2010-11 First-Team Squad

ALTRINCHAM FC 2010-11

  • Back: Matty Crowell, Danny Holmes, Dale Johnson, Robbie Williams, James Coates, Stuart Coburn, Marc Joseph, Michael Twiss, Tom McCready.
  • Middle: Charles Heathcote (kitman), Damian Reeves, Chris Denham, James Smith, Shaun Densmore, Nicky Clee, Anthony Danylyk, Ryan Brown, Matt Doughty, Ian Senior (goalkeeping coach).
  • Front: Sean Riley (physio), George Heslop (company secretary), Derek Wilshaw (secretary), Robbie Lawton (captain), Graham Heathcote (manager), Grahame Rowley (vice-chairman), Paul Daine (director), Ken McKenna (assistant manager).

    Missing from the photo is Kevin Holsgrove.

    Portraits courtesy of Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography, unless otherwise stated.

    Squad Members

  • 1. Stuart COBURN
  • 2. James SMITH
  • 3. Jonathan BATESON
  • 4. Marc JOSEPH
  • 5. Robbie WILLIAMS
  • 6. Shaun DENSMORE
  • 7. Robbie LAWTON
  • 8. Damian REEVES
  • 9. Michael TWISS
  • 10. Chris DENHAM
  •  
  • 11. Nicky CLEE
  • 12. Kevin HOLSGROVE (loaned to Hyde)
  • 14. Dale JOHNSON
  • 15. Ryan BROWN
  • 16. Anthony DANYLYK
  • 17. Wes BAYNES
  • 18. Steven CONNORS
  • 19. Mark BEESLEY
  • 22.  
  • 23. Theo KIDD
  • 24. Famoud SONKO
  • 25. Sam LANGFORD
  • 26. Carl PIERGIANNI
  • 27. James SMART
  • 28. Matthew FEARON
  • 29. Mohamed COLY
  • 30. Craig DOOTSON
  • 31. Ashley WOODS
  • Jake BARNABAS
  • Joe COOMBS
  •  


    PHOTO/SQUAD N0.
    GOALKEEPERS
     
  • James COATES

    James was unexpectedly released after making 11 appearances in goal, on 21 January 2011. For details see the Departed Players section.


  • 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 500 appearances mark in January 2011. 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 again distinguished himself with numerous excellent saves but after six games of 2010-11 he lost his place for eight matches to James Coates, before regaining the keeper's jersey. Another injury than cost him his place in early 2011, but he was restored to the side during March.

    In his private life, Stuart is manager of a hire shop in Altrincham. Appearances to June 2010: 481, 1 goal.


  • 30
  • Craig DOOTSON (d.o.b 23 May, 1979, in Preston)

    Signed on 21 January, Craig's previous club was Harrogate Town, from where he had been loaned to Fleetwood Town. He began his career at Deepdale, with his home-town club, Preston North End in 1998, and moved from there to Bamber Bridge before joining Leigh RMI. Injury curtailed his appearances at Hilton Park from where he joined Stalybridge Celtic in summer 2002. Three years later he went into the League with Bury but unfortunately lost his place after breaking his arm.

    Next, came a loan spell at Hinckley United in early 2006, before Bury released him. After this, three seasons were spent with Hyde United before a move to Alfreton Town for 2009-10, from where he moved to Fleetwood, in November 2009. Craig left Fleetwood after deciding to play part-time and he signed up for Harrogate Town but returned to Fleetwood on a three month loan which had just expired when he arrived at Moss Lane.

    After a debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup on 8 February, Craig started his first league game for Alty at Kidderminster, four days later, and saved a penalty in that game. Appearances to June 2010: 0.

  •  
    DEFENDERS
    No Number
  • Jake BARNABAS (d.o.b. 6 November 1993)

    Jake made his first-team debut on 5 April 2011 in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final, in which he completed the full ninety minutes at left-back. Before that he had been a regular at centre-back for the Alty Youth team.


  • 3
  • Jonathan BATESON (d.o.b. 20 September 1989, in Preston; height 6ft 1in.)

    Jonathan was signed on loan from Accrington Stanley on 3 March 2011, initially for a month, but later extended till the end of the season. His career started off at Blackburn Rovers, from where he had a loan spell with Buxton. However, he did not appear in the first team for Rovers but went on to make his first-team debut for Bradford City in August 2009, a cup game in which he was sent off. Jonathan made his league debut for Bradford on 5 September 2009 but was released by the Bantams in summer 2010, having played 21 games for them. He joined Accrington Stanley in August 2010. Jon made his Alty debut on the right of the back line against Gateshead.

  • No Number
  • Joe COOMBS (d.o.b. 12 January 1994)

    Joe's first-team debut came on 5 April 2011 in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final, in which he completed the full ninety minutes at centre-back, a position he also occupies for the Alty Youth team.

  •  
  • Danny HOLMES

    Danny was released in early October 2010. For details see the Departed Players section.

  •  
  • Andrai JONES

    Andrai returned to parent club Bury after making one loan appearance. For details see the Departed Players section.


  • 4
  • Marc JOSEPH (d.o.b. 10 November 1976)

    Signed by Alty on 5 August 2010, Marc Joseph is a former Rotherham United defender, who impressed in 2010 pre-season, where he mostly figured on the left of the back-line. He is a former Antigua and Barbuda international who, before playing for The Millers, was with Blackpool, who released him in May 2007. Marc was a virtual ever present in the first half of the 10-11 season, until suspended for a sending-off at Tamworth in January, 2011.

    Outside Altrincham FC, Marc is a football coach for Blackpool Council. Appearances to June 2010: 0

  •  
  • Andrew MILNE

    Andy left the club on completion of his three-month loan from Barrow on 8 January 2011. For details see the Departed Players section.



  • 26
  • Carl PIERGIANNI (d.o.b. 3 May 1992)

    Peterborough United defender Carl Piergianni joined Altrincham FC on open-ended work experience on 31 December 2010 and made an impressive debut on New Year's Day against Wrexham. A local lad to Peterborough, he was given a professional contract and made one substitute appearance in League One in 2010-11. He has been a regular in the Posh reserves in 2010-11, whilst last season he made six appearances for Spalding United when on loan there. He was also Peterborough's under-18 Player of the Year last season and was named in several first team squads for Boro' in the Championship in 09-10.

    Carl got injured during his very promising debut against Wrexham on New Year's Day 2011 and had to return to Peterborough for treatment but returned to action before being sent off in his fourth league start at Kidderminster. since then he has established himself as a regular starter, mostly on the left side of the back-line.

  • 27
  • James SMART (d.o.b. 1 October 1992)

    James is captain of the Altrincham FC Youth team and, after being an unused substitute in the first-team squad last season, he finally made his debut in 2010-11 in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Alsager Town on 8 February 2011. Sadly, he was injured after barely 15 minutes on the pitch and had to come off. He is comfortable both at centre-back and on the left side of the back line.


  • 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. Injury and suspensions curtailed his appearances in March and April.

    A regular Man of the Match, James's season was disrupted by a badly cut knee and then a hamstring problem in November, followed by suspension in February. James, who is a taxi driver in his non-football life, has captained the side in the absence of Robbie Lawton. Appearances to June 2010: 67(+1), 0 goals.

  •  
  • Famoud SONKO

    Signed on Conference forms for Altrincham on December 8, 2010, left-sided defender Famoud Sonko is currently a Radcliffe Borough player, brought in as back-up but yet (Feb. 2011) to be included in a squad.

  •  
  • Michael WELCH

    Michael left the club in February 2011. For details see the Departed Players section.



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

    Centre-back Williams 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 squad.

    Robbie 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, before returning to TNS in January 2009 In the Welsh Premier he made a total of 34 (+10) appearances and scored twice.

    Robbie 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 the first of his 3 Wales U23 semi-pro caps in March 2010 when he scored against Portugal and he has also played against England and Poland. Outside football, Robbie works for Shanleys printers based in Bolton. Appearances for Altrincham to June 2010: 45(+5), 4 goals.

  •  
  • Greg YOUNG

    Greg returned to parent club Bury after making 11 loan appearances. For details see the Departed Players section.

  •  
    MIDFIELDERS

    17
  • Wes BAYNES (born 12 October 1988)

    Altrincham FC signed Wes Baynes on a 93-day loan from Wrexham on 22 October 2010. A right-sided midfielder or defender, Wes is a graduate of Wrexham's Academy, whose first team he reached before they were relegated from League Two. Between 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons at Wrexham, he made 49(+29) league appearances in which he scored 11 goals and six FA Cup appearances in which he scored once. Wes made his Altrincham debut against Gateshead in the FA Cup on 23 October 2010. As well as pace, Wes's strengths include his dead-ball prowess.



  • 15
  • 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 but in 10-11 pre-season featured mainly in midfield. Though a regular for much of the early part of the season, Ryan has mainly been named on the bench since January. Outside football, he works as an engineer in Stoke on Trent. Appearances to June 2010: 13(+4), 0 goals



  • 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. In 10-11 he has played well but has suffered with niggling injuries. His non-football job is as a finance assistant in a Huddersfield company. Appearances to June 2010: 28(+14), 1 goal.


  • 18
  • Steven CONNORS (born 5 January 1986 in Liverpool)

    Steve signed on emergency loan, from Fleetwood Town till the end of the 2010-11 season on 18 February 2011. A left-footed central midfielder, he had previously been with Witton Albion and Bradford Park Avenue, from where he joined Fleetwood in 2009. In late 2010 Steve was briefly on loan at Droylsden. Steve made an impressive debut on 19 February 2011 against Kettering but was twice sent off in his first ten games for the Robins.

  •  
  • Matty CROWELL

    Matt left the club by mutual agreement on 29 October 2010. For details see the Departed Players section.



  • 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 was a regular starter more or less for the rest of the season. In 10-11 he varied between starting and being on the bench but unfortunately suffered a double forearm fracture in training on 12 April 2011, which ended his season.

    Outside football Anthony is a civil servant, employed by Job Centre Plus in Stoke on Trent. Appearances to June 2010: 91(+7), 3 goals.



  • 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 in 09-10, Shaun soon re-established himself as a tenacious right-back/midfielder. He picked up a medial ligament injury in February 2011 which has sidelined him to date. Appearances to June 2010: 87(+1), 10 goals.

  • 28
  • Matthew FEARON (d.o.b. 7 September 1993)

    Matthew is a midfielder/defender who has captained the Youth team in James Smart's absence. He first appeared in a first-team squad this season, in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

  •  
  • Sam HEWSON

    Sam was released on 21 March, 2011. For details see the Departed Players section.



  • 12
  • Kevin HOLSGROVE (d.o.b. 19 January, 1988)

    Kevin is a tall, left-winger whose previous clubs include Everton, Colwyn Bay, NEWI Cefyn Druids and, most recently, Hyde United in 2009-10. Before signing for Altrincham, in August 2010, 22 year-old Kevin impressed in two pre-season appearances both with his pace and his strength in holding off challenges. He made his debut from the bench in August 2010 against Darlington and made his first start two games later at Southport. After 11 appearances he returned to Hyde FC on a 93-day loan, which was cut short as he was recalled to Moss Lane towards the end of November 2010. But by 17 January, 2011, Kevin had been loaned back to Hyde after making 5(+10) appearances, scoring once. Appearances to June 2010: 0.


  • 25
  • Sam LANGFORD (d.o.b. 6 August 1993).

    Sam is a left-winger, who has become a youth-team regular this season.



  • 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 Head of PE and a psychology teacher on Merseyside 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.

    His 2010-11 season has seen him sometimes starting on the bench. Appearances to June 2010: 170(+10), 8 goals.

  •  
  • Tom McCREADY

    Tom was released in early October 2010. For details see the Departed Players section.

  •  
  • Matt SOMNER

    Matt returned to Mansfield following a three-month loan which ended on 13 January 2011. For details see the Departed Players section.

  •  
  • Sam WEDGBURY

    Sam returned to Macclesfield Town following a one-month loan which the Silkmen were unwilling to extend. For details, see the Departed Players section.

  •  
    FORWARDS

    19
  • Mark BEESLEY (d.o.b. 5 December 1980)

    Loan signing Mark Beesley joined Alty from Fleetwood Town on 26 November, 2010. His loan runs till 3 January, 2011.

    A striker, Mark Beesley started out with Preston North End where he made one first-team appearance before joining Chester City for more than three seasons, followed by a spell at Hereford United in late 2003. In 2004 he signed for Forest Green Rovers before going on loan to the Giant Axe where he played for Lancaster City before returning to FGR. From there, he was bought by Cambridge United but in summer 2010, he joined Fleetwood Town.

    Alty tried to get him on loan earlier in 2010-11 but the loan regulations got in the way at that time. In the interim he went on loan with York City in early October, but the arrangement was terminated by City's new boss, Gary Mills. He made his Alty debut as a sub at Cambridge on 27 November 2010. At the conclusion of his loan spell, Mark signed for Altrincham on 7 January 2010. Appearances to June 2010: 0.


  • 29
  • Mohamed COLY (d.o.b. 5 March 1985)

    Radcliffe Borough's 6ft 2inch striker, Mohamed Coly, a Senegalese striker, was signed on Conference forms by Altrincham in January 2011. His previous clubs include Crystal Palace, Wealdstone, Dulwich Hamlet, Woking, Leyton Orient (5 appearances), Sangonera Atlético of Murcia, Spain and Greek club, APOP Kinyras Peyias. His first appearance in an Alty squad was as an unused sub at Wrexham on 1 February, 2011 and he then started the CSC game against Alsager Town on 8 February 2011, playing in midfield.



  • 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, before injury again sidelined him briefly.

    2010-11 season was also blighted by injury, with Chris only fit to make two league starts between October and February before being diagnosed as needing an operation on his groin problem. Appearances to June 2010: 44(+20), 15 goals.

  •  
  • Steve FOSTER

    After one substitute appearance for Alty, Steve elected to stay at Salford City. His details can be found in the Departed Players section.


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

    Dale originally signed for Altrincham on 6 June 2008 after finishing 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 sadly missed the rest of 09-10 season as a consequence but returned for the start of the 2010-11 pre-season. However, after six matches of the new campaign he was released on 1 September and re-joined Hyde FC.

    However, on 18 March 2011 he returned to Moss Lane from Ewen Fields, as Hyde attempted to reduce their wage bill. Appearances to June 2010: 47(+17), 6 goals.


  • 23
  • Theo KIDD (d.o.b. 15 September 1993)

    Theo is a striker who has established himself in the Youth team this season. he signed Conference forms for Alty in March, 2011.

  •  
  • Colin LITTLE

    Colin re-joined Alty in September 2010, just before Graham Heathcote's departure as manager, but did not play for the club before moving on to New Mills. His details can be found in the Departed Players section.

  •  
  • James McCARTHY

    James was released on 26 October 2010. For details see the Departed Players section.


  • 8
  • Damian REEVES (d.o.b. 18 December 1985, height 5ft 10ins)

    Altrincham FC signed striker Damian Reeves on 26 June 2010. Doncaster-based Damian is an Academy graduate of Leeds United. He had previously played Conference football with Farsley Celtic, Histon and Northwich Victoria. A Liverpool supporter, Damian broke his leg whilst at Leeds, after which he moved to Farsley, where he spent two years from August 2006 to June 2008, playing 44(+2) games and scoring 11 goals. At Histon he played 13(+9) games and netted 5 goals, before leaving in January 2009 to move to Northwich Victoria, where he made 7(+2) appearances.

    After Vics, Damian went to Alfreton Town in 2009-10, followed by a spell at AFC Telford United and a loan spell with Bradford PA. At Telford he scored four goals in 17 appearances. He started his first game on the opening day of the 10-11 season at Luton. Despite not starting more than three successive league games at a stretch, Damian nevertheless had netted 12 goals by 20 January 2011, which won him a more regular starting place.

    Outside football, Damian is a self-employed plasterer. Appearances to June 2010: 0.


  • 9
  • Michael TWISS (d.o.b. 26 December 1977, in Salford)

    Michael Twiss, who played in pre-season for Alty as far back as August 2001, joined the club on 24 May 2010. Michael was released by Morecambe in March (2010) but, as he had had his contract paid up, he was unable to join any club above Conference North level. As a result, he had a brief spell at Stalybridge Celtic before the end of the 2009-10 season.

    Michael started out at Manchester United where he spent four seasons in the Reserves, though he did make a 1(+1) first-team appearances too, as well as spending much of the 1998-99 season on loan at Sheffield United in the old First Division. He joined Port Vale on leaving Old Trafford in July 2000.

    In 2000-01 he played for Leigh RMI where he was top scorer in the Conference before joining Chester City for 2001-02. He stayed there till he joined Morecambe in 2004, where he later played in their promotion winning side.

    A pre-season injury prevented his starting a game for Alty until October 16th when he also scored his first goal, against Fleetwood. Michael is currently a mature student at Salford University. Appearances to June 2010: 0.


  • 31
  • Ashley WOODS

    Ashley is a member of the Altrincham FC Youth team who made his debut as a used substitute in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Hyde in 2010. Appearances to June 2010: 0.

  •  
    DEPARTED PLAYERS & STAFF - 2010 close season and 2010-11
    See Departed Players 2010-11
  • Stuart BIMSON - assistant manager, left May 2011
  • Adam CARDEN - midfielder, released just before the start of the 2010-11 season
  • James COATES - goalkeeper, unexpectedly released 21 January 2011
  • Matty CROWELL - midfielder, left in late October 2010 after commuting to Altrincham from South Wales
  • Peter DORAN - decided to leave at the end of 2009-10 season
  • Steve FOSTER - played in one game on a dual registration arrangement with Salford City before electing to stay at Moor Lane
  • Geoff GOODWIN - chairman, resigned, 13 September 2010.
  • Graham HEATHCOTE - manager, left by mutual consent 14 September 2010.
  • Sam HEWSON - released 21 March 2011
  • Danny HOLMES - released October 2010
  • Dale JOHNSON - released, 1 September 2010 but returned from Hyde FC on 18 March 2011
  • Andrai JONES - loan defender from Bury, returned to Gigg Lane in October 2010
  • Colin LITTLE - moved to take up a coaching post with Manchester United at the end of 2009-10 season. Colin re-signed for Alty in September 2010, but did not appear before appearing for New Mills.
  • John McALISKEY - released, May 2010
  • James McCARTHY - released 26 October 2010
  • Tom McCREADY - released, October 2010
  • Ken McKENNA - assistant manager, then manager; left May 2011
  • Andrew MILNE - completed a successful three-month loan spell from Barrow in January 2011
  • Russell SAUNDERS - goalkeeper, released in pre-season, August 2010
  • Chris SENIOR - left for full-time football at Darlington, May 2010
  • Matthew SOMNER - completed a successful three-month loan spell from Mansfield Town in January 2011
  • Sam WEDGBURY - midfielder, loaned from Macclefield Town, who returned to the Silkmen in February 2011
  • Michael WELCH - released, summer 2010 - but returned in August 2010 before leaving in February 2011
  • Greg YOUNG - left for full-time football at York City, May 2010 but returned on loan in February 2011. He was recalled by York on 20 April 2011.
  •   For details of last season's squad (2009/10), visit the 2009/10 Squad Page