PITCH UPDATE

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

NEW YEAR'S DAY GAME

Moss Lane, pictured on Wednesday afternoon.

As the adjacent picture shows, the Moss Lane pitch is now clear of snow. As for Alty's game on New Year's Day at home to Wrexham, much will obviously depend on the next couple of nights' temperatures.

If the match goes ahead, it is hoped to provide the usual updates during the game on the update page.

News of out next opponents comes from The Leader which says that "Dean Saunders is desperate to see Wrexham return to action against Altrincham at Moss Lane on New Year’s Day. Wrexham’s last three matches over the festive period have been postponed due to frozen pitches, meaning the Reds have not played a competitive fixture since the FA Trophy defeat at Altrincham on December 15. With more wintry weather forecast this week, Wrexham are in danger of having a fourth consecutive match called off...

'It has been very frustrating', said Saunders. 'I have never had three games on the trot called off before in my career. That is four games we have got in hand on some teams which is unbelievable... I am keeping my fingers crossed Altrincham will be on. You get worked up for a game and then bang - it’s off again'...

'We are training on the astro turf which is not ideal, although we have had a chance to work on a few things', said Saunders. 'A couple of the older boys are not so keen on training on astro turf because of old scars... Marc Williams is injured and he is delighted because he has not missed a game!... You end up playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, playing one game after another, which gives you no advantage. But it also gives you a chance to get nine points in a week'...

'I will get calls for some of our players, some I don’t want to lose, but I have got to try and juggle things around... The players have got to step up and play to their best to stop me signing players'”.

NEXT TUESDAY's VISITORS

City boss Martin Foyle said: 'Tyrone has been a bit unfortunate. We’ve had two or three behind-closed-doors games and he did all right in a couple. He wasn’t poor by any means, but he picked up a hamstring strain and we’re not in a position to carry anybody. I know that’s ruthless, but we need to make sure we have the room to bring the right people in if we need to during the January transfer window'. First-year professional striker Michael Emmerson, meanwhile, has been loaned out to Ossett Town...

The City boss is also hoping to finalise a permanent transfer to Tamworth for Simon Russell, who has spent the last three months on loan with the Lambs. But the future of fellow winger Craig Nelthorpe, who is due back at Bootham Crescent on New Year’s Day following his loan spell from Barrow, is yet to be discussed. Foyle said: 'We have virtually agreed things with Tamworth over Simon Russell, but I haven’t spoken to Craig Nelthorpe and David Bayliss at Barrow yet. One or two more might go out on loan during January so we can get a couple more players in'".

RICKY'S RECORD

OLD BOY

BSP NEWS

The Football Conference reports that "Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford United are the club to have signed Welsh midfielder Lee Fowler for the rest of the season following his release by league rivals Kettering Town. Fowler, 26, had been a regular for the Poppies this season since moving from Forest Green Rovers in the summer. But the ex-Wales under-21 international lost his first-team place a month ago and was released on Boxing Day".

The Oxford Mail adds that "Oxford United should have two new faces in their squad for the New Year's Day trip to Rushden & Diamonds. Midfielder Lee Fowler joined yesterday...and boss Chris Wilder is confident that a left-sided central defender will sign today. 'We want to make sure that the players and the supporters know that we are not by any means resting of what we’ve got', Wilder said. 'We have bought in Lee, should complete another one first thing tomorrow and hopefully another in the not-to distant future... We’ve only done half a job and need to finish it off now'.

Fowler was delighted to have joined the table-toppers. 'I have played a good few games in the Football League and want to play more there', he said". The Mail adds that "Anthony Tonkin, the Cambridge left back, should sign early next week".

"Cambridge City have signed Lee Brennan from neighbours Histon. Brennan, 18, is a central midfielder and was until recently under contract at Histon after progressing through their academy. He was previously with Tottenham Hotspur, and in the academy at Cambridge United".

According to This is Sussex, "Crawley Town have rejected an offer for Charlie Ademeno - made on the way to Grays on Monday, where the striker bagged a hat-trick. An unnamed Football League club made the approach... Boss Steve Evans said: 'Clubs might think they can just come along and pluck cherries off the tree. But I have set a value for Charlie which the directors have backed and this was nowhere near. That club had someone at the game and I'd imagine after 10 minutes that the club's representative would be on the phone getting their valuation upped. We don't want that offer upped, we want Charlie Ademeno here so we can build something for next season'".

"Hayes & Yeading striker Craig Watkins is desperate to mark what could be his farewell appearance at Church Road by helping his club secure a quick revenge against AFC Wimbledon on Friday" reports the Uxbridge Gazette. "The 23-year-old's two-month deal at Church Road expires next week with the visit of Terry Brown's men offering the former Woking forward one final chance to impress Hayes manager Garry Haylock enough to extend his stay beyond the new year. Haylock... admitted that keeping on-loan Luton Town forward Steve Basham is his main priority in the transfer window...

Watkins said: 'I want to stay, 100 per cent. I do not want to just stay for two months. I want to sign and play in the Conference week in and week out'".

YORK PLEASED WITH REARRANGEMENT

REFEREE

BSP NEWS

Harvey is operating without a contract at City and his name has been linked to several clubs the latest of which are Kidderminster themselves.Maison, who has been offered a contract but is yet to sign it, went on to say: 'The betting man would say that Chester are down and the club should rebuild for the Blue Square North next season, and look to get out of that league as soon as possible. I had a couple of seasons at Kettering Town in the Blue Square North and I know that division very well, and I know what we have got to do to build a side to get out of that division. There are contingencies being built for each scenario, but initially I believe there is a huge PR job to be done and there has to be a deliberate way forward and a plan. We are working on that plan now and hopefully within the next week or two we will present that plan to the fans and potential investors too... The position of Eric Whalley who was appointed Director of Football last year remains unclear".

And more behind the scenes news comes from Crawley Town where "Co-owner Susan Carter spoke exclusively to Reds Matchday". She explained how "With the financial constraints Bruce and I have imposed on the Manager I think we are actually doing very well... It is the job of the shareholders to balance the books at the end of the season and ensure there is a club next season". Asked, "Is the Manager happy with this?" she replied "Not at all and we revisit the ‘budget’ on a regular basis. However, he understands that these are difficult times economically and what we are trying to achieve in the long term takes precedence over the short term. It does not stop him asking though and if he didn’t Bruce and I would be disappointed, he does not give up easily...

Crawley Town has always been loss making and has depended upon benefactors to make up that loss. This scenario is just not realistic or sustainable... Over the last ten years Crawley Town FC has been running with an annual loss of anything between £250,000 - £400,000. That is around £30,000 every single month that has to be injected into the club just to stand still. Combine that with the debts left behind by the previous owners and you get some idea of the task we face. Prospect Estate Holdings financed the club last season when the previous owners effectively walked away, saving it from financial ruin and certain relegation but with the credit crunch biting they needed added support this season. That is when Bruce Winfield and I stepped in and took shares with the funds going into the club to service debt. It is ongoing every month, therefore it is my belief that football clubs have to change and be run as businesses in the true sense of the word. Expenditure cannot exceed income".

According to the BBC "Onome Sodje and Ross Perry will not have their loan spells extended at Oxford United and will leave the Kassam Stadium in the new year. Scotland Under-21 defender Perry joined the U's with Rangers team-mate Steven Kinniburgh in August. Barnsley striker Sodje moved to the Blue Square Premier leaders in November".

LACK OF ACTION

Right: Darren Gregory's photo shows Moss Lane yesterday, shrouded in fog and with snow and frost on the pitch.

Only Altrincham and Wrexham have failed to kick a ball this Christmas in the BSP - and both clubs also lost their previous week's fixture so the Daily Post reports that "Wrexham manager Dean Saunders last night surveyed the wreckage of the club’s Christmas fixture programme and admitted he was struggling to put a positive spin on the situation. A frostbound Racecourse put paid to the scheduled Boxing Day rematch with Altrincham and it was a similar story yesterday after a pitch inspection ruled out today’s visit to Gateshead.

The double blow, which followed the previous weekend’s postponement of the game against Mansfield, means Wrexham – who had already played fewer matches than many of their Blue Square Premier rivals – could face a punishing schedule in the New Year to catch up. 'I was disappointed we couldn’t play Altrincham on Boxing Day and I’m doubly disappointed now the Gateshead game is off as well', said Saunders. 'The players have been training throughout the Christmas period, so it’s terribly frustrating for them as well, because they have prepared for games to no avail. We spent a lot of time working on set-pieces and a style of play for Gateshead and, while training is never wasted, a lot of it has been for nothing'...

Saunders is considering the possibility of arranging a midweek friendly "for Tuesday or Wednesday", Saunders said. “The only good things I can say about the current situation are that Marc Williams hasn’t missed a game yet since he was injured at Altrincham nearly a fortnight ago and with the extra few days before we are due to go to Altrincham again, there is a good chance that both Frank Sinclair and Sam Williamson will be fit". In the January "window", Saunders says "Obviously there will be some to-ing and fro-ing and I’m expecting some calls about some of the players here and I have to address our goal-scoring problems so that’s my top priority".

The Leader adds that "Wrexham are waiting to hear if they have been successful with their bid for an unnamed striker... Saunders has shown an interest in Forest Green Rovers striker Andrew Mangan... Chairman Geoff Moss would not reveal the identity of the striker and is waiting to see if the bid – less than six figures – has been accepted ahead of the transfer window reopening... Said Moss. “Dean has been looking around and we have put an offer in to a club. 'I can’t say how much it is, it is not six figures but we are prepared to finance Dean to bring in a striker. We are just waiting to see if it has been accepted... But there may well be other clubs in for him too'".

TROPHY OPPONENTS

The Dons' injury problems continued and from his squad, Terry Brown was unable to call upon the services of James Pullen, Ben Judge, Danny Kedwell, Steven Gregory and Will Hendry, as well as long-term injured players Luke Moore and Alan Inns. As a result, Brown was forced to make a number of changes with starts for Sam Hatton, Kennedy Adjei, Derek Duncan, Ross Montague and Elliott Godfrey, and only able to name four fit players on the bench...

Terry Brown was extremely pleased with the performance and the result. 'I have spoken all year about the importance of a good squad, and that came home to roost today against Stevenage Borough. I spoke to Mike Rayner, our physiotherapist, prior to the game, and had seven regular players unavailable... We are hopeful that one or two of the players will be back for the return match with Hayes & Yeading... on New Year's Day".

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Meanhwile "The postponement of York City’s game at Altrincham is leaving the Minstermen with four away games to catch up on in the New Year. Prior to Christmas, York’s scheduled game at Grays was lost to the weather, while trips to Histon and Mansfield have been delayed because of the club’s success in the FA Cup. Manager Martin Foyle tells BBC Radio York: 'The games we’re catching up on are all midweek and away from home. All the travelling and the overnight stays and then you’re late back, it does disrupt you... The only good thing about the Altrincham game being called off is that five players were on four bookings, so they’ll all be scratched off and they’ll be OK for the new year'”.

OLD BOYS

BSP NEWS

Meanwhile, Blues boss Jim Harvey... admitted he had not known about the club’s appointment of Morell Maison as director of football until 30 minutes before Chester’s 2-0 defeat at Kidderminster on Boxing Day".

NL24 confirms that "Chester City boss Jimmy Harvey is confirming his interest in the manager’s job at Kidderminster Harriers... Speaking to BBC Sport, he admits: 'Any manager would be interested... It’s flattering to think they’d like me but at the moment I’m at Chester'...

With reports that former Halesowen and Kettering manager Morrell Maison has been brought in as Chester’s new director of football, Harvey’s days at the Deva could be numbered".

The Liverpool Daily Post states that "The strange and concerning soap opera at Chester City took another bizarre twist on Saturday, when a new Director of Football was announced... Harvey, who handled the post-match interview with his usual dignity and professionalism, confirmed that he didn’t know about the appointment until 30 minutes prior to kick-off... The timing and mystifying motives behind this obtuse announcement will do nothing to ingratiate the disillusioned and disenfranchised staff and supporters of the club. Talking to the Press following the announcement Mr Maison [said]... 'We will give the manager (Jim Harvey) the tools he needs".

The 200% site writes that "The recent break has seen developments involving two names that have graced these pages before, Morell Maison and John Batchelor. with mixed results. Maison came to our attention because of his time in charge at Southern League club Halesowen Town, but has now resurfaced at, of all places, Chester City... During his time at the club, the Yeltz were kicked out of the FA Cup and the FA Trophy by the Football Association, ran up horrifying debts, were boycotted by the club’s own supporters, had the West Midlands Police Economic Crime Unit investigating allegations of fraud at the club and ended up being released on bail by the police over the matter".

Chester owner Stephen Vaughan "should have offloaded his interest in the club by the middle of December. It was, however, Vaughan that was reported as having met Maison and, as recently as the 22nd of December, Vaughan was confirmed as not having sold his share in the club".

Meanwhile, "John Batchelor can now scrub his name off the list of buying any football clubs in the near future. Batchelor was ruinously involved at York City earlier in the decade, was sniffing around Mansfield Town earlier this year and described himself as an asset-stripper in his involvement in football clubs, but he has now been banned from acting as a company director for seven years... While at York City, he took £120,000 on sponsorship out of the club and diverted it towards his motor racing team. Of the twenty-four companies of which he has been a director, fourteen had been struck off the companies' register and six have been insolvent. He would, however, still have passed the Football Association’s Fit & Proper Persons test until his disqualification was announced".

From Bullsnews we learn that "Crewe have made defender Patrick Ada available for loan. The former Histon man is not in Dario Gradi's plans".

MONDAY GAMES

STILL FROZEN

GAME REARRANGED

MATCH OFF

Alty's next match is now on New Year's Day, at home to Wrexham (3pm). By then, Alty will have played just two home league matches in the preceding eleven weeks. The Robins now have a four-match backlog following postponements in the past month against Kettering Town (re-arranged for 12th January), Eastbourne Borough, Wrexham and York City.

... AND IT'S SIX WEEKS FOR THE YOUTH TEAM

NEW YEAR DRAW

Assuming that the games go ahead this week, we need people to help sell tickets for the New Year Draw which is scheduled to take place after the game on New Year's Day. With the postponement of two games (Kettering & Eastbourne), we will need bumper sales at the York and Wrexham games this week to match last year's sales of £2,000.

If you can spare an hour (2-3pm) at either of this week's games to sell tickets then please contact Brian Flynn by e-mail or on 07860 561011).

S.O.S. FUND

The S.O.S. Fund was set up to help fund the club's application to join the Football League and also to help manager Graham Heathcote strengthen his squad in January. There has been an excellent response to date with over £900 raised, however TASC has set an objective of £3,000 to be raised by the end of January and the matchday bucket collections are a major part of this fundraising effort. Almost £300 was raised at the Barrow game at the beginning of the month and if we could match that at each of the games this week, then we would be well on the way to getting towards our January 31st target!

Please give as generously as you can and, of course, if you are unable to attend the matches you can donate online.

HOME AND AWAY

OLD BOY

BSP NEWS

According to Kent Online "Members of MyFC must decide whether to offer Ebbsfleet players cash incentives to avoid relegation. The novel suggestion of a ‘pledge-style incentive scheme’ was discussed at a meeting of the Ebbsfleet United board last week and will now be put to members of MyFC to vote upon. Club chairman Duncan Holt (pictured) said: 'It is meant as an individual incentive for each player, we’ll have to see what the members think of it'. There are concerns that the move could be unworkable due to players’ contracts and bonuses being established at the start of the season.

Manager Liam Daish said: 'We have worked hard and have just lacked the finishing touch at the end. Effort-wise, I can’t fault the players, we have maybe just lacked a bit of quality'. Daish hopes to add quality to the squad when the transfer window reopens on January 1 and has an £8,500 kitty to pay for the loan of a striker until the end of the season. The Fleet boss suffered disappointment in trying to attract a striker to club, despite having a list of 25 targets, before the last window closed".

NL24 says that "Kettering Town "are confirming that Lee Fowler has left the club by mutual consent. The player asked to leave some weeks ago due to difficulties with travelling from his home in Wales, the Kettering Town official website is reporting. Rumours are suggesting that he could sign for Dean Holdsworth’s Newport County".

Gateshead's Blue Square Premier home game against Wrexham on Monday is already postponed due to the bad weather.

OLD BOY

Clancy said. 'We haven’t been beat for a while... We’ve closed the gap and are right behind Southport now'... The midfielder put three past Northwich Victoria before a groin strain saw him substituted and then restricted him to an appearance from the bench during last Saturday’s win over Stafford Rangers. 'I’ve been scoring so I’m made up with my form this season and I’m going to carry on. I needed to come off in the Northwich game after my hat trick and could only come on as a second half sub in the win against Stafford last weekend'".

BSP NEWS

Also from we learn that "Neil Taylor is delighted Dean Saunders sees him as part of his future plans... 'I am happy to be offered a new contract, I am really glad', says Taylor... 'I have been at Wrexham six years now and the club means a lot to me. It is where I started my career and learnt my trade. It is the club that gave me my chance and I will be forever grateful for that'".

Meanwhile Justin Edinburgh tells BBC Radio Northampton: “I think we’d take the same number of points in the second half of the season as we got in the first. That would put us in the play-offs and I’d be delighted with that. I put the squad together in the summer and it’s certainly developing. Against Billericay (in the FA Trophy earlier this month) we had eight players under the age of 23, and that bodes well for the future".

The Express & Star says that "Jeff Kenna will be making a formal application to become the new manager of Kidderminster Harriers... The 39-year-old is a free agent and living back at his Solihull home in the West Midlands, working as a community youth coach for Birmingham City... after 14 months as a League of Ireland Premier boss ended with his resignation at St Patrick’s Athletic in September. Yet the fledgling manager had worked wonders at Galway United in the previous season, steering a club hemorrhaging money who had lost most of their players to the most unlikely of relegation escapes.

And the former defender is still highly thought of among Harriers fans after spending two seasons at Aggborough towards the end of his career... Kenna has fond memories of his time with Harriers, and believes the opportunity of kick-starting his managerial career in England with a club 'of such a proud heritage' is too good to miss. He said: 'I am interested in the job and will be applying for it – it would be a fantastic place to work. I still know everybody at Aggborough and know what the place is about and, believe me, it’s a great opportunity for whoever gets the job. It’s a great club which is very well run and stable, I had two very happy years as a player and I would relish the chance to go back'".

Chester City’S players were not paid in time for Christmas" claims NL24 "But that will not stop them from going all out to make the festive period special for their fans, according to boss Jim Harvey. The players are, however, back in training after calling off their strike... 'The boys continue to be first class', says Harvey 'What they lack in quality and numbers, they certainly make up for in determination and effort. Given the situation we find ourselves in, that’s all you can ask. They have been advised by the PFA to play on, so from that point of view they will look after themselves, they will turn up and they will give it everything they’ve got'".

NL24 adds that "Jeff Kenna is making a formal application to become the new manager of Kidderminster Harriers. The former Aggborough star currently works as a community youth coach for Birmingham City. The ex-Harriers is still highly thought of among Kidderminster fans after spending two seasons at Aggborough towards the end of his playing career, expressandstar.com is reporting.... He says: 'I am interested in the job and will be applying for it – it would be a fantastic place to work. I still know everybody at Aggborough and know what the place is about and, believe me, it’s a great opportunity for whoever gets the job. It’s a great club which is very well run and stable, I had two very happy years as a player and I would relish the chance to go back'".

BLANK

ALTY HOLD ON TO 11TH

Saturday 26 December, Boxing Day, 3pm

GAME OFF

Altrincham's next match is at home to York City on Monday (28th) at 3pm.

WREXHAM GAME

The outcome of the pitch inspection will be posted here as soon as it is known.

If the game goes ahead, it is hoped to offer the usual matchday news service. This will be found, this afternoon, on the Update Page.

Before matchday Wrexham's website wrote... "Prepare yourselves for a Boxing Day thriller, as the gripping mini-series of games between two of the most goal-shy sides in The Conference continues! We're certainly not getting too many bangs for our admission bucks at The Racecourse this season, as there have been fewer goals in Wrexham's games than in those involving any other side in the Conference. Our 22 league games have featured just 42 goals and the next dullest side to watch - Altrincham! Their matches have seen just 46 goals hit the net.

So it was no surprise that our two FA Trophy clashes, earlier this month, featured just one scrappy goal and that from a set piece! Fortunately, our defence has been functioning effectively this season; the 10 league clean sheets we've kept is second in the Conference... Altrincham are only two clean sheets off us, and nobody in the division has shut the opposition out more often in away games: Alty and Stevenage can both boast six clean sheets on their travels.

The problem is both sides are hardly swash-buckling at the other end... The Conference's top striker, York's Richard Brodie, has more goals on his own than our entire side!... We haven't scored past their keeper, Stuart Coburn, in 278 minutes, our last goal coming when Jeff Louis struck deep into extra time to earn us a 2-1 win in the Setanta Shield at Moss Lane in November 2008".

BSP NEWS

Salisbury City "general manager Nick Holmes says he is frustrated that talks aimed at resolving the club’s financial situation will now continue into the New Year. Administrators confirmed today that a meeting between themselves and the club’s prospective new owners has had to be adjourned until January 5, 2010.... Said Holmes, 'We’d hoped it would have been done and dusted by November, but unfortunately, now it’s dragging on into the New Year'".

At Gateshead "Ian Bogie is drawing up a four-man shopping list for the New Year sales - and wants Daryl Clare to extend his stay at the International Stadium... Clare's loan period from Mansfield Town ends on January 2... Bogie said: 'He has scored a few goals and does not seem to figure massively in Mansfield Town's plans. It is something we will have to discuss with them and with the player, because we would like to keep him'".

GET WELL, GRAHAME

WREXHAM GAME

If the game was today (Thursday), then the pitch is unplayable, but the weather forecasts suggest a decent temperature rise on Christmas Day and into Boxing Day. If this does materialise, then there is a chance it could shift the frost out of the ground. After a week of freezing temperatures, we would be looking at a minimum of +5c and probably higher, to get the game on. Although sunshine is also forecast, at this time of the year the Mold Road Stand does cast a shadow onto the playing surface, so we would be relying on the air temperature to be significantly above freezing to do the job.

Referee Mr Lewis will be at the Racecourse before 10.00am on Saturday morning to check the state of the pitch and to see if there is a chance of play. If there are any volunteers who would be available to help shift snow, either off the pitch or from the car park on Saturday morning, then please head for the 'Players Entrance' under the Yale Stand for 9.30am onwards - could you also bring a shovel or brush with you?

As always, you can keep up to date with news on the referee's deliberations be checking onto the website during Saturday or getting Wrexham SMS direct to your phone. Simply text CLUB WREX GOLD to 88442 - you can just as simply unregister by texting STOP to the same number - messages are charged at 25p each".

The outcome of the pitch inspection will also be posted here on the Altrincham website as soon as it is known on Saturday morning.

If the game goes ahead, it is hoped to offer the usual matchday news service. This will be found, on Saturday afternoon, on the Update Page.

The BBC claims that "Teenage striker Obi Anoruo could return to Dean Saunders's Wrexham side who face Altrincham for a third successive match in a row. Marc Williams (ankle) will miss the Altrincham fixture but Wes Baines is likely to be available. Matt Doughty will return to the Altrincham side after suspension, while striker John McAliskey and midfielder Adam Carden could also feature. But Dale Johnson (knee) remains sidelined following surgery last month".

The Daily Post adds that "Obi Anorou wants to prove he’s worthy of a place in Wrexham’s first team by helping the Dragons to a revenge win over Altrincham on Boxing Day... Onoruo did his cause no harm on Tuesday when he scored one goal and set up the other in a 2-0 friendly win over Colwyn Bay... After recently being recalled from a loan spell at Newtown, during which he scored five goals in nine appearances, Anoruo is desperate to prove he can be the answer to the chronic goalscoring problems which have blighted Wrexham’s season so far.

He said: 'It was good to get called back because it shows the gaffer’s got faith in my abilities – I was looking to play on Saturday so when it was called off I was very disappointed not to be playing'... Saturday’s game will pit Wrexham against familiar foes in Altrincham, the Dragons having faced the Cheshire side twice already this month... Whether or not he gets his first game of the season for the Dragons, Anoruo wants Wrexham to get three points...

'We’ve been looking at how we’re looking to play on Saturday and hopefully we’ll get three points for the fans', said the striker, who was born in Nigeria but raised in Liverpool. 'We’ll be looking to get one over on them after losing in the FA Trophy – and if we win I’ll also be able to have a bit of banter with Tom Kearney who’s an old mate of mine'. Saunders should have a full squad to choose from for Saturday’s game, apart from Marc Williams (ankle) and Sam Williamson". (hernia)."

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

A happy Christmas to all supporters of Altrincham FC and visitors to this website.

BSP NEWS

CHESHIRE NEWS

HM Revenue and Customs, the creditor owed the largest amount of money at around £465,000, today, Thursday, said it was happy with Rushe’s latest proposal. They, along with the other companies owed cash by the club, have voted in favour of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA); a binding legal agreement about how much of the debt will be repaid over the next five years. All parties now have four weeks to appeal should they not agree with the terms. But as Rushe’s offer proposes a higher dividend than his two previous ones, which everybody apart from the tax man accepted, then a challenge is unlikely.

Sums owed to former players and other clubs have already been paid in full. Cash rewards from this season’s run to the FA Cup’s second round and fees from ITV for two televised ties – some £180,000 in total – will go directly towards paying off part of the club’s remaining debt at the request of HMRC...

Northwich Victoria Football Club (2004) Ltd, the firm that pays the players’ wages, has been in administration since May 15. That’s 33 weeks. A company set up by Rushe in October 2007, The Northwich Victoria Football Club (2007) Ltd, will now buy the Wincham-based club. next he will seek to transfer the associate membership of the Football Association from the company in administration to NVFC (2007) Ltd, which will take on the responsibility of paying back the old firm’s remaining debts in monthly instalments.

NFVC (2004) Ltd did not satisfy the criteria to become a full member of the FA, one of the reasons the Football Conference relegated Vics from non-league’s top tier in 2005. Instead Northwich’s membership of Cheshire FA has allowed them to enter FA competitions since then".

GORDON SMITH

Gordon is pictured right in the 1951 Altrincham team photo.

Back row: Brian Parkinson, Alf Rawding, - Wasilski (a Polish player), Bob Barrie, Brian Phillips, Gordon "Biffer" Smith, Charles Le-Massure (trainer, from Guernsey).

Front row: Konrad Kapler (Polish player), Bobby Dale, Alf Morris, Cyril Barclay, Walter Jones.

A left-half or inside-left, Gordon was born in Bowdon in 1923. Having previously been with Witton Albion (1947/48-1948/49), he joined Altrincham for 1949-50 and stayed at Moss Lane until the 1953-54 season, amassing 151 appearances, and scoring 25 goals. Gordon then joined Mossley (where he played from 1954/55 to 1955/56 appearing in 39 games and scoring once). He went on to local Altrincham club Linotype, where he was trainer (1956/57) and later manager until the end of the 1959/60 season. Subsequently he became the Altrincham FC reserve team manager, in 1967/68. More recently, Gordon was a welcome guest at the launch of the Altrincham supporters' trust, STAR in 2003.

Thanks go to Terry Rowley for the biographical information, above.

WREXHAM HOPEFUL

"Saunders has told his players they will be training on Christmas Day. 'We are in the entertainment business so Christmas Day is a working day like any other', he added. 'The players will have to watch what they eat and drink ahead of an important game the next day and, just as important, they have to stay focused on their jobs. There are three points to play for against Altrincham and we need to be looking for back-to-back wins so that we can start the New Year in a positive frame of mind'".

During the transfer window 'We’ll have more than four weeks to try and shuffle things round a bit', he said. 'I have been concentrating on speaking to clubs and to agents for a couple of weeks now... I brought a group of players in during the summer and now, having had a really good opportunity to assess everyone, I know what’s been right and what’s been wrong, who has fitted in and who has not... I’m reasonably satisfied we are solid at the back and if we can change it round at the other end, I’m confident things will come good for us... It’s my job to persuade players that their future is with Wrexham. My trump card comes in the shape of the club’s training facilities, a magnificent stadium and a substantial base of support, with fans willing to turn out in numbers if we play well and get the results we should. It’s also about my own enthusiasm for the job and about my ambition to get Wrexham out of the Conference and back into the Football League'”, said the manager.

And The Leader adds that "Gareth Taylor [has] admitted he would jump at the chance of extending his stay at Wrexham if given the opportunity. Former Wales international striker Taylor joined Wrexham in the summer following his release by Doncaster Rovers and is currently the Reds’ leading scorer this term with nine goals in all competitions... Wrexham are Taylor’s 14th club of his 19-year career and the frontman, who celebrates his 37th birthday in February, has no plans to retire just yet...

Taylor is the second most senior player at The Racecourse. Frank Sinclair turned 38 earlier this month and a series of impressive performances have led to the former Chelsea and Leicester defender being offered a new deal... Injury ruled Taylor out of Wrexham’s two FA Trophy ties with Altrincham... With Altrincham returning to The Racecourse on Saturday... Taylor would like to end his mini-goal drought and see Wrexham get revenge... 'I watched the two games with Altrincham and they are difficult to play against. In the first game at The Racecourse they came for the draw as they got loads behind the ball. We owe them, we are working hard in training and will make sure we are right for it to get some points on the board'".

Meanwhile "Due to a combination of uncertainty about the weather over the Christmas period and the numbers who have so far booked, the club has reluctantly had to cancel their official travel coach to Gateshead on Monday, December 28... There is better news for the New Year's Day game at Altrincham, with coaches leaving The Racecourse at 12.30pm for the trip to Moss Lane".

For details of Alty's coach to Wrexham on Boxing Day, visit the Away Travel page

Wrexham add that their "Reserves played a friendly with Colwyn Bay at Colliers Park on the 3G training pitch to beat the freezing conditions. The home side [Wrexham] ran out 2-0 winners... Substitute keeper Danny Ward produced a string of top class saves to deny Colwyn Bay and somehow ensure our cleansheet... pulling off save after save to deny the Bay forwards... Wrexham: Tom Bainbridge (Danny Ward 46), Lee Roberts (Declan Walker 68), Johnny Hunt, Christian Smith, Kai Edwards, Ed Moss, Adrian Cieslewicz, Matty Hurdman (Max Penk 50), Obi Anoruo, Trialist (Luke Carding 60), Jamie McCluskey (Louis Moss 58)".

OLD BOY

BSP NEWS

"The AFC Wimbledon players are being hit with a ‘booze ban’ by manager Terry Brown as they gear up for three games in a week over the festive period... the London Informer is reporting... Skipper Paul Lorraine reveals: 'We had a bit of a drink up after the Gateshead game (on December 5), but the gaffer’s said no booze over Christmas. We’ve been set a training schedule to do, and you only get out of it what you put in. The gaffer will be able to tell if we haven’t been pulling our weight'".

Likewsie, "David Holdsworth is implementing an alcohol ban on his Mansfield Town players as they gear up for a crunch match fellow promotion candidates York City" states NL24. "The manager didn’t exactly do a Harry Redknapp when he gave the Stags squad permission to have a Christmas party after their clash with Wrexham at the weekend fell victim to heavy snowfall...

He tells thisisnottingham.co.uk: “It was good to give the boys a weekend off to get them some rest... “But now the boys are training every day leading up to the York game, probably including Christmas Day... I don’t think I had one year as a player when I didn’t train on Christmas Day. “I have also imposed an alcohol ban for the Christmas period through to the New Year and, if needed, they will be breathalysed... If they go about things the right way and get the right result at York, then I will give them the New Year off".

Mansfield Town add that "Manager David Holdsworth has presided over 66 player movements during his first 12 months in charge here at Field Mill. After bringing 34 players in and showing 32 the door, www.mansfieldtown.net asks him which signings he thinks were his most important?... Holdsworth's first additions to the squad were those of goalkeeper Alan Marriott and centre half Scott Garner. The gaffer tells us that we needn't look any further for his best ever signing than in that first foray into the transfer market. 'All of the players that we have brought in here have made an impression but of the initial two or three, Alan Marriott stands out by a country mile', he said".

And more movements are ont the cards as This is Nottingham tells us that "Mansfield Town have done the bulk January sales shopping early – but they are still on the look-out for bargains... 'There is a possibility that the manager may want to swap two or three fringe players for more experienced players moving forward', said Stags chairman Perry. 'I know that David (Holdsworth) is already weighing up a few options... The likes of Andy Burgess, Michael Brough, Jon Challinor and Ollie Hotchkiss have been signed on loan and will either sign for the rest of the season or are being looked at for that purpose. But that doesn't mean with a bit of creative management then there won't be any more new players... The key thing is that we don't want too big a squad. There is no point having 28 players running around the training pitch... Players with potential have been loaned out and if more managers had done that over the years, I think more players could have come through. "Lee Gregory, Conor Higginson and Jason Bradley are examples of how it can be done'".

News of Chester City comes from Chester First tells us that "The former Blues' owner has been in talks to sell his family’s stake in the struggling outfit. Vaughan, who has been disqualified from acting as a company director for 11 years following an alleged VAT fraud during his time at Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club, has passed his shares in Chester City to his son, Stephen, who now officially owns the football club.

Vaughan said: 'I attended a meeting on Friday with club managing director, Bob Gray, and a representative of a sports management company, to discuss the possibility of a potential takeover of Stephen Vaughan Junior’s ownership of the football club. The person we met said his company was part of a consortium that could meet my asking price which we suggested could be paid in instalments to help the club’s cashflow problems. The company we spoke to are now carrying out due-diligence on the football club and I am now hoping we can expect a completion of a deal before the new year... I feel it’s important for the people who have Chester City at heart to know what is happening... In the past I have had to deal with a lot of time-wasters and people who were just in the business of attracting some publicity... There isn’t much due-diligence in the old company because it has only been trading from a shelf company [?] for the past six months'".

"Eastbourne Borough striker Andy Atkin will play through the pain this Christmas as he waits for an operation in the new year" confirms The Argus. Atkin... has been booked in for surgery in January after being diagnosed with Gilmore’s groin. The 28-year-old will be available for the busy festive schedule, though... Atkin said: 'I have been managing to get through games and training but only for an hour and then it starts getting too painful to continue. It will feel sore afterwards but then the next day it would be fine... So I went to see a specialist... 'Luckily he can fit me in next month and because it is keyhole surgery I should only be out for four weeks'".

GRAHAM ON THE SEASON AHEAD

YOUTH LEAGUE

"WILL ALTY BE READY?" ASKS DEAN

Wrexham will face Altrincham for a fourth time in three weeks when they make the trip to Moss Lane on New Year’s Day. That marks the transfer window reopening and Saunders is eager to address his side’s goalscoring problem by bolstering his strikeforce... 'Andrew [Mangan] is one of a few players I am interested in but he is Forest Green’s player', said Saunders. 'I have got a few irons in the fire. There are a few goalscorers in the league I am interested in... Rome wasn’t built in a day. I have to keep adding bits to the team', said Saunders... 'We can improve on everything but the only thing I can see that is wrong is a man on the end of a pass. But it is not just strikers. “Have we got the desire and technique to score, and brain to get into the box, and are we brave enough? These are all questions I have thrown to the players, but the biggest thing is anticipation'".

BSP NEWS

Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker said: 'We are delighted to... welcome Mark and Neil back to Cheltenham Town... They have very strong associations with us'...

Kidderminster Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove said: 'We're sorry to see them go as they have done extremely well for us but they are trying to progress up the managerial ladder'... Harriers [are] without a boss for the busy festive period. That will not force the Board into a knee-jerk appointment... 'My phone has been ringing constantly over the past few days and there are a lot of people, a lot of good managers, who would be interested in coming here. But we have to be careful because it can be easy to just jump right into something... We'll look at getting in a new manager over the next few weeks'".

The BBC says of Yates that "The 39-year-old, who spent five years as player with the Robins between 1999 and 2004, moves to Whaddon Road following Martin Allen's departure... Yates was Cheltenham captain under Steve Cotterill when they beat Rushden & Diamonds in the League Two play-off final in 2002. After leaving Whaddon Road in 2004 he returned to Kidderminster briefly before becoming Cotterill's first-team coach at Burnley".

The Home Office list of football-related arrests and banning orders (as of November 2009) does not feature Altrincham but several current Conference clubs do appear with the following number of banning orders:

As for arrests in 2008-09, Altrincham had zero. Other current BSP clubs recorded the following arrests, in some cases whilst in different divisions

Grays Athletic report that "Andy Swallow has just announced he has negotiated for us to stay at the New Rec for a further two years". Grays had previously planned to move to a new ground before then. The local Thurrock Gazette adds that "Grays Athletic are holding a January sale with a difference — they’ve put up their entire playing squad up for sale. The patience of New Rec boss Julian Dicks finally ran out a week ago when his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Blue Square South strugglers Worcester City. Dicks admitted: 'It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Our first-half performance was a disgrace — a total joke. I can understand mistakes but I won't tolerate a lack of passion and desire. If clubs want any of my players they can take them. They are all officially available for transfer, but don’t be fooled they will get Blues Square Premier clubs — none of them are good enough for this level. I need a minimum of six or seven positions filled'. Former West Ham full-back Dicks, is hoping to fund a spending spree by Peterborough agreeing to give them a pay-off if former Grays striker Aaron McLean gets an expected £1.2m transfer from Championship strugglers Peterborough United. Posh signed the goal star for £150,000 in January 2007. Former Grays' chairman Mike Woodward revealed that, although Posh treated Grays very well, there was still a small sell-on clause in place".

Histon have rearranged their postponed FAT game at Maidstone United to Tuesday 5 January 2010. "The BSP match at home to York City that evening is now to be re-arranged".

Kettering's Evening Telegraph reported on Monday that "There has been much speculation about the council's position in relation to the aspirations of the Kettering Town Football Club (The Poppies) within the local and national media. The council's officers and our cabinet have sought to respond to comments made in the media by engaging with the football club on a professional basis, as would be expected of a publically accountable body. Major planning proposals have to follow a process laid down in law irrespective of the benefits to or impacts on the local community.

There have been comments in the media which create the perception that the Borough Council is responsible for the current plight of the football club. There has also been a characterisation of the issue as being a stand-off between the council leader and the club's chairman... Major development applications are always decided in public by a committee of councillors... It is our sincere hope that the chairman [pf KTFC, Imraan Ladak] will formally respond to the letter sent on November 5, 2009, and three subsequent reminders dated November 23, 26 and December 7, inviting him, and his advisers, to a business meeting with the council's planning department to look at his plans. The absence of a reply in over a month has prompted this open letter to set out the present position through the local media".

In response a statement was issued by Kettering Town. "In response to the Open Letter from the Senior Members of the Borough Council, we are unaware of the date that this letter was written... The Club has already responded to the letters sent by the Deputy Chief Executive to the Football Club Chairman and a date for a meeting... has already been agreed by both sides... We have no comment on speculation appearing by the media at this time".

According to NL Daily "Terry Brown, manager of AFC Wimbledon, has revealed he will go before the board this week in a bid to raise funds as the Dons look to maintain their unlikely play-off push... He said: 'I am going to be having meetings with the board over the next few days to see just what will be available to me in terms of strengthening in January... It is not fair to anybody for me to name names... To be on the edge of the play-offs is more than anyone could have hoped for... This could be the one year we get a real go at getting back [sic] into the Football League, and if we are in that position come the New Year we would be stupid not to have a real crack at it'" he told This Local London.

Meanwhile "David Obaze expects to complete his move to Grays Athletic later this week but insists he has 'loved' every minute of his time with Weymouth. The towering centre half will become the second Terra to make the switch to Grays after striker Jake Reid joined the relegation battlers at the end of last week" reports the Dorset Echo.

CHESHIRE NEWS

The Guardian understands that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), owed around £465,000, wants to see finance records up to the point that the company which pays the players’ wages – Northwich Victoria Football Club (2004) Ltd – went into administration in May. But that paperwork is still at the offices of former administrators Refresh Recovery, who were replaced last month.

Their substitute, Pettit, originally called a creditors' meeting for last Friday but the tax office representative who has, in principle at least, agreed to vote in favour of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was unable to attend. She has told the club she wants all the relevant paperwork on her desk before accepting owner Jim Rushe’s offer to pay back part of Vics’ six-figures debt.

Sums owed to former players and other clubs have already been paid in full. Under the terms of his latest proposal Rushe and ex-director Nick Bone will write off loans, thought to be in the region of £650,000, they have paid to the club since October 2007. Cash rewards from this season’s run to the FA Cup’s second round and fees from ITV for two televised ties – some £180,000 in total – will go directly towards paying back part of the club’s remaining debt at the request of HMRC...

Should Rushe get the right result this week then a new company – The Northwich Victoria Football Club (2007) Ltd – will buy the Blue Square North outfit. He must then seek to transfer the membership of the FA and the Football Conference from the company in administration to NVFC (2007) Ltd, which will take on the responsibility of paying off the old firm’s remaining debts in monthly instalments over the next five years. It will become a tenant of Northwich Victoria Developments Ltd, also owned by Rushe, should he be successful in completing a £1.3m deal to buy the club’s Victoria Stadium home".

CAROL SERVICE CANCELLED

MEN IN CHARGE

WREXHAM PREPARE

Saunders said: 'I was down there at 10am and the frost was still in the ground from the previous night... I put some boots on, but my studs weren’t going into the ground so it was unplayable. It was like concrete over on the far side and I’ve got no complaints at all that the game was called off'... The day was not a complete washout for Saunders or his players, who instead trained on the artificial pitch at Colliers Park... With no midweek match, Wrexham have made plans for a friendly tomorrow against Colwyn Bay – which will also take place on the artificial surface, despite the manager’s misgivings... He said, 'We need to get a game on because some of the lads have played only one game in five weeks because of matches being called off and we need some of them to get 90 minutes in... I made a few changes last Tuesday (at Altrincham) and a couple of the players were running out of steam with 20 minutes to go which is what happens if you don’t play every week'”.

Meanwhile, "Saunders has added the name of Wales under-21 international Neil Taylor to his list of players who are being offered new contracts beyond the end of the current season. The 20-year-old defender has joined veteran Frank Sinclair and fellow graduates of the club’s youth system Andy Fleming and Chris Maxwell in the select group, even though the Dragons boss admits his long term squad-building plans might yet depend on what happens when the transfer window opens in less than a fortnight... 'You don’t have be Sherlock Holmes to work out what’s wrong at the moment and there is not a lot', he said. 'We are just not putting the ball in the net and really we need more players who can score goals. That doesn’t mean only strikers, but players in any position. I don’t know yet where I stand financially, but I know the players that I want. I have got a list of names that I’d like to bring into the club, but whether I can afford them or not I don’t know. I might have to sign players or get them in on loan... I’ll probably get phone calls for players here that I don’t want to let go – possibly Chris Maxwell, Andy Fleming and Neil Taylor – and I’ll have to consider any offers. Then it will be a case of juggling things around as much as I can'... Saunders revealed that former Manchester City youngster Angelos Tsiaklis is no longer registered with the club... 'He came back to us on a month-long contract and he’s been training with us ever since', said Saunders. 'He’s also been at Barrow training and I’m just trying to help him out'".

BSP NEWS

Bogie is hoping his own future is sorted out soon, with Gateshead preparing to go full-time next season. 'I like to think I have done a good job with two promotions, a side playing quality football and scoring plenty of goals, and I have a good relationship with the chairman', he said. 'I have also spent very little money at Gateshead – Graeme Armstrong at £5,000 is the largest transfer paid out – while Lee Novak was signed for £3,000 and sold for £150,000'. Bogie, who played for six professional clubs in an 18-year playing career, is keen to manage in the Football League and would like to take Gateshead back into the League. The 42-year-old has worked... at Gateshead without a contract... 'It is up to the chairman, Graham Wood, to decide whether I am the man to take Gateshead forward, but nothing has been signed and sealed. Hopefully, I’ll be made aware of what his plans are in the New Year. Taking the plunge to become full-time manager is a big step and I would be looking for a three-year contract'”.

Chester First reveals that "Jim Harvey admits he is facing one of the most difficult jobs in football... Harvey has won only three of his 14 games since taking over the hotseat... Chester are currently rock-bottom of the league table on minus three points having started their campaign with a minus 25 points deduction, a transfer embargo, dwindling attendances by Blues fans boycotting about the Vaughan family’s ownership of the club. Harvey said: 'Our preparation for Saturday’s scheduled match at Rushden and Diamonds was poor because the boys hadn’t been in for training and most of them have been left to do training sessions by themselves. “Unfortunately my job has been made more difficult because the loan players I had at the club have now gone back to their clubs... I’m now left with a lot of youngsters who are not ready... The future is very uncertain... If I knew that Chester could escape their points deficit and the threat of relegation I would be straight down to the bookies... I’ve got to help instill some confidence back into the squad, but that’s not something that’s going to be achieved overnight... In the fullness of time I’ll be wanting to change Chester’s tactics'".

NEXT GAME

BSP NEWS

OLD BOY

YOUTH TABLE

OLD BOY

NL 24

It includes an interview with Altrincham's Michael Welch who talks about the most volatile manager he has played under - Dino Maamria when both were at Northwich Victoria.

BSP NEWS

“The morale of the players is fantastic,” said Roach prior to Friday night's meeting. “All the players are up for the challenge, especially the young kids. Callum Stewart was the first player in the club’s history to come through the academy and play for the first-team when we played Altrincham this month, and the other youngsters are knocking on the door. I’m fed up of reading about Histon being in crisis – there was a crisis when I took over, but there isn’t now".

Cambridge News adds that "Another positive is the impending arrival of [an] un-named West Ham United striker, who is set to sign on loan until the end of the season".

"Striker Pierre Joseph-Dubois has returned to the Wessex Stadium to join Weymouth on non-contract terms. Formerly with Reading, Grays Athletic and Crawley Town, the frontman made eleven appearances for the Terras in the Blue Square Premier last season, scoring four goals, before injury curtailed his campaign. He signed for Histon in September but made just one substitute appearances before being recently released" reports NL Daily

ALL BSP FIXTURES OFF

Right: Darren Gregory has kindly supplied this image of Moss Lane on Friday.

Friday 18 Dec.

Saturday 19 Dec.

YOUTH MATCH OFF, TOO

GRAHAM ON RADIO

Graham also found it difficult to support Marcus Hallows's compensation claim against Danny White and Ashton United, following the tackle which ended his footballing career. Having Gary Mabbutt, who was not at the game, "pontificating" on the incident on the basis of still photos was not sensible, he said.

BSP FIXTURES

1990/91 REUNION

20th Anniversary Reunion of 1990/91 Team:

Further to a suggestion from a supporter, TASC (The Altrincham Supporters' Club) is hoping to organise a 20th Anniversary reunion of the team that went 28 league games unbeaten (still a Conference record!!!!!!!!) in 1990/91 season. To make this event happen at some point during the 2010/11 season, TASC is looking for volunteers to take responsibility for organising the event and, if you feel able to do this, then please contact Brian Flynn by e-mail or ring on 07860 561011.

Locally Northwich Vics v AFC Telford is also postponed. Trafford v Mossley is subject to a pitch inspection.

BSP NEWS

However, Fowler said: 'I knew before I joined Kettering that the chairman was a controversial character, I was warned, but I signed because I wanted to play for (former) manager Mark Cooper. I want to leave because of the travelling and a couple of other things, I’ve made no secret of that, but when I was asked to be involved at Elland Road, I was happy to be on the bench. What player wouldn’t want to play in a massive FA Cup tie? I can’t really believe what has happened since, the chairman has gone onto national radio and absolutely slaughtered me and has sacked John Deehan'...

He said: 'Forest Green didn’t offer me a contract at the start of the season but they would be a club I would like to play for again. Money is no option whatsoever, if a club wants me I will talk to them, it’s safe to say there is no future for me at Kettering now'.

Meanwhile, striker Andy Mangan is understood to be considering his Forest Green future. The 23-year-old has spent the past five months banned from playing or training after breaching FA betting rules during his time at Bury. His ban is due to expire at midnight next Monday, December 21".

From NL Daily, we learn that "Lee Harper has held clear-the-air talks with Imraan Ladak, chairman of Blue Square Premier club Kettering Town, and is now ready to focus on the remainder of the season. The Poppies' player-manager revealed... 'I had a six-hour meeting with the chairman and we found ourselves not really disagreeing on a lot of things', Harper said. 'I believe the chairman has regrets over the timing of what happened with John Deehan. I just want to try and move things forward and get rid of all the negativity that has been around. The chairman feels the same way. He explained to me his plans for the future and if it comes off, then there could be some exciting times ahead".

According to This is Glos "Forest Green have angrily denied claims made by Wrexham owner Geoff Moss about banned striker Andy Mangan. Moss told a Welsh newspaper The Leader that his club had been 'thwarted again' in an attempt to sign Mangan, who returns from a five-match ban for breaching football betting rules next week. The Dragons chief also claimed that the striker, who scored 30 goals for Rovers last season, had put on more than a stone in weight since his enforced exile...

Rovers' secretary Colin Peake said: 'The club can confirm they have not in recent times received any offers and it was unlikely to receive any, whilst the sanctions against the player remain in force. We are also saddened by quotes attributable to another club who publicly stated that they had made an offer for the player but this had been rejected, and went on to pass comment concerning the player's weight. Neither quote is true. The player is grossly upset that comment was made about his weight'".

The Uxbridge Gazette reported on Friday that "On-loan Hayes & Yeading striker Steve Basham is aiming to shoot down Kidderminster tomorrow - and help himself secure an extended stay at Church Road in the new year... He admitted that he is keen on prolonging his two-month loan deal from Luton Town when it runs out on January 23. 'I have really enjoyed the short time that I have been here as I love the way the manager does things and the enthusiasm of the lads in training. A lot of the clubs at this level are professional, but a lot of our lads are coming into training after working from nine until five. They show a lot of dedication and I am enjoying my time here'".

From the Northants Evening Telegraph we learn that "Marvin Johnson will be Lee Harper's new assistant at Kettering Town. The former Luton Town defender and youth-team manager has been working with the Poppies this week... Harper said, 'Marvin is the guy who will be coming in to help us. "He was at Luton and played over 400 games at that level. And he was the youth- team manager there until 2007... It has been a bit of a circus since that Leeds game and I am just happy things have been cleared up'".

"Injured Wrexham FC player Wes Baynes could be back in action much sooner than expected, the club reported in the Daily Post. "But the news is not so good on striker Marc Williams, who faces a few weeks on the sidelines after turning his foot badly in Tuesday’s FA Trophy defeat at Altrincham... 'He’s got damaged ankle ligaments and we’re looking at a few weeks', secretary Parry revealed".

Meanwhile the Leader says that "Dean Saunders is sticking to his guns, insisting that Wrexham will see an upturn in results once the club’s goalscoring problem is solved.... Saunders is pleased with the way his side are playing, admitting: 'I thought we played really well in the first half against Altrincham – apart from putting the ball in the goal. We put in 27 crosses the other night and 50 over the two games, it is so frustrating... It’s quite plain and simple to anybody that there isn’t much wrong with what we are doing... I will need to do something about it in January... I want players to be determined, as determined as I am really, and as passionate about the whole thing as I am...

Turning his attentions to The Stags’, who are going through a barren run themselves, having won just once in six matches in all competitions, Saunders said: 'We have patches of games when we look like a Premier League outfit. Anyone who was at that game against Altrincham will have seen the most one-sided game ever; the referee came off and said it was the most one-sided game he had refereed. One of these days they will all go in and we will get four or five... We are a couple of players away from having a team that wins 4-0 most weeks... We have a list of players we are trying to bring to the club, I can see where the problems are'".

"An angry Julian Dicks has put his whole Grays Athletic squad on the transfer list after last weekend’s 3-1 FA Trophy defeat at Worcester City" reports the York Press. "Dicks is also hoping to make three new signings ahead of [the] clash against York City. The turnover of players at the Recreation Ground this season has already been frightening with the Essex club having used 46 players in 2009/10 and the latest series of departures have seen striker Petar Rnkovic return to Norway and George Beavan and goalkeeper Stuart Robinson both end their loan spells with the club. Ex-Millwall trainee Preston Edwards, 20, is now set to be recalled between the sticks in place of Robinson.

Dicks, himself, is Athletic’s eighth manager in three-and-a-half years and the club have even decided to change their home kit mid-campaign with the new design being christened against the Minstermen. Under Dicks, there has been no discernible improvement in results... having only tasted victory once in their last 13 matches... and their record of 45 goals conceded in 24 league games means their defence is the leakiest in the division".

MATCH POSTPONED

TUNE IN

GRAHAM'S TARGET

John Edwards, Alty's joint press officer adds, "Alty have signed former FC United midfielder Adam Carden on a non-contract basis and he is likely to be on the bench against Eastbourne. Striker John McAliskey is available again after being cup-tied, while Matt Doughty returns from suspension".

SPECIAL OFFERS

Admission is via turnstiles 5 and 6 only on Moss Lane.

Half-price half-season tickets are now available at the club as follows...

JACKPOT

SMILE, PLEASE

OLD BOY

BSP NEWS

Blue Square also confirms that "Kidderminster Harriers Chairman Barry Norgrove has confirmed that he has granted Mark Yates permission to speak to Cheltenham Town regarding their managerial vacancy. The League Two side formally approached Norgrove earlier on Thursday requesting to speak to the Aggborough boss. Norgrove told harriers.co.uk: 'He would like the opportunity to speak with them and see what they have to say, and we as a club have given permission for him to do so'".

And from NOn-League Football Live, we learn that "Chester City’s unpaid players will end their week-long exile from training tomorrow – and decide whether to carry out their threat of refusing to play this weekend. Jim Harvey’s men have not played or trained since last Friday after they were told that the cash-strapped club could not afford to pay their wages for November.

Members of City’s squad have grown disillusioned with having to wait for outstanding money owed to them and are giving serious thought to not turning up for Saturday’s match at Rushden & Diamonds. While both the Professional Footballers’ Association and Chester officials are confident every available Blues player will be on show at Nene Park, The Chronicle has learned that if there is ever going to be a strike, now is the time.

The players are fully aware that by striking they will land themselves in hot water with their employers. But with the costly festive season now in full swing, some feel they have nothing to lose given they are not being paid to work. The PFA has advised the players to show up on Saturday to avoid tarnishing City’s already badly-damaged profile, although they fully accept why their members are considering such extreme action.

John Bramhall, deputy chief executive of the PFA and former Tranmere Rovers and Bury defender, said: 'It’s never a good time not to receive payment, but especially at this time of year as it has an even bigger impact on themselves and their families. We’re talking with the Chester players all the time and we’ll look to see what further assistance we can offer. From our conversations with the players we believe they will be looking forward to the game on Saturday'".

SPECIAL OFFERS

Admission is via turnstiles 5 and 6 only on Moss Lane.

Half-price half-season tickets are now available at the club as follows...

Also hospitality in the Manchester Glass Sponsors' Lounge this Saturday (v Eastbourne) is available at the bargain price of £20 for season ticket holders. Ring 928-1045 to book your place. The price includes a hot meal, drink and half-time tea and coffee as well as Graham Heathcote's pre-match analysis.

ANDY OWENS

ADAM CARDEN

COME TO WREXHAM!

CSC RESULTS

Semi-Final draw (26/01/10)

OLD BOYS

Mr Mabbutt, who has seen photographs of the incident, told Manchester Civil Justice Centre: 'His feet were off the ground and you are not in control of your body when your feet are off the ground. In my opinion, it was an uncontrolled lunge. You would expect a player playing at that level to be making mostly the correct decisions'.

Mr Hallows, who played for Wanderers' reserves during the 1995-96 season, suffered an open fracture of his shin in the challenge with Ashton defender Danny White. He is now suing the club and the player for £32,500 in compensation. Mr Mabbutt now sits on the FA Disciplinary Committee and regularly reviews controversial refereeing decisions in the Premier League using video and photographic evidence. Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter also appeared as an expert witness.

He told the court: 'This particular challenge is common place in football at any level. A defender will try to get across the player making the shot — in fact, they are applauded for doing so'. Mr Winter said the still photographs could not show the speed or force of Mr White’s challenge. He added: 'He is perfectly entitled and expected to attempt to stop the progress of that ball'. The case was adjourned until Monday".

WREXHAM VERDICTS

Right: Gavin Rathbone captures Greg Young's celebration of his goal on Tuesday night. Gavin's GR Photography site has more images of the game.

"It was a familiar tale for Dean Saunders men as a failure to score saw them exit the FA Trophy first round" reports The Leader. "If games could be won for intent, possession and shots on goal then Wrexham would be looking at a trip to the capital to tackle AFC Wimbledon in the New Year. However, they once again lacked that all important spark in the final third and paid the price as Altrincham nicked a goal at the other end.

It will surely take a change of personnel for Wrexham’s fortunes to turn around with Saunders having tried all his attacking options so far this season... It was evident from the start what both teams had come for with Wrexham using an attacking four-four-two formation, while Altrincham had elected to start with a five-man defence.

Wrexham were the aggressors with some neat passing early on, but that soon disappeared as the home side broke up play and played long balls over the top of the visiting backline. Altrincham were happy to play on the counter at every opportunity... A tell-tale sign of Wrexham’s dominance was the restless Altrincham support, who were dismayed by their side's lack of ambition and poor passing...

The physical nature of the Altrincham midfield failed to deter Taboubi... Only wasteful finishing from Colin Little prevented Altrincham from taking an undeserved lead on the stroke of half-time as former Red Tom Kearney’s clever free-kick following a Taboubi foul, found the striker six-yards from goal... Altrincham came out of their shell in the early stages of the second period... The change in approach from the hosts saw the game open up...

Altrincham edged in front, a corner from the right by substitute Nicky Clee found Young four yards out and he bundled it past Russell with Sakho unwittingly getting the last touch. And only a last ditch interception from Assoumani stopped Little doubling that lead seconds later".

Wrexham add that "To make matters worse, we also lost two players to injury during last night's FA Trophy defeat to Altrincham. Marc Williams turned his foot when stumbling off the end of the Moss Lane pitch ... This came after Wes Baynes hobbled to the sidelines and had to come off, following a kick to the back of his calf"

"The team dominated play but ended up on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against Altrincham. 'In the first half, that was the most one-sided game we have had', said Dean Saunders. 'We were right on top... How we have lost that game I find hard to believe! It's not just the front men either, we have put in 40 crosses today and that's without the corners. People have to bust a gut to get on the end of those crosses... They're just not doing it - and I don't just mean strikers but also the midfielders... I asked them afterwards "When was the last time you missed an open goal or a chance?" and there were not many of them that said "last week". There are just not enough of them getting in there with the desire to get on the end of things. Altrincham were hanging on and hanging on, looking for a set piece and we get done by an own goal, which just makes it worse".

DONS PREPARE FOR ALTY

Kedwell was hauled off the bench to salvage Wimbledon’s FA Trophy campaign at the weekend, scoring a late equaliser before setting up Luis Cumbers’ last-minute winner as the Dons eventually saw off Ryman Premier side Boreham Wood 2-1... 'It was great to come on and score as the FA Trophy is very important for us this season. We want to win it and create another bit of history for this club. We have another home draw [v Altrincham] to look forward to now and that is another game that is definitely winnable".

Your Local Guardian says that "Terry Brown is tipping Luis Cumbers to hit the goal trail after the on-loan striker finally opened his Dons account... The Gillingham frontman notched a last-minute winner as AFC Wimbledon finally saw off Boreham Wood... Brown said: 'It has been a nightmare loan spell for him so far so I hope the worst is behind him... With Luke Moore out and Ross Montague having concussion we have lost some striking options, and having Luis back in the fold gives everyone a big boost... If we had drawn the game that would have defeated the entire purpose of resting players as we would have had a replay... Now we have Altrincham in the next round and that is a good draw for us - we would have preferred a side from a lower league but we are at home and that is all you can ask for. Hopefully we will get a bigger crowd for the Altrincham game - I think our supporters only really get into cup games when we are the underdogs but that is happening less and less now'".

THROUGH THE YEARS

"One of my favourite items on the Altrincham FC website is the ‘Through The Years’ statistics provided by Howard Watts, an Altrincham supporter who now lives in North America. Howard religiously provides details of all matches played on the date of each Altrincham fixture and today’s date, December 15th, is a particularly interesting one as it is the date of three of our most heroic performances in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

Many Alty fans consider the 2-0 win at Rotherham in 1979 as one of our best ever FA Cup performances and a year later Scunthorpe were beaten 1-0 in a replay at Moss Lane. John Davison’s penalty decider arrived shortly after John King had managed to wind up the Scunthorpe keeper to the point where Joe Neenan felt the reflexive urge to introduce his right kneecap to Kingy’s nether regions!!The referee pointed to the spot...booked Neenan and the dream FA Cup 3rd Round tie at Anfield against the European Champions, Liverpool, became a reality.

The game that I would like to focus on in a little more detail is a 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers in 1973.This was my second season watching Alty and the first time that I attended a match with my Dad. He had seen Alty a couple of times in the early fifties and was now a little curious as to why his two sons had spurned the bright lights of Old Trafford for the joys of the Northern Premier League. For the first time ever, I had purchased tickets for an Alty game. Adult seats were Sixty Pence with Children half of that figure and as it was the first time I had the chance to see Alty play at a Football League ground, there was a mixture of excitement and trepidation as we set off for Lancashire in the trusty Vauxhall Viva!

Blackburn were in the Third Division at the time and dominated the game, but the Robins’ defence was superbly resolute and having weathered the storm for an hour, gradually started to pose an attacking threat as self belief visibly started to increase. The magnificent Joe Pritchard carved his way through a posse of defenders before agonisingly knocking the ball inches the wrong side of the post and in the dying minutes Mickey Brooke produced a wonderful strike from fully twenty five yards which cannoned back off the crossbar with keeper Roger Jones rooted to his muddy spot.

Despite the lure of a trip to Goodison Park in the Third Round, we were beaten 2-0 in the replay at Moss Lane and the Everton dream was shattered......and then reignited twelve months later when a 3-0 victory over Gateshead in the second round enabled us to take our place in the third round draw again and we were on our way to Merseyside to take on the League leaders! It’s FA Trophy matters that concern us tonight and after Saturday’s predictably tight low scoring encounter, let’s hope that we can win our first game in the competition since February 2005".

Howard Watts's latest Through the Years is here.

BSP NEWS

The Liverpool Daily Post reports that "The Football Association will meet at the end of this week to discuss whether to impose any sanctions on Chester City following the abandonment of their match against Eastbourne Borough at the end of last month. The game was brought to a halt after 75 minutes on police advice after a group of City supporters, who were protesting against the current ownership of the Deva Stadium outfit, ran onto the pitch.

The sanctions available to the FA are points deductions, financial fines or even ordering Chester to play a specified number of future matches behind closed doors, although the latter is unlikely to be imposed as the protest was non-violent. The Football Conference have ordered the game against Eastbourne to be replayed on a mutually agreed date in the future, however the Conference wouldn’t make any further comment last night as they await the findings of the FA inquiry.

Meanwhile, the club’s supporters group City Fans United have called on Chester’s current owners to 'make public their long term plans for the club'... City players threatened to strike and not play in Saturday’s match against Rushden and Diamonds if their outstanding wages weren’t paid, but that threat appears to be subsiding after consultation with the PFA".

ALTRINCHAM SIGN CARDEN

ALTRINCHAM 1 WREXHAM 0

The BBC stated that "Altrincham dug deep to hold off Wrexham in their FA Trophy first-round replay. The visitors dominated the game but could not find a way past the excellent Stuart Coburn in goal for Altrincham... Sloppiness by the Dragons at a corner allowed Altrincham defender Greg Young to score a soft goal...

Wrexham manager Dean Saunders: 'That's the most one-sided first half we've had there, we were right on top. The goalie's made a great save, Marc [Williams] has had three headers in the middle of the goal that didn't go in. How we've lost that game I find it unbelievable, but it's not just the front men... midfielders have got to do it, wide men have got to do it - there's not enough of them getting in there with the desire to get on the end of things. They hung on and hung on and hung on and they were looking for a set-piece and we get done by an own goal, the ball came off Sakho".

FAT GAMES

FAT Rd.1 Replays

BEFORE THE GAME

Still smarting from the fact that Wrexham bossed Saturday’s first meeting between the teams, but missed a penalty and hit a post during the 0-0 stalemate, the Racecourse boss said: 'We dominated from start to finish, but once again with the chances we missed it was like watching the same game over and over again. Maybe it’s Obi’s turn to step up to the plate and see if he can bang some goals in for us'...

In addition to Anoruo, midfielder Christian Smith comes into contention, having completed a three-match ban, but Andy Fleming misses out due to a one-match suspension triggered by a fifth caution of the season on Saturday. And Neil Taylor has recovered from flu, while Frank Sinclair remains sidelined by a calf strain.

Assessing the prospects for this evening, Saunders is anticipating a slightly more ambitious performance from Altrincham, who kept plenty of men behind the ball at the Racecourse. 'I’m pretty pleased that Fleming is suspended because it means he will be available again to play in Saturday’s league match, which has to be the more important of the two matches', he said. 'And we are playing pretty well – apart from converting enough chances – there was only one team in it on Saturday', he added. 'They have got to come out a bit more at home, but they have won only two league games there which suggests they try to frustrate teams and then nick a goal, possibly from a set-piece. By the same token we have done well on our travels and I’m confident we can go there and get the right result'...

Meanwhile "The Racecourse boss is desperate to bring in a striker but, with little or no money in the transfer kitty, accepts that he might have to sell in order to balance the books. Saunders would undoubtedly be tempted by serious offers for some of his younger players, including Wales under-21 internationals Chris Maxwell and Neil Taylor, who has already been monitored by Swansea City earlier in the season. But yesterday he said: 'I’ve had calls asking whether certain players are available (when the window opens) and we’ll see what develops over the next couple of weeks... When the window opens I am going to try and strengthen the squad'".

TASC DRAW

BSP NEWS

From This is Glos reports that "Forest Green's decision to sack manager Jim Harvey last summer could cost them the services of prize asset Andy Mangan. The 23-year-old has spent the past five months in the football wilderness, banned from playing or even training with Rovers after breaching FA betting rules during his time at Bury. That ban is due to expire at midnight next Monday, December 21, and many fans had been pinning their hopes on last season's Blue Square Premier top scorer to fire the Nailsworth club to safety.

However, in an exclusive interview with The Citizen, Mangan has cast major doubt on his future by revealing he had yet to discuss his future with current boss Dave Hockaday. Rovers axed Harvey in July for a breach of contract, a decision which still disappoints the 30-goal striker. He does not expect to be fit enough for first-team action until after the FA Cup third round tie at Notts County on January 3, and it appears he could have pulled on a Rovers shirt for the last time.

'I wouldn't have thought twice about staying if Jim Harvey was here – I haven't got a bad word to say about him', said Mangan. 'A lot has changed now. I haven't really spoken to the new manager and I don't think he's ever seen me play. I speak to the chairman Trevor Horsley a lot and I've got so much respect for him – he's looked after me and given me a lot of advice. I'll always thank him and the club for standing by me but I want to play at the highest level I can, as any footballer does. If Forest Green sold me in the January window they would get every single penny'.

Mangan is still registered as a Rovers player but, having become a father in September, a move closer to his Liverpool home could be attractive... Mangan was found guilty of betting on his own team Bury to beat Accrington Stanley in May 2008 – they did 2-1... Mangan said: 'I still believe I'm innocent, but what happened was no one else's fault but mine and I've paid the consequences... We just didn't understand the rules fully, and obviously everyone does now'".

The Football Conference reports that "The following abandoned matches have been ordered to be replayed by the Football Conference....

A report from the match referee is currently subject of investigation by the Football Association and therefore it would be inappropriate for the Football Conference to make further comment".

NW NEWS

TONIGHT'S GAME

Wrexham "Midfielder Andy Fleming, who has been in fine form of late, will have to sit out Tuesday night's visit to Altrincham for our FA Trophy replay. The Liverpool-born player collected his fifth booking of the season on Saturday and will now have to suffer an automatic one-match ban [as does Alty's Matt Doughty, also booked for the fifth time last Saturday], which kicks in with immediate effect... We also have three more players sitting on four yellow cards, Wes Baynes, Gareth Taylor and Ashley Westwood, with the trio doing their best to avoid having their names taken again before 31 December. If they, or any other player, manages to steer clear of getting a fifth caution before the end of 2009, then the threat of that one-match suspension will be lifted. The next threshold of 10 cautions brings with it a two-match ban, if reached before the second Sunday in April!".

Wrexham add that if they beat Alty in Tuesday's replay "That will mean two trips to the Cherry Red Records Fans' Stadium inside just four days, as we already have a re-arranged BSP visit there on Tuesday, 5 January! Just to add into the mix, we are also at home to the Wombles on Saturday, 23 January". At present Wrexham are in a cycle where they play Altrincham four times in three weeks!

The Daily Post adds that "Midfielder Christian Smith returns from a three-ban for the game [but] ... Wrexham FC's top scorer Gareth Taylor and versatile Neil Taylor are doubts for the Moss Lane replay. Defender Sam Williamson has not fully recovered from hernia surgery so will miss the game".

But "The January transfer window can’t come quickly enough for Wrexham manager Dean Saunders after his Dragons spent another 90 minutes at the Racecourse on Saturday firing blanks". However, "The impending arrival of Super League outfit Crusaders undoubtedly has massive potential for the club and North Wales, but equally it could prove little more than a self-defeating exercise in terms of anticipated mutual benefit and economies of scale should the Dragons continue to flounder in the doldrums of the Blue Square Premier League".

Last Saturday Altrincham "hadn’t won an FA Trophy tie since February 2005 and their chances of ending that dismal record looked less than promising just three minutes into the game... Regular spot-kick specialist Gareth Taylor was in the stands nursing an ankle injury and Lamine Sakho accepted the responsibility, only to be found wanting when he pulled his shot horribly wide of Stuart Coburn’s goal... It did nothing either to encourage the visitors that Wrexham’s confidence might have been affected by such an early setback as they adhered rigidly to a pre-match strategy based on containment. And on the balance of probabilities it proved a wise decision, the Dragons huffing and puffing to little effect for the remainder of the half.

Their superiority in every aspect of the game was afterwards acknowledged by Robins’ assistant boss Ken McKenna. No stranger to the Racecourse during his successful years with Welsh Premier side the New Saints, he summed up thus: 'In the first half Wrexham looked half a yard quicker than us, they were keeping the ball better than us and they were putting us under a lot of pressure. From where we were, it looked as if it was a penalty and we had a little bit of luck when the lad pulled it wide. Both sides struggled in front of goal, but neither has been banging goals in this season and it looked today as though the defences were on top.”

Meanwhile The Leader announces that "Wrexham have been thwarted in their attempt to sign striker Andrew Mangan. Owner Geoff Moss today admitted that Wrexham’s latest bid to sign Mangan has hit a snag because he understands that the 23-year-old has signed a contract at Forest Green Rovers... Wrexham were one of a number of clubs interested in clinching his signature over the summer. However, interest waned because Mangan was banned for five months by the Football Association in July for breaching betting rules and he will not be eligible to play until later [than] December 22...

'Our plans to sign Andrew seem to have been thwarted again', said Moss. 'We have approached Forest Green, which means there will quite a considerable fee. They were offered over six figures for him over the summer, when we first made an initial enquiry, by a League One team. I know who it is because Jim Harvey told me. Obviously because of the ban then, he wasn’t going to be available. Andrew has put on over a stone in weight and is injured at the moment. Dean did see him here for the game and he was interested in coming but there was not only us that were interested but several other clubs too. We have had another attempt because we didn’t think he had a contract. But Forest Green are telling us he does have a contract so therefore there is going to be quite a fee involved so that rules it out. And it is too much of a risk bearing in mind in the summer he is out of contract, he is 24 and no fee would be payable, and he is a stone overweight... It looks as if it is absolutely dead in the water'.

Meanwhile, a deal that will see Crusaders Super League club move from south to north Wales and share The Racecourse ground in 2010 has been agreed by Moss. And Moss admitted manager Dean Saunders will be given cash to spend when the transfer window re-opens next month... Added Moss, 'Fourteen clean sheets, normally it would put you right up near the top of the league but we can’t score goals. Dean is pulling his hair out as much as anybody. We can back Dean to a certain extent but once you start talking about six figures, we are not in that position. Gates of 1,800, we just simply can’t afford it. One of the reasons we brought rugby in is to supplement the football income. It will cut the costs of running the football club quite considerably because the rugby people will be sharing a lot of the costs. With regards to the pitch, Brian Noble said to me that there is less damage done by a rugby league match than a football match, and it is principally summer traffic. It is finished by September 4. There are a couple of winter games and a few of them will be away from home anyway'".

HOSPITALITY AT BARGAIN RATES

Altrincham FC is also offering all season ticket holders the opportunity to enjoy matchday hospitality in the Manchester Glass Sponsors' Lounge for the Eastbourne game (Dec. 19) or the Wrexham game (Jan. 1) for £20 a head. This includes a hot meal before the match, half-time refreshments, and Graham Heathcote's pre-match views on the game ahead. Please contact the club to book.

PENSIONERS' LUNCH RAISES OVER £300

"The Manchester Glass Sponsors' Lounge looked its festive best last Wednesday as 35 pensioners enjoyed a superb Christmas lunch prepared by chefs Dave Johnson and Brian Southworth. Outstanding table service was provided by Karen and Grahame Rowley, John Skelhorn and Phil Jones, whilst Jenny Heslop helped out effortlessly in the kitchen. Graham Heathcote helped sell raffle tickets, which due to a lack of Mansfield supporters in attendance, went like wildfire!!

The total amount raised of £333.50 goes straight to Altrincham Football Club thanks to the hugely generous support of The Cresta Court Hotel and Marks & Spencer (Altrincham)".

Harbingers Success!!!

The Noel White Suite was rocking on Friday night as local band 'Harbingers' played a superb set, featuring songs from their album 'Falling Off Roofs' and their recently released EP. The evening started with a couple of songs from talented teenager Ben Atkinson and 'Lee & Sam' continued the theme of musical excellence with a blues based session.

As well as raising £250 in ticket sales, the drinks flowed well throughout the evening with excellent bar takings of of over £500!!

TASC would like to express its thanks to the Harbingers' band members, not only for providing such great entertainment but also for their hard work in selling tickets for this event. The full line up of the band who are Altrincham supporters, is: MIKE BENSON - Guitars/Vocals, IAN PRICE - Bass/Vocals, JIM BENSON - Drums, NIGEL HENNERLEY - Guitars.

Alty Rock

With Christmas just around the corner, make sure that you don't miss out on the perfect stocking filler!!!! Alty Rock is available for just 20p a stick from the Club Shop and Snack Bar at the Wrexham game and all home games. Buy loads........you know it makes sense!!!!

MORE TASC NEWS

"Good evening, and welcome to Wrexham for our FA Trophy replay, the second of four games we will be playing against them in just under 3 weeks. After the 0-0 draw on Saturday, I'm sure everyone will be hoping that we can find a victory today to progress to the next round, and earn some valuable prize money for ourselves. The draw has not been kind to the winner of this tie, with a difficult looking away trip to AFC Wimbledon awaiting them.

New Year's Draw

TASC have launched our New Year's Draw. We have now got the tickets and will be selling them at all the home games up to and including the Wrexham league game on New Year's Day. Tickets will be available in the shop before games and at half time, and in the bar after the games. In order to make the most money possible from it, we would like some help from as many people as possible selling tickets, either on match days, or by taking tickets away and selling them to your friends.

Calendars

After the success of the 18 month calendars, we have now produced a 12 month calendar for the New Year. The calendars are smaller than the original ones and will therefore be slightly cheaper than the 18 month ones. They will be priced at £7.99. They will be available in the shop before the game and at a half time and in the bar after the game.

SOS - Strengthen Our Squad

TASC has launched a Strengthen our Squad campaign to raise £3,000 by the end of January. Donations can be placed in the bucket collection at half time, by cheque or by payment on-line. We would like to thank everyone for their generous donations at the Barrow game, the bucket collection alone raised a few pence under £300".

NEXT, EASTBOURNE

Marum observed, "We have been playing well recently and not winning so it was nice to perhaps not play so well and win... We were buzzing in the changing rooms afterwards and now we have got to build on it and win in the league next week".

THe Argus notes that "What made this result even more impressive was the fact Borough only had 11 completely fit outfield players to choose from. Nathan Crabb was on the bench despite having not trained for ten weeks while Matt Smart, Andy Atkin and Marc Pullan were all either carrying niggles or on the way back from illness and injury... Boss Garry Wilson said: 'There was a bit of a mental barrier after not winning for so long... Now we have got that out of the way perhaps we will be able to kill games off a bit better'... Eastbourne: Knowles, Baker, Elphick, Austin, Jenkins, Taylor (Smart,90), Armstrong, Johnson, M Crabb, Smith (Atkin, 73), Enver-Marum. Subs not used: Jordan, N Crabb, Pullan".

BSP NEWS

According to the BBC "Three more first-team players have accepted severance packages from Histon as the club look to manage their financial problems. Jamie Barker, John Kennedy and Craig Pope have each agreed to leave the Glass World stadium. Barker told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'It was a difficult decision to make as I was a first-team regular, as were the other lads but I didn't want to be somewhere where I wasn't wanted'.

Manager Steve Fallon was suspended last Tuesday after a dispute over how to approach restructuring the club's wage bill. Midfielder Neil Andrews then left the club on Thursday after over a decade at the Glass World. And Barker, Kennedy and Pope each had contracts running through until the end of the season. 'We could have stayed and [chairman] Tony Roach said he was happy to pay us until the end of the season', Barker continued. 'But we have since found out we had been left out of the squad for the weekend and I wouldn't have wanted that to become a regular thing'.

Histon defender Pope had previously retired from football last year after he was handed a four match ban for racial abuse. But Histon's troubles would look to have come at a good time for neighbours Cambridge City, who currently lie third in the Southern Premier League. Barker has confirmed he is close to completing a move to Milton Road, whilst Kennedy and Pope could also follow suit. 'I'm going to sign for City and the paper work will be completed once my contract at Histon is cancelled', Barker said".

According to The Comet, "Stevenage Borough are reportedly facing competition to sign Maltese goalkeeper Jean Matthias Vella, who has been on trial with Graham Westley's side. The 17-year-old, who is a member of the Malta under-19 national squad, has been training with the Boro squad but a number of scouts have been alerted to his availability".

NL Daily reports that "St Albans City have acted to squash any rumours surrounding the situation with two of their players' involvement with Luton Town. A statement from the club reads: 'The club are aware of speculation surrounding the futures of Jonathan O'Donnell and Godfrey Poku, who both appeared on trial in a reserve team fixture for Luton Town last week... However, at this time both players remain at Clarence Park".

"Histon chairman Tony Roach believes the Stutes can still claim a play-off berth this season despite parting ways with four experienced players recently" reports Blue Square Football. "Neil Andrews, Jamie Barker, John Kennedy and Craig Pope all accepted severance packages last week...

Roach told Cambridge News: 'It was a financial decision I made to take some fat off the bone, and it's a real shame to have lost those four boys... We've got to move on now and make sure Histon survives. That's what we're doing and I'm sure it will survive'...

Histon boss Steve Fallon was suspended following a disagreement with Roach over the decision to part ways with the four players in question. Alan Lewer has been installed as caretaker manager... Roach added: 'I'm not worried at all, I'm really positive about the future. 'I had a meeting with the players on Saturday morning, and the captain Matt Langston is very positive and has been getting the players behind Alan Lewer (temporary manager) and me... I still think we've got a chance of reaching the play-offs and you've got to be optimistic'".

"Weston-super-Mare have confirmed the signing of midfielder Ben Osman from Salisbury City. Ben is the son of of ex-Bristol City defender and manager Russell Osman".

From Forest Green Rovers we learn that "David King has returned to parent club MK Dons with immediate effect".

And Salisbury City add that "On-loan defender Ryan Tafazolli has been recalled by Southampton FC. However, Saints have permitted Salisbury to retain the defender's registration and would make him available should City have another selection crisis".

FULL FAT DRAW

FA TROPHY DRAW

IN THE PICTURE

Right: Robbie Lawton is seen, right, giving a typically committed performance against Wrexham last Saturday. More of Gavin's excellent Alty match photos are on his GR Photography website.

SPONSORSHIP

WHEN WE WERE KINGS

PRICES BELOW PAR

Mobberley Golf Club-Winter Specials:

TASC is keen to support organisations who support Altrincham Football Club and Mobberley Golf Club have some excellent deals available to both members and visitors:

Winter Tariff 2009/10

Special Winter Offers – Visitors' Green Fees

And, after your round, why not warm yourself up with a hot cup of tea or coffee AND a bacon buttie for just £3.00! Or if you prefer, on football match days take advantage of our £2.00 pint offer!

MARCUS HALLOWS'S COURT CASE

Right: Marcus Hallows is carried off after his horrific injury on 19 March 2005.

The NL Paper reports that "Ashton United have an anxious three-day wait to discover if they face ruin after a former opponent sued the club and one of their ex-defenders for a combined total of more than £100,000. On Tuesday, Marcus Hallows, now 35, will find out if his four-year wait for compensation against Dan White and the UniBond Premier club is successful. White's tackle in the Conference North match against Altrincham in MArch 2005 forced the former Leigh and Chorley forward to retire after fracturing his tibia and fibula. He almost died after his heart stopped on the way to hospital. Hallows is suing Ashton for a five-figure sum for potential loss of earnings and Ashton say they will not survive should Hallows, who is also an Elvis impersonator, win at Manchester Crown Court.

United will fight the claim because they believe it could open the floodgates for an explosion of cases which could throw the grassroots game into turmoil. Ashton say their former player, White, has been unable to play for rivals Retford after becoming unwell because of the stress of the trial.

They hinted that they plan to counter-sue Hallows should his case be thrown out"... Ashton chairman David Aspinall said that the club's winding up is a genuine possibility. In court, "Hallows will call former Tottenham star Gary Mabbutt, forced to retire through injury in 1998, but [he] has no video evidence to back up his claims. The court will instead see photographs... At the time, Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote described the tackle as no worse than hundreds seen every weekend" adds the NL Paper.

MAKE A DATE

WREXHAM GAME

Match report here.

Right: Gavin Rathbone captures Tom Kearney in action against his former club, Wrexham, on Saturday. More of Gavin's excellent Alty match photos are on his GR Photography website.

More match photos are in Saturday's news below...

Before the game on Saturday Wrexham's Leader reported that "Tom Kearney has admitted that he experienced the ups and downs as life as a footballer at Wrexham. After joining Wrexham from Halifax Town in the summer of 2008, Kearney was installed as club captain by former manager Brian Little... Kearney went on to start the opening 11 games of the 2008-09 campaign but when Little was replaced by current boss Dean Saunders, the 28-year-old found himself out of favour and only made two more league starts.

Although he had another year left at The Racecourse, Kearney had his contract terminated by mutual consent in July and joined Altrincham ... 'That’s football summed up, it can change that quickly', said Kearney today. 'When I signed for Wrexham I was made up, and proud to be made captain. But things change with a new manager... and I wasn’t in the side... I felt it was best to move on and make a fresh start', said Kearney...

Despite serving a suspension, Kearney has started 19 of Altrincham’s 23 league games, scoring twice, and is enjoying life as Moss Lane: 'I just wanted to be playing regularly and I am at Altrincham', he said. 'It is going well and I am really enjoying it. We started very well, our home form has been a bit frustrating, but if we stick together we can finish in the top half at least'”.

After the game on Saturday, Wrexham boss Dean Saunders told the NL Paper, "I'm going to have to do something up front with what I've got to spend. We've put about 47 crosses in today and we've had enough chances to win the game". The report says that "Altrincham offered very little but every set piece caused panic in the Wrexham box".

The Wrexham official site adds, that "Saturday's moribund draw with Altrincham was hardly an inspiring match, but at least it offered one positive. Sam Russell, who picked up a nasty injury in the fourth game of the season against Kettering Town, was able to make his return to the first team... It turned out it was something of a shock for the shot-stopper when he got the news that he was returning to the starting eleven. 'The team wasn't announced the day before, so it came as a bit of a surprise. Obviously I needed a game and I think it was ideal to give me a game in a game like that as I hadn't played for a while... I had a quiet game... [The manager] was hoping my kicking would be able to get things moving andget us going'...

'Considering the chances we had in the game I think we've been really unlucky. The crowd were booing but I think it was a little bit harsh... If that early penalty had gone in, for instance, then I think we could have gone on to score four or five... When the team's not read out on a Thursday or Friday you just never know, so I just try to prepare myself correctly before every game so I'm ready if I get the call'".

Wrexham add that "A hard working and organised Altrincham held out for a draw... Lamine Sakho's penalty was weak and wide of the target, and The Robins were let off the hook... Altrincham looked dangerous from set pieces and Wrexham by conceding several free kicks in their own half put themselves under some needless pressure".

Meanwhile, the BBC says that "Crusaders Super League club will move from south to north Wales and share Wrexham FC's Racecourse ground in 2010. Wrexham FC chief executive Paul Retout confirmed the move... 'The deal is very important for the future of Wrexham FC. The club cannot survive if only 1,800 fans are coming through the gates... We needed to do something to diversify and to protect the Racecourse going forward'.

The Crusaders' home since their inception in 2006 was the Brewery Field in Bridgend...Now the Crusaders have revealed they will play 11 home games at the Racecourse next year... after [they] accepted a bid by a consortium led by Wrexham FC chairman Geoff Moss to take over the franchise...

Wrexham chief executive Paul Retout added: 'This is a massive coup for Wrexham and for North Wales... It would be fantastic to have 10,000 fans rocking the Racecourse just like the old days".

The FA Trophy Round 2 draw is taking place at luchtime on Monday. Round 2 is a national draw so we could be away at a club on the south coast for example.

OLD BOYS

The FA announces that "At a Regulatory Commission hearing, four players received lengthy suspensions from all football for breaches of FA rules concerning betting". They include former Alty defender Adam Farley, who "played for UniBond League Premier Division club Marine at the time of the offences. The charges related to bets placed on two UniBond Premier Division matches - Marine v Witton Albion (21st March 2008) and Matlock Town v Marine (4th April 2009). Farley was found to have placed a £100 bet on Witton to win the 2008 match and two £300 bets on Matlock to win the match in 2009 – a match in which he played. The Commission banned Farley from all football activity for nine months and he was fined £250".

BSP NEWS

The chairman sacked Deehan because of tactical changes he made to the Kettering team during extra time of the FA Cup replay. 'We have a player at the club, Lee Fowler, who doesn't want to be at the club and has made it very clear he doesn't want to be at the club', said Ladak. 'I felt when someone's that uncommitted off the field, they are that uncommitted on the field. He came on and we conceded four goals. I think things would have been different if he hadn't been on the pitch. I was very angry that he had been brought on because he was only on the bench to make up numbers but shouldn't have played'...

Player-manager Lee Harper has said he is considering his position after the manner of Deehan's departure but Ladak hopes Harper will remain at the club... Ladak intends to continue as chairman... 'I think I am the best man for the club to be chairman... I'm not egotistical that I have to be the chairman but I love the football club for some reason'...

Later "Harper told BBC Radio Northampton: 'I'm more-or-less certain I want to stay at the football club... I never wanted to leave. But my assistant was sacked and I felt that was unjust'".

According to the Cambridge News "Steve Fallon has been 'suspended' as manager of Histon. Stutes' chairman Tony Roach said the boss's failure to earmark four players to be released to cut the wage bill left him with no option. The two men will have showdown talks a week on Friday, when the manager's future at the Glassworld Stadium is likely to be decided. 'I gave Steve Fallon 100 per cent clear details of what I wanted him to do and he totally disregarded that', said Roach. 'To be honest, we have a bit of a communication problem and we need to resolve that. I've suspended him from first-team duties until December 18th to give him time to think about his position and what he wants to do. There will be a hearing between me and him and I've told him to bring a representative and I'll bring a representative with me. We'll have a discussion as to whether we can work together at Histon Football Club or not. He hasn't been sacked and coach Alan Lewer will take control of the team for the time being'...

Fallon, who celebrated ten years in charge at Histon in July, said he had heard rumours he had been sacked, but was unaware he had been suspended. 'Nobody's told me I've been suspended', said Fallon. 'But nobody's officially told me - I thought I'd been sacked... I'll wait and see what I'm supposed to have done or not done'. Roach, who took over at the helm following Gareth Baldwin's resignation at the start of last month, insists he has the best interests of the club at heart...

'We need to release four players to stay solvent and we've got to rein things in a bit', said Roach. 'Everybody's been paid in the time I've been in charge and I want that to continue. The club has been run in such a bad manner in the past and it can't go on. I know fans may not like what I'm doing, but I want to secure the long-term future of Histon Football Club and I need the fans to support me and the new board'".

Elsewhere the News reports that "Steve Fallon has vehemently denied claims he told the entire Histon squad they were up for sale prior to his suspension as manager on Tuesday... Fallon spoke to his squad at training last Monday and told them players would need to be released in order to cut costs, as per instructions from Roach. But the manager is upset about comments made by the supremo inferring he told each player they could leave Histon. And Fallon is unhappy about Roach telling him which players need to be axed, and claims the chairman questioned his ability to take charge of the side.

'I spoke to the whole squad at training on Monday and said that cuts would have to be made to the wage bill and that the board might be willing to pay people up', said Fallon. 'But I said we were still ambitious and didn't want to sell our best players. At no point did I tell the players they could all leave. I then told Tony it would be better to lose four players that wouldn't affect my starting team and he started questioning the way I run the team and said I'd lost the dressing room. It was at that point that I said he should sack me, which he as chairman has the power to do, as he was questioning my ability as a manager. It should be the manager's decision as to how to save money if money needs saving'".

But players are already leaving "As veteran midfielder Neil Andrews quit the Blue Square Premier club. The 30-year-old took the decision after meeting with chairman Tony Roach and said it was in the best interests of all parties that he leave. 'The players had a meeting with Tony Roach and he explained the situation with Steve Fallon and his plans for the club. He said he wanted to lower the wage bill and I was one of the four players that was going to be affected, so I decided to call it a day. I understand there were four players they wanted to offload and they want to bring the youth through'... The three remaining players identified by the club are believed to be senior members of the first-team squad".

NL Daily reports that "Gary Mills, manager of Tamworth, has placed striker Nick Wright on the transfer list to 'freshen up' the squad... 'Players have been placed on the list before and have come off it because they have responded by producing good performances. We will see'... Tamworth have also confirmed that on-loan [Wrexham] midfielder Simon Brown will stay with the club for a further month".

NW NEWS

The UniBond League announces that "Witton Albion have been dealt a blow with the decision of goalkeeper Joe Clegg to quit the game to concentrate on a professional career in body building. Signed in pre-season Clegg had made the position his own with a string of impressive performances that prompted the club to place him on contract in October".

The informative Hereford based Bulls News reports that "The FA have rejected the long drawn out takeover of Stockport County by football agent Jim Melrose. Melrose, a former Man City striker, was announced six months ago as the preferred bidder but the FA have rejected his bid after lengthy negotiations. Two reasons have been reported for the bid failing - that Melrose is unwilling to stump up the £300,000 needed to take the club out of Administration, and that he has failed to provide the FA with projected cashflow to show the business would be viable in the future.

The situation at Edgeley Park is bleak. Manager Gary Ablett has had to rely on handouts from club employees and fans to repair and update gym equipment, while their physio is taking leftover supplies from Liverpool to keep stocked up. An announcement earlier in the week that the pitch at Edgeley Park was to be re-laid has also been scrapped, with co-tenants Sale Sharks also struggling with cashflow. The club have to end their period of Administration by the end of the season, or they face being thrown out of the Football League".

"The BBC has unveiled a new weekly Football League magazine show tailored to each individual region around the UK. Titled Late Kick Off, the BBC One programme will have different versions for each of the UK's seven main regions - the North West, North East and Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West and East Midlands, the East, London and South East, and the South West. Each region will have its own presentation team.

Starting on January 18, 2010, at 11.15pm, the show will feature match highlights and also give fans "in-depth coverage" from behind-the-scenes of clubs in the league. BBC controller of English regions David Holdsworth [not the Mansfield boss!] said: 'Late Kick Off is good news for Football League fans who'll get to see more of their local teams on television but in a way they may not have seen before. They'll get to see the goal action but we'll also examine stories and issues of the day from a different perspective, providing high-quality sports journalism. Added to that we will be going behind the scenes at the clubs giving an insight in to what really goes on, with access to players, managers and backroom staff'...

Late Kick Off will run in conjunction with The Football League Show and live coverage of the League Cup semi-finals and final".

WREXHAM 0 ALTRINCHAM 0

Above: Space is at a premium in this shot of the Alty game at Wrexham. The Alty players (in yellow) are Clee, Danylyk, Lawton, Young and Williams.

The defences were on top in this FA Trophy game at The Racecourse, with both keepers only having to make a couple of decent saves apiece. Altrincham looked more of a threat after Denham had come on during the second half and posed a danger on the break. Alty survived a third-minute penalty when Doughty was penalised but Sakho pulled his penalty wide with Coburn allowing it to pass for a goal kick. Report to follow.

Above: Sakho puts his penalty wide of Coburn's left post.

Match report here.

UPDATES

HISTON PRAISE

FAT 1st Round

AWAY TRAVEL

Wrexham have announced that their social club will be open to Altrincham supporters before the game, from 12 noon, for food and drink.

WINNING FRIENDS

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY

NEW YEAR'S DRAW

TASC New Year's Day Draw

In order to make this year's New Year's Day Draw as successful as last year, when £2,000 was raised for Altrincham Football Club, we need all supporters to help where they can.

You can help by:-

Tickets are available on a sale or return basis by calling into the club between 9.30am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday, or on matchdays, or by emailing your full postal address and the number of books required to Brian Flynn if you are unable to get to the ground and need the tickets posting to you.

We have got some great prizes available this year......but we need all Alty fans to pull together to make this a success!!!!

Details of the draw and prizes are as follows:-

TASC NEW YEAR’S DAY DRAW – FANTASTIC PRIZES

The annual TASC New Year’s Day Draw takes place at 5.30pm on Friday 1st January 2010 after the Wrexham home game in the Noel White Suite. This year we have some fantastic prizes including:

As last year, tickets are reasonably priced at 40p each/£2 for a book of five. Tickets will be on sale in the Noel White Suite and TASC section of the club shop before and at half time of all December home games (and afterwards in the Noel White Suite. They will also be sold around the ground at half time (volunteers permitting!).

CHRISTMAS DVDS

Please telephone the club (928-1045) to place your order and it will be available for collection at the Eastbourne game on December 19th.

HISTON VERDICTS

Histon were too often outfought in midfield... as Altrincham attacked with purpose... The Histon goal led something of a charmed life and Altrincham's McAliskey was again left holding his head in his hands when his firm header from Matt Doughty's free kick was acrobatically tipped away by Naisbitt... Histon were ultimately pleased to escape with a point".

Manager Steve Fallon added, "We were sloppy and I wasn't happy with us going forward at all... They were physically too strong for us... Altrincham are big and strong and they were far too physical for us. They're good at what they do and they're very dangerous. They're a decent team and will go anywhere and pick up points".

The 200% website also reports eloquently on the Histon v Altrincham game. "If football precisely mirrored life, people wouldn’t be that excited by it, so football contains a higher proportion of exciting moments than your normal life. Sometimes, however, all you get is the bread and butter, and it feels as if “the football” is going on elsewhere, and sometimes the writing is on the wall. Histon against Altrincham in the Blue Square Premier. Twelfth against eleventh in the table. Three weeks before Christmas. There’s something in the air which seems to be indicating that this isn’t going to be one of the greatest matches of the season, yet six hundred and seventy-six doughty souls have had it sold to them that this match is worth being at.

'Not bad for a village team', says a sign that hangs limply from one of the two stands that line one side of 'The Glassworld Stadium'... Histon’s team is different to the one that surprised so many people last season (manager Steve Fallon is still there, but John Beck has now gone)...One can stand right next to the dug outs and listen to the uncensored wisdom of the management team. This is a particularly welcome development, considering that Altrincham’s manager is Graham Heathcote, who marauds around his technical area like a caged tiger, throwing forward profanities with liberal abandon.

In the first half, he has plenty of cause for profanity. Histon settle to their task quickly, and Altrincham’s attacks are uninspiring. Heathcote doesn’t seem impressed by his team ('Bag of shite' is his considered opinion for one cross that sails harmlessly over the goal) or by the referee – every free-kick against his team is treated like a miscarriage of justice of Birmingham Six proportions – and he provides considerably more entertainment than the two evenly matched teams, who spend most of the first half cancelling each other out... Too good to go down and probably not good enough to go up, it seems like that Altrincham and Histon, barring anything cataclysmic happening to either club, will continue to sit in the middle of the table".

BSP NEWS

From the Daily Post we learn that "A 20th goal of the season for York City striker Richard Brodie on Saturday – one more than Wrexham have managed in 20 league matches before this clash – is the damning statistic that sums up just why the Dragons are increasingly likely to endure yet another unfulfilled campaign...

Too often though, Wrexham’s build-up was more predictable than pacy and they gave the home side ample opportunity to defend in numbers... And it suited City to play on the break with Carruthers and Alex Lawless always looking to attack from wide positions and Brodie and Rankine tirelessly running the channels".

NW NEWS

Last week just 451 – the lowest crowd to watch a home league match this season – were there to see Vics fall at home to Hinckley United just three days after more than 3,500 turned out for their televised FA Cup second round date with Lincoln City. An average of 754 [actually 540] according to Football Pages have been at the seven Blue Square North matches played at the Victoria Stadium since the start of the current season.

Rushe added: 'It’s not that the manager is unhappy with any of the squad because he’s not. But we have to be realistic. I’ve always tried to keep people’s feet on the ground even through the euphoria of the FA Cup run. There will be no windfall for the football team. That doesn’t mean the success we enjoyed was not worth it. The money generated from those matches has enabled us to pay off more of our debts, which has to be the priority'. Vics’ squad – not including loan players – is made up of 25 players. Too many, according to the owner".

VASE

HISTON'S VIEW

Right: Robbie Williams awaits developments following an Anthony Danylyk challenge in midfield against Histon last Saturday. Robbie Lawton and John McAliskey are further upfield.

Histon have produced a match report which says that the Stutes "played out a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Altrincham... The Stutes came up with very little in the form of chances, and could count themselves as lucky to have not lost this one... But a mixture of wasteful finishing from Altrincham and good Histon defending made sure of the draw... The second half was a similar story, Histon creating the odd chance, and Altrincham wasting theirs... Still continuing to prove why this season they have done so well, Altrincham spurned another chance just past the hour mark, Doughty displaying his fantastic crossing ability with yet another pearler of a delivery. In contrast to his earlier headed effort, Williams got this one on target, and he forced Naisbitt into a very smart save indeed to tip the ball over for a corner".

The Altrincham view is here.

BSP NEWS

According to Blue Square Football "Kidderminster Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove claims that the club's top players have to be sold in order to keep the club on safe financial footing. Key striker Matthew Barnes-Homer is poised to join rivals Luton Town in January for a substantial fee...

Norgrove told The Shuttle: 'I cannot run this club without some sales, I haven't got the finances to do it. I think that we've done well in my time, we've been to Wembley, nearly made the play-offs and reached the third round of the FA Cup but I have to sell players. That's how it has always been, like when we sold Lee Hughes, and it will happen all the time because we can't afford not to sell players... Find me the money and I won't have to sell the Barnes-Homers and Creightons.

We do need more finances, this time last year we were in the FA Cup and made between £140,000 and £160,000 out of that run. We've got nothing at all out of it this year so it's a big amount down the line to be without. It's been very difficult with the recession and I am very worried because things are bad and people can't afford things and we will suffer. It's happening all over the league... We've got to manage until the end of the season and obviously I need some money coming in and selling players is the main way of bringing it into the club'".

Meanwhile news of our next opponents comes from the Daily Post which tells us that "Wrexham boss Dean Saunders complained a foul led to York City FC's 2-1 victory over the Dragons... Wrexham FC came back strongly in the second half, but Richard Brodie doubled York's lead with his 20th of the term, followed by Andrew Fleming's rapid consolation for Saunders' side...

The Wrexham FC manager said: 'The first goal was a foul on Curtis Obeng. (Wrexham FC keeper) Chris Maxwell says he was pushed over on the far post and the referee didn't see it... We didn't batter them, but we outplayed them in the second half... We have to pick ourselves up for Altrincham next week - we've got to plough on'".

HISTON 0 ALTRINCHAM 0

Right: Anthony Danylyk competes in the air with Nathaniel Knight-Percival as Chris Senior awaits the outcome.

In the NL Paper, it is reported that Histon manager Steve Fallon "made no attempt to disguise the fact that his out-played Histon had scrambled to earn their luckiest point of the season so far... 'We were lifeless and sloppy... and never troubled their goalkeeper... Their front pair (Senior and McAliskey) were very lively and they were generally too strong for us, they were brushing past us". Chris Senior told the NL Paper, "We had a plan for the game which worked well and we dominated. John McAliskey and I might have had two goals each on another day but we couldn't just get the goal we deserved. Their goalkeeper was man of the match for keeping them in it, although our defence had a firm grip and never gave them a look in. It was disappointing not to win but it's a good point at a difficult place'". The report adds that Senior "and McAliskey, a little and large attacking force, pulled the home defence all over the place, creating chance after chance, whereas Histon failed to force a single save from visiting goalkeeper Stuart Coburn in 90 minutes". The Paper names Greg Young as its Man of the Match and credits Alty with six shots on target to Histon's zero.

The Cambridge News agrees that "Histon were ultimately fortunate to come away from this match with a point as once again a lack of attacking threat almost cost them. Altrincham were more threatening and Danny Naisbitt had to save from John McAliskey and Anthony Danylyk in the early stages. Histon failed to trouble Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn throughout the match... Naisbitt saved again from Chris Senior in the second half to keep the scores level and some resolute defending prevented the visitors from taking the lead".

GAME OFF

FIXTURES

FA Cup 2R

OLD BOYS

BSP NEWS

Barrow's excellent Holker Street Newsletter reports on the Bluebird's AGM from John Little's posting on the Barrow AFC's forum and the Evening Mail's report on the meeting.

The meeting, held in the Cross Bar, in front of 60 members, heard how the club's finances are much improved since this time last year. Barrow AFC more than doubled its income, from GBP450,167 to GBP934,527, due principally to last season's FA Cup run... As for revenue, GBP720,333 came from gate receipts, season tickets, prize money, League sponsorship, TV payments and transfer fees. Other contributions came from club sponsorship (GBP76,817), and revenue gained from the renting out Holker Street - Study Support and corporate and meeting room hire, community income and grants (GBP67,674). The club have also arranged a deal to store containers on the wasteland behind the Popular Side.

Going out the other way, the expenses for the year were GBP702,585, most of which were wages (players' and managers' - GBP345,825 up from about GBP125,000 last year). Other costs (administration and other football expenses, including travel) were GBP284,556.

Whilst this meant a net trading profit of GBP231,942, almost half of this went on reducing current liabilities: PAYE and VAT debts (GBP72,000), overdraft (GBP16,000), director's loans (GBP42,500) and outstanding bills and accruals (GBP14,000).

The Board pointed out that whilst the figures were good, there's no money this season from Setanta (it was estimated at GBP100,000 last season), and gates are down this season, the figure of 300-400 was mentioned on last season's average, which could mean a drop in annual income of GBP84,000".

NW NEWS

RESULTS

HISTON GAME

Before Saturday's game with Altrincham the BBC has an audio interview with Histon boss Steve Fallon who is "likely to be without wing-back Gareth Gwillim (leg) and defender Adam Tann (shin). Striker Danny Wright (calf) and defender Craig Pope (infected leg) will also sit out the game while Erkan Okay is suffering from a hamstring injury. Altrincham have only one major injury doubt in Dale Johnson (knee). Striker Colin Little (virus) faces a late fitness test but Graham Heathcote is expecting to have an otherwise fully fit squad.

Histon boss Steve Fallon told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: 'I read the other day that they've applied for the Football League so they've obviously got plenty of confidence in their ability. They've got an outside chance of getting into the play-offs and they've got points on the table so they should be very confident'".

Meanwhile, the Cambridge News tells us that "Kieran Leabon could return to the Histon starting line-up for the match at home to Altrincham after completing successful loan spells at Harrogate and Bury Town. The 21-year-old forward has impressed at Blue Square North side Harrogate and, with Danny Wright still sidelined through injury, the Stutes decided not to extend Leabon's loan period.

'Kieran has finished his loan spell at Harrogate and did very well', said boss Steve Fallon. 'He went on loan with the understanding that it would be to get him ready to come back into the first team. From the reports we've had we feel he's now ready. We knew what he was capable of but his confidence got knocked quite a bit in the first month. He's got his confidence and love for the game back and he's desperate to do well at Histon. He's only a young lad and we've got lots of hopes for him'.

Gareth Gwillim's knee injury means Nathaniel- Knight Percival will drop to left-back with Leabon and Jamie Barker taking up roles in attack and left midfield. Neil Andrews is expected to come in if the gash on Adam Tann's shin has not healed. 'We've tried one or two things up front. They haven't really worked and in the centre of midfield we've gone for two ball-winners. We need a bit of flair and pace from the players around them. We need to produce some stuff going forward'. Lee Smith is also likely to start after marking an impressive debut at Grays Athletic with the winner. 'Technically he's a very good player and we felt that role (behind the striker) would suit him', continued Fallon".

Histon (probable): Naisbitt, Oyebanjo, Langston, Bygrave, Knight-Percival, Long, Andrews, Kennedy, Leabon, Smith, Barker.

Altrincham (probable): Coburn, Densmore, Williams, Smith, Doughty, Kearney, Danylyk, Denham, Little, Senior, McAliskey".

CARDEN TRAINS AT ALTY

BSP NEWS

"Cambridge United have decided to recall striker Mark Beesley from his loan spell at rivals Chester City. The 28-year-old marksman returned to the club for training on Thursday... Cambridge boss Martin Ling told Cambridge News: '(Danny) Crow is probably 50-50, but Tonks (Anthony Tonkin) is still really bad. Danny Potter hasn't been feeling well either and didn't train yesterday but I expect he'll struggle through. We thought bringing back 'Bees' (Mark Beesley) was the right thing to do and he trained with us yesterday. He said it was getting a bit fraught up there towards the end and wasn't really working smoothly. But he's back a few days early and playing regularly has done him good because he looked sharp yesterday'".

Bullsnews tells us that "Stephen Vaughan snr has loaned his 'owner' son Stephen Vaughan jnr £36,600 to keep Chester in the Conference. The sum is the anticipated difference between sums due to the club from the Football League and the Premier League handout withheld earlier in the season, and their total presumed debt to footballing creditors. That would suggest that up to £350,000 is owed to footballing creditors, with a large chunk of it to the PFA.

Over on the Devachat forum the news has not gone down well, with many fans still intent on staying away until the Vaughans are long gone. There are also further claims that some of the youth team have not been paid for up to four months. Managing Director Bob Gray told the BBC that Vaughan senior has spoken to people about selling the club: 'He has seen people. In fact he saw somebody today. But he will not let the club go at any price. They're coming up with stupid figures. They don't realise the strength of the man. He's as thick-skinned as a rhino'".That should interest the authorities, as Vaughan snr told people last week he was no longer owner of the club...".

"Steve Evans has a simple message to Crawley Town supporters: You can't have it both ways" according to NL Football Live. "The Reds' manager hit out at fans who have become critical of his side in recent weeks, insisting it was impossible to cut the club's debt and push for promotion in the same season. Going into Tuesday night's clash with Oxford United the Reds were nine points adrift of the play-offs, but Evans said the results had to be put in context of the work the club was doing off the pitch. He said: 'The club was £400,000 in debt 18 months ago it is less than 50 now. That's why the nuggets out there who want to complain can't have it both ways'.

In his post match press conference following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Gateshead, Evans cited numerous clubs who had been able to strengthen their squads before last Thursday's loan deadline. The Reds signed just one player last week, midfielder Peggy Lokando, but missed out on a number of other targets as the board would not sanction the spending.

'You can have what some clubs are doing, and we've seen the signings others did last week were players we went for', added Evans. 'We went for [Onome] Sodjie who went to Oxford, we went for Franny Green who went to Oxford, we've been for a lot of players but the difference is we are offering a third of what they are on wages wise while these other clubs are coming in and paying the full lot. But I don't just mean the big clubs who have got the resources, look at Gateshead. They sign [Daryl] Clare and Jon Shaw. We couldn't afford those players. We had Shaw last season but couldn't afford him so he had to go back'.

" Evans admitted if it was up to him the club would have strengthened the squad, but said he would accept the board's restrictions for the time being. 'The difference is there is a different type of strategy in the boardroom to what there is in the manager's office. We've been asked to stick with it until next year when Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter assure us we'll have a budget to be able to have a go, and want to be able to have a go'".

Further south in Sussex, The Argus says that "Skipper Paul Armstrong admits the statistics make pretty grim reading for Eastbourne Borough at the moment. It is 11 games since they last tasted victory in the league and a further four since they managed to keep a clean sheet in any competition. But the statistic that must be causing the most alarm at Priory Lane is the number of times Borough have thrown away a lead this season.

The good news is that Garry Wilson’s side have scored first in 12 of their 22 games in Blue Square premier with only five clubs – including the top four in the division – boasting a better record. Tellingly, though, Borough have only gone on to win four of those matches while drawing the other eight – all 1-1 – and the fact they are yet to pick up a point after falling behind makes their inability to hold onto a lead even more costly.

Armstrong said: 'I’m not sure of the reason why it keeps happening. It is not a lack of fitness or effort but as a team we perhaps haven’t defended as well as we could'”.

"Gateshead will – with a sigh of relief – welcome back Daryl Clare to their line-up tomorrow – but midweek goalscorer Michael Mackay has been challenged to stake a sustained claim to a place in the team" claims the Chronicle Live. "With Clare unable to face his parent club Mansfield Town on Tuesday, Mackay returned to the starting XI and scored only his third goal of the season. Clare previously had six in five games... He will return to the side to face AFC Wimbledon tomorrow, amid a number of changes following a disappointing display in the second half against the Stags. Left winger Peter Winn sustained an ankle injury set to keep him out for up to three weeks, meaning like-for-like replacement Wayne Phillips or central midfielder Phil Turnbull, who has recovered from a dead leg, could come into the reckoning. Chris Swailes and Mark Robinson could replace Darren Williams and Phil Cave respectively".

NW NEWS

He said then his attention would turn to building a successful team on the pitch. 'I’m looking forward to seeing how many people we have persuaded to follow Northwich Victoria on a more regular basis'", he told the Northwich Guardian. However, Vics lost to Hinckley in midweek with just 451 attending the Marston's Arena.

On Friday Vics announced that they had been allowed to sign two players, despite not yet emerging from administration.

GRAHAM DIDN'T SAY IT

COLIN OUT

ENJOY THE GAME