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NEXT MATCH
BROMLEY (Away)
Sunday, 28 April, 2024, at NB 4pm
Vanarama National League Promotion Play-Off Semi-Final

ALTY HEADLINES

OTHER HEADLINES

27 April 2024

NEXT: BROMLEY

Tomorrow, Altrincham have their first Sunday game since New Year's Day 2023 when a trip to The Shay ended in a 2-2 draw against FC Halifax Town.

Press and media officer John Edwards writes on the Altrincham FC website that "Phil Parkinson admits he's been 'blown away' by the level of support Altrincham can count on ... for the club's first-ever Vanarama National League play-off tie [at Bromley]...

Within a couple of days of tickets being made available, the entire away allocation was sold out. It means over 700 Alty fans, not far off the average home gate when Phil and Neil Sorvel walked through the door at The J.Davidson Stadium seven years ago, will be heading to Hayes Lane ...

'I remember how difficult it was to get 700 inside the ground for a Northern Premier League game when we first arrived, so to have that many following us for a National League play-off semi-final is full tribute to the giant strides the board, the team and everyone connected with the club have made.

'I feel nothing but pride at what we have achieved, but we are well aware there is a huge challenge facing us... they are perennial play-off contenders...

'Fourth place in this league is a phenomenal achievement for Altrincham, but we don't want it to stop now'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS

Right: Lewis Baines will lead Altrincham into their play-off matches after James Jones (captain) and Isaac Marriott (vice-captain) both had their seasons curtailed by injury.

National League Play-Off Semi-Finals

Saturday, 27 April 2024

Sunday, 28 April 2024

National League North Play-Off Semi-Finals

Saturday, 27 April 2024

Sunday, 28 April 2024

National League South Play-Off Semi-Finals

Saturday, 27 April 2024

Sunday, 28 April 2024

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Halifax Courier reports that "manager Chris Millington says he needs a break but isn't sure he'll get one due to the work involved in rebuilding Town's squad...

'My only little bit of concern is I don't know if I'm going to get that because the fact we've not got promoted means we'll lose a significant number of players again and to replace them is a massive amount of work, a massive amount of time, travelling around, meeting players, persuading them to come and play for Halifax Town.

'We can't just throw money at them, we have to sell the club, we have to sell what we're going to do because coming to us means they'll get paid less than they would do going elsewhere. So I've just got to be sure that I've got the energy to go and do that again...

'We haven't had a break, we haven't had a rest, we haven't had a holiday... Everybody needs a rest....

'We've got to sort out contract offers for the lads out of contract and we've got to begin conversations... with potential targets,' he said...

'I'm sure when I've sat down, reflected and taken a bit of time, I'll feel that actually we should be pleased with what we've done this season'" concluded the Shaymen's manager.

Ebbsfleet United have issued their "retained list on the conclusion of the 2023/24 season. Six players remain under contract heading into the new campaign, four loanees return to their parent clubs, 12 are engaged in ongoing negotiations with the club and eight have not been offered renewed playing terms on the expiry of their contracts.

The following players remain under contract with EUFC.

The following loan players have returned to their parent club and we are grateful for the excellent service they gave in their time at the Kuflink Stadium...

The following players are in talks with the club and we will update supporters throughout the close season...

And finally, the following players’ contracts expire this summer and they have not been offered renewed playing terms. It goes without saying how grateful we are for their contributions...

Having just missed out on participating in the play-offs, Aldershot Town "confirm that four players have signed new contracts with the Shots!

Ashley Akpan, Christian Maghoma, Hady Ghandour and Oliver Turner have all put pen to paper to commit to the Shots for the 24/25 season.

Christian Maghoma and Hady Ghandour both suffered with injury problems during the 23/24 seaso... having returned to fitness towards the end of the campaign.

Ashley Akpan and Oliver Turner have yet to make their first-team debuts for the Shots...

Tommy Widdrington said... 'Both Ollie (Turner) and Ashley (Akpan) have trained with the first-team group for the vast majority of the season, looking very much at home when doing so... They’ve both genuinely been considered to play on many occasions this past campaign...

'Both Christian and Hady have been particularly unfortunate with serious injuries but both want to prove... that they have a great deal to offer Aldershot Town FC. The older lads will literally feel like ‘new signings’ to me'...

Hady Ghandour said... 'It’s an honour to be offered another year at Aldershot and I always wanted to remain here and show what I can do when I’m healthy, so I’m already looking forward to pre season and I’m raring to go.”

Christian Maghoma said... 'From the owner, the gaffer, staff, the players and fans, every single one of you have made me feel at home even though I spent pretty much all of the season out: I truly thank you all for that'".

26 April 2024

COUNCIL'S BEST WISHES

Trafford MBC reports that "Everyone at Trafford Council would like to wish Altrincham FC the best of luck in their Vanarama National League play-off semi-final match this Sunday...

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: 'We wish Altrincham FC the very best of luck when they travel to Bromley for the semi-final match. Whatever the result, the club and players can be extremely proud of what they have achieved in the competition. Well done to the Robins.'"

NEXT: BROMLEY

On Sunday afternoon (4pm) Altrincham play what is their biggest league match ever when they face Bromley in the play-off semi-final with the prize being a game at Wembley which will have them just one further game from a belated place in the Football League.

Right: Damian Reeves is submerged beneath team-mates after opening the scoring at Bromley in Alty's first visit to Hayes Lane in November 2015.

As is well-known, Altrincham twice won the Football Alliance, the forerunner of the National League, but were denied a place in the Football League by the old boys' club of the re-election system.

Nowadays, of course, winning that title would have conferred automatic promotion to the Football League.

Sunday's match is the sixth clash of Altrincham and Bromley at the Ravens' home ground. Nowadays the ground has an artificial surface. The previous five games have ended evenly with a win apiece and three draws being played out. Even the goal tallies are exactly the same, each side having scored seven times in the five meetings.

Altrincham's previous meetings at Hayes Lane ended as follows:

So, the overall statistics for each side are:

THE PLAY-OFF EXPERIENCE

FC Halifax Town tell us that, in the play-offs, "Our local play-off trip to Altrincham was scrapped after an outcry from football fans who had correctly pointed out to the League that Alty finished higher up the table than Solihull...

It all meant that our casual trip across the Pennines after work turned into a 133-mile mad dash during rush hour for another early kick-off to meet the wonderful television schedules...

We were allocated some open-air seating in one of those build your own football stand flatpacks you can buy from any good DIY store. You just need an Allen key and an instruction manual.

The approximate 600 travelling Shaymen were also given a small section of otherwise empty terracing behind the goal. This space was soon trebled when the fans took it upon themselves to allocate more room. Fans had travelled from far and wide and weren’t prepared to be restricted into a corner. Organisation at its finest...

The long and sustained reception for the players and management at full time by the travelling fans was richly deserved. It wasn’t just about the result, it was recognition of what this group of people have achieved this season..

Driving back, and we reflected on a decent season. There was progression from last year..

If Gateshead had been allowed to play, would we have beaten Alty? Possibly, we often do well against them. Would we have beaten all the teams, perhaps not...

Miles on the road 7616, goals on the road 29".

ALTY OLD BOYS

"Fleetwood United’s celebrations on becoming second division champions in the United Arab Emirates could not be dampened even by a freak thunderstorm in Dubai. 'I’ve never seen anything like it,' the captain Ben Pringle told The Guardian. 'It was the most rain they have had for 75 years. Cars were underwater on the motorway'.

This is not supposed to happen in the glittering city of skyscrapers and excitement but then Fleetwood Town, a club that have just dropped into England’s fourth tier, are not really supposed to be at the head of a stable of international clubs that also includes Waterford FC in Ireland and Western Cape Fleetwood in South Africa.

'It is similar to the City Football Group but on a much smaller scale,' Pringle (left) says. 'We are trying to find those players from parts of the world like Senegal or Canada then potentially send them to England or Ireland if they are good enough.'

Trading players is a big part of the business plan according, to club secretary Will Watt. 'Since Brexit that has become more difficult in Europe,' Watt says. 'One way to negate that is to open clubs in other territories, develop players under your banner and to either sell them to clubs in other countries or when they are 18, bring them to England where they can add real value'...

Fleetwood’s Middle East outpost [is] where the clear blue skies have offered a new start for Pringle. The 35-year-old accepted the offer that came his way in 2023 after 15 years in the lower leagues in England – many games came for Rotherham United but there were spells at Fulham, Ipswich and Derby. He made the move from Altrincham last year.

'Mentally, I was done,' Pringle says. 'It’s just doing it for that long, week in, week out, sitting on the same bus on the away trips, listening to the same voices and hearing the same cliches. Now, this is the most I have loved football in 10 years. I feel like I am 21 now, looking forward to training and all of it...

'I thought it may be like Sunday league but it is much better,' says Pringle".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

An excellent article in Tyneside's Chronicle Live tells us "Why Gateshead Council wants the International Stadium off the books...

Put simply, the Labour-run council says it can no longer afford to run the stadium... at a time when it is facing a £50 million budget shortfall over the next five years...

The stadium is among remaining leisure sites across the town that the council is seeking to contract out to a private operator.

Subsidising Gateshead International Stadium has cost the council £4.2 million over the last five years...

The council has cautioned that the stadium is in need of £4 million of repairs over the next decade and...it will cost the council at least £11 million to keep open in that time...

Gateshead Council says it agreed to give the football club a 10-year licence at the stadium if they gained promotion but, crucially, this would have included a break clause whereby the club would negotiate new terms if the operation of the stadium does indeed transfer to a new operator, as it is expected to. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that the council has not offered to make it a condition of any future leisure operator’s contract that Gateshead FC must be retained as a tenant....

In late 2022... the GMB union argued that the stadium needed to be considered for closure too, calling it a 'white elephant'...

If the council fails to find an operator, there will be major doubts over how long it could continue to run the stadium itself – hence why it has been unable to offer a cast-iron guarantee to the EFL".

Several clubs have now issued their retained players lists.

The Oldham Chronicle says that "A number of experienced players will leave Latics when their contracts exprire in June.

The club has now announced its retained list...

Among players departing Boundary Park at the end of the season are Hallam Hope, after three years, 10-goal Mike Fondop and Dan Gardner...

Latics players still in contract: Tom Conlon, Joe Garner, Oliver Hammond, Shaun Hobson, Liam Hogan, Matt Hudson, Mark Kitching, Josh Lundstram, Kofi Moore, Magnus Norman, James Norwood, Joe Nuttall, Charlie Raglan, Alex Reid, Mark Shelton, Nathan Sheron, Will Sutton, Dan Ward, Kurt Willoughby.

Out of contract (June 2024): Llyton Chapman, Frazer Cookson, Benny Couto, Brennan Dickenson, Mike Fondop, Jake Forshaw, Dan Gardner, Devarn Green, Hallam Hope, Oliver Kilner, Dan Langley, Harrison McGahey, Ben Tollitt, Jordan Windass".

Meanwhile at relegated Boreham Wood their retained list comprises:

"Under Contract: Nathan Ashmore, David Agbontohoma, Cameron Coxe, Chris Bush, Jack Payne, Mo Sagaf, Tom Whelan, Charles Clayden, Lee Ndlovu, Kwesi Appiah...

Out of Contract: Two players have left the club in Jamal Fyfield and Erico Sousa...

Talks Ongoing: We are at present still in talks with Femi Ilesanmi, Tyrone Marsh and Angelo Balanta".

And two players who have worn the Alty shirt have been released at AFC Fylde. They are Danny Whitehead and Tom Walker.

The Coasters "confirm which players are under contract ahead of the 2024/25 season, and those who will be departing Mill Farm...

Players Under Contract for 24/25

Nick Haughton, Danny Ormerod, Daniel Philliskirk, Theo Richardson, Adam Long

Option Years Activated for 24/25

Owen Evans, Taelor O’Kane, Jon Ustabasi

Offered New Contract or in Negotiations for 24/25

Connor Barrett, Luke Charman, Harry Davis, Bryce Hosannah, Josh Kay, Emeka Obi

Released

Pierce Bird, Luke Conlan, Kieran Glynn, Sam Graham, Ashley Hunter, Chris Neal, Joe Rowley, Tom Walker, Danny Whitehead"

25 April 2024

NEXT: BROMLEY

Altrincham face Bromley on Sunday in the Promotion Play-Off semi-Final. Bromley have announced that the match is already a complete sell-out, in contrast to the far from full stadium at the eliminator match at Solihull last night.

For those unable to attend, the match at Bromley is being televised live by TNT Sports. The game kicks off at 4pm.

The Ravens have been in the National League since 2015 and had consistently finished between seventh and fourteenth every season before their third-placed finish this season.

Last season Bromley were also in the play-offs but lost 3-2 to Chesterfield at the semi-final stage. In that game, which went to extra-time, they played with ten men from the 75th minute.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS

National League Play-Off Eliminator

Wednesday, 24 April

National League Play-Off Eliminators

Wednesday, 24 April

National League South Play-Off Eliminators

Wednesday, 24 April

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan reports thst in National North after last night's goalless epic at Alfreton, it was a not dissimilar story on Wednesday night at Chorley.

Visitors Curzon Ashton had JOSH OLLERENSHAW (right) in goal, and player-manger CRAIG MAHON was also in the starting lineup; he was booked in the first half, and then gave way to HAYDEN CAMPBELL in extra time after 109 minutes.

Goalless after the extra half-hour, the match went to penalties. OLLERENSHAW saved the first penalty in the shootout, but his opposite number did likewise.

Unfortunately for Curzon, CAMPBELL saw Chorley keeper Urwin save his penalty, Curzon's fourth, and Chorley netted their last kick to win 4-2 and earn a semi-final away to Brackley Town.

And the following NLN news relates to Tuesday night's games, with apologies for the delay owing to a lapse by the Alty Files and not Phil Jordan!

KENNEDY DIGIE (left) was in Alfreton Town's starting XI in their home playoff quarter final against Boston United. LEWIS SALMON came off the home bench after 90+7 minutes, but despite 10 added minutes, the tie was still goalless and went into extra time. Boston brought on MICHAEL GYASI midway through the first period, while HARRY PERRITT joined the fray from the hosts' bench with 8 minutes remaining.

The two added minutes signalled at the end of extra time eventually stretched to twice that, but the deadlock could not be resolved and the tie went to penalties - Boston manager Ian Culverhouse could not organise his troops, having been sent off late in extra time. LEWIS SALMON netted the third Alfreton kick, but HARRY PERRITT missed their fifth kick. MICHAEL GYASI converted for the Pilgrims, and their 5-4 shoot out win earned them a semi final at Scunthorpe United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Eastleigh "announce that Kelvin Davis has signed a new, three-year deal with the Spitfires...until the end of the 2026/27 season...

During his initial tenure, the 47-year-old secured 20 points in 13 games including five clean sheets... Danny Butterfield will support Davis as he remains at the club as the first-team assistant manager...

Chairman Stewart Donald said... 'Clearly, we have had a period working together and it clear that there is a huge desire from both Kelvin and Danny to bring success to Eastleiggh... We very much see this as a long term appointment.

Kelvin has a clear vision of how we need to progress the football club and deliver long term success'...

Kelvin Davis said... 'The project at Eastleigh FC is a big one'...

Following the announcement of Kelvin Davis extending his stay with the Spitfires, Eastleigh "can confirm our Released & Retained List for the 2024/25 campaign.

For a left-wing spin on the play-off fiasco, the Gateshead Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) writes that "When does a dream season, Gateshead FC finishing 6th in the league and qualifying for the play-offs and reaching the FA Trophy final at Wembley, turn into a nightmare? Answer: when Gateshead Council is your landlord...

Gateshead Council alone, as the owner of the Gateshead International Stadium (GIS), is responsible for this disaster. Only the council has the power to grant a ten-year lease to the club. They have deliberately chosen not to do so.

Nobody would argue that the GIS is a perfect venue for football. It has faults that require attention. But it has been the club’s home since 1977...

The council will no doubt attempt to blame the EFL for not being flexible, despite the council having known about this rule for two years and choosing to ignore it...

Gateshead Council’s refusal to grant a ten-year lease is tied up with its policy to cease the public ownership and/or operation of leisure facilities in the borough. Last year saw the closure of the leisure centres in Saltwell and Birtley. The others, including the GIS, were spared, for now...

TUSC Gateshead wishes good luck to the team playing on 11 May in the FA Trophy final, ironically against Solihull Moors [not necessarily so!!]"

Also in the north-east, the Hartlepool Mail reports that "Hartlepool United manager Kevin Phillips admitted he used to "hate" pre-season as a player but has warned that his squad should be prepared to be put through their paces when they return in June.

Phillips... is planning a rigorous warm-up campaign after bemoaning his squad's lack of fitness this term... and pointed to the fact that Pools won just two midweek matches all season as evidence that his side needed to be fitter.

Strength and conditioning coach Lee Moore... is set to send the players off on their holidays with individual fitness plans and Phillips... [said] 'I can't stress enough how vital it is to have a good pre-season...

'Back in the day, that never happened. You said goodbye and didn't do anything until about a week before you came back'".

FC Halifax Town reported that "FC Halifax Town were defeated 4-2 against Solihull Moors... in the playoff quarter-final...

The home side took the lead in the 14th minute after a save from Sam Johnson landed at the feet of Tahvon Campbell who slotted past him..

Solihull had doubled their advantage by the 20-minute mark with Stevens redeeming his earlier miss. He slotted it into the bottom corner...

The Moors extended their advantage with Campbell receiving a cutback at the edge of the box with his shot deflecting off an unfortunate Golden as the ball trickled in for a third.

Town got a goal back with Summerfield finding Evans from a corner...

Town made their second change in the 61st minute with Florent Hoti replacing Max Wright. The substitute made his impact in the 74th minute by hitting a beautiful strike that bounced off the crossbar on its way in...

Captain Jamey Osborne ran his way past the Town defence and slotted in the fourth goal in the 89th minute to seal a trip to Barnet".

24 April 2024

NEXT: BROMLEY

When Alty face Bromley next Sunday it will not be the first time that they have clashed with Bromley's leading scorer, Michael Cheek.

No one knows this more acutely than Alty keeper Ethan Ross, who earlier this season literally clashed with Cheek when the forward accidentally collided with him.

Right: Altrincham's first encounter with Michael Cheek was a chastening one as his Braintree Town team thumped Altrincham 4-0 at Moss Lane in September 2015. Here, Michael (no.23, right) was on hand should Tim Deasy have not gathered the ball. But Cheek had already netted the eighth-minute opener for the Cowley brothers' team from Essex.

Although Ross played two more games after the Bromley match, his rib injury then cost the Alty keeper a ten-game absence during which Altrincham suffered five of their 13 league defeats this season.

With 21 league goals this season from 44 starts, The Ravens' leading scorer is the perennial Cheek (aged 32), who joined Bromley in 2019. He has scored three times against Altrincham in previous encounters with Bromley, but he also bagged another three for Braintree Town in two matches against Altrincham in 2015/16.

BROMLEY TICKET INFORMATION

Altrincham FC announces that "Following discussions with our counterparts at Bromley we can now confirm ticket details for the Vanarama National League Play-off Semi-Final at Hayes Lane on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).

We've been given an allocation of 650 standing tickets (+50 seating tickets) for the post-season clash, which is being broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Prices for the game are £20 Adults; £15 over-65s/disabled people; £7 under-16s; FREE accompanied under-11s.

The game is ALL TICKET. There will be no admission on match day without an advance ticket. Away fans must buy standing tickets through the away ticket link Away turnstiles will open at 2:30pm. The away terrace at Hayes Lane is uncovered".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF

Wednesday 24 April

Eliminator Game

Solihull Moors v FC Halifax Town (7pm, live on TNT Sports from 6:30pm)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE REGIONAL PLAY-OFFS

National League North Play-Off Eliminators

Tuesday, 23 April

National League South Play-Off Eliminators

Tuesday, 23 April

ALTY OLD BOYS

Phil Jordan advises that on Tuesday in League Two, Bradford City knew that they had to win at Barrow to cling to their hopes of a play off place, and they did so 1-2 in the last minute of normal time. ELLIOT NEWBY put in a full shift for the hosts, who are clinging to the final play off place, and need to win at home to promoted Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon to guarantee their participation.

ALISTAIR SMITH was missing from Colchester United's squad, and they crashed 1-4 at home to in-form Doncaster Rovers, who were winning their tenth consecutive match. They need a point at home to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday to be sure of staying up, although Sutton United would need to win at MK Dons and achieve a five goal swing in goal difference to survive.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

One disadvantage of being involved in the play-offs is that the clubs involved cannot undertake their recruitment or player-process without knowing which division they will compete in next season.

But those clubs who have no play-off games to play are already starting to clear their decks for next season.

One club that has been quick off the mark is York City who have started rationalising their backroom staff as they "confirm the departure of David Stockdale and Matthew Lever from their roles at the Football Club with immediate effect.

York City places on record, despite it not working out in the end for all parties involved, its thanks to both staff members for their efforts during a difficult campaign".

And on the playing front, York City "can confirm which players are under contract ahead of the 2024/25 season, and those who will be departing the Minstermen...

Tamworth, who will compete in te National League next season, "announce that Andy Peaks has signed a new deal at the club for 2 years. Andy is one of the most successful managers in the history of Tamworth FC, having achieved back to back promotions for the club he joined in February 2022 from AFC Rushden and Diamonds. Andy will lead the Lambs into the National League, the first time we will have played at this level since 2014. It has been a fantatsic journey and we look forward to what will come next!"

Altrincham's last league game against Tamworth was in March 2011, a win for the Robins at Moss Lane.

23 April 2024

NEXT: BROMLEY

Altrincham face Bromley next Sunday in a National League semi-final match on the artificial surface at Hayes Lane. The Ravens finished third in the regular season with 81 points, four more than Altrincham.

Bromley report that "This match will be ALL ticket. No tickets will be available on the day of the game, all tickets must be purchased in advance.

Alty's regular league fixture at Hayes Lane this season ended 2-2 but Bromley had earlier won the reverse fixture at Moss Lane.

During the 2023-24 season the Ravens scored eleven fewer goals than Alty but conceded ten fewer, albeit that tighter defence than Alty's was only exhibited in away games.

The Robins go into Sunday's match top of the form guide with five wins and a draw in their last six matches.

Bromley's owner and chairman Robin Stanton-Gleave writes "The completion of our 46 league game campaign... resulted in us finishing in third place, our highest ever League position at this level of football, and with a record amount of points.

At the outset of the season, I publicly shared my target for the campaign. This was to finish second or third, and Andy and the boys have delivered that. I am so proud of them, this achievement, and the football club as a whole.

You as a crowd have also delivered, and we hit our target of 30,000 at Hayes Lane, which I originally set back in January. This also is a super achievement, and I’d like to thank each and every one of you. This has made a huge difference to Andy and the team.

However, this now leaves us with the biggest home game in the football club’s history, and I need you all to be there to cheer the team on one more time at home. We now know following league statements over the weekend that we will be facing Altrincham in the Play-Off Semi-Final on Sunday afternoon, and I ask you all to join us and be there. Let’s make the difference and give Andy and the boys our full support on the day."

HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST GAME

Alty TV has highlights of Alty's final game of the regular season, at home to Oxford City.

MANAGERIAL MUSINGS

Following Saturday's win which secured a fourth-placed finish, manager Phil Parkinson spoke to Brian Flynn.

After stating that, despite the narrow 1-0 margin of victory over Oxford City, he had felt "fairly comfortable throughout the afternoon".

Phil went on to emphasize the momentous achievement of his team to reach the play-offs following a 17th placed finish last season.

The video interview is available via Alty TV.

GATESHEAD GO TO ARBITRATION

Gateshead "have submitted Notice of Arbitration under the Football Association's Rule K to the National League in relation to their decision barring us from participation in the National League play-offs, in addition to the English Football League in relation to their decision to reject our application to join the EFL"

Footnote: Below is more about Rule K and its NINE stages.

MOORS' VIEW OF PLAY-OFF FIASCO

The Solihull Moors chairman Darryl Eales has penned an excellent commentary on the National League play-off fiasco which, he explains, has disadvantaged his club, not least by reducing the gap between his club's elimnator match and semi-final.

His statement says "Turning to the decision making, we would welcome more clarity in the near future as to the rules and their application following the Gateshead decision.

What surprises us is why addressing this issue was not planned for well in advance. The League must have been aware that it was a possibility and could easily have planned for this contingency rather than being seemingly influenced by who shouts loudest and being driven by events...

We are fully in agreement that, on sporting merit, Altrincham should receive the bye rather than Solihull Moors. The rules should be explicit on this. If they are not, they should be changed.

The decision making thereafter seems somewhat illogical, most specifically putting the winner of the Moors versus Halifax game at a newly created disadvantage.

The play off rules are clearly articulated, especially the need for a full 3 day gap between the quarter final and semi final, which was agreed following debate 2 years ago re the scheduling.

These are amongst the biggest games in any club’s history and this situation has taken much of the joy away at a time of celebration.

We simply don’t know why the Moors game against Halifax could not have been played on the Tuesday - the original date for Moors versus Gateshead - or why the game against Barnet for the winners could not have been moved to the Sunday.

There was plenty of time to arrange this yesterday (Sunday)... with Moors having originally been given a bye - and planning accordingly - then to be told to play on Wednesday not Tuesday - and now to be placed at a playing disadvantage of the League’s making.

The position both Halifax and Moors find themselves is prejudicial to two teams who have acted with professionalism throughout and is contrary to the spirit of the sporting integrity of the playoffs.

Moors registered a formal complaint at the situation that the League has created, of its own making.

The League has hitherto failed to explain why the dates of the two semi finals could not be reversed - this would have been straightforward and equitable and there was plenty of time over the weekend to do this.

Moors have had to change opponents and timing with far less notice - and with far more disruption...

Ultimately, Solihull Moors are dismayed that they are the only team prejudiced by the series of events and poor management by the League.

Nevertheless, we will now abide by the decision and look forward to welcoming Halifax on Wednesday".

Footnote: The silver lining for the Moors is that they now face a side which accrued four fewer points than them during the season compared with the one-point difference had they faced Gateshead.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

National League North Play-Off Eliminator

Wednesday, 24 April 2024

THROUGH THE YEARS: 28 April

Howard Watts and Mike Garnett's Through the Years records reveal that thisSunday's semi-final play-off match comes six years to the day after another memorable day in Altrincham's past as they completed the 2017-18 season as Evo-Stik Northern Premier League champions with a 3-0 home win over Hednesford Town.

Altrincham cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win in their final match of their championship-winning season. On a bright afternoon, in front of a crowd of 1,856, they took a fourth-minute lead when Tom Hannigan slotted the ball home after a Harrop shot had been blocked. Alty slackened their intensity in the latter part of the first half but Hednesford were not able to take advantage.

The second Altrincham goal, their 100th of the campaign, arrived in the 53rd minute when goalkeeper Veiga handled a Hednesford back-pass. The freekick, from well inside the box, was teed up for Moult to volley superbly through the massed ranks of defending players.

Above: Somewhere under the pile of bodies is Jake Moult, after scoring Alty's 100th league goal

And Moult's superb long ball forward for Hancock laid on the third goal in the first minute of added time, Alty's no.11 finishing calmly past Veiga. After the match there were massed celebrations on the pitch before the team received the EvoStik NPL championship trophy.

ALTY OLD BOYS

Former Altrincham players or loanees in action at step 3 or lower in the pyramid included RYAN SHOTTON who at 35 years of age continues to play and manage for Hanley Town inin the NW Counties West. Sadly, his side lost 3-0 at Bootle on Saturday.

In the same division, and also on the losing side in a 3-2 defeat away to Runcorn Linnets, was SEAN MILLER but the former Alty winger did score one of his side's goals. And MARK LEES had no better luck as his Mossley side went down 2-0 at Chasetown.

In the NPL West DANNY MITCHLEY remarkably scored his sixth penalty in five games for City of Liverpool as they won 2-1 at The Weaver Stadioum against NAntwich Town.

Closer to home, in the NW Counties Premier, KHIUS METZ was on the mark for Wythenshawe Town in their 3-0 victory over Skelmersdale but the former Burnle loanee's side were pipped for the title by neighbours Wythenshawe on goal diffeence and now face the play-offs.

Off the field, DEAN FURMAN's joint manager at Warrington Rylands in the NPL Premier, Sam Wilson, was sacked after details of a previous criminal conviction in 2015 came to light.

REGIONAL PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

National League North Play-Off Eliminators

Tuesday, 23 April

Wednesday, 24 April

National League North Play-Off Semi-Finals

Saturday 27 April

Sunday 28 April

National League South Play-Off Eliminators

Tuesday, 23 April

Wednesday, 24 April

National League South Play-Off Semi-Finals

Saturday 27 April

Sunday 28 April

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Following the departure of their manager Luke Garrard, Boreham Wood have advertised for his replacement.

The advert says that "The club is family-run and holds the values of community, relationships, and togetherness at the heart of the organisation. The club is extremely stable both on and off the pitch, employing just two Managers since 2008, whilst the club’s diverse business model will allow for a very competitive budget for the National League South heading into the 2024-25 campaign...

The club’s ambitions are to bounce back to the Vanarama National League at the first attempt, with the playing squad well positioned and a number of talented players contracted for next season and beyond. That said, the club’s next managerial appointment is a crucial piece in the jigsaw to achieve on-field success, and the club totally understands that we require good leadership in the dressing room and good recruitment to complement the existing squad.

The club believes this is a great opportunity for a hardworking, focused and ambitious Manager/Head Coach to take both themselves and the club forward. The club... carries no historical debt, it is stable with an established top-end non-league academy and has a loyal staff structure...

At this time, we ask that only candidates with a proven track record at our level or above, who live within a one-hour commute from the club’s stadium apply for the position.

With the large number of applicants already received, the club are expecting even more, so for time-efficiency we will only be able to contact those candidates who progress through to the interview stage but thank everyone in advance for their interest...

The closing date for applications is close of play on Monday 29 April with in-person interviews beginning later that week".

The BBC reports that "Gateshead FC have been told they are ineligible for promotion as they have been unable to secure a 10-year lease on their ground at the International Stadium, which is owned by the council.

Supporters of The Heed are calling for the English Football League (EFL) to reconsider its decision.

The EFL described the situation as 'avoidable' and it was 'disappointing that appropriate solutions' had not been put in place by the club.

Mickey The Heed, co-host of the Heed Army podcast, said he was 'enraged' by the decision and cried after hearing the news. 'No one said we would win the play-offs but we wanted to give it a shot,' he said. 'It's the players I feel sorry for'.

Referencing Gateshead's historic dismissal from the Football League, external, he said fans 'want to put the wrongs of 1960 to right'...

The council is currently seeking a new operator to run the stadium as it attempts to balance its budget... Gateshead Council agreed a 10-year lease with the football club but included a break clause in the agreement that would allow the new operator to negotiate terms with the club".


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Alty Files Website Index

The following pages, which initially replicate those pages with the same web addresses which formed part of the official Club website, will be re-branded from 2018 as part of this new unofficial Alty Files site.

A/Z Site Index to The Alty Files at www.altrinchamfc.co.uk