The following article is from the match programme, 26 December 1962, Altrincham v Wigan Athletic.

This was the Year - that was!

The Highlights of the Football Year for ALTRINCHAM - The Year 1962

January

Started the year with an abandoned match, after leading Witton Albion 1-0 the fog came down. Jimmy Brown was our scorer. The following week in a return fixture we lost 1-0 at Witton. In the match against Rhyl, Paddy Fagan hit the headlines, "Fagan storms back." We won 3-1, scorers Fagan, Fletcher and Green. Tommy Banks suspended for fourteen days and missed three matches.

February

Altrincham lost at Macclesfield 3-1 after winning 1-0 at half time. The Robins played with only ten men. The line-up for this match was ALLEN, REED, TOMKINSON, EDWARDS, GREENALL, HASSELL, FLETCHER, DODGSON, GREEN, ROBINSON, FAGAN. Fagan injured. Rex Grey signed from Macclesfield for a substantial fee. Eric Robinson received fractured collar bone after the inter-league victory over Witton Albion. Tommy Hill the scorer at inside forward. Bobby Allen brilliant in this match.

March

Altrincham gain first points in six weeks. A 1-0 victory over Wrexham. Bobby Allen saved a penalty against Hyde United. The team for this match, ALLEN, PERRY, REED, EDWARDS, GREENALL, BANKS, BROWN, SCRUTON, FLETCHER, GREEN, WILSON. Reds sink to a 2-0 defeat at Bangor. Keith Wilson saved a point with a goal at Sankeys. The highlight of the month, ALTRINCHAM v. HYDE UNITED, semi-final of the Cheshire Senior Cup. After losing 4-0 at half-time the Reds saved themselves with two second half goals and finally lost 5-2 [??]. The match was played at Stockport County's ground. A great game against Buxton, 4-2 victory. Rex Grey netted two. Leading 4-1 at half-time. Last match of March against Tranmere. ALTRINCHAM came away with a 4-3 victory. Scorers, Green 2, Grey and Goodwin.

April

No score against Wigan, a draw, a fair result. Another sad defeat against Marine in the Interleague cup. Our only goal scored by Jlrnmy Brown. Bobby AlIen our hero of the day. Paddy Fagan quit as manager due to heavy business commitments. In the Buxton match we were defeated 2-1. Jimmy Brown again scored our only goal. A great winger. The key man in the BUXTON attack was a player called BRIAN WILSON. He split the Altrincham defence wide open time and time again. A great game at Wigan. FLETCHER nets 2, GREY nets 2. 500 fans travelled to Wigan to see this game. A finish to the season with a good 2-0 win over Stafford. GREEN and ROBINSON scored. GEORGE GREENALL was presented with a tankard by Club Chairman PETER SWALES for fifty-eight consecutive appearances.

Close Season

The bombshell dropped and only thirteen players were retained on the list. Tommy Hill the first to accept terms for the new season. Fletcher topped the goal scorers with twenty to his credit. Paddy Fagan was second with fifteen. Over thirteen matches were lost through the odd goal defeat. Renovation of drains carried out under the pitch. New section of boundary wall completed.

New Season- August, 1962

A match against an All Star XI opened the season which we won 2-1. All Star team included FIELDlNG, MEADOWS, BATTY, BOOT, OWEN, COCKBURN, CLARK, REVIE, ASTON, PEARSON, ROGERS. A great 2-1 victory at Chester. Perry and Grey scored. Another great victory Winsford, 4-2. Freddie Morris the man of the match. Len Dickenson sent off in the match against Sankeys which we won 1-0. ALTRINCHAM top the Cheshire league for the first time for many years. Morris sent off in inter-league cup clash with Ashton. We were defeated 1-0.

September

A great Dickenson hat trick against Oswestry. Dlckenson scores the only goal in our clash with Marine in the F.A. Cup. Again he hits the headlines but this time with a 14 day suspension. Pre-match bombshell against Stafford. Stars of the team Banks and Dickenson are dropped without notice. REDS lose 100% record, a draw 1-1.

October

ALTRINCHAM still top of the league. Four points clear. A fantastic game against Congleton, Rex Grey netted four whilst Len Dickenson had to be contented with 2. St. Helens defeated 3-1 In the F.A. Cup. Grey nets two again. Gerry Ireland and Ron Phoenix outstanding. First defeat - Buxton slammed us 2-0. Phoenix again man of the match. 6,000 witness Altrincham's F.A. Cup defeat by Rhyl. Dickenson and Grey score agam. What a combination these two are.

November

ALTRINCHAM still top of the league. One of the greatest games ever seen at Moss Lane. Altrincham trounce the Silkmen 4-1. GOODWIN scores two. McFarlane returns to Moss Lane. Brian Wilson signs on for the Robins from BUXTON. We move to second place in the league.

December

Reds take their biggest hammering against Stalybridge. The. rest of the Moss Lane story I'm sure is fresh in your minds. However we are looking forward to a very prosperous 1963.