deal became live again shortly after lunchtime when I received a call from the chairman at York City. I immediately spoke with Bruce Winfield, took instruction and we got the deal done.
'The lad is a terrific player, he works very hard for the team and gets a goal. Our supporters will love him. We are looking forward to working with him and he comes into a football club who are looking to progress over the next few years. Brodes was last season`s Conference Premier player of the year, that was voted for by all the managers and I was one of them. He won that by a landslide. The boy was also joint top goalscorer in the Blue Square Premier with our own Matty Tubbs. I am just delighted. He is a great signing'.
The manager also confirmed discussions with an experienced goalkeeper and said he will be looking to send a couple of Reds` players out on loan next week when the loan transfer window re-opens. Evans added: 'I am confident we will have secured an additional experienced goalkeeper but those talks will continue. I will look at our squad in further detail this week, look at all the possibilities and then sit down with Bruce Winfield to propose a couple of the lads need to go out on loan to get some first team football.'”.
As recently as January 2010, Crawley Town were in a very different situation as in an interview with joint owner Susan Carter the Club stated that their manager Steve "Evans now operates with one of the smallest budgets in the Conference while expenditure elsewhere at the club has been slashed".
From the other side, York City confirm that they "have accepted an undisclosed fee for Richard Brodie from Crawley Town... It was a Club decision to accept the fee. Two months ago the Club offered Richard Brodie a new contact which was turned down. Richard Brodie was out of contract at the end of the season and would have been able to leave then for free. The Club did not want a similar situation to Clayton Donaldson, whereby he was 23 and left to play in Scotland for free. At that time the Chairman received criticism for not receiving a fee although his only aim was to get York City promoted. This time the Club had to let the player leave and accept a fee, bearing in mind that the player had asked to go. We all wish Richard well for the future".
According to Blue Square Football "Cambridge United boss Martin Ling has suffered a major set-back with the news that Adam Miller and Kevin Roberts will spend several weeks on the sidelines. Miller, picked up an ankle ligament injury against Eastbourne on Monday, while Roberts tore a hamstring at Mansfield on Saturday... Ling told Cambridge News, 'His [Adam's] ankle swelled up very quickly and it looked like there was substantial damage to the ligaments, so we're looking at weeks rather than days... It's something we'll have to keep tabs on, especially with Paul (Carden) playing with his ankle problem and Kevin being out for a few weeks as well with a second degree tear... I don't want to be fetching people in who aren't as good as what we've got here'".
Blue Square Football reports that "Eastbourne Borough boss Garry Wilson has defended his decision to throw an inexperienced side into the fray against Cambridge United on Monday. Borough lost the tie 2-0 with six changes to the team which were defeated at home to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. Wilson told The Argus: 'We had five games in 14 days before today and there were a lot of tired legs after Saturday. It is a long season and as a part-time club we have got to manage our players properly. We perhaps didn't do that last year when we played almost the same team for every game and it took its toll. There is no point having these players at the club if we are not going to put them in. We have got belief in them and I think they showed the ability they have in open play. Maybe they were a bit naïve at times but I think they acquitted themselves well and that is a big positive for us'".
"Newport County boss Dean Holdsworth will make a move for a new centre-back once the loan window opens in a week after the departure of defender Ollie Thorne. The 20-year old struggled for game time and joined Kidderminster Harriers with further movements at the club expected. Tony Taggart and Giuseppe Sole could exit the club after the failed to secure their places so far this season. Holdsworth told the South Wales Argus: 'Ollie's had a really difficult time personally in recent weeks and so we changed the contract situation for him... Once the window opens again we can bring in another defensive option, a player who can play in a few different positions. We have Jamie Collins as well who could slot in if we had a problem with Gary Warren or Chris Todd'".
"Hayes & Yeading have failed in their bid to sign defender Lee Brown on loan from QPR" reports the BBC. "Brown was expected to join on a one-month loan but the relevant paperwork was not completed in time to beat the August transfer deadline... Brown spent most of last season on loan at Salisbury City, making 14 league appearances for the Whites".
A former Alty loan player and now a "Cambridge United defender, James Jennings has won his appeal against a red card for handball. The 22-year-old was given his marching orders in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Mansfield after giving away a penalty, which Keigan Parker converted. He is now available for the weekend clash with Gateshead.
Boss Martin Ling told the club website: 'The decision has proven we were right to appeal and it's pleasing he'll now be available for Saturday. The disappointing things is the decision cost us the game against Mansfield'".
Following Richard Money's complaints about the toll on Luton Town of the fixture schedule, "Wrexham manager Dean Saunders has hit out at having to play their opening six Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures in the space of just 16 days" reports tha BBC.
"The Dragons won two, drawn two and lost two, and find themselves 12th in the table with eight points. But Saunders blamed the loss of three players in Monday's 2-0 win at Bath on the amount of fixtures played. 'It's a ridiculous schedule that they've had to go through', Saunders told BBC Sport Wales. 'Marvin Andrews has come off with a hamstring, Adrian Cieslewicz has come off with a hamstring, Frank Sinclair pulled his groin and it's just over-use of players'...
He says they should be higher in the table had they not been 'robbed' by two penalties in the 4-3 defeat at Eastbourne, and not conceded a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw with Kidderminster. 'We should be sat top of the league really', added Saunders.
'We're doing all right, but I'm not getting carried away. I didn't when we lost a couple, I know we're going to lose games, but we're going to win more than we lose. I think the team I've got is better than the team I had last year. I'm hoping we're going to be in there at the end of the season'".
The Argus understands Reds have paid £275,000 for the 23-year-old England C international, who was signed three minutes before the transfer window shut last night.
The prolific Brodie has scored 53 goals in 135 appearances since joining York in 2007 including 26 last season in the Conference, one fewer than Matt Tubbs who is already at the Broadfield.
Brodie opened his account for the new season in Saturday's 3-0 win over Altrincham and on the same day Reds' co-owner Bruce Winfield revealed that the club had tried to sign Brodie last week.
Cash-strapped York agreed to the switch but the player himself was undecided. Boss Steve Evans switched to other targets and signed Ben Wright from Peterborough for £60,000 but the Brodie deal was resurected over the weekend.
He is the 16th player Evans has signed since Winfield gave him the green light to build a squad capable of challenging for a place in the Football League in July, six of whom are strikers".
Current events and activities include:
Fundraising schemes, with benefits for supporters, include:
Please do support as many of these ventures as you can; the Club relies on your help in this respect.
Altrincham F.C. in association with TASC and Ideas4Alty are pleased to announce the “My Square” pitch sponsorship for the 2010/2011 season.
The “My Square” pitch sponsorship scheme gives Alty fans the chance to sponsor their own little square of the Moss Lane pitch for a whole season, with prices slightly reduced from last season and starting at as little as £2!! What better way to be a part of your club and show your support for the Robins? Your name will appear on your square in the matchday programme all season or you could put your child’s name in for them.
The opportunity to sponsor a square will continue until October 31st when a draw will be made and the winner will receive an ALTRINCHAM SHIRT OF THEIR CHOICE (HOME OR AWAY AND SIGNED OR UNSIGNED) worth £35. Each pound spent by a sponsor will equate to one ticket e.g. sponsoring a normal square for £2 will be 2 tickets and sponsoring the centre spot for £15 will be 15 tickets.
HOW IT WORKS:
Also available at a slightly higher price are squares in the penalty area, the centre circle and also the corner quadrants.
In addition there is to be an auction square. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Robins' incredible 1990/91 campaign it will be the square from which our current assistant manager Ken McKenna (right) scored one of the legendary Alty goals of our time, his last minute winner against Kettering Town in January 1991
BRILLIANT – WHERE DO I SIGN?
TASC member Steve Foster has acquired a whiteboard with the pitch squares on it. This will be in place at the TASC section of the club shop at all home games and brought into the Noel White Suite afterwards. Fans will be able to pay their money and take their choice there and then.
Anyone unable to get to matches should make alternative arrangements by either e-mail or phoning the club on 0161 928 1045.
Squares will be sold on a ‘first come, first served’ basis starting at the home fixture against Darlington on Tuesday 17th August 2010.
Prices:
Kidderminster Harriers say that "Consistency was again the buzzword for Harriers after the 2-2 home draw with Tamworth on Monday... The harsh decision to dismiss Mark Albrighton on 72 minutes was compounded eight minutes later when Tamworth smashed ahead... The home side rallied and got their just rewards in the dying seconds of the game when Jack Byrne rose at the far post to head home the latest of equalisers.
Speaking after the game, assistant boss Gary Whild was reflective... Harriers find themselves second bottom in the Bet Premier,- but can just as easily enter the top ten with an emphatic victory at Altrincham this coming weekend, such is the typical nature of a young League table...
He says, 'You can use the excuses that we have a lot of new players and that maybe they will be a bit inconsistent, but we're not brushing anything under the carpet... All the stuff we spoke about on Saturday, that we didn't do, was there today and more. To come back after going down to ten men... the lads showed some fantastic character. We have been in front a few times this season and today again we got our noses in front with a good goal at a good time and unfortunately we couldn't see it through until half-time'".
The Football Conference adds that "Kidderminster Harriers have completed one item of business on transfer deadline day with the acquisition of central defender Ollie Thorne from league rivals Newport County. The 20-year-old, born in Gravesend, began his career with MK Dons as a youth team player, moving on to Forest Green Rovers at the beginning of last season. He went on to feature on more than twenty occasions at The New Lawn...
Newly-promoted County's boss Dean Holdsworth made securing the youngster's signature one of his first priorities of the closed-season, though their impressive start to the new campaign has left the dominant defender out of the team. Thorne's deal at Newport County was cancelled to allow him to put pen-to-paper on a switch to Aggborough.
'Ollie is a young lad but he has experience at this level and is strong in the air', boss Steve Burr told harriers.co.uk'...
Harriers have tied up his deal with the Football Conference and have requested International Clearance from the FA of Wales well ahead this afternoon's 6pm transfer deadline".
Right: Danny Holmes has started two games and been a used sub in four of Alty's matches so far this season, following his move from Ilkeston Town. Here he is seen on Monday against Mansfield Town.
Saturday 4 September:
NL Daily confirms that "FC United of Manchester were boosted by the news that former player Steve Torpey had re-signed for the club... Torpey had been a target for a number of clubs higher up the leagues after playing in the Conference for the last four years [including a spell at Alty] but has decided to rejoin the Reds following a successful pre-season campaign. The attacking-midfielder was a firm fan favourite during FC United`s inaugural season, scoring seventeen goals in thirty-two appearances before being offered a full-time contract by the then Conference Premier side Halifax Town. FC United have also signed Karl Munroe [also ex-Alty] from Leigh Genesis... Munroe started his career with Swansea City and has since seen service with Macclesfield Town, Halifax Town, Northwich Victoria and Hyde United, joining Leigh in the summer of 2009".
York Press tells us that "In for his first start of the season, it took Greg Young a few minutes to get to the speed of the game but, when he settled, he dealt well with the difficult to handle Curtis. The Fleetwood striker’s pace and movement put City under constant pressure but Young did as well as any of the Minstermen back-line to keep him under control. Young underlined his ability as an attacking presence when scoring the late goal which gave York hope".
"We all need a positive mindset.
As you can imagine, there was a pretty heated atmosphere in our dressing room after Tuesday night’s defeat at Southport. The mood was terrible and despite the fact that we are not a million miles away in many respects in terms of our performances over the first four games, perhaps something needs to change in terms of our mindset.
Whilst the first three games against Luton, Darlington and Crawley were all full blooded, very competitive affairs, the game at Haig Avenue didn’t feel like a Blue Square Premier game at all.....it was very low key for a lot of the match. It was so frustrating to have so many players sidelined for the first match of the season against a team that are expected to finish in a similar position to us and we were without a lot of experience on Tuesday and a lot of players who had been an integral part of our pre-season training.
I am sure that Graham and Kenny will have got a few things ironed out at training on Thursday night.....we need to, as two games against such stiff opposition as York and today’s opponents, Mansfield, will be no joyride. Two games in three days is always tough at this point in the season.....and especially so with this season’s fixtures.
It was particularly disappointing to not have Shaun Densmore (left) available against Southport....he has started the season really well and was brilliant last Saturday against Crawley. Graham was clearly short of options in midfield on Tuesday night but what isn’t so obvious, maybe, is the challenges that we face up front at the moment.
The way we play generally relies on seven or eight players doing a disciplined defensive or holding job, with three or four more attack-minded flair players taking responsibility for creating and taking chances. Most of the players who we rely on for this have had some sort of challenge to deal with since the start of the season.
Dale Johnson has not played competitive football for almost a year whilst both Damian Reeves and Chris Denham have not been 100% fit at times. Nicky Clee often looks like he could terrorise teams but he has had a few niggles and this can sometimes mean that we haven’t got the attacking options that other teams have.....certainly Luton, Darlington and Crawley all had plenty of attacking options on their bench.
Overall, we can take a view that we have done reasonably well in terms of our performances but it just hasn’t happened for us yet or we can curse our luck and blame injuries, late goals and unlucky deflections for our position. We need all of our supporters to get behind us even more at this point as winning three or four points this weekend could make such a difference to the way everyone feels about our start and the possibilities for the season ahead.
On a personal note, I am still in quite a lot of pain from the effects of Stuart Coburn’s knee taking on my ribcage in the incident that led to Darlington’s first goal last week. It is quite difficult to breathe properly and there is not too much that can be done apart from hoping that my bruised or cracked ribs will recover as quickly as possible.
I know you will give us great support today. Enjoy the match and let’s hope the league table looks a bit brighter by five o’clock this evening. Robbie".
"What to do at the weekend? Attend the Leeds Festival and watch Guns N''Roses with 100,000 people in a field, OR York City v Altrincham in The Blue Square Premier League at Kit Kat Crescent...
Kit Kat Crescent is no more! York City accepted £10,000 a few years ago to change the name of their stadium to that of the locally made chocolate bar. The fans didn't like that and changed it back to Bootham Crescent last season. Its a squeeze in the tiny press box with my friend Brian Flynn, the Altrincham PR chief, almost like a confessional pew, and City don't provide programmes for the press, or even a cup of tea!
Alty won the toss, and THAT WAS ABOUT ALL THEY WON, all afternoon! You don't see it often, but both goalkeepers, Michael Ingham of York and Stuart Coburn of Alty were the team captains... Fortunes changed when City manager Martin Foyle brought on Michael Rankine, who shot hard and low from a Michael Gash pass to open the scoring. Richard Brodie doubled the score from the penalty spot after he was brought down near the corner by Marc Joseph. Brodie is from Gateshead near the Angel of the North Statue next to the A1 and he celebrated with his arms extended, his usual trademark.
I thought that referee R. Clark of Morpeth was outstanding, despite the stick he received from fans. He was fair, and kept the game flowing".
We’re Playing Aussie Rules.....”Bad Call”!!
I received a call on Tuesday from a friend of mine, Gary Craven. He manages a Sunday team (The Buck...a pub in Ashton-on-Mersey) and was telling me that he had made a few new signings.......including Danny Adams and Colin Little. I understand that Danny has signed for Nantwich Town and Colin has a squad number at F.C. United of Manchester, but it seems they will also be playing some Sunday football down at Manor Avenue in Sale during the season.
Let’s move on to more concerning matters:-
E-mail to the Australian Football Association
Re:Matt Crowell-International Clearance.
Dear Sir,
Hi....it’s Brian from Timperley here.
You Aussies are renowned for straight talking so let me just share with you my current thinking regarding the still unactioned request for International Clearance for Matt Crowell.
I understand that Altrincham Football Club submitted the relevant International Clearance documents to enable Matt Crowell to play in England on July 28th 2010. Over four weeks later and still not a peep from your good selves!
For the first few days of this pantomime, our own, often much maligned, Football Association were top of the suspect list, but as the days wore on, it became clear that it was in fact the gross incompetence of their antipodean counterparts that was causing the issue. Why is it that, this time last year, you were able to process Central Coast Mariners’ request for International Clearance for the same player to play in the Australian A-League in three parts of a nano second, yet the reverse request seems to have just nestled comfortably for almost a month in one of your, no doubt, very nice in-trays in Sydney?
I know that you lot live out a laudable ‘work to live’ culture but how difficult is this? I am guessing that you have to complete one or two bits of paperwork and verify that the information provided to you is correct......a perfect task for a Friday afternoon, before your employees leg it off to Bondi Beach for a swim and a barbecue! Here in England, we have found that a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide, has been quite useful in these matters, but if scanning a couple of documents and emailing them within a matter of seconds is beyond you at this point, may I respectfully recommend the use of a facsimile machine.
Sadly, I fear that you may indeed eventually carry this out using the outdated and inefficient method of smoke signals!
One of the best known jokes in your country is that when arriving at an airport in New Zealand, there is an announcement stating 'Welcome to Auckland....please put your watches back thirty years'.....it’s a real side splitter.....but I am sure that your Kiwi equivalents would have had this sorted weeks ago and we would have had Matt Crowell lining up against Luton Town, Darlington, Crawley Town and Southport.
But our current reality is that we sit at the bottom of our league at the moment, partly due to the fact that you lot couldn’t give a Castlemaine XXXX about this and are a bunch of incompetent descendants of former convicts!
Fortunately, I understand that our own F.A. are able to grant temporary international clearance if a request isn’t processed within thirty days and that whether or not the Australian F.A. do their job......and I am not holding my breath on this......Matt Crowell will be available for selection this weekend.
Lots of Worries, Mate.
Flynno".
At Luton Town "The Hatters can confirm that Tom Craddock has joined League 2 Oxford United for an undisclosed fee".
According to the Football Conference "Peterborough United and Rushden and Diamonds have agreed an extension until January on the loan deal for Dominic Green. Since signing, Green has played five games. The left-winger initially signed at Nene Park on a month-long loan deal earlier in August, but will now stay with the Diamonds until January 2011".
Also, "Rushden & Diamonds and Peterborough United have agreed an extension on the loan deal for Nathan Koranteng until January 2011... He had initially signed on a month-long loan earlier in August, but will now stay at Nene Park until January".
From Bullsnews we learn that once the transfer window closed this Tuesday, "Clubs will have to wait a week before the 'emergency' loan window opens. Free agent players, those that have not been attached to a club since the window closes, can still move freely".
A couple of players who have played against Alty have moved between league clubs. John Akinde has moved from Bristol City to Bristol Rovers, on loan whilst Harlee Dean, sent off when we entertained Grays last season, has moved from Dagenham & Redbridge to Southampton for an undisclosed fee.
This is Nottingham reports that "Table-topping Mansfield Town cannot afford to get carried away by their flying start to the new season, says boss David Holdsworth. The Stags crushed Altrincham 4-0 at Moss Lane...
'I'm extremely pleased because we have come away and walloped a side who are gritty, aggressive and can cause problems', said Holdsworth. '"To come and play the way we did, with two wingers and adventurously, was extremely satisfying. We want to secure points early on because other teams have been slipping up... This is only a platform to build on... You could probably hear me shouting to make sure we were resolute. The centre halves have grown as a partnership. I thought Kevin Sandwith had his best game defensively and Gary Silk got forward very well'.
All three domains can be searched, separately, using the appropriate Google search box below. Make sure you check the correct button beneath each search box.
I am sorry that this is a bit messy but eventually I will get everything into just one domain. However, the above method does allow you to find everything on the site which has appeared since Spring 2000.
GRAHAM'S DILEMMA
There was a sombre mood at Altrincham FC on Thursday night as manager Graham Heathcote spoke candidly about the position of the club and answered questions from supporters for more than an hour at a "Fans' Forum'.
KIDDY REGROUP
Altrincham's next opponents are having similar difficulties to us and are the subject of an article in the Kidderminster Shuttle. "Harriers' manager Steve Burr has vowed to find the right formula and turn around his team’s poor start to the Blue Square Bet Premier. After six games, the Aggborough outfit find themselves second from bottom with only five points.
ROBBIE CHOSEN
There is good news for Alty's Robbie Williams (left) as Welsh Premier confirms that "Manager Terry Boyle has called-up 11 Welsh Premier players in his 18-man Under-23 squad for the semi-pro friendly against England this month...
OLD BOYS
Despite recent reports from the Conference - which at the time of writing are still on their website - that he had joined Wrexham, Hyde United now confirm that they "have signed goalkeeper Russell Saunders from Altrincham... [Keeper] Craig Mawson has left the club and has joined Burnley". Striker Dale Johnson has also reportedly joined the Tameside club - one of his former clubs.
BSBP NEWS
The Football Conference says that "Magno Vieira from Fleetwood Town has been named the Blue Square Bet Premier ‘player of the month’ for August. Terry Brown from AFC Wimbledon has been named the Blue Square Bet Premier ‘manager of the month’ for August."
2 September 2010
DALE GOES
Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote announced on Wednesday night that striker Dale Johnson (right) has been released and will sign for a Blue Square North club later today (Thursday). In addition, a circular has been sent to other clubs in the Blue Square leagues and below that other Altrincham players are available. The moves are aimed at freeing up resources to allow reinforcement of the squad.
"IT HURTS"
Alty's joint press officer, John Edwards, provides the following extended version of a piece in the The Sale & Altrincham Messenger
FANS' FORUM
John Edwards writes: "Altrincham supporters will have the chance to quiz manager Graham Heathcote (right) about the team's early-season struggles at a fans' forum at Moss Lane on Thusday evening, starting at 8pm.
SHAUN RESTED
Alty's Shaun Densmore is not in the England C squad for their friendly match against Wales at Latham Park, Newtown FC, on
Tuesday 14 September. The FA reports that "England C Manager Paul Fairclough has named his 16-man squad for the side’s opening game of the season... The side includes nine new faces with a number of more established names being kept on stand-by as Fairclough takes at look at possible contenders for the vital International Challenge Trophy fixture with Estonia in Tallinn in October.
OLD BOYS
NL Daily says that "Experienced defender Dave Swanick was a transfer deadline day signing for Andy Cale, manager of Principality Welsh Premier club Newtown. The 31-year-old, who previously played for Morecambe, Altrincham and Woodley Sports, joined Connah's Quay Nomads during the summer of 2006 and made twenty-eight Welsh Premier appearances for the Nomads.
BSBP NEWS
According to the Football Conference, "Crawley Town beat Tuesday`s transfer deadline with minutes to spare to secure the signing of... Richard Brodie. Brodie, 23, has been signed from York City for an undisclosed fee after the player completed a medical and agreed terms late on Tuesday afternoon. The formal documentation was registered at the Football Association and the Football Conference only 3 minutes from the 6pm deadline.
1 September 2010
MORE BSBP NEWS: CRAWLEY SMASH TRANSFER RECORD
The Argus reports that "Crawley have taken their spending to a staggering £565,000 today after signing York City striker Richard Brodie.
SAUNDERS' SIGNING CONFUSION
Despite a report from the Football Conference itself, yesterday (see below), that former Alty keeper Russell Saunders had joined Wrexham, the Daily Post today reports that "Wrexham FC manager Dean Saunders last night denied the Dragons had signed goalkeeper Russell Saunders. Reports yesterday claimed Saunders had signed his namesake, who was released by the Dragons’ Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Altrincham in August. However, the Dragons' boss – currently with the Wales squad – last night said he had not done a deal for the Bury-born player, who had joined Alty after being released by Premier League side Wigan last year".
PLEASE DO YOUR BIT FOR ALTY!
Off the pitch there is a lot going on at Moss Lane as the club and TASC raise vital funds for Altrincham FC. There are ways to help the club which range in cost from £1 to whatever you want, so please do look at the many initiatives on the Social Events and Fundraising page, to which there is a permanent link in the centre of the headers of this web page.
“MY SQUARE” PITCH SPONSORSHIP
ALTRINCHAM F.C. “MY SQUARE” PITCH SPONSORSHIP 2010/11
Squares are allocated all across the pitch. (The pitch diagram, showing the squares is here). Both penalty spots have seen their fair share of drama over the years and these are expected to be very popular.
NEXT UP
Altrincham entertain Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday and the FA confirms that their player Mark Albrighton will be "Suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for a Sending Off in a match played on 30/08/2010". Saturday's referee is Mr R. Fletcher, from Derbyshire, who reffed Cambridge United v Alty in January 2008.
YANKEE JACKPOT WON
The Altrincham FC Yankee's £5,000 jackpot has been won by R. Fazackerley, but the reserve jackpot which stands at £3,600 is now to be won - for just a £1 weekly stake. The winning code was 5176. In addition, five winning trebles earned their owners £40 each.
LIVE AT MOSS LANE
The September programme of live TV in High Definition at Moss Lane has been announced. The folowing Sky/ESPN broadcasts can be seen:
BUCKET COLLECTION
Thanks are due to TASC and the donors for the bucket collection on Monday; it raised £48.51.
OLD BOYS
The Football Conference announces that "Wrexham have signed former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Russell Saunders (left). The Bury-born 21-year-old was released by the Latics last season and joined the Dragons` league rivals Altrincham in January. However, towards the early part of August, Alty boss Graham Heathcote released Saunders and he has now signed for Wrexham".
ROBBIE'S LOG
Written before the weekend's game, Alty's injured captain Robbie Lawton, revealed the dressing room mood in his "Captain's Log", always a good read in the Altrincham matchday programme.
We had some real dogfights with Mansfield last season....they are certainly a team that you have to roll your sleeves up and battle with.
ANOTHER "TAKE" ON YORK
Ron's Blog, written by an acquaintance of Alty director Andrew Shaw and TASC chairman Brian Flynn, this week covers the York v Alty game. It includes the following...
FLYNNY GOES AUSSIE
Brian Flynn goes Down under in his latest "Flynnzine", pulished on Monday.
BSBP NEWS
the Football Conference announces that "Grimsby Town have signed goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell on a month's loan from Sheffield Wednesday. O'Donnell signed a one-year contract with Wednesday in May 2007 after stepping up from scholarship level. He was offered a further contract in the summer of 2008... and saw that deal extended twelve months later... He has since enjoyed three fruitful loan spells in which he gained valuable first-team experience with the likes of York City, Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic. Injuries to Mariners` keepers Kenny Arthur and Nick Colgan are set to keep them out for the most of September and O'Donnell will be looking to gain first-team experience".
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