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 First-Team Players 2011/12 |
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First-Team Players 2011/12 |
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ALTRINCHAM FC 2011-12
This Page 
21 February, 2012
2011-12 First-Team Squad.
Photo by Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography.
Pen pictures kindly provided by Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography, except where shown.
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. He was then sidelined by injury again but was first choice once more for 2011-12, until injury enforced his absence after 24 league games of the season.
In his private life, Stuart is manager of a hire shop business in Altrincham. Appearances to June 2011: 509, 1 goal.
Altrincham FC signed Wirral-born goalkeeper Joe Collister from Tamworth, on 27 January 2012, for an initial one-month loan period.
A product of Tranmere Rovers' youth system, Joe made his League One debut as a substitute in September 2009 and made 14 appearance in all for his local club. He was released at the end of the 2010–11 season and joined Tamworth for the 2011-12 season. From there, he went to Barwell on loan in late September 2011 before making his Tamworth debut on New Year's Day, 2012. Joe had played at Moss Lane previously, having kept goal for a Tranmere Rovers XI against Altrincham in a pre-season game in 2010.
Joe made an impressive start to his Alty career with a third-minute penalty save at Gainsborough on 28 January 2012. Image, altrinchamfc.com.
Altrincham Youth's goalkeeper, from 2010 to date, Adam signed Conference forms in August 2011. Merseyside-based, Adam made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup in November, 2011 and his first league start, in the BSBN, came against Harrogate Town on 21 January 2012. However, after a further league start, at Blyth, Adam was unfortunate to find himself back on the bench following the loan signing of Joe Collister. Before joining Altrincham, Adam was with Accrington Stanley.
Josh signed forms for Curzon Ashton in September 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
Altrincham signed central defender Marlon Broomes (height 1m 83cm), from Clitheroe FC on 9 January 2012. Marlon has Premier League experience, having started four matches for Blackburn Rovers under Roy Hodgson's managership in 1997/98 season before going on to enjoy a total of 32(+7) outings for the Lancashire club.
Marlon had earlier been signed as a 17 year-old for Rovers by Kenny Dalglish. His other league clubs include Swindon Town (two-month loan 1997, 12 appearances), Queens Park Rangers, Grimsby Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, Stoke City, Blackpool and Crewe Alexandra. In all he has made 223(+22) league appearances.
An under-19 and under-21 England player, Marlon represented his country in the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
In 2000/01 he had a month-long loan spell at Queens Park Rangers (5 apps) before a further loan at Grimsby Town for three months (18 games). He was released from Ewood Park in December, 2001 and joined Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 18 league appearances. In 2002 pre-season he joined Preston North End, under Craig Brown, on a three year contract. He played 59(+10) league games for PNE before gaining another three-year contract in the Championship at Stoke City. He played 36(+1) league matches for the Potteries team before a ruptured Achilles tendon made him miss the 2006/07 and 2007/08 league seasons completely, prompting his release.
In summer 2008, he briefly joined Blackpool before signing on loan for Crewe Alexandra in January 2009. The Seasiders released him in summer 2009 and he joined Tranmere Rovers, whom he left at the end of last season (2010/11). He next joined Clitheroe, after having a trial with Stockport County over the summer.
Marlon made his Altrincham debut in central defence at Hinckley on 9 January, 2012 but, unfortunately, had to go off injured just before the half-hour mark. However, in his next game, which was also his home debut on 18 February, 2012, he scored his maiden goal for the Robins.
Ryan left the club and joined Stafford Rangers on 3 January 2012. Details in Departed Players section.
A tall central defender, Joe joined Altrincham FC Youth during the 2010-11 season and remains eligible for the NW Youth Alliance league in 2011-12. He played for the Altrincham first team in the 2011 Cheshire Senior cup final and in several pre-season games in summer 2011. The club arranged for him to gain further competitive experience at Clitheroe FC whilst still playing for Altrincham FC Youth in 2011-12 season. He has been on the first-team bench several times in 2011-12. Earlier in his career, Joe was with Macclesfield Town.
Adam spent a month on loan at Moss Lane, from Blackpool, and returned there on 8 January 2012. Details in Departed Players section.
Matt was the captain of the Altrincham FC Youth team early in 2011-12, having been a regular starter the previous season, too. Formerly with Accrington Stanley, he can play in midfield as well as in the back line and made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final in 2011. Matt made his first league appearance at Solihull on 17 September 2011 and made his first BSB North start three days later at Colwyn Bay. Matt played on loan at Clitheroe at the turn of 2011/12.
Altrincham FC agreed terms with Haydock-based central defender Adam Flynn early in June 2011. Adam had been the Southport captain when they were promoted back to the Conference national level in 2010 but his work commitments, as Head Coach at Liverpool FC's International Football Academies, conflicted with his availability to play for the Port and he was transfer listed in November 2010. Nevertheless, he went on to start 25 games for Southport in 2010-11.
As a player, Adam graduated through the Liverpool Academy to Prescot Cables and Burscough, from where manager Liam Watson took him to Haig Avenue. His early season in 2011-12 was disrupted by suspension and injury. But, following the departures of Robbie Lawton and Anthony Danylyk, Adam took over the captaincy of the side in December, 2011, before an ankle injury interrupted his season. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
Matthew Flynn joined Altrincham, initially on a month's loan, from Fleetwood Town on 1 December 2011, having made 2(+2) appearances earlier in the season for the Lancashire club. His loan was converted into a season-long arrangement on 12 January 2012. A six-foot tall full-back, Preston-born Matty started out at Warrington Town and joined Macclesfield Town in May, 2007 and made 23(+5) appearances for The Silkmen. After various loan spells, one of which led to his signing for Rochdale where he made 7(+4) appearances. He joined Fleetwood in August 2011 and began the 2011-12 season in their starting line-up. He made an impressive Alty debut, at right-back, on 3 December at Halifax and has also appeared at centre-back. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
A youth team regular for the last two campaigns, left-back and central defender Sam Grimshaw is a product of the Altrincham youth team, which he has captained on many occasions. Before that, he spent nine years as a junior at Manchester City. As well as his defensive abilities, Sam also possesses a long throw and a good shot. After impressing Lee Sinnott in training, he signed first-team forms in mid-February 2012. Image, altrinchamfc.com.
Adie returned to his parent club, Alfreton Town in mid-February 2012, after a loan spell. Details in Departed Players section.
Paul was released in early September 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
Altrincham FC's fourth new signing of the close season, former Hyde defender Mark Lees, joined the club on 13 June 2011. Mark made his Tigers' debut in August 2009 and his previous clubs as a youth player included Mossley, Curzon Ashton and Stalybridge Celtic. He then joined New Mills, Buxton and Ashton United before arriving at Ewen Fields. A versatile player, Mark featured at left-back and in midfield in pre-season. Outside football, Mark is taking a second year course at Salford University in Sports Science; he also coaches in schools. Having started the season on the bench, Mark soon established himself as a versatile member of the back four, but latterly has figured on the bench. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
Full-back Mark Lynch, who played regularly at Moss Lane during his time with Manchester United Reserves, joined Altrincham on 2 February, 2012, after being released by Stockport County. Mark signed forms for Manchester United in 1999 and remained at Old Trafford till 2004/05 season, but made just one appearance for the first-team. During his time with United, Mark started 20 times for St Johnstone, up in Perth, on loan in 2001/02 season. On leaving United, he joined Sunderland (7+6 appearances), then Hull City (15+2), Yeovil (34+4), Rotherham United (35+3) and Stockport County (39+2). Mark made his debut, at left-back, against Blyth Spartans on 18 February, 2012.
Defender/ midfielder Kieran Walmsley joined Altrincham on a season-long loan from Kendal Town on 5 January 2012. In May, 2011, he had signed a two-year contract with the Cumbrians. Having previously played for Morecambe and Fleetwood Town, he is a deadball specialist as well as versatile, being happy anywhere in midfield and defence. Kieran's Alty debut came as a substitute right-back against Colwyn Bay on 7 January 2012 and he soon became first-choice in that position. Off the field, Kieran is a fire-alarm engineer, whose job takes him all over the country.
Rob returned to his own club at Telford when his loan spell expired on 10 December 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
Altrincham signed Nicky Clee from Hyde United on 17 July 2009. Nicky is primarily a left-winger and 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 very 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 was a key attacking component in the Alty side but suffered with niggling injuries. His non-football job is as a finance assistant in a Huddersfield company.
In 2011-12 he showed his versatility as he started several games at left-back. Appearances to June 2011: 66(+20), 6 goals.
Despite starting every league game in 2011-12 for which he was available, Anthony asked to be released on 20 December 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
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 hardworking right-footed midfielder/defender, 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.
The son of former Altrincham player, Peter Densmore, Shaun followed his father into the England semi-pro international side and scored on his debut for England "C" side against Malta in February, 2009. Despite an early season suspension in 09-10, Shaun soon re-established himself as a tenacious right-back/midfielder. However, he picked up a medial ligament injury in February 2011 which sidelined him till the latter part of the season but he returned to full fitness before the end of the season.
A regular starter in 2011-12 in central midfield, Shaun was named captain on the departure of Robbie Lawton in November, 2011, but picked up a knee injury which sidelined him in mid-December. Appearances to June 2011: 122(+3), 13 goals.
James was on the books of Altrincham Reserves as a 17 year-old, having received his initial footballing education over a period of five years at Manchester United, whom he joined at the age of seven. Four years at Bury followed, before James had his first spell at Moss Lane. He then joined Ashton United, followed by a brief stay at Chorley in 2007-08 season. However, he joined FC United later in 2007 before moving on again to Vauxhall Motors. Following a brief stay, in 2009, at Welsh club Bala Town, he rejoined FCUM in 2010. A short stay at Curzon Ashton then preceded his third spell with FC United, before he joined Altrincham on 20 January, 2012.
Mainly a central midfielder, James can also play in defence, especially at right-back. He made his Alty debut as a substitute against Harrogate Town on 21 January 2012.
Robbie left the club in November 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
Experienced central midfielder/right-back Chris Lynch joined Alty on 3 June 2011, following Alty's new assistant manager Neil Tolson, from Hyde FC, for which club he made his debut in 2004. Previously he had been at Wigan Athletic and he arrived at Moss Lane after 249 starts and 38 sub appearances for The Tigers, for whom he had been a virtual ever-present for the previous three seasons. His early days at Altrincham were affected by injury but he was anestablished starter well before Christmas 2011. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
Signed on 2 February 2012, after being released by Stockport County, John is an experienced former Football League forward / midfielder. His former clubs include Liverpool (no first-team appearances), Stoke City (1 sub appearance), Crewe Alexandra (3+7 appearances), Macclesfield Town (85+53), Accrington Stanley (99+12), MK Dons 7(+5), Fleetwood Town 8(+2), Droylsden and Stockport County 11(+3). John made his Altrincham debut as a late substitute against Blyth on 18 February 2012 and played his first full game three days later in central midfield, winning the Man of the Match award for his performance.
Midfielder/winger Simon Andrew Richman is a product of the Bolton Wanderers' academy and the Port Vale youth system. He broke through into the Valiants' first team in League One in 2007-08 and made 48 League appearances for them in all, mostly in 2008-09 in League Two, when he was voted the club's Young Player of the Season. Simon then suffered a groin injury which kept him out of action for several months and, though he made five first-team League Two apperances for Vale in 2009-10, he was released at the end of that campaign. In summer 2010, he had trials with Southport and Worcester City, before joining City and making eight league appearances in the Blue Square Bet North.
His early Alty career was marred by injury but by late November he was back in the starting eleven. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
Brian was released on 2 February 2012. Details in Departed Players section.
Liam spent a month at Alty on loan from Blackpool. Details in Departed Players section.
Signed from AFC Telford United on 31 August 2011, initially on a one-month loan, (later extended to 93 days), James is a Northern Ireland-born forward, who was brought up in Middlewich, Cheshire. At the conclusion of his loan spell, Telford released him and he signed for Altrincham in early December, 2011.
His footballing career began in Port Vale's youth system. Whilst at the Potteries' club, at which Alty boss Lee Sinnott was manager in 2007-08, he went on to make his first League appearances and recorded his first league goal for Port Vale in January 2009. He scored the team's Goal of the Season in 2008-09 and went on to make 27(+2) appearances for the club. A troubled Port Vale transfer-listed its entire squad in summer 2010 and, so, James left at that time. But, previously, he had had a trial at Everton (2009-10) and spent a period on loan at Kidderminster Harriers from February 2010 till the end of that season. For the Harriers, he made 12 appearances - one of which was against Altrincham at Moss Lane. After leaving Port Vale, James had trials at Exeter City, Stevenage and Morecambe before he signed a year's contract at AFC Telford United. There, his progress was hampered by an ankle injury.
Having played at various age-levels for Northern Ireland, the six-foot striker gained his first senior international cap against Italy in June 2009 and made two further international appearances. James's spell at Port Vale coincidentally overlapped with Altrincham player Simon Richman's time there. James made his Alty debut as a sub, away to Gloucester City, on 3 September, 2011 and scored on his full debut a week later. Appearances to June 2011: 0.
Astley chose to join FC United of Manchester in October 2011. Details in Departed Players section.
Altrincham FC signed speedy and skilful striker Jack Redshaw from Salford City on 13 October 2011. Jack's football career began with Manchester City, whom he joined at the age of nine before receiving his first contract at the age of 18. He turned out for Manchester City's first team against the United Arab Emirates in a friendly in November 2009 in Abu Dhabi.
After trials with Blackpool, he joined Rochdale, for whom he made a first-team debut as a used substitute in League One in August 2010. But in January 2011, he left Spotland by mutual agreement as his first-team appearances were limited to two games.
Jack signed for Salford City in March, 2011, and scored almost as many goals as he made appearances for the rest of the season. He made his Alty debut as a used sub against Vauxhall Motors on 15 October 2011 and soon started scoring, bagging four goals in his first 8 appearances. Jack made such an impression at Alty that League Two club Morecambe came in and signed him on 22 January 2012. However, on 26 January it was agreed hat Jack would return to Moss Lane for a one-month loan. Altrincham appearances to 22 January 2012: 11(+4), 8 goals. Photo: www.altrinchamfc.com
Altrincham FC signed striker Damian Reeves on 26 June 2010 and he became the club's leading scorer and "Supporters' Player of the Season" at the end of the 2010-11 campaign, netting 19 times in 35(+11) games for a struggling side.
Doncaster-based Damian is an Academy graduate of Leeds United, where he first played under Alty boss, Lee Sinnott. Subsequently, he played Conference football with Farsley Celtic, Histon and Northwich Victoria. A Liverpool supporter, Damian broke his leg badly whilst at Leeds, after which he moved to Farsley, where he spent two years from August 2006 to June 2008. In his first season he scored 23 goals and, the following season, the Yorkshire club's one campaign in the Conference, he played 44(+2) games in all competitions, scoring 11 Conference and 3 cup goals in FA competitions. At Histon he played 13(+9) games and netted 5 times, 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 for Altrincham on the opening day of the 2010-11 season at Luton. Despite not starting more than three successive league games at a stretch in the first half of the season, Damian became a permanent starter for the second half of the campaign and went on lead the scoring charts for the club.
In 2011-12 a rich vein of form saw him hit 33 goals in Alty's first 28 league matches of the campaign, including a club record of scoring in 10 successive league games.
Outside football, Damian is a self-employed plasterer - and before establishing himself in football he had a basketball trial with Sheffield Sharks. Appearances to June 2011: 35(+11), 19 goals.
Neil became Altrincham FC's Assistant Manager in June 2011 but he then also signed playing forms in August 2011 with a view, primarily, to being used as a substitute should the circumstances require it. His first inclusion as a player (unused sub) in the first-team league squad was not until January 2012
He had first teamed up with Alty manager Lee Sinnott when both were players at Bradford City in 1994. Neil, whose previous employment was as manager of Hyde United (now Hyde FC), till April 2011, had joined The Tigers as a player in 2003 before becoming assistant manager in 2007 and then player-manager from September, 2008 to 4 April 2011.
As a professional player, Neil was a striker, who topped York City's goalscoring chart for 1996–97. In some 200 appearances for Football League clubs, Neil played for Walsall, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City and Chester City before his spell at York. After York, he also spent two years at Southend United (1999-2001) before he joined Leigh RMI. Early in 2003 he left Leigh RMI and joined Kettering Town, in February of that year, but a month later he signed for Halifax Town.
In addition to his role at Altrincham, Neil has a full-time job as operations manager with a security company.
Michael Twiss, who played in pre-season for Alty as far back as August 2001, joined the club on 24 May 2010 on a two-year contract. 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 league game for Alty until October 16th 2010 when he also scored his first goal, against Fleetwood. However, he started only eight matches in the second half of a season in which he netted four goals. Michael is currently a mature student at Salford University. Four goals in his first 12 league matches in 2011-12 promised a better season for Michael but he lost his starting place after 17 games of the season. Appearances to June 2011: 20(+18), 4 goals.
Duncan, a speedy and skilful striker, made his first-team debut as a substitute in the FA Trophy game against FC United on 27 November 2011. Before that he had impressed in the Altrincham Youth team as well as for the Cheshire County side and for his college, Cheadle Hulme School. Duncan was first named in a league squad at Hinckley in January, 2012 and later that month gained some further match experience with Clitheroe FC, before making his league debut as a substitute at Gainsborough on 28 January, 2012. Photo: www.altrinchamfc.com
See Departed Players/Staff 2011-12
For details of last season's squad (2010/11), visit the 2010/11 Squad Page
