FROM ALTY TO THE STATES

King, 18, from Altrincham, has just finished his final year of A Levels at Altrincham Grammar and will move to America in August to begin a new chapter in his life.

He will combine a sports management course alongside playing for Ulndy Greyhound at a 7,000 seat stadium and says he can’t wait for it to begin. 'I looked up the university and it was just brilliant. It was important that I chose a university which was good academically and in terms of the football. Indianapolis had both'.

He will be spending the next four years in Indiana and will be the only English footballer in a team looking to revolutionise college ‘soccer’ in America.

And, with the influx of footballers from other states, including an import from Antigua, it seems that Michael is heading towards an ambitious team.

After being approached by around 25 other American universities, the left-back insists that Indianapolis is the right step after a successful two years at Altrincham.

He said, 'Altrincham have been brilliant to me, helping me build my confidence and they were a great club to play under. We had a great team and winning the Manchester County Cup against Stockport Vikings was a particular highlight'".

JAMIE'S INJURY

ALTY LIFT THE MANCHESTER FA YOUTH CUP

In the latest ending to a season that most Altrincham supporters could remember, Altrincham FC Youth completed the season on a high note with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday evening over Stockport Vikings in the Manchester FA Youth Cup Final at Ayrshire Road, Broughton, Salford. The deciding goal arrived after 29 minutes through Rob Gilroy. Match report here. Above, the lads and the management team are pictured after being presented with their medals and the trophy.

MANCHESTER FA YOUTH CUP FINAL

YOUTH TEAM REACHES FINAL Altrincham FC Youth came back from two goals down to beat Hyde FC Youth in Sunday's semi-final of the Manchester FA Youth Cup. Match report here. Right: Louis Potts is congratulated on his goal.

ALTY WIN CHESHIRE DISTRICT CUP

The Altrincham and District FA (under-17s) side, entirely made up of Altrincham FC players, defeated Chester & District FA in the final of the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup at Warrington Town's Cantilever Stadium on Tuesday night. With the score 2-2 after 90 minutes, two goals in the first period of added time meant that the Altrincham team won 4-2. The goals were scored by Max Pouncey (2), Louis Potts and Spencer Cunliffe (penalty). Match report here.

Above, Altrincham & District FA celebrate their victory.

Altrincham FC Youth meet Hyde FC Youth in the semi-final of the Manchester FA youth cup on Sunday at Egerton Boys' Club, Knutsford, this Sunday at 2pm. Egerton FC provide the following directions:

"Directions to Egerton Youth Club, Mereheath Lane, Knutsford. Postcode : WA16 6SL

From the roundabout in Knutsford Town Centre take the A50 (Manchester Road) towards Manchester with ‘the Heath’ on your left. After the Longview hotel on the right take the second right hand turn on to Garden Road.Take the second left turn into Mereheath Lane, just before the main entrance to Tatton Park. Follow Mereheath Lane past the houses and past Knutsford sports club before turning left into Egerton Youth Club just before the national speed limit sign".

ALTY WIN ON PENALTIES!

On Tuesday, Altrincham FC Youth comprise the Altrincham & District FA Youth team which plays in the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup Final against Chester & District FA at Warrington Town (postcode WA4 2RS), k.o. 7.15pm. Support will be very welcome!

Right: Nick King's camera captures the delight after the shoot-out.

CUP GAMES

On Tuesday, 21 May at 7.15am, the Altrincham and District FA (under-17s) side plays Chester & District FA in the final of the Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup at Warrington Town's Cantilever Stadium.

ROB'S BUSY LIFE

"He scored one of the goals in England’s recent 3-1 win over Scotland. I caught up with Rob at the play off match and asked him... 'Does he get any special treatment at school?' Rob answered, 'No I still have to do the same work has all the other students have. I am taking Maths, PE and Physics at A Level, its all about time management. Instead of going home and watching the television I have to do my school work'.

Asked 'How do you get selected to play for England Boys?', he replied, 'I first had to play for my school team, then I progressed to my local district team and then on to my borough team which is Sefton, followed by the Merseyside County team, where I was put forward for England Schoolboy trials. Scouts are then sent round to watch you and the best 100 to 150 players are selected to go through various trial dates at different stadiums. The best 32 go to Lilleshall where the final 16 squad is picked...

At the training camp before the Scotland game the manager came up to me on the day of the game and said, "Look, I want to make you captain of the side", and gave me the armband... You never think you are going to get to the stage where you are going to captain your country, to walk out with the arm band on in front of thousands of people. You can’t really describe the feeling and on the same day I scored and lifted the trophy, it felt like a dream...

I have been asked for autographs whilst out shopping, people have seen my picture in the local paper. It is a bit different, I did not realise people would notice at under 18 level... This summer I am going to be training has hard as I can. The boss [Lee Sinnott] has told me he is going to have a look at me over the summer so I just want to try and impress him has much as I can and see what happens here at Altrincham next season'".

REPORT, RESULTS AND FIXTURE DATE

A report on Alty Youth's league win over Northwich Victoria is here.

Altrincham defeated Prescot Cables on Wednesday, 8 May, 2-0 and also won the re-played Cheshire County FA District Youth Cup. The final, against Chester & District FA, is on Tuesday 21 May at Warrington Town F.C., Cantilever Park, Common Lane, Warrington, WA4 2RS, at 7.15pm. The Altrincham FA side will entirely consist of Altrincham FC's under-17s.

Above, Alty Youth line up before last Sunday's game against Northwich Victoria. Left to right: Spencer Cunliffe, David Brown, Michael King, Alex Weatherby, James Farrington, Matt Graetzer, Derryn Ofori, Rob Gilroy, Adam Bezzina, Steve Bullen and Ollie Riley.

YOUTH TEAM WINS

Alty Youth beat Northwich Victoria Youth 4-1 at a sodden Moss Lane on Sunday afternoon. A report will follow.

Meanwhile, pictured right, Michael King feels the weight of an opponent after a tackle in the game. Michael netted two of the goals. (Photo: Nick King).

YOUTH MATCH OFF

The next match is now away at Prescot Cables in the NWYA Premier League on Wednesday, 8 May, k.o. 6.30pm.

YOUTHS' BUSY SCHEDULE

Meanwhile, the Manchester FA is yet to rule on the abandoned match between Altrincham FC Youth and NJ Wythenshawe Juniors on 21 April. Nevertheless, Altrincham have been scheduled to travel to Irlam Steel this Sunday in the next round. Details of the lads' fixtures are on the Youth Page.

ALTY YOUTH COME BACK TO DRAW

Above, Alty youth line up a defensive wall, l. to. r. Callum Harkin, Derryn Ofori, Michael King and Spencer Cunliffe, with Steve Bullen in goal.

Altrincham FC Youth came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home to Nantwich Town on Sunday. A match report is here.

Sunday's results in the NWYA included:

The latest table is here.

The next fixtures are:

Wednesday 8th May 2013

Sunday 12th May 2013

MIDWEEK GAME

The latest table is here.

MANCHESTER FA TO ACT

The MEN also has a picture of Alty's Adam Bezzina being mobbed by team-mates in which he netted a hat-trick against Bedfordshire FA.

ADAM'S HAT-TRICK TO NO AVAIL

Manchester "must still be wondering how this match managed to slip from their grasp. Manchester's three second-half goals through young substitute, Josh Smethurst, and a brace from Adam Bezzina [of Altrincham FC], looked to be sending them comfortably to Cup glory. However, Bedfordshire had other ideas...

Manchester tried to hang on but, with two minutes of stoppage time remaining, Terry was again on hand to grab a dramatic equaliser... Bedfordshire captain Leigh Stevens looked to have sealed the win in the 112th minute, heading powerfully home past Matthew Green. It was not to be, though as two minutes later Manchester levelled from the penalty spot. Bezzina’s shot from 12 yards was initially saved, but he followed up to bury the rebound.

With the score level at 4-4 at the end of extra time, the match went to penalties. Two failures from Manchester left Terry with the task of completing Bedfordshire’s unlikely resurrection and he slammed his penalty home off the underside of the crossbar to send both his team and their travelling fans into delirium".

Attendance at the game at Rochdale FC was 558.

YOUTH GAME ABANDONED

The NWYA has Alty's next game as away to FC United of Manchester on Wednesday, 24 April, at 6.30pm.

18 April 2013 ROB HONOURED Last Saturday, before the Altrincham v Bishop's Stortford game, Altrincham FC Youth midfielder Rob Gilroy was pictured by Gavin Rathbone of GR Photography. Rob was captain of the England Schools' team which beat Scotland last week. He also scored one of the goals as England won 3-1 at St Johnstone's ground in Perth. The trophy he carries in the adjacent photo was the one that England received for that victory. YOUTH WIN Altrincham FC Youth had an impressive 2-0 win on Thursday night at home to Morecambe. Alty won 2-0 thanks to goals by Louis Potts and Spencer Cunliffe. On Sunday, the lads entertain NJ Wythenshawe Juniors at Manor Farm (Ridgeway Road) in the Manchester County Cup, k.o. 2pm.

TABLE AND FIXTURE

ALTRINCHAM YOUTH DRAW

Right: Derryn Ofori had a fine gane for Alty Youth on Sunday. Here his leap to head the ball left his Curzon Ashton opponent open-mouthed!

NEXT GAME

POSTPONED

YOUTH NEWS

ALEX ON BENCH

He follows Duncan Watmore, Sam Grimshaw, Steve Bullen, Callum Mooney, Derryn Ofori, Adam Reid, Oliver Riley and Josh Samberg as a former Alty Youth or Junior to have been in a first-team squad this season.

ADAM'S BRACE

TABLE AND FIXTURES

The NWYA Open Cup Quarter-Finals are scheduled for next Sunday:

YOUTHS PAY FOR A POOR START

Right: Midfielder Spencer Cunliffe gets away from a Warrington Town opponent, with Jamie McLellan in the background.

After a disastrous first half which saw Altrincham 4-0 down after barely half an hour and a man short following the sending-off of Alex Weatherby, the ten-men rallied in the second half of Sunday's Altrincham Youth league match at home to Warrington Town.

Second-half goals from Spencer Cunliffe and Ollie Riley made the final score a more respectable 2-4. Report here.

YOUTH NEWS

The latest table is here.

Next Sunday, Alty are scheduled to play at home (Clay Lane) against Warrington Town (2.30pm).

POSTPONEMENT

NEXT GAME - CORRECTION

YOUTHS' CUP WIN

NEXT GAME

ROB SIGNS FORMS

LATE BLOW SINKS YOUTH TEAM

Pictured, right, Alty's Jamie McLellan accelerates away from a despairing Prescot Cables opponent. But the Merseysider had the last laugh as his side took the points in Sunday's game. Older supporters may be interested to know that Jamie's grandfather was defender George Greenall, who was Peter Swales's first signing when he took over at Moss Lane in the early 1960s.

The NWYA has produced an updated league table

ROB AND DERRYN MAKE THEIR MARK

Also, Alty Youth striker Derryn Ofori (right) is just completing a ten-day trial with Stoke City's under-18s.

Alty Youth's next fixture is on Sunday (10th) at home (Clay Lane, 2.30pm) against Prescot Cables.

SUNDAY'S TWO GAMES

Meanwhile, Altrincham FC under-18s played Urmston Meadowside on Sunday and won 5-0, with Alty Youth striker Adam Bezzina netting a hat-trick and Jordan Mainoo-Hames scoring one of the other goals.

The NWYA fixtures show Altrincham Youth at home to Prescot Cables this Sunday, k.o. 2.30pm.

ADAM IN THE FINAL

FOOTBALL PSYCHOLOGY & NUTRITION ADVICE

"Thursday night saw two very special guests visit the club. Nutritionist, Kit McAvoy and sports psychologist Bill Steven came to deliver an informative and inspirational presentation to the current crop of youth team players.

Bill, who works one to one with top sports people and who was part of Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers back-room staff, talked on the different areas of focus for ‘The Complete Sportsperson’ paying attention not only to the technical, tactical and physical but also the importance of striving for balance in the players' mentality, emotional life and lifestyle. He talked about how goal setting and working closely with another player/coach/family member can help the players develop to reach their maximum potential and then maintain those high levels. He gave the players some useful tools to help them do this.

Bill was followed by Kit McAvoy. Kit’s area of expertise is nutrition and he gave some insightful information into the link between what players eat and drink and their performance. He spoke on how a balanced diet can really improve a player's ability to train and how they can sustain energy levels throughout the game. Kit talked further on what a balanced weekly diet might look like for someone competing at a high level of sport and prompted discussion about the benefits of maintaining this.

We are expecting this to spur the lads on to even greater success in the future.

The players and the staff would like to thank Bill and Kit for their time and knowledge".

YOUTH RESULT

ALTY'S DRAW AT CHESTER

CHESTER'S REPORT

The game started very brightly for the home side. A ball into the Altrincham box was not dealt with, and blues winger Carl Pleavin poked the loose ball home to give the home side the advantage....

The visitors responded well though, and a well struck shot from the edge of the box forced Ollie Foster in the Chester goal to parry the ball back to the onrushing Altrincham forward for the equaliser... Just before the break the home side went ahead...

The second half saw the visitors have a good spell of possession without creating too much. Chester were a real threat on the break... The Robins got the goal their pressure deserved when their captain picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and went through to score the equaliser, which was the one time the excellent pairing of Sam Rowley and the returning Jordan Grace were found wanting...

A cracking game of football, between two sides who like to pass and move the ball, and who both had some very talented players on view for the 100 or so spectators to see. Man of the match was Sam Rowley, his performance was one of a real leader".

DRAW

ADAM'S LATE STRIKE

SUNDAY GAMES

YOUTH MATCH OFF

MANAGERIAL MASTERSTROKE!

Above: Altrincham & District FA line up before their match against Mid-Cheshire at Trafford FC on Sunday.

Altrincham and District FA Youth produced a remarkable win in the Cheshire County FA District Cup after trailing 2-0 and being reduced to ten men in their match at Trafford FC against Mid-Cheshire FA. There is a match report here.

The latest youth team NWYA Premier League table is here. The youth team's next match is on Sunday 10th February at home to Warrington Town. The game is at Hale Country Club, Clay Lane, Timperley and starts at 2pm.

ROB GETS HIS NUMBER

NINE YOUTH GRADUATES

Top left: Alty Youth players Oliver Riley (far left), Alex Wetherby (5th from left) and Derryn Ofori (orange bib, second from right) don't seem to be put off by Matt Doughty's balaclava headgear in the warm up on Saturday at Moss Lane. Upper right: Adam Bezzina, also pictured before the game against Gloucester. Lower, left: Callum Mooney exchanges a joke with Jake Moult as Duncan Watmore and Damian Reeves walk by. L .

With the news that defender Alex Weatherby and striker Adam Bezzina had signed BSBN forms making them eligible to play for the Altrincham FC first team in league matches, the total of graduates from Altrincham's youth team who are now in the first-team pool for this season rose to nine, six of whom are still eligible to play in the NW Youth Alliance League.

The three over-age graduates are Duncan Watmore (18), Adam Reid (18) and Sam Grimshaw (19). Duncan played for the first-team on Saturday and has already scored nine league goals this season. Goalkeeper Adam is on loan at Prescot Cables where, despite having to face a penalty, he kept a clean sheet as his team beat Garforth 1-0 yesterday. Sam, recovered from a broken arm, is on loan at Radcliffe Borough.

Players who have signed BSBN forms and are still also in the current under-18s' youth team include midfielders Oliver Riley (17) and Callum Mooney (17) who, with goalkeeper Stephen Bullen (16), were all on the first-team bench yesterday. Striker Derryn Ofori (18) is also eligible for both teams and he, too, was involved in yesterday's pre-match warm-up.

Despite losing players on occasions to first-team duty, youth manager George Heslop, assisted this season by Chris Millington, Ant Small and Joe Reid, have still guided the current youth team to fourth place in the Premier division of the NW Youth Alliance League. Another youth player, Rob Gilroy, is the youngest player in the current England Schools squad.

The Club also has a large-scale Juniors set-up - Duncan Watmore started his Alty days there before joining the Youth team - a growing Football Education Programme and a successful Ladies team so, whatever your age there could be a place for you as a young player at Altrincham FC. 27 January 2013

LIMITED PROGRAMME

YOUTH GAME OFF

NEXT MATCH

YOUTH GAME OFF

DISTRICT YOUTH TEAM'S BIG WIN

"Mark Worthington’s young charges put on a brave performance against Altrincham Youth but were ultimately put to the sword in the final quarter of the match by some clinical finishing by the visitors who scored five times in twenty five minutes...The match had been even in the first half...

Altrincham took the lead and it was simplicity itself, Rob Gilroy sprinting clear and finishing low past Ben Gillespie. It certainly sparked a revival and Macclesfield... left back Adam Siddall.. hooked a spectacular shot high into the net which beat Bullen all ends up...

The introduction of fresh legs from the visitors brought urgency to their play and Spencer Cunliffe made an immediate impact working hard to close the ball down and then finding himself on the scoresheet making it 2-1. Max Pouncey and Rob Gilroy made it 4-1 with the hosts hitting the woodwork twice before Matt Williams who had finally managed to rid himself of the attentions of full back Lincoln Gridley by switching wings fired home spectacularly to make it 4-2...

Two goals in stoppage time from Max Pouncey to complete his hat-trick gave the match a rather lopsided final score line but all credit to the visitors for showing a tremendous desire which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides".

Meanwhile, Altrincham FC Youth were obviously not in action, but the latest NWYA table has been affected by other games.

TWO MORE SIGN ON

They join Adam Reid, Duncan Watmore, Sam Grimshaw, Derryn Ofori and Ollie Riley as Youth team graduates who have signed league forms for Altrincham this season.

DISTRICT CUP STARTS

MATCH POSTPONED

NARROW DEFEAT

11 GOALS IN AN INCIDENT-PACKED MATCH

Today's Alty Youth v Lancaster City game at Clay Lane in the NWYA Open Cup ended up as an 8-3 win for the Robins! Match report here.

Above, Alty defend their lines through, left to right, Riley, goalkeeper Bullen, Brown, Harkin (back to camera), McClellan and Farrington.

ROB'S NATIONAL HONOUR

FIXTURE CHANGE

FIXTURES

WARRINGTON REPORT

YOUTH GAME OFF

LAST AND NEXT GAMES

SUNDAY'S GAME

TEAM PHOTO

Courtesy of Altrincham FC Club Photographer, Gavin Rathbone, of GR Photography, comes this team photo of Altrincham FC Youth.

GAME OFF

ALTY'S WIN AT HYDE

YOUTH TEAM WINS

CONGRATULATIONS

FCUM GAME Left: "It's spelt H-E-S-L-O-P"; in this image from before kick-off in last Sunday's game, Alty Youth manager George Heslop claims he was just giving the referee a late team-change and not receiving a caution! Alty Youth lost on Sunday and their opponents, FC United report that "The lads returned to action after a five week break against Altrincham at the Hale Sports Club at Clay Lane Timperley. A crowd of around 100 which included those who appeared to be watching from a hot tub on the balcony of the sports club, was kept entertained as they left with a 2-0 win after a stiff examination from the host club, whose form, particularly in the first half was fully in keeping with their third position in the league table. The home side were unfortunate not to be ahead at half time as they took advantage of any ring rustiness the lads were suffering from and dominated possession, with probably half a dozen shots fired wide. Indeed as half time beckoned had two excellent chances, where tight offside decisions came to FC’s rescue...The second chance was put in the net and looked a very tight The game was decided in a couple of high octane moments midway through the second half. In the 67th minute, Andy Lee and Josh Smethurst worked a short corner routine for Lee to cross to Mike Taylor on the edge of the box. His drive must have had the keeper unsighted as he never moved. Barely a minute later the lead was doubled, substitute Kane Hughes released Yousif for another run towards goal. He managed, whether through the run or a parried shot, to bundle the ball past Bullen before slotting home".

TAKING AN EARLY BATH Altrincham FC Youth play their home games at the Hale Country Club and Spa on Clay Lane, Timperley. This must be the only football venue in the country where spectators can watch a match whilst lounging in an infinity pool on the balcony - as shown, right. ALTY YOUTH BEATEN Altrincham FC Youth's five game sequence of league wins ended on Sunday when two goals in as many minutes saw them lose to FC United of Manchester. There is a match report here. In the NW Youth Alliance Premier League, Sunday's results were: Altrincham 0 FC United of Manchester 2 Chester FC 5 Warrington Town 2 Morecambe 2 Abbey Hey 6 Northwich Victoria 1 Hyde 1 Prescot Cables 4 Curzon Ashton 3 League table Next Sunday's fixture is: Hyde FC v Altrincham (14:30)

SECOND HONOUR

TODAY

YOUTHS' FIVE-GOAL WIN

Above: Adam Bezzina nets his second penalty against Curzon Ashton.

A report on Alty Youth's 5-0 win over Curzon Ashton is here.

James Lobley has images from the game on his Flickr page.

The next game for Alty Youth is at home to FCUM, next Sunday 21st, at 2.30pm at Hale Country Club, Clay Lane, Timperley.

RECENT GAME

NEXT GAME

FINE RUN CONTINUES

Other Sunday scores in the NWYA Premier were:

GOOD LUCK, ROB!

ABBEY BOSS'S VIEW

ALTY YOUTH 3 ABBEY HEY YOUTH 1

YOUTH TEAM BOWS OUT

Above: Morecambe were awarded a penalty for this challenge by Sam Rowley on Sunday.

Altrincham Youth went out of this season's Neil Thomason Trophy on Sunday afternoon, being well beaten by Morecambe, 6-3 at Clay Lane. Alty had trailed 0-2 but then led 3-2 at half time before four second half goals were conceded. Report here.

CALLUM'S REPORT

YOUTHS WIN

For those new to the club, Neil Thomason was a much respected coach of Alty Youth who worked with current manager George Heslop for several years. Sadly, Neil died at a young age whilst on holiday abroad and the NWYA honoured his achievements by naming a competition after him. For this reason it is a Cup which Altrincham would very much like to win again.

INSIDE VIEW

ALTY YOUTH 1 MACCLESFIELD TOWN YOUTH 2

Above: Alty line up before the game.

There was an element of controversy about both of Macclesfield Town's goals in this FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round match but the outcome was probably a fair one...

FA YOUTH CUP ON TUESDAY

In Sunday's NWYA Premier League game Altrincham FC Youth won 4-0 at Nantwich Town. Adam Bezzina (2), Oliver Riley and Alex Weatherby were the scorers. The next league game is away to Northwich Victoria on Sunday, 16 September k.o. 2.30pm @ The Field of Dreams, Tarvin CH3 8BH.

OPEN CUP OPPONENTS

Curzon Ashton report that "Curzon... in the early exchanges were finding it difficult to make much headway against a well organised Glossop defence... but made the breakthrough on 12 minutes when Jordan Rutter picked up the ball in midfield and as the defence retreated picked his spot with a low drive out of the keeper reach....

Curzon were worthy winners and go on to play Altrincham in the next round.. Man of the Match, for me, was Justin Schall. Team: Ashley Saddoo, Ryan Saxon, Jerome Smith-Jenkinson, Jordan Rutter, Daniel Robinson, Liam Scott, Andrew Jenkinson, Caven Gaffney, Rory Robinson, Justin Johnson, Justin Schall. Subs: Dominic Clarke, Josh Steadman, Oliver Harling, Alex Watson, Cameron Fairhurst".

ALTY YOUTH 3 HYDE FC YOUTH 1

Right: Alty Youth striker Adam Bezzina (right) netted the first goal for his side today.

Other results in the NWYA Premier League were:

TWO MORE YOUTH TEAM PLAYERS SIGN

They join three team-mates from last season's youth side who have already made their first-team debuts for Altrincham; Adam Reid, Sam Grimshaw and Duncan Watmore. Duncan was named Man of the Match in yesterday's first-team match, in which he also scored his third goal in five games this season. This season's youth team take on Hyde today (Clay Lane, 2.30pm), under the care of management team George Heslop, Anthony Small and Joe Reid.

SUNDAY'S GAME

CURZON ASHTON 3 ALTRINCHAM FC YOUTH 0

Entitled, "Calamity at Curzon", it can be read here.

YOUTH FIXTURES

YOUTH TEAM

Altrincham FC's Youth team fixtures have been added to the website here.

MATCH OFF

SEASON STARTS

YOUTH CUP DATE

FRIENDLY WIN

LEAGUE FIXTURES

YOUTH CUP

Preliminary Round, w/c/ 3 September 2012:

1st Round Qualifying, w/c 17 September 2012:

2nd Round Qualifying, w/c 1 October 2012: