Altrincham FC

ALTRINCHAM FC PLAYERS OF 1984/85

The following pen-pictures were written in an away programme in 1984/85.

Right: An Altrincham home programme from 1984/85. For more on The Robins' Review, see here.

John King (Manager). John returned to Moss Lane as Manager in January 1984 having previously skippered the Altrincham team through its greatest ever period under his predecessor as Manager, Tony Sanders. He began his playing career as a junior with Everton and Shrewsbury Town before joining Kirkby Town in the Northern Premier League prior to moving to Wigan Athletic. At Wigan John was a member of their FA Trophy final side in 1973 and won a Northern Premier League Championship medal in 1975. Success followed him to Northwich Victoria and he skippered them to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and the Runners-up spot in the Northern Premier League. He joined Altrincham in November 1977, skippering them to victory at Wembley in the FA. Trophy Final later that season where he scored the third decisive goal. He was then an outstanding figure in Altrincham’s subsequent successes among which they finished as Northern Premier League runners up, won the first two Alliance Premier League Championships, reached two successive Alliance Premier League Cup finals, winning the Bob Lord Trophy on the second occasion, and reached the Third Round proper of the F.A Cup in four consecutive seasons.

John made his third Wembley appearance when Altrincham met Enfield in the 1982 FA Trophy Final but that was to be his last game for the Club as he suffered a knee injury which finally ended his playing career. A year later he left Moss Lane, and began his managerial career in the Northern Premier League where, along with his assistant George Rooney, he transformed the fortunes of struggling South Liverpool who finished the season with their highest ever league placing and victory in three cup competitions. After returning to Moss Lane in January, he guided Altrincham to third place in last season’s final Alliance Premier League table.

Trevor Dance: After making over 100 Football League appearances for Port Vale and spending a loan period at Stoke City, Durham-born Dance moved into the Alliance Premier League with Stafford Rangers who paid £10,000 for his signature. After 150 appearances during a three year stay, he joined Altrincham in October 1983 and quickly became a vital member of the side with some very impressive performances.

David Constantine: He began his career with Hyde United before moving into the Football League with Bury who paid £6,500 for his services. He made over 70 appearances whilst at Gigg Lane before joining Altrincham in the summer of 1982. Last season he was voted Player of the Year by Altrincham’s Supporters' Association.

Jeff Johnson: Jeff joined Altrincham from Hyde United in 1976 after playing Fourth Division football for Stockport County earlier that year. Originally a striker he moved into a midfield role in the 1979-80 season and the change proved so successful that he has represented England in the last four Semi-Professional International Tournaments. He was voted Altrincham's Player of the Year by supporters in both 1977-78 and 1979-80 and has now made 12 International appearances scoring three goals.

Elfyn Edwards: After spells with both Wrexham and Tranmere Rovers, he starred in Runcorn’s Alliance Premier League Championship winning side and won the Club’s Player of the Year award before moving to Altrincham last close season.

John Davison: No player has passed Davison’s total of 18 England appearances at semi-professional international level in the six years since the team was created and he has found the net five times for his Country. He joined the Robins from Burnley in the 1971-1972 season and had a short spell with Bangor City five years later before returning to Moss Lane. He has also played representative football for the British Universities and the Northern Premier League.

Phil Gardner: A 23 year-old Liverpool-born player who graduated from Liverpool University and is now on a teacher training course. He joined Everton straight from school and played in their youth and ‘A’ teams before joining Altrincham in October 1981. He quickly gained a first team place and has been a regular in the side ever since.

Gary Anderson: A Liverpool-born midfield player who began his career with Altrincham and spent two seasons at Moss Lane before joining South Liverpool at the start of last season. After playing an important role in their best ever Northern Premier League season, winning three different Cup Finals, he returned to Moss Lane in the close season.

Peter Conning: A former England schoolboy international who joined Liverpool before moving on to Wigan Athletic. This 20 year old Liverpool University student signed for Altrincham late last season and has now made a First Team place his own after some sparkling displays.

Ronnie Ellis: Began his career in the Cheshire League with Burscough and then Winsford United before moving into the Alliance Premier with Runcorn. He signed for the Robins towards the end of the 1982-1983 season and is back as a regular in the side after breaking his leg earlier this season.

John Brady: He came to prominence as the goalscorer for Burscough’s North West Counties' League Championship winning side in 1982-1983. He then moved into Northern Premier League football with Southport and was one of John King’s first signings when he joined Altrincham last season.

Colin Chesters:. A powerfully built 25 year old striker who joined Derby County as an apprentice when aged 17. He made nine First Team appearances in the four years at the Baseball Ground before joining his home town club, Crewe Alexandra. After 61 appearances for Crewe, Colin joined Northwich Victoria in August 1982. A successful two year stay brought him two Wembley appearances and 56 goals before Altrincham stepped in to sign him just two days before the start of the current season for a substantial fee.

Graham Bennett:. Cardiff born Bennett broke the Northern Premier League’s individual scoring record with 53 goals in the 1981-1982 season for Bangor City and joined Altrincham in the following close season. He started his career in the Southern League with Barry Town before moving on to Bridgend Town where he scored 92 goals in just over three seasons and won a Southern League Division One North Championship medal. He has finished both his seasons with Altrincham as the Club’s top scorer and has now scored over 50 goals in 80 full appearances.

Paul Cuddy:. A 25 year old who joined Altrincham in October 1981 after two and a half years at Chorley. He had played for a number of Lancashire Football League clubs before joining Rochdale where he stayed for two years, making one Fourth Division appearance and then moved on to Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers.