Formerly no. 27
Antonio is a former Manchester United striker/ wide player. Known as "Anton", he joined United at the age of 12 and reached their reserve side. He was signed by the Reds on professional forms in summer 2008 but was allowed to leave Old Trafford in summer 2009. He joined Altrincham on 23 October 2009 and was an unused sub the next day at Mansfield in the FA Cup. He started against Oxford United in the BSP on 31 October but after opting to go for a trial at a League One club in preference to playing a Cheshire Senior Cup tie for Altrincham on 10 November, he was released. Appearances for Altrincham: 1.
Formerly no. 25
On 22 September 2009, Alty signed Aaron Burns as an emergency one-month loan from Northwich Victoria. As early as October 2007, Graham Heathcote had tried to sign Burns, a former Manchester United trainee (released in June 2007), who had moved to Old Trafford from Wythenshawe Amateurs. As Aaron had then moved on to Afturelding, an Icelandic second division side and also Cardiff City, Altrincham even obtained international clearance for him - only to find that the FA would not allow him to sign for the Robins till January 2008. The FA deemed him to be of amateur status and therefore ineligible to join a BSP Premier side till the transfer window reopened. Instead of joining Alty, Burns went off to FC United who, being lower down the Pyramid, were allowed to sign him. FCUM released him in January 2008 and Aaron then moved on to Northwich Vics on an 18-month deal. Burns had therefore played for Alty before this season, featuring in a friendly against Ashton United at the time of the collapse of his move to Moss Lane in 2007.
Aaron made his Alty debut against Tamworth on 22 September 2009 but suffered a four-inch head wound against Gateshead on 29 September which sidelined him for a game. His loan was extended for a further month in mid-October but he then returned to Northwich after the game at Chester on 21 November. Appearances for Altrincham: 6(+3), 1 goal.
Formerly no. 8
Altrincham FC signed Welsh under-21 international midfielder Matty Crowell on 10 July 2009. His previous club was Northwich Victoria but he had begun his career at Southampton. Then, following a trial at Bristol City, he spent four years with Wrexham (2003-07) where he still lives. He signed for Northwich in January 2008 and made 52+4 league appearances for the Vics, scoring five goals. In late May 2009, Matty was having trials in Australia for Sydney Olympic and after just five games for Altrincham, on 28 August 2009 he accepted an offer to go back Down Under and play for Central Coast Mariners in the Australian "A League". He had looked to be forming a promising central midfield partnership at Altrincham with Tom Kearney during his short stay. Photo, www.altrinchamfc.com Appearances for Altrincham: 5, (1 goal).
Formerly no. 17
Altrincham signed Danny Edwards on a month's loan from League Two club, Port Vale on 30 August 2009. Danny had signed a 12-month professional contract with Vale in summer 2009. Danny has also some experience as a striker and a defender though central midfield is his main position. He graduated through Port Vale's youth team, which reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in 2007 and which also won the Midland Cup in 2007-2008. Danny made his Alty debut against Chester City on 31 August 2009 but suffered an injury in that game which sidelined him for the rest of his loan period. He returned to Port Vale. Appearances for Altrincham: 1, (0 goals)
Formerly no. 20
Danny was originally signed on first-team forms by Altrincham on 30 August 2006, following impressive displays for the Reserves. However, he did not appear for the first-team before leaving when the Reserves were disbanded. He followed Reserves' manager Neil Brown to Leek Town and then Abbey Hey. He was re-signed for Altrincham by Graham Heathcote in 2008 and made his debut as a substitute striker in a Setanta Shield match against Wrexham on 4th November 2008. A tall, versatile player who can operate on the left and up front, as well as in central defence or midfield, Danny has a strong left-foot shot. Prior to joining Altrincham Reserves, Danny had played in local South Manchester football for Fletcher Moss FC.
Danny made his Alty league debut when he started the game at Barrow on 11 August 2009. After three starts and seven further sub appearances he was allowed to join New Mills in early October 2009, though his Conference registration remained at Moss Lane. Appearances for Altrincham: 3(+8) (0 goals).
Formerly no.15
Altrincham signed Southport right-back Chris Lane on non-contract terms in late June 2007. Chris was born in Liverpool on 24th May 1979 and began his career, under the YTS Scheme, at Everton. In three years with the Toffees, he made 17 appearances for the reserve team. From Everton he moved, in 1998, to Hereford United in summer 1998 and made 57(+8) appearances for them. Southport's Mark Wright then acquired him for a fee of £12,000 in January 2001. After Southport had been relegated from the Conference in 2003, he moved up the coast to Morecambe in May, making his debut at Christie Park in August, 2003. The Shrimps released him in January 2004 and he next joined Leigh RMI, for two appearances, before moving on to Chester City in February 2004 as they went on to win the Conference title that season. He then went back to Leigh RMI in June 2004, making 40 appearances in 2004-05 before returning to Haig Avenue in May 2005, where he made 67(+4) appearances and was voted Port's Player of the Year last season.
Chris started the 2007-08 season against Exeter City on 11 August 2007 having already made 287 Conference appearances, the most of any current player at that time in the Blue Square Premier. After being an ever-present for Alty he moved to the bench for much of the second half of the 07-08 season but made important appearances playing in the hole in front of the back four. Chris is a very reliable defender with a strong will to win and he can also play at centre-back. He was released at the end of the 2008-09 season and joined Vauxhall Motors. Career appearances for Altrincham: 77+12, 3 goals.
Formerly no.4
Centre-back Mark McGregor signed for Altrincham on 27 July 2008. Mark played for Port Vale last season and has more than 400 League appearances to his credit. It was for his first club, Wrexham, that he made the majority of those appearances (244), between 1995 and 2001. He then went on a free transfer in 2001 to Turf Moor but after 54 games for Burnley (2001-04), he moved to Blackpool (59 games between 2004 and 2006). Next, he played 66 times for Port Vale (2006-08). He joined Altrincham after a trial at Mansfield Town during the summer.
Mark was born at Chester on February 16, 1977. He made his debut for Altrincham in a friendly at Stalybridge on 25 July 2008 and his league debut on 9 August 2008 and established himself as a very reliable and efficient regular in the back-line. In the absence of the injured Robbie Lawton, Mark captained the side either side of Christmas 2008 and was ever-present until sidelined by injury in March 2009.
On the eve of the new season, Mark uexpectedly left to join GAP Connah's Quay, in the Welsh Premier, as player-manager on 28 July 2009. Career appearances for Altrincham: 49(+1), 1 goal.
Formerly no. 22
Altrincham signed 18 year-old Manchester United reserve right-back Scott Moffatt on a month's loan on 31 August 2009 and he made his first start for Altrincham later that day, against Chester City. By coincidence, before signing Scott had only returned to action in a game played at Moss Lane the previous week. That game, for Manchester United Reserves, ended Scott's 18-month absence from the game due to knee surgery. In that game, he came on as a substitute and scored as United Reserves beat Bury Reserves 5-0. Scott signed as a scholar at MUFC in July 2007 and was a member of the United team which won the Champions' Youth Cup in 2007, and was also in the side which reached the FA Youth Cup final in 2006/07. However, Scott injured his thigh muscle in his second outing for Alty and was unable to play again before his loan expired. Appearances for Altrincham: 2, (0 goals)
Formerly no. 8
Altrincham announced the signing of former Rochdale striker Clive Moyo-Modise on 12 February 2010. Clive had previously played in South Africa for Premier Soccer League club, Bidvest Wits, where he was deployed as a winger. He has played for South Africa under-23s and was included in training for South Africa's national team in early 2008. But he began his career at the Spotland club in 2005, for whom he made 2 + 26 first-team appearances. A pacey wide man, Clive asked to leave Altrincham to seek regular first-team football and was released in mid-March 2010. He briefly returned in pre-season 2010-11 but was not taken on again. Appearances for Altrincham: 0(+4), 0 goals. Picture courtesy of John Cawthorne.
Formerly no.12
Altrincham's Player of the Year for 2006-07, Joe signed for Alty from York City in June 2006, He is a Blackburn-born striker who was at Preston North End from 2001 to 2005, during which time he made two sub appearances for the Deepdale first XI. However, he also gained league experience on loan at Bury (2003/04, 10 starts +13 sub. appearances), Mansfield Town (2004/05, 3+12) and Chester City (2004/05, 5+6). He joined York City for the 2005-06 season and scored for them against Alty in the match at Kit Kat Crescent in 2005-06 season, having earlier hit a hat-trick on his York debut against Southport. In all, Joe netted five goals for York in the Conference that season, making 25(+12) appearances in the Conference and one in the FA Cup for the Minstermen before his release in summer 2006. At Moss Lane he started 2006-07 as Colin Little's regular strike partner and generally played in that position though also occasionally turning out in wide midfield. Though not a prolific goalscorer, Joe is accomplished at holding the ball up and his workrate is excellent. Outside football, Joe is a student. In 2007-08 and 2008-09 Joe has played often from the bench but has still weighed in with some important goals. He had a minor knee operation in late October 2008 and was unable to regain a regular place, starting just 4 BSP games in 08/09. Joe was released at the end of the 08/09 season on 9 May 2009 and joined Stalybridge Celtic. Career appearances for Altrincham: 79+49, 19 goals.
Formerly no. 27
The son of Altrincham and England semi-pro international, John Owens, Andrew joined Altrincham on 13 November 2009. A centre-half or left-back, he had joined Stafford Rangers in August 2009 from the Glen Hoddle Soccer School in Spain. However, he had started out as a youngster at Liverpool, before moving to Stoke City. In early 2008, a period of work experience was spent at Leek Town before he moved to Marston Road. After a period away with the Hoddle School, Andy was released in late January, 2010 and joined Rhyl. Career appearances for Altrincham: 0+2.
Formerly no. 21
Andrew Pearson, a Manchester-born centre-half, released by Wigan Athletic, was signed by Altrincham on 30 August 2009. Andrew was a mainstay of Wigan's youth team for two seasons and also made regular reserve appearances for the Latics. He played his junior football in Urmston as a striker, a role which took him to Bolton Wanderers. There he moved to central midfield before developing as a centre-back at Wigan. Andrew made his Alty debut as a substitute at Kettering on 5 September 2009. He was released in late January 2010 and, with Andy Owens, joined Rhyl. Career appearances for Altrincham: 1+5.
Formerly no.11
Warren is a tall left-sided midfielder/defender, signed by Altrincham on 11 November 2005 after a spell out of the game. He had previously been with Leigh RMI and before that he had experience at Rochdale, Bury, Doncaster Rovers and Nuneaton Borough. Whilst at Nuneaton, he was in the England semi-pro team. Warren made his Alty debut in central midfield on 12 November 2005 against Exeter City but was then suspended after a sending off at Forest Green. Warren has a fierce shot and is a useful taker of free-kicks and corners. For much of his Alty career he has played at left-back rather than his preferred position in left midfield. In 2007-08 he occasionally played in central midfield as well as on the left. Warren, a bricklayer by trade, built the 2007 turnstile block at the Golf Road End at Moss Lane. He is one of the fittest players at the club and, despite losing his place as new players arrived for the start of 2008-09, he deservedly regained it early in the campaign, only to be an irregular starter once more by the latter part of the campaign. Warren was released at the end of the 08/09 season and joined Stalybridge Celtic. Career appearances for Altrincham: 149+27, 8 goals
Formerly no. 26
Sam, who has captained Bolton Wanderers' reserves and has played for Ireland under-19s, joined Altrincham as an emergency loan from the Trotters on 22 September 2009. He had played against Alty, being in the Wanderers' squad for a friendly at Moss Lane in 2006. Sam made his Alty debut against Tamworth on 22 September 2009 and impressed with his skill and energy. He played 4(+1) games for Altrincham before his loan expired and he returned to the Reebok Stadium. Career appearances for Altrincham: 4+1, 0 goals
Formerly no. 24
Altrincham made the non-contract signing of Tejal-Ross Thaker, a left-sided midfielder on 4 September 2009. Ross is also registered in the UniBond League at Ashton United. He was formerly at Oldham Athletic but was released in summer, 2008 at which point he joined Leigh Genesis. A move to Witton Albion followed before he returned to Leigh in November 2008 and then Ashton United. Ross made his Alty debut as a sub at Cambridge United on 8 September 2009 before being allowed to return to Ashton at the start of October 2009. However, he re-appeared as an unused sub against Mansfield in the FA Cup on 24 October 2009 but was released in December 2009. Career appearances for Altrincham: 0+2