2009-10 First-Team Squad

ALTRINCHAM FC 2009-10: Back row: Robbie Williams, Aaron Chalmers, James Smith, Matty Crowell, Russell Saunders, Stuart Coburn, Richard Acton, Greg Young, Dale Johnson, Danny Heffernan, Michael Welch. Middle row: Danny Heathcote and Charles Heathcote (kitmen), Nicky Clee, Shaun Densmore, Chris Denham, Tom Kearney, Matt Doughty, Anthony Danylyk, Ian Senior (goalkeeping coach), Sean Riley (physio). Front row: Derek Wilshaw (club secretary), Colin Little, Geoff Goodwin (chairman), Graham Heathcote (manager), Robbie Lawton (captain), Ken McKenna (assistant manager), Grahame Rowley (vice-chairman), Chris Senior, George Heslop (company secretary & youth team manager). Click on photo to enlarge it.

  • 1. Stuart COBURN
  • 2. James SMITH
  • 3. Matt DOUGHTY
  • 4. Tom KEARNEY
  • 5. Greg YOUNG
  • 6. Shaun DENSMORE
  • 7. Robbie LAWTON
  •  
  • 8.  
  • 9. Colin LITTLE
  • 10. Chris DENHAM
  • 11. Nicky CLEE
  • 12. Robbie WILLIAMS
  • 13. Russell SAUNDERS
  • 14. Dale JOHNSON
  •  
  • 15. Rod THORNLEY
  • 16. Anthony DANYLYK
  • 17. John McALISKEY
  • 18. Michael WELCH
  • 19. Chris SENIOR
  • 20. John BENNETT
  • 21. Peter DORAN
  •  
  • 22.  
  • 23. Richard ACTON
  • 24. Adam CARDEN
  • 25.  
  • 26.  
  • 27. Ryan BROWN
  • 28. James SMART

  • PHOTO/SQUAD N0.
    GOALKEEPERS

    23
  • Richard ACTON (d.o.b. 16 October 1979, at Stockport, height 6ft, weight 14st. 2lbs)

    Richard signed again as Altrincham's stand-by goalkeeper in 2009-10 which he combines with his career in the car trade. Though he does not play competitively for any other club, Richard never lets Altrincham down when called upon to play in the first team. He was originally signed by Altrincham in early September 2002 and was the regular keeper till he badly injured his shoulder at Harrogate (31/8/03). He did not return to action till 6 January 2004 and then gained League of Wales experience with TNS in March 2004 before returning to Altrincham. He also 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 another Welsh club, TNS, against Liverpool in European competition (7/05) and then re-signed for Alty for 2005-06.

    He made his Conference debut and started only his second league game in three years in September 2006 and 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 early November 2006. Having left Alty he rejoined again on 7 November 2008 and, in that season, he made 10 starts for Altrincham. Richard made his first appearance of 2008-09 covering for Stuart Coburn's suspension by keeping a clean sheet against Woking in February 2009 and made one other BSP appearance that season. To date (March 2010), in 2009-10, he has not played.

    As a youngster, he was at Manchester City (released 1998) before moving to Hyde United and Runcorn. Appearances to June 2009: 73(+1).


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

    Stuart is Altrincham's senior professional, having passed the 400 appearances mark at Stevenage in September 2008. He first joined Altrincham from Trafford in 1997/98 season, having been at Trafford since 1994/95 after spells at Irlam Town and Maine Road. Injury meant that Stuart played only nine games in his first Conference season (99/00) and his absence probably cost the club survival at that level in that campaign.

    In May 2002, the lure of Conference football took him from Alty (then in the UniBond Premier) 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. Stuart underwent a hernia operation in May 2004 but was fit to star in season 2004-05 when, once again, he enhanced his reputation. A groin injury sidelined him after 9 games of the 2006/07 season but he returned in early November 2006. However, injury struck again and sidelined him in September 2007 but he recovered to play most of the season as first-choice keeper. He was first-choice again in 2008-09, during which he had the dubious distinction of being suspended for receiving five yellow cards, an unusual occurrence for a keeper. In 09-10 he has again distinguished himself with numerous excellent saves. Appearances to June 2009: 435, 1 goal.


  • 13
  • Russell SAUNDERS (d.o.b. 3 January 1989, at Bury, height 6ft 2ins)

    Russell was signed on 28 July 2009 after a very impressive string of performances in the pre-season games. However, he had been at Moss Lane earlier when, as a loan player from Wigan Athletic, he played as an emergency loan signing on 21 September 2007 following injuries to Stuart Coburn and Richard Acton. His debut on 22 September 2007 against Droylsden was eventful; his first action was to face a penalty after 9 minutes and then he was stretchered off after 60 minutes. As a result of his only being on a month's loan, that was the end of his Altrincham career until he rejoined in 2009. He made his second Alty debut at Ebbsfleet on 16 January 2010. Appearances to June 2009: 1

  •  
    DEFENDERS

    27
  • Ryan BROWN (born 15 March 1985 at Stoke-on-Trent)

    Ryan Brown was signed on 16 February 2010 from Northwich Victoria as emergency cover till the end of the season following the serious injury to Matt Doughty earlier that month. Ryan had earlier been made available by Vics as he was one of thier three full-time players who they needed to move of their payroll. Ryan joined Port Vale at the age of nine and went on to represent Staffordshire Boys. Ryan was also briefly with both Manchester United and City. He made his first-team debut for the Valiants in May 2003. After 38 league appearances he was released by the current York City manager Martin Foyle in May 2005. He went to Leek Town and from there to Northwich Victoria, a club he joined in June 2006. He later signed a two-year contract extension in April 2008 but injury limited his appearances in 2009-10. Earlier in his career he suffered a major facial injury which included fractures of the eye socket, face and skull whilst playing for Vale against QPR.

    After a handful of appearances from the bench, Ryan established himself at left-back from March 2010.


  • 3
  • Matthew DOUGHTY (d.o.b. 2 November 1981, at Warrington, height 5ft 8ins)

    Former Halifax Town left-sided defender/midfielder Matt Doughty signed for Alty in mid-June 2008. Matt had joined the Shaymen in July 2004 from Rochdale. He had previously also played for Chester City for whom he signed professionally when just 16. Born in Warrington, Matt was a regular for Chester for two seasons (1999-2001) making 53(+17) League/Conference appearances for them. In 2001 he moved to Rochdale as a left back and had a trial with Southampton, but a broken leg halted the prospects of a move to Hampshire. At Rochdale he made 93(+12) appearances in the League. Another broken leg hampered the 5ft 8inch defender's career at The Shay but he still managed 119(+12) league appearances for the club. Matt made his Alty league debut on 9 August 2008 and after briefly losing his place soon established himself as a regular starter for the rest of that season and for 09-10. He became one of the team's most consistent players as well as its penalty taker but he sadly suffered cruciate ligament damage against Salisbury City in February 2010, which will sideline him till next season. Appearances to June 2009: 50(+2), 2 goals (inc. 1 pen).

  •  
    Formerly no. 22
  • Scott MOFFATT

    Scott returned to Manchester United after a one-month loan. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.

  •  
    Formerly no. 27
  • Andrew OWENS

    Andy was released in late January 2010, having joined in mid-November. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.

  •  
    Formerly no. 21
  • Andrew PEARSON

    Andrew was released in late January 2010, having joined at the end of August. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 28
  • James SMART (d.o.b. 1 October 1992)

    James signed Conference forms on 30 October 2009, having previously established himself as the Altrincham FC Youth team's regular left-back.


  • 2
  • James SMITH (d.o.b. 17 October 1985, in Liverpool)

    James, a former Stockport County defender, joined Altrincham on 7 November, 2008 after a brief spell with Vauxhall Motors. He had previously played a trial match for Altrincham in the abandoned friendly against Wrexham in September 2008. He made his full debut against Stalybridge Celtic in the Cheshire Senior Cup on 11 November 2008. James started his career at Liverpool where he made his first-team debut inthe Carling Cup in 2006. Three months of 2007 were spent on loan with Scottish club, Ross County. He joined Stockport in August, 2007 and played in their Wembley League Two play-off win. After an assured debut for Altrincham against Stalybridge in the Cheshire Senior Cup (11 November 2008), James made his BSP debut in the win at Forest Green Rovers, four days later, and soon established himself as a regular on the right side of the back line until suspended for three games near the end of the season. He was extremely consistent in 2009-10 but suffered a three-match man based on YouTube video evidence of an FA Cup game against Mansfield Town and then missed some games with ligament damage. Not the tallest of central defenders James is nevertheless extremely good in the air. Appearances to June 2009: 28, 0 goals.


  • 18
  • Michael WELCH (d.o.b. 11 January 1982, at Crewe)

    Michael signed on loan for a month from Northwich Victoria on 20 February 2009; this was later extended till the end of the 2008-09 season. Of Irish extraction, Michael was born in Crewe but has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level. His career began with Barnsley, before he joined Macclesfield (124 games, 7 goals) from 2001 to 2005. From 2005 to 07 he was at Macclesfield Town where he played made 64 appearances and scored 6 goals. By the start of this season he had made 56 appearances for the Vics, scoring three times since joining them in 2007. He scored on his full debut for Altrincham against Weymouth on 14 March 2009. Having scored in his first two league starts for Alty, including a 70-yard freekick against Crawley, which won the Setanta Goal of the Season award, Michael was sadly sidelined with ankle ligament damage towards the end of the campaign and underwent an operation which kept him out at the start of the new season. Michael returned to action at Stevenage on 26 September 2009 but made only three starts before the end of the campaign. Michael was released at the end of the season. Photo, www.altrinchamfc.com. Appearances to June 2009: 9(+4), 3 goals.


  • 12
  • Robbie WILLIAMS (d.o.b. 6 July 1987, at Blackpool, height: 6ft 5ins)

    Centre-back Rob signed for Altrincham on 28 July 2009 after a successful pre-season. He started out at the Lytham Football Academy and played for Blackpool Wren Rovers as well as Lancashire Colleges' under-18 team. He was also an England Colleges' under-18s trialist before he joined Welsh club TNS's scholarship programme in 2005. In 2006, he became a regular member of the first team.

    Rob moved to Welsh Premiership side Newtown AFC on loan in November 2006 and made 11 league starts for them before re-joining TNS in February 2007. He was in the TNS squad for the UEFA Champions League in both 2006/7 and 2007/8 and gained a Welsh FA Cup winner's medal and a Welsh Premier championship medal for the 2006/7 season. He signed full time for The New Saints in May 2007 and re-signed for them for the 2008/9 season.

    Between November and December 2008, he played 9 games on loan at another Welsh Premier club, Caersws. On his return to the TNS team on the 3rd January 2009, Rob scored in a live televised win over local rivals Newi Cefn Druids and was the TNS Man of the Match. In the Welsh Premier he made a total of 34 (+10) appearances and scored twice.

    He made his Conference debut as a sub on the opening day of the 2009-10 season against Ebbsfleet United and soon established himself as a regular starter. He won a Wales semi-pro cap in March 2010 when he appeared against Portugal and scored a goal. Outside football, Robbie sells computer network security. Appearances for Altrincham to June 2009: 0.


  • 5
  • Greg YOUNG (d.o.b. 25 April 1983, in Doncaster, height 6ft 3ins)

    Altrincham signed 6ft 3inch central defender Greg Young from Halifax Town on 4 January 2008. He joined till the end of the season after being released by the Shaymen. On arrival at Moss Lane he had made 13 starts (and a sub appearance) for Halifax whom he had joined on a permanent basis in February 2005, his last appearance for the Shaymen being just nine days before joining Alty. Greg has previously been with Sheffield Wednesday (traineee), Grimsby Town (League debut 2003), Northwich Victoria (loan) and Alfreton Town. After a substsitute appearance at left-back at Oxford on 5 January 2008, Greg made his full Altrincham debut at centre-back three days later at home to Kidderminster and played impressively for the rest of the season. Greg signed a two-year contract in summer 2008. As well as having good defensive capabilities, Greg has also been deployed successfully as an auxiliary striker. Greg, who is Doncaster-based, has been one of the most consistent performers over the last two seasons and was rewarded with the captaincy when Robbie Lawton was injured. He went down with mumps in mid-September 2009 but returned to action in early October. A number of Man of the Match performances and further games as captain underline his importance to the side. Greg left the club to join York on 24 May 2010. Appearances to June 2009: 74(+4), 5 goals.

  •  
    MIDFIELDERS

    No.20
  • John BENNETT (d.o.b. 26/9/91)

    John is a hard working midfielder, now in his second season with the Altrincham FC Youth team. He signed first-team forms on 23 October 2009, before the FA Cup game at Mansfield, where he made his debut as a substitute.


  • 24
  • Adam CARDEN (d.o.b. 24 July, 1985)

    Adam was signed in December 2009 after being released by FC United of Manchester. He began his career with Southport but was released in May 2003 and moved to Runcorn and from there to Accrington Stanley. he left there for Burscough where he won the UniBond Premier with the club. Next, he joined FCUM where he played 91 times before injury led to his release in December 2009. Adam's brother, Paul, is assistant player-manager for Cambridge United. Adam's arrival at Alty coincided with six-weeks' postponement of league matches due to bad weather and he was also found to be suffering an allergy problem so, by late January, he had still to be named in a squad. However, he made a few appearances from the bench before starting his first game, in central midfield, against Kettering on 16 March 2010. Since then he has impressed as a skilful player with a good touch.


  • 11
  • Nicky CLEE (d.o.b. 30 August 1983, in Huddersfield)

    Altrincham signed Nicky Clee from Hyde United on 17 July 2009. Nicky is a left-winger but can play elsewhere. He is also an accomplished batsman for Marsden CC near Huddersfield. Former Alty boss Gerry Quinn took Nicky from Ossett Albion, whom he had joined in 2002-03 from local football, to join Ashton United in the 2003-04 season.

    The following summer he moved to Hyde United, where he made his debut at the end of July 2005 and made 147(+12) appearances and scored 21 goals in all for the Tameside club. Nicky has a long-throw in his armoury as well as the pace and skills of a wing man. Initially used as a sub, Nicky established a more regular place in the starting line-up in September and soon became a fans' favourite. Appearances to June 2009: 0.

  •  
    Formerly no. 8
  • Matthew CROWELL

    Matty left the club on 28 August 2009 having accepted an offer to play in Australia for Central Coast Mariners. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 16
  • Anthony DANYLYK (d.o.b. 19 June 1982, at Stoke-on-Trent)

    Anthony, the captain of Leek Town, joined Altrincham on 8 June 2008. He started his career at Stoke City before being released and signing for Stone Dominoes. He joined Leek Town in March 2002. Anthony made his Alty league debut as a used substitute on 9 August 2008 and soon made a good impression as a ball-winning central midfielder. Despite stepping up two rungs in the Pyramid, Anthony has made himself at home at Blue Square Premier level. Anthony is a civil servant by profession. The latter part of his 08-09 season was disrupted by two suspensions and injury. He started 09-10 mainly as a sub but re-established a starting place in September 2009 and has been a regular starter more or less since then. Appearances to June 2009: 47(+4), 1 goal.


  • 6
  • Shaun DENSMORE (d.o.b. 11 November 1988, in Liverpool)

    Signed on 12 September 2008, Shaun is a former Everton Academy Player of the Year, who was released by the Toffees in summer 2008. After trials with Bradford City he joined Altrincham, following in the footsteps of his father Peter, an Altrincham favourite in the 1980s. Shaun, a right-sided defender/midfielder, made his Alty debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup on 16th September 2008. After completing his initial month's contract at Altrincham, on 13 October 2008 Shaun signed on for the rest of 2008-09 season, having impressed in a run of seven unbeaten games in the side. He scored on his debut for the England "C" side against Malta in February, 2009 having established himself by then in the Altrincham midfield. Despite an early season suspension, Shaun soon re-established himself as a tenacious right-back/midfielder. Appearances to June 2009: 40, 6 goals.


  • 21
  • Peter DORAN (d.o.b. 30 November 1988, in Liverpool, height 5ft 8ins)

    Signed by Altrincham from Welshpool Town on 28 January 2010, Peter's previous clubs were Burscough, GAP Connah's Quay, Caernarfon Town, Leigh RMI, Vauxhall Motors, Walsall and Worcester City. When he signed for Alty, Peter brought with him a two-game suspension from his time in Wales so his introduction to the Alty first-team was delayed. Peter's twin brother, Phil, plays for Rhyl. Despite a sending off in his second start for Alty, Peter returned to bring energy and hard work to the midfield. Having made 14+3 appearances, Peter was offered terms for 2010-11 but turned them down. Photo courtesy of Andrew Lincoln.

  •  
    Formerly no. 17
  • Danny EDWARDS

    Danny came to Altrincham on one-month's loan from Port Vale. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.

  •  
    Formerly no. 20
  • Danny HEFFERNAN

    Danny joined New Mills at the start of October 2009 but his Conference registration remains at Moss Lane. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 4
  • Tom KEARNEY (d.o.b. 7 October 1981, in Liverpool)

    Tom became the fifth ex-Halifax player on Alty's books when he signed on 21 July 2009, after being released by Wrexham, where he had played 13(+2) games in 2008-09. He had started his career at Everton, leaving Goodison in March 2002 and joining Bradford City on a free transfer. After 46(+8) appearances for the Bantams, he joined Halifax Town in September 2006 where he played 66(+5) games, scoring 5 times. His move to Wrexham followed in July 2008. Tom made his Alty debut in central midfield on 8 August 2009 against Ebbsfleet united and soon established a reputation as a skilful, unflustered orchestrator of play. In the absence of Robbie Lawton and Greg Young, Tom captained the side on a number of occasions including the game at Wrexham on 6 March 2010 when he suffered a double fracture of the leg which ended his season. Photo, www.altrinchamfc.com Appearances to June 2009: 0.


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

    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. With former captains Hussin, Band, Bushell, Thornley and Little all injured or sidelined, Robbie played as captain from mid-September 2006. By profession he is a PT and psychology teacher and one of the physically fittest players in the squad. Robbie completed a full century of starts in under two seasons with Alty. He was named team captain for the 2008-09 campaign in which he has featured in central midfield. However, a pelvic problem necessitated an operation in AUgust 2009 which kept him out of the side. He returned as a sub against Crawley in September but was sent off but he completed his three-match ban before the end of that month and returned to the starting line-up as captain in mid-October before suffering further injury which disrupted his season. Appearances to June 2009: 144(+1), 8 goals.

  •  
    Formerly no. 26
  • Sam SHERIDAN

    Sam completed a one-month loan at Moss Lane on 18 October 2009. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.

  •  
    FORWARDS
     
    Formerly no. 27
  • Antonio BRYAN

    Antonio was released from Moss Lane after fewer than three weeks, having opted to go for a trial at a League club in preference to playing a Cheshire Senior Cup tie for Altrincham. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.

  •  
    Formerly no. 25
  • Aaron BURNS

    Aaron returned to Manchester United after a two-month loan. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 10
  • Chris DENHAM (d.o.b. 14 September 1982, in Manchester)

    Pacy and skilful former Droylsden forward Chris Denham (born 14.9.82) signed for Altrincham on 8 June 2008. He started his career at Prestwich Heys before enjoying a prolific season at another North Manchester club, Stand Athletic. During that season he also had a loan period at Bamber Bridge. In August 2002 Chris joined Stalybridge Celtic before signing for Radcliffe Borough in July 2003. By December of that year he had returned to the Bower Fold. He has likewise had two spells at Droylsden, whom he first joined in in June 2005 before rejoining in October 2005 after a brief at Ashton United in between. Chris made his Alty league debut on 9 August 2008 and was soon demonstrating his willingness to run at the opposition to create attacking opportunities for the team. An eye injury sustained at work as a tiler ruled him out from October 2008 and he was only cleared to resume training just before Christmas that year. He returned to action in January 2009 but went on a month's loan to Stalybridge Celtic in February 2009, to regain match fitness. On his return to Moss Lane in March 2009 he was sidelined by a groin injury picked up at Stalybridge. Chris's injuries meant that he started just one league game between mid-September 2008 and April 2009, when he came on as a substitute against Kidderminster Harriers. But with a regular run in 2009-10 he became Alty's top scorer as the side went into October's games. Appearances to June 2009: 12(+7), 4 goals.


  • 14
  • Dale JOHNSON (d.o.b. 3 May 1985, at Ashton-under-Lyne)

    Dale, who signed for Altrincham on 6 June 2008, finished 2007-08 season in the Blue Square Premier on loan to Droylsden after a prolific spell at Hyde United. He spent three years at Hyde, after joining from Woodley Sports. A tall and mobile central striker, Dale is good in the air and holds the ball up well. After making his first start on the opening day of the 2008-09 season, Dale was an intermittent rather than regular starter until November when he got a run of games from the start and established himself in the first eleven. He began the 2009-10 season as a regular starter but suffered knee ligament damage in mid-September which was diagnosed in mid-October as a ruptured cruciate ligament. Dale will sadly miss the rest of 09-10 season as a consequence and will be a great loss to the side. Appearances to June 2009: 37(+16), 5 goals.


  • 9
  • Colin LITTLE (d.o.b. 4 November 1972, at Wythenshawe, Manchester, 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 220 appearances for Alex and scored 45 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 always starts up front and was once again the club's leading scorer in 2005-06 and 2006-07 with 17 and 12 Conference goals respectively. After a slow start to 2007-08 he recorded a superb tally of 21 BSP goals from just 34(+5) starts to finish the season third in the national scoring charts. Colin has turned down numerous offers to play at a higher level but remains dedicated to his local club. Started the 09-10 season on the bench as he was suffering a back problem and made just one start (in August) before being sidelined with a knee problem. Since then Colin's appearances have been intermittent. Appearances to June 2009: 228(+12), 110 goals.


  • 17
  • John McALISKEY (d.o.b. 2 September 1984, at Huddersfield, height 6ft 4ins)

    Altrincham FC signed John from Witton Albion on 20 November, 2009, soon after he had impressed when playing against Altrincham in the Cheshire Senior Cup. John made his debut the next day at Chester. He played in the Football League for his home town club, Huddersfield Town, between 2003 and 2007, appearing in 16(+32) games in all categories and scoring 7 goals. Whilst with Huddersfield he had loan spells at Torquay United (30/9/05 to 30/11/05, playing 3 games) and Wrexham (19/9/06 to 19/10/06, playing 4 games). He then played League football for Mansfield Town from 1/8/07, playing 11(+9) games in all competitions and netting 2 goals. The Stags released him on 27 March 2008 and he joined Alfreton Town. John had only joined Witton Albion in October 2009, having previously been at Salford City and Northwich Victoria. In September 2009 he had also registered with Alsager Town. After 15+6 appearances, John was released at the end of the season.

  •  
    Formerly no. 8
  • Clive MOYO-MODISE

    Clive asked to leave Moss Lane after being unable to break through into the starting line-up. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 19
  • Chris SENIOR (d.o.b. 18 November 1981, in Huddersfield)
    Chris signed for Altrincham in July 2007, having previously spent the latter part of 2006-07 season on loan at Moss Lane from Halifax Town, an arrangement which started on 19 January 2007. Halifax released Chris in the summer of 2007. He started his career at Huddersfield Town as a midfielder (3 years on YTS and 18 months as a professional) 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 made his Alty debut, at Woking, on 20 January 2007. After a scoring burst in late 2007, he was suspended for three games and found the going tougher on his return but still maintained a good scoring ratio per games played. In 2008-09 he again varied between starting games and being on the bench but, having secured a regular run of starts, he suffered a hamstring injury on 10 March and was sidelined for the rest of the season. When not playing for Alty, Chris is employed in the physio team at Sheffield United.

    Chris has become a qualified masseur whilst playing for Altrincham and works in that capacity for Sheffield United. After a bright start to 2009-10. He was sidelined by ankle ligament damage suffered at Kidderminster on 29 August 2009 but returned ten days later before picking up a three-match suspension in October. Since then Chris has become the club's leading scorer this season, a feat rewarded with the Blue Square Player of the Month award for February 2010. Chris left to join Darlington in May 2010.

    Appearances to June 2009: 69(+30), 25 goals.

  •  
    Formerly no. 24
  • Tejal ROSS-THAKER

    Ross left the club in December 2009. His details can be found on the Departed Players page.


  • 15
  • Rod THORNLEY (d.o.b. 2 April 1977)

    Rod Thornley re-signed for Altrincham on non-contract terms on 31 March 2009, having previously spent six and a half succesful years at Moss Lane before leaving for Witton Albion in August 2007. He later moved on to Ashton United but retired from football at the end of 2008-09 season, having spent the last weeks of that campaign back on Alty's books as a non-contract player to help the Robins, at a time of many injuries. He made three appearances from the bench in 2008-09 to add to his 183+43 games for Altrincham amassed before then. Rod is now full-time in his role as masseur at Manchester United but has made two sub appearances for Alty in 2009-10 season. For further details of Rod's prolific career at Altrincham, please see the Departed Players page for 2007-08. Appearances to June 2009: 183+46 games and 79 goals.

  •  
    DEPARTED PLAYERS 2009 close season and 2009-10
    For details of those named (right), visit the Departed Players page
  • Aaron BURNS - returned to Northwich after a two-month loan
  • Antonio BRYAN - released in November 2009 after just one game
  • Matty CROWELL - left after just five games to play in Australia, 28/8/09
  • Danny EDWARDS - a one-month loan player from Port Vale who was injured after one game and returned to the Valiants, September 2009
  • Danny HEFFERNAN - allowed to join New Mills, October 2009
  • Chris LANE - released at end of 08/09 season, 10 May 2009 and joined Vauxhall Motors
  • Mark McGREGOR - left on 28 July 2009 to play/manage Welsh Premier Club, Connah's Quay Nomads
  • Scott MOFFATT - a one-month loan player from Manchester United who was injured in his second game and returned to Old Trafford, September 2009
  • Clive MOYO-MODISE - left in mid-March 2010 to seek first-team football elsewhere.
  • Joe O'NEILL - released at end of 08/09 season, 10 May 2009 and joined Stalybridge Celtic
  • Andrew OWENS - released in late January, 2010
  • Andrew PEARSON - released in late January, 2010
  • Warren PEYTON - released at end of 08/09 season, 10 May 2009 and joined Stalybridge Celtic
  • Sam SHERIDAN - returned to Bolton Wanderers after a one-month loan
  • Tejal ROSS-THAKER - released December 2009 after two sub appearances
  •   For details of last season's squad (2008/09), visit the 2008/09 Squad Page