CURRENT SEASON'S ARCHIVE page |
23 June to 1 July, 2004
|
23 June to 1 July, 2004 |
The pitch at Moss Lane continues to be prepared for the new season after its levelling and re-seeding this summer. Groundsman Peter Barry has cut the grass three times in the last week and will continue to cut it on a daily basis next week, a measure which apparently helps to prevent divots being pulled out of the turf. Also next week an "Earthquaker", a large-pronged machine, will be used to 'shock' the pitch surface and break up the soil over the drains.
Right: Peter's van at Moss Lane.
The same source says that "Moor Green have pulled off their third summer signing so far with the acquisition of midfielder Darren Middleton from rivals Worcester City. The former Aston Villa and Wolves attacking midfielder, who played for Stafford Rangers and Forest Green Rovers before joining Worcester in August 2001, was transfer-listed by the St George’s Lane outfit during last season. Middleton follows Matty Hall and Richard Follett as Moors’ boss Bob Faulkner’s new recruits thus far"
Alfreton Town "have received a massive boost with the award of over £45,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund towards new floodlights at North Street. Chairman Wayne Bradley said: 'The new lights will take us to levels beyond where we are at now in terms of both performance and quality'... Work on the installation will begin on July 12th".
Worksop Town "manager Ronnie Glavin made his first signing of the new campaign when [he] acquired the services of former Barnsley professional James Dudgeon on a signed contract. 23 year-old Dudgeon is a central defender whose last registered club was Halifax Town".
Harrogate Town "have confirmed that Shaun Garnett and Paul Pettinger have joined the club. The experienced Garnett joins as player/coach.... He started his career as a trainee at Tranmere Rovers in 1988 before moving to Swansea for £200,000 in March 1996. Just six months later he transferred to Oldham Athletic for £150,000 where he made over 165 league appearances. The 34-year old centre back moved to Halifax Town in May 2003, before finishing last season at Morecambe. Pettinger joins Harrogate Town from Hucknall Town. The 28-year old 'keeper started his career with Leeds United". Manager John Reed said, "Paul Pettinger was the best goalkeeper in the UniBond Premier by a mile last year".
Kettering Town report that "manager Kevin Wilson was today hopeful of bringing Derek Brown, the former St Albans centre-back and captain to Rockingham Road... Wilson said, "Derek is a solid centre-back who I have always admired... I am hoping to complete the deal within the next few days".
Move:
Dates (all are Saturdays):
This is Worcester says that "Worcester City's eagerly awaited second signing of the summer will be unveiled tomorrow. Manager John Barton is due to conclude a deal for the Conference player who has spent the last month coaching in America... Barton has already signed full-back Rob Warner from Tamworth".
The FA Youth Cup will be drawn up to the Third Qualifying Round; Altrincham Youth reached the First Round Proper last season. Also to be drawn on Friday are the FA Trophy opening ties.
There has been a change of rule about registration for all three competitions. Instead of having to be registered seven days ahead of the scheduled match date, players now need only be registered by noon on the eve of the tie (e.g. Friday noon for Saturday matches).
He added, "Conference ground grading officer Peter Hunter visited Watnall Road and was impressed at the improvements and our pitch! He confirmed that providing the works which are in hand are completed by early next year, Hucknall would be admitted to the Football Conference should we be fortunate enough to gain a second title or win the playoffs. The Conference would then give us one year to develop the By-Pass side of the ground to enable us to continue at that level. Further good news is that Daniel Stewart & Co ‘The Vodka Boys' have agreed to be a shirt sponsor for next season, and have paid a five figure sum... Sad news is that Doff Portland will not be continuing with us next season".
But Hucknall Today says, "Never mind Steve Burr. It's his predecessor Phil Starbuck who is threatening to leave the Hucknall Town cupboard bare. For Starbuck, who was sacked by Town last summer, has returned to raid Watnall Road in a triple transfer swoop. The... manager of Leigh RMI, had already signed Town skipper Craig Gaunt... Now he has snapped up fellow centre-half Barry Miller and injury-plagued midfielder Carl Adams too... ... Meanwhile speculation continues that out-of-contract trio Jon McCarthy, Roy Hunter and Dean Barrick are all set to follow Gaunt, Miller and Adams out of Hucknall".
"Halesowen Town have signed highly-rated striker Richard Burgess from former rivals Redditch United" says NL Daily. Redditch have signed striker Luke Prince from Team Bath.
Confirming the signing of keeper Jamie Speare from Accrington, Lancaster manager Phil Wilson told Lancaster Today "Jamie has been in two promotion sides at Accrington Stanley. He is still only 27 but has a lot of experience".
Harrogate Today says that "Harrogate Town have issued a statement in defence of their decision to increase matchday admission charges by over 40% blaming lack of support for the price hike. With fans reacting angrily to the week's announcement that matchday admission charges are to rise from £7 to £10, the club insist that with average gates of just over 500 last season, they have had no alternative but to take that course of action. The statement reads: 'The club has to compete with clubs who regularly attract over 1,000 spectators to their home matches and this is not easy'". The statement adds: "Harrogate Town are now playing in a National League and this will result in a significant increase in travel costs".
This is Lincs says "Retford United have moved to ease speculation suggesting striker Vill Powell is set to leave Cannon Park. Powell has been linked with a number of clubs, including local rivals Gainsborough Trinity, after he scored an incredible 72 goals last season". Powell was in the North Ferriby side which beat Alty a couple of seasons back.
NW Evening Mail "midfielder Dean Johnson has backed out of a move to Holker Street and decided to stay with current club Ashton United. Johnson told Bluebirds boss Lee Turnbull last night that he had received an offer of work in the south and as a result had decided to stay at Hurst Cross. But [Barrow boss Lee] Turnbull said 'Dean has gone back on his deal. We agreed the deal about a month ago... He rang me just to say that it looks as though he has secured some work down south, which would make it difficult for him to commit himself to the club, and he was going to re-sign for Ashton. 'I just think it shows the level where the lad is at in his ambition. He spoke a good game when we talked about him coming up to Barrow, him wanting to progress and improve himself, but I just think he is in a comfort zone and I think our club is just too big for him to handle. I don’t want people like that around'".
Also, Barrow "will be unable to seek a new sponsor for the next two weeks after agreeing a temporary order with would-be sponsor Colin Moore. The two parties reached an agreement before yesterday's hearing at Manchester County Court preventing AFC from appointing another main sponsor for the club for the 2004/05 season. Mr Moore alleges AFC have breached a deal agreed in February for him to have his company's name on their shirts having returned the money two weeks ago".
And, finally...Southport is the one seaside location left in our division next season but it may soon have a waterside rival as the Tameside Advertiser reports on how the town of "Droylsden's dreams of a plush new marina moved a step closer to reality this week... Rising from the rubble will be 300 waterside apartments, a 60-bed hotel, restaurant, public square and a canalside marina with room for 30 moorings... opposite Tesco’s."
Those seeking pre-season action over and above the Alty friendlies may consider a day out in North Wales for the following exotic tie in the Champions League -
Also in Wales, in the UEFA Cup:
The FA Cup draw for the preliminary and qualifying rounds is on 1 July. Alty enter at the Second Round qualifying stage on Saturday, 2 October 2004.
Hinckley United's ""Dean Thomas has been rewarded for his efforts of gaining Conference North football for Hinckley United, by having his contract extended... until the end of season 2006/7... Thomas was joint manager, along with John Hanna, at the formation of the club in 1997 and then took sole responsibility later that season when Hanna departed".
Lancaster City "announce the signing of 27 year old goalkeeper Jamie Speare formerly of Accrington Stanley. [As a result Kevin Welsby has left the club]. LCFC can also confirm that all the players that the manager Phil Wilson wants from last season are staying at the Giant Axe".
Moor Green "announce the signing of Richard Follett, a left-sided defender who was with Tamworth last season... Having played a major role in Tamworth's 2002-03 Dr Martens championship winning side, Richard was selected for the British Universities side that played in the World Student games". Also, "Moor Green confirm next season's admission prices as Adults £8, OAPs/Under-15’s £4".
"Chris Lightfoot, player-manager of Runcorn FC Halton, is tipping Anton Lally to successfully step into the boots of Dominic Morley after the skipper's departure to rivals Southport. 'The two of them are similar and that means losing Dominic won't be that big a loss', said the player-manager", reports IC Cheshire.
Another Alty player, Rod Thornley, was pictured on the pitch last night encouraging the England team before extra time in the England v Portugal game. Rod is in Lisbon as the England team masseur.
A new official Nationwide Conference web site has been launched though, until July, it is not fully operational.
Barrow "Club President and legal advisor Alan Dunn has issued the following announcement: In view of the current litigation over sponsorship, the Board has decided to defer the currently proposed AGM until the matter is resolved".
Bob Peters, owner of 20/20 Research will once again sponsor the Altrincham FC Youth side for 2004/05 and 2005/06. Bob is a long-time Altrincham fan and a generous financial supporter of the Club. Bob's company also sponsored the youth side in 2002-03. As Alty fans will know, the Hale end of the Moss Lane ground is known as the 20/20 End. 20/20 provide "market research solutions for every business" and are based in Penistone, near Sheffield. Alty Youth won the NWYA league and cup double last season.
IC Coventry quotes Nuneaton Borough manager Roger Ashby: "We start training in early July and if nothing else we shall have a team champing at the bit and as close to peak condition as we can get. It's so important to prepare properly. The groundwork will be done and we shall be ready to go for broke from the first whistle... I've not come here to fail. Accepted I don't have too much money to work with but I knew that when I took the job and I shall do my best with the finances available". Also, "Nuneaton Borough’s defender Dion Scott has emerged as AFC Telford United's next tranfer target", says the Shropshire Star.
Conference North will be sponsored by The Nationwide Building Society and on Confguide "Peter Gandolfi, Head of Sponsorship at Nationwide, commented: 'Nationwide is an organisation rooted in the community - just like the teams in the Nationwide Conference and the two new feeder divisions. We are delighted to be on board for a further three seasons'".
This is Scunthorpe reports that "Brigg Town have lost captain Phil Rowland... The 24-year-old midfielder has signed a one-year deal for ambitious Nationwide Conference North side Barrow", whose manager Lee Turnbull used to play for Scunthorpe. Turnbull said, "He is about six foot tall and a very fit, very athletic, very energetic young lad". Also at Brigg is former Barrow player Steve Housham.
Other moves:
Copyright: ©
Compiled by John Laidlar