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13 March 2010
Response to Tom’s injury was a disgrace!
"One of Graham Heathcote’s favourite sayings is 'It’s only a game of Football' and I could certainly relate to this as I drove to work on Wednesday morning. It’s easy to get down after a bad result or poor personal performance but the events of Tuesday night really do put all that into perspective.
At that moment, Tom Kearney, was lying in hospital, awaiting an operation to repair his broken leg and whilst the injury is the most important thing, I still can’t believe the reaction of the crowd to what happened just before half time at The Racecourse Ground. I can understand the Wrexham fans clapping Frank Sinclair as that shows support for their own player, but to boo an opposition player, who was clearly in serious trouble, as he was stretchered from the pitch is incredible.......particularly a player who they used to cheer for and had been captain of their club!
We’re obviously all thinking about Tom and I told him that when I spoke to him on Wednesday morning. He couldn’t remember very much about the tackle, but he knew he had suffered a break immediately as he saw his leg wobbling. Initially, he was not in pain as his body went into shock, but that all changed by the time the ambulance came. From what I could see of Frank Sinclair’s tackle he tried to get the ball but went in with two feet.
The incident sparked a very lively contest in the second half and the lads deserve credit for getting something out of the game because at half time we were all feeling gutted about Tom’s injury and the atmosphere in the dressing room was very sombre.
During the game, one or two of the lads had been getting some stick from the welsh fans with comments such as 'You’ll be back stacking shelves in the morning' and this sparked the latest addition to the ridiculous goal scoring celebrations that our Yorkshire lads have been doing in recent games as Chris Senior went through an impromptu routine mimicking a supermarket shelf stacker.........every little helps!!
The pitch on Tuesday night was awful....very dry and bobbly and I went over on my ankle...which is still sore and may keep me out of contention today. After ten years of being injury free, it is amazing to think that in the last eighteen months I have had six cortisone injections, three back spasms, a bone fracture and tendonitis. Team wise, things are no better as we now have had two ruptured cruciate ligament injuries to Dale Johnson and Matt Doughty (there was Kevin Street as well last season) and Tom’s broken leg........sadly his girlfriend was there watching on Tuesday night and witnessed those distressing and disgraceful events.
Hopefully, Tom will be out of hospital by today and we can all look forward to concentrating on the match with York, who we have had some good games with during the last few seasons. Enjoy the game!
Robbie".
Alty's self-selecting squad - they only have 16 fit players - worked hard to secure their fourth successive draw and further hinder York's promotion push. With James Smith still out with a hamstring injury, Robbie Lawton also sidelined and Tom Kearney missing after having had his leg broken at Wrexham, manager Graham Heathcote had little room for manoeuvre. York had the better of the second half after a more even first 45 minutes but, led by Man of the Match and captain Greg Young, Alty kept the visitors at bay. York's Richard Brodie, the league's leading scorer, had a wretched afternoon - missing two sitters and being booked for a blatant dive. Report to follow.
Right: Alty attack the York goal in the first half. It's not snow behind the goal but rolls of paper, thrown onto the pitch by York supporters.
ALTRINCHAM (Red & white striped shirts, black shorts and red socks): 1. Stuart COBURN, 6. Shaun DENSMORE, 12. Robbie WILLIAMS, 5. Greg YOUNG, 27. Ryan BROWN, 21. Peter DORAN, 16. Anthony DANYLYK, 11. Nicky CLEE; 10. Chris DENHAM, 19. Chris SENIOR, 9. Colin LITTLE. Subs: 13. Russell SAUNDERS, 18. Michael WELCH, 8. Clive MOYO-MODISE, 17. John McALISKEY, 24. Adam CARDEN
YORK CITY (Pale blue): 24. Michael Ingham, 5. David McGurk, 3. James Meredith, 26. Graham Luke, 2. Ben Purkiss, 17. Levi Mackin, 16. Richard Brodie, 25. Jamie Clarke, 21. Djoumin Sangare, 28. Courtney Pitt, 9. Michael Gash. Subs: 6. Daniel Parslow, 15. Michael Rankine, 10. Richard Paquette, 29. Paul Harsley, 27. Kevin Gall.
Saturday 13 March
BSP fixtures
FAT Trophy SF 1st Leg
According to the BBC "Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote is short of options after midfielder Tom Kearney suffered a double leg break against Wrexham in midweek. With midfielder Robbie Lawton (right) out with an ankle injury, Heathcote has only 16 fit players to choose from. York will be without defender Chris Carruthers, who limped off during the midweek defeat by Salisbury. Manager Martin Foyle may rotate his strikers after a run of five matches without a win".
Meanwhile, York Press reports that "Robbie Lawton, who replaced Kearney at the Racecourse Ground, is rated very doubtful after twisting his ankle in North Wales. As a result, Robins boss Graham Heathcote is likely to recall 37-year-old former Crewe striker Colin Little and switch from a 4-5-1 formation to 4-4-2. Little would then play alongside Chris Senior, whose recent goalscoring feats saw him clinch the February Blue Square Premier Player of the Month award.
The one-time Scarborough frontman, now 28, has netted nine times in his last 11 matches although he squandered an opportunity to take his season’s tally to 16 at Wrexham when his first-half penalty was saved. Alty, currently sitting in 11th place, have failed to win any of their last five matches but have shared the spoils in four of those fixtures, including consecutive 1-1 draws against Wrexham, Wimbledon and Grays. Despite a record of just five home victories in the league, though, the Robins’ recent results at Moss Rose have been encouraging, winning four and drawing one of their last six encounters on their own soil.
Team (probable): Coburn, Densmore, Williams, Young, Brown, Denham, Doran, Danylyk, Clee, Little, Senior.
York City are unbeaten in their four previous league trips to Moss Lane. In 2005/6, they won 3-0 and the following campaign triumphed 4-0, with Richard Brodie scoring on his debut. In 2007/8, Martyn Woolford scored twice in a 2-2 draw while, in the corresponding fixture last term, Brodie netted the equaliser in a 1-1 encounter...
York City manager Martin Foyle has reminded “doom and gloom” merchants that the club are still in control of their own destiny in this season’s play-off race. A run of four successive defeats has seen Foyle’s side surrender a significant advantage in the battle for top-five places and drop to sixth...
Foyle said: 'There’s a lot of doom and gloom at the moment but the play-offs are still very much within our grasp. We have got to keep fighting and the players know that. There have been some individual mistakes but we’ve got to get on with it because we are all in it together. We’re expecting a difficult game at Altrincham – there are no easy ones in the Conference and people need to understand that – but we will be able to get the ball down and play on their pitch. We are looking forward to that and then we’ve got two crackers against Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon and I would prefer to play those teams up there with us at the moment'.
David McGurk is fit again following the knee injury that saw him miss Tuesday night’s 2-1 home defeat against Salisbury and is expected to return to the starting line-up. Skipper Daniel Parslow and midfielder Levi Mackin have also shrugged off knocks... but Alex Lawless (hamstring) and Chris Carruthers (ankle) are still sidelined.
Foyle [added]... 'I’ve tried to bring a couple of players in but we haven’t been able to get them here... It would be good to freshen things up because we need better at the moment'. Having started with a 4-3-3 formation before losing Carruthers against Salisbury, Foyle also stressed that he would not rule out adopting similar tactics between now and the end of the season. He said: 'It’s the only formation we seem to come up against at the moment. You look at the top five and they are all playing it. None of them are playing expansive football and I don’t think you can during the final third of the season in this league, when teams are getting nervy and we’re seeing a string of funny results'".
Brian Flynn writes:
"Dan Martell and Niall Flynn cycled into Jack Goodchild Way, Kingston Upon Thames at 1.20pm on Saturday to complete a 235 mile cycling trip that had started at Moss Lane on Thursday morning. The lads were met by fans and club officials who were amongst the early arrivals for the game against AFC Wimbledon and Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote took Dan and Niall into the away dressing room, where they were given a round of applause by the players who were told by Graham Heathcote that 'We want you to give your all for ninety minutes this afternoon....these lads have bust their guts on their bikes for three days to get here'.
Niall (left) and Dan (right) are pictured at Wimbledon with Grahame Rowley, Paul Flynn, Andrew Shaw and Karen Rowley.
The journey took a massive toll on Dan and Niall's limbs as they mastered terrain of widely varying difficulty and managed to call in at a number of Football Grounds on the way (Kettering Town, Rushden and Diamonds, Hitchin Town, Potters Bar United, Barnet, Wingate and Finchley and Arsenal).
The sponsorship money raised is being split 50/50 between Altrincham F.C. and The Childrens' Adventure Farm Trust and the final amount raised should be over £1500.
Dan and Niall would like to thank everyone at Altrincham F.C. and A.F.C. Wimbledon for their help and support in this venture.
You can still donate online or by contacting one of the following:-
Or, you can ring Altrincham Football Club on 0161 928 1045.
You can also donate online at:- Just Giving
Online donations are eligible for Gift Aid and will be paid directly to The Children's Adventure Farm Trust by Just Giving".
Right: Colin Little could get a recall today against York City. He has started just ten league games this season. Sadly the Conference has erased two of his four league goals from the records as they were netted against Chester City. He is seen here in action in Alty's last home game against Grays Athletic, by Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography.
Blue Square Football says that "Play-off hopefuls Luton Town have secured the services of midfielder Simon Heslop on a 28-day emergency loan from Barnsley. The York-born midfielder kinked up with Kettering Town earlier this season, making eight first-team appearances during a two-month loan stay. The 22 year-old has also spent time on loan with Kidderminster, Tamworth, Northwich, Halifax and Grimsby Town".
From NL News24 we learn that "Rushden and Diamonds have deferred contract talks with their players until they know which league they will compete in next season. Most of Justin Edinburgh’s squad will be looking for new deals this summer, but the manager says the priority now must be pushing for a promotion play-off place. Edinburgh has held preliminary discussions with key players while on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Mark Byrne has expressed a desire to stay.
Edinburgh tells northantset.co.uk: 'There are no ongoing contract talks. It’s more important at the moment to prioritise the team over any individuals... I don’t want anyone to lose concentration from what we are trying to achieve. We need to know which league we are going to be playing in and the lads understand that'".
"Barrow have signed West Bromwich Albion midfielder Kayleden Brown on 'work experience' until the end of the season" reports the Football Conference. "Brown, 17, will miss the Bluebirds' FA Trophy Semi Final as he was not registered in time but can feature in the league. The Wales under-19 international was an unused substitute in February's FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Reading but is yet to make his full Albion debut".
NL Daily reports that "Gainsborough Trinity boss Brian Little has added to his squad... with defenders Darren Williams and Mark Robinson joining his Blues recovery. Williams, 31, and Robinson, 28, both from Blue Square Premier side Gateshead, will join Little's side for the remainder of the season".
Altrincham FC physio Sean Riley (left) has kindly provided an update on the injury to Tom Kearney, sustained on Tuesday night.
"Following the challenge on Tom at Wrexham I quickly established on the pitch that he had sustained fractures to both his tibia and fibula, Tom also knew he had suffered a serious injury. An X-ray on Tuesday evening confirmed the initial diagnosis and Tom had to undergo a one and a half hour operation on Wednesday afternoon where a titanium nail was inserted down the centre of his tibia and screws inserted at the top and bottom of his shin bone. I can confirm that the surgery was very successful and the surgeon was pleased with the surgery. Tom was obviously in some pain after the operation but that should soon settle with the pain relief. He was discharged from hospital this afternoon and his treatment will be continued at a hospital closer to home.
Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Tom and wishes him a speedy recovery.
The assistance I received from the medical staff at Wrexham was first class. I would like to thank everyone from the stretcher bearers to the Club Doctor for a very professional job in dealing with such a serious injury. Special thanks go to physio Ritson Lloyd, who made sure I had everything I needed while dealing with Tom, even providing me with phone numbers for the hospital and direct to the ward.
He was in regular contact with me late into Tuesday evening and even met me at the hospital on Wednesday morning to come in and see how Tom was. The club and myself appreciate all your efforts. Thank you".
Blue Square Football reports that the man whose challenge put Tom Kearney in hospital, "Wrexham defender Frank Sinclair, feels that Dean Saunders is the right manager to take the club forward. The former Jamaica international is confident the Wales assistant boss will still be at the Racecourse Ground next term and is backing him to build on what he has achieved this term. 'I think the manager has learned a lot this season about different players', the 38-year-old told the Daily Post. 'I think he'll make some changes in the summer, but he's said he'd like me to be involved next season and we're trying to sort out a contract. I'm quite happy to stay - I believe in the manager's ideas in the game and his ambitions to get Wrexham back to where they should be, and that's what we all believe', Sinclair concluded".
The BBC confirms that "Wrexham will not appeal against Frank Sinclair's four-match suspension following his red card in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Altrincham at the Racecourse. The veteran defender saw a straight red for a first-half challenge on Tom Kearney that left the Altrincham man with a double break of the leg.
Immediately after the game, Wrexham manager Dean Saunders said that the club would appeal against the card. 'It was a block tackle but [Sinclair] got the ball', said Saunders. 'I seriously think that something has to be done about the standard of refereeing... I know Frank has not meant any harm to him. Frank slid in and he's said that Tom kicked the bottom of his foot and it's just connected on that spot. I think because [the referee] has been watching Match of the Day he's jumped on it straight away and sent Frank off. [I thought two Altrincham players] were going to get red cards but they never'".
After eight successive wins in the BSP between November and January, York City have recently had a reversal of fortunes with just one draw from their last six league and cup games. Alty's game on Saturday is the first of three successive home games for the Robins, all against top-six opposition (York, Kettering and Rushden).
For their part Alty have drawn their last three games and have won one league game in their last seven outings.
We have already managed to contact several members of the 1980 Mossley squad but are still trying to contact others.
If you know of the current whereabouts of any of the players from that season please contact mossleyweb@hotmail.com or phone Steve Tague on 01457 83 4324.
The Mossley squad in the Wembley season: John Fitton, Mike Lacey, Colin D'Arcy, Alan Brown, Dave Vaughan, Harry Pollitt, John Salter, Dave Mobley, Kevin Gorman, Jimmy O'Connor, Phil Wilson, Peter McQuade, Chris Edwards, Ian Smith, Kevan Keelan, Leo Skeete, Steve Skeete, Dave Moore".
There are a few ex-Alty names in the above list so perhaps some Robins' fans can assist.
Palle Rasmussen spoke to The Chronicle to say that the group, now known as Fodboldselskabet af 06-03-2010 Holding A/S (The Football Company), intended to apply for the Blues’ FA licence within 21 days of the club being wound up and that they had support from consortium backers who were local to Chester...
Said Rasmussen, 'The Vaughans are not involved in our plans now at all. They have had no contact with us for some time. We asked them to show us documents proving the £485,000 loan had been made and where the money had been spent before we would make an official bid, but they stalled and never came up with it. This is Plan B coming to life. We still want to involve CFU deeply in the club. The good news is that the bankruptcy means once we start up a new club, it will be debt free".
In contrast, Wrexham confirm that "Forward Simon Brown has agreed to have his contract with the club terminated with immediate effect. The former Mansfield Town man has not featured under Dean Saunders this season, although has had on a two-month loan spell with Tamworth".
According to the BBC "Forest Green vice-chairman Colin Peake says they have to become more community focused to attract new investment. Rovers have become a company limited by shareholding and will elect a new board of directors in May. Peake told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: 'Our stadium provides facilities which a lot of people use, who have no interest in football. The other arms of the football club must be attractive to the rest of the local community'.
He added: 'At a recent function 75% of the people had never been to the stadium, and that is something we have to address'. The inaugural shareholders meeting was held in February and an action group, with representatives from many factions of the club, will be meeting on Thursday. The current board of directors will remain in place until the first AGM of the Limited Company on 20 May.
The recent restructuring attracted close to £100,000 in new money but Peake says there is no reason to be complacent. 'We need to put some new structures in place on the finance side. If we don't do something now it could cause us dramatic problems in the near future'.
On the field, Rovers have confirmed that goalkeeper Danny Ireland is to stay on loan at the New Lawn from Coventry City for the rest of the
'Tom's a great lad and no one wants to see anything like that', said Dean Saunders. 'I'll be trying to speak to him tomorrow, because it's a bad injury. Frank has not meant any harm, he's slid in and Tom has come off the worse. We may have done well with 10-men for so long and the lads have battled, but the worst bit is Tom's broken [his] leg and that's more important than anything'. All Wrexham players, officials and supporters will join together in wishing him a speedy recovery."
Less sympathetic is the Daily Post which states that "Ten-man Wrexham mounted a brave second-half rearguard action at the Racecourse last night but finally had to settle for a point against Altrincham after conceding an equaliser eight minutes from the end.
In a feisty encounter, the Dragons had veteran defender Frank Sinclair dismissed – harshly it seemed – on the stroke of half-time for a challenge on former Racecourse skipper Tom Kearney who was quickly taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. The incident simmered throughout the second half, with the visitors collecting five bookings, and two Wrexham players were also cautioned as referee Steve Martin struggled to maintain control of proceedings...
The loss of Sinclair was too much of a handicap, although the match official might have evened up the numbers after the break when several nasty fouls were punished only by cautions...
The visitors, who were accused by AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown of being negative in their 1-1 draw at Kingsmeadow at the weekend, again deployed a five-man midfield, leaving Chris Senior to forage up front on his own... Altrincham, who to that point had rarely threatened, won a 22nd-minute penalty for a clumsy challenge by Spann on Senior, but the striker’s spot-kick was well saved by Sam Russell diving low to his right...
Controversy erupted... as Sinclair was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Kearney... Altrincham, who introduced striker Colin Little to reinforce their striking power, began to take control as the game went into the final quarter, but they could not push forward in numbers while Mangan was poised to pounce on the slightest error. The home crowd, who felt Sinclair had been harshly done by, reacted furiously to a scything foul by Robbie Williams on Holden just outside the penalty area when the defender was merely cautioned.
The visitors finally got on terms in the 82nd minute when Greg Young met a cross with a powerful header, and Wrexham felt cheated in the final minute when the referee waved away appeals after the big defender impeded Fleming in the penalty area in the last action of the match".
The Red Passion site has "some footage of [the] draw against Alty."
Brian Flynn has an interview with Graham Heathcote on the Alty Clubcall service, details of which are given, right.
Brian also has an article in the Sale and Altrincham Messenger which was quoted below (yesterday) from the Blue Square Football site.
A lengthy statement issued by David Aspinall, Ashton United’s chairman, says: 'Ashton United have been heartened by the messages of support that have arrived in person, via the club’s website and various other internet forums – it shows what a truly special bunch the non-league ‘family’ are… and illustrates why so many people get so much pleasure out of being involved at this level of the game. One ‘rival’ supporter was moved to create an on-line petition in support of Ashton and White, which had over 500 signatures in its first few days and is now closing in on 700 supporters. Anyone wishing to read more can do so here.
Ashton United’s legal advisors have indicated that there are legitimate grounds to launch an appeal and the club have chosen to pursue this option. The club feels that to get this verdict overturned will not only benefit Ashton United but also former player Danny White and, quite possibly, all of non-league football – as other clubs are starting to realise that they could, at some stage in the future, be in the same situation as this club unless this precedent is removed from the records.
The costs of the appeal have not yet been finalised but are likely to be in the region of around £9,000. The club also still has its day-to-day running costs to consider and, with this in mind, are asking for input from any interested parties who have ideas on how to raise money on behalf of the appeal fund... “Anyone wishing to pledge money directly in support of the cause can do so ... addressed to; Jackie Tierney, Financial Director, Ashton United FC, Hurst Cross Stadium, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8DY".
BS Football also reports that "Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth has informed his players that they will be fighting for the futures at Field Mill over the next few weeks. A number of Stags players will be out-of-contract at the end of the Blue Square Premier campaign... Holdsworth told This is Nottingham: 'We are not in a position where we can open talks right now, although I have spoken to the chairman (Andy Perry) about such matters and he has been tremendous... At the moment, it is all to play for and even those players who are under contract are fighting for their futures - because they're fighting for a place in the side'.
And Holdsworth has admitted that Chester City's recent expulsion from the Blue Square Premier has left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He added: 'A look at the (revised) table didn't make me feel good... No one here wanted it and it has probably cost us more than the other teams, but nothing is going to change it, so you have to be pragmatic'".
According to This is Sussex "Crawley Town will not be appearing in court next week after Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs admitted their mistake. The Reds were due in the High Court on March 17th over an alleged unpaid bill but the Inland Revenue have now confirmed to the club that the debt has been settled. Co-owner Susan Carter said the club had received confirmation from the HMRC that the matter would not be taken further, but said she had not received an apology. She said: 'It seems that they are allowed to make a mistake but we are not'.
Carter herself has announced she is stepping down as a director of the Reds... She said: 'I will remain a shareholder for the time being and I will continue to do what I do for the club on a day to day basis'".
"Duncan Holt says he would not swap Ebbsfleet’s unique fan ownership system for a wealthy benefactor because it would give supporters less say" reports the News Shopper. "Fans of top teams such as Manchester United have become increasingly frustrated about the way their clubs are run, but few have suggested an alternative like the one in place at Fleet. The Stonebridge Road side is the only outfit in the world which is owned by members of a website who pay a yearly £50 fee to influence key decisions like squad selection, transfer policy and club budgets...
Website MyFootballClub currently has a 75 per cent stake and has owned Fleet since 2008... Ebbsfleet chairman Holt told the News Shopper: 'What we have is stronger than Chelsea, which is owned by an individual with very deep pockets. I wouldn’t change what we have. I would much rather 4,500 passionate fans are having a say in the way the club is run than a couple of businessmen making decisions behind the scenes'.
However, not everything is rosy in the Fleet garden, as it recently emerged just 800 members have so far renewed their subscriptions out of 4,000. This has left Ebbsfleet scrabbling for cash, requiring between £250,000 and £200,000 to stay afloat... The chairman also considers Ebbsfleet to be within touching distance of Conference survival after Liam Daish’s side recently picked up a vital win against York City, as well as points at Wrexham and Kidderminster".
Blue Square Football report that "Altrincham emerged from two very difficult travelling assignments with fully deserved points at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and Wrexham on Tuesday night, but it was a serious injury to Tom Kearney (right) that was the focus of manager Graham Heathcote's attention in the aftermath of a feisty encounter in North Wales.
With Wrexham leading 1-0, former Chelsea defender, Frank Sinclair, was shown a red card for his challenge on the Altrincham captain just before the interval and that lit the touch paper both on and off the field as emotions ran exceptionally high for the remainder of the game.
Heathcote said: "People will have their own views on the challenge, but the reaction to applaud Frank Sinclair who has just been sent off and boo Tom Kearney as he is carried off on a stretcher is, at best, unacceptable and a lot of people couldn't believe what was happening. Our players were gone at half time and knowing that Tom had broken his leg meant that there was no enthusiasm for the second half. It is to their great credit that they performed so well and we were well worth a point."
The other club is Farsley Celtic who "have been disbanded after the club's administrators rejected numerous improved offers from the Palmer-Farrell consortium. Their expulsion from the Football Conference was expected to occur later this week after they failed to fulfil their last three fixtures. The Blue Square North side entered administration at the start of the season with reported debts of £750,000. The club are expected to reform next season in the Unibond First Division."
Before the game Richard Williams wrote in "The Leader" that "Andy Mangan is fit to face Altrincham at The Racecourse tonight... 'I trained yesterday and I feel fine', said Mangan. '“I thought it was serious at the time, and it does not look nice on the video. But the pitch being in the condition it was probably saved me. Even though my knee gave way my foot has gone into the ground so that helped. I did a lot of squats with the Forest Green physio when I was banned so maybe that helped'". As for the draw with Ebbsfleet at the weekend, Mangan said “I thought we played well, the first half was really good. We should have put them to bed and then if it is 3-0 or 4-0 and you concede, it doesn’t matter. The attacking players need to take responsibility for that... We have just got to go again and try and score goals against Altrincham... If I can get ten or more in the 24 games I think I can play this season, I think it will be a success personally".
Also before Tuesday's game, the Daily Post said that Dean Saunders "reckons everyone knows what to expect from visiting boss Graham Heathcote and his players. 'They are a good team who stick five men across the back and are hard to play against', he said. 'They will try and catch us on the break so we might have to be patient, but if we play like we did at Altrincham recently I’ll settle for that every day of the week because I thought we were excellent... We have to go out now and beat Altrincham. They have some good players that a lot of teams would take, but from my point of view we played well on Saturday, we looked dangerous and we had our chances... I’m already having thoughts about what is going to happen next season and I have earmarked a couple of players I would like to sign. The fans here have seen another year of this league and will have formed their opinions of what is needed and I think we have to bring in players who will do us a job in this league... The teams above us have to lose games, but that’s not impossible', he said. 'And although it hasn’t happened this season there is no reason why, with a bit of luck, we couldn’t win 10 on the trot'".
Right: the Man who Never Was; Danny Edwards, seen here with Tom Kearney, played for Altrincham this season - or did he? Read on....
According to the Football Conference "Chester City (2004) FC, having not lodged any appeal in respect of their removal from the competition, their playing record has been expunged with immediate effect. A new calculated table is being circulated via the Press Association this afternoon as the official record to be used by all the media and member clubs from this date.
Due to the fact that ALL goals involved in those matches played to date are also expunged, it means that those players having scored goals in matches against Chester City in the Blue Square Premier also see them expunged from the record books.
This is to maintain fairness and consistency in relation to the player winning the "Golden Boot" award at the end of the season in the Blue Square Premier. Goals scored in FA Cup or FA Trophy ties are not so affected and will remain in those competitions."
This website's amended table is here. Colin Little loses two of his four goals this season courtesy of the Conference ruling, whilst Robbie Williams and Chris Senior also lose a goal apiece. However, this site's appearance and goalscoring statistics have not been changed.
A quirk of the Conference ruling is that Danny Edwards (right) now officially never played a game for Alty. His only Altrincham appearance, on loan from Port Vale, was the home game against Chester.
NL Daily reports that "After their expulsion from the Blue Square Premier, Chester City are understood to have enquired about joining the Principality Welsh Premier. A spokesman for the League confirmed there had been interest from owner Stephen Vaughan, although it is highly unlikely that Chester could even comply with the deadlines for the FA of Wales domestic licence.
City are due back in the High Court on Wednesday to face a winding-up order over £26,125 owed to HM Revenue & Customs. Meanwhile, The New Saints will not be ground-sharing with Chester next season after failing to supply a draft agreement before the FAW`s March 1st deadline".
"Crawley Town can confirm that Matthew Langston has joined on an emergency loan from rivals Histon... at least until Sunday, 18th April 2010. Sussex-born Langston, 28, has been outstanding for Histon and can be regarded as a major scoop for manager Steve Evans, especially given the current injury crisis at the Broadfield Stadium. Evans said: 'I am grateful to Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter sanctioning the loan signing but they could see we were down to the bare bones. I would like to add one other but that will be a decision for later in the week'".
Right: Greg Young and Robbie Williams show their commitment in the game at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
BSP fixtures
'I wanted to walk off the pitch on Saturday, but the medical people were concerned that I didn't do any more damage, so that's why I was taken off on a stretcher', said Andy. 'It was certainly sore, but by the time I had woken up on Sunday morning, it felt so much better. I have been able to join in training as normal today and haven't felt any adverse reaction, so I'm looking forward to facing Altrincham'".
Ahead of the game, the Daily Post says that "For the second successive match they contrived to be the authors of their own misfortune. They squandered the fruits of a hard-earned superiority against visitors Ebbsfleet United due to a combination of missed opportunities to put the outcome beyond doubt and a collective attack of nerves that allowed their stubborn opponents to believe they might actually depart the Racecourse having purloined more than the point that was pretty much handed to them on a plate". This was also "a Dragons team that the previous weekend had absolutely battered Salisbury City for virtually 90 minutes before dropping two points to a dubious penalty...
In the last 10 games alone since the turn of the year, they have lost only twice, but the eight points dropped in four draws might have put a very different complexion on the final few weeks of their campaign...
Andy Fleming, the midfield player – whose consistent level of performance has been one of the few positives this season – kept on probing and pushing... The final whistle was greeted with resignation by the home fans who tend to be a cynical bunch at the best of times, but have seen it all before".
Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote invited Dan and Niall into the team dressing room before the match and told his players: 'We want you to give your all for 90 minutes this afternoon - these lads have bust their guts on their bikes for three days to get here to support you'. The players produced an excellent performance to come away with a 1-1 draw against an AFC Wimbledon team that are pushing hard for promotion to the Football League via the play-offs".
TASC Football Predictions Competition 2010 - Update
Following on from the rearrangement of our home game with York City, this game has now been removed from the TASC Football Predictions Competition and replaced by Wigan v Arsenal. Updated entry forms are available to download from the forum, or can be collected from the TASC stand of the club shop at the upcoming home games against York City and Kettering. Please note that the closing date for all entries is Friday, March 19th. Through-out the competition, weekly updates will appear both on the website and on the forum
Details of the scheme are below...
Think that you are Altrincham's top tipster? Want the chance to win some money for your predictions?
TASC is launching its first ever football prediction competition.
The rules are simple:
A league table will be updated on the website and forum each week. Entry into the competition costs £5. The winner will receive 20% of the income, the runner up will recieve 15% of the income, 3rd place will recieve 10% of the income and, one selected place will win their £5 stake back. The remainder of the income will go to TASC. Please note that where entrants finish level on points, the number of 100% correct results will be used as the tie-breaker.
How do you enter?
Simply either download a entry form, or pick up an entry form from the TASC stand of the club shop at the home against Kettering on March 16th. Completed entries should be returned to me no later than FRIDAY MARCH 19th. The first matches take place on Saturday March 20th.
Thomas told United’s website, 'We have kept a very tight squad all season, and while others have squads of 25-30 plus, we have always been in and around the 20-21 mark... To be able to add a player like Lewis at this stage of the season to our squad is great, as Lewis has been there and seen what we expect to see in this last set of games'...
Chalmers, a former Manchester City youth team player, started his [semi-]professional career at Altrincham and went on to make 73 appearances for the Cheshire outfit, scoring six times... He became an important figure in the Shots’ Conference and FA Trophy-winning squad, making 99 appearances scoring four goals...
Chalmers admitted 'I have been really impressed with what Chris Wilder is building here. I know six or seven of the lads already and they have all told me the same thing: that the manager will get the best out of you here, and you will want to run through walls for him'".
The Cambridge News says that "Matt Langston has agreed to go out on loan to Crawley Town until April 18. Langston, along with four other senior players currently negotiating new deals at the Glass World Stadium, were dropped for Saturday 0-0 draw with Gateshead and the Histon skipper's departure was confirmed by the club today. A statement from Histon said: 'All parties concerned are pleased with the outcome'.
"The five key players sensationally dropped from Histon's clash with Gateshead on Saturday will not feature in tomorrow night's match at Tamworth, and may have played their last games for the club. Manager Alan Lewer made that clear after his shock decision to axe skipper Matt Langston, Danny Wright, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Lanre Oyebanjo and Bradley Hudson-Odoi because of the contracts stalemate. 'It's come to a point now when we had to take a stand and tell people that nobody is bigger than the club', said Lewer. 'We had a meeting on Friday and decided to leave these players out and let them have a week to consider their futures. The contracts they've been offered are decent contracts, some are as good as in League Two, but they are asking for more and more and we can't give it... I've spoken to other managers at full-time clubs and they can't afford these players. The players have to consider that because at the end of the season there are going to be about 3,000 players in the stew looking for new clubs'.
It shows you the sort of money that's been paid out at Histon over the last few years. And if we don't address it now we'll be in trouble... 'The supporters were magnificent, they really got behind the lads, and these players deserved their chance. They are young, they are learning the game and I couldn't fault their effort'... As well as the five players dropped on Saturday, reserve goalkeeper Joe Welch has also been told he will not be selected while he is in dispute with the club about his contract".
NL News 24 says that "Elliott Charles is looking to repay the faith shown in him by manager Lee Harper and help fire the poppies into League Two. Charles has joined Kettering on a short term loan until the end of the season having impressed Harper during a trial at the club.
The 6ft 2in striker was released by Barnet earlier in the season, and while the 20-year-old is ready to do the job his boss wants, Charles is hoping to deliver a bit more. 'I am very pleased to get a deal here', he tells northantset.co.uk. 'I have been training with the squad for just over a month now so I know the lads and I feel I had done well enough to get something... The gaffer told me he was looking for a big target man who could get up there and hold the ball up. But that’s not all I am. I will give him what he wants and hopefully give him even more'".
The Salisbury Journal says that "Salisbury City skipper Darrell Clarke has agreed a new deal on the eve of a return to his hometown club Mansfield Town. Clarke will stay with the Whites for at least another season, and his new deal includes extra responsibilities. The 32-year-old will develop his Football in the Community role, and also assist the club’s new commercial manager Ken Wilde...
And Mikey Thomas "still registered as a player, but [a] qualified coach will now take on a more hands-on role with the reserve team as well as continuing to assist Tommy Widdrington in training and on matchdays... 'I’m going to look to raise the standards of nutrition, hydration and things like that among the players – just trying to help make the club as professional as possible', he said...
Said Widdrington, 'He deserves a huge amount of credit for helping with pre-season training, hydration strategies and individual fitness and strengthening programmes'. Highly-regarded sports therapist James Grigg has [also] been added to the backroom staff. The 25-year-old will head a restructured physio department, leading Kev Bushby and Conrad Parrott. .. 'The restructuring of our medical staff will undoubtedly improve performance on the pitch', said Widdrington".
Also "Work has also begun on installing the club’s new floodlights".
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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.
Copyright 1999 to date: ©
Compiled by John
Laidlar
Counter at 1/1/2002: 69,547
At 1/1/2003: 178,589
At 1/1/2004: 296,757
At 1/1/2005: 456,114
At 1/1/2006: 697,566
At 1/1/2007: 1,001,771
At 1/1/2008: 1,385,722
At 1/1/2009: 2,036,148
At 1/1/2010: 2,648,522
