2006-07 First-Team Squad

ALTRINCHAM F.C. 2006-07 : Pictured above are: BACK ROW: Stuart Coburn, Andy Cummins, Richard Acton. MIDDLE ROW: Andy Hosgood (physio), Joe O'Neill, Lewis Chalmers, Gary Talbot, Peter Band, Peter Thomson, Graham Heathcote (manager), Karl Munroe, Stephen Rose, Val Owen, Robbie Lawton, Gary Scott, Dan Heathcote (kitman). FRONT ROW: Charles Heathcote (kitman), Steve Aspinall, Justin Bowler, Warren Peyton, Lee Hendley, Colin Potts, Steve Bushell, Eddie Hussin, Kieran Lugsden, Colin Little, Pat McFadden, Rod Thornley, Alan Ainsley (physio).

The squad numbers for 2006-07 are as follows.
  • 1. Stuart COBURN
  • 2. Steve ASPINALL
  • 3. Gary SCOTT
  • 4. Peter BAND
  • 5. Gary TALBOT
  • 6. Steve BUSHELL
  • 7. Robbie LAWTON
  •  
  • 8. Val OWEN
  • 9. Colin LITTLE
  • 10. Rod THORNLEY
  • 11. Warren PEYTON
  • 12. Joe O'NEILL
  • 13. Richard ACTON
  • 14. Lewis CHALMERS
  •  
  • 15.Justin BOWLER
  • 16.  
  • 17. Karl MUNROE
  • 18. Pat McFADDEN
  • 19. Chris SENIOR
  • 20. Stephen ROSE
  • 21. Kieran LUGSDEN
  •  
  • 22. Andy SCOTT
  • 23. Eddie HUSSIN
  • 24. Anthony CUMMINS
  • 25. Danny HEFFERNAN
  • 26.  
  • 27.  
  • 28.
  • PHOTO / SQUAD NO.
    GOALKEEPERS

    13
  • Richard ACTON (d.o.b. 16 October 1979, height 6ft, weight 14st. 2lbs)

    As a youngster, Richard was at Manchester City (released 1998) before moving to Hyde United and Runcorn. Alty signed him in early September 2002 and he made his league debut against Marine that month. He remained first-choice keeper till he badly injured his shoulder at Harrogate (31/8/03). He did not return to action till 6 January 2004, as Stuart Coburn had returned to claim the no.1 jersey. Richard is an excellent shot-stopper and had League of Wales experience with TNS in March 2004 but returned to Altrincham for most of the 2004-05 season.

    He signed UniBond forms with Woodley Sports in August 2004 before joining Bangor City but returned to Alty once more in February 2005. Even so, he was on the bench for TNS against Liverpool in European competition (7/05) but also re-signed for Alty for 2005-06. A broken metatarsal suffered in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Woodley sidelined Richard from 13 September 2005 till mid-November when he returned to play against Crewe but he made no Conference appearances that season.

    However, he made his Conference debut in September 2006, only his second league game in three years, but he kept three clean sheets in his first five matches. However, after eight Conference games (including just one defeat) and one match in the FA Cup, he could count himself unlucky to be dropped in favour of Stuart Coburn in eraly November 2006. Appearances to June 2006: 50

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone.


  • 1
  • Stuart COBURN (d.o.b. 5 May 1976, height 6ft 1in, weight 14st.)

    In 1997/98 season Stuart joined Altrincham from Trafford, whom he had joined in 1994/95 after spells at Irlam Town and Maine Road. He had one Conference season (99/00) with Alty but played only 9 league games due to injury and his absence probably cost the club survival at that level.

    In May 2002, the lure of Conference football took him to Leigh RMI on a 2-year contract. Leigh surprisingly released him in October 2003 after he had been their player of the year. He rejoined Alty on 17 October 2003 and made his (second) Alty debut at Hyde on 21 October 2003. After an impressive series of performances Stuart underwent a hernia operation in May 2004 but was fit to star in season 2004-05 when, once again, he enhanced his reputation, not least with some important penalty saves. He also showed consistently good form in 2005-06.

    A groin injury sidelined him after 9 games of the 06/07 season but he returned in early November 2006. Appearances to June 2006: 308, 1 goal.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 24
  • Anthony CUMMINS

    Anthony arrived at Altrincham in pre-season 2006, having played local football for Wythenshawe Amateurs in South Manchester in 2005-06. He took part in several pre-season games for Altrincham and has played for the Reserves but has yet to play in a competitive first-team match for Altrincham.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  •  
    DEFENDERS
    Formerly no. 3
  • Chris ADAMS

    Chris has now left the club. Details here


  • 2
  • Stephen ASPINALL (d.o.b. 10 May 1976)

    Steve Aspinall was signed in early July 2003 from Vauxhall Motors, where he had been during much of the previous two seasons. He is the son of John Aspinall, who played for Tranmere Rovers and Altrincham in the 1980s and managed Bangor City. Steve started his career at Poulton Victoria and was also on Tranmere's books and has also been at Runcorn, (whom he joined from Bamber Bridge in December 2001), Chorley, Winsford, Vauxhall Motors and Macclesfield Town.

    Though Steve originally played as a central midfielder for Alty, he performed so well at right-back when Gary Scott was injured, that he kept the position. Steve is the first-choice penalty-kick taker and also regularly takes free-kicks and corners. Towards the end of 2004-05 an ankle injury sidelined him for several games and he underwent an operation on it in summer 2005.

    His comeback for 2005-06 was hindered by continuing ankle/foot problems and he did not start his first Conference game until Christmas 2005 but re-established himself afterwards as a regular starter either in central midfield or at right-back. In 2006-07 he has started regularly at right-back and had netted five penalties by January to make him top scorer at that stage of the season. Appearances to June 2006: 117+6, 15 goals (inc. 13 pens).

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 4
  • Peter BAND (d.o.b. 18 December 1973)

    Peter signed from Hyde United for a small fee in July 2002. He had joined Hyde United, where he became captain, from Bollington Athletic in July 1998 and was used as a striker. He made his league debut in the fourth game of the 2002-03 season when he appeared in central midfield and scored a goal. Peter soon established himself in the first team and played well in various positions, occupying every outfield role except left-back. He is a whole-hearted player wherever he plays but is probably at his best in central defence.

    Peter became captain when Mark Maddox was suspended in August 2004 and retained this role even after Mark's return, when he moved into midfield. Peter left for Northwich Victoria on 3 December 2004 but returned in 2005 close season. In 2005-06 he has generally played at centre-back with occasional appearances in central midfield and was Alty's most consistent player in the first half of the campaign. In Spring 2006 he was deployed in several games as a striker/ target man. In 2006-07 a series of injuries limited his appearances and when he returned to fitness the form of Munroe and Rose at centre-back meant he was deployed in midfield or even up front but then an injury to Stephen Rose allowed him to reclaim his centre-back berth. Appearances for Alty at June 2006 - 170, goals 19.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  • Formerly no. 26
  • Paul COLLINS

    Paul has now left the club. Details here

  • Formerly no. 4
  • Mark MADDOX

    Mark has now left the club. Details here

  • Formerly no. 27
  • George MELLING

    George has now left the club. Details here


  • 17
  • Karl MUNROE (d.o.b. 23.9.1979)

    Karl signed for Alty on 24 July 2005 after pre-season trials. He was with Oldham Athletic as a schoolboy and also played for Manchester Boys alongside Wes Brown. He then joined Swansea City as a YTS trainee and made one appearance for the first team. In 1999 he left on a free transfer for a brief spell at Haverfordwest. After a trial with Brighton, he signed for Macclesfield in summer 1999 and played in central midfield. Karl spent much of 2004-05 at Halifax Town but in March 2005 he moved to Northwich Vics, having been sidelined at The Shay by injury.

    Six-footer Karl, who hails from Cheetham Hill, made his Alty debut as a sub at right back in a friendly against Morton on 16 July 2005 but he has since also played at centre-back. Injured in the opening game of the season, Karl returned to action in mid-September 2005 but was sent off at Burton and suspended in November 2005. He suffered an ankle injury in December which sidelined him for several months but returned to action in the Spring though not as a regular starter.

    However, injuries to Band and Talbot allowed him a run as a starter at centre-back in September 2006, a chance which he took very well to become a regular starter. Appearances to June 2006: 16+8, 0 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 20
  • Stephen ROSE (d.o.b. 23 November 1980)

    Stephen was a junior with Manchester United before having a loan spell at Bournemouth. He then progressed via Bristol Rovers to Chester City, for whom he played in the Conference in 2001-02, before being released in May, 2002 and joining Alty. Stephen made his UniBond debut on 17 August 2002 and established himself as a virtual ever-present starter. He is a versatile player who has appeared at centre-back, full-back and, in 2003-04, regularly in central midfield for Altrincham.

    In 2004-05 he played at left-back as well as in left- and central-midfield before breaking his leg at Worcester on 30 October 2004. Stephen returned to action in 2005-06 pre-season and started in the Conference at right-back but injured an ankle on a buried sprinkler on the pitch at Crewe Alexandra in November. He recovered to figure chiefly as a reliable substitute in 2005-06 but took his chance back in the first team when Gary Talbot and Peter Band were injured in September 2006 and has forged a good partnership with Karl Munroe at centre-back until he lost his place through injury. Career appearances for Alty at June 2006- 123 (+13), 1 goal.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 22
  • Andy SCOTT (d.o.b. 27 June 1975)

    Andy Scott signed in late January 2007 after he played a trial game at left-back for Altrincham Reserves on 24th January. However, he can play in a variety of other positions including centre-back and in midfield.

    Andy had been at Kidsgrove Athletic since the start of the 2006-07 season but, before that, he had played for a variety of clubs against Altrincham in the past, including Leigh RMI, Stalybridge Celtic (from 1999), Southport (from January 2002), and Lancaster City (from June 2003) - the last three clubs all being under the management of Phil Wilson. A former youth international, Andy had spells with Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Rochdale as a youngster. He made his debut on 27 January 2007 at home to Kidderminster but more recently has been on the bench.


  • 3
  • Gary SCOTT (d.o.b. 3 February, 1978, height 5ft 8ins, weight 11st 2lbs)

    Gary made his debut for Altrincham on 3 October 2000 as a midfielder (v. Stalybridge). Born in Liverpool, he began his career at Tranmere Rovers but moved to Rotherham United on 7 August 1997. He then played for Marine and Leigh, who released him after he had made 9 Conference appearances. After two games in Alty's midfield, his first appearance for Altrincham at right-back was at home to Leek Town (10/10/00) and he opened his scoring account with two goals at Hyde (16//10/00). Gary played for the Unibond XI against the F.A. XI (22/11/00).

    Defensive experiments meant that he was an irregular rather than ever-present member of the team at the end of 2000-01 but he became a regular starter in 2001-02, either at right-back or in midfield, until injured in March 2002. He made a brief return at the very end of the 2001-02 season but re-established himself as the regular right-back for 2002-03 and 2003-04 till injury struck in late August 2003. On his return he played mostly in right midfield until a non-football facial injury sidelined him in February 2004 but he recovered to reclaim his place in April 2004.

    However, a knee injury sidelined him in September 2004 before he returned in October. In early 2005, Gary was playing in left-midfield or left-back but in late summer 2005 had a hernia operation. He then re-established himself in the team, initially on the left of midfield but more recently at right- or left-back before injury to his knee again sidelined him, in September 2006. After returning to action he was largely on the bench before regaining a place at right-back in February 2007. Appearances by June 2006 - 223(+19), goals 9.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 5
  • Gary TALBOT (d.o.b. 6 October 1970)

    Gary Talbot originally signed for Alty towards the end of the 1998/99 season from Winsford United. He is a commanding centre-back and a prodigious header of the ball, who is also a threat to opponents' goals at corners and free-kicks. His former clubs include Rhyl, Barnton, Wilmslow Albion and Witton Albion. He was sold by Alty to Northwich for a fee of £2,500 on 25 January, 2001 in the wake of Alty's financial rescue package, announced that week.

    He became the Vics' captain but was released and re-joined Altrincham for the 2002-03 season when he was a regular first-teamer and occasional captain. He has played consistently well for Alty once again in 2004-05 and captained the side on several occasions. A foot injury caused him to miss several games in the 2005-06 season but he returned to regular action in January 2006 after a three-month lay-off only to suffer a calf injury in September 2006. To regain fitness Gary has been loaned to Kidsgrove Athletic (January 2007). Appearances by June 2006 - 253(+6), goals 18.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  •  
    MIDFIELDERS

    15
  • Justin BOWLER (d.o.b. 26 June 1986)

    A very fast wingman, Justin signed for Alty on 1 July 2006 after being released by Halifax Town. He had joined the Shaymen in August 2005 from Leeds United, where he had been a trainee. He went on to make 5 Conference starts and 13 sub appearances for Halifax, two of which were as a sub against Alty.

    He also played in 2 FA Cup and 2 FA Trophy games for the Yorkshire club but was injured for part of the season. Justin made his Alty debut in a friendly at Woodley Sports on 1 July 2006 but picked up an injury later in pre-season, which forced him to miss the start of the Conference season. He can play on either flank but injury and illness has limited his availability in early 06/07 but since then he has failed to break into the first team.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 6
  • Stephen BUSHELL (d.o.b. 28 December 1972, height 5ft 9in, weight 11st 6lbs)

    A tenacious central midfielder, Steve signed for Alty on 1 July 2006, having been released by Halifax Town, where he had been captain. However in 2005-06 Steve, had a loan spell at Alty from Halifax Town, starting on 24 November 2005. He made his impressive debut two days later against Tamworth. A central midfielder, Steve's loan came as he was recovering from a broken leg, suffered in April 2005.

    A Mancunian, his previous clubs include York City from February 1991 to June 1998. He then joined Blackpool for three years before, in August 2001, he signed for Stalybridge Celtic (then in the Conference) where he played alongside Ged Murphy, who coincidentally signed for Alty a few weeks before him. Steve joined Halifax Town in November, 2001. His previous appearances on joining Alty in 2005-06 were:

  • York City. League 157+18, 10 goals; FA Cup 5; League Cup 8+1, 2 goals, Other games 11+2, 1 goal.
  • Blackpool: League: 64+14, 6 goals; FA Cup: 5+1, League Cup 8, Other games 3+1
  • Stalybridge Celtic: League 16+2, 1 goal, FA Cup 1.
  • Halifax Town: League 120+1, 6 goals; FA Cup 3. Other games 5.

    In the absence of Eddie Hussin, Steve has captained the side for 2006-07 but injuries have restricted his appearances during the season. Appearances to June 2006 : 7..

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 14
  • Lewis CHALMERS (d.o.b. 4 February 1986)

    Lewis is a young midfielder who, as well as possessing a good touch, is strong in the air and has a prodigious long-throw. He made his youth team debut in the last match of 2002/03 season and went on to captain that side on occasions. After being a regular for the Reserves in 2004-05, Lewis was an unused sub in the FA Trophy match at Gainsborough on 27 November 2004 and made his full debut on 28 March 2005 against Hinckley.

    By the end of 2004-05 he had become a regular member of the first-team squad. Lewis injured his ankle in mid-September 2005 at Woodley Sports but returned to fitness and started several games in the Conference in 2005-06. Lewis is also a useful centre-back where his heading is a great asset, as it is at set pieces. From early 2006 he figured mainly as a substitute before establishing himself as a regular starter when Val Owen was suspended in September. Lewis was rewarded with a call-up to the National Game XI squad in November 2006. Appearances to June 2006: 19+28, 0 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 25
  • Daniel HEFFERNAN

    Danny was signed on first-team forms on 30 August 2006, following an impressive display for the Reserves against Wakefield, in which he scored the opening goal. He is a versatile player who can operate on the left as well as in central defence or midfield. Danny has a strong left foot shot and is a tall player who is not easily shaken off the ball. He was a regular with Neil Brown's Altrincham Reserves last season.

    Whilst Kieran Lugsden, Lee Hendley and Lewis Chalmers have all broken through to the first-team squad after graduating from the Youth team to the Reserves, Danny came straight into the club at Reserves level, as did his Alty team-mate Pat McFadden. Yet to figure in a first-team squad (March 2007).


  • 23
  • Eddie HUSSIN (d.o.b. 13 December 1977, height 5ft 10in, weight 12 st.)

    A tough-tackling central-midfielder, Liverpool-born Eddie was a junior at Everton, who released him in May 1997, after he had played for their Reserves and had been in their Premiership squad (1996-97). Following spells with Winsford United, Northwich Vics and Chorley, Eddie joined Altrincham from Marine in mid-June 2004. After a minor knee operation in the summer, Eddie made his debut in a friendly on 4 August 2004 and then started all of the early 2004-05 league games. By October, after regaining fitness, he was playing impressively and, following the departure of Peter Band, was named team captain. V A knee injury affected him again towards the end of the season and a cartilage operation was carried out in summer 2005 but a cruciate operation was needed (July 2005), which has kept him sidelined all season, so far. However, by November 2005 he was back in training but did not recover fitness to play at all for the first team in 2005-06 season. Eddie played in pre-season 2006 but was not immediately assigned a squad number at the start of the 2006-07 season but continued his recuperation with some games for the Reserves before making his Conference debut as a late substitute at Forest Green on 19 September 2006. V Eddie then went on loan to Leigh RMI before signing for his former club. Marine , in February 2007. However, the door has been left open for a return to Altrincham when he regains full fitness. Appearances to June 2006: 51+1, 5 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 7
  • Robbie LAWTON (d.o.b. 14 June 1979)

    Robbie is a tall, powerful and hardworking midfielder, signed in June 2006 from Vauxhall Motors, where he was the captain. He was previously with Marine and Caernarfon Town and can play on either flank as well as in central midfield. He impressed in pre-season friendlies and was a regular first-team starter on the right flank from the start of the 2006-07 season before moving to centre-midfield when Colin Potts returned on the right wing. V With former captains Hussin, Band, Bushell, Thornley and Little all injured or sidelined, Robbie played as captain from mid-September 2006 in the absence of Steve Bushell. By profession he is a PT and psychology teacher.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  • Formerly no. 22
  • Richard NORRIS

    Richard has now left the club. Details here

  • Formerly no. 18
  • Blake NORTON

    Blake has now left the club. Details here


  • 8
  • Val OWEN (d.o.b. 11 Feb. 1971)

    Val joined Altrincham Reserves during 2004-05 having been out of the game after leaving Halifax Town in April 2004. He had joined the Shaymen, for whom he made 19 appearances and scored 2 goals, from Northwich Victoria on 4 December 2003. Val started his career at Hyde United after moving from local amateur football. In June 1998 he joined Northwich and later moved to Hednesford Town.

    After a brief loan spell at Southport, he joined the Vics again in October 2001 and was their captain at the start of the 2002-03 campaign. In autumn 2004 Val impressed in the Alty Reserves and made his first-team debut on 23 October 2004. He immediately established himself as a strong-tackling regular in central midfield, where he formed a formidable partnership with Eddie Hussin.

    Val also scored some crucial goals in the 2004-05 promotion play-offs and has also played impressively in 2005-06 but a foot injury sidelined him in April 2006, though he had recovered for pre-season in summer 2006. Val was suspended for three games in September 2006 and also missed some games with injury. Appearances to June 2006. 70+2, 6 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 11
  • Warren PEYTON (d.o.b. Manchester, 13 December, 1979)

    Warren is a tall left-sided midfielder/defender, signed by Altrincham on 11 November 2005 after a spell out of the game. He had previously been with Leigh RMI and before that he had experience at Rochdale, Bury, Doncaster Rovers and Nuneaton Borough. Whilst at Nuneaton, he was in the England semi-pro team.

    Warren made his Alty debut in central midfield on 12 November 2005 against Exeter City but was then suspended after a sending off at Forest Green. Warren has a fierce shot and is a useful taker of free-kicks and corners. For much of 2006-07 he has played at left-back rather than his preferred position in left midfield even after the signing of left-back Andy Scott in January 2007. Appearances to June 2006. 24+1, 2 goals

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  •  
    Formerly no.22
  • Colin POTTS

    Colin has now left the club. Details here

  •  
    STRIKERS
    Formerly no. 19
  • Lee HENDLEY

    Lee has now left the club. Details here


  • 9
  • Colin LITTLE (d.o.b. 4 November 1972, height 5ft 10, weight 10st. 5lbs)

    Altrincham FC signed Colin, whose last club was Halifax Town, on 5 July 2004. A skilful, two-footed striker, Colin is a local lad, born in Wythenshawe. He signed for Hyde United in August 1995 but moved to Crewe Alexandra for £50,000 on 6 February 1996. He made 193 appearances for Alex and scored 33 goals before going on loan to Mansfield in October 2002, where he played 5 games.

    He then went on loan to Macclesfield in December 2002, for whom he signed on a free transfer in May 2003. He made 26+8 appearances and scored 7 goals for Macc. before joining Halifax Town in March 2004, for whom he played 8 games and scored twice. Alty fans may wish to forget that Colin scored two of Crewe's three goals in their Cheshire Senior Cup Final win, 3-0 over Alty at the Drill Field, Northwich in 2002 and that he also got the winner as Alex won 3-2 against Alty in the CSC 1st Round in September, 2002.

    Colin was previously at Alty as a junior as well as being at Wythenshawe Town, Rossendale United and Hyde United before joining Crewe. He had also had a brief spell at Bury. His Alty career started impressively with 38 goals in the 2004-05 season. After intially playing on the left, he now invariably starts up front and was once again the club's leading scorer in 2005-06 with 17 Conference goals. However, he was injured against Halifax in September and missed several games before returning to play. Appearances to June 2006: 101(+1), 55 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 21
  • Kieran LUGSDEN (d.o.b. 4 April, 1986)

    Kieran is a pacy striker, with good control, who joined Altrincham Youth with his twin-brother Kelvin from New Mills in April 2003. Kieran made his first-team debut, as a substitute, in the UniBond League Cup match at Workington on 18 November 2003 but suffered a broken arm and head injuries on his impressive full debut at Whitby in April 2004 but he recovered fully for 2004-05 season.

    However, his appearances have been mainly limited to a substitute's role to date. After being used as a sub on the left flank as well as up front, Kieran has appeared on the right flank since returning from injury in September 2005. To maintain match fitness, Kieran went briefly on loan to Radcliffe Borough, making one appearance for them on 11 October 2005 but returned to play a regular role as a used substitute in the Conference.

    Kieran has also banged in the goals for the Reserves on his limited appearances for them in 2006. Along with Pat McFadden, Kieran played on loan for Radcliffe Borough as well as for Alty in 2006 pre-season, a loan arrangement that continued into the season proper. In 2006-07 Kieran was used in the Conference as an intermittent substitute before going on a loan arrangement to Leigh RMI. Appearances to June 2006: 8(+71), 4 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone.


  • 18
  • Pat McFADDEN (d.o.b. 4 April, 1987)
    After a prolific burst of scoring for the Reserves, Pat was signed up on Conference forms in October 2005. Pat graduated to the Reserves and first-team squad from local football with Fletcher Moss FC in south Manchester. Pat made his first-team debut as a sub at Burton Albion in October 2005 whilst continuing to score regularly for the Reserves, reaching 27 goals at the start of February 2006.

    Pat signed NW Counties forms in February and played the odd game for Trafford whilst also continuing to be named as a substitute for Altrincham. In 2006 pre-season he played several games on loan to Radcliffe Borough as well as for Altrincham. During 2006-07 he has been an irregularly used substitute in the Conference,Appearances to June 2006.1(+6), 0 goals.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 12
  • Joe O'NEILL (height 6ft, d.o.b. 28 October 1982)
    Signed from York City by Altrincham in June 2006, Joe is a Blackburn-born striker who was at Preston North End from 2001 to 2005, during which time he made two sub appearances for the Deepdale side. However, he also gained league experience on loan at Bury (2003/04, 10 starts +13 sub. appearances), Mansfield Town (2004/05, 3+12) and Chester City (2004/05, 5+6).

    He joined York City for the 2005-06 season and scored for them against Alty in the match at Kit Kat Crescent in 2005-06 season, having earlier hit a hat-trick on his York debut against Southport. In all, Joe netted five goals in the Conference that season, making 25(+12) appearances in the Conference and one in the FA Cup for the Minstermen before his release in summer 2006.

    He started 2006-07 as Colin Little's regular strike partner. Though not a prolific goalscorer, Joe is accomplished at holding the ball up and his workrate is excellent.

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone


  • 19
  • Chris SENIOR (d.o.b. 18.11.81)

    Chris was signed on loan, till the end of the 2006-07 season, on 19 January 2007 from Halifax Town. He started at Huddersfield Town as a midfielder but, after being released in early 2003 as part of cost-cutting measures, he played briefly for Wakefield-Emley.

    After a trial with Halifax Town, in summer of 2003 the Huddersfield-born Senior joined Scarborough, where he stayed till summer 2005. He started 31(+36) league games for the Seadogs and netted 18 goals. In 2003-04 he set a Conference record by coming off the bench 36 times. Whilst with Scarborough he was selected for the England non-League squad. Chris moved to Halifax on a free transfer in summer 2005 and made 21(+40) appearances for the Shaymen.

    On arriving at Altrincham, Chris joined Colin Little, Steve Bushell, Justin Bowler, Val Owen and Karl Munroe as ex-Shaymen currently playing at Moss Lane. Chris immediately made his debut, at Woking, on 20 January 2007.

  •  
    Formerly no. 16
  • Peter THOMSON (height 6ft 3ins, d.o.b. 30.6.77)

    Peter has now left the club. Details here


  • 10
  • Rod THORNLEY (d.o.b. 2 April 1977)
    Signed from Congleton Town before his official debut against Droylsden on 17 March, 2001, Rod had been top scorer for the NWCL side. He had played two games for Altrincham before signing, a friendly against Doncaster and a reserve game against Ashton, in which he scored. Rod's brother, Ben, played for Manchester United, Aberdeen and Blackpool, whilst Rod himself works for United and for the England national side as a masseur, a role which sometimes obliges him to miss Altrincham games. V His other former clubs include Warrington Town, Doncaster Rovers and Salford City. Rod re-signed for Alty for 2001-2 and went on to hit 20 goals in his first 20 games, ending the season with 31 goals. He is a speedy and hard-working front-man with good ball-control, was also the side's penalty-taker and became team captain for 2002-03 season. Although he missed quite a few games through injury and had to have an operation in December 2002, he still finished the season as top-scorer. He missed much of pre-season 0f 03-04 due to his work commitments and, though hampered by a knee problem, played on till succumbing to another operation in Dec. 2003.

    After a brief return, Rod had a further knee operation in April 2004. He started the comeback trail with reserve team appearances in September 2004 and came on as a first-team substitute in October 2004 and was starting games again by January 2005. In 2005-06 he initially struggled to regain full fitness and played only an intermittent role in the Conference until Christmas 2005.

    Indeed in 2005, he briefly went on loan at Radcliffe Borough but came back and re-established himself as a regular starter for Alty alongside Colin Little. In early 2006-07 he started on the bench but then started games after Colin Little was injured before reverting to the bench. Appearances to June 2006: 169+22, 75 goals .

    Picture courtesy of Gavin Rathbone

  •  
    DEPARTED PLAYERS 2006 close season and 2006-07
    For details of those named (right), visit the Departed Players page
  • Chris ADAMS
  • Paul COLLINS
  • Lee HENDLEY
  • Mark MADDOX
  • George MELLING
  • Gerard MURPHY
  • Richard NORRIS
  • Blake NORTON
  • Colin POTTS