NINTH ALTY FRIENDLY

"During the interview, Neil tells us that we will be repeating last Saturday's initial venture of playing 2 games in a day next Tuesday (August 3rd). In addition to the previously arranged fixture at Bradford (Park Avenue), which has a 7.45pm KO at The Horsfall Stadium, we will now take on a Stoke City team behind closed doors at The Potters' Clayton Wood Training Ground & Academy at 2pm".

It will be Altrincham's first game on Stoke City premises, albeit at Newcastle-under-Lyme, since the memorable promotion play-off win over Eastbourne in 2005.

Alty's friendlies this summer are all away from home...

• 1 Sat.24.7.21 12pm Away West Didsbury & Chorlton 0-1
• 2 Sat.24.7.21 3pm Away Ashton United 2-0 (Mooney 19, Colclough 56)
• 3 Tue.27.7.21 7.45pm Away Nantwich Town 3-0 (Digie 32, Colclough 45, Mooney 80)
• 4 Sat.31.7.21 NB 2pm Away Brightlingsea Regent
• 5 Tue.3.8.21 2pm Away Stoke City XI BCD
• 6 Tue.3.8.21 7.45pm Away Bradford (Park Avenue)
• 7 Sat. 7.8.21 3pm Away Curzon Ashton
• 8 Tue. 10.8.21 7.45pm Away Trafford
• 9 Sat. 14.8.21 11am Away Huddersfield Town "B"

KING'S LYNN TOP TICKET PRICES

When it comes to season ticket prices for the forthcoming National League campaign, the Linnets are top of the tree by some distance.

Right: King's Lynn fans will be able to visit the J. Davidson Stadium for the first time in September. Everything was set for their visit in 2020 before Covid intervened...

In terms of figures, the Linnets are the most expensive side to follow... Lynn are exorbitant when it comes to an adult season ticket, charging £420 to sit in the main stand compared to £400 and £380 at former Football League giants Notts County and Stockport County respectively.

Southend United, Lynn's opening day opponents on August 21, are charging £295 for an adult season ticket while Eastleigh are the cheapest side to follow at just £180.

The Walks outfit are also the highest-priced when it comes to both a concession and junior season ticket, charging £380 and £180 compared to Eastleigh who come out at £120 and £30 for the same seats".

Footnote: Altrincham are the fifth cheapest club in the National League as regards adult season tickets, charging £289 for adults, £235 for concessionaries, £75 for juniors and £36 for children.

The only four cheaper clubs are Eastleigh, Boreham Wood, Solihull Moors and Maidenhead United.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Cobblers are back in Sky Bet League Two for the coming season after suffering relegation from Sky Bet League One...

Warburton will not be a part of things, though, with him leaving Sixfields... [and] with Football League World able to reveal exclusively that Warburton has agreed terms on a deal and that the transfer will be announced shortly.

The 29-year-old has previously played for the likes of Stockport County and Curzon Ashoton in his career".

The Echo News understands that "Southend United are looking to sign both Matt Dennis and Hamzad Kargbo on loan.

Dennis, who has been on trial from Norwich City in pre-season, can play out wide or down the middle in attack while Queens Park Rangers striker Kargbo has also featured in Blues’ warm up matches.

And the Shrimpers are now attempting to bring the duo to Blues on loan deals which will initially be for the first half of the season.

Blues will continue their preparations... with a pre-season friendly at Dartford this weekend.

Goalkeeper Steve Arnold is expected to feature after recovering from coronavirus while new signing Sam Dalby should also play for Phil Brown’s side".

Elaboration also comes from Echo News that "Steve Arnold will make his first Southend United appearance when the Shrimpers head to Dartford this weekend.

Arnold began training with Blues this week after recovering from coronavirus...

'Steve Arnold will get a good 45 minutes under his belt,' said Brown. 'He’s come in and trained very well this week... It will be his first 45 minutes in pre-season'...

However, several of the squad will now be playing for longer. 'We’re at the 90 minute stage now and hopefully five or six players will play the whole game,' said Brown.

'But we’re looking at being as strong as we can'...

Striker Sam Dalby will also be lining up for the Shrimpers for the first time since signing this weekend but centre-back Josh Coulson is not yet ready to be involved...

Explained Brown, 'A broken little toe doesn’t need treatment really it just wrapping it up and trying to get him out there. The fitness coaches are exhausting every supply they possibly can with him.'”

Barnet "announce the signing of Joe Widdowson; the former Leyton Orient defender joins the Bees on a two year contract.

Widdowson... brings an extensive amount of experience to the Club with 466 senior appearances to his name, the vast majority of which have come in the EFL. The full-back can play on both flanks, as well as centre-back and has represented the likes of Grimsby Town, Rochdale, Northampton Town, Dagenham and Redbridge and most recently, Leyton Orient.

Our newest recruit has enjoyed great success at National League level, having won the title during the 2018-19 season with Leyton Orient... He joins a new look Bees side that is shaping up very nicely under the stewardship of First Team Head Coach, Harry Kewell.... [A] nice mix of exciting young players and experienced heads are being blended together...

Widdowson began his career at West Ham United as a youth player, before making loan moves to Rotherham United and Grimsby Town... He would spend two years at Rochdale...

Widdowson said... 'I have been training here for the last week and a bit, I have been really impressed with everything'".

Devon Live reports that "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson knows that the friendly game against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow afternoon will be a huge test for his players because it is coming too early for them in their preparations for the National League season.

Argyle start their League One campaign next Saturday with a home game against Rotherham United, so they are just about to peak, while Torquay have only been back in training for a couple of weeks and don’t have their first National League game until the visit of Altrincham on Saturday, August 21.

So, with Torquay having played just two friendlies so far, they are in a completely different place in their preparations...

Still, there was a lot to like for Gulls fans in the wins against Southern League sides Poole Town and Truro City...

Johnson said 'It’ll be one where we can get the players mentally ready'...

Johnson was slightly critical of the team’s performance against Truro, despite the 3-0 win with the goals coming from Danny Wright, Louie Slough and Klaidi Lolos, just released by Argyle. He said the players were ‘too slow’ at times...

Captain Asa Hall may be back in the squad after missing training because he was self-isolating; though fellow midfielder Tom Lapslie’s knock against Truro might see him given more time to recover".

Grimsby Town "confirm that terms have been agreed for Academy defender Ben Grist to join Premier League side, Leicester City.

The youngster becomes the latest Mariners developed player to depart for the Premier League, joining Mattie Pollock who made his move to Watford earlier in the summer...

Youth Team manager Neil Woods [said]... 'He has been with us since the age of nine... and he has got an exceptional talen... He had a couple of very big Premier League clubs speaking to him, I know he took his time and rightly so because it was a big decision... I think he went to the one where he felt wanted him the most. The one that showed more interest in him'".

Yeovil Town "Chairman Scott Priestnall said, 'On the pitch, we are currently building a squad that has the potential to be competitive within this division, with a blend of youth and experience.

'Off the pitch, we are making strides to improve the match-day experience at Huish Park for all stakeholders, with multiple plans in place including a new bar area behind the Thatcher’s Gold Stand...

'Darren Sarll has been making strides to build his squad in preparation for his third season at the helm, speaking in a recent interview, he said... "It's a very different team, that's going to have to play a very different way... Tthe biggest thing for us was the change in athleticism. There are some frighteningly athletic young and older men out there now!'...

To avoid conjecture & rumour, we can confirm that Albi Skendi is currently absent from Yeovil Town training. However, Skendi does remain under contract with the football club...

As you may have seen already, we launched our brand-new home strip this week... Alongside Hummel [kit], we are also delighted to welcome Jurassic Fibre to the Yeovil Town family ahead of the National League season. Jurassic Fibre will be the club's principal partner for the next three seasons, with their logo adorning the front of our shirt...

After spending the last 18-months in digital form, we’re delighted to launch the Green & White [match programme] in physical form once again, with a fresh design for the new season...

As it stands, we have sold approximately 500 season tickets, and when compared to the same stage in previous seasons, we are selling tickets faster than ever!...

When it comes to the sale of the club’s land, the club remains considering our options, with the football club and the wider communities' best interest paramount in our decision making. As was reported last year, the football club struck a deal with South Somerset District Council, however this deal has not been completed but remains a viable option.

The club continue to talk to interested parties, including development partners, who would be willing to work closely with the club to help fulfil our vision and give this club an exciting future.

Our groundsman Stuart Antell has been a busy man in the offseason... This has involved reseeding the pitch at Huish Park, so it’s prepared for the National League season ahead... 'We took the top 5mm off with a machine called a Koro, deep spiked to 7”, 90 tonnes of sand applied and followed off with 18 bags of seed drilled in 4 directions. We are 6 weeks into that now and I’m as happy as a groundsman can be with it' he said".

TRIALIST: JAMES BERRY

In late 2019, he signed for Grant McCann's Hull City and in February 2020, he made his first-team debut as a substitute. However, he was released by The Tigers in July 2021.

The Hull Daily Mail reported in mid-July 2021 that "Striker James Berry has left Hull City after having his contract terminated by mutual consent.

The youngster made his Tigers debut in a 3-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in 20[20], and his only other first team outing following his switch from Wigan Athletic two years ago came in the EFL Trophy defeat to Leicester City’s Under-23s last September.

A former Liverpool youngster who grew up alongside the likes of Trent Alexander Arnold, Berry came to the MKM Stadium with high hopes and, despite impressing Grant McCann, was unable to force his way into the first team picture".

COLCLOUGH SHINES

With striker Marcus Dinanga opening his Alty account [at Nantwich] with a smartly-taken opening goal and Dan Mooney wrapping up another impressive Robins performance with a near-post finish late on, it was a useful workout for Phil Parkinson’s side...

'Ryan has shown his quality and the ability he’s got in both games,' assistant manager Neil Sorvel said. 'Right from the start against Nantwich, he was on the front foot, getting at his full-back and creating chances for himself as well as others.

'He carried on from where he left off on Saturday [at Ashton] and could have scored four goals in the opening 15 minutes, when you think he hit the post, forced a great save and had a couple of other attempts, so it was good that he finally got on the scoresheet.

'He was a real threat in both games, but that’s no surprise when you think how he did that on a consistent basis for us last season. He has been a great addition to the squad.'

Alty face a lengthy trip to Brightlingsea in Essex on Saturday and travel to Bradford Park Avenue next Tuesday evening, as they continue the build-up to their opening National League fixture at Torquay United on August 21".

NEXT: ALTY ON REGENT ROAD

In 2011, the club moved into the Eastern Counties League (from the Essex & Suffolk Border League) and were promoted to its Premier Division the next season. Goal difference cost them the championship in 2014 but they were promoted to the Isthmian League Division One North for 2015-16 which they won in 2017. They finished 20th in 2018 in the Premier before a thirteenth-place finish in 2019.

The curtailed seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 were difficult for Regent who won just five of their 36 matches in 2019-20 and only two of their ten completed fixtures in 2020-21.

Last week Brightlingsea Regent announced "he signing of former Colchester United [player] Dean Ager. The attacking midfielder came through the Academy at the U’s but was released last summer.

Dean has had a successful loan spell at Bishop’s Stortford... [Manager] Tom Austin, had this to say.... 'Dean is a versatile player who can ply his trade in many different positions. He has the ability to pick the ball up in tight areas and move the ball quickly which is helped by always having a clear picture.”

'Dean is also a set piece specialist and has created many chances/goals already in his first few friendly games'".

Behind the scenes, Brightlingsea Regent also announced the addition of "Steve Pitt to the backroom staff. Steve Pitt arrives as Assistant Manager joining for Chelmsford City.

Steve is most notably known from his time at Wivenhoe Town and Heybridge Swifts, but also has been an assistant manager at Welling and Bishop’s Stortford.

Pitty has a huge knowledge of football in our area and will be tasked in helping with recruitment but his experience on the sidelines will be a big help to the club going forward".

In 2021 pre-season Regent lost 2-0 recently at Needham Market, "the hardest opposition of pre-season so far...

Needham kept knocking on the door, but after a few long range efforts by the hosts, the R’s defence stood firm!

Regent could have stolen the lead against the run of play, a brilliant through ball into the area by Billy Wales was just shy of Trialist B’s foot...

The hosts Needham eventually got the break through with 5 minutes of time to play in the half, a ball over the defence caused a mixup of communication between Wales and Turner, with the ball falling to Fennell to produce a neat chip into an empty net! 0-1 Half Time

Regent made a couple of changes at the break with another Trialist introduced at Right Back and Harry McDonald coming into the midfield.

With an hour or so on the board, Regent forced their best chance of the match. Harry McDonald broke forward and... squared it to Gilbert, who had replaced Ager, but his shot was blocked...

However, with 20 minutes to play, the host doubled their advantage. A low powerful shot from distance forced a fantastic initial save from Turner to parry away, but Billy Hunt reacted the quickest to smash into the bottom corner...

First Half Team: Turner, Smith-Walter, Wales, Durling, Ribchester (c), Trialist (A), Byrne-Hewitt, Crissell, Booth, Ager, Trialist (B)

Second Half Team: Turner, Trialist (C), Wales, Durling, Trialist (A) (Bennett 65’), Ribchester (Thompson 55’), McDonald, Byrne-Hewitt (Trialist D 55’), Ager (Gilbert 50’), Booth, Trialist (B) (Barnett 60’)".

Prior to the match with Needham Market, Regent had won a friendly at Long Melford 2-1. More recently, last Tuesday, Regent entertained Coggeshall Town at North Road in a game which ended 1-1.

ALTY'S NEW TRAVEL COORDINATOR

Now, following the sad and untimely death of the well-respected Mark Eckersall, Altrincham FC has appointed a new Travel Cooridnator.

The club announces that "John Rooke is Altrincham FC's new travel coordinator and that Torquay United [Alty's first league opponents, on 21 August] have advised that they will be welcoming away supporters for the 2021/22 season.

John is a Shropshire based Alty fan, although he has been living in Yorkshire in recent times... He will be assisted on away coach trips by Dennis Bate & Darren Jordan...

Following discussions with Torbay Council's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), Torquay United have advised us that Altrincham supporters will be able to travel to Plainmoor for the opening day encounter on Saturday August 21st and that they will be in contact with us in the coming days with further information.

Meanwhile, we are awaiting confirmation from Trafford Borough Council of regulations for attendance at The J.Davidson Stadium for home games this season, starting with the visit of Dover Athletic on Saturday September 4th".

ALTY OLD BOY

"Speaking outside Trafford General Hospital, fire officer, Carlos Meakin said, 'Our crews were called to a fire in the roof space at Trafford Hospital at around 2.20pm...

'On arrival crews were met with a well developed fire in the roof space and had worked extremely hard in arduous conditions to put the fire out...

'I want to praise the hospital staff who safely evacuated staff and patients prior to our arrival, relocating them to other wards, which was a big help in enabling our crews to get on with tackling the fire'".

Carlos appeared in Alty colours on at least a couple of occasions. He also featured for local clubs including Woodley Sports.

On 1 August 2001 he played for Altrincham Reserves in a 4-2 defeat by Salford City and the following summer, on 20 July, 2002 he played at Abbey Hey as Alty drew 1-1 in a pre-season game.

ON THIS DAY: 30 JULY

Left: Danny Boshell, Scott Byrom and Rob Gilroy surround Mossley's impressive number eight, Lewis Nightingale.

Altrincham fielded 24 players during this pre-season game at Seel Park and Mossley weren't far behind as they, too, deployed numerous substitutes. Altrincham started the first half with just six of the players who had finished last season as first-team regulars and included trialists Scott Byrom and Matt Lord. New signing Kyle Perry plus Rob Gilroy and Adam Reid made up the eleven. It was all change at the interval as a completely new eleven took over, comprising ten youth team players and trialist keeper Dan Lloyd.

Scott Leather returned after his recent illness and assumed the captaincy for the first time. Perry played up front with Reeves whiletrialists Byrom and Lord played on the right and left respectively.

Former Alty midfielder Peter Band's Mossley squad included several other ex-Alty faces, notably goalkeeper and captain Russ Saunders, midfielders John Bennett and Andy Keogh, and forwards Charlie Weir and Sam Madeley

In the first 45 minutes Altrincham took the lead in the 17th minute when Kyle Perry finished well, instinctively hooking a cross received from the left over former Alty keeper Russ Saunders. Mossley levelled in the 33rd minute when a superb through ball left former Trafford player Kayde Coppin free and he finished well.

After the break, with Peter Band's Mossley also making numerous substitutions, the unmarked Hurst scored from a left-wing cross in the 72nd minute. George Heslop's youth players acquitted themselves well and equalised four minutes later when Todd's freekick was steered back across goal from the back post by Cunliffe and substitute Louis Brown was on hand to score.

But two late goals sank Alty. After 85 minutes Lloyd was unable to hold a low ball from his right and Hurst took advantage to net. And, two minutes later, the keeper came out for a ball played into his box but ex-Alty youngster Sam Madeley got there first to wrap the game up (87 mins).

LINE-UPS: ALTRINCHAM: First Half - 1. Adam Reid, 2. Jake Moult, 3. Nicky Clee, 4. Rob Gilroy, 5. Scott Leather (capt), 6. Carl Rodgers, 7. Kyle Perry, 8. Danny Boshell, 9. Scott Byrom, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Matt Lord. Unused subs: Matt Doughty, Shaun Densmore, James Walshaw, James Lawrie.

ALTRINCHAM: Second Half - 1. Dan Lloyd, 2. Matt Hancock, 3. Tom Clarke, 4. David Brown, 5. Derek Ubah, 6. Pat Crilley, 7. Spencer Cunliffe, 8. Matt Todd, 9. Max Pouncey, 10. Louis Potts, 11. Tom Westall. Used subs: 12. Kane Hughes, 14. Louis Brown.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Once we knew Paul Mullin was available, we made him our number one target. Phil Parkinson started the process and contacted Paul to sell him the vision of what we want to achieve at the club.

Then we started to talk to Paul's representatives about contracts and terms. I've heard a few wild rumours about what we're paying him but the most important part of the talks was that Paul wanted to come here...

And when you have a co-chairman like Rob ringing him up to say how much we want Paul Mullin to be part of our exciting future, it really does help... That man could talk the hind legs off a donkey and still convince him he'd be fine with two!!

That enthusiasm has persuaded the likes of Phil Parkinson, Fleur Robinson, Shaun Harvey and Les Reed to move down the football pyramid to be part of what we are trying to achieve here at Wrexham...

It was good for all the players to get their first friendly run-out at Burnley...

We're pleased with the ongoing progress with player recruitment... Wwe are confident that all the players we bring in fit our remit: "let's get out of this league"'".

Eastleigh "confirm that Joe Tomlinson has departed the club to join SkyBet Championship side, Peterborough United.

The young defender moves to the Posh in an undisclosed deal, after an impressive debut season with the Spitfires.

Joe made 42 appearances in all competitions, finishing as the club’s top scorer in the 2020/21 season with 12 goals from left-back, including a 100% record from the penalty spot. He also picked up the Young Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards

Spitfires manager, Ben Strevens, said... 'It was clear from when he joined that he was a talented player with a great attitude on and off the pitch... The opportunity to make the step up to the Championship is fantastic for him and we wouldn’t want to stand in his way'".

And Peterborough United add that they "fended off interest from a host of clubs to secure the signature of highly-rated Eastleigh full-back Joe Tomlinson with the 21 year-old penning a three-year deal...

Tomlinson, who came through the Southampton Academy, has earned rave reviews for his performances at Easteligh, where he scored 12 goals, created four goals and was part of a back-line that kept 15 clean sheets in 42 appearances...

Manager Darren Ferguson said... 'There were so many teams showing an interest, so delighted to get the deal done now. I was made aware of him last season, we had eyes on him in the first pre-season game and we didn’t need to see him again, it was done, the decision was made.

'He is an excellent athlete, both-footed, can [play] left-back or left-wing back or right back or right-wing back, is a good size and is a lovely lad... He is a modern-day full back, good crosser of the ball with both feet, takes penalties with his right-foot and free-kicks with his left...

'It was just in time because there was due to be 20 scouts at their fixture on Tuesday evening'...

He spent two years with Yeovil and a year as a professional at Brighton and Hove Albion with a loan spell at Bognor Regis Town during that period of time".

The Nottingham Post informs us that "Notts County defender Kyle Cameron has spoken about the "massive" role Cal Roberts will play in the Magpies' attempt to win promotion this season. "Ian Burchnall's side have enjoyed a winning start to pre-season with victories at Coalville Town, AFC Telford and Boston United. One particular positive to be taken from the Magpies' preparations for the upcoming National League campaign is the return of Cal Roberts.

The tricky winger's season was curtailed after suffering damage to his hip flexor in a 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool in April, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Roberts returned to the pitch for County in the Magpies' 1-0 win at Telford, scoring the only goal of the game, and [defender Kyle] Cameron has revealed the influence the former Newcastle United man can have at Meadow Lane....

'I kept an eye on him last year when he was in and out of the team through injuries... He's one of the best number 10s in the league and one of the better forward players at this level. I think he's levels above the Conference, and we'll see the best of him this season'...

Cameron joined the Magpies from National League rivals Torquay but is looking forward to reuniting with Roberts having both come through the Newcastle youth set-up...

'Back then... I wasn't expecting Cal to go to Blyth when he left Newcastle; it was a bit of a shock. But hopefully, he can kick on and push forward with Notts and fly through the leagues'" said Cameron.

TRIALIST: DAVID FITZPATRICK

Fitzpatrick is a former Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Southport and Northwich Victoria defender.

A Manchester player, David (dob 28 February 1990) started out at Stockport County but joined Northwich Victoria in 2010. Whilst there he had a loan at New Mills, a club which he eventually joined in 2012.

2013 brought him a move to Southport where he made 80 appearances before a five-year spell started at Macclesfield Town in 2015 where he made the better part of 200 appearances. During that time he became an England C international.

Lsst season (2020–2021) was spent at Port Vale, where he made 22 appearances.

He may be familiar to Altrincham supporters as he has played in quite a few matches against Altrincham, including...

• Altrincham 0 Northwich Victoria 2, a Blue Square Bet Premier match, played on Tuesday, 5 April, 2011
• Altrincham 1 Southport 0, a friendly Match, played on Saturday, 14 December 2013
• Altrincham 2 Southport 0, a Vanarama Conference match in which he was a substitute, played on Friday, 3 April, 2015
• Altrincham 1 Macclesfield Town 1, a Buildbase FA Trophy Round One Proper match, played on Tuesday, 20 December 2016
• Macclesfield Town 2 Altrincham 1, a Buildbase FA Trophy Round One Proper replay match, played on Wednesday, 4 January 2017
• Altrincham 1 Macclesfield Town 0, a pre-season friendly match, played on Tuesday, 17 July 2018

ON THIS DAY: 29 July

Altrincham started without several first-choice players but, after a first-half in which the visitors were the better side, Alty were much improved after the break. Stanley had taken a first half lead when Naismith scored from a 20th minute freekick.

With Sean Williams outstanding, Altrincham had the better of the second period and deservedly equalised when Simon Richman's excellent through ball set Ryan Crowther free. Crowther, who also had a good game, scored calmly as he faced keeper Iain Turner (50 mins).

Right: Stanley's goal came from a freekick just outside the box.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Dave Parton, 2. Shaun Densmore (capt), 3. Adam Griffin, 4. Peter Cavanagh, 5. Tom Marshall, 6. Mike Williams, 7. Simon Richman, 8. Jake Moult, 9. Kyle Perry, 10. Sean Williams, 11. Ryan Crowther. Subs: 12. Gianluca Havern, 14. Scott Leather, 15. Greg Wilkinson, 16. Nicky Clee, 17.Damian Reeves, 18. Stuart Coburn (gk), Steven Gillespie, David Brown, Jeff King.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 6ft 2in centre forward has signed a two-year deal and becomes Phil Brown’s seventh addition this summer.

The 21 year-old began his career at Leyton Orient... Dalby made 18 appearances...

In January 2018 Leeds United completed the signing of the youngster for an undisclosed fee and... Dalby featured for Marcelo Bielsa’s first team in pre-season...

He joined Morecambe on loan in January 2019 before Watford snapped up the forward later that year for another undisclosed fee.

Dalby became a regular for the Hornets’ U23s... before coming off the bench for his Watford debut in January 2020 against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup...

Dalby said... 'I’m only 21-years-old so I think this can be the place where I learn my craft and start scoring a few goals.'

Blues boss Phil Brown... said 'He’s a big, strong, 6ft 2/6ft 3 hold up player, decent in the air which is going to be a bonus in both boxes... We wanted to put a bid in for him then so we’ve been tracking his progress...

'We’ve signed a lot of experienced players in their 30s, and we’re now getting somebody who I think has got absolute resale value if we can work this project for the next two or three years'".

And Grimsby Town, "announce the signing of highly rated defender, Sebastian Revan from Premier League side Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season.

Primarily a left-back, Revan signed his first professional contract with Villa in March 2021 after putting in a number of impressive performances at full-back for the Club's Under 23s during the 2020/21 season campaign...

'Pre-season is going good... Today was my first session but it was a good experience...

'I'm a left-back who likes to get forward. I am very good at one vs. one defending, I like to attack and get balls into the box and hopefully get lots of assists'...

Manager Paul Hurst has kept tabs on the youngster since late last season...

'We got Seb from Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal. He's a player that I watched towards the end of last season after I was made aware of him, he was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team...

'Given the fact we've only really got Adam Crookes as a recognised left-back, we were always looking for another... He's certainly a left-back...

'His first week has coincided with us being here at Mottram Hall, they're really good facilities here, good pitches, nice surroundings'"

We learn from the Dorset Echo comes news that "Weymouth have signed central midfielder Xander McBurnie for the season.

McBurnie, 23, is the younger brother of Sheffield United and Scotland striker Oli McBurnie.

McBurnie has previous National League nous having spent the past 18 months with Barnet and has also played for Swedish side Ytterhogdals IK, the fourth tier of Swedish football.

'He possesses a fantastic passing range with either foot, he's intelligent and what I want from my midfield players is to be able to get themselves on the ball and Xander will do that in areas that others might shy away from.'"

According to Devon Live "Torquay United manager Gary Johnson said his team were ‘too slow’ when they beat Truro City 3-0 in their second pre-season friendly at Plainmoor on Tuesday night.

Goals by Danny Wright, Louie Slough and Klaidi Lolos won the game but after a fearsome start by the Gulls, they let Truro have a series of chances...

The result could have been less convincing for Johnson’s team which featured all seven of the new players and the two new young pros.

Johnson said... 'It was too slow. To be fair to the boys, they worked very hard yesterday and we are still in pre-season of course, so please don’t judge them on today’s game... They are a lot better than that and I’ll prove that as we get through pre-season...

One player that did make an impression was 22-year-old defender Ali Omar, who made a series of crucial tackles and showed he isn’t afraid of lumping the ball into the stands either when it needs to be done.

The former Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley centre back looked comfortable playing alongside Joe Lewis in the first half and Slough in the second."

The Barnet & Potters Bar Times reports that "Barnet boss Harry Kewell is hoping to make improvements to his squad... in a bid to strengthen and increase competition for places...

'I don’t just want to bring a lot of quality but we also want to bring in people that can challenge,' he said in a club interview.

'We’ve got another player Mason Clark, who can can challenge me and I want players to compete because I think if you compete, it gets the best out of you because you know that if you’re not doing your job or you’re sleeping then you just get taken off and the other person comes'...

Two different teams played in 75 minute matches against the Posh...

'The idea behind playing top quality clubs is again to get your fitness, but you also get your mental toughness,' he said.

'You learn how long can you concentrate for, and that’s a completely different style of fitness, and that’s what I want my team to do when we do go into games, and I want them to know that we can handle that...

'At the time I had to tell my players I thought they, for the first 10 minutes a little bit like rabbits caught in headlights, but after that we kind of got into the game, and we looked and felt comfortable'".

According to Kent Online "Dover could miss out on defender Danny Collinge after he linked up with Dagenham.

Collinge, who was released by Colchester in the summer, has impressed after featuring for Whites in pre-season.

'Dan wanted the opportunity to trial at Dagenham,' said Hessenthaler. 'They are full-time and he comes from Essex so if they offer him something I can understand if he accepted it.'

Dover still have space for a couple of players in their squad with Hessenthaler looking defensively and for an attacking player...

'We've got to get it right,' he insisted. 'That's why we let the trialists go after last weekend, as something told me that they weren't for us. We've got 17 players at the moment, we know what the budget is; we can only have 18 or 19 players in the squad and if we need a couple of loans we can get some help, like we did with the keeper Adam Parkes from Watford'...

'It's difficult when you are a trialist at times, you can't give them enough minutes because you need to take care of your squad as well but then you need to make a decision.'

Dover continued their winning form with victory over Folkestone on Saturday... Hessenthaler accepted it was a disjointed display...

'When we play the likes of Stevenage, Tonbridge and Watford we'll get more clues to where we are at.'"

NANTWICH TOWN 0-3 ALTRINCHAM

Having played two friendlies on Saturday, this was the third pre-season game for Altrincham and, as at Ashton United three days earlier, the opposition was from the Northern Premier League, two rungs below Altrincham in the footballing pyramid.

Alty made three changes from the side which defeated Ashton, as Marcus Dinanga, Brad Jackson and Connor Kirby came in for Kosylo, Mooney and Williams,

After a reasonably even and lively start to the game, Alty went on to dominate the first half.

They took a 32nd minute lead when Hancock's impressive turn and pass set Dinanga on goal and he neatly chipped the advancing former Alty reserve keeper, Cameron Terry, who had made a couple of fine saves previously. Alty made seven changes at the break as Sutton, Digie, Mooney, Williams, Pringle, Kosylo and Peers came on, leaving only Thompson, Mullarkey, Senior and Hancock on the pitch from the start. A trialist, James Berry (ex-Hull City), who had been named in the squad at West Didsbury at the weeeknd, was deployed here during the second half.

In a low key second half, Altrincham added a third goal ten minutes from time by Dan Mooney.

Match report here.

TRIALIST: A-JAY LEITCH-SMITH

Leitch-Smith was born on 6 March 1990 and he spent the last three seasons with Morecambe in League Two.

His career started at Crewe Alexandra where, during a six-year stay, he enjoyed loans to Halifax Town, Newcastle Town, ÍBV (Iceland), and Curzon Ashton.

In summer 2014 he joined Gary Johnson's Yeovil Town for a season and then signed in at Port Vale for 2015-16, ending up as The Valiants' top scorer that season. The next season saw him playing for Shrewsbury Town before a loan-move in 2017-18 to Dundee.

The pattern of changing clubs every summer continued in 2018 as he joined Morecambe where, despite a hamstring injury, he became the Shrimps' top scorer in 2018-19 season.

He made made 23 appearances in EFL2 in 2019-20 but in only eight of those matches did he start and that was followed by just five league appearances for Morecambe in 2020-21 season before he was released.

A-Jay has played at Moss Lane previously. He was a used substitute when Port Vale won a pre-season friendly match there in August, 2015.

ON THIS DAY: 28 July

With a starting eleven comprising four new players, a youth team graduate and six of the previous year's squad, Altrincham gave a lacklustre first-half performance. They went behind in the ninth minute when a cross was nodded down by McDonagh and Cottrell scored with a firm shot from close range.

The visitors improved after half time with the arrival of James Lawrie, Scott Leather and Jordan Sinnott. Altrincham equalized after 50 minutes when O'Keefe's header avoided the grasp of goalkeeper Green, from a Lawrie cross. But some 90 seconds later Trafford scored again when McDonagh dribbled impressively through three Altrincham defenders before scoring.

Alty equalized again in the 81st minute when Crowther's mishit shot ran to Lawrie on the left. From his cross, Reeves headed in at the back post.

Above left: Shaun Densmore was on the wrong end of a bad tackle at Shawe View but recovered to complete the first half. Here he is seen in action earlier in the match.

ALTRINCHAM: 17. Tim DEASY, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Sam HEATHCOTE, 5. Tom MARSHALL,6. Anthony GRIFFITH, 7. Josh O'KEEFE, 8.Ryan CROWTHER, 9. Michael RANKINE, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Nicky CLEE. Subs: 12 Sam HEATHCOTE, 14. Luca HAVERN, 15. Jake MOULT, 16. Scott LEATHER, 17. James LAWRIE, 18. Simon RICHMAN, 19. Jordan SINNOTT.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Moore, a former Peterborough United striker, and ex Newcastle United winger El-Mhanni had featured for the Shrimpers in pre-season.

But Echosport understands the duo will not be offered deals to remain at Roots Hall.

Blues' boss Phil Brown remains in talks with the other players still on trial with Blues, Norwich City attacker Matt Dennis, former Blues midfielder Will Atkinson, QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo and ex-Derby County goalkeeper Emmanuel Idem.

At another southern coastal town, Kent Online reports that "Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler has agreed a half-season loan deal for Gillingham's Henry Woods.

The 21 year-old midfielder moves to Crabble with the new campaign starting on August 21... Woods is on the fringes of the Gills set-up and boss Steve Evans believes he will benefit from regular football at National League level. He has just agreed a new one-year deal at Priestfield.

'Henry has been involved with the first team for quite a while'... said Hessenthaler... 'He is ready to step up and get regular games. It's a no-brainer for us and being my old club as well, there's no travelling for the lad as we're local'...

Dover struggled for goals from midfield last season. It's an area Hessenthaler believes Woods can help them with.

'At Gillingham he played more of a holding role, we'll be looking for him to get into the box as well,' stated the Dover boss. 'That's an area we need to improve. We've got good legs in midfield with Ryan Hanson, who can play that holding role, and TJ Bramble, who has got amazing energy.

'It doesn't matter which way we play, we need to get bodies into the box from midfield. TJ has got to join in and support the front players when the ball is played up to them, and if the ball goes wide then he needs to get into the area; it would be the same for Henry.'"

Gilingham add that "The academy graduate... has made 13 first-team appearances".

According to Pride of Nottingham, "Notts County's board of directors have taken the time to thank the black and white army for their support... This comes on the back of the Magpies announcing via the clubs social media that over 3,000 season tickets had been sold on 23rd of July.

Six new arrivals have been signed this summer...

'Shirt sales, for example, have [also] been very strong, and it’s been great to see so many of the new designs on show at our pre-season friendlies'".

INTRODUCING BRAD JACKSON

Brad made a promising Altrincham debut on Saturday in the pre-season friendly at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Brad joined Alty from Chester FC but his first encounter with Alty had been as a Burnley player in a pre-season game at Moss Lane in 2016; he was with The Clarets from 2015 to 2018, having also had loan spells in that period at Bangor City and Southport.

He joined Ashton United in summer 2018 but, in December 2018, he signed for Chester FC, where he played on the right-wing but he has also played as a right-back.

His most recent game against Altrincham for Chester FC was the play-off eliminator match in July, 2020.

Injuries limited him to seven starts before the NLN season 2020-21 was halted by Covid. In all, he made 71 appearances for Chester, scoring five goals and was voted by supporters as part of the squad in the Chester FC Team of the Decade.

NEXT GAME: NANTWICH TOWN

Radio Robins will be covering the match.

ON THIS DAY: 27 July

Right: Marc Joseph played on the left of the Alty back line against Macclesfield.

Altrincham included two new names amongst their trialists in their squad. They were former Wrexham man Nathan Fairhurst, who was used, and John McAuley, who was not. The other trialists in the squad, but not all of whom got onto the pitch, were former Rotherham defender Marc Joseph, midfielder Matty Crowell, who played for Alty at the start of last season, Tom McCready, a former Everton youngster, Danny Holmes (ex-Burton midfielder), Matt Heywood (ex-Grimsby defender), Matt Holt (ex-TNS) and Adam Nowland (ex-Blackpool midfielder). Chris Denham was out with a minor injury and Anthony Danylyk was still on holiday.

Macclesfield deployed most of their first-team squad, which included former Altrincham midfielder Lewis Chalmers.

Tyrone Barrett put the Silkmen 1-0 ahead in the 41st minute when he turned inside Robbie Wiiliams, and also got the better of James Smith, on the edge of the box before slotting a fine goal past Stuart Coburn. Emile Sinclair made it 2-0 after 63 minutes when from a counter-attack he expertly took the ball round Coburn after Alty had lost possession just inside the opposition half.

The second half witnessed heavy use of substitutes by both sides and it was one of these, former Everton youngster Tom McCready who scored a fine headed goal for Altrincham in the 85th minute to give Macclesfield some tense moments in the closing stages. Alty's goal came after a well-judged ball forward up the right by Williams found former TNS man and current trialist, Matt Holt. His excellent cross found the head of McCready.

Former Rotherham man, Marc Joseph impressed on the left of the back line and Dale Johnson again showing some good touches on his way back to fitness.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 5. Robbie WILLIAMS, 4. James SMITH, 6. Marc JOSEPH, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 7. Robbie LAWTON, 8. Matty CROWELL, 11. Nicky CLEE, 3. Ryan BROWN, 9. Michael TWISS, 10. Damian REEVES. Subs: 12. Dale JOHNSON, 13. Russell SAUNDERS (not used), 14. Adam CARDEN, 15. Tom McCREADY, 16. Nathan FAIRHURST, 17. Danny HOLMES (not used), 18. Matt HEYWOOD (not used), 19. Matthew HOLT, 20. Adam NOWLAND, 21. Josh McCAULEY (not used)".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Mullin, who has signed a three-year deal, was available on a free transfer and had been linked with a move to the Championship.

Wrexham have also snapped up centre-back Harry Lennon, 26, on a free from Southend United.

Stockport County have netted highly-rated Manchester United under-23 defender Will Fish on a season-long loan. The 18 year-old made his senior debut for the Red Devils against Wolves on the final day of the Premier League season earlier this year...

Meanwhile, midfielder Tom Walker, 25, has returned to Stockport after a successful loan spell at the club last season. He joins after leaving League Two Harrogate Town by mutual consent.

Notts County have made a triple signing. Former Manchester City and England youth captain, Ed Francis, 21, has joined on a two-year deal...

Fellow former Manchester City man Aaron Nemane, 23... after leaving Torquay United... has penned a two-year deal.

And experienced former Football League central midfielder, Matt Palmer, 26, has bolstered Ian Burchnall’s squad. Palmer has played more than 200 times in the Football League and won promotion with Burton Albion, Rotherham United and Swindon Town.

Torquay United announced seven new signings all on the same day.

Goalkeepers Marcin Brzozowski and Mark Halstead, defender Ali Omar, midfielders Tom Lapslie, Dan Martin and Keelan O'Connell and striker Klaidi Lolos have all joined following a number of exits from the Gulls.

Indeed, Torquay United expand on this telling us "Welcome back to Plainmoor, Marcin Brzozowski!

He is no stranger to The Gulls, having made his debut for us last season during a one month loan from parent club, QPR... and boss Gary Johnson wasted no time in securing his signature on a permanent basis.

A former Poland Under-19 international, Brzozowski also enjoyed a similar spell... with Yeovil Town in 2019/20, and has [had]temporary stints at Ashford Town, Braintree and Billericay...

Brzozowski will be joined on Torquay’s goalkeeping roster by experienced glovesman Mark Halstead. 30 year-old Halstead began his career at Blackpool... Since then, Mark has gone on to represent the likes of Stockport, Shrewsbury and Morecambe amongst others, and made 16 appearances for the latter as they won promotion from League Two last season.

Next up is 22 year-old centre half Ali Omar! A commanding presence in the backline for Barnsley’s U23 side last season, left-footed Omar began his career as a youngster a Stevenage, before catching the eye of Championship side QPR... before fellow Championship side Barnsley acquired his services in January 2020...

21 year-old Dan Martin brings a range of options to Gary Johnson’s squad, having proven to be equally adept in both left back and left midfield roles. Dan began his career at Craven Cottage with Fulham, before departing to join Cardiff City. Martin gained valuable first team minutes during a loan stint at Weston-Super-Mare...

Midfielder Tom Lapslie brings with him a wealth of experience, leaving League Two side Colchester United last summer after making over 150 appearances... 25 year-old Lapslie is undoubtedly set to become a firm favourite with the Yellow Army...

Winger... Keelan O’Connell (21)... is a hugely exciting winger who is comfortable on either side of the pitch, as well as in a more advanced position up front.

Keelan has already gained his first taste of senior football... for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton in 2018/19.

Having worked his way through Bournemouth academy ranks at his hometown club, Gulls boss Gary Johnson... is eager to unleash the pacy wideman on National League defences...

Greek-born forward Klaidi Lolos will be familiar to many Gulls fans, having established himself as one of neighbouring Plymouth Argyle’s hottest prospects... Capped by his native country at Under-19 level, Lolos began his youth career at Olympiacos before setting his sights on the English game...

Klaidi also enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Dorchester Town, and remained a regular member of the matchday squad at Home Park last season as Plymouth maintained their League One status, making ten appearances...

'I’m so pleased with our close season recruitment,' began The Gaffer [Gary Johnson]... 'We’ve definitely signed some quality, some youth, experience and athleticism and, very importantly, they all passed the personality and character test needed for Torquay’s DNA.”

And Devon Live reports that "Olaf Koszela and Klaidi Lolos were the goalscorers when Torquay United won at Poole Town in their first pre-season friendly on Saturday but the Gulls were forced to wait until late into the second half before making the breakthrough.

The game was the first chance for Gulls fans to see the seven new signings in action and five of them played from the off...

Young striker Koszela came off the bench to make it 1-0 with 10 minutes to go at the Tatnam Ground and Lolos, who was signed after being released by Plymouth Argyle, got the second after playing the whole game.

Two players taking part for the Gulls were the unnamed duo Trialist A and Trilaist B.

Gary Johnson, the Torquay manager, said the game was ‘a good workout’ ahead of the team’s first test at home against Truro City on Tuesday night...

Johnson was particularly delighted with the support from Torquay’s travelling fans".

King’s Lynn Town "announce that we will be hosting a number of Norwich City Under-23s Premier League 2 fixtures for the 2021/2022 season

A club spokesman said 'As a club we are very grateful that the bond between us and Norwich grows stronger and we look forward to hosting some of their games. We are delighted they have chosen The Walks to host some games where future, and some current, Premier League players will be on show'”.

Meanwhile, "Dominic Whyley on behalf of the Board of Directors wanted to issue the following update to Wealdstone supporters:...

'It finally looks like we can welcome back fans and enjoy some huge games at The Vale as well as travelling in numbers to support our team. We have some great early fixtures and hopefully we’ll be able to welcome record crowds and get back to the away day experience supporting the team. The club continues to make progress on and off the pitch however the competitive landscape of this league continues to get tougher with bigger budgets and more full-time teams.

In order to compete, give our supporters a team to be proud of and provide us the best chance of staying up, the Board wants to make a sensible increase in the playing budget to support Stuart and Matt getting it right on the pitch.

We have already recruited strongly by signing Jack Cook joining from Woking, Josh Umerah and Matt Buse from Torquay, Andrew Eleftheriou from Dagenham and Nikola Tavares from Crystal Palace. All these signings will help strengthen us and the opportunity to add further to the squad remains via both permanent and loan signings. We are working on a number of targets however, despite being disciplined on wages and contract structures, we need to be competitive to get these deals over the line...

With government funding removed at the end of December 2020, the club had to continue to fulfil fixtures, pay players, train and travel with virtually no income from spectators or our social facilities. The club made the difficult decision to furlough a small number of players however despite this we managed to finish in 19th place, clear of the relegation places had relegation taken place...

Last year was more about survival off the pitch but this year can be about creating memories and making our mark".

Woking "face a tough test on Tuesday evening as they host League One side AFC Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly...

The Cards will be looking to build on an already solid start to their preparations for the new campaign. On Saturday, Max Kretzschmar and new signing George Oakley scored in a 3-0 away win at Sheerwater, with a second-half trialist scoring the third goal.

Winger Tahvon Campbell, who has featured in both pre-season games thus far, completed a successful weekend for Alan Dowson by putting pen to paper on a full-time contract. The former Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town player spent the second-half of last season on loan at FC Halifax Town. The only dampener was an injury to Tyreke Johnson who limped off midway through the second-half".

Solihull Moors recently reported that "Moors are now well into the second week of pre-season training and it hasn't been easy, with the high temperatures adding to the already demanding nature of pre-season..

We caught up with Moors boss Neal Ardley...

There's hugely positive news on Callum Howe, who missed the majority of last season through a knee injury. The defender has taken full part in all pre-season sessions to date and is looking strong, although he will be monitored closely throughout.

Alex Gudger and Jamey Osborne are both back out running on the grass and are required to complete their final stages of rehab before they can join in with the sessions.

Unfortunately, James Ball has a couple of injuries which have been treated or are pencilled in to be - a hernia operation (into 4 weeks recovery) and a toe injection (4-6 weeks recovery). Ardley has confirmed that Ball will need at least five weeks before he's back out on the training pitch.

The Grimsby Telegraph claims that "Government plans for vaccine passports could see football fans locked out in new season...

New Government plans could see football fans face being locked out of stadiums in the new season unless they are double-jabbed...

Plans to show passports at turnstiles are said to be in the process after Government talks with football chiefs.

The move would apply to all 92 teams in the Premier League and EFL; no word has been given whether the same would apply in the National League, and therefore impact on Grimsby Town."

ALTY TRIALISTS

Above: Jordan Lussey, Junior Brown, Ben Pringle in action for Altrincham at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Over the next few days we will have a look at the background of some of the trialists who have featured this summer for Altrincham.

We start with midfielder Jordan Lussey who partnered Connor Kirby in Alty's friendly at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Saturday.

Ormskirk born six-footer Jordan was born on 2 November 1994 and he spent last season with AFC Fylde, having started his career at Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers. He was an unused sub in the Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round match between the Coasters and Alty in October 2020.

An England under-18 international twice in 2011, he had gone on loan from Bolton to York City in 2015 before spells at Southport (2016-17) and the following season at Telford United. Next he joined Chorley where he was dual registered at Witton Albion.

A move to Nuneaton Borough in 2019 was followed by time at Marine before he joined AFC Fylde in 2020.

Junior Brown played at left-back on Saturday but Alty had encountered him more than a decade ago when he featured for Fleetwood Town in a 3-1 win over the Robins in a Blue Square Bet Premier match in April 2011. played on Saturday, 16 April, 2011.

Now 32, he started out at Crewe Alexandra, his local club. This was followed by games for F.C. Halifax Town, Northwich Victoria and Fleetwood Town, the last-named being a club that he helped to gain Football League status.

Next, he played in League One on loan for Tranmere Rovers (2014). After leaving Fleetwood, he signed for League Two Oxford United (2014-15) but moved on to Mansfield Town in early 2015.

Summer 2015 saw him sign for Shrewsbury Town in League One and stayed there till joining Coventry City in summer 2018. The summer of 2019 saw him move to Scunthorpe United on loan in EFL2.

Playing at no.10 on Saturday was Ben Pringle, who spent last season with Morecambe in League Two.

He turned 33 yesterday (d.o.b. 25 July 1988 in Whitley Bay, Northumberland). He started out at West Bromwich Albion (2006-07) before retruning to his native north-east to play with Newcastle Blue Star and Morpeth Town during the following season.

A return to the Midlands brought 42 appearances for Ilkeston Town in 2008-09 where he earned a move to Derby County (2009-11) during which spell he played five gamnes on loan for Torquay United.

Four years were spent at Rotherham United where he made nearly 150 league appearances and he also enjoyed 15 appearances for Fulham in 2015-16.

After a loan at Ipswich Town, he moved back north to Preston North End from where he was loaned to Oldham Athletic and in 2018-19 to Grimsby Town. Another loan spell followed at Tranmere Rovers before joining Steve Evans at Gillingham in 2019-20. His move to Morecambe followed in 2020.

ALTY'S DEFENSIVE CONCERNS

After showing up well enough on the left of Alty’s back line, Fitzpatrick was replaced by another trialist, Alex Brown, for the second half, and the former King’s Lynn Town defender did his prospects no harm with an energetic, forceful contribution in the same left-back role".

The article continues, stating that "With Connor Hampson [left] and Andy White both nursing injuries, it was no surprise the left-back position came under scrutiny on Saturday, with trialist Junior Brown showing what he can do in the game at West Didsbury.

'I think everyone is aware that Connor and Andy are not going to be fit for the start of the season, so that is an area of concern at the moment,' said assistant-manager Neil Sorvel. 'Junior played in the first game at lunchtime, and David and Alex had a half each at Ashton, and I think they all acquitted themselves pretty well, so there is some thinking to do and decisions to make sooner or later.

'I thought we were outstanding for 30 minutes against an Ashton side you would expect to be up there in the Northern Premier League this coming season. We totally dominated and controlled the game and looked two levels above them.

'A little bit of sloppiness crept in at times towards the end of the first half, but we started the second half well and created chances, and I thought overall it was an enjoyable game to watch.'"

ON THIS DAY: 26 JULY

It took 18 spot kicks to resolve the contest as Altrincham missed five of their nine attempts and Hyde missed four.

Altrincham had rested Jake Moult, Tom Marshall and Kyle Perry this afternoon and had two regulars from last season (Sean Densmore and James Lawrie) moving to the bench.

Right: Ryan Crowther was one of five ex-Hyde players in Alty's squad back in 2014.

Hyde had taken the lead when the so called "Trialist F" evaded a tackle before feeding ex-Vauxhall man Steve Tames, who drew Coburn out of goal before scoring (38 mins). Hyde's second goal came after "Trialist G" got past Havern in the box and from his feed, an unmarked Tames scored, in the 75th minute.

Alty's comeback was engineered by Gillespie. His fine run to the byline set up Reeves for a goal (82 mins) before he himself slotted home an 89th minute equalizer.

Having announced before kick off that there would be no extra time or penalties, after the final whistle it was decided to conduct a penalty shoot-out. Hyde won 5-4 after Altrincham had missed five of their nine attempts and Hyde missed four. In short, it was a disappointing afternoon for an Altrincham side which was unable to translate plenty of possession into much in the way of a goal threat.

Penalty Shoot-Out:

• LAWRIE shot wide; Trialist L shot saved - 0-0
• DENSMORE scored, Trialist G scored - 1-1
• CROWTHER scored; Brizell scored - 2-2
• GILLESPIE scored; Trialist J shot saved - 3-2 to Altrincham
• REEVES hit bar; Tames scored - 3-3
• KING scored; Hughes scored - 4-4
• HAVERN shot saved; Trialist K shot saved - 4-4
• Sean WILLIAMS shot saved; Trialist H shot over the bar - 4-4
• GRIFFIN shot saved; Trialist B scored - 4-5 win to Hyde FC.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart Coburn (gk), 2. Scott Leather, 3. Adam Griffin, 4. Simon Richman, 5. Gianluca Havern (capt), 6. Mike Williams, 7. Ryan Crowther, 8. Greg Wilkinson, 9. Steven Gillespie, 10. Damian Reeves, 11. Nicky Clee. Subs: 14. Shaun Densmore, 15. Sean Williams, 16. James Lawrie, 17. Jeff King, 18. Josh Samberg (gk)

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Callum Roberts's second-half goal sealed the victory as he drove home from the edge of the box just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Trialists Andre Wright, Lamine Keba Sherif, Kyle Bennett and William Hondermarck were also given another chance to impress as the Magpies enjoyed a comfortable afternoon...

Ed Francis, the former Manchester City academy player, has big shoes to fill given he is replacing Michael Doyle who has now moved into the dugout as assistant manager... Notts have acquired a player who carries the kind of composure and quality the Irishman was renowned for...

He was tidy in possession, he was calm and was always on hand to receive possession but was not afraid to rattle into the challenges either... Francis, at the age of 21, looked a class act...

Given how Ian Burchnall sets his teams up, the holding midfield position is one of the most pivotal positions in the system...

It took just seven minutes after coming on from the substitutes' bench for Callum Roberts to remind Notts fans what they were missing last season. Had the former Newcastle midfielder been fit last term then Notts may have found themselves preparing for life back in the Football League...

He looked fit, he looked sharp and he crowned off a wonderful 30 minutes at Telford with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. Having Roberts back feels like a new signing and his ball-carrying ability not to mention his intelligence, will give Notts an added dimension to their attack...

Kabongo Tshimanga's name has been doing the rounds on Notts County's social media amid speculation the Magpies were lining up a move for him this summer. But head coach Ian Burchnall nailed those rumours after the game by insisting he was a player not worth talking about as he was under contract at 'another club'.

Bolton Wanderers have already been linked with a move for him over the summer... Some fans think that, apart from Kyle Wootton, they lack the depth and quality of their rivals in terms of high-calibre forwards... but as Burchnall said after the game, Notts are being patient in terms of making sure they make the right addition...

Many Notts fans were dismayed to see Calvin Miller turn down the chance of moving to Notts in favour of a move to arch-rivals Chesterfield over the summer. But the club did not hang around in finding a replacement by ironically signing Chesterfield left-back Joel Taylor for an undisclosed fee...

Taylor was excellent in the first half as he clipped several delightful crosses into the box... He may not have the dazzling feet of Miller, but he showed good intelligence, he took up some excellent positions and his crossing was superb".

The Grimsby Telegraph provides a "Grimsby Town injury update as... Paul Hurst has rated Ryan Taylor and Lenell John-Lewis 'touch and go' for the start of Grimsby Town’s season.

The pair are both currently out through injury, leaving the Mariners without a recognised senior striker... John-Lewis suffered a torn calf in training, while Taylor pulled up just 15 minutes into the opening friendly at Cleethorpes Town with a hamstring problem. P> The latter went away for a scan last week, and is thought to be in a better position to make the kick-off for the new National League season on August 21.

'Both have got injuries that I think for the start of the season are probably touch and go,' Hurst told GrimsbyLive.

'Probably as we’re stood here now, I’d say Ryan’s got a slightly better chance than Lenny, but I think it will be touch and go... Hopefully there’s no setbacks with either one...

'It’s disappointing, especially to get two in the same position. But at the minute, I’d say the players in midweek and today have dealt with playing in a different way very well, and that encourages me. It tests us out as staff, and certainly as a manager, to find different ways.'

One of those different avenues has seen the Mariners’ younger players get the chance to impress in pre-season.

Edwin Essel and Aaron Braithwaite once again featured from the bench against Rotherham United on Saturday, while Harry Milner and Jamie Bramwell also made late cameos".

Southend's Echo News confirms that "Greg Halford has joined Waterford after leaving Southend United.

The versatile 36 year-old made 16 appearances for the Shrimpers last season.

But Blues boss Phil Brown opted to look elsewhere... Said Brown, 'He’s a very laid-back character and he’s had a first class career. He was expecting an offer on day one at the end of last season and I think he got a bit disillusioned when that didn’t happen.

'I wanted to change the dynamics of the changing room altogether and if we’ve lost Greg to someone else it’s not the end of the world. We will just have to replace him'".

And the Echo News adds that "Southend United manager Phil Brown felt Blues' five trialists made a mixed impression against West Ham United.

Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, Deon Moore, Matt Dennis, Will Atkinson and Hamzad Kargbo all featured for the Shrimpers in their 5-1 defeat at Roots Hall...

'One or two of them showed positive signs and one or two of them didn’t but I’ll leave you to work out who,' said Brown. 'The mentality of a player coming in from the Premier League can be questionable but when they’re prepared to come to this level that’s also the interesting part.

25 July 2021

ALTY WIN AT ASHTON

Above: Altrincham players carried out post-match stretches on the pitch at Ashton, under the guidance of fitness and conditioning coach Ryan Spencer, (image courtesy of Nigel Bunce)..

In their second match of the day, at Hurst Cross, Altrincham deservedly beat Ashton United 2-0, thanks to goals from Dan Mooney and Ryan Colclough.

Right: New striker Marcus Dinanga, in the new Altrincham FC home kit in the game at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Mooney lobbed the home keeper to make it 1-0 after 19 minutes before a second-half goal from Colclough made it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

For this game Altrincham fielded a stronger side than at Chorlton earlier in the day (see below).

Match report here.

ALTRINCHAM 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Joel SENIOR, 3. David FITZPATRICK, 4. Toby MULLARKEY, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 6. Jake MOULT, 7. Dan MOONEY, 8. Sean WILLIAMS, 9. Josh HANCOCK, 10. Matty KOSYLO, 11. Ryan COLCLOUGH. Subs: 12. Tom PEERS, 14. Alex BROWN, 15. Fisayo ADARABIOYO, Yusuf ADENIYI

ALTY LOSE FIRST FRIENDLY

Alty barely mustered a shot of note in the first half and though they dominated the second period, ex-Alty keeper Andrew Jones was rarely troubled in the West net.

With another match for Alty at 3pm on the same afternoon, the squad at Chorlton comprised new signings and trialists with just Gould and captain Ritchie Sutton in the starting eleven from last season's squad, though returning loanee Connor Kirby did play the ninety minutes.

Match report here.

ALTRINCHAM 1. Matt GOULD, 2. Phil PARRY, 3. Junior BROWN, 4. Kennedy DIGIE, 5. Ritchie SUTTON (c), 6. Jordan LUSSEY, 7. Brad JACKSON, 8. Connor KIRBY, 9. Marcus DINANGA, 10. Ben PRINGLE, 11. A-J LEITCH-SMITH. Subs: Harlan RYAN-MORGAN, Liam EVANS, Yusuf ADENIYI, James BERRY, Ryan MORELAND, Liam BLACKBURN (gk)

CONNOR KIRBY INTERVIEW

Right: Connor Kirby heads clear as trialist Ben Pringle looks on in the game at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Alty TV has an interview with loanee Connor Kirby, conducted by press and media officer, Brian Flynn.

TORRANCE MOVES ON

Joel, who turned 19 in April has been with Altrincham for over three years, in which time he has developed consistently, progressing through the Youth team and Reserves and made one first-team appearance at Stalybridge Celtic in a Cheshire Senior Cup tie in 2019.

The teenage goalkeeper produced an heroic performance in an FA Youth Cup tie against Curzon Ashton in 2019,making 3 outstanding saves in the penalty shoot out and his final appearance for the Robins was for Altrincham FC Reserves in the J.B. Parker Challenge Cup Final against Egerton FC in June".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The experienced winger has yet to agree a new deal with the Shrimpers. But Blues boss Phil Brown is hoping the situation can soon be sorted.

'I was desperate to play Ricky against West Ham and Ricky was desperate to play,' said Brown. 'Hopefully he will have a medical over the weekend which will show the people in charge he’s fit enough to play. I liked what Ricky showed in the last six games of last season and that kind of character was missing a bit against West Ham.

'We can’t have that missing come August 21st and the National League will expose any kind of weakness. I don’t think it’s a case of finances or anything like that and I think Ricky ticks all the right boxes'.

Holmes, 34, joined Blues in February and made 14 appearances for his hometown club last season".

Barnet "announce the signing of attacking midfield player, Serhat Tasdemir on a season-long loan from Championship side, Peterborough United.

The 20 year-old is no stranger to National League football, having made several appearances at this level for AFC Fylde... becoming their youngest ever player in the process, as he notably scored a hat-trick in his first appearance...

Tasdemir made 34 appearances in all competitions in 18-19 season scoring nine goals from midfield... At Mill Farm, he made a total of 63 appearances scoring 14 times...

His impressive displays for AFC Fylde earned him a move to Peterborough United in the summer of 2019, since then the attacking midfielder has made 20 appearances... He also spent a short time on loan at Oldham Athletic last season...

Tasdemir likes to take a man on and has an eye goal both inside and outside of the penalty box".

Red Rants reports that "Highly-rated Manchester United starlet Will Fish has joined Stockport County on a season-long loan.

The Red Devils have officially confirmed on their website that the 18-year-old will head out to the National League side for the 2021-22 season.

He is currently with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side for the pre-season and will remain with the first team for the next two fixtures. He will join his new club at the end of this month.

The youngster has shown great progress at United, earning his competitive debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in last season’s penultimate game...

Fish is a highly talented defender who has been praised for his maturity and mentality. He joined United’s youth academy in 2012 and has made 28 appearances for the Under-23s, weighing in with two assists. The 18-year-old needs regular football, and he is likely to get that at Stockport".

ON THIS DAY: 25 JULY

But the visitors, fielding a side mostly drawn from their Academy, equalised on the stroke of half-time when Blakeman netted despite Altrincham appeals for an offside decision. He chipped the ball over Saunders who, again, had an excellent game in goal for the Robins.

Right: Bolton keeper Lainton saves as, (l. to r.), Robbie Williams, Chris Senior (9) and Tom Kearney (6) are in attendance.

Odebayi then scored at the right end for Bolton after being allowed to run unchallenged (55 mins) but Danny Heffernan, who again impressed, scored with a fierce drive two minutes later to level the scores. Marcos Michael put Bolton 3-2 up after 73 minutes but, when substitute Robbie Williams's header from a Kearney freekick came back off the bar, his fellow centre-back Greg Young scrambled home the rebound to level the score once more (84 mins).

On the downside, Alty lost Robbie Lawton in the first half, Alty's captain having started the game with a groin problem which appeared to be aggravated during the game.

Trialist Russell Saunders was in goal as Stuart Coburn sat this game out, the Alty no.1 being still on the road to recovery after a summer knee operation. Alty's other injured player Michael Welch was at the game, on crutches, following his serious ankle operation. New signing Nicky Clee took part in the warm-up and was named on the bench but did not take part in the game.

Despite his groin injury, Robbie Lawton started the game but was on the right of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation as the new signings Tom Kearney (ex-Wrexham) and Maty Crowell (from Northwich) took over central midfield. Colin Little was rested on the bench where he was joined by Anthony Danylyk and James Smith, (both still regaining match fitness), Danny Heffernan and trialists Aaron Chalmers and Robbie Williams. Another trialist, Ben Muirhead was named on the bench but did not appear to be present.

Bolton's side was mostly drawn from their Academy though the likes of Obadeyi had first-team experience and left-winger Harsanyi was a reserve.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Russell SAUNDERS, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 4. Mark McGREGOR, 5. Greg YOUNG, 3. Matt DOUGHTY, 7. Robbie LAWTON, 6. Tom KEARNEY, 8. Matty CROWELL, 11. Chris DENHAM 9. Chris SENIOR, 10. Dale JOHNSON. Subs: 12. Anthony DANYLYK, 14. Colin LITTLE, 15. Danny HEFFERNAN, 16. Aaron CHALMERS, 18. Robbie WILLIAMS. Also named but not used were Ben MUIRHEAD, James SMITH and Nick CLEE.

PRE-SEASON STARTS

The two fixtures, featuring different Alty squads, will be the first opportunity for supporters to see the club's brand new Puma kits in action, with the home kit on display against West Didsbury & Chorlton and away colours on show at Hurst Cross".

As press officer John Edwards explains, "It has been an eventful summer for Alty, with extensive work taking place to ensure the new playing surface is in top shape and several comings and goings on the player front...

Yusifu Ceesay, Joe Piggott, Simon Richman, Alistair Smith, Lewis Salmon and James Hardy all departed, but Alty boss Parkinson acted quickly to balance the books by bringing in Brad Jackson, Marcus Dinanga, Connor Kirby, and Kennedy Digie, all of whom are set to feature this weekend.

To ensure that every member of the squad can get some game time under their belts, the Alty squad will be split in two, with some lining up against West Didsbury & Chorlton and others facing Ashton United...

There will also be a number of reserve and junior players taking to the field, as well as one or two trialists who will be hoping to catch Parkinson’s eye".

Above: West Didsbury and Chorlton FC

At West Didsbury & Chorlton, "There will be a familiar face in the opposition dug-out, with West currently managed by Chris Rowley, Alty’s former reserve team manager, who took charge of our near-neighbours in December, 2019.

He worked at The J. Davidson Stadium from June, 2014 through to May, 2019, during which time his sides experienced two promotions before missing out on winning the Cheshire League by the narrowest of margins.

Prior to embarking on a career in coaching, Chris played as a goalkeeper at clubs across the North West, including Trafford and Kidsgrove. Since hanging up his boots, he has thrown himself head first into management, gaining a UEFA B licence".

Both games will be covered live by Radio Robins.

PHIL PREPARES

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Having been primarily training with one another at Bisham Abbey, the Magpies were able to spread their wings in their first ‘competitive’ game comprised of 120 minutes, four 30-minute halves...

Alan Devonshire’s men were defeated 3-1 with Sam Barratt scoring the solitary goal for the Magpies.

The match, however, was more about... monitoring new signings such as Kane Ferdinand and Will De Havilland.

'We had only been back [in training] for a fortnight, so it was always going to be a tough ask to get a result, especially against a team that are notorious for passing the ball well,' said Barratt...

'It was good to get off the mark too. It wasn’t the best penalty I’ve ever hit, but I was there for the tap-in. I’ve got a target this season to kick on from the 15 I scored last year'...

Barratt said it was good to get an understanding of how new players Ferdinand and De Havilland play'... 'I played the second two halves [quarters] so I didn’t get a chance to play with Kane, I played half an hour with Will who played well up top as well. But, watching on, they both look like good signings. It was good to see the ‘keepers (Rhys Lovett and James Holden) in training as well...

'The gaffer (Alan Devonshire) has made some strong signings to add more squad depth'".

According to the Derbyshire Times, if you "Google Stefan Payne’s name that infamous incident at Grimsby Town last season dominates alongside the words ‘chaos’, ‘bizarre’ and ‘bust-up’.

But one mistake should not define a person and clearly Payne has a lot of talent... and the striker looks to have the bit between his teeth...

A fit, firing and motivated Payne should be a handful in this league and credit to manager James Rowe for looking beyond his misdemeanor last season and not overlooking the fact that the 29-year-old scored bundles of goals at this level with Dover Athletic, played for Barnsley in the Championship and it was not that long ago that he found the net 14 times for Shrewsbury Town...

Rowe is not exactly a shrinking violet, he has a big personality himself and is not afraid to let off the odd firecracker when required so I think he will quite enjoy working with him...

He [Payne] is aggressive, fast and a bit of a throwback target man, according to Micky Mellon, who signed him for Tranmere .

Yeovil Town "announce the signing of Dale Gorman from Glentoran on undisclosed terms..

The midfielder reunites with Darren Sarll who brought him over to England in his teens whilst at Stevenage. Now 25, Gorman has a National League winner's medal with Leyton Orient, alongside EFL spells with the aforementioned Stevenage and a loan spell with Newport County.

Most recently, the midfielder spent time in the Northern Ireland Premier Division with Glentoran...

Gorman said 'Our ambition has to be promotion; you look at the size of the football club and not many would expect us to be here. We’ll give it a good go this year to try and get back where we should be.'"

In days gone by players joined football clubs for footballing reasons but nowadays a call from an American film actor appears top have more clout as the Wirral Globe reports that "In demand former Tranmere striker, Paul Mullin, has caused a stir by signing for National League promotion hopefuls Wrexham on a long-term deal.

The 26 year-old hitman plundered 32 goals for Cambridge United last season, helping the Us secure automatic promotion to League One in the process.

But when United, who named one of the stands at their stadium after Mullin, offered him a new contract, he turned it down and was expected to join another League One club with bigger ambitions and resources. Instead, the Litherland-born forward has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with non-league Wrexham and in doing so, moved down a division [effectively two divisions actually] instead of moving up one.

The North Wales club was bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in February this year. It is understood that the pair phoned Mullin personally to help secure the services of the winner of last year's League Two Golden Boot".

This is confirmed by the Leader Live which says that "A phone call from club co-owner Rob McElhenney persuaded superstriker Paul Mullin to sign for Wrexham AFC...

He said, 'I’m made up... The ambition of the Club attracted me here. Rob McElhenney gave me a call a couple of nights ago; at that time, I wasn’t too sure about making the move but, once he outlined the plans for the Club, and the plans for me in the future, it was something I really wanted to be a part of and something that just excited me that much that I had to come.

'He really sold the Club to me. What they have planned for the Club is magnificent and something I want to be a part of'...

He made his professional debut for Morecambe, scoring 28 goals in 140 matches between 2014 and 2017. After a season at Swindon Town, Mullin was part of the Tranmere Rovers squad which won promotion from League Two in the 2018/19 season and scored 12 goals in 56 games across two seasons.

He played six games on loan at Cambridge in the 2019/20 season... but signed a permanent deal with the Us for last season. His record-breaking season also saw him break Cambridge’s goalscoring record and... he finished the year with 34 goals in 50 appearances...

On the signing, Executive Director Humphrey Ker said, 'The Board have been delighted with the Club’s recruitment to date in preparation for the season. We always wanted to make a signing that would stop people in their tracks and feel this signing fills that requirement.

The Nottingham Post reports that "New Notts County midfielder Matt Palmer has explained his decision to join after completing his move to Meadow Lane.

The 26 year-old signed a two-year deal with the club after leaving Swindon Town at the end of the season. Notts beat off competition from a number of clubs for the player...

The midfielder has racked up more than 200 EFL appearances... and has explained his decision to join Notts. 'I looked at it two ways, I wanted to come and join a place that’s got a long-term project. I came and spoke to the gaffer and he obviously explained the way he wants to play and the vision of this football club and the vision of the owners and stuff like that which was really appealing to me...

'It's either I go somewhere for maybe a short term year and they’re maybe trying to stay in the league, where this club is trying to go places... I think there’s a long-term project, which is what I want to be a part of'...

'When I came to speak to him [Burchnall]... it came across that he knew me as a player already. He knew that I could do rotation in midfield, get on the ball in deeper positions and further forward, so I was really impressed when I spoke to him, it sounded like he knew exactly what kind of player I was and the best to get out of me'".

WEST DIDSBURY GAME

Above, 20 July 2003, Alty won a pre-season game 1-0 at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

Admission on the gate – £5 adults / £3 concessions (60+) / under-12s free with a paying adult

Right: When Alty visited West Didsbury and Chorlton in 2003, they described Alty as the Kings of Semi-Pro Football.

Manager Chris Rowley has arranged a serious examination of his side to wrap up preparations ahead of the NWCFL campaign, with 94 league places separating the teams at the conclusion of last season...

A significant chunk of the West side have experience in red and white, having played for Altrincham’s reserves under Rowley. Sam Heathcote’s time at Moss Lane was particularly notable, as he made 35 appearances for the Robins’ first team from 2015 to 2018.

Saturday’s match will be the first at Brookburn Road since the easing of government restrictions on 19th July. The clubhouse and bar will be open as normal, with tables inside and outside. Alcohol can be taken around the ground, with the exception of glass bottles which must not be taken outside of the clubhouse. Please do not bring your own alcohol into the ground.

We are no longer operating under capacity limits but please continue to consider the safety and comfort of your fellow supporters:

• Supporters are asked to wear a face covering while moving around inside the clubhouse and at the bar, unless exempt. Face coverings do not need to be worn while sitting inside the clubhouse.
• Social distancing is no longer a requirement, but please remain respectful of others while moving around the ground.
• Hand sanitiser will be available at the gate and outside the clubhouse.
• As per government requirements, we will continue to collect details for Track & Trace purposes. The NHS QR code will be on display at the gate and pen and paper will also be available.

Parking: Hardy Farm car park, located at the bottom of Hardy Lane, will again be in operation. The car park will be open from 11am. Please use M21 8DP (what3words: ///kicks.unity.admits) for navigation, and stewards will be on hand to assist supporters. As usual, please do not park on the private roads on and around Brookburn Road.

ASHTON UNITED GAME

"A midfield chess match broke out, with both sides holding strong in the centre of the pitch but two early enforced changes for Michael Clegg’s men could have unlocked the stubborn County defence.

Michael Brewster and Theo Hudson went off with niggles, replaced by Chris Rowney and Ben Hardcastle and it was the latter that made an impact...

Stockport changed their entire line up at half time... and the second half Hatters’ line up showed their class.

Captain Liam Hogan knocked in a rebound off the post from John Rooney’s shot [and] broke the deadlock on the 57th minute.

Ashton had a good share of possession after the goal... County struck with what was effectively the last kick of the game. Experienced front man John Rooney fired home from 12 yards from a Sam Minihan cross.

Post-match, manager Michael Clegg said 'We had to change our plan tonight. Originally, we wanted to give lads 70/80 minutes but, in this heat, it was just not possible.

'When you make that many changes its always going to have an effect and we conceded just after that, but I thought the lads on the pitch recovered well'

Line Up: Hartley, Whalley, Spratt, Coates, Raynes, Brewster, Wall, Sheridan, Ntalu, Redshaw, Hudson. Subs: Azam, Ollerenshaw. Hardcastle, MacAdam, Rowney, Baird, Wood, Bentham, Tserpes.

Tickets (£5) for the game against Altrincham are bookable here.

ALTY'S NEWEST DIRECTOR

ON THIS DAY: 23 JULY

Above: Action from the game against Manchester United Reserves in 2014.

It was a Wednesday evening game in which Altrincham used their first team squad but played several of them in unfamiliar positions as manager Lee Sinnott experimented in advance of the new season. The outcome was a comfortable win for a skilful Manchester United reserve side who used 19 players during the game.

Alty lined up with the attacking threat of Damian Reeves and Nicky Clee left on the bench, along with midfielder Greg Wilkiinson, youth graduate Max Pouncey and goalkeeper Dave Parton. Also, there was no Adam Griffin or Jake Moult in the squad. Trialist Wade Joyce, son of United' Reserves' manager Warren was also an absentee for the Robins. On the pitch, James Lawrie started in an unaccustomed central midfield role and Scott Leather was at right back. Up front, Kyle Perry was partnered by new signing Steven Gillespie. So it was somewhat of an experimental side for Altrincham.

Alty barely threatened the United goal throughout the game and they fell behind after 28 minutes when Wilson scored after Altrincham had failed to clear a corner. A fine long-range goal from Petrucci made it 2-0 after 41 minutes and though United might have scored again before the break, it was Alty's Gillespie who came closest as his excellent freekick came back off the upright of O'Hara's goal.

With Parton replacing Coburn for the second half, Petrucci made it 3-0 on the hour mark after good work on the right by Lawrence. McNair nodded home a freekick after 72 minutes before Goss beat Parton with a near post flick six minutes from time. United's quick movement and accurate passing made them well deserved winners.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Mike WILLIAMS, 4. Scott LEATHER, 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Tom MARSHALL, 7. Simon RICHMAN, 8. Ryan CROWTHER, 9. Kyle PERRY, 10. Steven GILLESPIE, 11. James LAWRIE. Subs: 12. Sean WILLIAMS, 14. Greg WILKINSON, 15. Damian REEVES, 16. Nicky CLEE, 17. Max POUNCEY, 18. David PARTON.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Danny Rowe and Nathan Tyson scored two impressive goals to add to Liam Mandeville’s early opener which was cancelled out by a well-taken free-kick by Alex Byrne.

Overall it was another good workout for the Blues in hot and humid conditions in front of 1,614 fans... Matlock... had won all four of their previous friendly matches including against Mansfield...

The Blues are now heading off for a training camp at Loughborough University before returning for two home friendlies against League Two sides Bradford City and Port Vale.

At least three of the four goals scored in this match were worthy of a bigger occasion.

Chesterfield got off to a perfect start when Stefan Payne found some space about 25 yards out and slipped Mandeville in on goal who stroked the ball across Matlock goalkeeper Shaun Rowley into the far corner after just three minutes... Matlock levelled seven minutes before half-time with a nice free-kick from Byrne...

But the Spireites went into the break in the lead when Payne claimed his second assist... laying the ball to Rowe who struck the ball like an arrow into the net...

Another fine goal rounded off the night. Saidou Khan carried the ball at pace from his own half... before playing the ball into the path of Nathan Tyson who powered it home from 18 yards...

For the second consecutive game summer signing Jamie Grimes impressed and he played the full 90 minutes again just as he did at Alfreton... Interestingly, he started on the right of a back three along with fellow left-footers Gavin Gunning and Laurence Maguire. As we know, boss James Rowe likes his centre-backs to step out with the ball so whether Grimes is comfortable doing that remains to be seen...

Manny Oyeleke, making his first appearance of pre-season, showed some classy touches and played some excellent passes which brought applause and cheers from those in attendance...

Rowe and Payne started together for the first time and they showed some early signs of a partnership formins...

Three more trialists were given a chance to show what they can do...

George Carline, Fraser Kerr and Jack Clarke are the only ones not to play any part in pre-season due to injury and illness espectively. Curtis Weston, another of those being carefully managed due to an Achilles problem, did not feature here but did play against Alfreton...

Team (3-5-2): Loach (Triallist 46); Grimes, Gunning (Triallist 72), Maguire; King (Rowley 58), Oyeleke, McCourt (Khan 55), Mandeville (Triallist 55), Whittle (Miller 46); Rowe (Tyson 46), Payne (Denton 58).

The Maidenhead Advertiser confirms that "Maidenhead United have re-signed goalkeeper James Holden on a season long loan from Reading FC.

The Royals u23s' player has been back in pre-season for the past three weeks and also joined the club's first team squad on a recent training trip to St Andrew's in Scotland...

He and Rhys Lovett, another of the club's summer signings, are set to rival each other for the goalkeeper's number one shirt.

Holden said 'After playing five games here last season I wanted to come back... I hope to keep more clean sheets and keep the ball out of the net more than I did in the last five games, which were all tough. I want to be solid, someone you can trust and not have to worry about.'

Holden was signed on an emergency loan basis for the final five games of last season, after Lovett was injured playing in goal against Notts County.... However, it was a tough end to the season for the Magpies who were running on empty in the final weeks due to injuries, suspensions and an over-crowded schedule of fixtures".

KIng's Lynn Town "picked up there first pre-season win with a convincing 7-0 victory against Thurlow Nunn Premier side Gorleston.

Lynn took the lead on 15 minutes through Gold Omotayo’s header. On 20 minutes they extended their lead when a Michael Gyasi cross was tapped home by Junior Morias...

Lynn made it three just after half-time with Omotayo’s second of the game, and another header.

On 50 minutes it was four when Tyler Denton turned home a Ross Barrows cross. Three minutes later the same players combined, this time Denton heading home a Barrows cross.

Two late goals from Omotayo, in between Morias hitting the bar, gave Lynn a comprehensive win...

Lynn starting XI: Paul Jones, Ross Barrows, Luis Fernandez, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Pierce Bird, Tyler Denton, Michael Clunan, Munsahe Sundire, Michael Gyasi, Gold Omotayo, Junior Morias. Subs (Half time): Joe Gascoigne for Gyasi, Tai Fleming for Callan-McFadden".

The Grimsby Telegraph cvlaims that "The improvements being made at Grimsby Town this summer have been well documented.

But in amongst the takeover, numerous signings and face-lifts at Blundell Park and Cheapside, there are still plenty of small changes that have perhaps gone unnoticed...

'The improvements up here have made a good impression with the players', Hurst told GrimsbyLive. 'I know we’ve got a lot of new bodies... Even the new players have been pretty impressed with what we’ve got, but I think more so with how they’re looked after and treated, and that’s important..

We all know there’s almost endless improvements we can make, we’ve got to understand when the right times are to improve and what’s realistic... The pitches for example, I think we’d have liked it to have been that little bit better if we’re totally honest, but the timing of everything was difficult to get that work done because of when the takeover went through...

'Not everything’s going to be perfect, but we’re certainly striving to be better, and that’s what I really like about [owners] Jason and Andrew’s vision'...

Hurst has added to his backroom staff, with new kit man Alistair Hotson joining the crew, while masseuse Chloe Parsons is now working full-time after assisting last season.

Elsewhere, sports therapist Ben Mortlock, who has spent the summer working with the England squad during their run to the Euro 2020 final, will return to Cheapside to work with the club’s youth team".

According to the Southend Echo, " Southend United manager Phil Brown has been boosted by season card sales for the forthcoming National League campaign.

More than 2,300 fans have already snapped up tickets for next season despite the Shrimpers having suffered two successive relegations.

And Brown has been delighted by the loyalty shown by the Roots Hall faithful... Said the Blues boss, 'I think it’s brilliant after back to back relegations to have 2,000 supporters through the door already, it’s fantastic.

'We’re not finished in terms of our signings and if there are one of two fans sitting on the fence waiting to see then I can promise you we will be bringing more in.

'If we could get to 2,500 it would be magnificent and if we could get to 3,000 it’s a telltale sign the supporters are well and truly with us.'”

STARTING THE SEASON WELL

Over the last seven seasons Altrincham have only twice won any of their first three league fixtures in a season; that adds up to just two wins in 21 matches! The last time they won their first three fixtures was in 2013-14 when they not only won those first three games but extended that run to five wins and two draws in the opening seven matches.

Ironically, the only season in the last seven when Alty were unbeaten after three matches was the disastrous 2016-17 campaign when they were relegated to tier three of the non-League pyramid. So, likewise, a bad start does not always presage a bad season but a good satart to the campaign certainly helps in building conifdence!

The record over the last seven seasons from game one to game three is:

• 2020-21: D(raw) L(oss) D(raw)
• 2019-20 L D D
• 2018-19 D W D
• 2017-18 L D L
• 2016-17 D D D
• 2015-16 L L L
• 2014-15 L L W

The slow starts have continued beyond the opening trio of fixtures in most of those recent seasons too, with the points' haul over the first eight matches being:

• 2020-21: P8 W1 D3 L4 PTS 6 (Alty did also win game 5 at Dover but this was struck from the records)
• 2019-20: P8 W2 D3 L3 PTS 9
• 2018-19: P8 W2 D3 L3 PTS 9
• 2017-18: P8 W4 D1 L3 PTS 13
• 2016-17: P8 W0 D3 L5 PTS 3
• 2015-16: P8 W3 D0 L5 PTS 9
• 2014-15: P8 W2 D1 L5 PTS 7

ON THIS DAY: 22 JULY

Right: Centre-back James Jones is seen here at Rhyl in 2017. This was the second consecutive game in which James had faced another James Jones, against Chester FC last time out and here at Rhyl!

Alty brought 17 players to Rhyl so there were not quite the mass changes seen in previous matches. There were no new faces in their squad as manager Phil Parkinson had announced that he was happy with the squad as it stood.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tim Deasy (capt), 2. John Disney, 3. Kyle Brownhill, 4. Laurence Taylor, 5. James Jones, 6. Sam Heathcote, 7. Tolani Omotola, 8. Sam Sheridan, 9. Josh Amis, 10. Josh Hancock, 11. Jerome Wright. Subs: 12. Tom Peers, 14. John Johnston, 15. James Poole, 16. Jake Moult, 17. Lewis Short, 20. Tony Thompson.

Altrincham secured their third successive pre-season win in a match they largely dominated but without creating too many clear chances.

Josh Amis scored the opener after 14 minutes, heading home after a short corner routine had allowed Jerome Wright to get to the byline on the right. It was the former Stockport County striker's third goal in three matches.

Despite Altrincham enjoying the lion's share of the ball, it remained only 1-0 at the break. And, just before the hour mark, Rhyl equalised when a Hoult header looped over keeper Thompson from a good 15 yards out. However, Alty immediately responded when John Disney got up the right, cut in and saw his goalbound left-footed shot deflect off a defender's head and loop into the net to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

A poor back pass by Rhyl then allowed Johnston to nip in and, though his effort was blocked, James Poole arrived to shoot firmly into the net in the 74th minute.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Magpies have signed the ex-Rotherham midfielder on a free transfer following his release from Swindon Town who were relegated from League One last season.

The 26 year-old arrives having racked up more than 200 EFL appearances... with Wigan Athletic and the Robins last season... Ex-Notts defender Ben Turner player an integral role in helping convince Palmer to move to Meadow Lane.

The pair were team-mates at Burton Albion and Turner is understood to have given Notts a glowing assessment of the club and its ambitions.

Head coach Ian Burchnall said... 'We’ve brought in two very talented young midfielders in Ed Francis and Frank Vincent this summer, so adding someone of Matty’s experience will give us great balance in the central area. Matty’s played more than 50 games in the Championship, around 80 in League One and nearly 100 in League Two so he brings a lot of know-how to the squad while, at the age of 26, he still has plenty to offer in terms of development and improvement.

'We’re looking at him playing a similar role to Jake Reeves towards the end of last season. He could play deep, but we see him more as a box-to-box midfielder who can contribute to the attacking side of the game'...

Palmer’s arrival does not signal the end for the trialists at Meadow Lane and they will remain with the club for the time being. 'We’ve still got Lamine Kaba Sherif, William Hondermarck and Kyle Bennett on trial and they’re all showing promise,' said the head coach".

According to Football League World "Many Bolton Wanderers fans have taken to Twitter to react to the news that defender Reiss Greenidge has joined non league Barnet on loan for the 2021/22 season...

Bolton quickly gave the 24-year-old the green light to head out on loan to the National League outfit in order to get more consistent game time under his belt.

Greenidge, who is originally from London, made just seven appearances for the Trotters last term as they secured promotion back to Sky Bet League One and will now be looking to become a regular at the Hive".

The Manchester Evening News added that "The 25-year-old defender has completed a move... from Wanderers, [for] whom he signed a two-year deal with last summer.

Greenidge has made only seven appearances for Bolton is all competitions since moving to the club... The central defender has now joined the Bees on a loan deal for the upcoming season...with a view to signing for the club permanently"

The Grimsby Telegraph reports how "Grimsby Town maintained their winning start to pre-season on Tuesday as they overcame Mansfield in their latest run-out.

The Mariners earned themselves a 1-0 victory... with Erico Sousa grabbing the only goal of the game during the second half.

Once again, Paul Hurst got the chance to take a closer look at his new-look squad in action, as well as some of the club’s youth team stars looking to break their way into his thinking. The game was played behind closed doors...

Having made a solid first impression against Cleethorpes Town on Saturday, Ben Fox has enhanced his reputation with his latest showing...

With both Ryan Taylor and Lenell John-Lewis out injured, and possibly out for the start of the National League campaign, Hurst is in need of someone to lead the line. There were suggestions that former Forest Green frontman Kurtis Guthrie would feature as a trialist at the RH Academy, but there was no sign of him in the side.

Instead, the duty of leading the attack went to Joel Grant, and by the looks of things he did a decent job as an out-and-out striker. It’s a role he was given under Ryan Lowe during his time at Plymouth; Hurst would certainly prefer to utilise him as a winger in the new season...

All-but one of Town’s new signings got their first outing at the weekend... with the Portuguese winger getting his first run-out in the second half at Mansfield... supplying the finish to earn the Mariners another victory.

He had a record of a goal every other game for Darlington last season, and judging by the reaction from the Quakers' fans he made quite the impression".

The Southend Echo confirms that "Southend United striker Simeon Akinola has tested positive for coronavirus.

The forward's future remains in doubt after he featured in just one of the six games Phil Brown took charge of at the end of last season.

But it was illness which meant Brown could not call upon Akinola against Great Wakering Rovers on Tuesday night.

'Sim is another one who has unfortunately gone down with Covid... My Covid officer is also the chief executive so when he says we aren’t training we aren’t training. I have no say in the matter and we’ve had to close the training ground down as a proper training venue for five days and we test every Monday and Thursday.'

But winger Ashley Nathaniel-George did not feature against Wakering due to a knee problem. 'Ash has had an operation behind his knee,' said Brown.... 'It’s a little bit more complicated than we though but fingers crossed everything is OK'".

ALTY AT WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON

Cash Admission on the gate –

• £5 – Adults
• £3 – Concessions (over-60s, students with valid ID and under 18s)
• Free – Under 12s accompanied by an adult

Car Parking is available at HARDY FARM Postcode M21 8DP

Alcoholic drinks can be purchased and enjoyed during the game".

ON THIS DAY: 21 July

In contrast Alty were without several players. Goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was one of them due to holiday, whilst midfielder Carl Rodgers and striker Ryan Brooke were also not in the starting line-up, though Brooke was a second-half substitute and Rodgers was involved in the warm-up.

So, Adam Reid took over in goal, whilst his former youth team colleagues Duncan Watmore and Sam Grimshaw were also included; Duncan as a starter and Sam as a substitute. No trialists started the game for Alty but four were used in the second half (Matt Doughty, James [not John as on the team sheet] McCarten, Ashley Young and Adam Mather). Former Alty Reserves' keeper, Steve Downs, stepped in as goalkeeping cover on the bench, as he had also done the previous summer.

Up front, just one out and out striker was deployed, in the shape of Danny Midgley.

Right: Trialist defender James McCarten (no.14) is congratulated on his goal for Altrincham.

The Clarets quite deservedly won this match 4-1 but a fierce first-half shot against the post from Duncan Watmore and a second-half disallowed goal could have narrowed the margin in a game which finished with only James Lawrie and Simon Richman of last season's regular starters on the pitch for the Robins.

With Stuart Coburn unavailable for this and the next two Alty games, Adam Reid kept goal and distinguished himself with a trio of good saves, whilst fellow youth team graduates Duncan Watmore and Sam Grimshaw, a second-half sub, also enhanced their reputations.

Alty fell behind in the 14th minute when Chris McCann scored with a low drive into the bottom corner of the net. With Burnley fielding a different eleven in the second half, they scored twice in three minutes soon after the break. Firstly, Danny Ings scored from the edge of the box (48 mins) before Charlie Austin's left-footer made it 3-0 in the 51st minute. Austin added the fourth in the 90th minute, with a back-post header from Treacy's cross from the left.

Alty's goal arrived in the 70th minute when trialist centre-back James McCarten (ex-Everton and Aberystwyth Town) stabbed the ball home after Stewart had failed to clear.

The match was refereed by Altrincham's own Premiership official, Anthony Taylor.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Adam REID, 2. Scott LEATHER, 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Danny HALL, 3. Nicky CLEE, 7. Duncan WATMORE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 10. Scott PHELAN, 11. James LAWRIE, 9. Danny MITCHLEY. Subs: 12. Matt DOUGHTY, 14. James McCARTEN, 15. Ashley YOUNG, 16. Ryan BROOKE, 17. Adam MATHER, * Sam GRIMSHAW, GK. Steve DOWNS

BURNLEY: 1. Lee GRANT, 2. Luke O'NEILL, 3. Joseph MILLS, 4. Kev LONG, 5. Jason SHACKELL, 6. Chris McCANN, 7. Ross WALLACE, 8. Steve HEWITT, 9. Joe JACKSON, 10. Martin PATERSON, 11. Junior STANISLAS. Subs: 14. Kieran TRIPPIER, 15. Danny LAFFERTY, 16. Michael DUFF, 17. Ben MEE, 18. Dean MARNEY, 19. Danny INGS, 20. Alex MacDONALD, 21. Keith TREACY, 22. George PORTER, 25. Charlie AUSTIN, 27. Jon STEWART (GK)

ALTY OLD BOY

Nathan's stay at Alty on loan from Barrow in 2019 was prematurely ended by a crude last-minute challenge at FC United of Manchester, which put the striker out of action with an ACL injury.

SPONSORSHIP NEWS AT ALTY

Two of the initial intake of members, tax experts Catax and leading estate agents Watersons, have stepped forward and become the Club’s official sponsors... with the major boost of sponsorship from Catax and Watersons allowing Alty to launch a dedicated Business Club app, which will be announced and launched shortly...

Alty director Sam Mackenzie said... ‘We’ve had a fantastic take-up in the space of one week, since the Business Club’s inception, and more and more new members are signing up each day. To have followed that up by reaching a sponsorship agreement with two thriving local names like Catax and Watersons is just brilliant news. We wanted to forge closer links with local businesses'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Paul Hurst has made it clear he’d like to secure a new frontman before the start of the National League campaign, which gets underway on August 21. That desire has been hastened after Ryan Taylor pulled up just 15 minutes into the Mariners’ opening pre-season game at Cleethorpes Town on Saturday.... [with a] hamstring problem, and... with Lenell John-Lewis potentially facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his calf in training, Hurst is reportedly getting down to work on finding a new frontman immediately...

There’s plenty of speculation to suggest that Paul Hurst is already taking a look at the former Port Vale frontman, Kurtis Guthrie, [who] is available after being released by the Valiants at the end of the 2020/21 season, having only made the move to Vale Park in January...

Supporters have raised concerns over his lack of goals over the past year, but with suggestions he’ll be getting a run-out against Mansfield, Hurst may be looking to see if he can rediscover his scoring touch".

Notts County "have completed the signing of former Manchester City and England youth captain Ed Francis.

The 21 year-old midfielder, who skippered the likes of Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho during an 11-year rise through City’s academy, has signed a two-year deal at Meadow Lane to the delight of Ian Burchnall.

'Ed’s time at City gave him a tremendous education,' said the head coach... 'He progressed through the ranks as a left-sided centre-back but felt, at around 6ft, he probably wasn’t quite tall enough to make it at the top in that role – hence his adaptation into a holding midfielder... In the role we want Ed to play, you’re the pivot of the whole team. You have to understand space, where to position yourself to receive the ball and the defensive areas to cover. You’re also responsible for dictating the play, so it’s a hugely important position...

'Having left City for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2019, Francis captained the Molinuex outfit’s Under 23s on several occasions... but an untimely ankle injury dented his chances of breaking into Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans for the 2019-20 Premier League campaign.

Following a Covid-curtailed loan move to Swiss side Grasshopper, Francis took the brave decision to cancel his Molineux contract in pursuit of first-team action elsewhere. This paved the way for a move to League Two side Harrogate Town last December, where he made a positive impression in his 20 appearances...

Said Burchnall 'He found himself being used at full-back quite a lot but I know he sees himself as a holding midfielder, as we do'">

Another ex-Harrogate player is the subject as the Harrogate Advertiser reports that "Simon Weaver’s summer clear-out at Harrogate Town continues, with Tom Walker’s exit confirmed...

The 25-year-old left-winger leaves Wetherby Road to re-join National League promotion-hopefuls Stockport County on a permanent deal. Walker only signed for the Sulphurites last summer, but despite beginning the 2020/21 in Weaver’s starting XI, he quickly faded out of the picture and was loaned to Notts County in November.

A second temporary switch followed two months later, with the former Bolton Wanderers and Salford City attacker choosing to link up with the Hatters, for whom he went on to make 22 appearances... By the time Walker had returned to Harrogate to begin pre-season training at the start of July, Weaver had already... stated that Walker and a trio of other players still under contract were free to move elsewhere.

The other three, Joe Leesley, Connor Kirby [now at Alty] and defender Kevin Lokko, have already departed... following eight players who were released by Weaver at the end of last season... Walker featured in 12 competitive matches for Town, failing to score a goal".

According to the Halifax Courier, "Town manager Pete Wild says the club are confident they have identified the right replacements for defender Neill Byrne and striker Jake Hyde...

Wild, who celebrates his 37th birthday today, said 'I thought it was key that we put the statement out on Sunday night, because everyone gets sceptical and apprehensive, and I appreciate that...

'In Neill’s case, Neill’s representative came to us and asked would there be any mileage in Hartlepool making an offer, and I said we didn’t want to lose him but if he wanted to move on into the league, that’s what it would take to do it, and fair play to them, they came up with the money, and it was really good business, it was good money, Neill had expressed that he wanted to leave...

'As soon as players express a desire to leave then we have to work with them to try and move them on...

'Obviously there’s been rumours across the summer about Jake. There were a couple of clubs interested, Wrexham came in with an offer, again Jake had made it clear to us that he wanted to move on, for various reasons, and again, it’s a really good bit of business for a 31 year-old who we didn’t get as many games [from] as we thought we would last year, so the business was good...

'We should be really happy as a football club for what we received for them... I’m under no pressure to generate income for the football club.

'But the two factors are they express a desire to move on, and their valuations were met very comfortably, in our eyes, so it’s really good business for the club, especially in these times, it will certainly help me reinvest in bringing other players to the football club...

'We always know the targets we’re going to go after to replace players, and now is no different. We’ve already had really good conversations with the people who we want to bring in and now they’re making their decisions whether they’re for us. We haven’t just spoken to one, we’ve spoken to two or three in both those positions, so it’ll be a case of, if they all come back with a yes, we have to pick the best person for the job, but we’ll be happy with any of them three in both positions'...

'[Four] traillists are in the building, they have started really well... The plan is still on track. Yes, there’s a bump in the road with those two leaving, but we’ve dealt with that'...

Wild says striker Matty Stenson is making good progress in his rehabilitation from long-term injury... 'Hopefully, nearer Christmas, he’ll be back out there showing everybody why we invested money bringing him to the club.'

Town are back training at their base in Leeds".

Newcomers to the National League, Southend United "confirm midfielder Timothee Dieng has departed the club and joined Exeter City.

Dieng joined Blues in 2018 and made 113 appearances for the club during the three seasons he spent at Roots Hall, chipping in with nine goals in all competitions.

Dieng was offered a new deal by Blues but has opted to join the Grecians in League Two for the upcoming season".

Solihull Moors "announce the signing of central defender Matt Preston, who has penned a two-year contract with the club until May 2023.

Preston, 26, started his career at Walsall where he captained their under-18 side before signing his first professional contract in January 2013.

He went on to amass over 100 Football League appearances for the Saddlers, Swindon Town and Mansfield Town.

In October 2020, Preston signed for Barnet and made 16 appearances in all competitions across the 2020/21 campaign...

Preston said... 'I’ve always thought it’s a good club. Everything that you need is here. I think everyone at the club wants to get promoted, that’s what the ambition is. First and foremost, I’m a defender and my job is to help keep the ball out of the net. I’d like to think I can keep the ball as well and recycle where it needs to be recycled.'”

ON THIS DAY: 20 July

Blackpool had sent another squad to Barrow for a simultaneous game with this one at Altrincham so the Seasiders were not at full strength. After their 0-6 mauling by Crewe at Moss Lane last time out, Alty were looking for a much improved performance but they fell behind to a well-worked goal by Tollett in the 23rd minute. The excellent Liam Feeney's slide-rule pass set Devitt advancing towards goal and, from the right, his low cross was tapped home by Tollitt.

The hosts equalised in the 35th minute with an excellent move. Densmore's impressive crossfield ball located Hampson and, via Williams and Hancock, the ball was crossed from the right byline by Chadwick for Walters to head into the net.

Just six minutes afterwards, Richman made a fine interception in midfield and played in Chadwick who was brought down as he advanced up the middle of the penalty area. Chadwick himself converted the penalty with a firm spot-kick.

Above: Matt Chadwick (far left, no.7) converts his penalty.

At the break, Tony Thompson replaced Steven Drench in goal and, in the second half, Alty lost Walters to injury, with Nathan Arnold replacing him. Soon afterwards seven more Altrincham substitutes were deployed. Although there was plenty of attacking movement from both sides there were to be no more goals before the final whistle.

For their part, Blackpool used a player who at that time had been a former Alty loanee, Yusifu Ceesay, as a second-half substitute.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Steven DRENCH, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 3. Connor HAMPSON (c), 4. James JONES, 5. Ben HARRISON, 6. Sean WILLIAMS, 7. Matt CHADWICK, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Tom PEERS, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 11. Lewis WALTERS. Subs: 9* Jordan HULME, 12. Andy WHITE, 14. Max HARROP, 15. Tom HANNIGAN, 16. Toby MULLARKEY, 17. Nathan ARNOLD, 19. Dontai GABIDON, 20. Tony THOMPSON, 21. Conor BRANSON

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

And it appears he is already having an influence in the Magpies’ recruitment following the arrival of Bennett. His ex-Pompey team-mate has suffered a difficult time since leaving Fratton Park in January 2018 under Kenny Jackett.

After initially impressing at Bristol Rovers, the winger then fell out of favour over the next three-and-a-half years. He spent the majority of last term on loan at League Two Grimsby... Now, following his Rovers release, the 30 year-old has arrived at Meadow Lane as a trialist seeking a new home.

Bennett marked his first game for the National League club with an impressive display in Saturday's 2-0 friendly win over Coalville... Bennett sealed the success with a superb 20-yard effort...

Magpies boss Ian Burchnall told Nottinghamshire Live, ‘You can see obviously that he's been at a good level and he's got lots of quality'...

Bennett arrived at Fratton Park in the summer of 2015... and went on to make 117 appearances, scoring 13 goals... Bennett went on to make 62 outings for Bristol Rovers".

According to the Essex Daily Gazette "Former Colchester United favourite Tom Lapslie has signed for Torquay United.

The tenacious midfielder, who was one of a host of players to leave the U's in May, is one of a number of new signings for the Gulls.

Lapslie joined Colchester’s academy at the age of 16... He went on to become a regular in midfield, under several different managers... The combative midfielder made 170 league and cup senior appearances for the U’s...

Lapslie admitted it was tough to leave... 'It’s the only thing I’ve known for the last ten years'".

Bromley "returned to Hayes Lane for their first pre-season friendly. The game saw a number of trialists and first team players feature, as well as different sides selected for each half...

Overall, there were few chances for both teams throughout the first half.

In the second half, a mistake in defence from Bromley, saw Fulham forward Terry Ablade have an open goal to aim at, the forward made no mistake and the visitors took the lead...

Then, the moment Bromley had been waiting for. The ball was played to a trialist on the wing, he weaved his way past a couple of defenders, inside the opposition’s penalty area and slotted the ball with ease into the bottom corner. A deserved equaliser for The Ravens...

It was honours even at Hayes Lane, but there certainly were moments of promise for the hosts".

Aldershot Town "announce that Harrogate Town defender Kevin Lokko has committed to Aldershot Town for the next two years!

Lokko, who is a central defender by trade, is a product of the academy system at Norwich City... Since then, the 25 year-old has had spells with a number of National League clubs including Welling United, Maidstone United, Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) and Dover Athletic (loan before made permanent).

The central defender joins the Shots with plenty of experience in the National League too, playing over 180 games in the division with an impressive return of 17 goals during this time as well.

Lokko has also had spells in the Football League with both Stevenage and Colchester United during his career, before most recently moving to his most recent former club Harrogate Town.

This was after a successful spell with Dover Athletic in the National League which also saw the defender captain of the Whites".

ON THIS DAY: 19 JULY

The match in 2017 was a pre-season friendly match which Altrincham won 3-2. Trialists James Jones, Josh Amis and Tony Thompson remained in the squad for the match but recent signing Jordan Hulme was not available. Chester had played 24 hours earlier at Bala Town and, in that match as well as this, they fielded separate starting elevens in each half.

Indeed, it was a very encouraging performance from Altrincham which was rewarded by a narrow margin of victory that did them scant justice after a game they had dominated for almost the entire ninety minutes. Chester used a different eleven in each half whilst Alty employed nine substitutes during the game.

Above: Alty celebrate a goal against Chester FC in 2017.

Altrincham took a deserved 33rd minute lead when Poole found Hancock on the left. His shot was diverted into the net by Tom Peers, who was playing in the central striker's role in the first half. But, just four minutes later, Chester, who had scarcely threatened the Alty goal, netted an equalizer which arose from a mix-up between Sheridan and Moult. This allowed Davies to fire home impressively from outside the box.

Chester improved in the early stages of the second half before Alty again reasserted their dominance. A brilliant goal by Jerome Wright made it 2-1 after 69 minutes. He made space in the box before curling the ball into the far top corner, to the keeper's right.

Seven minutes later, Johnston found trialist Josh Amis whose low shot went through the Chester trialist substitute keeper's hands to make it 3-1. With Alty well on top, Chester were given a way back when the referee judged Alty trialist Jones to have fouled Nyal Bell as he got the ball off the former Alty loanee inside the box. Dawson netted the penalty to make it 3-2 with seven minutes remaining.

Alty saw out the match comfortably and moved towards the new league season with increasing confidence in what was proving to be an effective and attractive style of football.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. John DISNEY 3. Lewis SHORT, 4. Chris LYNCH, 5. Ben HARRISON, 6. Jake MOULT, 7. John JOHNSTON, 8. Sam SHERIDAN, 9. Tom PEERS, 10. James POOLE, 11. Josh HANCOCK. Subs 12. Shaun DENSMORE, 14. Kyle BROWNHILL, 15. James JONES, 16. Laurence TAYLOR, 17. Jerome WRIGHT, 18. Josh AMIS, 19, Sam HEATHCOTE, 20. Tim DEASY, 21. Tomoli OMOTOLA

CHESHIRE NEWS

The club, which competes in the North West Counties League Division One South, was previously owned by Pro Football Academy, a company which coaches players between the ages of four and 16.

Stott, a property entrepreneur and multi-millionaire, bought PFA last week, thus becoming the de facto owner of Stockport Town.

A statement from Town, who will be managed by [former Chorley manager] Matt Jansen, said 'The acquisition supports Mark’s passion for creating opportunities for everyone to get more out of football and create pathways for young footballing talent in Stockport and the wider region.

'The FA, EFL and North West Counties League have all approved the transaction subject to conditions that ensure Stockport Town is operated independently from Stockport County.'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

And his view is not surprising after FC Halifax Town reported tersely that "FC Halifax Town striker Jake Hyde has joined Vanarama National League side Wrexham AFC for an undisclosed fee.

Thank you Jake and good luck with them".

And this came just after the Shaymen had issued an identical two-line statement to confirm that "FC Halifax Town defender Neill Byrne has joined EFL League Two side Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee.

Thank you Neill and good luck with the Pools".

Elaboration came from FC Halifax Town in an open letter to supporters from manager Pete Wild stating that "I am writing to help you understand and allay any fears you may have regarding the sale and recruitment of players.

As I have continually stressed over the last year we have developed a strict budget and playing structure which allows us to get every penny out of the playing budget. This is firmly driven by me and supported by the Chairman. This will at times see us lose or miss out on certain players, but allows us to maintain our budget and ensure harmony in the squad.

Regarding the sale of the two players this week, I’m under no pressure to sell any player at this Club, however every player has a price, coupled with individual player circumstances.

Both Neill and Jake have made it known to me during the summer that they would like to move on, for various reasons. When a player says that to me, then I have to work in the best interests of the football club and look to move them on. I’m sure you will agree with me, we only want players here who are committed to making this Club better, not with one eye elsewhere. Of course the financials have to be right and the appropriate figures have been achieved.

In my eyes this was excellent business for the football club given the circumstances. The Chairman has always stated to me from day one that any money created from player sales will be reinvested into the playing budget. When you see the term ‘undisclosed fee’ that is normally the request of both clubs involved, not just one.

As you would expect, we have already identified and are speaking to clubs and players who we wish to replace those who have left...

I can assure you we all remain committed to producing the best squad possible for the new season.'"

The Leader Live confirms that "Wrexham AFC have paid Halifax Town an undisclosed fee to bring in striker Jake Hyde to The Racecourse.

Hyde, 31, scored 12 goals in 27 games for the Shaymen last season, and has signed a two-year contract at the Racecourse Ground.

The forward previously played for Woking and scored 16 goals in 32 games in the 2019/20 season...

Hyde said 'It’s a fantastic set-up here and I’m really looking forward getting going. I had a couple of clubs in for this summer, and once Halifax let me know Wrexham were one of those, I spoke to the manager and from then on it was the only option for me'...

Hyde started his career with Swindon Town, twice moving on loan to Weymouth and making his career debut with the Terras, before moving to Barnet in 2009... but moved to Hayes & Yeading before spells in Scotland with Lochee United, Dundee (twice) and Dunfermline Athletic.

He moved back to Barnet in 2012... and then went on to play for York City, Stevenage and Maidenhead United before his move to Woking... Hyde spent last season with FC Halifax Town.

He added... 'I’ve been successful at this level for three years and I’m hoping I can continue to do that while I still grow with this Football Club and take it back to where it should be'".

The Nottingham Post reports that Notts County "kicked off their pre-season campaign at the weekend as they beat Coalville 2-0 with goals coming from Damien McCrory and Kyle Bennett...

It was an excellent work out for Notts who were level at the break having been frustrated by a Coalville side who carried a genuine threat... But eventually, Notts' class told with Bennett firing a shot off the post which McCrory tapped in before the trialist curled in a magnificent 20-yard effort.

Magpies writer Leigh Curtis was in attendance and he analysed the first friendly...

The former Portsmouth winger [Bennett] is currently a free agent following his release from Bristol Rovers and now finds himself looking for a new home. Notts have taken him on trial...

It was clear from his performance against Coalville that he still retains a great deal of quality...

The young goalkeeper Brooks is highly thought of at Meadow Lane having come through the ranks of the academy. Last year he had spent time on loan at Lincoln United...

Head coach Ian Burchnall was effusive in his praise of his performance post-match and with only two goalkeepers on the books, Brooks is certainly staking a worthy claim to be back-up to Sam Slocombe...

Cameron looks a class act.... Notts pulled off something of a coup to land the former Newcastle centre-back given he was being chased by plenty of Football League clubs...

He was handed the captain's armband in the first half during which he demonstrated all the qualities which made him one of the club's top summer transfer targets...

One of Notts' biggest problems last term was their over-reliance on Kyle Wootton who finished the campaign with 19 goals in all competitions... It hasn't quite happened for Lewis Knight following his arrival from Bradford Park Avenue, while Elisha Sam was used sparingly at the back end of the season...

While Ruben Rodrigues was absolutely sensational in the final few weeks of last season, he is more of a second striker rather than somebody who can lead the line should Wootton ever be ruled out for a period of time.

< Head coach Burchnall has admitted that a striker is on his agenda, but it cannot be another forward who needs developing.".

From Southend, the Echo News reports that "Hughly-rated goalkeeper George Murray-Jones has joined Manchester City from Southend United.

The first year scholar, who came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall, has been invited to England training camps due to his fine form.

And the youngster has now been snapped up by the Premier League giants.

Murray-Jones in the second Southend player to join City in recent times after defender Finley Burns made the same move back in 2019.

The Derbyshire Times says ther are "Four talking points as Chesterfield lose to Alfreton Town in pre-season friendly.

Tom Denton scored on his first appearance in six months as Chesterfield slipped to a late 3-2 defeat against Alfreton Town in their first pre-season friendly... with the hosts winning it in the 90th minute in sweltering heat at the Impact Arena.

Matt Rhead’s penalty, scored against the run of play on 25 minutes, had the National League North side ahead at the break.

The Spireites equalised eight minutes into the second-half when one of Chesterfield’s four trialists on the day, a striker, blocked a clearance by goalkeeper Teddy Unwin-Marris and the ball flew in.

Denton marked his return from injury with a trademark header from Jak McCourt’s corner to put the visitors in the lead with 20 minutes remaining but the Reds equalised almost instantly from Michael Williams’ long-range strike before Shaun Tuton notched a late winner...

It was understandable that Alfreton, with two friendly matches already in the bag before this one, finished the stronger as the Blues tired... Jamie Grimes was probably the stand-out performer of the new boys. He was comfortable on the ball and played some excellent diagonal passes out to fellow new signing Jeff King on the right flank.

King himself also made a positive impression, his pace and ability to go on the outside or cut in on his left caused the hosts problems.

Stefan Payne looked a threat and it was encouraging to see him get on the end of some chances.

ALTY'S MILLENNIUM KITS: 2001-02

Right: Steve Hawes in the 2001-02 home kit.

Altrincham finished ninth that season which ended with third-bottom club Bishop Auckland being demoted because their proposed home at Shildon had not met the ground grading criteria. The 22nd and 23rd place teams (Hyde United and Bamber Bridge) should have been relegated; the 21st place team (Bishop Auckland) should have been involved in a play off with the 3rd to 5th teams UniBond First Division teams to decide which team played in the Premier League the following season.

But Ossett Town, who finished second in the First Division, also failed a ground assessment, so the only team promoted automatically to the UniBond Premier was Harrogate Town, the champions of Division One, who replaced the only relegated team, Bamber Bridge.

As seen in the team photoshoot below, the 2001-02 attire now incorporated a slightly broader red and white striped pattern and a new main sponsor's logo in the shape of local building firm Hillcrest Homes, run by Alty director Jeremy Pollitt. The backroom staff are sporting the all-white away kit (see below).

The player numbers were in black on a white panel.

Back row L to R: Mark Maddox, Mark Sertori, Ian Craney, Stuart Coburn, Paul Taylor, Terry Bowker, Gary Scott; middle L to R: Gary Thompson (Physio), Keith Mairs Senior (Coaching Staff), Kevin Hulme, Jason Gallagher, Danny Murphy, Carl Furlong, Chris Adams, Graham Heathcote (Coach), Graham Wright (Reserves' Manager); front L to R: Dave Swannick, Keith Mairs, Steve Hawes (Captain), Bernard Taylor (Manager), Mark Harris (Chairman), Rod Thornley, Lee Poland, Jeremy Illingworth.

Away from home the change strip comprised an all-white kit with the same Hillcrest panel that featured on the home kit. On this shirt the player's numbers were in red rather than the black used on the home shirts.

The norm was black shorts and socks but white was worn for either or both when there was a clash.

In the all-white strip, Alty's Steve Hawes is seen, above, receiving treatment from Gary Thompson after being fouled by ex-Robin, Marc Limbert (bending over in no.7 shirt) at Colwyn Bay. The other Alty players visible are (l. to r.) Mark Sertori, Kevin Hulme, Mark Maddox and Chris Adams. In the background is Bay no.11, Stuart Scheuber, who had been employed at Moss Lane the previous season.

ON THIS DAY: 18 JULY

Right: New boys, Michael Rankine and Anthony Griffith, seen at Stalybridge in 2015.

In this game, Altrincham took an early lead when Stalybridge's former Alty keeper, Tony McMillan, raced out to his right touchline but was hustled off the ball by Michael Rankine. Alty's new striker then curled his shot into the net from wide left, despite the attempts of two retreating defenders to block it. That was in just the seventh minute.

For Celtic, Chippendale impressed and, especially in the second half, they had the majority of the forward momentum. They had a goal chalked off for offside but Altrincham almost scored a second goal in the 90th minute when James Lawrie's fine shot came back off the underside of the crossbar.

Surprisingly, trialists Jordan Deacey and Jordan Sinnott were not in Altrincham's squad but new signing Anthony Griffith made his debut. Nicky Clee and Shaun Densmore were not involved in the game either.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN 2. Scott LEATHER, 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 4. Anthony GRIFFITH, 5. Gianluca HAVERN (capt), 6. Tom MARSHALL, 7. James LAWRIE, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 9. Michael RANKINE, 10.Josh O'KEEFE, 11. Ryan CROWTHER, Subs: 12. Sam HEATHCOTE, 14. Jake MOULT, 15. Damian REEVES, 16. Joel SWIFT, 17.David BROWN, 18. Tim DEASY, 19. Rhain DAVIES.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Mariners head to neighbours Cleethorpes Town... where they’ll be looking to blood their 10 new signings for the first time...

'I think first and foremost, it’s a usual line that most managers will be saying, it’s about fitness,' Hurst told the Telegraph. 'We’ve probably done more 11 v 11 work going into the first game than we’ve probably done in the past. Some of that is because it’s a new group of players, and we’re trying to implement certain movements and systems.

'We’ve also got longer to prepare for the season... It’s allowed us to run with the Wednesday off that we would normally do throughout the season. We just want to see an understanding from the players of what’s been asked of them. We’ve done some analysis work, Chris (Doig) in particular has gone through clips with individuals or certain units of the team to try and get them to understand what’s required'...

On how his new signings are faring, Hurst added 'Good, some are better than others at this moment in time, and with experience you learn to not get caught up on making too many judgements and ideas on players... Harry Clifton for example looks like he’s at the wrong place because he can just run all day, he probably should be in an athletic team!

'Some of the others have to work at that, and some are more technical than others. In general, you’re just looking for their attitudes, their application to it. There’s a couple of things already that I’m keeping an eye on in terms of people’s approach and trying to guide them and get them to fully understand what myself and the staff want from players'".

MK Dons secured "a 3-1 victory over Maidenhead United in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

The format of the clash was the same as the previous clash with King’s Lynn, with two different XI’s each playing 60-minutes.

After a goalless first hour, the Dons fell behind to Sam Barratt's goal but a brace from one of the two trialists and a Jay Bird finish saw Russell Martin's men make it back-to-back wins this pre-season...

Despite all the dominance from MK Dons, it was Maidenhead who took the lead from the penalty spot. The referee pointed to the spot after a foul inside the area, although Fisher got down well to save, the striker turned home the rebound. 0-1...

The Dons pressure was eventually rewarded as... Boateng found the run of A Trialist who held off his marker before finding the back of the net inside the box. 1-1.

It was A Trialist who then put MK Dons... he found the bottom corner. 2-1.

Two soon became three as Jay Bird found the back of the net after his initial shot was saved".

The Nottingham Post reports that "Notts County... are running the rule over several players... as they take on non-league Coalville Town in their first friendly...

Notts County are running the rule over former Leicester City midfielder Lamine Keba Sherif as the Magpies gave four trialists the chance to impress...

Sherif was named in the starting line-up for the Magpies' first friendly of the summer and is currently a free agent after his departure from Accrington Stanley. Sherif spent 10 years at the Foxes before he was released in 2019 and then moved to Stanley who deemed him surplus to requirements at the end of last season.

He was joined in the starting line-up by ex-Norwich midfielder William Hondermarck who also started the game in midfield as did striker Andrew Wright whose last club was Ayr United.

And on the bench was former Bristol Rovers attacker Kyle Bennett whose last club was a loan spell at Grimsby Town.

The quartet started alongside new signing Kyle Cameron who took his place in the defence alongside Adam Chicksen and Dion Kelly-Evans while midfielder Jim O'Brien also started. Lewis Knight was given a role up front.

Young players Archie Aves and Brad McGregor were also given a chance to impress".

In the Midlands Express & Star, we leran that "Hope was in short supply when Albion were famously beaten by non-league Woking back in 1991.

Thirty years on, though, this meeting between the two sides will have Baggies supporters feeling more optimistic... Albion made the long trip to Surrey to mark the day Tim Buzaglo netted an FA Cup hat-trick to write his name into the history books of both clubs...

[This was the] first public friendly under new boss Valerien Ismael. And his side put on a display to whet the appetite ahead of the new campaign. In his time at Barnsley, the Frenchman became known for playing variants of a 3-4-3 system...

The Baggies enjoyed almost total control for the opening 45 minutes, with Woking offering little in the way of an attacking threat... But that bit of magic you need in the final third just wasn’t there with their [WBA's] final pass constantly letting them down...

Despite the control his side had enjoyed, Ismael grew more frustrated as the half progressed.... Ismael then made wholesale changes with youngsters Ethan Ingram, Quevin Castro, Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Rayhaan Tulloch introduced along with Cedric Kipre and Kenneth Zohore.

The pattern of the game remained uncharged, though, with Albion continuing to knock on the door...

Woking had put up a plucky display. But there could be no doubt, overall, Albion deserved to win. And they finally broke the deadlock with what was virtually the last kick of the game. Zohore was tripped in the box with referee Charles Breakspear pointing to the spot.

And the striker dusted himself down to powerfully find the bottom corner from 12 yards".

KIRBY BECOMES FOURTH SIGNING

Now, Altrincham FC confirms that "Phil Parkinson has bolstered his midfield options for the new season by signing Connor Kirby on another extended loan deal.

Right: Connor Kirby in the match against Yeovil in May.

The 22 year-old impressed in Altrincham colours last season... When the opportunity arose to sign the energetic midfielder for a second time, Alty boss Parkinson wasted no time agreeing a temporary deal that will run until January 3rd...

The Barnsley-born midfielder can boast an impressive pedigree after sampling Championship football for Sheffield Wednesday and making a total of 50 appearances at League Two level for Harrogate and, on loan, Macclesfield Town".

He joins three permanent signings announced by Altrincham over the summer, in the shape of Marcus Dinanga, Kennedy Digie and Brad Jackson.

Altrincham have also confirmed that, having listed them in the recent issue of squad numbers, "teenage centre-back Will Hall and 20 year old forward Curtis Miller have both signed contracts for the duration of the 2021/22 season".

FRIENDLY TICKETS

ON THIS DAY: 17 JULY

Left: Gianluca Havern points the way as he, Danny Hall (6) and Shaun Densmore keep an eye on Morecambe's former Alty striker, Jack Redshaw.

In fact, Altrincham gave a strong Morecambe side as good as they got in the Robins' first goalless draw in any match since February 2011. Once again, groundsman Neil Brown had produced an excellent playing surface at Moss Lane over the summer. Alty's management team of Lee Sinnott and Neil Tolson fielded a starting eleven comprising players who all have already signed forms for the club.

The only omissions were goalkeeper Adam Reid and midfielder Simon Richman, who were both on the bench. So, the only trialists in tonight's squad were all named as substitutes and they included one new face, right-back Scott Leather, who was later to become a first-team regular at Altrincham. Leather had been for several years in Crewe Alexandra's junior and youth system before moving to Preston North End and had recently been trialling at Barrow.

In the two previous pre-season games, Alty had used a whole different team of outfield players in each half but, tonight, they retained their starting eleven till the hour mark, after which they made five changes before the final whistle. At Lee Sinnott's disposal on the bench were five trialists and one youth team graduate, Sam Grimshaw.

Overall, Alty worked Morecambe keeper Roche more than the Shrimps tested Stuart Coburn in an end to end game in which the defences emerged on top. Centre-back Danny Hall was arguably the pick of the Altrincham players but Duncan Watmore again showed some promising touches going forward.

The match was refereed by Ian Hussin, brother of ex-Alty man Eddie Hussin. Ian is now a regular assistant referee in the Premiership.

Former Alty boss Ken McKenna, who was then assistant manager at Morecambe, and the Shrimps' manager, Jim Bentley, had brought a strong team to Moss Lane for this pre-season friendly. Their squad included some faces familiar to Alty fans in striker Jack Redshaw and used-substitute Kevin Ellison. Watching the game from the Carole Nash main stand, with the Shrimps officials, was striker Richard Brodie, who had played against Altrincham on several occasions in the recent past.

Also in the Morecambe squad were other players whose careers embraced both clubs in the form of Joe Mwasile and Paddy Lacey.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Danny HALL, 3. Nicky CLEE; 7. Duncan WATMORE, 4. Carl RODGERS, 8. Scott PHELAN, 11. James LAWRIE; 9. Danny MITCHLEY, 10. Ryan BROOKE. Subs: 12. Matt DOUGHTY, 14. Simon RICHMAN, 15. Scott LEATHER, 16. Greg PEARSON, 17. Sam GRIMSHAW, 18. Adam REID (gk), John McCARTEN, 8*. Adam MATHER.

MORECAMBE: 1. Barry ROCHE, 2. Andy PARRISH, 3. Robert THRELFALL, 5. Chris McCREADY (capt), 8. Andy WRIGHT, 10. Jack REDSHAW, 16. Stewart DRUMMOND, 17. Izak REID, 18. Gary McDONALD, 20. Joe MWASILE, 22. Danny CARLTON. Subs: 12. Ben WOODHEAD (gk), 4. Joe McGEE, 7. Andy FLEMING, 9. Lewis ALESSANDRA, 11. Kevin ELLISON, 14. Jordan BURROW, 15. Dan PARKINSON, 21. Paddy LACEY, 23. Chris DOYLE, 24. James SHORT

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Quigley leaves Barrow having scored 35 goals over his last two seasons for the Bluebirds, including 20 league goals during their National League title winning season in 2020 – earning him the National League golden boot in the process.

The pacey and powerful forward began his career in Wales with Welsh Premier League side The New Saints... earning him a move to League One Blackpool in 2017. During his time at Bloomfield Road, Quigley enjoyed a successful loan spell at Wrexham in the second half of the 2017/18 season...

After spending the following season out on loan at Port Vale and FC Halifax Town, Scott eventually departed Blackpool in 2019, signing for Barrow on a three-year deal... with Quigley’s 20 goals in 35 appearances earning him a place in the National League Team of the Season...

Back in the EFL, the Shrewsbury-born forward soon found his form again, finishing the season with 15 goals in League Two...

Director of Football Simon Wilson said 'Scott is a player we have admired from afar for a while, with a nice balance of pace, power and craft... He is humble and down to earth, but I’m impressed with his hunger, and with that mindset he will fit in well here...

'Naturally, for a player of Scott’s experience it was a competitive deal to conclude, but we’re delighted again that quality players are drawn to what we are doing'...

First Team Manager Simon Rusk said... 'I’ve no doubt that his qualities align with our ambitions for the season ahead, and he will be a great fit here'".

Meanwhile, Barrow add that "Scott Quigley has completed a move to Stockport County for an undisclosed fee...

He did not feature in the first pre-season friendly at Holker Old Boys on Saturday...

'Scott stated that he wanted to leave the Club,' explained boss Mark Cooper. 'He told us that he wanted to be closer to home and that he had been offered a very good deal elsewhere, which we couldn’t really compete with.'”

According to the Leader Live, "Liam McAlinden believes expectation levels have risen at Wrexham following the high profile takeover of the club but that doesn't faze the striker.

McAlinden has joined the Reds on a two-year contract after leaving Morecambe...

'The expectation levels are always high at the club,' said McAlinden... 'They have probably been heightened with the buzz around the club and the calibre of manager... When you see the clubs that he [Phil Parkinson] has managed and done well at, and he phones you and offers you a meeting to be part of a project like this, it is something I couldn't turn down,' added McAlinden.

'We had a good hour's chat, he told me his plans and how he sees it going in the future... It seemed the perfect place to settle down for the two seasons'".

Also from the Leader Live we leran that "Each week, at the moment, brings changes thick and fast at Wrexham AFC.

The pitch has now been relaid, construction work is underway under the WrexRent Stand and new equipment is on its way to the groundsmen...

We were delighted to welcome some new faces to the Wrexham fold, this past week. Firstly our two new players, Shaun Brisley and Liam McAlinden, who come to us with impressive League football pedigrees... A commanding centre-back and a direct, creative wide forward...

The club continues to work on identifying and securing further targets as we look to build a National League-escaping squad. I don't think it will shock anyone to read there are a few more coming in, over the next few weeks!

We were also joined this week by Lee Butler, who comes in as goalkeeping coach, having served in the same role under Phil at Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers and Bradford'".

Southend United "announce Jason Demetriou has signed a new contact.

The former Cyprus international joined Blues in 2016 and has gone on to make 178 appearances.

He has put pen to paper on a one-year extension which includes a club option of a second year.

Manager Phil Brown said... 'He’s signed to us as a player at the moment and hopefully we can help him in his journey where coaching is concerned, but it’s not officially started yet. That’s something for him in the future. In the main I want JD to concentrate on getting 35/40 games next year because I’m sure the way he plays the game and the way he conducts himself off the field of play he will be quite capable of getting that many games in.

'I was responsible for bringing him to the football club and I’m delighted to be working with him again'...

Demetriou said... 'The staff all knew I wanted be back here and it was just about finalising it so it suited all parties. I’ll be going into my sixth season at the club and I felt like I had to stay to try and help get us back into the Football League...

'I’ve been back in pre-season since day one with everyone which has been good... and it’s been really tough, double sessions each day... It’s what we need. Everyone knows if you have a good pre-season it sets you up for the year...

'We need a good start so pre-season is massive for me and everyone'. The 33-year-old added 'We need to perform well and bounce back this season. We all played our part in last season and we ended up going down so I felt it was right to come back and play as many games as possible to help us have a good season'".

Yeovil Town’s "latest addition Lewis Simper cannot wait to get going after signing a season-long loan deal with the club.

Signing on loan from Cambridge United, the midfielder... is looking to get more experience in the men’s game. Simper said... 'It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get in with the boys and for the season to start. My ambition for this season is to... push for a place in the team'...

Having grown up in the Cambridge United academy, Simper already has a familiar face in the ranks at Huish Park in Tom Knowles... 'I got on the phone to him, and he only had great things to say about the club and the people here...

'I’m a technical midfield player, I like to get on the ball and try creating chances'".

CHANGE OF DATE

When the fixtures were released earlier this month, Sunday, January 2nd was set aside for the opening round of matches in 2022, though clubs were informed they could switch to the Saturday or Monday, provided both parties were in agreement.

It was felt by both Alty and Stockport that putting it back 24 hours to the Bank Holiday Monday would prove popular with supporters and also allow both sets of players extra recovery time after the exertions of playing on December 26th and 28th".

DENSMORE DATE DELAYED

Plans were being formulated for a special tribute match involving some familiar faces in the early stages of the season to mark over 400 Alty appearances spread over a remarkable 12 years of sterling service by the highly-popular and ever-dependable defender.

The testimonial will still go ahead but has had to be put back after 'Dens' felt some discomfort in an Achilles and had it diagnosed as tendonitis...

'I played the final two games of last season, and after having been out so long, I thought it would be good to keep rolling with the fitness levels,’ he said. ‘I wanted to stay in condition, so I did a lot of treadmill running after the season ended.

‘Then I had some time off, just four or five days of doing nothing, and I started feeling some stiffness around the Achilles. I went to see (sports scientist and therapist) Ryan Murray, and he said it was tendonitis...

'Hopefully I won’t be out too long. The main objective is to be playing again and challenging for a place in the team. I know there are no guarantees, especially the way Joel Senior has been playing, but I was fairly encouraged by those two games at the end of last season, and I’m as keen as ever to give it a good go and contribute if I possibly can.

‘At the same time, I’m looking forward to the testimonial and want to be out there in the middle, fully involved. The plan is for two Alty Xls, and it makes sense to rearrange later on, because there are one or two people I want to kick!’

The club are provisionally looking at the possibility of April 9th, or even a Saturday at the end of the season".

ON THIS DAY: 16 JULY

Right: The Alty defence in action against Tranmere as Shaun Densmore, Gianluca Havern and Scott Leather join forces, watched by Matt Doughty (11)

But had James Lawrie's impressive jink into the box in the closing stages, from a fine pass by James Walshaw, been rewarded with a goal, this game could have ended the same way as Alty's first friendly of the summer against Accrington the previous Saturday, in a 2-3 defeat. But such a narrow margin would not have reflected the dominance of the League One side in this evening match, as Rovers put out a strong team against their Altrincham opponents from three rungs down the footballing ladder.

Without goalkeeper Stuart Coburn and midfielder Carl Rodgers, Simon Richman and Nicky Clee, Alty fell behind after just nine minutes when Thompson got free on the right and his cross was turned into the net off the back post by Ryan Lowe. The same duo combined after 28 minutes and this time Lowe headed home another cross from the right wingman after Alty had lost possession near halfway. A minute before the interval, goalkeeper Reid could only palm a high ball towards Sodje, who made it 3-0.

Tranmere kept Alty penned back for long periods of the second half but Damian Reeves cleverly headed in Jake Moult's cross from the right byline after 70 minutes. Alty ended the game well but could not score again.

Altrincham were again without Simon Richman, due to his involvement in the World University Games football final in Russia, whilst Stuart Coburn, Nicky Clee and Carl Rodgers were other absentees, though Stuart was involved in the warm-up. The Alty bench comprised summer signing James Walshaw, three youth team graduates in the shape of Rob Gilroy, David Brown and Pat Crilly, plus five trialists.

Scott Leather came in for his first start of the summer, whilst Matt Doughty moved to left midfield and Mike Williams to left-back.

The trialists were goalkeeper Matt Lord, Scott Byrom (ex-Nelson), left-back Christopher Bailey (who moved from Colne to Nantwich Town in February 2013) and Dan Lloyd (previously with Runcorn Linnets and Barrow).

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Adam REID, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt.), 3. Mike WILLIAMS, 4. Jake MOULT, 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Scott LEATHER, 7. Kyle PERRY, 8. Danny BOSHELL, 9. James LAWRIE, 10. Damian REEVES, 11. Matt DOUGHTY. Subs: 12. Chris BAILEY, 14. James WALSHAW, 16. Sam FREAKES, 15. Rob GILROY, 17. Scott BYROM, 18. Matt LORD, David BROWN, Pat CRILLY, Dan LLOYD.

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

Matchday admission prices will be as follows for next season:

• Adult: £17
• Concession: £14
• Junior (12-16): £6
• Under 12: £2

And Season Tickets are priced as follows:

• Adult: £289
• Concession: £235
• Junior (12-16): £75
• Under 12: £36

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Head coach Ian Burchnall confirmed both players... are likely to feature when the Magpies take on Coalville at the weekend. The duo are both midfielders... having seen Jake Reeves leave the club to join Stevenage in the summer.

And with Michael Doyle set to take on a greater role in the dugout after being named assistant manager, the club only has Jim O'Brien and new signing Frank Vincent as first-team midfielders...

'We've got two in at the minute, and then we'll probably have a couple more Friday and then in the game to help us out... They're interesting players so the profiles are interesting... You have to see them firsthand.

'They are midfielders but we will look at maybe attacking options as well.'

Notts have already been busy in the market having signed three players which began with an eye-catching move for Torquay defender Kyle Cameron... and he was followed by midfielder Vincent who joined the club after he was released by Championship Bournemouth.

Notts then paid an undisclosed fee to Chesterfield to sign wing-back Joel Taylor who signed a two-year deal this week...

Burchnall said 'We started with Kyle Cameron... and I thought he was an outstanding player for Torquay last season. To be able to bring him in given his age and where he is in his development, I think it's fantastic for us...

'Frank Vincent has come in and sadly isn't 100 per cent fit. He needs a few weeks just to recover from a knee injury... Then we signed Joel and he is going to give us something in that wide area. He has pace, that directness, that one v one'".

The Daily Echo says that "Eastleigh manager Ben Strevens says he’s 'convinced we’ll have some good players joining us' and he wants to add 'a few more' signings...

They’ve already added three names in Football League lads right-back Josh Hare, left-back Michael Kelly and centre-back Tom Broadbent, but these are only direct replacements for outgoings...

As well as a handful of experienced players that have departed the Silverlake, a number of the club’s former scholars and young potential have too gone out the exit, including popular figure Tom Bearwish.

Strevens [said]... 'We’re being patient... but there’s a few we are talking to, and we are convinced we’re going to get some good players joining us in the next couple of weeks. We lost some of the younger boys because I had to be fair to them and let them go out there and play. Someone like Bearwish leaving was a horrible decision for me to make but it was right for Tom and I’m convinced he’s going to do well at Weymouth'...

Centre-midfielder Jack Payne is another that has moved on from the club and joined League Two side Crawley Town, and after playing 41 of the 44 league fixtures last year leaves a sizeable hole.

Eastleigh can call it a success to keep hold much of the remaining squad though... Strevens added 'At the moment all it has been with the defenders coming in is replacing what we’ve lost. What we need to do now is get a couple of midfielders in to replace Paynie and probably a forward'".

From AFC Telford United we learn that The Bucks "have completed the loan signing of Lewis Earl from Stockport County.

Earl has just penned a one-year deal at National League Stockport on Monday after leaving former club Preston, and will immediately be loaned out to the New Buck's Head.

The 19 year-old is a right-footed defender who can play in the backline or as a defensive midfielder. Cowan said... 'I’d like to give a real huge thanks to Stockport, who have seen the bigger picture, from a financial perspective they’ve recognised that and allowed us to bring a player of his quality in'".

According to the Halifax Courier, "FC Halifax Town defender Jack Senior says he can’t wait to start playing in-front of fans again for his hometown club after signing a new deal with The Shaymen.

Senior... joined Town last summer and made 31 league appearances for the club at... left-back or left wing-back.

'On the last day of the season was the first time I’ve played in-front of fans in a proper game for maybe two years,' he said... 'It didn’t feel like we only had 800 there, it felt double that... What I’m most looking forward to is the fans, the atmosphere, driving us on. I’m really excited for that'...

Senior... says he was pleased with how his campaign went. 'Personally I’m really happy in terms of the amount of games I played, I haven’t played that many games for a few years now, and it was really enjoyable...

'In the first few games I played I was still finding my feet to a point, in the sense of not playing for so long and getting into a rhythm... When I started to get more of a run of games in the second-half of the season, I think I was on my way to showing what I can do...

'I was thankful to be given the chance to get back into full-time football by the gaffer and Milly (Chris Millington), and I think I’ve still got some repaying to do... My goals and assists contributions could be better, in terms of putting more crosses in for people to get on the end of, and being more of a threat attacking-wise'...

Senior isn’t the only one, with the vast majority of Town’s squad from last season having been retained...

'We’ve had a season together, we know how each other clicks on the pitch... but the main thing is we know the plan'".

JOHN CANNING R.I.P.

The club announces that "The funeral of longstanding Altrincham supporter, John Canning, will take place on Thursday, 15th July at St. Vincent's Church, Altrincham at 12:15pm followed by interment at Dunham Lawn Cemetery at 2:00pm.

Then [mourners will gather] at the Best Western Cresta Court Hotel, for tea and fellowship. All welcome who knew John. No flowers please. Family would be grateful for donations to Cancer Research".

ALTY OLD BOY

Gyollai kept goal for the Altrincham First XI when they played Altrincham FC Youth in a pre-saeson game on 29 June 2019. He was also a used sub for Alty in the match at Whitchurch Alport the following week.

CLASH OF FRIENDLY OPPONENTS

"Trafford’s preparations for the forthcoming season got underway on Saturday when, in front of a magnificent crowd of just under 400, a last-minute goal gave visitors Curzon Ashton a rather undeserved equaliser in a 2-2 draw...

Returning fans favourite [ex-Alty winger] Darius Palma skipped past two defenders and floated a glorious chip inches over from 25 yards.

And the hosts were rewarded for their superiority in the 18th minute, Morgan curling a fine low drive inside the right hand post from 20 yards.

Two minutes later Trafford suffered a blow when new skipper Keil O’Brien pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by [ex-Alty defender] Harry Sheridan...

[Trafford manager] Caldecott made five changes to his line up at half-time but still Trafford remained in control and Palma saw his low drive saved at full length...

At the other end, Curzon’s Dominic Knowles struck a fierce volley that clipped the crossbar but in the 67th minute Trafford doubled their lead when the impressive Tunde Otulana released Alfie Belcher who drilled his effort into the top corner...

In the 80th minute Jack Dyche rose to power a header past Trafford’s young substitute keeper Niall Jordan. It appeared as though the hosts would hold out for what would have been a splendid victory when, with virtually the last kick of the game, Jack McKay broke clear down the middle and blasted his shot hard and low past the advancing Jordan and into the bottom corner.

Trafford continue their pre-season build-up when they travel to [another of Alty's summer opponents] West Didsbury and Chorlton on Saturday".

A SURE WINNER AT ALTY

He recalls his days at Altrincham in the early 1960s when Charlie Mitten was "player-manager". One particular incident is related when Mitten called an unexpected team meeting less than an hour before kick-off of an Altrincham game.

Rather than imparting a tactical masterclass on the match ahead, Mitten instead simply wanted to share his hot tip for the 3pm race at Kempton Park racecourse that afternoon. Most of the players placed bets before playing the first half, which ended with the scores were level.

At the interval the players learned that the horse had won at 5-1 and, perhaps as a consequence, the buoyed-up Alty players went on to complete the game as 4-1 winners.

Thanks to Paul Burton for informing me of this article.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 31-year-old was placed on furlough around Christmas time and loaned out to play-off finalists Torquay United for the rest of the season, where he scored six goals in 18 appearances.

The striker, who was released by the Spireites at the end of June and is currently a free agent, is sad to leave...

'I have been involved with the club for eight years so it is gutting for me personally,' Boden told the DT. 'I was buzzing to come back two-and-a-half years ago... Chesterfield holds a big place in my career'.

Boden... was one of the players furloughed during winter and he admits it was a ‘horrific’ time for him... He explained... 'The manager has got to do what he feels is right and you respect his decisions but I still feel like I had a lot to offer and I think I showed that when I went to Torquay.

'It is water under the bridge now but it was not a nice time at all... For me it was not handled right... I did not get a chance to say goodbye to people within the building, who I have made good friends with...

'I don’t think I did anything to merit the way I was treated, in my opinion... If people read this and think "is he talking about me" then the likelihood is I probably am talking about you because you would not think that otherwise. It could have ended amicably, for me, but it just deteriorated...

'I don’t want it to come across as a bitter ex player because it is not that at all'...

Boden was criticised for the way he celebrated Torquay’s second goal in the 2-0 win [over Chesterfield] and, although he admits it probably was not the best thing to do, it was the result of a ‘build-up’ of emotions and from an earlier incident during the game...

Boden said 'I was tied to Torquay at the time, we were top of the league, I wanted us to win the league, so that was one reason (for the celebration) but not the ultimate reason, I will be honest. There was something particular that happened on the day that probably brought that out more than anything, to be fair.

'There are reasons which I don’t want to go into too much but at the time when I was told in no certain terms that I was not going to play for the club again, there was certain stuff said that ruffles your feathers. Out of respect to people at the club I won’t say what was said.

'I will be honest and say that I came to that game thinking if I can ruffle feathers a little bit, get a bit of a reaction, it sparks the game a little bit but, in all honestl,y I got to the game and thought I don’t need to do that because that would put me in a bad light, I don’t need to be seen to be doing that.

'I just left it but there was something that went off in that first 10 minutes of that game where I think it was that more than anything because that just sparked our bench as well... I was behind the dugout where I have seen many players sit when I was there. I was sat with all the rest of the squad and the players who were not involved. And then I got a tap on the shoulder and was told to move...

'Obviously we scored the goal in the second-half and that (my reaction) was probably everything built up. The three months previous to it, the 10 minutes of the first-half, the fact we were trying to win the league, and then it just all boiled over. What I mean is you are only human, you can only take a certain amount and then you are going to implode.

'When that second goal went in, it was probably a wrong thing to do but I think if the fans knew what circumstances you had been through then I am sure there would be some who would get my point of view and get why I did it...

'There are no grudges held and I hope that is reciprocated. That is football at the end of day.'”

According,/A> to Peterborough Today, "Peterborough United midfielder Serhat Tasdemir is on the verge of completing a move to National League side Barnet.

Transfer-listed Tasdemir is expected to join the Bees on a season long loan after rejecting the chance to make a permanent move to the Hive. The clubs had agreed a fee for the 20 year-old.

Tasdemir has made just one Football League start since moving to Posh from Fylde in July, 2019... Barnet’s manager is Harry Kewell who took Tasdemir on loan to League Two side Oldham Athletic last season".

The Southend Echo reports that "Exeter City are keen on signing Timothee Dieng, Echosport understands.

The 29 year-old midfielder has been with Southend United since 2018 but seems set to leave the club after failing to agree a new deal.

Dieng has made 113 appearances for the Shrimpers".

According to the Eastern Daily Press, "Ian Culverhouse is still looking to add to his squad after the departure of two players.

Midfielder Jordan Richards, 24, has failed to reach agreement over a new deal so has left, while striker Dayle Southwell, who joined Lynn in January, 2020, has joined Alfreton.

Southwell was out of favour after Lynn brought in strikers Gold Omotayo and Junior Morias. Richards, who joined Lynn from Gainsborough Trinity in July, 2018, is understood to be training with Dagenham & Redbridge.

'He (Richards) just didn’t want to agree the terms and I would like to thank him for all he has done because he has been exceptional in the three years I have been here with him and we wish him well,' said Culverhouse.

Morias impressed during the 3-1 defeat by MK, although he was due to have treatment yesterday on a knee injury. 'His hold-up play was good, we are just worried about his knee,' said Culverhouse... 'This is the good thing now we’re full-time, we can have him in and assess it. We are keeping our fingers crossed on that one because him and Gold will be an exciting partnership.'

The Lynn boss has brought in eight new players over the summer; Omotayo, Morias, goalkeeper Paul Jones, midfielders Ethan Coleman and Munashe Sundire, as well as defender Pierce Bird, Dan Bowry and Luis Fernandez.

But after Tuesday’s first pre-season game against MK Dons, Culverhouse says he is still short.

'It is a big change around this year for the football club,' he said. 'We have to build a new squad. We have still got a few of the old faces who will carry the football club forward. But we’re still short. With Macca (Kyle Callan-McFadden) and Jonesey (Aaron Jones) out I think we are a couple shot. I’m still looking'".

King's Lynn Town add that their "first pre-season friendly ended in a 3-1 home defeat against MK Dons, a game played in four 30 minute quarters to allow both managers to use their squads.

All seven of Lynn’s summer signings were included along with the usual batch of trialists.

MK took the lead on 10 minutes... MK extended their lead on 58 minutes when Twine got his 2nd of the game from close range.

The start of the 3rd quarter saw Lynn change their entire side, including an appearance for youth team keeper Charlie Phillips.

On 70 minutes Lynn pulled a goal back, and what a goal it was. The ball breaking for Cameron King 30 yards from goal, he spotted the keeper of his line and chipped him.

With 15 minutes to go MK scored their third through Max Watters...

Overall, a good workout for both teams with all the players getting 60 minutes under their belt...

Lynn starting line up: Paul Jones, Dan Bowry, Pierce Bird, Ross Barrows, Michael Gyasi, Michael Clunan, Junior Morias, 4 x trialist

Lynn line up for second half: Charlie Phillips, Tai Fleming, Luis Fernandez, Tyler Denton, Ethan Coleman, Joe Gascoigne, Munashe Sundire, Cameron King, Gold Omotayo, 2 x trialist".

In the Nottingham Post, "Ian Burchnall issues a Notts County transfer update and targets key positions... having added three players to the squad so far this summer.

Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall wants to add at least four signings before the National League season gets under way and has not ruled out paying further transfer fees.

The Magpies announced their third summer arrival on Tuesday having paid an undisclosed sum to Chesterfield for wing-back Joel Taylor who has signed a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old followed Torquay defender Kyle Cameron to Meadow Lane while midfielder Frank Vincent has also joined the club following his release from Championship side Bournemouth...

Midfield is likely to be top of the agenda as well as another centre forward...

'We need some options in the middle. We know we need midfielders in and more options upfront as well... In an ideal world you have everybody in on day one of pre-season, but it looks like it will probably take another week or so before I feel like we're more or less done.'

Burchnall has said Notts have ambitious targets in mind having missed out on a move for Hartlepool United defender Jamie Sterry this week...

The fact that Notts paid an undisclosed fee for Taylor further underlines how owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz are right behind Burchnall when it comes to new additions. And he did not rule out the club paying money for players rather than just rely on the free transfer market".

According to Non-League Daily, "Maidenhead goalkeeper Rhys Lovett has extended his spell at Maidenhead United.

The 24-year-old joined Alan Devonshire’s side at the end of March.

Lovett notably came on as a striker for the Magpies on the final day of last season, scoring the last goal in a 4-1 win at Boreham Wood.

The ex-Cheltenham Town youngster had been with Gloucester City prior to joining Maidenhead".

Solihull Moors "have completed the signing of Sheffield United defender Harry Boyes on a long-term loan until January 3rd 2022.

Boyes, 19, is an attacking full-back and has been with the Blades since July 2018. He was a key member of their under-23s' title-winning side last season.

Born in Barnsley, Boyes spent eight years with Manchester City prior to his move to Bramall Lane.

Last season [he] enjoyed a loan spell with Bradford Park Avenue... earning a place on the bench for the Blades in their Premier League fixture at Newcastle United in May...

Boyes said 'I’m an attacking full-back. I love to get forward, get crosses in and I love a good shot as well'.

*Sheffield United have no recall option in place".

ALTY'S MILLENNIUM KITS

We start our periodic look at kits of each season with the one worn at the turn of the millennium in 1999-2000 season.

Left: Alty in their 1999-2000 home strip, here worn with white as opposed to the normal black socks at Stalybridge.

Right: Kevin Ellison in the home strip with white shorts.

The early part of the year 2000 saw Altrincham seemingly comfortably placed in the Conference prior to a Spring collapse and eventual relegation in May 2000.

The home kit for 1999-2000 comprised red and white striped shirts with a black strip on the collar and the top of the arm. Shorts and socks were black which were, both or separately, changed to white for away games where there was a clash of colours.

The front of the home shirt comprised three red stripes on a white background with three panels. The Nationwide league sponsors' logo appeared on the arms of the shirt.

The largest panel, halfway down the front, was in shades of green with white lettering, advertised Kinetic, the club's main sponsors. Immediately above it was a black crest on which appeared the club crest and name. Above that was a small rectangular panel, just below the neck insert, which advertised sponsors ICIS.

The black shorts had a red and white stripe down each leg and a large player number in white on the front of the left leg. A small ICIS panel also appeared on the side of the right leg whilst a blue and greeen panel with white lettering advertising the league sponsor Nationwide, appeared above the number on the left leg.

On the back of the shirt the player's number was in black on top of the red and white stripes which replicated those on the front of the shirt.

Above left: Danny Adams sports the home kit with white shorts in the match at Hednesford in 2000.

Above right: The away kit is worn here by Jason Gallagher at Kidderminster.

The away kit in 1999-2000 was yellow with a horizontal black band which was across the chest onthe front but lower at the back to accommodate a yellow panel for a black number. This shirt was also sometimes worn with white shorts, as for example at Morecambe.

On the front of the away shirt, the above-mentioned Kinetic panel was centrally positioned above the black band with the club crest worn over the left breast.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The Englishman signed a two-year deal to join Hearts permanently last month following a 12-month loan from Preston North End last season. A ruptured hamstring in January curtailed his progress, although he had already shown sufficient wing wizardry by then to earn a contract.

He still believes he must prove himself in Edinburgh. People accusing him of being injury-prone received short shrift on social media as he doesn’t suffer fools gladly...

'I’ve got things to prove but I know I can produce and I’ve got the confidence of my team-mates and the gaffer, so it will come,' said Ginnelly...

Hearts are back in the cinch Premiership awaiting high-octane fixtures against Celtic, Rangers, Hibs, Aberdeen and others in the top grade of Scottish football. His Preston contract officially expired at the end of June...

'This is a fantastic club and it’s actually an honour to play for Hearts. I love it here'...

Saturday’s 2-0 win at Peterhead in the opening Premier Sports Cup tie was a reasonable start... Ginnelly played 60 minutes and showed flashes of pace and skill...

[Robbie Neilson is] 'a fantastic manager and everybody is on his side... I think he's superb'" concluded Ginnelly.

Footnote: Josh was signed on loan from Burnley on 8 January 2016 who had signed him for a six-figure sum from Shrewsbury Town. He had started out in the Aston Villa academy. Whilst at Alty in 2015-16 season he won the Club's goal of the season competition for a solo effort against Aldershot Town. He made 20(+1) appearances and scored 5 goals.

Also in Scotland Oluwatomisin ("Tomi") Adeloye who signed for Altrincham on 12 January 2017, scored twice for Ayr United on Tuesday night versus Edinburgh City in the Scottish League Cup.

Tomi made a promising debut for Altrincham at home to Gainsborough on 14 January 2017 but was released on 2 February 2017, after his one start and three more appearances from the bench. He subsequently played for Leyton Orient in the EFL and scored against Alty for Barnet last season.

ON THIS DAY: 14 July

Above: At half-time, manager Lee Sinnott debriefs the players who turned out for Altrincham in the first-half at Nantwich.

The result meant that Altrincham won their second successive pre-season game, with manager Lee Sinnott and assistant Neil Tolson using the same formula as previously of deploying two separate teams in each half of the game. This time, however, goalkeeper Stuart Coburn played the full ninety minutes.

Altrincham started well and a bright start from the visitors saw Ryan Brooke smartly heading home an excellent left wing cross from trialist Matt Doughty in the 13th minute. The lively Duncan Watmore added a second in the 16th minute. Nantwich enjoyed a better spell as the half progressed. However, with ten replacement outfield players, Altrincham made it 3-0 four minutes after the break when Matt Fearon's freekick from the wide left drifted into the net as it evaded everyone in the Nantwich box.

The Dabbers failed to take several chances in the second half, several of them engineered by winger Lewis Short. But they got a goal back when Lewis Short, who later joined Alty, volleyed home at the back post from a Lowe cross from the right after 56 minutes. Ofori went close to scoring again for Altrincham with a fine lob and Alty squandered a couple of one on ones with the goalkeeper before the final whistle sounded on another satisfactory step in the pre-season preparations.

ALTRINCHAM (First Half): 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 5. Gianluca HAVERN, 6. Danny HALL, 3. Matt DOUGHTY; 7. Duncan WATMORE, 4. Carl RODGERS, 8. Simon RICHMAN, 11. James LAWRIE; 9. Danny MITCHLEY, 10. Ryan BROOKE.

ALTRINCHAM (Second Half): 1. Stuart COBURN, 4. Nick SWIRAD, 5. James McCARTEN, 14. Greg PEARSON, 12. Sam GRIMSHAW; 17. Ashley YOUNG, 6. Matt FEARON, 15. Scott PHELAN, * Adam MATHER; * Derryn OFORI, 16. Denico WALTERS.

Sub not used: 18. Adam REID.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25 year-old Stoke City academy graduate, who joined the Spireites from Chester last summer, has signed a two-year deal after we paid an undisclosed fee for his services.

Our head coach, Ian Burchnall, said 'We needed a wing back who could offer a threat one-against-one. Joel’s pace in the wide areas and his ability to attack in those moments is really important. He’s been playing wing back at Chesterfield and, based on the games we’ve seen, he was most effective when they were attacking. With us being a team that wants to do that, we feel he’ll suit us well...

'We know Adam Chicksen can play in the same position, which gives us two highly competent players in that area.'”

More comes from the Nottingham Post which tells us that "Notts County have made their third signing of the summer by moving for Chesterfield left-back Joel Taylor... who had a year remaining on his contract at the ProAct Stadium.

It is thought that Taylor has been allowed to move to Meadow Lane after the Spireites captured wing-back Calvin Miller who spent time on loan at Notts last season.

Taylor was regarded as one of the best left-backs in non-league which prompted Chesterfield to pay around £25,000 to Chester for his services last December. H e made 17 appearances for James Rowe’s side...

The fact Notts have paid a fee for 25-year-old Taylor underlines their ambitions in the transfer market this summer. He becomes their third signing and follows midfielder Frank Vincent and defender Kyle Cameron to the club".

The Derbyshire Times reports that "It is too soon to start speculating when star man Akwasi Asante might return to action, says manager James Rowe.

The striker, who scored 10 goals in 22 league games last season after joining from Gloucester City, suffered a ruptured ACL against Boreham Wood in April and was ruled out for about nine months.

It means the Spireites will be without the 28 year-old for around half of next season.. The fans are yet to see him play live...

'He is in good spirits,' Rowe told the DT... 'but obviously he is a long way off before we can start talking about his likely return'.

When asked if he was on track to return around Christmas or New Year, Rowe explained... 'Everything is going to plan'...

Centre-back Haydn Hollis was another long-term blow for Town last season. The defender, who was in fine form and had just been rewarded with a new contract, ruptured his Achilles against Eastleigh in April, ruling him out for around seven months.

On Hollis, Rowe added... 'He is on target. He is slightly ahead of Akwasi.'”

It is not just the manager who has dropped down from the EFL at Wrexham but Football League World now confirms that "Sunderland goalkeeping coach Lee Butler has left the club to join Wrexham of the National League.

Butler joined The Black Cats in November 2019 to work under Phil Parkinson, and he will now link up with him again with the National League club...

And the Leader Live reports that "Phil Parkinson has started adding to his squad but the Wrexham boss admits securing some new signings could take time.

The 53-year-old... had 16 players signed up for the club's 14th season in non-league, including Rob Lainton, Luke Young and Dior Angus.

The first two new signings of the summer arrived at The Racecourse last week with centre-back Shaun Brisley and striker Liam McAlinden both putting pen to paper on two-year deals.

Talks are on-going with transfer targets and Parkinson, who has managed six clubs including Bradford, Bolton and Sunderland... does have time to compile a competitive squad with Wrexham starting a 14th season in non-league...

'We are in talks with several players and we are trying to progress on those as quickly as possible', said Parkinson... 'It is important that we are calm and we make the right decisions... There's obviously money in the budget to bring quality players in and the team working with me are working hard to achieve that...

'The squad is a little bit lighter than the absolute ideal situation, but I was aware of that and I would rather be in a position where we have got more spaces to fill than more of the budget was taken up by existing players. There's a lot of available players out there.'

Parkinson's squad includes young guns Max Cleworth, Jake Bickerstaff and Ryan Austin, with the Reds' boss eager to run the rule over the trio in pre-season".

We learn from the Halifax Courier that "FC Halifax Town start pre-season training on Saturday...

Pete Wild will have just over a month and six friendlies, one of which is still to be rubber-stamped, to fine tune his squad...

'We had a staff meeting on Friday to discuss everything we need to do,' Wild said. 'Everybody returns on Saturday morning for testing... and then we’re back in Monday dinner time, 12 o’clock, and ready to go... The lads have a battery of testing they’ll go through in terms of their physical appearance, so heights, weights, fats, to get a balance of that,' he said...

'There’ll be some physical testing outside in terms of jumps, running... What we’ll try to do this year is balance the load so we don’t pick up as many injuries in pre-season'...

Last season... strikers Jake Hyde and Matty Stenson both picked up injuries during pre-season. 'We’ve looked at some of the distances we were covering later in the week in pre-season last year, and they were too high, so we need to tail them off,' he said...

'We’re at a disadvantage because we only five weeks to get them where they need to be... We made mistakes in how long we had them out last year, and we’ve worked closely with the medical team to ensure we don’t do that again...

'It’ll be straight out on the grass and straight into the tactical side of how we want to play this year and how we want to do things... There’ll be lots of 11 v 11s, because that’s how we work, and it’ll hopefully be taking them into the games where the lads can get some minutes in their legs and start to learn how to play as a team...

'It’s been a tough close season, but now it’s all systems go and I’m sat here looking at the triallists we’ve got coming in, looking at the people we’re recruiting'...

Wild is expecting to have a group of about 28 players reporting on Monday, which will be cut down to around 22 for the first two friendlies...

'We are where we are now for close-season signings, but give us a couple of weeks of pre-season and hopefully you’ll see a few more'.

The Town boss is hopeful there will be four more new signings, after the additions of Harvey Gilmour and Billy Waters were announced last week, one of which will be a back-up goakeeper following the departure of Harrison Davison-Hale.".

ALTY ISSUE SQUAD NUMBERS

In all 21 players have been assigned a squad number for next season.

They include the three new signings announced over the summer, namely

• 9 Marcus DINANGA ex-Stevenage
• 16 Brad JACKSON ex-Chester FC
• 18 Kennedy DIGIE ex-Hereford FC

Right: Josh Hancock and Matty Kosylo are two of the eighteen players assigned squad numbers for 2021-22 who were at the club last season.

Three players who had numbers last season have been assigned new numbers this season,

• 2 Shaun DENSMORE was no.20
• 11 Ryan COLCLOUGH was no.34
• 20 Andy WHITE was no.2
• 22 Will HALL was no.14

Five players who had squad numbers at the end of the last campaign but are no longer in the numbered squad are,

• 16. Lewis SALMON, signed by Nottingham Forest
• 22. Joel TORRANCE, cover goalkeeper
• 26. Fisayo ADARABIOYO, signed in October 2020 but following an injury, he was not named in a squad for 26 consecutive league matches before a sub appearance in game 38. He was then named as an unused sub in the last match of the season.
• 29. Alistair SMITH, signed by Sutton United
• 30. Simon RICHMAN, departure announced in June 2021
• 32. James HARDY, departure announced in June 2021

The players who remain at the club with their same squad numbers as last season comprise,

• Matthew GOULD - 23
• Connor HAMPSON - 3
• Josh HANCOCK - 10
• Tom HANNIGAN - 5
• Matty KOSYLO - 15
• Curtis MILLER - 12
• Daniel MOONEY- 7
• Jake MOULT - 6
• Toby MULLARKEY - 25
• Tom PEERS - 23
• Joel SENIOR - 24
• Ritchie SUTTON - 4
• Anthony THOMPSON - 1
• Sean WILLIAMS - 8

Loanees Reagan Ogle and Connor Kirby have presumably returned to their parent clubs, Accrington Stanley and Harrogate Town respectively.

ON THIS DAY: 13 July

Above: Alty centre-back Toby Mullarkey clears as Crewe threaten Tony Thompson's goal in the second half.

Two years ago today, in 2019, Crewe Alexandra visited Moss Lane for a pre-season game and gave their Cheshire neighbours a footballing lesson in a match which featured no fewer than forty-three players!

Both sides fielded their stronger elevens in the first half before Alty made ten changes at the break. Crewe changed all eleven of their players just before the hour mark.

Two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half set Alex on the way to victory. The opener was a well-struck effort from left of goal by Green, which found the far corner of the net. Barely a minute later, a challenge by Densmore on Green conceded a penalty, which Kirk converted (24 mins).

Just before half-time, Crewe captain Perry Ng scored the visitors' third goal after a thunderous header by the visitors' number ten had come back off the crossbar from an Owen Dale cross. Owen, of course, had enjoyed a loan spell at Alty in 2018-19.

Soon after Crewe had made a complete change of team, one of the new eleven, Finney scored with a shot which was touched but not stopped by Thompson (62 mins). Four minutes later it was 5-0 as Finney drove home a low shot. The sixth and final goal arrived nine minutes from time when Peers's mis-pass led to Finney completing his hat-trick emphatically.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Shaun DENSMORE, 3. Connor HAMPSON (c), 4. James JONES, 5. Tom HANNIGAN, 6. Sean WILLIAMS, 7. Matthew CHADWICK, 8. Conor BRANSON, 9. Jordan HULME, 10. Max HARROP, 11. Nathan ARNOLD.

Second half: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 3. Jamal CRAWFORD, 12. Tom PEERS, 14. John JOHNSTON, 15. Josh HANCOCK, 16. Simon RICHMAN, 16* Darren McKNIGHT, 17. Ben HARRISON (c), 18. Toby MULLARKEY, 18*. Dontai GABIDON, 19. Zac CORBETT

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 22 year-old completed a permanent move to The Racecourse last summer after deciding to leave Coventry City but was plagued by hamstring problems throughout 2020-21. After returning to full fitness for the run-in, Ponticelli ended the season in good form as he scored three times in four appearances...

'I’m just looking ahead to next season... I feel great now. I had an injury-ridden season but want to get that out of the way and come back fitter and stronger next season'...

Wrexham’s destiny lay in their own hands heading into the [last-day] clash with Dagenham but the Reds failed to get the win they needed to guarantee a top-seven finish.

Ponticelli, who grabbed a 90th minute equaliser, was disappointed to miss out on the play-offs...

Said Ponticelli... 'I just wanted to be in the play-offs and that didn’t happen. It was not a good day at the office for us'".

The Nottingham Post reports that "Wrexham have signed former Notts County defender Shaun Brisley and have also recruited striker Liam McAlinden as they signalled their intent in the National League promotion race.

Ex-Magpies centre-back Brisley has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Racecourse Ground after he left League Two side Port Vale. Brisley made more than 70 appearances for Notts in all competitions, having signed... from Carlisle United in 2017...

Brisley is Wrexham's first signing in the summer, and he was quickly followed by McAlinden, who has signed from League Two side Morecambe...

Former FC Halifax Town and Stockport County striker McAlinden was part of Morecambe's side which won promotion to League One via the play-offs... 'I’ve played in the National League before, and enjoyed a consistent season. I’d describe myself as a hard-working forward, I like to get in behind defenders'".

Promoted Sutton United "Manager Matt Gray has completed the signing of striker Richie Bennett, after his departure form Stockport County last month. He played a prominent role... after he was loaned by Stockport to Hartlepool towards the end of the season and scored five goals in four games before then returning to Edgeley Park...

30-year-old Richie began his career with his home town club Oldham Athletic, and after spells in non-league with Mossley, Northwich and Barrow he joined Carlisle in 2017 and subsequently played for Port Vale before joining Stockport in March 2020".

And the Nottingham Post adds that "Notts County look to have missed out on a move for Hartlepool United full-back Jamie Sterry amid claims he is set to sign a new contract at Victoria Park.

Sterry was wanted by a string of EFL clubs... with the Magpies also hoping they could lure him to Meadow Lane.

But the full-back is now set to remain at Victoria Park... The Magpies had been interested in the former Newcastle defender with the Sunderland Echo also reporting Notts had even offered him accommodation as part of the deal".

Confirmation comes from the Dorset Echo that "Weymouth have announced the triple signing of defender Tyler Cordner, goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and winger Ahkeem Rose.

Fitzsimons, 27, joins on a one-year deal from the Terras' Vanarama National League counterparts Stockport County. The Londoner counts Notts County and Boston United among his former clubs and was on the books at Crystal Palace and Bolton although he did not appear for either side. Fitzsimons will vie with fellow custodian Gerard Benfield for a starting place.

Terras' boss Brian Stock told Echosport 'He’ll join us on a year’s contract from Stockport and he was at Notts County (before)...

Ahkeem Rose, 22, joins from fellow National League club Dover after scoring three goals in League Two with Grimsby Town... Jamaican wide man Rose also counts Boston United among his former clubs.

Stock said... 'He’s an exciting player, full of pace. He can take players on, he’s lightning quick... It took a while to make sure we came to an agreement with him but he’s got a point to prove. Ability-wise, you’re looking at a League-type player coming into the ranks'...

Cordner is a particularly impressive capture, given clubs such as Southend United were in the race for his signature. Cordner played 14 games for the Shrimpers last season on loan from Bournemouth...

Stock said 'I know Tyler having played with him at Havant & Waterlooville... Sometimes when players leave academy football... it becomes difficult to find another club. Tyler’s done that, he’s gone out and performed well.

'He’s commanding, 6ft 4, nearly 6ft 5, so aerially he brings a lot to the table'...

The trio take the tally of Weymouth signings this summer to 16.

Meanwhile, news of a playe rwho has faced Altrincham before comes from the Grimsby Telegraph which says that "Grimsby Town have completed their latest piece of transfer business with the signing of former Swindon Town winger Joel Grant on an initial one-year deal.

The 33 year-old Jamaican was released by the Robins after his contract expired this summer.

Prior to his time in Wiltshire, he had a three-year spell with Plymouth... Grant can play wide or as a central striker, and won 14 caps for his country earlier in his career. The vastly-experienced forward came through the academy at Watford as a youngster and went on to play for Aldershot, Crewe, Wycombe, Yeovil and Exeter City.

Boss Paul Hurst told his club's website 'He is a player who is technically very good, very comfortable on the ball... he can score goals and that is something that we are trying to add to the squad... He has played the majority of his career at a higher level... His age doesn't concern me at all'...

Following last Friday’s signing of defender Adam Crookes, manager Paul Hurst said he was hoping to make three or four additional new signings".

ALTY'S "HYBRID" MODEL FOR SPECTATORS?

Sunday's Non-League Paper reports that "Altrincham are urging the National League to allow clubs to continue to stream fixtures without restrictions in the coming season.

The Robins have written to League officials appealing for a change in contractual broadcasting rights, to allow clubs to host hybrid matches...

Co-chairman Bill Waterson said, 'Being able to broadcast unrestricted hybrid matches has allowed National League clubs to bounce back from the pandemic...

'We believe the future is hybrid'...

Virtual ticket sales during lockdown were the equivalent of 60% of the Robins' average matchday sttendance. Fans tuned in globally including from Canada, USA, Australia, UAE and Afghanistan".

As reported here after last Friday's YouTube Q and A session, Bill Waterson responded to a query about the streaming of matches by pointing out that in 2021-22 it might be the case that streaming would not be possible, given the over-arching television contract between the National League and BT Sport as well as the more general "rule" that live football matches are not braodcast in England at 3pm on a Saturday.

ON THIS DAY: 12 JULY

Right: Jake Moult, Chris Senior and assistant manager Graham Barrow at Abbey Hey, 2008.

Even more remarkable, he scored all the goals in the first half. And another notable feature was the debut of Jake Moult.

After that, the second half was something of an anti-climax with the half-time score of 5-1 remaining unaltered at the end of the full 90 minutes. It was a curious match insofar as Abbey Hey included seven starters who had played for Altrincham Reserves in the past whereas Altrincham themselves had only five players in their starting eleven who had ever worn an Altrincham shirt before! The home side's manager and nowadays the Alty groundsman, was Neil Brown which explained why there were so many players in his side from the disbanded Altrincham Reserves' side.

PRE-SEASON OPPONENTS: WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON

On Saturday "Aarron Grewal’s early goal was enough to edge West past Stalybridge Celtic and record a first win of pre-season.

Grewal latched on to Ben Elliott’s through ball and finished neatly across the Stalybridge keeper to give West a lead they never seriously looked like letting slip.

Elliott (left) came closest to adding a second midway through the second half when cut in from the left wing and found space in the Celtic box, but his shot was well saved...

[Manager] Chris Rowley was effusive in his praise of his side post-match 'That’s what we know we’re capable of. We know that if we turn up and put in everything and have a genuine shape to our team, we know we’ve got the players capable of giving anyone a game.'

West make the short trip to Irlam next Tuesday, 13th August, to continue their preparations ahead of the NWCFL season".

The West team was pacled with former Altrincham players: A. Jones, Cook, Hancock, C. Jones, Heathcote, Dibble, Grewal, Gavin, Elliott, Ryan, Gabidon. Subs: Delaney, Matthews, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Coley, Trialist, Trialist.

PRE-SEASON OPPONENTS: ASHTON UNITED

As well as the fixture on 24 July at West Didsbury & Chorlton, Altrincham have another match on the same day at Hurst Cross against Ashton United who have also already started their pre=season friendly programme.

Right: Jack Redshaw in his Alty days (2011).

On Saturday they lost 1-2 at home to an Oldham Athletic XI.

"Ashton’s first home friendly of the season saw them go down to a late goal from their Division Two opponents at Hurst Cross. The visitors now managed by ex-England international Keith Curle took the lead after just 4 minutes as a left-wing cross saw one of the triallists force, Harry Spratt, into an own goal.

On 10 minutes Brewster’s clever pass was just too far ahead of Chris Rowney’s run and {ex-Alty man] Jack Redshaw sent a curling attempt comfortably wide. Redshaw then put a free-kick over the top but just before halftime, he equalised squeezing home his header at the far post from Tom Bentham’s deep cross.

Redshaw was back in the action after the restart seeing a neat effort on the turn saved before Dearnley brought a decent save out of Hartley. One of Ashton’s subs then saw his effort come back off the bar following a neat 1-2 with Bentham with a subsequent curling effort going just wide...

Ashton Utd: Hartley, Whalley, Spratt, Raynes, Coates, Brewster, Hardcastle, Rowney, Bentham, Redshaw, Macadam. Subs: Putnam, Tserpes, Azam, Hunt, Hudson, Baird, McMahon, Warren".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Whites have agreed a season-long loan deal with AFC Wimbledon for forward Aaron Cosgrave, who spent last season with Isthmian League Lewes.

The 21 year-old has previously played for Welling and Chelmsford having started his career at Colchester and West Ham.

AFC Wimbledon signed him last week after he impressed in a game against Liverpool under-23s last season. He trained with the League 1 outfit at the end of last season and did enough to convince their manager Mark Robinson that he was worth offering a deal to...

Robinson said.. 'I didn’t feel he was quite ready to be in the squad, but he is certainly too good to let go, so we’ve got him a loan lined up already. It won’t be costing us anything in that respect because we will be getting his wages back, and I just want to get him out on loan to see what he can do...

'I am confident he can go out on loan, bang the goals in, and be someone we can pull back in, maybe this season, but if not in the future. He is only 21 and he’s an exciting player'.

Cosgrave told the club website 'I’ve been training with the club since the back end of last season... I’m quick. I like to get in behind. I like to get on the ball and beat players, quite direct and I like to score goals'".

AFC Wimbledon added that "It will be a season-long loan deal for Aaron, though there is a recall option in January.

Our Loans Manager Michael Hamilton said... 'On a day to day basis he will train between the two clubs'".

Some National League clubs have already started playing pre-season games and one such is Barnet who "kicked off their pre-season campaign with a commanding victory over Bristol Rovers in a behind closed doors training ground friendly at The Hive London. Goals in the first half from Mason Bloomfield and Jamie Turley set the Bees on their way, before a late third from a trialist wrapped up the victory.

First Half Team: Trialist GK, Thomas, Richards-Everton, Turley, Doherty, Brundle, Payne, Trialist A, Marriott, Mason-Clark, Bloomfield...

It was on 11 minutes in which the Bees took the lead, as Mason Bloomfield powered a header home from Doherty’s delivery from a short corner...

With ten minutes before the break, the Bees made it two and it was another new signing on the scoresheet as Jamie Turley struck home at the back post...

Harry Kewell’s men looked in good fettle in the first 45 minutes and kept the ball well throughout the half...

Meanwhile, at the back, Jordan Thomas put in an impressive first-half display, often causing a threat at the attacking end of the field, as well as being very positionally aware when defending...

Second Half Team: Trialist GK (Askew 57’), Trialist B, Preston, Trialist C, Beard, Taylor, Trialist D, Flanagan, Trialist E, Vasiliou, Trialist F.

The ten changes at half time didn’t seem to halt the Bees momentum... There was a first outing in goal for new man Jake Askew as he got 30 minutes under his belt after replacing the trialist goalkeeper...

Much like the first half the Bees set their standards high and played from the back, looking to play with patience and cause problems in wide areas of the pitch... The Bees set-pieces caused problems for Joey Barton’s men all afternoon... and truly put the game to bed, as Trialist F poked home after a good ball through saw him go on goal".

Bromley "announce that James Alabi has signed a new deal with the Club.

Alabi’s goals were influential in pushing the Ravens into the play-off places last season.

ames scored eight in total during the 2020/21 campaign".

Wrexham announce that "Supporters who sit in the Wrexrent Stand can look forward to some big improvements when they return to the Racecourse Ground, as work continues apace behind the scenes in keeping with the Club’s mission statement.

The refurbishment work includes the enlarging of the concourse area under the stand, the installation of a new kiosk and improved lighting.

In addition, new toilet facilities will be provided, as well as improvements to the existing facilities both under the stand and beside it.

A wheelchair viewing platform will also be added at pitch level...

CEO Fleur Robinson said 'Our co-chairmen have been clear they want to improve the supporter experience at the Racecourse Ground'".

At Weymouth Brandon Goodship talked "about his return to the Terras...

'Obviously I’ve got very fond memories of my time at Weymouth the time around and I’m hoping to make this time just as successful...

The first fixture is the one I always look out for and it’s nice that we get to start at home (v. Boreham Wood) in front of our fans... The atmosphere at the Bob Lucas was always really special... It was a big factor in me returning to the club'".

ODD NUMBERS

But the withdrawal during the campaign of Dover Athletic meant that the season was completed as a 22-club competition.

The only other occasions of competing in an uneven league in the Conference (or its level) for Altrincham were in 1988-89 (21 clubs), when Newport County resigned mid-season and their record was deleted, and 2009-10 (23 clubs) when Chester City went under and their record, likewise, was expunged.

When playing in divisions lower down the pyramid Alty have competed in uneven competitions several times, notably for four successive seasons in the NPL from 2000 to 2004 when the division comprised 23 clubs.

The most obvious effect of an uneven number of clubs is that one club has to sit out each round of matches.

In 2021-22 Alty miss out for the first time on the second Saturday of the season so they will be playing catch-up from almost the start of the campaign in terms of matches played.

A related by-product of having uneven club numbers is that not all clubs will be able to play their final match of the season at the same time as is normally desirable.

ALTY BACK IN TRAINING

After adhering to running schedules mapped out for them over the past couple of weeks, the players underwent weight and fitness checks before throwing themselves into a series of punishing drills aimed at building up stamina levels in readiness for next month" reports John Edwards, press and madia officer at the club.

ON THIS DAY: 11 JULY

New faces (trialists) for the game included centre-backs James Jones (ex-TNS) and Joel Bembo-Lita. Joel had come though the ranks at Stalybridge but was at Buxton last season and had also played for Colwyn Bay and Marine. Returning to Alty was winger Billy Hasler-Cregg, who had been at Moss Lane early in the previous season, but had been with Stalybridge Celtic since. Up front, striker Josh Amis had been at Stockport County in 2016-17.

Above: The teams take to the field, watched by County boss Jim Gannon in the foreground.

After a largely end to end first half, Stockport nevertheless led 2-0 at the break. Alty had fallen behind in the 20th minute when goalkeeper Tim Deasy delayed his kicked clearance which, as a result, was partly charged down. The ball was then worked to Stephenson and his cross-shot from the left proved too strong for Deasy. Alty had their moments at the other end but, just before the interval, they conceded a decisive second goal. This was a header by Oswell, direct from a right-side corner.

With both sides making numerous changes at the start of the second half, and throughout the final 45 minutes, County largely dominated, with the surging runs of Warburton particularly threatening. But an excellent Altrincham goal in the 81st minute prompted a late attacking improvement from the home side. The goal had started at the heart of the Alty defence before, several passes later, trialist Billy Hasler-Cregg on his return to Altrincham, crossed from the right for Josh Hancock to turn the ball into the roof of the net.

ALTRINCHAM: 1. Tim DEASY, 2. John DISNEY, 3. Kyle BROWNHILL, 4. Chris LYNCH, 5. Sam HEATHCOTE, 6. Jake MOULT (capt), 7. John JOHNSTON, 8. Sam SHERIDAN, 9. Josh AMIS, 10. James POOLE, 11. Josh HANCOCK. Subs: 12. Lewis SHORT, 14. James JONES, 15. Laurence TAYLOR, 16. Jerome WRIGHT, 17. Shaun DENSMORE, 18. Joel BEMBO-LITA, 19. Billy HASLER-CREGG, 20. Tony THOMPSON (gk).

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 25-year-old has penned a two-year contract.

Gambian-born Khan had a loan spell at Dagenham and Redbridge at the end of last season from Maidstone United...

'We are pleased that Saidou has chosen us over a number of other options,' boss James Rowe said.. 'He is an all-round midfielder who will get people excited when he picks up the ball'...

Khan has caught the attention of Football League clubs, including Championship side Luton Town, in the last few years... Khan’s previous clubs also include Tooting & Mitcham and Dulwich Hamlet".

The Southend Echo reports that "Will Atkinson will be back at Southend United for the start of pre-season training on Monday.

The 32 year-old made 173 appearances during a four-year spell with the Shrimpers before leaving in the summer of 2017.

But Blues boss Phil Brown confirmed... 'Will Atkinson will be in for the start of pre-season training on Monday. We’ve signed some experienced players this summer but Will still has youthful experience I’m sure and will be keen to show what he can do.'

Atkinson... has played for Mansfield Town, Port Vale and Alfreton since leaving".

From the BBC we learn that at Wrexham "New manager Phil Parkinson has made his first signings for Wrexham with experienced central defender Shaun Brisley and forward Liam McAlinden joining the Racecourse Ground club.

Parkinson has said he expects to make several signings...

Brisley, 31, joins after leaving League Two Port Vale.

McAlinden, 27, signs after spending last season with Morecambe, who he helped to League Two promotion.

Brisley has previously played for Macclesfield Town, Peterborough United, Carlisle United and Notts County.

'Once I met with the manager, and he explained the really exciting project here, I couldn't wait to join,' Brisley said. 'Wrexham are a big club who don't deserve to be where they are now'.

McAlinden is a product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy, and has represented both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.

He played for FC Halifax Town and Stockport County in 2019-20...

McAlinden said...'I's been really interesting to see what is happening at Wrexham... it was a no-brainer to get it over line'".

At Stockport County, "The Club is pleased to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Ethan Ross, who joins on a three-year contract after leaving Lincoln City in the Summer.

24 year-old Ethan spent the second half of last season out on loan at fellow National League side Weymouth, impressing over his 26 appearances for the Terras and picking up the Club’s Supporters’ Player of the Year Award in the process.

Coming in at 6 ft 5 in, Ross began his career in the youth ranks of Arsenal and Cambridge United before joining West Brom in 2015. During his time at the Hawthorns, he enjoyed loan spells out a Worcester City and Redditch United...

Ethan joined League Two side Colchester United on a two-year deal in 2018, before another short period out on loan at Maidstone in the National League.

April 2019 saw him make his EFL debut... coming on as a substitute after Colchester’s other ‘keeper was sent off. He kept a clean sheet in the 40 minutes he was on the pitch, before keeping another from the start a week later...

Last Summer saw Ethan on the move again as he signed for League One side Lincoln City... before his successful spell at Weymouth...

Director of Football Simon Wilson said... 'We have two very capable goalkeepers who we hope will drive each other to find high levels of performance, which can only benefit the team'".

ALTY Q AND A

Amongst the topics covered was the club's move to full-time. In answer to a question about the next five years, BW said that full-time football "was almost a certainty" within that time-span unless Covid intervened. He went on to say that the club could still go full-time as early as 2022-23 as it was not essential to have a hybrid season first, even though that had been the plan originally.

BW (pictured right) apologised for the fact that the news of deferring a planned hybrid season in 2021-22 had appeared first in an interview with assistant manager Neil Sorvel in the NL Paper rather than being announced through the Club itself.

Asked about the streaming of games next season, BW explained that this was not certain. The traditional national UK ban on televising live games on Saturday afternoons could be reimposed, or BT Sport could prevent the streaming of National League fixtures as it has the overall broadcasting rights.

It was confirmed that, when spectators could be admitted, there would be a Tuesday-night testimonial game for Shaun Densmore, but this would not be before early/mid September.

The Club is hoping that full spectator access will be allowed in the coming season. Ground capacity at the J. Davidson Stadium these days is set at 7,800 confirmed BW.

Asked about the recent move of Lewis Salmon to Nottingham Forest, RE confirmed that a sell-on clause was in place. Unsurprisingly, he would not reveal the transfer fee involved.

Regarding the work on the pitch at the J. Davidson Stadium, BW confirmed that the new grass was now growing and the surface was on course to be ready for Dover's visit on 4 September.

PP (left) explained that the club, like most others, would initially aim next season to get to safety (50 points) before setting any higher points target.

The manager also explained that in the absence of pre-season home games, because of the pitch works, inviting League clubs to play such games at Moss Lane was not an option this year. However, although the pre-season games will all be away matches against lower-placed teams, they will be tough, said PP, with opponents Ashton United picked out as one particular opponent making heavy investment this summer.

PP also insisted that the club would keep to its footballing principles but with the intention of scoring more freely than last season. To that end RE and PP both stressed the quality of new signing Marcus Dinanga as the club's main striker for next season.

PP defended the strikers employed last season even if most of the new faces had failed to score. He insisted that, nevertheless, they had helped the club to survive in the National League.

PP also pointed out that there were successful loans last season, notably Alistair Smith. Overall the season in 2020-21 "was a massive success", he claimed. He also confirmed that he had identified a potential replacement for Alistair Smith.

Questioned about the "other" Phil Parkinson, recently installed as manager at Wrexham, Phil revealed that he had been a player at Reading at the same time that his namesake was captain there so they know each other and Alty's Phil said that he had a lot of respect for the Wrexham PP.

ALTY ON TV

All of the televised games will be broadcast live on the BT Sport 1HD channel. Altrincham feature in October (see below).

• Saturday August 21 – Bromley v Grimsby Town (k.o. 5.20pm)
• Saturday August 28 – Southend United v Stockport County (5.20pm)
• Monday August 30 – Wrexham v Notts County (7.30pm)
• Saturday September 4 – Yeovil Town v FC Halifax Town (5.15pm)
• Saturday September 11 – King’s Lynn Town v Dagenham & Redbridge (5.20pm)
• Saturday September 18 – Weymouth v Dover Athletic (5.20pm)
• Saturday September 25 – Chesterfield v Torquay United (5.20pm)
• Saturday October 2 – Eastleigh v Boreham Wood (5.20pm)
• Tuesday October 5 – Wealdstone v Solihull Moors (7.45pm)
• Saturday October 23 – Maidenhead United v Woking (5.20pm)
• Tuesday October 26 – Altrincham v Solihull Moors (7.45pm)
• Saturday October 30 – Barnet v Aldershot Town (5.20pm)

ON THIS DAY: 10 JULY

Right: Alty's Damian Reeves gets to grips with Woodley's ex-Alty man, Peter Band.

That goal arrived in the 29th minute but Chris Denham equalised ten minutes later.

Player-identification was as difficult as it could have been. Even the previous year's squad were wearing shirts with other (mostly departed) players' names and numbers on them and most were wearing a completely different number on their shorts! Shaun Densmore, who was no.6 last season, for example, wore no.11 and had the name Clee on his back!

The team sheet gave two different line-ups for each half of the game. Alty included all the fit squad from last year except Nicky Clee, who was presumably playing cricket in Yorkshire. New signings Michael Twiss and Damian Reeves started up front. Dale Johnson was present but did not play after injury. Matt Doughty and Tom Kearney were not involved but physio Sean Riley reported that both are making good progress towards fitness.

First half: 1. Stuart COBURN, 12. Robbie WILLIAMS, 20. James SMITH, 26. Danny ADAMS; 24. Robbie LAWTON, 11. Shaun DENSMORE, 21. Anthony DANYLYK, 22. Ryan BROWN; 8. Chris DENHAM, 20. Damian REEVES, 18. Michael TWISS.

Altrincham numbers below for Holt, McCready and Schofield are uncertain.

Second half: 1. Russell SAUNDERS, 22. Matthew HOLT, No number: Raphael EVANS, 26. Danny ADAMS; 24. Adam CARDEN, 11. Danny HOLMES, 25. Fraser McLACHLAN, ?. Tom McCREADY, ? Tom SCHOFIELD; 21. Lewis CODLING, 8. Clive MOYO MODISE. Additional subs: 15. Andy GAMBLE, Vernum ROWLAND.

The trialists were as follows:

• Danny Adams, left-back who spent 3 years at Moss Lane from 1997-2000.
• Lewis Codling, a young striker from Everton.
• Fraser McLachlan, an experienced midfielderex-Morecambe, Mansfield and Stockport.
• Danny Holmes, a defender from TNS and formerly at Tranmere.
• Raphael Evans, a central defender.
• Matt Holt.
• Tom McCready, an Everton graduate, where he was a regular in the reserves, before joining Scottish club, Hibernian at the age of 18 in July 2009. Before that, in February 2009, he was briefly on trial at Ipswich Town and the following month he also had a trial with Rochdale. Tom signed for Altrincham in August, 2010 but he was released at the start of October 2010 and joined AFC Chester soon afterwards.
• Clive Moyo Modise who was at Alty last season briefly
• Tom Schofield from Knutsford
• Andy Gamble, a midfielder from the Alty Youth team.
• Vernum Rowland, an Alty Youth defender/midfielder who had reached the first team at Moss Lane several years earlier before moving on.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Whelan had been on the books at Chesterfield since late 2020 and scored five goals in 27 fifth-tier appearances last season.

However, a statement from the club earlier in the week confirmed that the 25-year-old was moving on after they mutually agreed to end his contract early. A source has today revealed to Football League World that Oldham are swooping to sign the midfielder on a free transfer".

Meanwhile the Derbyshire Times's Liam Norcliffe writes that "A number of outgoings are expected at Chesterfield in the coming weeks to reduce their squad size, which currently stands at 24 players".

Manager James Rowe says, "'I want to be clear and honest with the players and their likely game time situation next season. We need a squad of 21/22 players. The Hollis and Asante injuries are a blow to us because we have already committed to them for the forthcoming year and years.

'So you have to obviously react to that and perhaps carry a couple more players than the 21 needed to cover us in the first half of the season...

'I am very comfortable with the squad we have built here now... Every opponent at this level poses a different challenge and the relentlessness of the fixtures, it is such a tough league to get out of,' he told the DT.

'What I will say is we will be better prepared for the National League than what we have been before... I have got a great personal relationship with some of the people I have parted ways with and I am sure that won’t change in the future but ultimately I am protecting the club’s interest and everything is geared to having the best possible squad to have the best possible chance of promotion.'"

According to the Southend Echo "Timothee Dieng and Elvis Bwomono were not among the Southend United players reporting back in for pre-season testing... on Thursday...

Phil Brown confirmed... 'Dieng is back in France. He’s holding out for a team in the Football League I think and I understand that.

'Elvis is the same and I think his agent will have told him that if he goes in and trains with Southend it will weaken his hand. I get that but I also understand we’ve offered him a deal and we can’t do anymore. If he gets a deal elsewhere then we’re entitled to compensation. It’s a bit of an impasse where Elvis is concerned but not with Tim.

'The offer is on the table and he can take it at any stage, it’s entirely his call.'

' But winger Ricky Holmes, who has also yet to sign a new deal, could not attend due to illness [Covid]'... Brown added".

The Newham Recorder tells us that "Dagenham & Redbridge have brought right-back Sam Ling back to the club following the expiration of his contract at local rivals Leyton Orient.

The 24 year-old has spent the past three and a half seasons with the O’s, after joining from the Daggers back in February 2018.

The right-back... made 80 appearances [for Orient] in all competitions... Prior to returning to his boyhood club, Ling was at Dagenham under John Still, where he played 40 times and scored three times before the club went into financial issues and in swooped the O's".

The Nottingham Post confirms that "Notts County defender Dion Kelly-Evans has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane.

The defender has become a hugely popular figure at the Magpies having arrived on a free transfer under former boss Neal Ardley...

He now follows Michael Doyle, Jim O'Brien, Connell Rawlinson, Sam Slocombe, Adam Chicksen, Tiernan Brooks and Tyreace Palmer in committing his future to the club.

The former Coventry defender said.. 'I've loved every single minute of it... That's why I am happy to extend my stay for another year and I can't wait for you guys (the fans) to get behind me and the boys this season'...

Kelly-Evans has made more than 50 appearances since signing on a free transfer following his release from Coventry City in the summer of 2019...

Head coach Ian Burchnall was delighted that the defender would be remaining at Meadow Lane.. He said 'He has no off switch, be it in training or in games, he brings the same level of intensity... For Dion and all the other boys to have accepted our offers speaks volumes about the positive environment we’re building here and it gives us a really strong base heading into pre-season.

'Of course, we’re still working hard to bring new signings to the club. We’re being ambitious with our targets, which means a little extra patience is required'".

The Daily Echo reports that "Former Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers centre-back Tom Broadbent expresses that he’s 'really excited' to get underway with new club Eastleigh.

The 29 year-old ex-Army man, who served for six years before starting life as a non-league footballer, has joined the Hampshire side following relegation with now-League Two Swindon last season.

The 6ft 3in left-footed defender has racked up 58 Football League appearances during a career that started with Farnborough, and he even represented the Army team too.

He told the club website... 'Strevs (Ben Strevens) actually rang me himself after the England game... But he’s a good guy and it’s really important that you get on with the gaffer. The club is a good feel, it’s a family club, nice close-knit group so it’s really good.'

Born in Basingstoke, Broadbent also spent time in the youth academies of Saints, Cherries and Portsmouth.

The Spitfires have seen the departure of three first-team defenders in vice-captain Joe Partington, Pierce Bird and club-legend Michael Green this summer...

Strevens hailed Broadbent’s character... 'To have done what he’s done in his life, he’s a bigger man than me. Doing anything like that (the Army) would scare me... He’s certainly not an old player [aged 29] by any means, but when you take someone in from the Football League the hunger has to be there to get back.

'We’re going to give him the platform to be a regular and play left-sided centre-half'".

ALTRINCHAM Q & A

You can watch from 8pm by clicking here".

ALTRINCHAM OLD BOYS

Versatile forward Sean Miller joins the club having spent the 2020-21 campaign with National League North side Chorley.

The 26 year-old (left), who can also count Curzon Ashton, Altrincham and Chester among his former clubs, adds more firepower to a front line already containing powerful options such as Josh Amis and Jordan Buckley...

Manager Paul Carden is happy to have supplemented his squad with the signing of Miller, who helped Chorley reach the FA Cup Fourth Round last season...

'Sean will add that little bit of touch and technical ability to our front line,' he said. 'He’s a link player who is energetic, busy and can score goals from nothing. He’s had success with the likes of Altrincham and he’s a good age for what we want.

'He’s a good technical player and we haven’t really had that kind of guile in the forward positions since Tony Gray left. He can play in any of the forward positions and he’s got a hell of a strike on him, which I hope to see quite a lot of. He’s got an eye for goal out of nothing and he will be a really good addition for us.'”

Footnote: Sean Miller was signed by Altrincham in early June 2016 from Connah’s Quay Nomads. A speedy winger, he had earlier been in Chester's youth system, when Neil Young was manager there. At Connah's Quay he was Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year as well as being top scorer. He was also named Welsh Premier League Young Player of the Year in 2015. He missed most of 2016-17 pre-season through injury, making his first appearance in a friendly against Witton Albion on 1 August 2016. He made his Altrincham debut as a substitute on 9 August 2016 at FC Halifax Town.

Despite suffering a couple of injuries, Sean made a very positive impression at Altrincham, with 10 goals in 19(+5) appearances up to the point where he signed an extended contract on 14 January 2017. But he then missed several months of the season through injury and remained in rehabilitation into September 2017. After returning as a substitute he went on a month's loan to Colne, to regain full match fitness, from the start of November 2017. In February 2018, Sean went to Trafford on loan.

He made 22(+15) appearances for Altrincham and scored 11 goals.

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

Matchday admission prices will be as follows for next season:

• Adult: £17
• Concession: £14
• Junior (12-16): £6
• Under 12: £2

And Season Tickets are priced as follows:

• Adult: £289
• Concession: £235
• Junior (12-16): £75
• Under 12: £36

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The 31-year-old scored nine goals in 15 league games last season before suffering a knee injury in January which required an operation. ‘Dents’ missed the rest of the campaign...

The plan is to then get the forward some game time on loan elsewhere to help him get his sharpness back before returning to the Blues.

'It is a big challenge this year because everybody is aware of us now,' manager James Rowe explained. 'Teams coming to the Technique will set up differently than what they have done in the past. We need to play in various ways and the only way to do that is to have different types of players who can have different types of things on the pitch.

'That is why I am really looking forward to Tom Denton coming back from injury because he offers us something completely different to any other player in the squad. Tom has worked really hard, his body fat is down to the best it has been ever, I believe, and he is looking in really good shape...

'He can come back into contact (training) probably in the next three or four weeks which will mean that he is available for the last few friendlies and then he will need a loan to get his sharpness and then hopefully he is a back in a Chesterfield shirt in the right frame of mind... We haven’t got an under-23s or reserves that would give him what he needs. It would be foolish of me just to chuck him straight back in after one or two friendlies after such a long lay-off'".

Also at Chesterfield, the Derbyshire Times explains "Why popular pair Tom Whelan and Grant Smith have been allowed to leave Chesterfield...

Midfielder Whelan, 25, left by mutual consent and goalkeeper Smith, 27, also left by mutual consent last month and has joined Yeovil Town. The pair were popular with Town fans so there has been some surprise at their departures.

On Whelan, Rowe told the Derbyshire Times 'Tom did well when he first came in but with the emergence of Jack Clarke at the end of last season, we obviously can’t have three ‘number 10s’ in the building for one position, or potentially two if we play with two 10s, so Tom’s game time was going to be limited unless certain things happened...

'He has not had the offers that he wanted from other clubs so he now wants to go out and trial at a few clubs, I believe, and for that he asked if his contract could be mutually terminated and it was.'

Whelan had a great start to life at Town after joining from Weymouth for a small fee in December, scoring five goals, but he fell down the pecking order as the season went on.

Rowe added 'He had a personal circumstance that I don’t want to go into that probably saw him come out of a great vein of form, which will knock anyone. Adversity such as that, people can react in different ways. At the same time, you have got to remember that Liam Mandeville’s and Jack Clarke’s form from February/March time was really impressive so those two things combined resulted in Tom not getting perhaps the game time that he wanted...

'We can’t carry a squad around of 25 players'.

Stopper Smith joined the Blues in January on a free transfer after leaving Wealdstone and he recorded 10 clean sheets in 18 appearances. His form resulted in him signing a new contract until summer 2022 but, like Whelan, he also found himself out of the team towards the end of the season.

'He wanted guaranteed first-team football and I was not prepared to give him that,' Rowe said. 'For me, Grant started well but some mistakes crept in that cost us crucial goals and he came out of the team. He represented himself well in the team the first few months. For him to be guaranteed first-team football down at Yeovil, on a better wage than what he was currently on, we did not want to stand in his way'", concluded Rowe. James RoweSpireites

The HAlifax Courier confirms that "Former Cheltenham, Northampton and Torquay striker... Billy Waters has become FC Halifax Town’s second signing of the summer.

The 26 year-old, 5ft 9in striker, was released by fellow National League side Torquay at the end of last season, having scored six goals in 28 league games for them during the 2020-21 campaign.

Waters started his career at Crewe, making his debut in November 2013, and playing nine times for them that season in League One... before joining Cheltenham on a free transfer in June 2015.

He scored 11 goals in 37 matches for Cheltenham during the 2015-16 campaign... The following season he scored 16 goals in 55 appearances for Cheltenham, who were now in League Two...

Waters joined League One side Northampton in June 2017 but was loaned out to League Two Cambridge United in January 2018... He started the 2018-19 campaign back at Northampton, now in League Two... before re-joining Cheltenham on loan in January 2019...

Waters was back playing for Northampton in the first-half of the 2019-20 season, and then joined Newport on loan in January 2020... before joining Torquay last summer, where manager Gary Johnson described him as a 'hard working, energetic striker'.

He is the Shaymen’s second signing of the summer after midfielder Harvey Gilmour’s arrival was announced".

Indeed, NL Daily confirms that "FC Halifax Town have signed midfielder Harvey Gilmour... following his recent departure from Stockport County.

The one-time Sheffield United youngster, 22, had signed for County last summer.

A former Tranmere Rovers player, Gilmour now becomes Pete Wild’s first new addition at Halifax this summer".

At Wrexham "New manager Phil Parkinson is looking forward to starting the season on home soil, after the 2021/22fixtures were released...

Wrexham will host Yeovil Town in the first match of the season, and also welcome Notts County to the Racecourse Ground in the first month...

'I’m pleased to be at home for the first game,' Parkinson said... 'At the other end of the calendar, a few people have already mentioned that last game at Dagenham & Redbridge, a repeat of last season'...

Parkinson and assistant manager Steve Parkin have been getting to know the players on the training pitch at Colliers Park this week...

'It’s been a good couple of days on the training ground, and I’m pleased with the players’ physical condition,' Parkinson added.... 'We’re very lucky to be using such an excellent facility at Colliers Park. It really has been fantastic, and we’re hoping to build a good relationship with the FAW.

'The lads have been enjoying that, and are appreciative of the facilities available to us'".

In the Grimsby Telegraph, "Grimsby Town's Lenell John-Lewis has hailed changes at the club that have already materialised since the takeovee and declared that it’s now ‘a great place to come into work.’

John-Lewis rejoined the Mariners in February, six years after he left. The popular frontman says he was struck by how nothing had changed during his time away. However, thanks to ‘the little things’, he says there’s now a fresh vibe around Blundell Park and the Cheapside training base...

'There is a fresh feel to the place and it’s a great place to come into work now to be honest... When I rejoined in February I saw it was exactly the same as when I left. Now to come into work, it is already totally different. It’s just the little things to be honest, even things like the murals of the fans on the walls, it makes it more enticing to be at work.'".

ALTY ON THE ROAD

Last season the return trips to the club's 22 opponents totalled 7,136 miles, including the ultimately void trip to Dover. Next season will bring 7,132 miles on the road. As the division is again operating with one club short (i.e. 23), due to the demise of Macclesfield Town and the absence of any promotion from the National League's regional feeders, the total should really have been even higher.

The average distance of each round trip next season will, once more, be 324 miles.

ALTRINCHAM NOW A NORTHERN OUTPOST

Seen above when Alty visited The Shay in August 2016, FC Halifax Town is now the National League's most northerly outpost.

With Hartlepool United now promoted out of the National League, Altrincham has become even more of a northern outpost in the top flight of non-League football. The most northerly club in the National League is now FC Halifax Town and the only other club in the division which is (very slightly) north of Altrincham is relegated Grimsby who play in Cleethorpes.

Halifax is only some thirty miles further north in the country than Altrincham, whilst Grimsby is no further north of Altrincham than Bury, which lies at the other end of Altrincham's Metrolink tram line.

So the J. Davidson Stadium is now truly on the geographical fringes of a league in which the term "national" seems increasingly misleading.

Underlining their relative geographical isolation, Alty kick off the coming season visiting the most southerly team in the National League, Torquay United, a return journey of 496 miles.

However, Plainmoor is only the second most distant venue for Altrincham in the National League. Their longest league trip of the season will be to Crabble, to face Dover Athletic, a return trip of 554 miles.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

The FULL fixture list is here.

Of Altrincham's seven evening fixtures, four are at home but the Tuesday night trip to King's Lynn is the most distant midweek game.

Christmas sees a double-header with Stockport County whilst Easter Monday brings Wrexham to Altrincham. The season concludes with Yeovil Town as the guests.

Opening day fixtures on Saturday 21 August 2021 are...

• Aldershot Town vs Chesterfield
• Barnet vs Notts County
• Bromley vs Grimsby Town
• Dover Athletic vs Solihull Moors
• FC Halifax Town vs Maidenhead United
• King's Lynn Town vs Southend United
• Stockport County vs Dagenham & Redbridge
• Torquay United vs Altrincham
• Wealdstone vs Woking
• Weymouth vs Boreham Wood
• Wrexham vs Yeovil Town
• Eastleigh have no game owing to the odd number of teams in the division.

ALTY'S FIRST OPPONENTS: IN AND OUT

Talking after the club revealed two more players from last season’s squad, Jake Andrews and Armani Little, had re-signed, the manager said he was disappointed Whitfield would be signing for a rival National League club, as Kyle Cameron did when he chose Notts County over Torquay.

'I am disappointed that Whits is moving on. I don’t know if it has come out where he is going yet but he will be moving on.

'But we have been very happy with the people we have been speaking to, to take their places, and we feel that we’ve actually brought in people that are decent players and we are very pleased with the bit of business we have done...

'We are working from a good 10 to 12 people and we know four that have agreed contracts and we have still got a couple more on the go.'

Andrews and Little added their names to a list that already included Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Joe Lewis, Danny Wright, Asa Hall, Ben Wynter and Dean Moxey, plus young players Olaf Koszela and Louie Slough, who Johnson is expecting to sign new deals, too.

Confirmed as gone are the Notts County-bound Kyle Cameron and Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, who has signed for League Two side Port Vale. So that leaves Whitfield, who has been linked with Bradford City and Exeter City, as well as turmoil club Swindon Town, French winger Nemane and goalie Shaun MacDonald.

Johnson said 'Don’t forget, we had a lot of time without Kyle in the team last season and to get him back in the team we had to find a new position, and that worked for us. And Whitfield was out for a long time towards the end of the season when we had our best run...

'It’s the way of football life during pre-season, players move on for whatever reason, and you have to find some new ones... Of course, Whitfield will be in the same division as well. That does disappoint you but these players are out of contract and at the end of the day there is nothing you can do about it if they decide that they want to join another club for whatever reason...

'It wasn’t as if anybody fell out with them... Kyle did call me, as did Lucas, before the event, to tell me ‘thanks for everything’. Unfortunately, Whitfield hasn’t done that at the moment. But some footballers are a bit like that'".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The Derbyshire Times understands it is a decison which suits both the club and player from a football perspective.

The 25-year-old only signed for the Spireites in December from Weymouth for a small fee and was one of the standout performers in the first half of the season.

Whelan finished as the club’s third top scorer with five goals in 27 league appearances and was a favourite with the Town fanbase.

The attacking midfielder did not feature much in the latter part of the campaign, starting just one of the last 10 matches.

Last week manager James Rowe spoke about the need to ‘balance the books’ after making five new summer signings and hinted at some possible surprise departures.

'Some of the players that may have to leave have had good seasons or a good six or seven months under me,' Rowe said".

The Halifax Courier reports that "Back-up goalkeeper Harrison Davison-Hale has left FC Halifax Town...

The stopper failed to make a first-team appearamce for The Shaymen, having been signed last summer as understudy to first-choice keeper Sam Johnson".

But FC Halifax Town also confirm that "Jack Senior will remain with the Shaymen for another season.

Senior joined his hometown club last August after leaving Gloucester City. The left back spent nine years with Huddersfield Town, before having spells at Luton Town and Harrogate Town.

Senior made 34 appearances last season, featuring mostly at left wingback.

Wrexham's Daily Echo reports that "Following the fixture release for the National League 2021/2022 season, BetVictor has revealed the latest National League odds including each team’s chances at winning the title next season.

Stockport County have been made 9/2 favourites to win the title while Southend United are sixth in the list at 9/1".

• Stockport County: 9/2
• Wrexham: 5/1
• Grimsby Town: 6/1
• Notts County: 7/1
• Chesterfield: 8/1
• Southend United: 9/1
• Torquay United: 10/1
• Solihull Moors: 16/1
• Dagenham and Redbridge: 20/1
• Yeovil Town: 25/1
• Eastleigh: 33/1
• Bromley: 33/1
• Boreham Wood: 40/1
• FC Halifax Town: 50/1
• Aldershot Town: 66/1
• Maidenhead United: 66/1
• Barnet: 66/1
• Woking: 80/1
• King's Lynn Town: 250/1
• Weymouth: 250/1
• Altrincham: 250/1
• Wealdstone: 250/1
• Dover Athletic: 500/1

ON THIS DAY: 7 July

Alty fielded completely different elevens in each half on a good surface but, particularly in the second half, in increasingly difficult, wet conditions. In the first 45 minutes, in addition to last season's regulars Coburn, Densmore, Griffin, Leather and Reeves, Altrincham deployed trialists Josh Green and Jayden Hall, as well as new signings striker Michael Rankine (right) and midfielder Josh O'Keefe. Also starting for the visitors were Youth team graduates centre-back Sam Heathcote and midfielder Jeff King, who spent much of last season at Kendal Town.

The two trialists both had spells at Chester FC last season. One of them, midfielder Jayden Hall (b.1994) was on loan there from Burnley, while 20 year-old Josh Green was on loan from Fleetwood Town.

For the second half, Tim Deasy took over in goal, with players from last season (Clee, Marshall, Richman, Moult, Sinnott, Lawrie) plus trialist forward Jordan Deacey (ex-BPA and AFC Telford United), reserve striker Joel Swift and youth team graduates David Brown and Rhain Davies.

ALTRINCHAM : First Half: 1. Stuart COBURN, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 5. Scott LEATHER, 16. Sam HEATHCOTE, 3. Adam GRIFFIN, 7. Jeff KING, 4. Josh GREEN, 8. Josh O'KEEFE, 12. Jayden HALL, 14. Damian REEVES, 6. Michael RANKINE. Second Half: 18. Tim DEASY, 2. Rhain DAVIES, 5. David BROWN, 6. Tom MARSHALL, 3. Nicky CLEE, 4. Jake MOULT, 7. Simon RICHMAN, 8. Jordan SINNOTT, 11. James LAWRIE, 10. Jordan DEACEY, 9. Joel SWIFT. Sub. 16. Sam HEATHCOTE

ALTY MONTHLY DRAW WINNERS

• £250 cash | #189 | Mrs Clarke
• £75 cash | #174 | Catherine Grace
• £25 cash | #316 | E. Cucksey
• Robin Polo Shirt | #297 | John Moran
• Replica Alty FC Shirt | #86 | M. Ford
• Alty FC Polo Shirt | #319 | Martin Hamnett

Congratulations to all the winners!

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Rose was one of seven players under contract who were told they are not in the manager’s plans and can find another club.

Hendrie, meanwhile, stalled over a contract offer with the Mariners, and has since fallen down the pecking order.

Glimpses of the players in pictures and videos since they returned to training suggest that new signing Michee Efete is getting the number two jersey, adding weight to the notion that Hendrie (last season’s number two) will not be at Blundell Park much longer.

Summer signing Ben Fox appears to be the new number four, effectively replacing Rose, who wore that squad number last campaign.

Other squad numbers, yet to be confirmed but visible on pre-season footage, include Shaun Pearson (5), Ryan Sears (12), Lenell John-Lewis (14), David Longe-King (16), Erico Sousa (18), Luke Spokes (23) and Jaz Goundry (24).

Ira Jackson Jr, Filipe Morais, George Williams plus academy graduates Duncan Idehen and Joe Starbuck have all been made available for transfer, while [ex-Alty loanee] Montel Gibson has joined Stourbridge on loan until January".

Barnet "have reached an agreement with Liam Daly to release the defender from his contract.

The big centre-half joined the Club in February this year and made 19 appearances for the Bees, captaining the side on a few occasions throughout the second half of last season".

Also at Barnet comes "the signing of centre-back, Jamie Turley...

Turley makes the move across London to the Bees having most recently spent two and a half years with Leyton Orient, where he was a part of their National League promotion campaign. The experienced centre back made 43 appearances during his time with the O's... The 31-year-old has made well over 200 appearances in both the EFL and The National League, playing for the likes of Notts County, Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Boreham Wood and Newport County. Turley's knowledge and know-how of the division will most certainly be of benefit to a Bees squad that is starting to have a mix of exciting young talent and experienced heads...

Turley also brings versatility to the Bees, as he is also able to play at right-back when required... The 6"1 centre half is also not shy of a goal and has scored 11 times in his career...

'I know what's required in this league, I have had success at this level before and I really feel that the infustructure is in place'" said Turley.

At Notts County "Jim O’Brien has become the sixth player to accept the offer of a new two-year contract at Meadow Lane.

The 33 year-old midfielder is now the longest-serving member of the squad, having joined us in January 2019. And Ian Burchnall is delighted to be retaining the fiery Scotsman.

'I’ve been hugely impressed with Jim’s attitude and ability since my arrival at the club... We missed him when he picked up a couple of really unfortunate injuries towards the end of last season. Importantly, he understands how we want to play which gives us continuity going into the new campaign.

'With Michael Doyle taking a step back from playing and Frank Vincent being a younger player with lots still to learn, it’s a huge boost to keep someone of Jim’s professionalism and experience and we’re working hard to add more depth to this area of the squad'".

The Leader Live claims that "Phil Parkinson wants to compile a successful side that will give the Wrexham area a huge lift and make supporters proud... for the Reds' 14th season in non-league.

But having experienced three promotions in a management career that has taken in six clubs prior to his arrival in north Wales, Parkinson is looking forward to the challenge...

'My job is to produce that successful team to lift the area', said Parkinson... 'It will be great to be managing at this stadium with a lot of people in there right behind us'...

'Pre-season starts this week, but also working hard to recruit additional players because the squad needs a lot of work on it. But I am confident that over the next six to seven weeks, we can build a squad which is as strong as anything else in the league, which will give us a great chance of achieving the ultimate goal which is promotion'...

Wrexham [are] short of centre-backs after captain Shaun Pearson turned down the offer of a new contract and Fiacre Kelleher and Theo Vassell [were] both released... The core of the players in the building are all going to play their part and I’m looking forward to meeting them all.

'There’s gaps in the squad, we know that... But we’re aware of that and we’re already working towards that.'"

In the Halifax Courier, "Town manager Pete Wild says there has been no contact with Rochdale and that he is happy at The Shay after being installed as one of the front-runners for the vacancy at Spotland...

'Whenever you’re linked with a job, it’s always really pleasing, it shows that we’re doing something right, and people are taking an interest in what we’re doing, so from that respect, everybody should be pleased that we’re getting noticed,' Wild said.

'But from my side of things, there’s been no contact, so we just move on and we carry on. But it’s really nice to be linked, especially with clubs such as Rochdale... I’m happy where I am and we carry on, and we move on...

He said. 'We wanted to keep 95 per cent of the squad, we’ve managed to keep 90 per cent of the squad, and I think that’s a massive achievement... We’ve encouraged them to stay and we’ve fought off a lot of other offers that players have had, because they see Halifax as a viable option for them...

'It’s huge because we took 12 months to develop a style of play and how we wanted to do things, how we wanted to behave and the culture we wanted to create at the football club,' he said... 'I look at some of the younger players that have re-signed and I think they should be excited because this is their year... to shine at National League level. I’m really excited for those young players, and we will look younger this year, I think we’ll look more athletic, more youthful exuberance about us, and I think that bodes well'...

One player rumoured to be on his way out of the club has been striker Jake Hyde. 'Jake’s our player, and I intend for him to be back in two weeks’ time,' Wild said...'We’re happy that Jake’s ready and raring to go and we’re hopeful that me and Jake can work closer this year to make sure that I get the best out of Jake'.

Wild says news on additions to his squad is imminent... 'We have three that will be attending pre-season, and if they do well, we’d like to sign. So that would take us up to five, and we’re only looking for one more, and I’m close on that other one... We have spoken to quite a few this year where, unfortunately, because of finances, other clubs have, for want of a better phrase, blown us out of the water'...

Wild is expecting to be working with a squad of 20-21 first-team players. 'Obviously you’ve got Matt Stenson in there as well... he’ll be like a new signing when he comes back, probably around Christmas time,' said the Town boss.

Wild said the new signings will all be permanent transfers...

Town will be without captain Nathan Clarke next season after he left the club following the end of his contrat. 'I’m disappointed because he was an integral part of what we did,' said Wild. 'He was fantastic for me as a person, I learned a lot from him, I leant on him quite a it in terms of his experience... We gave him the best offer we could possibly give him, and that wasn’t for him...

Wild is yet to select a replacement as captain for Clarke, who was replaced as skipper when out of the side last season by Niall Maher".

LEWIS SALMON SIGNS FOR FOREST

Right: Lewis Salmon playing for Alty in a pre-season game at Whitchurch Alport on 6 July 2019

Altrincham FC announces, in the words of John Edwards, that "Highly-rated Altrincham striker Lewis Salmon is heading for an exciting opportunity with Nottingham Forest after landing a dream move to the two-times European champions.

The teenage prospect has been on Forest’s radar for months, and one of the more remarkable transfers of Alty’s recent history was finally completed today after the Championship club agreed to pay the Robins an undisclosed fee.

After assessing Salmon as an Alty trialist in the summer of 2019, when he scored for the senior side in a pre-season friendly against the club's youth team, manager Phil Parkinson quickly recognised his goal-scoring potential and not only added the raw youngster to his Robins squad but secured him on a contract towards the end of that year.

It was during a subsequent loan spell at Trafford, when he rose to the top of the BetVictor Northern Premier League North-West Division scoring charts, that he came to Forest’s attention... As a result, Lewis was invited to the City Ground for a trial in April, and he made enough of an impression for Forest to follow up their interest and agree a deal with Alty...

Alty boss Phil said 'Lewis is a player we spotted in our second season at the club. His talents were obvious for us to see... we earmarked him to replace Jordan Hulme in the long term.

'However, due to his ability and speed of progression, we always felt he could end up moving on before ever pulling on a Alty shirt. It was all about progression with Lewis and bedding him in at the right time. But when a club like Forest come calling, we couldn’t stand in his way, which obviously ended our plans but moved his on a lot quicker.

'His attitude is second-to-none and he scores goals, but his age dictated he needed nurturing, which is something I like to think we were able to do for him during his time with us by sending him out to the right clubs for a variety of experiences whilst training with some of the best part-time footballers around the north-west at the highest level of non-League'...

Alty director Rob Esteva added, 'While there is always that tinge of sadness when a player departs, this speak volumes for the approach we have taken in recent times about investing in young talent and developing them. As everybody knows, with the recent announcement of Phil moving full-time with the club, we are putting various plans in place to enable us to be in a position to focus much more on developing our own players...

'When the COVID pandemic hit and, as a club, we had to try to navigate through all the financial implications, Lewis kindly agreed to a restructuring of his contract, which ensured we could furlough him during the period of inactivity and help save the club some money. A small example, perhaps, but it was something he didn't have to do, so full credit to him for doing it'".

Footnote: On 6 November, 2019, Altrincham FC announced the signing of Lewis Salmon on an 18-month contract. He had previously spent part of the 2019 pre-season with Altrincham and scored for the club in its pre-season game against its own youth team. He then played against Altrincham for Trafford in their pre-season match at Shawe View in 2019. He joined Trafford on dual registration for 2019-20 and had become the leading scorer in their Step 4 league by early November.

After signing his Alty contract in summer 2020, Lewis was announced to be going on play for Stalybridge Celtic in 2020-21 on dual registration forms. He never played for the Altrincham first team but in 2020-21 was named twice on the bench for National League games at home to Solihull Moors and away at Dagenham & Redbridge.

MORE ON LEWIS SALMON MOVE

He spent loan periods at Trafford FC (2019-20) where he netted 13 times in 35 appearances and from 12 August 2020 at Stalybridge Celtic (2020-21), where he recorded three goals in 6(+5) games, before being recalled on 12 November 2020 from a loan which was set to run till 31 January 2021.

Nottingham Forest reported that "Lewis Salmon and Billy Fewster have joined the Nottingham Forest Academy on permanent deals.

Salmon joins the U23s on a two-year contract from National League Altrincham.

The 19 year-old forward from Stoke-on-Trent joins Andy Reid's side having completed a successful trial period at The Nigel Doughty Academy in April.

Right: Lewis Salmon in his debut friendly for Altrincham in June 2019.

'I can't wait to get started,' said Lewis. 'I've been with Altrincham for 18 months and been on loan a couple of times so I feel I've gained a good amount of experience already. I'm a player that works really hard and enjoys scoring goals, so I'm delighted to be given this opportunity.

'The Academy set up here is really good. Gary Brazil and Andy Reid really sold the club to me and I'm delighted to be here'...

The 2021-22 season sees the club operate under Category 1 Academy status for the first time. The club’s U23 and U18 teams will enter the elite academy games programme for next season, including Premier League 2 and cup competitions".

Whilst at Stalybridge Celtic, the NPL reported Salmon as saying "My time at Trafford was class. Footballing wise, it was the perfect start for myself as the manager Tom Baker and current manager now DC (Danny Caldecott) had a lot of faith in me from day one, which was perfect for myself and my confidence... I can’t speak highly enough of the club...

“I’m loving my time at Altrincham and they’ve got an unbelievably set of lads and management team,” Salmon said... “The Alty gaffer has been spot on with me ever since coming on trial at the club in 2019 and has supported me throughout my loan spells. The goal is obviously to push into Alty’s first team which I feel I am capable of doing, I’ve just got to gain more experience and game time under my belt and try to make as much noise as I can out on loan.

“Going out on loan was definitely the best option as I will be playing a higher standard than what I played last season... Altrincham’s promotion on a personal level is great as it allows me the pathway to potential break in and play at the highest level of non-league. Its ambitions to go full time go alongside my plans and the goal to be a professional footballer, making it a perfect club for me to be at.”

ALTY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

On Wednesday, the fixtures for our second season in The Vanarama National League... will be published.

First team training starts in earnest on Saturday and squad numbers will be announced during the week, whilst pre-season fixtures are less than three weeks away, so it's a very exciting time for Alty fans and an appropriate juncture to start the two-way communication process for the new season that commences on Saturday August 21st...

Given the story in the Non-League Paper at the weekend, we know our fans will have many questions about the coming season and our plans for the future and this Q & A is the perfect opportunity for you to find out all you need to know

You are invited to submit a question regarding any aspect relating to this important season in the ongoing development of Altrincham Football Club to a panel consisting of:-

• Phil Parkinson (First Team Manager) [right]
• Bill Waterson (Co-Chairman)
• Rob Esteva (Football Director)

Please submit your question by 5pm on Wednesday July 7th here.

The panel will answer your questions at a YouTube Premiere to be broadcast on Friday July 9th at 8pm".

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

ON THIS DAY: 6 July

Above: Alty defend their goal.

Two years ago today, on 6 July 2019, Altrincham travelled to Shropshire to face Whitchurch Alport for the first pre-season game of the summer following a game seven days earlier with the club's youth team as opposition.

In this match Altrincham secured a single-goal victory against Alport.

Just before the hour mark, Altrincham introduced seven substitutes, who included trialist Matt Chadwick and reserves' striker Ben Elliott. Tom Whelan (ex-Bury) was the only Alty trialist not to have appeared in last Saturday's game against the Youth team and he looked impressive in midfield.

Absentees for Altrincham included injured captain Jake Moult and Jordan Hulme, who was apparently at a funeral. Likewise, Andy White and Steven Drench had yet to appear this summer but both were at the game. First-teamers who did appear in last week's friendly against the Alty Youth team included John Johnston (getting married) Toby Mullarkey and Max Harrop. Among the trialists involved were goalkeeper Dan Gyollai (Honved Budapest and Stoke City), Zac Corbett (ex-Southport), Jamal Crawford (ex-FCUM, Chester FC) Lewis Salmon (Hanley Town) and Tom Whelan (ex-Bury).

The Altrincham squad comprised: 1. Tony THOMPSON, 2. Shaun DENSMORE (capt), 3. Connor HAMPSON, 4. James JONES, 5. Zac CORBETT, 6. Sean WILLIAMS, 7. Jamal CRAWFORD, 8. Conor BRANSON, 9. Lewis SALMON, 10. Josh HANCOCK, 11. Nathan ARNOLD. Subs: 20. Dan GYOLLAI (gk), 12. Matt CHADWICK, 14. Ben HARRISON, 15. Simon RICHMAN, 16. Tom HANNIGAN, 17. Ben ELLIOTT, 18. Tom WHELAN

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Boldewijn is no stranger to Sutton boss Matt Gray, who worked with the Dutch winger during his time as assistant manager of Crawley Town.

Boldewijn scored 16 goals and registered 14 assists in 100 games for Crawley, before joining Notts County for a six-figure fee in the summer of 2018.

Despite the Magpies’ relegation to the National League in 2019, the 28-year-old established himself as a fans’ favourite and key player during his three-year spell at Meadow Lane.

The powerful winger scored 21 goals in 121 appearances for the Magpies, and was named in the Vanarama National League Team of the Season in 2019/20.

Boldewijn moved on following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, and sources have now exclusively told Football League World that the winger has agreed to sign for newly-promoted Sutton".

King's Lynn Town "announce the signing of striker Gold Omotayo (27), who spent the second half of last season with National League rivals Wrexham, on a 2-year deal.

Born in Switzerland, Gold started his career with FC Zurich before playing for FC Schlieren and FC Wettswil-Bonstetten in his home country.

In 2017 he moved to the UK and joined non-league side Whitehawk, scoring 9 goals in 16 appearances before moving into league football to play for Bury, scoring on his league debut in August 2018 as Bury won from promotion from League Two. Whilst with Bury he had a loan spell at Maidstone United.

On release from Bury, in 2019, he joined Yeovil Town before spells at FC Halifax Town, Gloucester City and then Wrexham...

Director of Football Rob Back said 'it’s taken a few weeks to get this one over the line, but we are really pleased Gold has decided to join us. He has good experience at this level'...

On the move Gold stated... 'This is a fresh start and a big challenge and, with the security of a 2 year deal, it is one I am looking forward to greatly.... My aim is to bring some physicality to the team as well as experience of the National League'".

The Maidenhead Advertiser reports that "Maidenhead United have strengthened their defensive options with the signing of 26 year-old Will De Havilland.

De Havilland counts Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers amongst his former clubs, and joins the Magpies following a spell with Dover Athletic.

The centre back joined Dover on a two-year deal back in July 2019 having made 42 National League and two FA Cup appearances for Maidstone United the previous season, wearing the captain’s armband on 16 of those occasions.

During his time with the Chairboys, De Havilland spent time on loan at Aldershot Town and Maidstone... He has since made more than 100 appearances for National League clubs.

De Havilland becomes the club’s fourth new signing of the summer, following the additions of Kane Ferdinand, Dylan Asonganyi and Emile Acquah, while Sam Barratt has signed a new two-year deal...

He said, 'I was at Dover, and we actually got pulled out of the league after 15 games, so it was quite frustrating. Dev contacted me towards the end of the season and expressed his interest and I was very keen to get going after being out for so long, having not played since the end of January... I got 20-odd games in League 2 and then went on loan in this league and have then stayed in this league for the last three or four years. So, I’ve got plenty of experience in this league...

'I’m working on my leadership qualities, and I want to bring goals as well. I’ve scored five in my last few seasons, and I want to try and top that this year'".

The Halifax Courier ALSO confirms that "FC Halifax Town defender Tom Bradbury has become the latest player to commit his future to FC Halifax Town by signing a new one-year contract".

Bradbury joined Town from Yeovil last summer and scored three goals in 35 league games last season.

He joins Kieran Green and Martin Woods in signing new deals with Town over the last few days, meaning Halifax’s first-team squad for the 2021-22 season currenly consists of Sam Johnson, Niall Maher, Tom Bradbury, Jay Benn, Dom Tear, Neill Byrne, Kian Spence, Luke Summerfield, Martin Wods, Kieran Green, Jake Hyde, Matty Stenson and Jamie Allen".

The Derbyshire Times claims that FC Halifax Town manager "Pete Wild is the bookies’ joint favourite to be named manager of League Two Rochdale... Chesterfield manager James Rowe is listed as a 25/1 shot with Sky Bet.

Rochdale were relegated from League Two last season and manager Brian Barry-Murphy left last week ‘at his own request’"...

Elsewhere, "Torquay United key men Armani Little and Jake Andrews have both penned new contracts.

The pair played a big part in the Gulls reaching last season’s play-off final".

5 July 2021

SENIOR SERVICE AT ALTY

Right: Shaun Densmore leaves the pitch after his league debut for Altrincham, against Lewes, on 20 September 2008. Also pictured is midfielder Anthony Danylyk.

• Shaun DENSMORE (age 32) debut 16 September 2008, home v. Vauxhall Motors (CSC)
• Jake MOULT (32) debut 25 August 2012, away v. Vauxhall Motors
• Sean WILLIAMS (29) debut 12 August 2014, home v. Lincoln City. His service has come in two spells, having been released in summer 2015 before rejoining Altrincham in May 2018.
• Tom HANNIGAN (33) debut 6 August 2016, home v. Darlington
• Tony THOMPSON (26) debut 15 August 2017, away v. Nantwich Town
• Josh HANCOCK (30) debut 12 August 2017, home v. Stafford Rangers
• Tom PEERS (25) debut 12 August 2017, home v. Stafford Rangers. Tom left the club in November 2018 but returned in May 2019.
• Connor HAMPSON (28) debut 4 November 2017, home v. Buxton
• Andrew WHITE (28) debut 1 January 2018, home v. Witton Albion
• Toby MULLARKEY (24) debut 3 August 2019, home v. York City
• Curtis MILLER (20) debut 3 December 2019, away v. Stalybridge Celtic (CSC)
• Daniel MOONEY (22) debut 1 February 2020, home v. AFC Telford United
• Ritchie SUTTON (35) debut 10 October 2020, away v. Eastleigh
• Joel SENIOR (22) debut 10 October 2020, away v. Eastleigh
• Matthew GOULD (27) debut 4 November 2020, home tie, played away, v. Barnton (CSC)
• Matty KOSYLO (28) debut 3 October 2020, home v. Weymouth
• Fisayo ADARABIOYO (27) debut 27 October 2020, away v. Hartlepool United
• Ryan COLCLOUGH (26) debut 24 November 2020, home v. Bromley

Recent signings, Kennedy DIGIE, Marcus DINANGA and Brad JACKSON have yet to make their debuts.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The National League side announced seating admission would cost £25 for adults and £20 for over 65s and students or a season ticket at £350 or £280 for each category.

A standing ticket was priced at £20 for adults and £15 for over 65s and students with season tickets coming in at £290 or £220.

Pre-season fixtures would also not be included within season tickets and those are priced separately to league fixtures.

Supporters voiced their outrage on social media and Bromley quickly responded.

'Following the release of our 2021-22 ticketing arrangements, the club acknowledges the feedback from valued fans,' a statement read. 'In light of your views, the club will look to re-evaluate the current position in the coming days, providing supporters with an update in due course including those who have already purchased season tickets.'”

At FC Halifax Town, "Martin Woods has penned a new deal seeing him remain at the Shay for the 21/22 campaign.

Woods was another summer addition last season, with the former Premier League midfielder returning to English football.

The experienced midfielder made 39 appearances, scoring 4 goals including a stunning free kick against Barnet". Woods also scored what proved to be Halifax's winner in their 3-2 home win over Altrincham last season.

The Grimsby Telegraph says that "Ten years on from the day he arrived, James McKeown can still remember his first moments at Grimsby Town like they were yesterday.

The long-serving goalkeeper heads into a testimonial year after a decade of service with the Mariners... He’s fully immersed himself into life in the area, and his humility and ability to not take himself too seriously have made him the firm fans’ favourite he is today...

'I remember coming to sign and having a look around, and being shown the training ground,' McKeown told GrimsbyLive. 'I think John Fenty was digging a hole in the middle of the pitch, and the gaffer told me that was the chairman! “I remember thinking to myself, because I’d gone from Peterborough in the Championship, but we didn’t have our own training ground so we used to get changed at the ground, so I remember thinking ‘this is a really good setup’, just having your own place where you got changed and trained...

'There’s something nice about going down terrace streets and appearing at a football club. I think Goodison Park’s the same... there’s something magical about all of a sudden, going through these houses, and then you appear at this football stadium'...

Having been released by Peterborough and spending time in the Netherlands, the move to Town presented him with the opportunity to reunite with Paul Hurst, who he’d played under during a loan spell at Boston United... 'I was a young player, we had experienced pros but maybe ones the gaffer wanted to move on as well... It wasn’t a great group. ... You felt like there was a blame culture, it was always someone else’s fault...

'It was actually quite tough, but luckily I’d just managed to cement myself in the team'".

At Notts County, "Adam Chicksen has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane.

The 29-year-old established himself as a key figure in Ian Burchnall’s three-man defence ...

'Adam played a huge role in our strong run into the play-offs and brings invaluable versatility to the squad,' said Burchnall. 'As we’ve seen, he’s comfortable in the left of a back three but he can also play as a full back and wing back. He has the footballing intelligence to adapt to different systems.

'When I came into the club I was really struck with Adam’s professionalism and commitment in training and, having backed that up with consistent performances on the field, he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.

'With Kyle Cameron joining and Connell Rawlinson signing a new deal, Adam strengthens our back line even further and I’m very pleased with how we’re looking in this area of the pitch.'”

News of another long-serving goalkeeper comes from Solihull Moors who "are delighted to announce that goalkeeper Ryan Boot has signed a two-year contract with the club.

An ever-present in the club’s last three National League campaigns, Boot has 147 appearances and 57 clean sheets to his name in all competitions.

The 26 year-old was voted as the Supporters’ Player of the Season last time out and once again played every minute of every game for the Moors.

Boot said.. 'The fans have always been good with me since day one when I signed three years ago... The ambition since I’ve been at the club has been to get promoted and we came close in the first season – the last two years have been difficult with Covid, but hopefully this season can be the season we get promoted'.

Manager Neal Ardley added 'I am delighted to have secured the services of Ryan for the next two seasons.. It was a position that I wanted to take some time to look at, assess our options and make the right decision.

'From the outset, Ryan has been in serious consideration as we know he is a high-class goalkeeper who possesses plenty of quality'".

Earlier it had been reported that Ardley had released the popular goalkeeper but he has clearly had a re-think.

But another player is departing Solihull Moors as "Defender Cameron Coxe has joined League Two side Colchester United on a long-term loan until January 6th 2022.

Coxe, 22, made 26 appearances for Moors last season after arriving at the club in August 2020...

Moors have no recall option in place and Coxe has been granted permission to play in the FA Cup, League Cup and EFL Trophy".

Southend United "announce the signing of goalkeeper Steve Arnold.

Steve, 31, joins Blues after leaving Northampton Town this summer, signing a two-year deal.

The 6ft 5in stopper started his professional career with Norwich City and has gone on to play over 230 games.

Arnold twice previously helped Forest Green Rovers to the National League play-offs before joining Dover Athletic. He’s also had spells in the Football League with Wycombe, Stevenage, Shrewsbury before he joined the Cobblers.

Upon joining, Arnold said 'As soon as my agent said there was interest from Southend United it stayed in my mind, especially the size of the Club and the fan base.

'I had a couple of offers from Scotland and up north but with what Southend are looking to do next season and potentially going for glory it really drew me to the Club and I want to be part of the journey...

'I will bring a lot of positivity to the place and as a player I would say I am a dominant goalkeeper, I’m confident in the box and in the air, I love coming for crosses and doing my job which is ultimately making saves and keeping clean sheets.

'I’ve got a wealth of experience in the EFL as well as the National League to fall back on, I am 31 now and I would say I am in my prime as a keeper'">

Part-time Wealdstone "are happy to announce the signing of former Watford and Dagenham & Redbridge full-back Andrew Eleftheriou.

Eleftheriou is a product of Watford's Academy system where he played with Stones team-mates Dennon Lewis and Connor Stevens and made one appearance for the Hornets in the Premier League against Manchester City at Vicarage Road.

He spent time out on loan in Norway at Sandefjord and also at Braintree Town in the National League, where he made 18 appearances before moving to National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge when his Watford contract expired in 2019.

He played for two seasons at the Daggers where he made a total of 42 appearances, scoring once before his contract expired this week.

Stones boss Stuart Maynard had this to say... 'Although he is only 23, this will be his fourth season in the National League, so he's exactly the type of player this club needs going forward. He's a high energy, athletic full-back who we feel can improve even further. He had interest from other National League clubs and believes in the project we put forward to him'".

Meanwhile, "After weeks of eagerly waiting, Yeovil Town fans were left delighted with the news that Matt Worthington has extended his Yeovil Town contract...

Since signing in 2019, Worthington has established himself to become a firm favourite amongst supporters and is now the longest serving player at the football club".

"HYBRID" HIBERNATES AT ALTY

According to the NL Paper, that was the view of Altrincham assistant manager Neil Sorvel. He and manager Phil Parkinson were "handed full-time deals... with the playing staff slated to move to a hybrid model before following suit next season.

But depressed finances and player reluctance made any change impossible, leaving Alty as one of only three fully part-time sides in the top flight of non-League football.

'After having discussions with the players, we realised that a lot of them couldn't do it' said Sorvel (pictured, left). 'And with the financial implications, the budget we've got, the fact that the majority of the lads have only got a year left on their contracts, we just decided it would be easier to do it next season [2022-23].

'Am I frustrated? Yeah, a little bit. It's a difficult sitiation. King's Lynn have jumped to full-time, so have Woking. Weymouth have gone to a hybrid model.

'That leaves just us, Wealdstone and Dover which is a big, big challenge... If we can stay up for another season then we can re-evaluate. If we are good to go hybrid after that, then that's the plan'", stated Sorvel

Nevertheless Alty are "adding extra Monday night sessions ahead of midweek games this season. 'We felt it was essential' explains Sorvel who noted that last season 'The sides in this division were full-time teams from an organisational point of view. That was a big difference... The other thing we noticed was that lots of teams would rather avoid defeat than push to win a game... It's tough to play against'" said Sorvel.

The NLP adds that "Alty will target 'one or two' young players capable of moving to a hybrid model this summer but the majority of the squad will remain in place...

'To finish top of the promoted teams was an achievement in itself... The second [season] can often be more difficult because teams know more about you. For us as a club, it's about stabilising...

'We need to stay as a National League club for a couple of seasons before we can look at anything beyond that'" concluded Sorvel.

MAKING A NAME

The Sunderland Echo reported on Parkinson's departure from the Stadium of Light, stating, "Revealed: The shocking win rate that saw Phil Parkinson axed as Sunderland AFC manager". The article claims that just 35% of his games at Sunderland were wins.

Wikipedia tells us that, earlier in his career, when he managed Colchester United his win-rate was 42.25%, Hull City 20.83%, Charlton Athletic 38.60%, Bradford City 36.86%, Bolton Wanderers 31.21% and Sunderland 39.58% in all competitions.

Meanwhile Parkinson's namesake, the Alty manager, and his assistant Neil Sorvel (seen above), completed their fourth season at Altrincham in the 2020-21 campaign.

The duo's league record at the club is as follows:

• 2017-18 NPL P46 W28 D11 L7 F101 A42 95 1st
• 2018-19 VNLN P42 W20 D11 L11 F85 A56 71 5th
• 2018-19 VNLN P2 W1 D0 L1 F3 A3 Play-Offs
• 2019-20 VNLN P33 W16 D9 L8 F62 A40 57 5th
• 2019-20 VNLN P3 W3 D0 L0 F6 A2 Play-Offs
• 2020-21 VNL P42 W12 D11 L19 F46 A60 47 17th
• TOTALS P168 W80 D42 L46 F303 A203 win percentage 47.6%

The win rate of 47.6% beats that of several well-known Premier League managers, albeit of course the others (including the other PP) were operating in higher leagues!

• Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) 47%
• Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds United) 47%
• Bobby Robson (Newcastle United) 44%
• Kevin Keegan (Newcastle United) 43%
• Sven-Goran Eriksson (Manchester City) 39%
• David Moyes (Everton) 39%

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

But neither Hartlepool or National League champions Sutton United received any prize money as a result of their promotion from the fifth tier. Now the clubs are in the Football League, the amount of funding they receive significantly increased by around £1 million, however they received nothing in terms of promotion prize money.

Dave Challinor’s side did receive a small financial boost as a result of their cup performances. Their run to the FA Cup first round where they were beaten 2-0 after extra-time at Salford City netted the club a total of £15,032 in prize money. The live BBC broadcast 6-0 win at Ilkeston Town in the fourth qualifying round will have seen the club earn around £12,500 in live broadcast fees too.

The FA Trophy didn’t prove quite so lucrative for Pools as their first round penalty shoot out defeat at Halifax Town saw them awarded just £775 in total; still more than they received for their play-off success!

While Pools received no prize money from the National League as such, the fact that nine of their matches were broadcast live on BT Sport over the course of the season gave the club a tidy financial boost.

Pools’ home matches against Torquay United, Barnet, Notts County, Chesterfield and Bromley saw the club earn £6,000 per match while the away games at Eastleigh (abandoned), Sutton United, Stockport County and the promotion final at Ashton Gate earned the club £2,000 each. In total, Hartlepool earned £38,000 as a result of the live BT Sport broadcasts.

Vanarama also paid £1,200 to Hartlepool United's chosen charities over the course of the season from Man of the Match awards following live BT Sport matches.

According to figures from FA and National League sources, Pools should have earned £66,307 in prize and television money over the course of the 2020-21 campaign".

Three more arrivals are reported at Barnet including "the signing of defender Josh Doherty. The former Colchester United and Crawley Town man joins on an initial one-year deal.

The left-back, who can also play higher up the pitch in midfield, began his career at Watford as an academy graduate, before representing Leyton Orient, Ards and Altrincham.

It was at Crawley Town where the Northan [sic] Irishman made his name, joining the Club in 2017 where he spent four years until departing The Red Devils in the summer. During his time at the League Two Club, he made 94 appearances in all competitions and brings a good amount of experience to Harry Kewell's side, who he previously played under in 2018.

During the second half of last season, the 25-year-old spent time out on loan at Colchester United helping the U's away from the bottom two... He becomes the Bees seventh new addition of the summer... [He] has represented Northern Ireland at U18, U19 and U21 levels, making 20 appearances at youth level...

'I wouldn't have joined the Club if there wasn't the ambition to challenge at the top end of the league and that has to be our aim'" he said.

Footnote: Now 25, Doherty (right) joined Altrincham on a one-month loan as left-back just before the league game at Nuneaton on 13 September 2016 in which he made his debut for the club. His parent club then was Leyton Orient. He had recently joined Orient in the summer of 2016 after being released by Watford, for whom he had made one first-team appearance as a substitute on May 3, 2014. In total his Altrincham appearances comprised 5(+1), with 0 goals.

Another defender has also arrived at Barnet with "the signing of former Norwich City right back, Jordan Thomas. The exciting young defender joins the Club on an initial two-year contract.

Thomas makes the move to North London from newly-promoted Premier League side Norwich City, where he spent three years... The 20-year-old grabbed a taste of senior Premier League football during his time with the Canaries, making his senior debut in a fixture against Manchester City in July 2020. The full-back also spent some time on loan at League Two Leyton Orient last season, the young defender will now look to prove himself and gain regular senior appearances at his new Club under the management of Harry Kewell...

Prior to moving to Norwich City, Thomas spent time as a youth product at both Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town".

Also joining Barnet is "former Crystal Palace midfielder, Kian Flanagan. The exciting young midfielder joins the Club on an initial two-year deal.

Flanagan can play in a range of positions within the centre of the park but one of his main attributes is getting beyond the striker and being a threat in front of goal.

The 21 year-old joins the Bees from Premier League side Crystal Palace, where he spent six years with the Eagles... Flanagan has also achieved success internationally, already representing the Republic of Ireland at U17, U18 and U19 level, where he has so far made 11 appearances for his county...

Speaking on his arrival at The Hive, Flanagan said 'I am buzzing... I like to get past players, I want to create goals or assist'">

Meanwhile at Boreham Wood, the club has signed "wing-back Jacob Mendy Mendy from Wealdstone for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.

The highly regarded Spanish-native joins the Wood following two seasons with the Stones at Grosvenor Vale, which included winning the National League South title in 2019/20, and winning the Stones' Player of the Season award last campaign.

In what was a difficult season for the Stones upon their return to Non-League’s top table, Mendy was one of their shining lights, scoring 10 goals from left wing back whilst catching the eye of sides across the National League and above that, reportedly including turning down a move to our near neighbours Barnet earlier last season after the Clubs had agreed terms.

Jacob joined the Stones from Ryman League outfit Carshalton Athletic, having previously played at Redhill FC, though Jacob had begun his career in Spain within Atletico Madrid’s youth team set up before moving to the UK.

Upon bringing Mendy to Meadow Park for a Club record fee, a delighted Wood Chairman Danny Hunter said, 'In truth after activating his buyout clause, I didn’t expect we’d be able to agree terms with Jacob in the current market, but if you don’t ask you don’t get.

'That said, the buyout clause was very simple and fair, Jacob was very level headed and realistic in his demands from the start and it quickly made things only about the football, the Club’s facilities, his hopes, his ambitions and of course his chemistry with our Gaffer Luke Garrard.

'This all meant the deal was done very quickly and painlessly'...

Wood Manager Luke Garrard commented, 'Jacob is someone we have looked at throughout the season with great interest. For us to pay a record fee for Jacob shows the level of trust we have in him, he is someone I honestly believe will improve and really help kick us on…

'He comes with great athleticism, directness and an eye for goal. Scoring ten goals and assisting 8 in his debut season at this level from a wing back position shows the calibre of player we are signing'".

Dagenham & Redbridge "announce the signing of Josh Walker following the expiration of his contract at fellow National League side Barnet.

The 23-year-old forward arrives... following three years at the Bees where he made 56 appearances for the club, scoring 12 times with 3 assists... Walker began his career in the youth set up at Tottenham Hotspur before making the switch to Fulham... Following his release from the Cottagers, he went on to join Hendon in the 2017/18 season where he found the net 17 times...

Daryl McMahon has this to say on his first summer signing... 'I think he's a totally different centre-forward to those that we've already got. He's good one-on-one against defenders, he's a good dribbler, good at taking people on, and a fantastic finisher. I have high hopes that he'll do really well and flourish with us.'"

And ALtrincham is not the only club having major pitch renovations this summer as Dagenham & Redbridge confirm that "Work on the pitch at the Chigwell Construction Stadium has been underway for four weeks now, and... Henry Chaplin, Contracts Manager for Chappelow Sports Turf, detailed some of the work that’s been going on over the past month.

'So, we started off by removing the existing surface of the pitch... before laser-levelling the existing soil to create a pitch to the required gradient.

'The next step was to install the brand-new primary drainage system, with lateral drains spaced at five-metre intervals. During this stage we were able to get started on the fully automated irrigation system, which is absolutely brilliant for clubs at this level, and will be invaluable for the relatively short grow-in period.

'We then cracked on with the lower and upper rootzone layers; 100mm of sand and 60mm or 90:10 rootzone respectively. During this element of the construction, we installed two secondary drainage systems, the first of which is gravel slits at one-metre intervals, and then Koro top drain sand slits at 0.5-metre intervals.

'Then came the installation of the County Turf HERO Hybrid Carpet, which is infilled with an additional 40mm of Rootzone. Various fertilisers and soil amendments were added at selected stages, before seeding works commence today (1st July). So, it has been four weeks and four days between the start of the project and the seeding date, which is the critical milestone that we aim to hit as soon as possible. We’ve made very good time considering we have lost around a week to adverse weather conditions...

'The final stages include making improvements to the existing drainage outfall on the site, and also on the incoming irrigation water supply. Mitch and Dougie, West Ham’s groundsmen, will then undertake an intensive growing in period, resulting in the pitch being ready to play on in around six-weeks’ time.'"

Dover Athletic would like to express its gratitude to those fans who have purchased either season tickets, the new 2021/22 season commemorative Supporters Shirt, or both this week.

The response to both has been simply stunning...

Chairman Jim Parmenter said 'We’ve been absolutely delighted with the support we are getting; it has been brilliant... The number of shirts that have been snapped up since they went on sale on Wednesday has been outstanding'...

Manager Andy Hessenthaler and the names his staff and players will also now be sublimated into the fabric of the shirt alongside the fans.

Hessenthaler said, 'We are all in this together; my staff, my players, the fans, the whole club, so we’ve bought into this fantastic concept... That’s what this shirt is all about'...

The exclusive one-off shirt is only available via pre-order for £50 from the club shop and will not be available for general purchase. Supporters wanting to see their name featured on the shirt will have a strict deadline of 5pm on July 17 to secure their place in our club history".

ALTY OLD BOYS

The striker was one of seven players to have been made available for a free transfers as the Mariners look to offload some of their players..

Gibson will start the new season away from Blundell Park as he heads out on loan. The 23cyear-old has signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Stourbridge until January as he makes the temporary move away from the Mariners...

Gibson fell out of favour at Blundell Park following the arrival of manager Paul Hurst, having been signed by former boss Ian Holloway last summer. He dealt a major blow to his own chances of making it back into Hurst’s plans when he posted videos of himself hosting a large number of people at a gender reveal party, breaking Covid-19 restrictions that were in place at the time.

Gibson spent a short period out on loan at Altrincham last season, having made 23 appearances for the Mariners before that, scoring three goals in the process.

It’s hard to see any way back in at Town for the striker now though, despite still having two years left on his contract with the club".

Footnote: Gibson was injured in the first half of his second appearance for Altrincham, whilst on loan, and was not seen again. He had been signed by then EFL2 club Grimsby Town in 2020 and had made 19 appearances for the Mariners before joining Altrincham.

NL Daily confirms that former Altrincham "Striker Tomi Adeloye [right] has signed for Ayr United following a spell at Barnet.

The former Ebbsfleet United player joined Barnet back in February...

He now signs for Scottish Championship Ayr United on a one-year contract.

Adeloye spent a brief period north of the border at the end of last year, linking up with East Kilbride".

Footnote: Now 25 years of age, Adeloye signed for Altrincham on 12 January 2017. Although born in Sidcup, Kent, he was on the books of Stoke City as a youth player but, before moving to the Potteries team, he had been with London clubs Charlton Athletic and then, from December 2013, Millwall.

He joined Stoke City in summer 2014 and, Whilst there, Tomi had a loan spell with Macclesfield Town, returning to Stoke in February 2015 after making one appearance in the CSC in which he scored twice. Next, he moved to Chelmsford City in September, 2015, following his release by Stoke. He spent almost four months with Dover Athletic from November, 2015 before joining Welling United in February 2016.

He then played for Leatherhead at the start of 2016-17 before he went training with Chester FC. Tomi made a promising debut at home to Gainsborough on 14 January 2017 but was released on 2 February 2017, after three more appearances from the bench. His Altrincham appearances totalled 1(+3) with no goal scored.

FRIENDLY OPPONENTS WIN PLACE IN FA CUP

Due to the recent restructuring of the National League System, a draw was conducted to determine which eight of the 17 Step 6 leagues would be represented in the competition, by one club each.

The NWCFL First Division South was drawn as one of these leagues, and as the highest-ranked club not upwardly moved in the restructure, we have been accepted into this season’s competition... with the Extra Preliminary Round scheduled to take place on the weekend of Saturday 7th August".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The National League chairman Jack Pearce has confirmed that following the demise of Macclesfield Town, next season will see "a 23-team National League division. The number of clubs relegated in the National League will be reduced to 3 to take the total up to 24 teams from the following season...

"A second Ordinary Resolution was also voted in favour of by member clubs for The National League to form a Standards/Ethics committee as part of the League’s governance structure. The National League will draw up terms of reference for the committee in consultation with all member clubs to be approved at a future general meeting.

The National League has continued to assess the likely impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the 2021/22 season. All clubs have been surveyed for their views on the potential implications which could arise during the course of the next campaign. The AGM attendees were informed the season will not begin without spectators or suitable grant funding. A contingency is also being discussed, should the season not be completed in its entirety. The League will be meeting with clubs to finalise these arrangements.

The League also recognise that there is still disquiet from many clubs in a number of areas and the League are committed to meet with all clubs to address these issues in the very near future".

The Nottingham Post reports that "Notts County have completed the signing of former Bournemouth midfielder Frank Vincent.

The 22-year-old has joined the Magpies on a two-year deal after being released by the Cherries. Vincent has had loan spells at Torquay United, Scunthorpe United and Walsall in recent seasons

Head coach Ian Burchnall revealed... 'We’ve followed Frank’s progress closely and actually tried to bring him in when Michael Doyle got injured against Hornchurch. He’s a talented player who’s had some interesting loan moves which show he’s got the hunger to play. We’ve been impressed with him...

'Frank can play either as a holding midfielder or as a number eight. He covers ground well, he’s left-footed, and a good passer of the ball'>

In the Derbyshire Times we learn that "Chesterfield manager James Rowe says there will be some outgoings in the coming weeks to help ‘balance the books’.

The Spireites boss has also revealed that his assistant last season, George Foster has been offered an ‘alternative’ role within the club and Danny Webb, who came in as first-team manager in April, will take over from Foster.

Rowe currently has a squad of 24 players and he has made five summer signings so far... Rowe said 'We are probably 50 per cent there. There will need to be a few more tweaks. We need to balance the books. Part of my remit as my position as manager was to bring down the budget while improving the quality on the pitch and that is a hard job.

'To add Jack Clarke, who played a major part towards the back end of last season, is a positive and Liam Mandeville signed a new contract just before the play-offs as well, so those two in particular are pleasing. And to add Jamie (Grimes), Jeff (King), Calvin (Miller) and Scott (Loach) to that, that is strength in depth there.

'But with those incoming there has got to be some outgoings in the next few weeks to make sure the business is run right. Ultimately you want to protect the club for the future, that is the ultimate goal here, it is definitely not going for broke for promotion, it is going with a vision, plan and these players have been planned for a while...

'It is not just ticking a box and getting the players out. Some of the players that may have to leave have had good seasons or a good six or seven months under me so the terms have to be right for us at a club. It is not just jumping at any offer'...

The news about Foster comes after chief scout, Paul Lemon, left the club yesterday. Physio Nic Brink, who joined the club midway through last season, has been appointed head of sports science and medicine on a permanent basis.

'George Foster has been offered a different alternative within the structure that I think, perhaps, will be best suited to the club moving forwards,' Rowe explained. 'As we move forward, we obviously have to make changes and people have to step off the journey, people have to do alternative roles. Since Danny Webb came in, he has played a major part on the coaching field for me and, at the level we are at, we can’t have too many staff members doing too much so we need to manoeuvre that and make sure it is the best for the club.

'So George has been offered an alternative role and Danny will be assisting me on the touchline next season'".

However, new arrivals continue at the club as the Derbyshire Times tells us that "Experienced former Football League striker Stefan Payne has signed for the Spireites.

The 29 year-old has joined on a free transfer after being released by Grimsby Town, who were relegated from League Two last season. The forward has a wealth of Football League experience from his time at Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers.

Payne said... 'The manager has big plans and after speaking to him, I’m excited to get started'.

His arrival means Town have an abundance of striking options with Akwasi Asante, Danny Rowe, Tom Denton, Nathan Tyson and Kairo Mitchell. Payne’s impressive goalscoring record for Dover Athletic in the National League landed him a move to Barnsley, who had just been promoted to the Championship, in May 2016.

He then signed for Shrewsbury, scoring 14 goals... His next club was Bristol Rovers before returning to Shrewsbury on loan.

A transfer to Tranmere followed before he signed for Grimsby in January this year. While at the Mariners last season he was involved in a controversial incident in which he was said to have ‘headbutted’ team-mate Filipe Morais during a match... and was sent off.

Grimsby manager Paul Hurst said it was 'embarrassing’ and neither Payne or Morais played for the club again.

Payne is Chesterfield’s sixth summer signing after Scott Loach, Jamie Grimes, Jeff King, Calvin Miller and Jack Clarke".

At Barnet, "The Club have bolstered their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of former Wealdstone and Chelsea FC 'keeper, Jake Askew.

Askew spent last season at Wealdstone and made eight appearances during his time at Grosvenor Vale, his first real taste of senior football at the young age of 19. The shot-stopper is tipped to have a big future in the game and now makes the move to The Hive London looking to build on his experience so far...

Askew came through Chelsea's youth system and was their under-18s number one".

The Grimsby Telegrph provides "Expert insight on new Grimsby Town signing Ryan Taylor and how he'll fit into Paul Hurst's side...

In a rare occurrence for Grimsby Town this summer, they’ve gone a week without making a new signing! Nevertheless, it’s been quite the start for the Mariners, with eight new faces coming through the doors at Blundell Park as Paul Hurst prepares his side for life back in the National League.

The latest of those eight players to arrive was Ryan Taylor, who will be vying for a coveted spot up front with Lenell John-Lewis next season.

The former Rotherham, Plymouth and Newport striker arrives with plenty of EFL experience under his belt, but he’ll be venturing into non-league for just the second time in his career following a short loan at Burton Albion...

Argyle Life writer Tom Sleeman [says], 'In the 33-year-old, Grimsby are gaining a traditional target man who plays best as a lone forward rather than a front two... His career shows that he isn't likely to be a 20-goal forward, however his other traits can more than make up for this provided that the right style of players are around him.

Injuries have often blighted Taylor in recent seasons, however if he can stay fit, there is absolutely no reason why he can't become a pivotal figure.. The 33 year-old joined from Oxford United during the 2017 January transfer window...

Taylor was released at the end of the 2019/20 season in a move that was beneficial for both club and player... If Paul Hurst employs two quick, direct wingers either side of Taylor, playing in a front three as he did on a few occasions towards last season then the signing could prove to be a great success".

SENIOR STAYS

A model of consistency, he maintained such a standard of all-round excellence throughout a total of 41 league and cup appearances that his debut campaign in Alty colours finished with a clean sweep of honours at the end-of-season awards.

Didsbury-born Senior (right), aged 22, was signed by Alty on 29 September 2020 after joining the club as a trialist for the 2020-21 pre-season. He had started out as a youngster with Oldham Athletic, who released him at the age of 15, leading to a spell in which he was playing at Sunday-league level.

His career was rebuilt via NW Counties football at south Manchester club Maine Road, a period which was followed by his joining FC United of Manchester in National League North and then Curzon Ashton at the same level before he moved to Premiership club Burnley, who later released him.

He made his league debut for Altrincham at Eastleigh in the third game of 2020-21 season and established himself as first-choice in that position to the detriment of the experienced Shaun Densmore. Joel lifted several end of season awards including Manager's player of the season and he was also the scorer of the club's Goal of the Season.

Last season he made 40(+1) appearances but that Goal of the Season was the only time he found the net in 2020-21!

SMITH LEAVES ALTRINCHAM

22 year-old Smith made 30(+1) appearances for Altrincham after joining as one of three new recruits announced on 13 November, 2020. He arrived at the J. Davidson Stadium on loan from Mansfield Town where he had graduated from their Academy. He had previously made six first-team appearances for Mansfield and also had been on loan at Loughborough Dynamo, Frickley Athletic as well as at Kettering Town, where he had impressed when hr played against Alty in February 2020.

Alistair made his Alty debut as a used substitute on 14 November 2020 against Aldershot Town and his loan was extended to 13 January 2021.

Having made ten consecutive National League starts in games in which he completed the full ninety minutes in every case, his release from Mansfield was negotiated and he immediately signed for Altrincham on 15 January 2021. His contract was set to run until the end of the 2021-22 season.

But Sutton triggered a release clause allowing Smith to join an EFL Club and his departure was announced on 1 July 2021. In all he had made 30(+1) appearances and scored three times.

Full details of his departure may be found on the Altrincham FC website.

ALTRINCHAM SEASON TICKETS

Matchday admission prices will be as follows for next season:

• Adult: £17
• Concession: £14
• Junior (12-16): £6
• Under 12: £2

And Season Tickets are priced as follows:

• Adult: £289
• Concession: £235
• Junior (12-16): £75
• Under 12: £36

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

Thacker is one of two new directors, along with Richard Simkin of Stockport County, appointed following a vote.

Aldershot Town chairman Shahid Azeem regains his position for a third term, while Barnet chairman Anthony Kleanthous departs.

The announcement was confirmed at the National League’s Annual General Meeting.

Clubs also voted to introduce a salary cap for the 2022/2023 season and clubs voted for the National League to form a standards/ethics committee.

Meanwhile, the number of clubs relegated in the National League this season will be reduced from four to three to take the total up to 24 teams from the following season.

There has been no change to the league structure in the National League North and South from the 2020/21 season.

To accommodate an increase to 24 clubs in each division from the 2022/23 campaign, three clubs collectively will be relegated from Step 2 to Step 3 and replaced by eight promoted teams, the National League said.

Clubs were informed the 2021/2022 season will not begin without fans or suitable grant funding.

Jack Pearce, National League chairman, said in a statement 'A contingency is also being discussed, should the season not be completed in its entirety. The league will be meeting with clubs to finalise these arrangements.

'The league also recognise that there is still disquiet from many clubs in a number of areas and the league are committed to meet with all clubs to address these issues in the very near future'".

The Daily Mirror reports that "Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took control of Wrexham in February and have now named their new manager, with Phil Parkinson taking charge.

Wrexham's Hollywood owners have entrusted new boss Phil Parkinson with making the first big steps towards turning the club into 'a global force'...

The confirmation of Parkinson,53, as boss on a 12-month rolling contract [comes] after ordering him to get promotion back into the Football League...

Reynolds and McElhenney said 'We were presented with any number of good options, all of whom would have been very credible managers for the club... but once we knew Phil was interested, he was our man and we got him.

'Phil has an immediate objective of gaining promotion but is conscious of our ambitions for the club and embraced each element of our vision'...

Parkinson left League One Sunderland last November and has previously bossed Bolton, Bradford, Charlton, Hull and Colchester - winning promotion three times.

Parkinson said 'Once the plans of the chairmen were explained to me, the decision to join Wrexham was very easy. Wrexham are an EFL club in all but the one thing that matters, league status, and we have a very clear objective with the work starting immediately...

'In the next seven weeks the aim is to add quality players to the existing squad, and create an environment and culture which gives us the best possible chance of promotion'".

Should Parkinson fail in his objective he may not even be the best Phil Parkinson in the National League, with his namesake at Altrincham also aiming high next season.

At Barnet "The Bees are delighted to complete the signing of experience[d] defensive midfield player Josh Payne on a one-year deal with an option to extend.

Payne makes the move to The Hive London with over 360 appearances to his name, 164 of which have come within the EFL. The 30 year-old has represented the likes of Crawley Town, Cheltenham Town and Oxford United in the Football League.

Payne also brings plenty of National League experience to the fold having made 142 appearances in the division for Clubs such as Eastleigh, Woking and most recently, Ebbsfleet United. The midfielders know-how and knowledge of the division most certainly represents great benefit to Harry Kewell's squad, with the pair also previously working together at Crawley Town.

Our newest recruit kicked off his career with West Ham United, making two Premier League appearances as a young player at Upton Park, spells at Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United and Aldershot Town where [he] totted up several EFL appearances. After dropping into The National League where he had largely successful spells with Woking and Eastleigh, a move out of the division came as he joined Crawley Town where he'd go onto make 106 outings.

Most recently, Payne has spent time with Ebbsfleet United where he has spent two seasons...

The midfielder spoke of his delight on signing for the Club, he said... 'I like the style of play that the manager likes to play, him as a person, we get on really well. It's a huge Club, coming here over the years I have been very envious of the football club and now I am excited to be a part of it!'"

Also at Barnet, the club "announce the signing of striker Mason Bloomfield from newly promoted League Two side, Hartlepool United. The attacker becomes the Bees second signing of the summer.

The 24 year-old makes the move from the North-East back home to London where he was brought up and began his footballing journey. After growing up in Edgware, Bloomfield's career started at Dagenham and Redbridge... Bloomfield spent time out on loan in the non-league pyramid before making a permanent switch to Chelmsford City and Billericay Town on a dual registration basis in August 2015... He was once again snapped up by the Daggers in 2017 as he went to make 26 National League appearances in the 2017-18 season.

Bloomfield then went on to sign for Norwich City as a 21 year-old and spent the vast majority of his time playing for the Canaries' development squad. He then enjoyed a real taste of EFL action when he went on loan to Crawley Town, where he made 23 appearances and scored on four occasions.

Bloomfield also had spells at SPL side Hamilton Academicals and National League side AFC Fylde... Last summer he once again linked up with Dave Challinor as he made the move to Hartlepool United... The 6"3 striker made 24 appearances this campaign...

Bloomfield said 'I work my socks off, I try to be a nuisance for the defenders and I'll definitely make it exciting!'".

In the Derbyshire Times, "Chief scout Paul Lemon says he is ‘absolutely gutted’ to leave the Spireites.

The 56-year-old, who played for Chesterfield in the early 90s, was appointed in the role in September 2020 and was tasked with building a database of players for the club. However, Lemon has announced his departure from the club after less than a year in the job...

Lemon said 'Absolutely gutted to be told my role at Chesterfield FC is no longer there/needed... devastated doesn’t come close'...

After appointing Lemon at the time, Blues' chief executive John Croot said putting a scouting network in place was a ‘priority’".

The Grimsby Telegraph claims that "Dramatic change in attitude at Grimsby Town has seen the club finally make strides forward.

The new era has seen plenty of work being done on and off the pitch, but it's the change in approach that has made the biggest difference...

They’re heading back down into non-league once again and, yet, everything this summer at Grimsby Town has had the markings of a club on the up...

Much-needed improvements at Blundell Park and Cheapside, a flurry of signings within the opening weeks of the summer, and the retention of a couple of important at opposite ends of their careers show just how things have changed. ... The club is finally being led into the 21st century.

It’s fair to say Town fans aren’t used to seeing so much business get done so quickly, and the manner in which they’ve been done, trumping offers from other clubs in order to bring in the likes of Shaun Pearson and John McAtee, shows a new and improved approach to transfer dealings...

The retaining of Giles Coke and Evan Khouri shows Paul Hurst and those supporting him at the club are doing something right...

There was a ‘that’ll do’ element running through the club. It caused previous managers countless frustrations, saw the most inept of preparations take place ahead of last season, and ultimately led to the club falling out of the Football League.

Cost-cutting and cutting corners was the order of the day, and in truth it’s a wonder the club didn’t drop back down into non-league sooner than it did... Now though, the ‘that’ll do’ mantra is gone, and replacing it is a ‘how do we improve things?’ attitude.

Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit have put their money where their mouth is, and have so far delivered on so many of their promises... By just changing the culture at the club, they’ve won half the battle...

You only have to read Jason Stockwood’s reasoning behind purchasing the club, and his desire to not only improve things for the Mariners, but for the town as a whole, to see this isn’t merely a vanity project or a play-thing, as other clubs would appear to be for some owners. This is a passion project, and one that will hopefully see Town return to its former glories".

Boreham Wood "announce central midfielder Frankie Raymond as the Club’s first summer signing of 2021.

Frankie began his career as a youth team player at Reading, enjoying loan spells with Horsham, Basingstoke Town, Eastleigh and Hungerford Town during his time at the Madejski Stadium. Upon the expiry of his contract with the Royals and following a short-lived spell with Gillingham in 2012, Raymond joined National League South side Eastbourne Borough where... Raymond made 61 appearances .. and earned Frankie his return to professional football within the EFL, signing for Dagenham & Redbridge for an undisclosed fee in 2014.

After a three-year spell at Victoria Road, Raymond left Dagenham & Redbridge... opting to join his local side Bromley in the National League. Having spent the last four seasons with Bromley, amassing over 150 appearances for the Ravens... ball playing midfielder Raymond joins Boreham Wood...

Manager Luke Garrard said... 'He will bring a real energy to the midfield and the knack of delivering balls on the money'".

Also at Boreham Wood another new arrival is "central defender and former Chesterfield captain Will Evans to Meadow Park, signing a two-year contract with the Club.

Evans began his career with Swindon Town... Evans joined Hereford United on a permanent basis in January 2012 after enjoying a successful loan period with the Bulls during 2011.

After 48 total appearances with Hereford, scoring 7 goals, Will joined then-National League South outfit Eastleigh... making a total of 106 appearances in his two-and-a-half seasons for the Hampshire side. In the summer of 2016 though, Evans made the switch to... Aldershot Town. During his two-seasons at the Recreation Ground... making 80 total appearances...

Evans signed for National League newcomers Chesterfield upon their relegation from League Two in the summer of 2018. However, after three-seasons with the Derbyshire outfit, Evans turned down a new contract at the Technique Stadium, opting to join the Wood on a two-year contract...

Wood Manager Luke Garrard commented, 'Will is someone I tried to sign before he joined Chesterfield three seasons ago. In my opinion, he has been one of the stand-out centre halves in the National League for many years now. He brings an aggression in his defending, as well as leadership qualities, which will aid our back line... and comes with a winning mentality which was a huge aspect for us to try to bring Will to Meadow Park".

Still at Boreham Wood "central midfielder Josh Rees [is] our third summer signing... following the expiration of his contract with National League rivals Aldershot Town.

Rees began his career with our friends at Arsenal, spending 11 years within the Gunners' youth set up between 2001 and 2012... Rees joined Nottingham Forest on a three-year contract...and he left Forest in 2016 with just a single senior appearance to his name, despite enjoying loan spells with Nuneaton Town and Torquay United...

Essex-native Rees joined National League South side Chelmsford City in 2016. In a single season with the Essex outfit, Rees made 49 total appearances for the Clarets scoring 7 goals... Rees opted to sign for National League side Bromley ahead of the 2017/18 season...

He rightfully earned his return to the professional game, joining League One’s Gillingham in June 2018. However, despite making 23 appearances... imminently returning to Hayes Lane to re-join Bromley.

Josh’s second spell with the Ravens wasn’t quite as fruitful for the goalscoring midfielder... In the summer of 2020, Josh joined National League side Aldershot Town... scoring 12 league goals in 39 appearances...

However, after a single season with the Hampshire outfit, Rees opted to join the Wood on a two-year contract...

Luke Garrard commented... 'In truth, we looked at our goal returns from key areas in our team and Josh is the perfect fit, as he brings good legs, leadership, great game understanding and an eye for goal from midfield. Scoring double figures for Aldershot last season from the centre of midfield tells you we have a very good asset within our building'".

At Bromley "announce the signing of defender Joe Partington.

The 6ft 2′ right-back joins having spent the previous two campaigns with Eastleigh. Partington began his career with Bournemouth making 52 appearances for the Cherries... He had loan spells with Eastbourne Borough, Aldershot Town and Eastleigh before signing with the Spitfires in 2015. A two year stay with Bristol Rovers then came before a return to the Silverlake for the 2019/20 & 2020/21 seasons.

Manager Andy Woodman was delighted to secure Joe’s signature [saying] 'He’s versatile, having the ability to play at right-back, centre-back and as a wing-back. Joe was very keen to come on board and be a part of our project.'”

Also at Bromley, "Corey Whitely has signed for the Ravens ahead of the 2021/22 season.

The 29 year-old previously joined the Club on loan from Newport County at the start of 2020, making 8 appearances and scoring once... Whitely began his career with Boreham Wood, before a string of prolific spells in non-league with Waltham Forest, Cheshunt and most notably Enfield Town.

His 46 goal tally in 120 appearances for Enfield earned the interest of Dagenham & Redbridge, signing for the Essex side in 2016. A spell with Ebbsfleet United came next, leading to a permanent move to Newport County. Corey made 10 appearances for the Welsh Club in 2019 but would spend the 2020/21 season with boyhood Club Boreham Wood, joining them on loan for the season in August 2020.

Manager Andy Woodman commented... 'He was outstanding for Boreham Wood last season and arrives with Football League experience'...

Whitely has predominantly been a forward or winger for much of his career but the 2020/21 season saw him operate as a wing-back for Boreham Wood, demonstrating his versatility...

The following players who are already contracted to the Club for the 2021/22 season:

• Mark Cousins
• Billy Bingham
• Chris Bush
• Luke Coulson
• Michael Cheek
• Courtney Duffus
• Kory Roberts
• Byron Webster
• Jude Arthurs

ALTY BOARD GROWS TO TEN

Before the announcement on Wednesday of Sam's appointment by Altrincham FC, the Board comprised co-chairmen Lawrence Looney and Bill Waterson, alongside directors Derek Wilshaw, Neil Faulkner, Mike Adams, John Coyne, Rob Esteva, Cathal Morrison, Scott Burton and Chris Parry.

In announcing Sam Mackenzie's appointment, press and media officer John Edwards wrote that "Altrincham are proud to present Samantha Mackenzie as the latest addition to an ever-expanding and increasingly-dynamic Board of Directors.

Sam, as she is known to everyone, becomes only the fourth female Director in Alty’s history after joining the club last September as Head of Partnerships and Sponsorship.

Her responsibilities were as the title suggests, and she soon set about strengthening existing relationships and forging new ones with a courtesy, thoroughness and attention to detail that made her an instant success in the role.

She was closely involved in the painstaking planning and preparation that made the recent Pitch In Appeal such a resounding success...

She said, ‘The club is going places. There is so much drive, ambition and forward-thinking on and off the pitch, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be part of it and to be given the opportunity to help keep things moving in the same direction. This truly is a wonderful time to be an Altrincham supporter.’

Alty co-chairman Bill Waterson welcomed the appointment of Sam, who follows in the footsteps of Carole Nash, Barbara Maunders and Carole Hassan as a female Alty Director... 'What Sam has done since joining the club is make sure that these key stakeholders are taken care of. Sam has built new commercial relationships and deepened existing ones, and I feel there is a lot more to come'".

KENNEDY DIGIE INTERVIEW

Altrincham FC has an interview with new signing Kennedy Digie, conducted by press and media officer Brian Flynn.

Above, Kenneth takes to the Moss Lane pitch as York City's no.4 in November 2018. He was on loan at the time from Kidderminbter Harriers.

ALTY OLD BOYS

The all-action forward joins the club, subject to FA confirmation, from 1 July following the end of his time at Stockport County. Nyal was a product of the Rochdale youth system and made his professional debut there before spells at the likes of Gateshead and Altrincham...

Penn said, 'He’s someone we’ve identified as not only being able to strengthen us but also someone who is hungry to come here and do well. He’ll bring a real threat to the final third for us'".

In thirteen ppearances for Alty over two spells, Bell failed to find the net.

And AFC Telford United report that "AFC Telford United have finally captured the statement signing of attacker Elliott Durrell, after chasing the exciting forward's signature for years.

Shropshire-born Durrell, who lives in Shrewsbury, was released by Wrexham in April and has become a headline addition for Gavin Cowan's side, for whom he has penned a one-year deal.

He has been on the club's radar for a number of years. Durrell has regularly appeared as a trialist and been a target of former managers Steve Kittrick, Rob Smith, Rob Edwards and Cowan.

The 31 year-old attacker came through the youth ranks at AFC Telford more than a decade ago and has since played influential roles in the National League for Macclesfield, Chester and promotion with Altrincham.

He also spent two spells at Wrexham in the non-league's top tier... He has made more than 200 appearances in the National League in total... Durrell promises to bring an extra layer of flair and creativity to the Bucks' ranks.

Telford were also able to lock down the futures of attacking stars Dom McHale and Brendon Daniels with new contracts ahead of the new season".

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

The fifth-tier club’s Hollywood-based owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have given the green light to the 53 year-old replacing Dean Keates.

A Wrexham source has told Football Insider that Parkinson has been offered the job by the club and has indicated he will accept. The appointment could be announced in the coming days...

Parkinson has been out of work since leaving Sunderland last November after overseeing a winless run of five games.

The Englishman spent just over a year in charge of the Black Cats and ended his spell with a win rate of 39.6 per cent. He has previously enjoyed spells in charge of Colchester United, Hull City, Charlton Athletic, Bradford and Bolton.

However, Parkinson has no prior experience of managing a club in the National League".

FC Halifax Town has a useful list of player arrivals and departures at National League clubs during the close season, most of which have been reported here over the past weeks. However, the list is not complete as, for example, Altrincham are reported not to "have not signed anyone yet" when, in fact, there have been three arrivals already in Kennedy Digie, Marcus Dinanga and Brad Jackson.

Football League World tells us that "Accrington Stanley player Ben Barclay is set to join Stockport County in the National League as they bid to return to the English Football League...

Stockport enjoyed a fine season last year in the National League as they finished in third place to qualify for the play-offs...

County will be looking to use last season as a springboard for next year, though, and are on course to bring in Barclay from League One side Accrington... The 24 year-old made a total of 26 appearances in the third tier last season for the Lancashire side, with 23 of those coming from the start, but it looks as though a deal is set to be done where he drops down a couple of tiers in the footballing pyramid in this country.

It underlines Stockport’s ambitions for next season, though".

The Kilburn Times conforms that "Wealdstone have signed right-back Andrew Eleftheriou from National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge following the expiration of his contract.

The 23 year-old joins following two seasons for the Daggers where he has been in and out of the team throughout that spell. The former Watford academy product featured 19 times last season for Daryl McMahon's side and found the net once.

That following on from playing 19 times the season before under Peter Taylor and then McMahon at Dagenham...

He joined Norweigan Elisteserien side Sandefjord on loan in March, 2018.. and then returned to Watford ahead of the 2018/19 season. He then joined National League side Braintree Town on loan in January last season until the end of the campaign.

The defender played 18 times for the Iron as they were relegated from the division before he was released by Watford.

Eleftheriou then joined Dagenham & Redbridge in July, 2019 and spent two seasons at the club.

The Dorset Echo states that "Weymouth centre-back Jacob Mensah... has turned down a contract.

Mensah, 20, came to the Terras in January and formed a rock-solid defensive partnership with Aston Villa loanee Dom Revan. Ghanaian centre-half Mensah played 27 times for Weymouth, scoring one goal. While Weymouth were keen to keep the former Crystal Palace man, Mensah decided against signing a new contract.

Manager Brian Stock told Echosport, 'He came to the club wanting to play games... Him and his agent have decided not to sign a new contract, although we still stay in contact with him. He's, I assume, probably going to be trialling somewhere else. As far as we're concerned, Jacob won't be signing for us next year.'...

Mensah is the 12th player to leave Weymouth this summer after Jack Hoey, Ade Olumuyiwa, Jordan Ngalo, Josh Wakefield, Jake McCarthy, Myles Anderson, Alefe Santos, Jack Dickson, Cody Cooke, Harry Burns and Pierre Fonkeu".

We learn from the Maidnehad Advertiser that "Maidenhead United fans will ‘have to accept there will be an element of change’ at the club each summer, but CEO Jon Adams is confident manager Alan Devonshire and chief scout, Lee Devonshire, are bringing in players with the calibre and potential to fill the boots of those who’ve departed.

United have managed to retain the core of last season’s successful squad, with the retained list, and three new signings being announced this week.

However, last season’s top scorer Danilo Orsi-Dadomo, Josh Coley, goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, James Comley, Rohan Ince, Jerry Wiltshire, and Seth Twumasi have either left the club or not been offered a new contract. Midfielder Kane Ferdinand was signed last week, while forwards Emile Acquah and Dylan Asonganyi have signed after spells with Southend United and MK Dons respectively. Sam Barratt signing a new two-year deal with the club was also a major coup, with clubs showing plenty of interest in the attacking winger, who scored 15 goals last season.

'Certainly, there’s change,' said Adams. 'As a club we’re used to change, but Lee and Dev have done a fantastic job to keep as much of the squad together as they have. We’ve had a greater proportion of players staying with us for a second, third or fourth season, and previously at this stage we’ve been down to six or seven players, rather than the 12 or 13 we’ve retained this summer...

'We don’t offer long-term contracts to players, therefore there is an element of turnover'... He said 'Clearly for a player like Danilo for example, we’re not a club that’s ever going to want to stand in the way of the opportunity for a player like that to go and play at a higher level'".