Altrincham FC News Page

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HELPING YOUR FOOTBALL CLUB: There are numerous ways that supporters can help Altrincham FC during the close season, visit the Fundraising Page for details. Your help will be much appreciated!

23 July 2014

MATCH COVERAGE

Brian Flynn writes that "Radio Robins, sponsored by Ashley Mowers Garden Machinery, returns to the internet airwaves for Wednesday evening's pre-season friendly at the J.Davidson Stadium against Manchester United Under-21s. The commentators are Ian Wilkinson and Niall Finnegan with match summaries from Jack Jolly.

Coverage starts at 7.40pm with the game kicking off at 7.45pm. You can listen to Radio Robins on the internet here.

Leah & Simon Brotherton will be providing regular updates on Twitter (@altrinchamfc) as well as half-time and full-time updates on facebook (Altrincham FC)".

NICKY BUTT TO OPEN ALTY DRESSING ROOMS

John Edwards, joint Press Officer at Altrincham FC, writes that "Former England and Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt will officially open the first phase of an exciting new development at Altrincham's J.Davidson Stadium tomorrow night (Weds). Butt, who is expected to be confirmed as part of Louis van Gaal's coaching staff at Old Trafford, will cut a ribbon across the entrance to a brand new away dressing room, prior to a United X1 taking on Alty in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Newly promoted to the Conference Premier, Alty have also created new changing facilities for match officials and improved the home dressing room as part of a two-phase project that will see a community sports hall built next to the Carole and Fred Nash main stand over the next few months.

'The work so far has been funded by grants from the Football Stadium Improvement Funds, as well as the club itself, and we are delighted our neighbours from Old Trafford will be first to use the new away facilities,' said Alty chairman Grahame Rowley. 'Nicky has kindly agreed to do the honours, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony when the United players arrive, and we are grateful to him.'"

UNITED KICK OFF ALTY'S HOME GAMES

Altrincham kick off their first home friendly of the summer at the J. Davidson Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).

Altrincham FC confirm that admission prices for all of the pre-season friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium are as follows:

Adults £7
Concessions £4..
Under 5s are free of charge.
Altrincham FC 2014-15 season ticket holders are also admitted free of charge.

Please note that entry is by cash-only and that away-teams' season tickets are not valid for friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Regulars will notice the changes at the J. Davidson Stadium caused by the construction of the new Community Sports Hall, which is fenced off. However, the bar will be open as normal and access to it will be possible between the Golf Road End and the bar as well as from the main stand. A club programme shop has been installed in the corner between the Golf Road and and the Popular Side.

BUSINESSES INVITED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL

John Edwards, joint Press Officer at Altrincham FC, writes that "Altrincham bosses are urging local businesses to join forces with them and help put the finishing touches to the new community sports hall at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Phase One reached fruition last night, Wednesday, when a Manchester United XI played Alty to mark the completion of a new away dressing room and improved facilities for home players and match officials.

With Phase Two now gathering momentum, Alty chairman Grahame Rowley has taken the opportunity to outline the role local companies can play in providing a venue to be proud of.

'The next phase is basically the building', he said. 'The foundations are already in place, and the appearance of it will become visible very quickly. It is due to be finished by the end of October, and it is an exciting development for everyone in the Altrincham area.

'That much is clear from the number of people who have enquired about using it. There is tremendous interest, but first we have to try and ensure it is finished to the standard required. We have major grants coming in, but there is still some fundraising to be done. We are in the region of £80,000 to £90,000 short of our target, and it would be great if local businesses could rally round and help with a venture that is for the good of the community.

'I think people are fearful we are only looking for large amounts, but that's not the case. All contributions, no matter how small, will make a difference and will be acknowledged with a significant showing in the hall. We are very flexible in what we can offer in return for sponsorship, and it would be a case of sitting down with individuals and tailoring an acknowledgement to their needs.

'It is very much a community initiative, and it is worth stressing that people will be contributing to the community, rather than the football club. I think there are sometimes misgivings about donating to a football club, but money for this will be ring-fenced and used for its intended purpose only.'

Anyone interested in donating or finding out more can contact Grahame Rowley at the club 0161 928 1045 or by email".

JACKPOT GROWS FOR SATURDAY YANKEE

This week's winning code in the Saturday Yankee was 3381, which was an unissued sequence. Consequently, the jackpot rises to £3,000. However, six scheme members won £25 each for winning "trebles".

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Football Conference says that "Jamie Day, manager of Welling United, has added to his strike force by signing forward Kieron St Aimie. The former Queen`s Park Rangers striker has impressed during pre-season and Day has now made him a permanent addition to the playing staff at Park View Road.

The well-travelled 25-year-old was on the books at Chelmsford City last and, after leaving Loftus Road in 2009, has had spells with the likes of Thurrock, Hitchin Town, Maidenhead United.... Lewes, AFC Hornchurch, Kettering Town, Tamworth, AFC Telford United and Whitehawk.

Day said, 'We are hoping that he can provide that hold-up play that we have lost with Ross Lafayette leaving in the close season. Kieron has good pace and a good ratio of goals per game. He himself has a point to prove stepping back up to this level'".

According to NL Daily, "Martin Foyle, boss of Southport, has announced two more exciting captures. Arriving are midfielder Andrew Mitchell and defender Johnny Lynch.

22-year-old Mitchell, who has had previous spells at Manchester City and Rangers, has made an immediate impact in his first week with the Sandgrounders. Belfast-based Mitchell is looking to get his highly-promising career back on track... Former Wigan Athletic left sided defender Johnny Lynch is Foyle's second signing, with the manager describing the young players as 'tenacious and willing to learn'."

At Gateshead, "manager Gary Mills has completed his ninth signing of the summer with the acquisition of left-back Ryan Wilson. The son of former Chelsea and Derby County striker Kevin Wilson, Ryan was previously with Gateshead assistant-manager Darren Caskey at Ilkeston.

Before that the 21-year-old was an apprentice at Stockport County...

'Ryan has done well on trial, and has settled in well', said Mills. 'Good left-backs are a rare breed and the way he plays will suit my team. I've been quietly impressed with what he has shown so far, and at 21 he will only get better... Left-back has been a problem position for some time and he has the chance to make the position his own'...

Wilson will be in the Heed line-up to face Leyton Orient at the International Stadium on Wednesday night."

NW NEWS

The NL Paper tells us that "Former Hyde secretary Anthony Beard has been jailed for three years after stealing almost £50,000 from three sporting organisations including the Tigers and local cricket club Flowery Field.

The 59-year-old served as treasurer of the cricket club as well as secretary for Conference North Hyde and Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard how he had fleeced the football club out of £11,775.

He also stole £7,286 from the cricket club as he fell into debt following the collapse of his job as a self-employed financial advisor.

Beard also took £28,078 from the accounts of the Ashton Trust, a sports trust based in Tameside, who he served as a trustee, which later became insolvent. The offences took place between January 2007 and January 2012 with Beard writing cheques to himself.

A Hyde statement read, 'Hyde Football Club are pleased with the sentence handed to former secretary, Anthony Beard, this morning (Monday) at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester. The impact of Mr Beard’s dealings has been felt by Hyde Football Club both financially and operationally. Mr Beard had full knowledge of the difficult financial situation at the club yet still chose to steal funds.

This is particularly distressing to many directors and ex-directors who trusted him and who put in their own monies over time, together with supporters’ contributions, in order to keep the club afloat'.

Beard’s barrister Gareth Roberts added, 'His life has been turned upside down. The matter was clearly aggravated by a massive breach of trust and the amounts involved. He became involved in all three organisations due to interest in the community. He worked tirelessly, and all three benefited at some point from his expertise. He began to take money from the trust and the cricket club. Initially, he did so with the intention to pay the money back. As he became more indebted the criminality continued. He became involved in a spiral'".

22 July 2014

PLEASE HELP YOUR CLUB - BECOME A STEWARD

Altrincham FC is looking to appoint more stewards for the coming season when the Club is back in the Conference National division. If you are over 16 years of age and would like to help the club in a really practical way then why not become a steward at the J. Davidson Stadium? As well as doing a vital job, you can train for an NVQ and, on match days, you will get a free hot drink and a pie or sandwich!

If you can help the club in this way, please ring the club, (during normal weekday office hours), on (0161) 928-1045 or e-mail Grahame Rowley as soon as possible. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

SQUAD LIST

The Altrincham FC first-team squad list has an addition in the shape of goalkeeper Josh Samberg, who will wear number 24. As Alty fans will know, Josh was the Altrincham FC youth team goalkeeper last season and also featured several times in the first-team squad.

MAYORAL RECEPTION

As reported yesterday, Trafford MBC hosted a reception for Altrincham FC recently. The Council has now issued the following press release...

"Trafford Council host Mayoral reception to mark Altrincham FC’s promotion.

A mayoral reception was held at Trafford Town Hall on 16 July to congratulate Altrincham Football on their successful promotion to the Conference Premier League.

Left: Courtesy of Gavin Rathbone, we see Cllr Anstee and the Mayor of Trafford with Alty chairman Grahame Rowley.

This promotion means that they will now play football at a national level, visiting and welcoming fans from places such as Bristol, Dartford, Dover and Gateshead.

Altrincham Football Club has been at the centre of life in Altrincham town since 1910. The team play an important role in the life of the community, they are sponsored by local business and they engage with the local community and have a thriving ladies team and strong junior teams.

The Leader of Trafford council, Councillor Sean Anstee said, 'Congratulations to Altrincham FC on their success. It is a fantastic achievement for the club and the town and strengthens Trafford’s strong history with football. Altrincham’s huge regeneration works, including the new market development, the improved transport interchange and the fantastic new leisure facilities will also offer improved and more welcoming facilities for visitors on match days'.

Chairman of Altrincham FC Grahame Rowley said, 'It was fantastic that Trafford Council recognised the superb achievements of Altrincham Football Club last season in attaining Conference Premier status. The reception was enjoyed by everyone who attended and gave us a chance to strengthen our links with the many councillors who work so hard for the local residents'".

CAROLE'S ALTY SHARES FOR SALE

Carole Nash, OBE, will be known to many supporters. Carole set up, ran, and sold a large locally-based but national motor cycle insurance brokerage business. Carole has in the past been a Club Director and is still a great supporter and has been a sponsor of the Club for many years. She and her husband Fred are now Directors of the Altrincham Football Club Community Charity.

Carole is also the owner of 4,700 shares in the Football Club and she has suggested to the Club that these shares are made available for sale, with the proceeds to be donated to the Community Sports Hall appeal fund. If you are interested in purchasing these shares (in any amounts) please contact Club Chairman Grahame Rowley either by e-mail or by phone on 07720 606897.

SHAWE VIEW VIEW

Trafford report that their "young side were no match for Conference Premier outfit Altrincham in their pre-season friendly at Shawe View on Saturday.The visitors took just three minutes to take the lead with Shaun Densmore converting a back post header after Tom Read misjudged a deep cross from the left.

And two goals in two minutes by Alty goal machine Damian Reeves virtually finished the game as a contest... To their credit, Trafford fought back with great spirit and Mark Derbyshire reduced the arrears in the 23rd minute when he headed past Dave Parton following a fine run and cross down the left by Rory Fallon.

Parton then produced a superb fingertip save to push a Clevon Beadle drive around the post but in the 42nd minute Steven Gillespie restored Alty’s three goal advantage when he headed home following yet another penetrative cross from the flanks...

The effervescent Lawrie broke clear on the hour mark but screwed his shot wide of the far post and then he seemed certain to score but was thwarted by a magnificent block by Trafford centre back Tyler Shaw. The scoring was completed in the 69th minute when Nia Bayunu tripped Lawrie and Greg Wilkinson coolly placed the resultant penalty into the bottom corner".

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Football Conference tells us that "Oldham Athletic have agreed a one-year-deal with Kidderminster Harriers' striker Amari Morgan-Smith. Morgan-Smith first signed for Harriers on loan from Macclesfield Town in January 2013.

The 25-year-old former England C international began his career as a youngster with Wolves before joining Stockport County prior to a switch to non-League football with Ilkeston Town. Powerful and 6ft plus, he was a real menace there... before becoming a hot-property free agent as result of Ilkeston’s demise for financial reasons in 2010.

Luton Town snapped up his signature... He then left to join the Silkmen during the summer of 2013 and, following his loan spell, re-joined Harriers on a short-term deal".

Altrincham' first opponents this season, "Aldershot Town have signed former Weston-super-Mare midfielder Naby Diallo on a one-year contract. The 23-year-old impressed in Friday’s opening pre-season friendly against Chelsea under-21s, having joined the Shots on trial...

A dynamic and skillful central midfielder known for his versatility, the Moscow-born Guinean began his career in the Bristol City youth academy before continuing his scholarship with Bristol Rovers... Brief spells at Gloucester City and Oldland Abbotonians preceded his move to Weston in Conference South in July 2010...

In January 2013, Diallo also reached the final eleven in the Samsung 'Win A Pro Contract' competition which attracted over 5000 applications to earn deals with Leyton Orient and Swindon Town... Said Diallo, 'I prefer to play in central midfield, but I can do a job in a few other positions. I bring a lot of energy, strength and attacking play...The squad is looking good and I think we’ll do really well this year'.

Shots' boss Andy Scott said, 'He was confident enough to come in for pre-season and say "I’ll show you what I can do". He’s a very talented player, he can play several positions and his versatility will help, but I think he can hold down a position in his own right. He’s quick, he’s strong, he can tackle, he can use both feet, he’s a good passer and he understands the game. Plus he’s a really nice young man, and he’s fitted in really well'”.

The Conference also confirms that "Experienced striker Jon Parkin has signed for Forest Green Rovers on a one-year contract... Parkin has been training with Rovers' league rivals Lincoln City during pre-season while weighing up his playing options...

Forest Green manager Ady Pennock knows the 6'4" target man from his time at Stoke City... Beginning his career at Barnsley, Parkin moved to York City in League Two for two years, before making his mark at Macclesfield Town... He then moved to Championship side Hull City in January 2006 where he continued to score, before going on loan and then permanently to Stoke.

Parkin signed for Preston North End at the start of the 2008/09 season... before moving to Cardiff City in January 2011. Loans spells at Doncaster, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe [followed]... before his transfer to Fleetwood and a further 22 goals over the past two years for the Cod Army. "

At Bristol Rovers, "Former Hartlepool midfielder Andy Monkhouse has become Darrell Clarke's sixth summer signing. The 33 year old, who was released by Hartlepool at the end of last season, can play anywhere in midfield and can also be used up front. He made over 300 appearances for Hartlepool after signing from Swindon Town in January 2007, he scored 52 goals during his time with Hartlepool and last season played in over 40 games for them.

As well as Swindon Town, Monkhouse had a spell with Rotherham United making 80 appearances and scoring 10 times."

Reports in the Western Daily Press tell us that "Forest Green midfielder Kieron Forbes has joined Aldershot Town on a six-month loan deal after falling down the pecking order at the New Lawn.

Signed from Wealdstone by Dave Hockaday in December 2010, the former Watford man was an integral player at the club prior to Ady Pennock's arrival as manager. But the 23-year-old spent the final two months of last season on loan at Conference South outfit Whitehawk, and the arrivals of Sam Wedgbury, Clovis Kamdjo and Rob Sinclair in Nailsworth this summer effectively signalled the end of his Rovers' career.

Forbes is likely to be followed through the exit door in the coming days by striker Andy Mangan, with Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon confirming a deal is close to being done for the exiled Scouser. Mangan is set for a move to Shropshire despite having two years remaining on his current contract.

Mellon, who managed the 27-year-old at Fleetwood Town, said, 'There's no secret that Andy is the lad we're trying to bring in. I know him very well and I know what he'll bring to the group. He can play anywhere across the front and has got good instincts to get you a few goals... The deal hasn't been 100 percent concluded yet'.

Meanwhile, the pre-season Nailsworth derby between Shortwood United and Forest Green, scheduled for Saturday afternoon, had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch at Meadowbank. Overnight storms and persistent heavy rain in the morning left the surface unplayable and nearby roads very nearly impassable.

Rovers will be in pre-season action again tomorrow, with two squads sent to play at Gloucester and Slimbridge on the same evening. Boss Ady Pennock and a large majority of the first-team squad will be at Wilsoe Road to face Slimbridge, with the rest of the squad facing Conference North club Gloucester at Whaddon Road.

The friendly at Gloucester was hastily-arranged after the Tigers pulled out of a game against crisis club Hereford, due to be played that day."

NW NEWS

According to NL Daily, ambitious Celtic Nation, the "Northern League Division One club can confirm that official ownership of the club has passed to co-founder Stephen Skinner. A statement read... 'Changes at the club will see manager Willie McStay, assistant manager Davie Farrell and their backroom team depart... The club asks for patience but can assure supporters that Celtic Nation, both on and off the pitch, will continue to move forwards and aim for promotion'".

21 July 2014

UNITED KICK OFF ALTY'S HOME GAMES

Altrincham kick off their first home friendly of the summer at the J. Davidson Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).

Altrincham FC confirm that admission prices for all of the pre-season friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium are as follows:

Adults £7
Concessions £4..
Under 5s are free of charge.
Altrincham FC 2014-15 season ticket holders are also admitted free of charge.

Please note that entry is by cash-only and that away-teams' season tickets are not valid for friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Manchester United report that "Manchester United's Reserves started the pre-season campaign with a 1-0 friendly defeat at Bray Wanderers. Warren Joyce took a large squad to Ireland for the fixture and made 10 changes to the team at half time but saw Jake Kelly score the only goal of the game on 42 minutes...

Only captain Tom Thorpe kept his place for the second half and Joe Rothwell, Saidy Janko and Angelo Henriquez all mustered attempts as the Reds sought an equaliser... United: J.Pereira (O'Hara 46); Love (Varela 46), McConnell (McNair 46), Thorpe, C.Evans (Janko 46); Harrop (Rothwell 46), Goss (Petrucci 46), Pearson (A.Pereira 46), Willock (Lawrence 46), Bebe (Henriquez 46); A.Fletcher (Wilson 46)."

GIRLS DO WELL

Darren Gregory informs us that on Sunday "Two Altrincham girls' teams, the Skylarks under 11s and Wrens under 10s took part in the excellently organised Unicorn Athletic tournament in Timperley. The Skylarks, pictured above in the new kit, lost in the semi final on penalties but there was better news for the Wrens, who won their age group without losing a single game. They are pictured in their changed kit".

ALTY TV'S GREAT DVDs

Alty TV's Mark Bennett has produced some excellent DVDs which cover Altrincham's promotion season in 2013-14. They include the Season Highlights DVD and Promotion Semi-Final & Final (full match) DVD. Information about the DVDs is on the adjacent screen shots.

You can order your copies from Mark's website, or on eBay via the links below, or from the club, on 0161 928-1045.

CIVIC RECEPTION

Altrincham FC were treated to a mayoral reception last week. The above picture of the event is courtesy of Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography.

Grahame Rowley adds, "The club were very honoured to be invited to the Town Hall last Thursday for a Civic Reception hosted by the Mayor Mr Ejaz Malik and the Leader of the Council, Mr Sean Anstee.

All the players, management and Board attended the prestigious event and an enjoyable time was had by all. Altrincham FC hopes that this close link with members of the local Council can now flourish and be a mutually beneficial relationship".

CONFERENCE NEWS

In the Western Morning News, we learn that "Torquay United manager Chris Hargreaves has added Toby Ajala to his growing list of new signings this week after the former Bristol City winger gave another highly promising performance in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win over Walsall.

Ajala, 22, has been a target for Hargreaves ever since he played in an end-of-season trial game at Plainmoor in May and penned a one-year deal at Plainmoor yesterday... Hargreaves, who has already agreed terms with other trialists Courtney Richards and Angus MacDonald, said... 'I’m delighted to get Toby nailed down for the new season'. On MacDonald, he added, 'We want him to try and be a future captain'...

As well as ex-Brighton midfielder Richards, former Reading and Salisbury defender MacDonald and now Ajala, Hargreaves is also believed to be talking still to a fourth trialist, ex-Southend United striker Duane O’Achie, 21... Hargreaves revealed later that Krystian Pearce (ankle) could be out for another fortnight; he was hurt in last midweek’s 2-2 draw with Yeovil...

Hargreaves's’ squad strengthening still has some way to run. 'We are a couple of players off the sort of squad I’m looking for', he said. 'Courtney Richards is a no-nonsense midfield player... We certainly need to sign a couple more. And it may be a case of two in and two out, but we’ll see. Last season I didn’t have the time to get the players in that I wanted. We were punting most of the time on young players for a couple of hundred quid a week. This summer I’ve had a bit more time to do my due diligence on players... In a year’s time it will be my team'".

At Wrexham, "After a summer of uncertainty, the future of young defender Anthony Stephens has been settled with the 20-year-old signing a new one-year contract with the club... Based in Liverpool, Anthony has enjoyed loan spells to expand his experience, spending most of last season with Colwyn Bay...

While with the Seagulls he played a large number of games at left back rather than his more accustomed role of central defender... He has yet to make his senior debut for the Reds... He will hoping to figure in the squad this time around."

20 July 2014

TRAFFORD 1 ALTRINCHAM 5

Right: Wade Joyce is seen at Trafford on Saturday. He has been a trialist with Altrincham this summer. Midfielder Wade was previously at Bury, Barnsley and St Johnstone.

Match report here.

WEDNESDAY'S FRIENDLY

In advance of their visit to Altrincham on Wednesday, Manchester United report that "Warren Joyce is looking forward to the Reserves' first friendly of the pre-season campaign as he takes a squad to Ireland to face Bray Wanderers.

The Reds are in action on Sunday with the players who are not involved in the [first team] Tour 2014, presented by Aon, and several younger charges will bid to lay claim to a regular place at Under-21 level next term... James Wilson and Tom Lawrence made their first-team debuts in the 3-1 win against Hull City during the final home match of 2013/14 to show that youngsters can still make their breakthrough to the first team...

Added Joyce... 'It’s so much harder to get in the first team if it’s being successful'"

On the same subject, we read that "Manchester United are set to take a provisional 19-man Reserves squad to Ireland for Sunday's friendly against Bray Wanderers. Warren Joyce can call upon the services of exciting forward Tom Lawrence, who made his first-team debut last term. A number of other players who reached the Barclays Under-21 Premier League final are travelling and there is plenty of experience in the shape of Tom Thorpe, Marnick Vermijl and Davide Petrucci.

Several Academy graduates have also been promoted to the party, including striker Ashley Fletcher, and they look certain to push for regular inclusion as the second-string's season progresses. Squad: Kieran O'Hara, Joel Castro Pereira; Callum Evans, Donald Love, Tom Thorpe, Ryan McConnell, Paddy McNair, Saidy Janko, Guillermo Varela, Marnick Vermijl; Ben Pearson, Andreas Pereira, Davide Petrucci, Joe Rothwell, Sean Goss, Josh Harrop, Matty Willock; Tom Lawrence, Ashley Fletcher."

Here Is The City adds that "Manchester United's reserves will play a pre-season friendly on Sunday, but with the first team in America, there are two notable omissions. ...

Following the announcement of the travelling party for United’s trip to the USA, questions were asked as to why a number of younger players were not involved. Players such as James Wilson and Nick Powell were omitted, but neither of those players have been included in the reserve team squad announced this morning on the club’s official website. Of the players who may have thought they had done enough to travel to America, only Tom Lawrence and Andreas Pereira, Saidy Janko and Ben Pearson have been included for the weekend match in Ireland.

Van Gaal is likely to keep a close watch on his younger stars as they attempt to impress him from afar. But the question remains: What next for those players who have not been included in either party? Could loan moves await?".

SKYLARKS' KIT SPONSOR

Darren Gregory advises us that "Justin Thompson of Networks2Go, a parent of one of the girls from Altrincham FC Skylarks, has agreed to provide and sponsor tracksuit-tops for the team for the upcoming season. They are pictured, above, with team manager, Phil Varghese, at Saturday's team presentation at the Trafford Centre. Also present were Altrincham FC Finches".

CONFERENCE NEWS

"Grimsby Town have made their fifth summer signing, with Nathan Arnold the latest addition" reports the Grimsby Telegraph. "The winger, who can also play up front, has finalised a season-long loan deal at Blundell Park.

The 26-year-old penned a two-year contract with Cambridge United last summer, featuring in more than 30 matches... Mariners fans will remember the quickwire attacker from his unsuccessful trial period with the club five years ago. The former Mansfield man went on to enjoy a three-year spell with Alfreton before his switch to the Abbey Stadium."

The Shropshire Star reports that "AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson insisted he’s not finished making signings... He’s targeting at least one fresh face... Watson is still looking to borrow a couple of players from Football League clubs, but there is cash in the kitty for a late permanent capture, too.

He said, 'That might not be until a bit later on, as two are going to be loans anyway. I am trying to get my own core of players to where they should be first. You never really know what will come along over the next few weeks, we are always looking for players... I have got scope to make one more permanent signing'.

Watson took his players to his former club Witton Albion for their third pre-season friendly today". Witton won.

19 July 2014

TRAFFORD 1 ALTRINCHAM 5

Right: Damian Reeves and Steven Gillespie were Alty's strike duo in the first half at Trafford.

Altrincham secured a comfortable 5-1 win at Trafford, a ground on which they exited the FA Cup in disappointing fashion last season. With a debut for new signing Steven Gillespie, four crosses produced four first-half goals for the visitors before a second-half penalty completed Altrincham's scoring.

Match report here.

BT SPORT GAMES

BT Sport has announced some further Conference matches which will be transmitted live by them. The full list is...

Saturday 9 August: Bristol Rovers v Grimsby Town - 12.45pm
Thursday 14 August: Eastleigh v Aldershot Town - 7.45pm
Monday 25 August: Forest Green Rovers v Bristol Rovers - midday
Wednesday 10 September: Dover Athletic v Barnet - 7.45pm
Monday 22 September: Chester v Wrexham - 8pm
Wednesday 9 October: Kidderminster Harriers v Welling United - 7.45pm
Saturday 11 October: Alfreton Town v Torquay United - 5.30pm

ALTY SIGN STRIKER

Altrincham FC is pleased to announce the signing of striker Steven Gillespie (d.o.b. 4. June 1985, in Liverpool). A 5ft 9inch striker, he started out at Liverpool (2001-4), after which he made 12 league appearances for Bristol City (2004-6). Another 21 league appearances, on loan at Cheltenham Town, followed before he actually joined Town and made a further 67 appearances, netting 21 times in that spell.

From 2008–12 he made 98 league appearances for Colchester United, scoring 25 goals in an injury-affected spell; the Essex side had paid for a fee of £400,000 for him. A return to the north followed with 22 apearances and four goals for Fleetwood Town, who released him in early 2014 after he had briefly been on loan to Cheltenham. In February 2014 he signed for Bristol Rovers, where he made 14 appearances last season.

As a schoolboy, Steven broke Robbie Fowler's record number of goals for Liverpool Schools, an accolade later taken from Steven by Wayne Rooney.

Steve will be involved in today's game at Trafford which, despite persistent rain overnight and this morning, is "definitely on" as of 1.15pm. He is pictured, right, at Shawe View, with Alty chairman Grahame Rowley. He will wear squad number 9 this season.

TRAFFORD GAME

In advance of Saturday's game, Trafford announce that for the friendly against Altrincham (3pm), entrance prices are £6 for adults and £3 for O.A.Ps. and Juniors.

Brian Flynn confirms that Radio Robins is not covering the friendly at Trafford but he will be providing regular updates on twitter as well as brief half-time and full-time reports on facebook.

LADIES' BOSS'S BUSY DAY

For anyone who thought football managers had a restful summer, these two images (courtesy of Keith Edleston), belie that. On the left we see Keith, manager of the Altrincham FC Ladies shaking hands on a deal with local company Impact Signs & Designs. Says Keith, "Impact Signs & Designs have agreed to sponsor our away kit for the coming season. After a few meetings and a bit of negotiation the MD of Impact Signs, Craig Hill, said that he was very happy for his company to assist the Ladies to push futher with their ambitions and also to promote his business when we are on our travels throughout the North West.

This great bit of sponsorship will now hopefully attract more high profile firms like Impact Signs to step forward and join this great Club. Thanks to Craig and all his staff for making this happen. Roll on the 2014/15 season".

And, on the playing front, Keith adds that he has "signed Charlotte Dudley, a striker from Afc Stockport, after her attending training for the last three weeks. Charlotte is a player I have known for a long time right through her junior days, starting at Flixton FC through AFC Urmston Meds and then onto AFC Stockport. She is a prolific striker who knows where the back of the net is. Welcome to the club Charlotte you will be a great asset to the team".

CONFERENCE NEWS

According to the Torquay Herald Express, "Torquay United have agreed terms to sign two of the trialists, defender Angus MacDonald and midfielder Courtney Richards, who have been training and playing with them during pre-season.

Manager Chris Hargreaves is also believed to be continuing contract talks with two more trialists, winger Toby Ajala and striker Duane O’Achie, ahead of the Gulls’ fourth friendly of the summer against Walsall at Plainmoor tomorrow (3pm).

MacDonald, 21, is joining United permanently after two previous loan spells at the club... in the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons. The Hampshire-born centre-back, who can also play at right-back, was a young pro at Reading at the time, but he spent last season in the Conference Premier with Salisbury City.

Richards, 20, was on Hargreaves’s radar even before he was released in May by Brighton & Hove Albion, where he had served his traineeship. The Jamaican-born player was one of the first players whom the Gulls’ boss invited for a trial, and he has duly impressed in both training sessions and practice matches so far.

'Angus is strong, brave and proved his versatility at Salisbury', said Hargreaves. 'He jumped at the chance to come back here, and we are sure there is improvement in him,' said Hargreaves".

Reports from the BBC confirm that "Barnet have signed defender Bondz N'Gala and striker Charlie MacDonald on one-year deals. Centre-back N'Gala, 24, spent last season with Portsmouth, where he scored three goals in 31 appearances. The former Plymouth, Yeovil and Stevenage man had a brief loan spell with the Bees in the 2012-13 season.

MacDonald, 33, scored five goals in 30 outings for Oldham last season and has previously spent time at Southend, Brentford, MK Dons and Leyton Orient".

18 July 2014

SQUAD NUMBERS ANNOUNCED

Altrincham FC will be back to wearing squad numbers next season in the Conference's national division. To date, the squad numbers assigned for 2014-15 are:

1. Stuart Coburn (gk)
2. Shaun Densmore
3. Adam Griffin
4. Jake Moult
5. Gianluca Havern
6. Scott Leather
7. James Lawrie
8. Simon Richman
10. Damian Reeves
11. Nicky Clee
12. Mike Williams
14. Kyle Perry
15. Greg Wilkinson
16. Tom Marshall
17. Dave Parton (gk)
18. Sean Williams
19. Ryan Crowther
21. Jeff King
22. Rob Gilroy
23. David Brown

SEVEN UP

Above: As Alty lined up at Mossley on Tuesday night, Greg Wilkinson seemed to be suggesting that his shirt allowed plenty of room for growth!

In the Mossley v Altrincham game, there were seven players who had graduated from George Heslop's youth team at Altrincham. For Mossley these were Arron Hevingham, Andy Keogh, Danny McDonnell and John Bennett, whilst for Alty there were David Brown, Jeff King and Max Pouncey.

NEXT FRIENDLIES

Altrincham travel to their nearest neighbours, Trafford FC on Saturday (3pm) for their next pre-season game. Altrincham's first home friendly is on Wednesday 23 July against Manchester United Reserves (7.45pm) whilst Hyde report that their friendly with Altrincham at Ewen Fields on Saturday 26th July (3pm) "has been designated as this season's Ray Stanley Memorial Shield match. This will be the 14th time the Shield has been played for, and is the first time we have faced Altrincham for it.

Over the last 13 seasons, Stalybridge Celtic have won the Shield the most, being victorious 5 times consecutively between 2001-2005. Hyde have won it 4 times in 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2013 and are the current holders after beating Stalybridge Celtic 6-3 last season, while Manchester City have won the Shield on 4 consecutive occasions between 2008-2011. The match will commemorate popular former club secretary Ray Stanley, who passed away in October 2000 aged 42...

Admission prices for the friendly games are as follows: Adults £6, Concession and under 16 £3, Under 12s free when with a paying adult".

And the Football Conference reports that this week "Ashton United hosted neighbours Hyde FC at Hurst Cross in an entertaining friendly. Matty Chadwick gave Ashton a first half lead against a Tigers side who only named four players; the rest were trialists. From the kick-off Ashton doubled their tally through Dimitri Tuaniebe, but 3 minutes later Hyde equalized through a trialist. Richard Bennett made it 3-2 to the home side, but Hyde equalised with a great strike from another un-named trialist to make it 3-3".

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Football Conference says that "Nicky Law, manager of Alfreton Town, has made his tenth signing of summer by bringing in former Mansfield Town attacking midfield player Lee Stevenson on a one-year contract. It will be a second spell with the Reds for the highly-rated and experienced Stevenson, 30, who had a one-month loan spell from the Stags back in October 2011...

A former Sheffield Wednesday trainee, he made his name by netting 96 goals from a midfield position in three seasons with Belper Town and Eastwood Town before moving to Field Mill in the summer of 2011. His prolific touch goalscoring continued as he made over fifty appearances for Mansfield where he netted 17 goals".

According to NL Daily, "Steve Burr, manager of Chester FC, is aiming to add the finishing touches to his squad but admits his hands are tied until goalkeeper John Danby leaves the club. The Blues boss said he was monitoring the situation of an unnamed midfielder but said that until a club came in for the transfer-listed goalkeeper, no more players would be arriving at the Swansway Chester Stadium.

Danby has been out of favour at Chester since Burr's arrival at the club back in January, with the Blues boss bringing in loanee Aaron Chapman for the final months of last season before signing Jon Worsnop this summer.

Bermudan international Freddy Hall played the first half of Saturday's 4-2 win at Marine, with the ex-Toronto FC stopper aiming to win a deal with the Blues to provide cover for Worsnop. But Burr, who declared himself pleased with his side's performance, particularly that of two-goal trialist George Thomson, said...

'There is a midfielder that I would like to bring to the club that would be a good addition. But with us using the surplus budget we had to bring in Gareth Roberts, we will have to wait for John to leave first', said Burr."

In the Shropshire Star we learn that "FC Telford United continue to mark the 10th anniversary of their formation with a celebration of the club in its various guises over the past 125 years. The Supporters' Trust launched an initiative to digitally capture their history at the New Buck's Head last night, an ongoing project, acting as a museum of sorts.

It started to bring together statistics, photographs, programmes and memories, dating back to the original club’s inception as the Parish Church Institute in 1872. It's intended to become a living archive that will draw on a number of individuals' collections, holding extensive records and memorabilia covering the last 142 years.

A talk was hosted by the Wellington History group, with the club spending 90 years as Wellington Town before becoming Telford United and then the 'AFC' phoenix outfit. It's one of the famous names in non-league football, with manager Liam Watson saying, 'My earliest memory was an FA Cup tie with Witton Albion at the old Buck's Head in 1995. It was on Match of the Day. I scored a great goal to equalise but we lost 2-1... I hadn't long left Marine at the time...

It's great that the club are celebrating their history and, in time, the lads from last season will go down as part of that with the first league title for 62 years'. The Trust are still appealing for fans and local historians who may have photographs or artefacts to make them available to be scanned, for use in the archive."

The Gloucester Citizen confirms that "Striker Andy Mangan's sorry second spell at Forest Green is coming to an end, with Shrewsbury Town thought to be leading the chase for his services... He was suspended by the New Lawn club for the bulk of last season due to a breach of club discipline, which occurred prior to Ady Pennock's arrival as manager.

Rovers terminated the 27-year-old's contract in February, only for him to successfully appeal against that decision and return early for pre-season training this summer. Yet he did not travel to Scotland with the rest of the squad for a boot camp last week, with Pennock happy to cut his losses...

Mangan's former boss at Fleetwood Town Micky Mellon, now in charge of League Two Shrewsbury, is thought to be keen on ending his footballing exile. A likeable but controversial character, Mangan was hit with a five-month ban from football in the summer of 2009 for breaching betting rules while at previous club Bury. He joined Wrexham in January 2010 and scored 23 goals for the Dragons before moving to Fleetwood Town...

He spurned offers from Football League clubs to re-join Rovers on a bumper three-year deal, but he made only three starts and six substitute appearances in the Skrill Premier last term. Saturday's short trip to Shortwood will be Pennock's third opportunity to run the rule over his new-look squad, having seen them narrowly beaten by Birmingham City and cruise to a 4-0 win at Bishop's Cleeve. Left-back Chris Stokes, sidelined by a hamstring injury since the end of last season, is set to make his first appearance of the summer."

Down at Kent Online it is thought that "Returning defender Mat Mitchel-King may not be the only signing Dartford make this week. Mitchel-King, 30, penned a new deal at Princes Park on Tuesday night and now Darts' boss Tony Burman... said, 'I’ve got a couple of other players who we’re looking to bring in and I’m speaking to one at the moment. Hopefully, something might happen this week. He’s got a lot of choices but I’m hoping he’ll choose us.

Yes, these players would like to stay full-time if they can but, the closer it gets to the season, if it’s not working for them, they might have to consider the part-time option. If they do, I’ll be delighted'.

Mitchel-King joined Dartford last summer and experienced a turbulent first few months as Burman’s side fell into relegation trouble. But when Rory McAuley joined on loan from Cambridge United in January, Mitchel-King looked more assured alongside him. McAuley’s arrival on a permanent deal last month means the two will pick up where they left off..

Burman said... 'Kingy’s a lot fitter than what he was last year. He’s come back fitter, he’s done a lot through the summer when he’s been out of the country and he’s worked with us".

17 July 2014

NEXT GAME: TRAFFORD

In advance of Saturday's game, Trafford announce that for the friendly against Altrincham (3pm), entrance prices are £6 for adults and £3 for O.A.Ps. and Juniors.

In their last game, Trafford won 1-0 away at West Didsbury & Chorlton, with a team comprising "Read, Welsh, Ashton, Mason, Bayunu, Andrews, Palmer, J Shaw, Freakes, Hackney, Oates Subs: Black - Hackney 20 mins Fallon - Palmer 45 mins Schofield - Andrews 45 mins. Scorer: Ashton 44 mins".

Last season's squad at Shawe View has remained intact apart from the departure to Salford 92 (formerly Salford City) of former Alty defender, Andy Smart.

YANKEE PAYS OUT £5,000 JACKPOT

The Altrincham FC Saturday Yankee jackpot of £5,000 was won last week; the new jackpot now stands at £2,250. Details of the results are here. Joining the Yankee helps the Club enormously and allows you the chance to win £5,000 for a £1 stake; membership details are here

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Football Conference says that "Conference Premier new boys Dover Athletic have signed Christian Nanetti from former Conference South rivals Havant & Waterlooville. Nanetti moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his football career, starting out as a youth player with Queen's Park Rangers. From Rangers he moved to Raith Rovers in September 2010 and then on to Ashford Town (Middx)...

During 2011/12 he played twenty-eight times for Lewes, scoring 3 times, and moved to the Hawks in March 2012... His pace and direct running made him a fans' favourite at Westleigh Park."

Meanwhile, "Nuneaton Town have signed former Coventry City academy midfielder Ryan Quinn. He represented the Sky Blues at both under-18 and under-21 level last season. Manager Brian Reid said of Quinn, 'He is a tenacious player with good technical ability and an excellent work ethic'".

There are worrying developments at Aggbrough where Kidderminster Harriers report that "Events over the last month mean that money that was contractually committed to the Club by other directors to cover the trading performance in the 2013/14 season has not been forthcoming despite written assurances to the contrary.

Recent events with other clubs this summer have illustrated how difficult it can be to run a lower league football club and it is essential that the directors can rely on funding commitments made. Therefore, notwithstanding any historical financial contributions, the failure to meet these most recent, and to date unfulfilled commitments, which the Directors had relied on in pushing for promotion last season, has caused unexpected financial challenges.

Legal advice has been sought in this respect and as a consequence the club shall make no further public comment whatsoever. The Club remains very positive about the forthcoming season and the Directors are keen to achieve a speedy resolution in this matter." Bulls' News explains that "Kidderminster are to sue some of their own Directors after they failed to come up with funds they promised to the club to cover a shortfall. The club's Supporters Trust has put £21,500 into the club today after they were 'made aware of a short-term cash flow challenge and of the circumstances surrounding that'.

A club statement says they will seek a legal resolution... The club have not stated who the Directors are. Former chairman Mark Serrell and his wife both stood down from the board in February, with Ken Rae stepping up as chairman".

According to NL Daily, "Barnet have agreed to sign experienced forward Charlie MacDonald and centre-back Bondz N'Gala... Thirty-three-year-old MacDonald has so far played in both of the Bees' pre-season fixtures...

Former West Ham United and Plymouth Argyle defender N'Gala, 24, has previously spent time on loan with the Bees... Most recently of League One side Oldham Athletic, MacDonald boasts plentiful Football League experience, having netted one hundred and seventeen league goals for twelve different clubs".

The BBC announces that "Grimsby Town have signed former Gateshead defender Carl Magnay on a one-year deal. The 25-year-old left the Tynesiders at the end of last season after making 67 league appearances. The former Chelsea trainee recently spent a period training with Partick Thistle. He is the fourth player to join the Mariners this summer after defender Aristote Nsiala and midfielders Scott Brown and Jack Mackreth".

16 July 2014

MOSSLEY 0 ALTRINCHAM 2

Right: Nicky Clee lines up a second-half freekick.

It took a fifth-minute own goal and a penalty on the stroke of half-time to secure Altrincham's win against Peter Band's Mossley, who gave a good account of themselves.

Match report here.

Mossleyweb also has a report.

UNITED AT ALTY

The scheduled friendly at home to a Tranmere Rovers XI on Tuesday 22 July has been cancelled. Instead, on Wednesday 23 July at 7.45pm Altrincham will play Manchester United Reserves at the J. Davidson Stadium, Moss Lane.

Altrincham FC confirm that admission prices for all of the pre-season friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium are as follows:

Adults £7
Concessions £4..
Under 5s are free of charge.
Altrincham FC 2014-15 season ticket holders are also admitted free of charge.

Please note that entry is by cash-only and that away-teams' season tickets are not valid for friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium.

Manchester United "have announced more friendly dates for Warren Joyce's Reserves to add to this Sunday's opening pre-season clash at Bray Wanderers. The Reds, who reached the Barclays Under-21 Premier League final in May, will head to Southport on 22 July before facing Altrincham, the former home venue for the team, the following day.

The United Reserves' and U-21 squad is here.

TRAINING

Above, courtesy of Grahame Rowley, we see Altrincham's players at pre-season training at Newall Green recently.

LEE PREPARES THE SQUAD

John Edwards, joint Press Officer at Altrincham FC, reports that "Lee Sinnott insists his Altrincham players are relishing the 'wonderful opportunity' of proving themselves in an increasingly competitive Conference Premier this coming season.

With Bristol Rovers the latest to drop out of League Two, the Conference has never provided a sterner test for part-time clubs like Alty, who booked their return to the national division with a memorable play-off win over Guiseley.

The fixture list confirms as much, with Alty launching their campaign at Aldershot on Saturday, August 9 and following up with home games against Lincoln City on Tuesday the 12th and Bristol Rovers on Saturday the 16th.

It sets the tone for a programme packed with familiar Football League names, but Sinnott is adamant a squad bolstered by new signings Dave Parton, Sean Williams and Ryan Crowther will not be fazed by the challenge.

'Bristol Rovers for our first home Saturday game is ideal, a really attractive fixture that we could probably only have envisaged in the FA Cup a few years ago,' said the Alty manager. 'There are five or six more that fit into the same category, and it is a measure of how non-League football has changed in recent times.

'In the Conference North, the name of Altrincham was one of the biggest around, but we now find ourselves in a situation where there are ex-League clubs everywhere you look.

'That means the pressure is off us and we can just concentrate on doing what we do well. The men in white coats would cart me away if I said we were going for the title, but equally it would be a defeatist mentality to say we are targeting fifth from bottom as a great season.

'We are going to roll the dice and see where we go. It is a wonderful opportunity for the players, an exciting challenge we are all looking forward to. I'm pleased with the players we have brought in, and work is continuing behind the scenes on that front, because there could be room for one more midfielder and a centre-forward.

'The good thing is, we retained 14 out of 17 from last season and brought in three additions nice and early, so we can afford to be patient. There's no complacency on our part, and we are working on things and talking to people. But it is good that we have got ourselves into a position where we know we can assess everything carefully and make sure that, in terms of age, ability and experience, any additional signing will be absolutely right for Altrincham Football Club.'

Reflecting on the acquisition of midfielder Williams, winger Crowther and keeper Parton, Sinnott added, 'Whenever I have watched Sean in opposition, I have always been drawn to his brain and the way he is constantly alive to what is going on around him and always keeping the ball ticking over. He has a bright mind and is comfortable with the ball on either foot. He has dovetailed really well with the other lads, as has Ryan, who has many similar qualities. You can tell he has played in the Conference Premier before. Both have settled in quickly and will help us go on to the next level.

'With Dave [Parton], it is good that we now have a keeper who will push Stuart Coburn and provide competition. It's a nice balance between Stuart's vast experience and Dave's relative youth, and that should prove a good combination. Dave will learn off Stuart and will also push him along.'"

In another piece for the Sale and Altrincham Messenger John Edwards tells us "There will be some famous shirts hanging from the pegs of Altrincham's brand new away dressing room after Manchester United agreed to a prestige friendly at the J.Davidson Stadium next Wednesday (7.45pm). Reserve boss Warren Joyce will be in charge of a United XI for a game that replaces the Tranmere friendly, scheduled for the night before but now cancelled.

'The United players will be the first to use the new facilities, and we couldn't wish for better opponents', said manager Lee Sinnott".

OLD BOYS

The EvoStik League reports that two ex-Alty players have found new clubs. Aaron Burns has gone from Nantwich Town to Marine, whilst Sam Grimshaw has moved from Altrincham to Radcliffe Borough.

According to NL Pitchero, "Winsford United have confirmed the signing of four quality players to strengthen the squad... The club... can also confirm that a number of players from last season have committed to the club for next season including... Osebi Abadaki", a former Alty Youth player.

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Football Conference reports that "Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has made ex-Lincoln City player Dan Gray his ninth signing of summer with the former Imp signing a one-year contract. Mansfield-born Gray, 24, began his career with Alfreton, having a `work experience` placement with the Reds before he joined Chesterfield...

He began his career as a central midfield player before being converted into a right-back... After two loan spells at Macclesfield Town... Gray was released by Chesterfield at the end of the 2011/12 season and moved to Lincoln where he has spent the last two seasons, making fifty-two appearances for the Imps."

In the Lincolnshire Echo we learn that "Lincoln City boss Gary Simpson confirmed former Fleetwood Town striker Jon Parkin has been training with the club this week. The experienced forward has played for Barnsley, York City, Macclesfield, Hull City, Stoke City, Preston North End and Cardiff City, but has found himself without a club this summer.

Simpson, who tried to bring Parkin in on loan last season, understands the 32-year-old goal-getter is still aiming to play as high as he can, but is remaining open minded... 'He’s tried to go to a few clubs around Yorkshire to train but they said "no". I said "yes"', explained Simpson. 'If, in a few weeks, he hasn’t got a club fixed up, then who knows? It’s like any of the players out there. Maybe we might have more of a chance to attract them because we have done them a favour and let him train with us.

Maybe when it comes to the start of the season they might look to us because they know us and think they were good enough to help me out. They are using us, we are using them. We could do with a few more at training, so having the trialists in helps'.

Simpson also revealed that Hamza Bencherif, who played 45 minutes for Lincoln City in their 2-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at the weekend, has been training with Cambridge United this week. Right-back Jake Caprice, who played an hour for City against Rovers on Saturday ,has stayed on to train with Lincoln this week".

15 July 2014

MOSSLEY GAME

Altrincham are away to Mossley at Seel Park on Tuesday night (7.45pm). Although there will be no Matchday Updates on this website and no Radio Robins' coverage, a brief summary will appear here after the game and a full match report will follow on Wednesday. In addition, Brian Flynn advises that on Tuesday evening he "will be providing regular updates on twitter and brief half-time and full-time reports on facebook".

Mossley are managed by former Alty player Peter Band and play in the Evo Stik First Division (North). The postcode is OL5 0ES.

OLD BOY

In 1998-99, along with Kevin "Killer" Kilcline, former Manchester City midfielder Nigel Gleghorn was briefly joint player-coach at Altrincham. Now the Manchester Evening News reports that the Manchester FA has appointed him Workforce Development Manager. Gleghorn "joins MCFA after a spell coaching the City academy. New responsibilities for delivering the 'Workforce and Better Players' goals of the National Game strategy, the former Nantwich Town boss is tasked with providing a skilled and diverse workforce to develop the grassroots game. That role will include the delivery of community-coaching programmes, developing a casual coaching pool to create sustainability and supporting coach mentors".

SUMMER FUN WEEKS

There are two Altrincham FC Summer Football Fun Weeks on the horizon. The first, at the J. Davidson Stadium, Moss Lane, runs from 28 July to 1 August; the second is at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, from 4th to 8th August. Details of the events and an application form are shown above (click to enlarge). For further details contact either Karen Rowley or Chris Bullock on 0161 928-1045 or by e-mail as soon as possible, as these are always popular events.

CONFERENCE NEWS

Get West London reports that "Joey Jones has signed for Woking after failing to secure a deal at AFC Wimbledon. The former Leicester City youngster was training at Wimbeldon’s New Malden base earlier this month".

More on this comes from the Football Conference, which says that "Jones originally joined the Cards on loan from Yeovil Town in January, making a dozen appearances in the league and scoring 2 goals... The 20-year-old, who joined Leicester City in 2010 before moving to Yeovil in 2013, is comfortable playing in both defence and midfield...

Meanwhile, Woking have confirmed that Mike Cestor has signed contractual forms for the 2014/15 season. The French left-back or centre-back signed for the Cards in summer 2012 from Leyton Orient, having impressed in three loan spells at Kingfield the previous season. He was originally a youth team player with Italian side A.C.Pisa 1909 before joining the O’s youth set-up in the 2009/10 season...

The Cards have also confirmed that Aaron Howe and Joe McNerney have a year remaining on their two-year contracts, and John Nutter will be on non-contract forms due to work commitments. Niall Wright has reluctantly been released due to his family re-locating to the West Country."

Also, NL Pitchero tells us that "Busy Conference Premier club Woking have announced the signing of goalkeeper Jake Cole. Cole, 28, started his career at Queens Park Rangers in 2003, his former clubs include Oxford United and Barnet... Most recently he has been at Plymouth Argyle, making nearly 100 appearances over three seasons for the Pilgrims in League Two."

The Football Conference says that, "Conference Premier promotion finalists Gateshead have brought exciting wide player Alex Rodman to the International Stadium... and manager Gary Mills has strengthened his squad with a raft of summer signings.

Rodman played for Mills at both York City and Tamworth and last season was impressive on the wing for Grimsby Town, who Gateshead beat in the play-offs... Grimsby were keen to keep Rodman...

'It's been a long summer, for one reason or another, and I can`t wait to get started at Gateshead', said Rodman. 'The deal fell through at Hibs and Grimsby wanted me back, while I had a few other good options in the Conference Premier, but I'm really glad to have joined Gateshead... I've played under Gary Mills before and he is a top man. I know how he works and likes to play his football...

He plays football the right way and gets results. I have a lot of respect for him, he's a fantastic manager'... Rodman had three years in the Football League at Aldershot as well as a loan spell at York in League Two, and played forty-one games for Grimsby in 2013/14...

Said Mills, 'He's a player who can turn a game, an exciting player and someone I've always rated... He's a positive player with two good feet who can play on the left or right as well as down the middle... We've now got great options up front and the lack of that bit of quality in the final third just caught up with us last season. I wanted to address that, and I've more than done that with the amount of strikers I've brought in'.

Rodman, Gateshead's seventh signing of the summer, has joined the club on a one-year contract".

NL Pitchero tells us that "Barnet's Mark Byrne has signed for Newport County on a short-term contract until January. Byrne is a versatile midfielder... Byrne, who played under Exiles boss Justin Edinburgh during a spell with Diamonds, has been on trial with County during pre-season".

According to NL Daily, "Bristol Rovers defender Michael Smith has handed in a transfer request. Smith, who has a year left on his current deal, has... been offered a new and improved contract by the club in a bid to persuade him to stay at the Memorial Stadium.

However, the 25-year-old commented, 'This is a decision I've wrestled with all summer. I feel I need to move on in order to progress my career and fulfil my ambition of playing international football'... Smith is believed to have been the subject of interest from a number of League One clubs over the summer".

Reports from the BBC confirm that "Kidderminster have signed right-back Jared Hodgkiss following his release by rivals Forest Green. Stafford-born Hodgkiss, 27, has signed a one-year deal to become Harriers' fifth new signing of the summer."

The Torquay Herald says that "The transfer link between Torquay United and striker Jamie Cureton has almost certainly ended, as the veteran marksman appears to be on the point of agreeing a new deal with Cheltenham Town.

Cureton, 38, whose previous contract with Cheltenham ended this summer, had been talking to Gulls' boss Chris Hargreaves recently, but he returned to Whaddon Road to train with the Robins last week and played the first 45 minutes of their 1-1 friendly draw with Evesham United at the weekend.

Town manager Mark Yates confirmed that a new deal for ex-Bristol Rovers and Exeter City forward Cureton is likely, with the player prepared to take a big cut in wages to stay at the club.

Meanwhile, Hargreaves will use tomorrow night’s friendly against Yeovil Town at Plainmoor to rerun the rule over his two trialist strikers, Duane O’Achie and Courtney Baker-Richardson".

At Forest Green Rovers, "Birmingham City visit The New Lawn on Tuesday night as Forest Green fans get first sight of Ady Pennock’s revamped Rovers' squad... After a punishing week of fitness work in Scotland, described by one of Rover’s more mature players as the 'toughest he’s experienced in his career', the pre-season preparation doesn’t get any easier with the visit of Lee Clark’s men to Gloucestershire...

Barely a whisper was heard from the Forest Green squad during the week long training camp at the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Scotland, as manager Ady Pennock worked the players hard on fitness and team bonding... Pennock said, 'The boys have worked their socks off and credit to all of them they've come back really fit. Each day we had a 7am run, then at 11 o'clock we'd have gym work and then ball work at four in the afternoon. They were tired at the end of each day, it was a proper boot camp...

The new lads really settled in well, they sang they're [their] (introductory songs) and they're [there] were some good voices in there'.

No fewer than seven players could pull on the Forest Green Rovers shirt for the first time on Tuesday evening after the arrival of defenders David Pipe (Newport County) and James Jennings (Mansfield Town); midfielders Sam Wedgbury (Stevenage Borough), Clovis Kamdjo and Rob Sinclair (both Salisbury City); and wide-men Elliott Frear (Salisbury) and Kurtis Guthrie (Welling United).

But new goalkeeper goalkeeper Steve Arnold (former Stevenage Borough) is unlikely to appear after tweaking his knee in training today, while Luke Oliver also has an niggle in his calf that will keep him from playing.

Aarran Racine is still on the long road back to recovery, three months after surgery for a ruptured anterior-cruciate ligament... The game is just too early for Chris Stokes who is also returning from long-term injury".

Alty fans should take note that "Forest Green do not have any seats available for away fans".

14 July 2014

RANDALLS TO SPONSOR ALTY LADIES' TRAINING KIT

Altrincham FC Ladies' manager Keith Edleston is delighted to announce that for the next two seasons the Ladies' training kit will be sponsored by a well-known local jewellery company, Randalls of Altrincham. Randalls are located in the town centre at 16 George Street in the Stamford Quarter of Altrincham (WA14 1SF).

Keith expressed his delight at the new sponsorship, saying "This is another local business supporting the Club which, in my mind, goes to show that the local business community is willing to help out with such a progressive and forward thinking club. We in the Ladies' section are so proud that, along with Dave and Alison at the Blue Dog Bar and Richie Bentley Catering we now have another big name supporting us in Randalls of Altrincham. I would like to say a big "thank you" to Peter Foster for helping to arrange this latest sponsorship".

Pictured right, Keith shakes hands on the deal with Randalls.

CHRIS WINS WORLD CUP COMPETITION

Congratulations to Altrincham FC Community Officer, Chris Bullock, who won the Altrincham FC World Cup competition thanks to Germany winning the Final in Rio de Janeiro.

CONFERENCE NEWS

http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=12930 "Macclesfield Town are to host three top flight clubs at the Moss Rose in pre-season as Turkish club Besiktas take on Belgians K.V. Oostende on Saturday, 19th July and German side FSV Mainz 05 on Wednesday 23rd July.

Both matches are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and juniors, with entry on the gate.

Besiktas are preparing for both their Turkish Super Lig season as well as entering the Champions' League at the Third Qualifying Round stage, whilst Oostende finished ninth in last season’s Belgian Pro Ligue. Mainz finished seventh in the Bundesliga, qualifying for the Europa League in the process.

And there could be some World Cup stars in action with Mainz and Besiktas boasting six members of World Cup squads between them. The Turkish side currently numbering Portugal’s Hugo Almeida and USA’s Jermaine Jones amongst their squads whilst Shinji Okazaki of Japan, Costa Rica’s Junior Díaz, South Korean captain Koo Ja-Cheol and his team mate Park Joo-ho ply their trade with Mainz.

And whilst we think this is a first for Turkish and Belgian teams at the Moss Rose, the last time a German side used the ground for preparation, it was Euro '96 as Germany were based in Macclesfield before going on to win the tournament. The Silkmen would also be promoted into the Football League the following season."

13 July 2014

ALTY FC WORLD CUP COMPETITION

In the Altrincham FC World Cup competition, with the final being between Argentina and Germany, it's a shoot out between Grahame Rowley (Argentina) and Chris Bullock (Germany) for the first prize. The other prizes, which have already been awarded are:-

First Sending Off - Ian Watmore - Uruguay
Most Goals Conceded - Neil Faulkner - Brazil
Third / Fourth-place teams - Daisy Rowley (Holland) and Neil Faulkner (Brazil)

Many thanks to all who entered the competition; as Grahame Rowley says, "May the best team win tonight"!

DUNCAN MAKES AN IMPRESSION

Chronicle Live tells us that "Young winger Duncan Watmore (right, in his Alty days) has made an impression on Gus Poyet and will train with the first-team during pre-season. Sunderland starlet Duncan Watmore will be handed a chance to shine after being drafted into the Black Cats’ first-team pre-season plans.

Winger Watmore joined the Wearsiders from non-league Altrincham last summer and excelled for Kevin Ball’s development side.

Boss Gus Poyet rewarded him with a first-team debut in the FA Cup in January before sending him north of the border to spend the second half of the season in the Scottish Premier League with Hibernian, with Poyet saying at the time, 'He’s impressed me because of where he’s come from and where he’s playing. To have an opportunity to go to Hibernian is massive, and we couldn’t let it pass'.

Watmore has clearly caught Poyet’s eye and this week the 20-year-old has been training alongside the first-team at the Academy of Light. He is likely to stay with the first-team squad for the majority of the pre-season preparations and could be included on the club’s trip to Portugal at the end of the month".

In Portugal, Sunderland are set to play in a tournament in Albufeira.

"JONAH" JOINS WITTON

In the Northwich Guardian we read that former Altrincham FC player and, more recently, Alty's youth team assistant manager "Paul Jones has promised young players with potential will have an opportunity to show it at Witton Albion after taking over as reserve team manager. He told the Guardian his number one objective is to challenge a perception that talented boys cannot step up to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League level.

'I want to send a message to those lads that they can flourish here', he said. 'At Witton we have an opportunity, as well as a responsibility, to develop emerging players and create for them an environment in which they can improve. I watch lots of games locally, so I’ve seen first-hand that there is ability out there'.

He hosts an open trial at Middlewich Leisure Centre this Saturday, from 2pm... Witton’s second string will play [alongside Altrincham] in an expanded Cheshire League from next season. Jones's target isn’t to deliver collective success but, rather, to promote initially one player to Brian Pritchard’s first team squad. He added, 'I’ve been set a target, but it’s realistic. If we can unearth or improve one player that’s good enough, then I’m sure that expectation will be increased to two or three lads. As coach, I’ll relish that challenge.

It will be great to work with somebody like Nigel Deeley, who is one of the best around for coaching young players'.

Jones coached Altrincham’s under 18s in the North West Youth Alliance last term, spending short spells, too, at Cheshire League clubs Denton Town, Barnton and then Barnton Wanderers. Before that, he guided Winnington Avenue to the Crewe and District League Premier Division title.

'Last season was testing for me and I certainly didn’t intend to move around so much', he said. 'I learned an awful lot though, particularly about the standards I like to set and what I expect from players that I’m working with'".

12 July 2014

MOSS LANE SOIL

Groundsman Neil Brown has some soil available, free of charge, to any Altrincham FC supporter (or friends). The soil, which is a product of Neil's summer work on the pitch at the J. Davidson Stadium, is available free of charge from the area behind the Popular Side at Moss Lane... help yourself!

YOUTH TEAM FRIENDLY

On Saturday 12th July 2014, Altrincham's first team has no game but Altrincham AFC Under-18s take on Accrington Stanley in a friendly match. It kicks off at 12 noon at Partington Sports Centre, Chapel Lane, Partington, M31 4ES. The referee is Tim Willis and the assistant referees are Rohan Anand and Felipe Morais.

BT SPORT CONFERENCE MATCHES

"The Football Conference is pleased to announce the following fixtures have been selected for exclusively live TV coverage by BT Sport. Note below timings are kick off times. Further matches for live broadcast will be announced at a later date.

Saturday 9 August - Bristol Rovers v Grimsby Town - kick-off 12.45pm
Thursday 14 August - Eastleigh v Aldershot Town - kick-off 7.45pm ex Tuesday 12 August.
Monday 25 August - Forest Green Rovers v Bristol Rovers - kick-off at 12noon

Due to the above date movement involving Eastleigh and Aldershot Town it should be noted that the following fixture will move from Saturday 16th August to Sunday 17th August: AFC Telford United v Aldershot Town.

There will be no change to the Eastleigh v Gateshead fixture on Saturday 16th August, which will remain on that date as scheduled."

ALTY'S FRIENDLY OPPONENTS

Two of Altrincham's friendly opponents this summer met each other this week and as Mossleyweb reports it ended "Abbey Hey (0) 1 Ofori (70) Mossley (3) 5 Carroll (15), Foster (20), Murray (35), Matthews (55), Cawthorne (75)", with Mossley fielding the following squad... 1. Liam Higginbotham, 2. Andy Brown, 3. Tom Fieldhouse, 4. Tom Dean, 5. Ryan Marley, 6. John Bennett, 7. Mike Crosby, 8. Tom Murray, 9. Dougie Carroll, 10. Steve Foster, 11. Brian Matthews. Subs, 12. Sam McClennan (for Foster 50), 14. Danny McDonnell (for Crosby 40), 15. James Blair (for Marley 35), 16. Dan Vinten (for Fieldhouse 46), 17. Jaya Cawthorne (for Carroll 60), GK. Ashley Frith (for Higginbotham 46).

Both Derryn Ofori for Abbey Hey and John Bennett for Mossley were former Alty Youth players.

"Mossley played a hastily arranged friendly against Abbey Hey at Cedar Mount Academy on Thursday night and ran out comfortable 5-1 winners. There were first half goals scored by Dougie Carroll with a delicate 20 yard angled chip shot, Steve Foster with a close range overhead volley and a neat finish by trialist Tom Murray. Carroll and Foster in particular went close on several other occasions. At the other end an Abbey hey free kick hit the post before Liam Higginbotham scooped the ball to safety.

The second half saw Mossley again comfortably in control and Brian Matthews extended the lead with a neat finish before Derryn Ofori, who played briefly for Mossley last season scored a consolation for Abbey Hey. Trialist Jaya Cawthorne pounced to fire home the fifth after the Abbey keeper had parried a right wing Danny McDonnell cross."

Altrincham's next game is on Tuesday (15th) at Mossley, 7.45pm.

OLD BOYS

The EvoStik League reports that Brian Smikle has moved from Stafford Rangers to Stourbridge. The League also reports that Chukwuka JR Ubah has gone from Altrincham to Carlton Town.

CONFERENCE NEWS

NL Pitchero says that "Dover Athletic have announced that Barry Cogan, Liam Bellamy and Lee Hook have all signed... one-year deals... Midfielder Cogan is one of the club's longest-serving players, having joined Whites in November 2010...

Fellow midfielder Liam Bellamy has also agreed a new deal with the club, confirming a second season at Crabble for the 23-year-old... Also signing on for another season is experienced goalkeeper Lee Hook, who has now been at the club for over five years. The 35-year-old made three appearances last season, all in the Kent Senior Cup, but plays a key role as understudy for Mitch Walker."

Elsewhere, "Nicky Law, manager of Alfreton Town, has brought in his eighth new signing of the summer with former York City, Mansfield Town and FC Halifax Town defender Chris Smith signing a one-year contract with the Reds. Derby-born Smith, 33, is a vastly experienced central defender who can also play right-back and has a healthy goalscoring record over the years.

After leaving York by mutual consent in late January, he moved to FC Halifax in February of last season on a free... He was player of the year at Worcester City in the 2006/07 season, won the Conference North title with Tamworth in 2008/09 and captained York to a successful 'double' at Wembley in the 2011/12 campaign".

Meanwhile, "Wrexham have announced the signing of striker Connor Jennings on a one-year contract. The Manchester-born 22-year-old caused something of a sensation last season when arriving on loan at Macclesfield Town, proceeding to score an average of virtually a goal a game during his four month spell in the Cheshire town, which is his now his home... A calf injury ended his time with Macc, but after recovering he enjoyed another loan spell at Grimsby Town...

Released by parent club Scunthorpe United this summer... he has finally settled on a move to the Racecourse. Jennings started his career with Stalybridge Celtic... That was when the goals started to flow, 51 in seventy-nine starts for the Greater Manchester club in the Conference North... and earned him a move to Glanford Park in January 2012... He first went out on loan to Stockport County in November 2012...

He plays like an old-fashioned striker who can contribute both physically and technically. He gains the fans’ plaudits through his endless effort in closing players down and tracking back defensively."

Acording to the Football Conference, "Former international Gareth Roberts has signed for Chester FC. The vastly experienced left-back began his career as a trainee at Liverpool before joining Greek side Panionios and then enjoyed a nine-year spell at Tranmere Rovers. The 36-year-old made 338 appearances for the Wirral club before joining Doncaster Rovers and then had spells at Derby County, Bury, and finally was at Notts County last season.

Roberts has also represented Wales nine times. Chester manager Steve Burr... is still looking at other trialists this week at the club’s MBNA base as the switch to daytime full-time training continues. The first friendly is on Saturday away at Marine AFC".