Altrincham Football Club News Archive
23 June to 1 July, 2004
1 July 2004
FIXTURES
All of Alty's 2004-05 league fixtures are here. All of the Conference North fixtures for all teams are on the Conference's new, embryonic website, arranged by date.PITCH
The pitch at Moss Lane continues to be prepared for the new season after its levelling and re-seeding this summer. Groundsman Peter Barry has cut the grass three times in the last week and will continue to cut it on a daily basis next week, a measure which apparently helps to prevent divots being pulled out of the turf. Also next week an "Earthquaker", a large-pronged machine, will be used to 'shock' the pitch surface and break up the soil over the drains.
Right: Peter's van at Moss Lane.
CONF. NORTH NEWS
NL Daily confirms that "Worcester City made their second summer signing when they signed the prolific goalscorer Christian Moore, following the sad demise of neighbours Telford United. Moore, who follows the first summer signing Rob Warner from Tamworth into St George’s Lane, joined Telford for a club record £20,000 from Burton Albion in September 2003".The same source says that "Moor Green have pulled off their third summer signing so far with the acquisition of midfielder Darren Middleton from rivals Worcester City. The former Aston Villa and Wolves attacking midfielder, who played for Stafford Rangers and Forest Green Rovers before joining Worcester in August 2001, was transfer-listed by the St George’s Lane outfit during last season. Middleton follows Matty Hall and Richard Follett as Moors’ boss Bob Faulkner’s new recruits thus far"
Alfreton Town "have received a massive boost with the award of over £45,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund towards new floodlights at North Street. Chairman Wayne Bradley said: 'The new lights will take us to levels beyond where we are at now in terms of both performance and quality'... Work on the installation will begin on July 12th".
Worksop Town "manager Ronnie Glavin made his first signing of the new campaign when [he] acquired the services of former Barnsley professional James Dudgeon on a signed contract. 23 year-old Dudgeon is a central defender whose last registered club was Halifax Town".
Harrogate Town "have confirmed that Shaun Garnett and Paul Pettinger have joined the club. The experienced Garnett joins as player/coach.... He started his career as a trainee at Tranmere Rovers in 1988 before moving to Swansea for £200,000 in March 1996. Just six months later he transferred to Oldham Athletic for £150,000 where he made over 165 league appearances. The 34-year old centre back moved to Halifax Town in May 2003, before finishing last season at Morecambe. Pettinger joins Harrogate Town from Hucknall Town. The 28-year old 'keeper started his career with Leeds United". Manager John Reed said, "Paul Pettinger was the best goalkeeper in the UniBond Premier by a mile last year".
30 June 2004
FIXTURE CHANGE ALREADY
The Conference has already made a change to the fixtures issued this morning - we now play Hucknall at home on 27 November and not 6 November, when we are otherwise engaged in the FA Trophy. The full Altrincham league fixtures are here.CONF. NORTH NEWS
The NW Evening Mail says that manager "Lee Turnbull has made offers to two more experienced players as he looks to build Barrow's squad ahead of the coming season. Turnbull has approached midfielders Jamie Paterson and Ian Kilford in an attempt to bring the pair to Holker Street. Former Doncaster Rovers and Halifax Town man Paterson, a 31-year-old predominantly left-sided midfielder, and Kilford, another 30-year-old released by Scunthorpe at the end of last season, would provide a welcome boost to Turnbull's squad".Kettering Town report that "manager Kevin Wilson was today hopeful of bringing Derek Brown, the former St Albans centre-back and captain to Rockingham Road... Wilson said, "Derek is a solid centre-back who I have always admired... I am hoping to complete the deal within the next few days".
Move:
29 June 2004
FA TROPHY
In this year's FA Trophy, Conference North and South sides enter at Round One, whilst the Conference National teams plus the holders, Hednesford Town, join at Round Three.Dates (all are Saturdays):
FA CUP
The FA reports a record 660 entries in the FA Cup next season. We enter at the 2nd Qualifying Round, whilst Conf. National teams join in at the 4th Qualifying Round.OLD BOY
This is Lincs says that Lincoln City boss Keith Alexander has "not ever reached the bargaining table with the 25-year-old [Kevin Ellison], who blankly refused to move to Lincolnshire from the north-west... 'We never even got to discussing his wages. He is settled in the north-west and he has bought a new house. He didn't want to move and I have no problem with that. I would have liked to have signed him because he did well here. Even if we had got to discussing a deal, his wages far exceeded what we could offer him. He was on good money at Stockport and it would have been hard to match them'". Chester City are believed to be interested in Kevin.CONF. NORTH NEWS
NL Daily reports that Belper Town boss Gary Howard "has a plethora of potential new signings currently training at Christchurch Meadow, most of whom were regular members of Worksop Town’s Premier Division side last season and have been deemed as surplus to requirements by their new manager Ronnie Glavin. Vastly experienced duo Darren Roberts and Darren Bradshaw head the list... Also training with the Nailers are other former Tigers in midfielder Alex Callery, England Futsal international Ben Walker and their former long-serving favourite, Linden Whitehead".This is Worcester says that "Worcester City's eagerly awaited second signing of the summer will be unveiled tomorrow. Manager John Barton is due to conclude a deal for the Conference player who has spent the last month coaching in America... Barton has already signed full-back Rob Warner from Tamworth".
5 A SIDE
The Daily Telegraph 5-a-side Cup in association with FourFourTwo magazine is holding regional heats as listed here. Closing date for all entries is Friday, 2 July 2004 and you can enter online here. Top prize is £1,000 cash and VIP tickets for the Final of the Sky Sports ‘Masters Football’ competition and a friendly match against a team of ‘Masters’, which could include Peter Beardsley. Entry is £50 per side and more details are here.28 June 2004
FA DRAWS
The draws for three FA cup competitions should be known on Friday 2nd July. The FA Cup draw will be made up to and including the First Qualifying Round - Alty do not enter until the 2nd Qualifying Round.The FA Youth Cup will be drawn up to the Third Qualifying Round; Altrincham Youth reached the First Round Proper last season. Also to be drawn on Friday are the FA Trophy opening ties.
There has been a change of rule about registration for all three competitions. Instead of having to be registered seven days ahead of the scheduled match date, players now need only be registered by noon on the eve of the tie (e.g. Friday noon for Saturday matches).
27 June 2004
IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS AND HELP ALTY
Danny Johnson, manager of Trafford FC is running a Summer Soccer School at Shawe View. His organising company, Football4all "will give Altrincham Football Club 10% of any fully paid, weekly application forms we receive via your website. All applicants have to do is put Altrincham Football Club in the School/Football Club space and we will automatically send a cheque to Altrincham FC within 10 days of course completion". Details and an application form are here.FIELD OF DREAMS
Today's Non-League Paper has a picture of Dalton Steele representing Altrincham at the UniBond AGM and also, in reviewing the season, photos of Graham Heathcote and Ian Craney. On Craney it adds, "Accrington Stanley's impressive Interlink Express Stadium has been called a few things in its time - now it rates as the Field of Dreams. That is what it means to midfielder Ian Craney, their recent £10,000 buy from Altrincham and Australian goalkeper Jason Petkovic". Manager John Coleman said "Craney is one I have had my eye on for a while".CONF. NORTH NEWS
Hucknall Town chairman Brian Holmes reports on the departures from Hucknall Road. "The real facts are Steve Burr and the Club had no intention of offering Craig Gaunt a contract for next season... It was time to move on... Carl Adams when fit, struggled to get into our side last year and would not have been offered a contract this time. Paul Pettinger was a loan signing... and although offered a deal, chose to go... None of the above were in the clubs plans for this coming season, so no big loss. Barry Miller was offered a deal, but not in the final plans as he had indicated that he wanted full time football... There is no panic at the club... It will be up to Ernie [Moss] when he returns next week to add to the list and finalise the squad".He added, "Conference ground grading officer Peter Hunter visited Watnall Road and was impressed at the improvements and our pitch! He confirmed that providing the works which are in hand are completed by early next year, Hucknall would be admitted to the Football Conference should we be fortunate enough to gain a second title or win the playoffs. The Conference would then give us one year to develop the By-Pass side of the ground to enable us to continue at that level. Further good news is that Daniel Stewart & Co ‘The Vodka Boys' have agreed to be a shirt sponsor for next season, and have paid a five figure sum... Sad news is that Doff Portland will not be continuing with us next season".
But Hucknall Today says, "Never mind Steve Burr. It's his predecessor Phil Starbuck who is threatening to leave the Hucknall Town cupboard bare. For Starbuck, who was sacked by Town last summer, has returned to raid Watnall Road in a triple transfer swoop. The... manager of Leigh RMI, had already signed Town skipper Craig Gaunt... Now he has snapped up fellow centre-half Barry Miller and injury-plagued midfielder Carl Adams too... ... Meanwhile speculation continues that out-of-contract trio Jon McCarthy, Roy Hunter and Dean Barrick are all set to follow Gaunt, Miller and Adams out of Hucknall".
"Halesowen Town have signed highly-rated striker Richard Burgess from former rivals Redditch United" says NL Daily. Redditch have signed striker Luke Prince from Team Bath.
Confirming the signing of keeper Jamie Speare from Accrington, Lancaster manager Phil Wilson told Lancaster Today "Jamie has been in two promotion sides at Accrington Stanley. He is still only 27 but has a lot of experience".
Harrogate Today says that "Harrogate Town have issued a statement in defence of their decision to increase matchday admission charges by over 40% blaming lack of support for the price hike. With fans reacting angrily to the week's announcement that matchday admission charges are to rise from £7 to £10, the club insist that with average gates of just over 500 last season, they have had no alternative but to take that course of action. The statement reads: 'The club has to compete with clubs who regularly attract over 1,000 spectators to their home matches and this is not easy'". The statement adds: "Harrogate Town are now playing in a National League and this will result in a significant increase in travel costs".
This is Lincs says "Retford United have moved to ease speculation suggesting striker Vill Powell is set to leave Cannon Park. Powell has been linked with a number of clubs, including local rivals Gainsborough Trinity, after he scored an incredible 72 goals last season". Powell was in the North Ferriby side which beat Alty a couple of seasons back.
NW Evening Mail "midfielder Dean Johnson has backed out of a move to Holker Street and decided to stay with current club Ashton United. Johnson told Bluebirds boss Lee Turnbull last night that he had received an offer of work in the south and as a result had decided to stay at Hurst Cross. But [Barrow boss Lee] Turnbull said 'Dean has gone back on his deal. We agreed the deal about a month ago... He rang me just to say that it looks as though he has secured some work down south, which would make it difficult for him to commit himself to the club, and he was going to re-sign for Ashton. 'I just think it shows the level where the lad is at in his ambition. He spoke a good game when we talked about him coming up to Barrow, him wanting to progress and improve himself, but I just think he is in a comfort zone and I think our club is just too big for him to handle. I don’t want people like that around'".
Also, Barrow "will be unable to seek a new sponsor for the next two weeks after agreeing a temporary order with would-be sponsor Colin Moore. The two parties reached an agreement before yesterday's hearing at Manchester County Court preventing AFC from appointing another main sponsor for the club for the 2004/05 season. Mr Moore alleges AFC have breached a deal agreed in February for him to have his company's name on their shirts having returned the money two weeks ago".
And, finally...Southport is the one seaside location left in our division next season but it may soon have a waterside rival as the Tameside Advertiser reports on how the town of "Droylsden's dreams of a plush new marina moved a step closer to reality this week... Rising from the rubble will be 300 waterside apartments, a 60-bed hotel, restaurant, public square and a canalside marina with room for 30 moorings... opposite Tesco’s."
26 June 2004
GAME OFF
Altrincham's home pre-season friendly on 3 August against AFC Barnsley has been cancelled. No replacement fixture has been arranged.Those seeking pre-season action over and above the Alty friendlies may consider a day out in North Wales for the following exotic tie in the Champions League -
Also in Wales, in the UEFA Cup:
FIXTURES
Altrincham FC expect to receive the Conference North fixtures by e-mail next week, whilst Kettering Town say that "All fixtures are expected to be received by Thursday, July 1st".The FA Cup draw for the preliminary and qualifying rounds is on 1 July. Alty enter at the Second Round qualifying stage on Saturday, 2 October 2004.
FESTIVAL
STAR will be organising a presence for Altrincham FC at this year's Altrincham Festival on Saturday July 3rd. Club Chairman Geoff Goodwin will provide a vehicle from his fleet.CONF. NORTH NEWS
A spokesman on the Ashton Forum confirms that Ashton United have re-signed Gerry Quinn, Andy Johnston, Andy Thackeray, Danny White, Lincoln Adams, Darren Royle, Martin Allison, Craig Fleury, Phil Cooney, Steve Smith, Paul Garvey, Jamie Miller and Jason Dormer with Lee Connor also expected to sign. Despite an approach from Barrow, Dean Johnson has not left Ashton.Hinckley United's ""Dean Thomas has been rewarded for his efforts of gaining Conference North football for Hinckley United, by having his contract extended... until the end of season 2006/7... Thomas was joint manager, along with John Hanna, at the formation of the club in 1997 and then took sole responsibility later that season when Hanna departed".
Lancaster City "announce the signing of 27 year old goalkeeper Jamie Speare formerly of Accrington Stanley. [As a result Kevin Welsby has left the club]. LCFC can also confirm that all the players that the manager Phil Wilson wants from last season are staying at the Giant Axe".
Moor Green "announce the signing of Richard Follett, a left-sided defender who was with Tamworth last season... Having played a major role in Tamworth's 2002-03 Dr Martens championship winning side, Richard was selected for the British Universities side that played in the World Student games". Also, "Moor Green confirm next season's admission prices as Adults £8, OAPs/Under-15’s £4".
"Chris Lightfoot, player-manager of Runcorn FC Halton, is tipping Anton Lally to successfully step into the boots of Dominic Morley after the skipper's departure to rivals Southport. 'The two of them are similar and that means losing Dominic won't be that big a loss', said the player-manager", reports IC Cheshire.
UNIBOND NEWS
The NL Daily reports that "Burscough have transfer-listed highly-rated centre-back and captain Steve McNulty. A fee will be required for the 20-year-old, who has already been the subject of interest from a number of clubs this summer, including rivals Radcliffe Borough".25 June 2004
WEIGHTY MATTERS
GB weightlifting team coach and Altrincham supporter, Terry Surridge, is once more providing a weight training programme for the Robins' players this pre-season. Amongst the volunteers reporting yesterday was Mark Maddox.Another Alty player, Rod Thornley, was pictured on the pitch last night encouraging the England team before extra time in the England v Portugal game. Rod is in Lisbon as the England team masseur.
CONF. NORTH NEWS
IC Coventry says that "Nuneaton Borough’s midfielder Matty Collins is making impressive steps towards getting back to full fitness following his long-suffering stomach injury that sidelined him for the closing three months of last season... Manager Roger Ashby is confident the talented youngster will be on call for the first pre-season training stint on July 3rd... Meanwhile Michael Love is another progressing satisfactorily, following his cartilage operation".A new official Nationwide Conference web site has been launched though, until July, it is not fully operational.
Barrow "Club President and legal advisor Alan Dunn has issued the following announcement: In view of the current litigation over sponsorship, the Board has decided to defer the currently proposed AGM until the matter is resolved".
LOCAL NEWS
"Northwich Victoria are on the verge of a takeover. The takeover does involve a cash injection, though it is not yet clear whether money is available to spend on the team or on restructuring debts and investing in cash generating schemes. The upshot of two days of talks was expected to be a change in leadership with chairman Dave Stone and directors Derek Nuttall and Jim Rafferty stepping down. But the consortium set to replace them have still yet to identify themselves... The power swap is also good news for the development of Victoria Park, work on which has been at a virtual standstill for the past three months because of a cash flow crisis... Four weeks intensive work should get their new stadium completed... The new board have to contend with losses of about £500,000 over the past two seasons as well as finding the funds to complete Victoria Park and run a Conference campaign, which they had not originally anticipated... {Boss Steve] Burr takes over as manager on Thursday week, but assistant Peter Wragg has already been sifting through a list of players... Burr is Vics' first full-time boss since Keith Alexander and he intends involving the academy, youth team and reserves in his responsibilities" reports IC Cheshire.24 June 2004
20/20 SPONSOR YOUTHS AGAIN
Bob Peters, owner of 20/20 Research will once again sponsor the Altrincham FC Youth side for 2004/05 and 2005/06. Bob is a long-time Altrincham fan and a generous financial supporter of the Club. Bob's company also sponsored the youth side in 2002-03. As Alty fans will know, the Hale end of the Moss Lane ground is known as the 20/20 End. 20/20 provide "market research solutions for every business" and are based in Penistone, near Sheffield. Alty Youth won the NWYA league and cup double last season.
NO FIXTURES
Rumours that the Conference North fixtures were due out today proved unfounded and the club does not now expect them until early next week.23 June 2004
CONF. NORTH NEWS
On Harrogate Today, "Harrogate Town managing director Nigel Pleasants has defended the club's decision to hike up match day prices by more than 40 per cent...from £7 to £10... 'We have based the figures on the gates of 500 we had last year'" he said, and added, "We will have a lot of travelling with going to places like Kettering and Worcester while we could be drawn as far as Exeter in the League Cup. We also have to do various pieces around the ground while considerations like higher wages have to be accounted for".IC Coventry quotes Nuneaton Borough manager Roger Ashby: "We start training in early July and if nothing else we shall have a team champing at the bit and as close to peak condition as we can get. It's so important to prepare properly. The groundwork will be done and we shall be ready to go for broke from the first whistle... I've not come here to fail. Accepted I don't have too much money to work with but I knew that when I took the job and I shall do my best with the finances available". Also, "Nuneaton Borough’s defender Dion Scott has emerged as AFC Telford United's next tranfer target", says the Shropshire Star.
Conference North will be sponsored by The Nationwide Building Society and on Confguide "Peter Gandolfi, Head of Sponsorship at Nationwide, commented: 'Nationwide is an organisation rooted in the community - just like the teams in the Nationwide Conference and the two new feeder divisions. We are delighted to be on board for a further three seasons'".
This is Scunthorpe reports that "Brigg Town have lost captain Phil Rowland... The 24-year-old midfielder has signed a one-year deal for ambitious Nationwide Conference North side Barrow", whose manager Lee Turnbull used to play for Scunthorpe. Turnbull said, "He is about six foot tall and a very fit, very athletic, very energetic young lad". Also at Brigg is former Barrow player Steve Housham.
Other moves:
SHIRT FOR SALE
Anyone with money to spend may be interested that there is an auction of former Alty left-back Danny Adams's Stockport County shirt, as worn by him on the recent club tour of China, on the County website. Earlier today the price stood at £26! Danny is seen, right, playing for County last season at a venue slightly west of Beijing.UNIBOND NEWS
NL Daily reports that Tony Lee, interviewed for the Alty managership a couple of years ago "has resigned as manager of Spennymoor United for a second time. One of the most experienced managers in north-east non-League football, Lee returned to the Moors in September 2003... He was originally brought in during the Christmas period of 2001... after serving neighbours Bishop Auckland for eight years".FOR EARLIER NEWS, CLICK HERE