Altrincham Football Club News Archive
22 to 31 August
31 August 2003
ACTON OUT
Alty keeper Richard Acton is visiting hospital tomorrow to discover the full extent of his injury but with ligament damage diagnosed in addition to a possible shoulder fracture, he will certainly be out for many weeks.YOUTH WIN
Alty Youth beat South Sefton Borough 2-0 this afternoon in a match marred by two dismissals. For more see the Youth Page.HARROGATE TOWN 1 ALTRINCHAM 0
In a game marred by a serious injury to goalkeeper Richard Acton, Alty lost despite a strong second-half performance.
Match report here
Above: Chris Adams dons a green jersey as Richard Acton receives treatment surrounded by his team-mates. Right: A rather grainy shot of Richard Acton as he falls, injured; his assailant, Harrogate's Smith, is masked by Gary Talbot. Below: Ian Craney (8) curls a second-half effort just over the top as the Alty fans, with their new flag, look on and, lower down, Town's Ord shapes to score but his bandaged left leg gave way as he tried to do so and he had to be stretchered off. Both he and Acton were taken by ambulance to hospital at half-time.
GRAHAM FRUSTRATED
In the Pink, Graham Heathcote tips Southport as championship material in the UniBond Premier. Graham added "Us drawing our first three games had left me feeling frustrated, although our opening point at Alfreton is looking better and better in the light of their results since then". We're disappointed we didn't win either of our first two home games but we ought to have done, based on the number of chances we created". The article adds that Mark Maddox is now expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks.OLD BOYS
Carl Furlong is to be fined by Droylsden for failing to turn up to play Altrincham last Monday. Paul Ellender (Boston), Mark Quayle (Scarborough), Chris Timons (Gainsboro'), Andy Lovelock (Solihull) all scored yesterday. David Wills played for Congleton Town and Kevin Ellison played most of the game for Stockport County. Danny Adams played for Macclesfield. Nathan Comley-Excell set up a goal for Salford City, for whom Matt Duffy was sent off. Former Youth striker Rico Richards netted from Gareth Strange's cross for Trafford and Wes Wilkinson converted a penalty for Nantwich. Ex-Alty Youth captain, Steve Howe, was sent off for Maine Road in the FA Cup. John Davison is being linked with Witton's managerial post. Stuart Coburn and Ged Kielty again played for Leigh RMI. Steve Hawes played for Worksop but Neill Hardy and Dickie Landon were only subs for Radcliffe.UNIBOND NEWS
Gainsborough, our opponents next Saturday, have signed a cover-keeper, Paul Norton (33) as well as Chris Adam (20). Lincoln Adams, formerly at Emley, has joined Ashton United.30 August 2003
SCORES
STAR DRAW
The STAR Grand Prize Draw is to be held at the STAR AGM on 31 October. All proceeds are for the benefit of the football club so please either buy or sell (or both) as many tickets as you can. Top prizes are a Playstation 2 Console, a 21" Television and a DVD Player, and there are numerous other prizes. See the STAR website for more details.
TUESDAY'S OPPOSITION
Alty host Barrow on Tuesday and the UniBond League reports that they "will be without striker Neil Campbell (ankle) for at least another week, while Graham Anthony (toe) is also doubtful" for today's game.FOR SPORTING TROPHIES...
Click the logo for more details... Allied Trophies is run by Shaun Brown, treasurer of the NW Youth Alliance in which Alty Youth play. Shaun is also a referee of NWYA games so if you need any sporting trophies, his company's website is well worth a visit.
UNIBOND NEWS
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is playing in a charity match at Radcliffe Boro's Stainton Park on Sunday according to This is Lancs.IC Liverpool confirms that former Marine veteran Jon Gautrey is now running Southport's Youth Team which won 10-0 in the FA Youth Cup this week. Southport's Haig Avenue hosts Everton Reserve games this season but admission at £4 is twice that charged by Man Utd Reserves at Moss Lane.
This is Lincs reports that "Gainsborough Trinity boss Paul Mitchell has vowed to quit the club if anyone interferes in team affairs following the departure of chairman John Reames... 'I don't go around meddling in financial affairs at the club, so neither should anybody come meddling in my affairs on the playing side'", he asserted.
"Local hero and ex-First Division player Steve Swales has left the club to take a break from football says Whitby Town manager Harry Dunn", reports Whitby Today.
Linnets Online reports that two Accrington players have joined Burscough on loan. They are midfielder Michael Knowles (27) and striker Darren Connell (21). The Linnets' former Morecambe player John Norman has moved to Vauxhall Motors. Meanwhile, Lancaster City have signed Jamie Hughes from Vauxhall.
29 August 2003
HARROGATE GAME
Altrincham expect to have everyone available for selection apart
from the long-term injured (Murphy, Smith) and the suspended duo of Mattie Hughes and Mark Maddox, (the latter also has a hairline heel fracture). However, Barry Shuttleworth (left) was ill in midweek so may be doubtful for the Harrogate match. Harrogate beat Alty 4-0 at Moss Lane and 3-0 at Wetherby Road last season so the Robins will be looking for a much better result on Saturday. Click the Away Travel link for supporters' coach details.
Meanwhile the UniBond League says that "Harrogate Town had an unfortunate Bank Holiday weekend with injuries. Simon Sturdy and Mick McNaughton were both injured on Saturday v Marine and could not play against Worksop on Bank Holiday Monday. In the latter game Scott Bonsall was carried off in the first half. Harrogate already had Marc Smith and Len Curtis unavailable due to injuries prior to the weekend. There is a possibility of Smith and Sturdy being fit for selection by Saturday when Altrincham are the visitors. Mark Ford clearly has every chance of being selected for his debut in this game".
OLD BOYS
Michael Garrity (right), who played 4 games for us in 2000-01, has moved to Witton Albion from Rossendale United.
UNIBOND NEWS
Lancaster Today announces that Lancaster City "officials have drawn up a scheme that will bring the capacity at Giant Axe up to the required 4,000 to meet the standards for entry to the full national Conference division. The new terrace, which would run along the east side of the pitch opposite the main stand, would mirror the new terrace behind the West Road goal and provide at least an extra 1,500 capacity. Director Andrew Pye said the long-term plan would be to put a roof on this stand... The electronic scoreboard - a real rarity for a non-league club - has been bought already by City chairman Ron Moore, and was last used at Filbert Street, the former home of Premiership new-boys Leicester City. Mr Moore bought Leicester's old scoreboard and 1,500 blue and white seats with LCFC emblazoned across them at an auction of goods when Leicester moved out of Filbert Street to their new Walkers' Stadium. The scoreboard will be erected in the corner between the new east terrace and the 'scratching shed' end, over the top of new turnstiles". Perhaps when Arsenal move shortly from Highbury Alty can buy their scoreboard and some red and white "AFC" seats?A new Burscough unofficial site, Linnets on Line confirms the report here yesterday that ex-Alty man Jordan Burke is set to move to Burscough from Skelmersdale. The site also reports that manager Mike Marsh is back in action, having played 90 minutes for Burscough Reserves this week.
Alfreton's midfielder Ryan France, who played against Alty two weeks ago, is now on trial with Ipswich Town after a move to Coventry City collapsed over the summer when Alfreton refused to accept the Midlanders' offer.
Worksop Town's site confirms that former Northwich Vic striker "Robert Pell has... gone on loan to Lancaster City for one month". Also, "Unibond League clubs have been notified that [keeper] Dave McCarthy is available for loan" and Alex Callery has gone on loan to Ilkeston Town.
According to the Lincolnshire Echo "Gainsborough Trinity chairman John Reames has sensationally quit his post at the Northolme after less than a year in charge". Alty entertain Gainsborough a week on Saturday. "I just felt my heart was not in it," said Reames. The paper adds: "Reames's resignation could not come at worse time for the Blues, who are currently rooted to the foot of the UniBond Premier table. They have lost all three games since the season started two weeks ago and without the financial backing of Reames, look set to suffer even further".
Hucknall Today says that "Considering the quality of player they have assembled, it was a surprise to see [Hucknall Town] rely heavily on a long, direct approach both on Monday and in last Saturday's match against Burscough. Much of it was aimed at Gary Ricketts".
28 August 2003
ALTY YOUTH SQUEEZE THROUGH
Altrincham Youth beat Radcliffe Borough Youth 4-3 after extra-time in last night's FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round at Stainton Park.Match report on Youth Page.
OLD BOYS
Nathan Comley-Excell scored Salford City's goal in their 2-1 reverse at Nantwich on Tuesday after Wes Wilkinson, formerly an Alty Youth striker, had scored for Nantwich. Mike Turner scored two for Trafford as they beat Skelmersdale United 4-2 on a newly laid pitch at Shawe View. Two ex-Alty Youth players, Paul Tilley and Rico Richards, were in Trafford's team.Jordan Burke, who briefly played for Alty last season, is reported to have left Skelmersdale after a handful of games with a view to joining Burscough. However, as Altrincham still hold Jordan's UniBond registration, any such move will have to involve Moss Lane.
NEXT OPPONENTS
The unofficial Harrogate Town site says that "Ex-Leeds United midfielder Mark Ford has signed for Harrogate Town. Ford impressed in five of Town's pre-season friendly matches, but was a noticeable absentee on the first day of the season at Burscough, after failing to agree personal terms with the club. Those differences now appear to have resolved". Aged 27 he is a former Under-21 international and was a member of Leeds's FA Youth Cup winning side in 1993. He played 40 times for the Leeds first team and went to Burnley for £250,000 in 1997. After spells in Belgium and at Torquay, Leigh and Darlington.UNIBOND NEWS
The UniBond League reports that "Whitby Town have signed another Darlington player in Simon Betts who made around 200 appearances for Colchester United before returning to his native North East in 2001 via Yeovil Town".27 August 2003
HARROGATE
Alty travel to Harrogate Town on Saturday, where they lost last season. Click the link in the red panel above for Howard Watts's Through the Years record of previous Alty matches on this day of the year. Details of the supporters' coach to Harrogate can be found by clicking on the Away Travel link.BUCKETS
Gary Warrington and his team of half-time bucket collectors raised a commendable £158.43 for STAR and the Football Club at the first two home games at Moss Lane.DROYLSDEN
The Droylsden website has a match report on Monday's defeat to Altrincham, a result it says which was "well deserved by Graham Heathcote's men".TOO MUCH FOOTBALL?
On This is Bradford, the BPA manager Trevor Storton commented that his side's draw with Radcliffe "was definitely two points dropped because Radcliffe were not a good side... It makes you think, is two games in three days too much for part time players who train only twice a week and have to be ready for work the day after?"26 August 2003
DROYLSDEN 1 ALTRINCHAM 4
Altrincham moved up to 8th with their first win of the season and their first win at the Butcher's Arms since relegation from the Conference. Above, the Alty no.6, Steve Aspinall, converts a penalty against stand-in keeper, Wright (53 mins).
GOOD SIGNS
Alty and Alfreton are the only sides unbeaten after four league games this season but both Southport and Worksop have yet to lose after three games. Southport have yet to concede a goal or a point, whereas Alfreton's only dropped points were against Altrincham. Gainsborough are the only club still without a point.COMING SOON
Alty entertain Gainsborough on 6 September and This is Lincs reports that they will be without "Barry Miller and striker Gareth Grant [who have] suffered hamstring injuries... and the pair now look set be ruled out for a month". Manager Paul Mitchell said, "I know the squad is not strong enough at the minute and we need to bring in more players who can go past opponents".INJURIES
The hairline fracture of the heel sustained by centre-back Mark Maddox in the first-half at Alfreton is likely to keep him out for three to five weeks. The one silver lining to this bad news is that it coincides with a 3-match ban received for his dismissal in the Alfreton match.Danny Murphy enters hospital this week for an operation on his cruciate ligament which will keep him off work for ten weeks and out of football for much longer.
FRICKLEY GO FRENCH
Frickley have signed midfielder Jacques Joblon from northern French side Arras.CHESHIRE NEWS
Witton Albion manager Benny Phillips and his assistant Danny Keogh resigned their posts on Sunday.25 August 2003
RESULTS
YOUTHS DRAW
Just like the first team, Alty Youth started their league campaign with a draw yesterday. See the Youth Page for a report and team photo.TRANSFERS
As regards the possible move of Shaun Teale to Radcliffe, the Boro' site reports that "there is a possibility of the deal being concluded this week and [he] could be available to play in the home game next Saturday".
24 August 2003
GOLD RUSH
AltrinchamFC are again running the Goal Rush competiion where you can win £100 for a £5 stake. You select four numbers which are assigned to four Premiership or League teams and the winner is the person with the highest goal average. The application form and further details are here.
CENTENARY
A full-list of Altrincham FC centenary events is now to be found here, including a booking form for the Centenary Dinner. The latest centenary product is a smart tie, available at £15 from the Robins' Shop.OLD BOYS
Hyde United have signed Steven Clegg, the former Man. Utd youth defender who had a brief loan spell at Moss Lane last season. Clegg has since been playing in the USA.Several ex-Alty men helped our neighbours Trafford to their first FA Cup win for three years when they won 2-0 at St Helens Town on Friday Night in the Extra Preliminary Round. The starters included Gareth Strange, Mike Turner and former Youth players Rico Richards and Paul Tilley. Strange scored one of the goals. Meanwhile the Trafford Reserves had 7 ex-Alty Youth or Reserve players in the squad which won their latest game.
Yesterday's games saw the following old boys play: Stuart Coburn and Ged Kielty (Leigh RMI), Steve Hawes (Worksop), Dickie Landon (who scored for Radcliffe), Dave Gamble (scored a penalty for Rossendale), Mark Quayle (netted for Scarboro') and Matt McNeil (Runcorn). Andy Lovelock scored for Solihull Borough whilst Chris Timons was a sub For Gainsborough against Droylsden whose strike force comprised Leroy Chambers and Carl Furlong. James Glendenning also played for the Bloods, whom we meet on Monday (25th). After scoring at Moss Lane in midweek, Marine's Neil Murphy netted again yesterday. Tony Sullivan (Lancaster) and Terry Bowker (Stalybridge) were both substitutes. Matthew Duffy was sent off for Salford City.
The Pink has an interview with Macclesfield's Danny Adams and pictures of Gary Talbot, Dave Gardner and Jason Gallagher. There is also a piece on Adewale Ajetunmobi joining Droylsden.
UNIBOND NEWS
The Frickley site has a match report and pictures of Saturday's game at Moss Lane.Burscough have signed Stephen McNulty from Liverpool, Blyth Spartans have signed Adam Sadler from Gretna whilst Gainsborough Trinity have acquired a Chris Adams (no relation?) from Scarborough.
COMPLAINT
K. Donald has a letter in the Pink bemoaning the "long drag up to Altrincham" to watch Man Utd Reserves "when we have the brand new City of Manchester stadium on our doorsteps" which he claims is sited in a catchment area for United fans. He overlooks the fact that a lot of United fans also come from South Manchester and that Altrincham is barely any further from Old Trafford than the CoM stadium. For the record, United Reserves formerly played at Bury, twice as far away from Old Trafford as Moss Lane.ALTRINCHAM 1 FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 1
Match report here.
Right, Man of the Match Peter Band (foreground) contests possession with Curtis Bernard, watched by Ian Craney, Steve Aspinall and Chris Adams, who has his hands full with Frickley goalscorer Lee Morris.
Saturday scores:
23 August 2003
NEXT GAME
Alty are away at Droylsden on Monday (25th, 3pm). Click Through the Years for Alty's previous record on this date and Away Travel for details of the STAR supporters' coach to this match.Tomorrow (Sunday), Alty Youth are at home to St Helens Town; follow the Youth Page link (above) for details.
NEXT WEEK
Alty travel to Harrogate next Saturday (30th) where according to Harrogate Today "Harrogate Town boss John Reed has set his charges a testing target of seven points from their next three games at Wetherby Road... against Marine tomorrow and Worksop on Bank Holiday Monday and Altrincham next Saturday". Reed added, "A lot of teams will come here and defend because we will open them up if they attack us".UNIBOND
Bradford PA's newcomers include "Craig Smith (19), midfielder, ex-Halifax Town, who spent last season playing in New Zealand and Carl Serrant (28), left-sided defender/midfield, ex-member of the England "B" squad, who cost Newcastle United £500,000 from Oldham Athletic in 1998. Unfortunately his Premiership career was plagued by injury problems which forced his retirement as a full time professional two years ago".Hucknall have signed Lee Hardy (22), a left-winger released by Macclesfield. Other moves:
Worksop Today reports that a "massive new leisure complex, including golf and tennis facilities and a hotel could be heading for Worksop within two years. Kilton Forest has been earmarked as a potential site... Worksop Town Football Club backer and acting chairman Howard Raymond has already signed up for a new 10,000-seat football ground at Kilton Forest... [The] Football Club decided they wanted to stay on at Sandy Lane for another three years but say they still want to come up to Kilton in the future". Town's Chairman Mr Raymond adds, "It would be quite nice if those facilities were built there, because it would tidy up the site and having them near the new football ground would be good all round."
22 August 2003
FRICKLEY GAME
Frickley have just signed Karl Colley, 19, a 6ft 4in centre back, formerly with Newcastle United, Sheffield United and most recently Kettering Town. Frickley "Right back Duncan Richards plays his final game before starting a 35 day suspension for a Sunday football offence although Richards is adamant he never played in the match", according to the Frickley site. Frickley's "probable squad" is Samways, Richards, O'Brien, Robinson, Jackson, Lafferty, Morris, Kamara, Vickerage, Hurrell, Lindley, Hatto, Pugh, Bernard - and Colley.
THE WEEK AHEAD
LEGEND
Terry Rowley's profile of Alty manager Tony Sanders has been added to the Alty Legends section of this site.OLD BOYS
"Specialists have confirmed Danny Jarrett, [a former Alty Youth player who had just joined Southport], will be out for 12 months, having suffered a broken leg in last week's reserve fixture versus Northwich", says the UniBond site. All at Moss Lane wish Danny well.
The Hyde Utd message-board confirms that ex-Alty defender "Mark Sertori (left) has 'retired' and is now working full time for Bolton Wanderers".
This is Lancashire says that "A moment of madness which saw substitute Tony Sullivan dismissed from the field spoiled City's long-awaited return to Southport on Tuesday night. Sullivan had only been on the field 10 minutes... when he reacted to an off-the-ball incident - throwing the ball at the Southport bench... City boss Phil Wilson... says: 'That cost us the match. His sending off changed the game'".
UNIBOND NEWS
The UniBond League reports that "In addition to releasing Darren Knowles to join Stocksbridge, Gainsborough have also cancelled the UniBond registrations of no fewer than ten other players in a massive clear out. Danny Barrett, Chris Fallows, Tom Jones, Adam Marsh, Chris Noye, Paul Pettinger, Nick Scaife, Ben Scott, Phil Stant and Anthony Tansley have all been released from Trinity".The Radcliffe website says that "Boro manager Kevin Glendon is still frantically trying to sign ex-Burscough manager Shaun Teale". Meanwhile the Ormskirk Advertiser says that striker John Norman left Burscough this week because of "work commitments", whilst striker Brian Welch has left Stalybridge after just one game of a loan from Accrington Stanley. Southport's "Chris Bennett is going out on loan with Fleetwood... to give him extra games", reports the club site.
Former Manchester City star, Steve Redmond, 35, "has agreed a deal for the rest of the season at Hilton Park [Leigh RMI] after kicking off the campaign with Burscough... Redmond was released by Bury at the end of last season after five years at Gigg Lane, where he took his number of career league and cup starts to 677", says the BBC website. Leigh's former Stalybridge striker "Ged Courtney is having talks with Runcorn as [manager] Patterson looks to balance the books at Hilton Park", where new "Player-coach Phil Starbuck is still waiting for his settlement from Hucknall Town following his departure in the summer".
FOR EARLIER NEWS, CLICK HERE