The "STAR News Column"

The Sale & Altrincham Messenger is the local paper of the Altrincham and Sale district and it is published every Thursday. The paper's Sports' Editor, Jenny Dixon, kindly devotes space in each issue of his paper to the "STAR Column". away games.

The text reproduced below is that which was submitted to the newspaper. It may differ slightly from the version which appears in the paper, as that may have been edited subsequently . Any errors, omissions etc are the responsibility of the author.

STAR, the Altrincham supporters' trust, has been busy over the summer raising the profile of the club, not least at the Altrincham Festival and amongst local schools. It will also soon be leafletting the new estate behind the ground in an effort to attract the new residents to Moss Lane.

STAR prize draw tickets are now available, with the draw being at the AGM on September 10th when there will also be a quiz and a forum. STAR has also held talks with Trafford Borough Council about holding coaching sessions on Stamford Park for schoolchildren on Saturday home matchday mornings. The council are now looking for coaches to run the scheme.

STAR has changed its website address to www.star4alty.com and now incorporates the archive of Alan Johnson's former Alty photo site. Current season photos are being provided by Mark Murray.

After a succesful series of friendlies, the league season kicks off this Saturday (14th). Alty are members of the new Nationwide Conference North and the season begins with a home game against Gainsborough Trinity at 3pm. A Nationwide Conference North founder-members' t-shirt has been produced and is on sale for just £6.95 from STAR via its website.

Don't forget that Altrincham FC season tickets are great value and can be obtained from the club (tel. 928-1045). New faces in the team this season will include midfielder Eddie Hussin from Marine, winger/striker Colin Little from Halifax Town, striker Peter Wright (ex-Burscough) and winger David Holt from Stockport County.

Mark Eckersall will again be organising supporters' coaches to every away game played by the first team, the first one being on Monday August 16th - times and prices from the club (928-1045). Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin will once again supply the transport from his coach fleet.

Alty's newly re-formed Reserves side has put in some very promising performances over the summer. Their home games will be played at Abbey Hey FC, the first home match in the Lancashire League being on August 18th against Lancaster City Reserves (7.45pm).

The Youth team kicks off the defence of its NWYA Premier Division league title at home to Bootle on Sunday August 22nd (2pm) at Wythenshawe Town's ground, Timpson Road, behind Tesco at Baguley.