Altrincham Football Club News Archive
7 to 17 August, 2001.
17 August 2001
BRIEF HISTORY
Terry Rowley's Altrincham F.C.: a Brief History has been added to this site, with his kind permission. Please click the Club History button above to read it.ELLENDER TO BOSTON
Despite a bid from Oxford United for the services of Scarborough's former Robin, Paul Ellender, he has signed today for Boston United. According to the NLP site, Paul had been torn between joining a League club and joining another Conference side which would allow him to stay at his current home in Scunthorpe. No fee has been mentioned yet, other than it is reportedly a Boston United record. Scarborough had allegedly wanted at least £75,000 for him.YOUTH BLOW
Both Mario Daniel and Wes Wilkinson will miss the FA Youth Cup match against Leek Town on 29 August due to suspension. Kick off is at 7.30pm at Moss Lane. See the Youth Page for more. It is hoped to have the Youth team league fixtures on this site this weekend.HULME DOUBTFUL
Kevin Hulme has a thigh strain which makes him doubtful for tomorrow's game versus Whitby. Centre-back Paul Taylor will be missing from the line-up, having had an operation on his right leg on Tuesday. "It has set us back a bit to lose such a talented player at this stage", Bernard Taylor told SAM. Elsewhere in that paper, Mark Harris says of the new season that "it is imperative we get the best start possible". There is a "Kids Go Free" voucher for tomorrow's match in SAM and anyone who bought last year's Alty shirt can get 10% off the new "Hillcrest" shirt at the Robins' shop from tomorrow.MARK WARD BACK IN CONFERENCE?
Leigh RMI are reportedly lining up Mark Ward, Alty's ex-boss, as cover for their match against Hayes tomorrow. An injury crisis has led manager Steve Waywell to turn to his 39 year-old former midfielder, according to tonight's Evening News. Ex-Robin Ged Kielty is one of those injured, he is out for 6 weeks with an arm fracture, but Leigh are also hit by Ricky Harris's suspension.PAUL EDWARDS JOINS SOME OTHER ROBINS
Paul Edwards, who played so impressively for Alty at the end of last season, has signed a one-year contract with Roy Evans's Swindon Town of Division Two. Swindon are also known as "The Robins". He was spotted playing for Leigh RMI. There is an extensive piece about him on the This is Swindon website. Edwards is quoted as saying, "I'm not Rivaldo but I'm looking to improve and want to help get Swindon out of the Second Division". Paul is the third of last season's Alty players to join a league club, after Danny Adams (Macclesfield) and Kevin Ellison (Leicester City).BARROW
Today's Daily Telegraph has an article on Barrow and how they have rebuilt their side following relegation to the UniBond two years ago. The Club expects to make a strong championship challenge this year but thinks that the following season will be a more realistic target for promotion.16 August 2001
PAUL EDWARDS JOINS SOME OTHER ROBINS
Paul Edwards, who played so impressively for Alty at the end of last season, has signed a one-year contract with Roy Evans's Swindon Town of Division Two. Swindon are also known as "The Robins". He was spotted playing for Leigh RMI. There is an extensive piece about him on the This is Swindon website. Edwards is quoted as saying, "I'm not Rivaldo but I'm looking to improve and want to help get Swindon out of the Second Division". Paul is the third of last season's Alty players to join a league club, after Danny Adams (Macclesfield) and Kevin Ellison (Leicester City).GRAHAM'S BIG NIGHT
Using pictures kindly supplied by Terry Rowley, joint editor of The Robins' Review, there is now a page of photos of Graham Heathcote's testimonial evening on 26 July at Moss Lane, here.QUINN REAPPEARS
Stuart Quinn, who started last season as our right-sided midfielder, before falling out with the then management, has now surfaced at Bamber Bridge, where he has been having trials. Quinn disappeared from view after our third game of last season at Whitby, who are by coincidence our opponents this Saturday. Bamber Bridge have signed Carl Gleaves, a centre-back, formerly at Bury and Peter Smith, a midfielder, formerly at Exeter City.DEAN ON TRIAL
Dean Greygoose, who returned to Moss Lane to play in the pre-season friendly against Blackburn, is now having trials at Conference side, Stevenage Borough. Dean has moved to Cambridgeshire so has had to leave his last club, Witton Albion. Dean, 36, played in Boro's friendly against Hendon last weekend.UNIBOND MOVES
Hyde United have signed Clive Brown who, like his brother Wes Brown (Man Utd), is a defender. The Tigers have also acquired another defender, Stuart Taylor, once with Blackburn Rovers. Bradford Park Avenue's 21 year-old striker Phil Denney has been sold to Ashton United for £2,000. Denney has played for Bury's first team in the past.15 August 2001
WITTON 1 ALTRINCHAM 3
There is now a full match report here.TEAM PHOTO
Following yesterday's picture of the preparations for the Altrincham official team photo-shoot last Thursday, here is a more formal view of the occasion. The players, in the new season's kit sponsored by Hillcrest Homes are, back row L to R: Mark Maddox, Mark Sertori, Ian Craney, Stuart Coburn, Paul Taylor, Terry Bowker, Gary Scott; middle L to R: Gary Thompson (Physio), Keith Mairs Senior (Coaching Staff), Kevin Hulme, Jason Gallagher, Danny Murphy, Carl Furlong, Chris Adams, Graham Heathcote (Coach), Graham Wright (Reserves' Manager); front L to R: Dave Swannick, Keith Mairs, Steve Hawes (Captain), Bernard Taylor (Manager), Mark Harris (Chairman), Rod Thornley, Lee Poland, Jeremy Illingworth.
ALTY'S TEAM
Altrincham's team last night at Witton was a mixture of first-teamers and reserves. Last year's Youth Team goalkeeper, Dale Newbrook, was between the posts in place of Stuart Coburn, who has an ankle knock and was rested as a precaution. Mark Maddox, Rod Thornley, Carl Furlong and Kevin Hulme were also missing form the side, whilst Ian Craney was only a substitute. Alty played their usual 4-4-2 with Lee Poland partnered up-front by Michael Twiss, a former Manchester United trainee. At the back Gary Scott and Chris Adams were on the flanks with Terry Bowker alongside Mark Sertori at centre-back. The midfield comprised Gallagher, Hawes, Illingworth and Murphy. All the subs were used and these were Dave Swannick, Keith Mairs, Ian Craney and two newcomers to the first-team line-up, James Jennings and Steven Taaffe, (ex-Stoke). The match report will be here later today; there is a brief summary below in the section dated 14 August. A 2001-2 first team photo will also be here later today.14 August 2001
WHY ARE THEY WAITING?
Who is keeping the Altrincham first-team squad waiting for their official photograph? Steve Hawes looks at the empty chairs whilst Gary Thompson and Mark Maddox have spotted movements off-stage. For the missing faces and the more formal poses, see the team picture which will appear here tomorrow. Click on above photo for an enlargement.
NEXT GAMES
| Saturday 18 August 2001 | WHITBY TOWN | HOME k.o. 3pm |
| Tuesday 21 August 2001 | WORKSOP TOWN | AWAY k.o. 7.45pm |
ALTY 2001-2002
Courtesy of Terry Rowley, here is a picture of the Altrincham first team taken at Graham Heathcote's testimonial last month. Left to right back: Jason Gallagher, Paul Taylor, Danny Murphy, Jeremy Illingworth, Lee Poland, Carl Furlong, Mark Maddox, Dave Swannick, Gary Thompson (physio). Front row: Chris Adams, Ian Craney, Gary Scott, Steve Hawes, Keith Mairs, Tony Hargreaves, Dale Newbrook. First-teamers missing from the photo are Rod Thornley, Terry Bowker, Mark Sertori and Kevin Hulme. For more on the players, see the Current Players page
MARK WARD
Former Alty manager Mark Ward, the termination of whose playing contract at Moss Lane was recently negotiated, turned out in a recent testimonial game for Everton's Alex Young.WINSFORD TURN CORNER?
Winsford United, who have slid down two divisions in as many years to the NW Counties League, could be on the way back. They have secured the services of former Northwich, Hyde, Macclesfield and England semi-pro international midfielder Colin Rose. He joins other newcomers, Leek Town striker Mike Woodray and Stuart Honor from Warrington Town. Winsford's player-manager is Steve Shaughnessy, who has stayed on despite the debacle of relegation last season caused by the deduction of six points for player-registration irregularities.NON-LEAGUE PAPER
The Non-League Paper website has now changed its address to http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com/ . It has added some new features and will include match reports in future.13 August 2001
BURTON PREVIEW
First Division Leek Town got an early look at new UniBond members Burton Albion at the weekend when the two sides met in a goalless draw at Harrison Park. According to Brian Spittles's Leek Town HOOF website, Burton's player-manager Nigel Clough was still a key part of his team as he "made one precision pass after another". Equally outstanding, at least physically was Burton's keeper, Duke, who reportedly stands 6ft 5ins tall! Alty entertain Burton on August bank holiday Monday.FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Whilst reports on the Alty games against Stalybridge and Northwich can be found on this site, (click the "Friendlies" button above), the visitors' own reports can be found here for Celtic and here for the Vics.COACH TIMES
The S.A.F.E. supporters' coach arrangements for the away game at Colwyn Bay on Saturday 25 August have now been announced. These and the times/fares for the Worksop trip next Tuesday (21 August) are on the Away Travel page.12 August 2001
ALTY IN THE NEWS
The Non-League Paper has a picture of our Chairman, Mark Harris to accompany a story about our paying off £120,000 of the Club's debts. Pete Hughes, an Alty fan, has a letter published about the possible admission of Scottish clubs to the English leagues. The Pink, with a picture of Rod Thornley in pre-Alty day, has a piece on Altrincham's attempt to lift the UniBond title on a reduced budget.OLD BOYS- LEROY HITS HIS FIFTH!
Leroy Chambers scored his fifth pre-season goal yesterday for Hucknall Town against Newcastle Town and Mark Quayle also netted as Morecambe beat Congleton 2-1. Mick Morrell, a fringe player in our last Conference season and again at Leigh RMI last season, is pictured playing for Scarborough in today's Non-League Paper. The same source reports that Ellender is expected to be sold this week. Paul Hart got Vauxhall Motors' equaliser against Stalybridge. Phil Bolland played for Oxford United, who lost at home to Rochdale in the Nationwide League. Steve Morgan turned out for TNS in the EUFA Cup in Warsaw in midweek; they lost 4-0; John Toner was a substitute. Neill Hardy was one of Stockport's Division One substitutes yesterday. Danny Adams seems to have had an uncharacteristic nightmare being described in the Pink as "torn apart in the first 20 minutes" and blamed by his manager for Swansea's second goal in the Welsh side's 3-1 win at the Moss Rose.DIRECTORY OUT
The Cherry Red Non-League Newsdesk Annual 2001 has just been published and can be had for £6.95 from Non-League Media plc, 2nd Floor, Hill House, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NA.11 August 2001
ALTRINCHAM 3 NORTHWICH VICTORIA 2
There is a match report here.OFF THE PITCH
Altrincham have appointed former Winsford Secretary Peter Warburton as an assistant to George Heslop as Matchday Secretary, whilst Phil Taylor, formerly the Chief Steward and Stadium Officer, is now the club's new Safety Officer.AWAY TRAVEL THEN - AND NOW
Alan Brotherton, a longstanding Altrincham supporter and member of the SAFE Committee has found an account by David Lomax of Supporters' Direct of his days as an Altrincham supporter in the 1950s and early 1960s which may interest other Altrincham fans. This account is in a book entitledThe football business by David Conn, published by Mainstream, where David Lomax expands on the account he gave at the Moss Lane meeting on 25 March about the Supporters Direct trust. In particular David Lomax describes how in the 1950s "the [Alty] team came to know him, their only [away] supporter, and eventually the players used to take him with them". He describes how White and Swales took over the Club and turned Altrincham "into a top team. It was the crowning glory of my boyhood", states Lomax. This season, however, there will be far more than one, lone supporter following the Robins to away games and details of the departure times for the supporters' coach to Worksop (Tuesday 21 August) are now available on the Away Travel page of this site.VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE, TOMORROW!
Mark Eckersall is organising a working party to tidy up the area at the back of the Moss Lane ground in preparation for the new season. If you could spare a couple of hours to help, please come to Moss Lane at 10am tomorrow (12th August). If you can bring a sweeping brush, shovel or a wheelbarrow, all the better!ANOTHER FRICKLEY SIGNING
Frickley have been very active this close season and have now signed another striker, Sanisa Savic, on loan from Barnsley for three months.PRESIDENT CHARLTON
Jack Charlton has formally accepted the role of Club President of Blyth Spartans.10 August 2001
BERNARD IN THE PINK
In tonight's MEN Bernard Taylor encourages everyone to buy the Sunday Pink which resumes publication this weekend. "There's no other paper which covers the local scene in such depth", the Alty boss says. To get the Pink half-price (25p instead of 50p) every Sunday, you can ring 0808-1448801 and arrange to buy a book of half-price vouchers valid at your newsagent's.CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP
As previously announced, Alty host Northwich in the Cheshire Senior Cup; the rest of the draw is:- Chester City v Congleton Town
- Crewe Alexandra v Cheadle Town or Winsford Utd
- Hyde Utd v Warrington Town
- Macclesfield Town v Vauxhall Motors
- Nantwich Town v Stockport County
- Tranmere Rovers v Stalybridge Celtic
- Woodley Sports v Witton Albion
VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE, THIS SUNDAY!
Mark Eckersall is organising a working party to tidy up the area at the back of the Moss Lane ground in preparation for the new season. If you could spare a couple of hours to help, please come to Moss Lane at 10am this Sunday (12th August). If you can bring a sweeping brush, shovel or a wheelbarrow, all the better!MOVES
Witton Albion, our opponents next Tuesday, have signed three new players: Kevin Whitehead (from Manchester City), Danny Wilde (from Southport) and James Birdsey (from Northwich Vics). Elsewhere, Greg Fee, sacked as manager of Gainsborough Trinity last season but subsequently appointed to the F.A. as a representative for the non-league game, is now expected to sign for Hucknall Town as a player. Other UniBond and local moves include:- Jason Anthony (Winsford Utd to Droylsden)
- Darren Bloor (Trafford to Harrow B.)
- Steve Carragher (Accrington Stanley to Runcorn)
- Paul Foot (Bridlington Town to Frickley Athletic)
- Peter Kavanagh (Liverpool to Accrington Stanley) - a young defender who played 12 games for Liverpool Reserves last year.
OLD BOYS
Ex-Moss Laner Tony Hemmings has left Carlisle United for Ilkeston Town. Gary Talbot scored as Vics beat Grimsby Reserves 2-0 in a friendly this week.RUNCORN
The deal which takes Runcorn FC Halton to the Autoquest Stadium Widnes from their Canal Street home has just been finalised. Under the agreement, Runcorn pay a fee for the hire of the stadium but keep the gate receipts. They are also obliged to use the stadium facilities for a specified number of events each year.9 August 2001
NEW KIT ARRIVES
The new Alty kit was unveiled tonight for the official team photograph to be taken at Moss Lane. Replica copies of the shirt should be in the Robins' Shop for the start of the season on 18 August; it bears the Hillcrest Homes logo. Paul Taylor was amongst the squad pictured, even though he was wearing a long elasticated bandage on his injured leg. The extent of his injury has not yet been ascertained but it looks unlikely that he will be fit for the start of the season. The 18-man squad comprised Mark Maddox, Mark Sertori, Ian Craney, Stuart Coburn, Paul Taylor, Terry Bowker, Gary Scott, Kevin Hulme, Jason Gallagher, Danny Murphy, Carl Furlong, Chris Adams, Dave Swannick, Keith Mairs, Steve Hawes, Rod Thornley, Lee Poland and Jeremy Illingworth.CONSTABLE'S NEW BEAT
Ossett Town of the UniBond First Division have appointed the ex-Altrincham midfielder Shaun Constable as Coach of their Youth Academy. He formerly ran the Club's successful Reserve side but his work commitments at Leeds United obliged him to resign from that role. Shaun is still a registered player at Ossett but has a long-standing injury.UNIBOND NEWS
Frickley have been very active in the transfer market recently and have now signed striker Graham Lewis, who terrorised Alty in the 3-3 draw last season. He was on loan then but has now signed permanently from Northwich Vics. He will partner another newcomer, Carl Fothergill this season. Defenders Chris Gowen and Paul Foot as well as North Ferriby striker Mike Blythe are all expected to sign up too. Leaving Frickley are Lee Stratford, Chris Hilton, Phil Brown and Joe McAreavey. Hyde have acquired two strikers, Lee Matthews (ex-Curzon Ashton and Salford City) and Steve Foster, brother of the Club Captain John Foster. However Leek Town's Bradley Sandeman has gone to Kidsgrove Athletic, just weeks after joining Hyde, though Hyde will retain his Unibond registration. Barrow's Darren Roberts has signed for Tamworth, following Lee Ellison (to Gateshead) and Jason Ainsley (to Bishop Auckland). Blyth's Glen Robson has turned down a full-time contract from Darlington as he will be better off working and playing for Blyth part-time. Bishop Auckland have confirmed that they received £20,000 from Bolton for Jeff Smith plus appearance-triggered extras. But they got nothing from Bury for Michael Nelson or from Darlington for Danny Mellanby, though in the latter case a sell-on clause has been agreed.8 August 2001
ELLENDER FOR SALE
Scarborough, who still owe £140,000 owed to the Inland Revenue and £40,000 to Customs and Excise (VAT) have transfer listed Paul Ellender and Steve Brodie. The Chairman said "We can't afford their wages - it is regrettable, but it's what we've got to do to move forward". Whether the sell-on clause which Scarborough signed with Altrincham still applies is a thorny issue.CHANGE OF DATE
According to SAM Alty's UniBond Cup match at Runcorn (i.e. the Autoquest Stadium, Widnes) will now be on Wednesday, 26th September and not on the previous day as originally scheduled.ALTRINCHAM 1 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1
There is now a match report here.RESERVES
The Reserves' friendly against Stand Athletic was apparently played in Haslingden and Alty lost 0-2. Pictured above is the Reserves's squad which played at Abbey Hey on 21 July, with manager Graham Wright (wearing hat). The team comprised- 1. Dale NEWBROOK, 2. Dave SWANNICK, 3. Kenny BRADY, 4. Phil BURTON, 5. Terry BOWKER (capt.), 6. Tony HARGREAVES, 7. Keith MAIRS, 8. Tomoaki SHIMIZU, 9. Wayne McKENZIE, 10. Lee POLAND, 11. Colin HUNTER, 12. Derek TURAY, 14. Rico RICHARDS, 15. Simon McMAIN, 16. Pat CLAFFEY, 17. Gerard LÉONARD, 18. Ryan GILLIGAN, 19. Levi KENNEDY, 20. Eric SEEKIE. For details of that match click here.
OLD BOYS
Ex-Alty men Ally Pickering and Mike Garside have been joined at Mossley by eleven new signings for the new season. Mossley, of course, disposed of Altrincham in the FA Cup last season.UNIBOND NEWS
Burscough have signed former Southport striker Lee Furlong. The Lancashire side have also won the Liverpool Senior Cup for the first time, beating Southport 1-0. Frickley Athletic have signed midfielder Simon Collins from Macclesfield Town. Collins's career includes a £60,000 move from Huddersfield to Plymouth Argyle in 1997. However, another recent midfield signing at Frickley, Matthew Russell (from Scarborough) has broken his leg in a work accident and will be out for three months. Burton Albion have signed midfielder Steve Evans, a former Aston Villa junior.7 August, 2001