Altrincham Football Club Youth Team, 2001-02 Season: News to 31 December 2001.

This Page 16 January, 2002

All framed pictures on this site are enlargeable; just click on the images themselves.
I am very grateful to Youth Team Manager, George Heslop, for his help in providing information for this page. If anyone else has information on the Youth team, I am always happy to receive it. You can e-mail me here. John Laidlar.
FOR NEWS FROM 2002 AS WELL AS FIXTURES, RESULTS AND LEAGUE TABLES, PLEASE CLICK THE "YOUTH TEAM" BUTTON ABOVE.
16 December 2001

ALTY YOUTH 3 ROCHDALIANS 0

Match report here.

NB The next two Alty Youth fixtures have changed; see the Fixtures page. Morecambe lost today in the Cup 1-2 against Daisy Hill. Alty meet Leigh away in the next round, next Sunday.
13 December 2001

CONQUERORS CONQUERED

Wrexham, who narrowly defeated Alty in the FA Youth Cup, were themselves knocked out, 1-0, by Port Vale last night in the 3rd Round.
10 December 2001

TRY AGAIN

Alty hope to play their postponed Open Cup home game against Rochdalians next Sunday (16th) at Wythenshawe Town, 1.30pm. Click above Fixtures button above for other revised fixtures. Weekend league results:
  • Euxton V. 2 Prestwich H. 5 Alty drop to 3rd now, below Prestwich.
  • Marine 4 Northfield 3
    2 December 2001

    MANCHESTER FA

    Manchester FA manager Danny Johnson has been named as manager of Oldham Town. The FA side, which included a number of Alty Youth players, lost 1-2 to West Riding last week, despite a late goal by Wes Wilkinson.
    30 November 2001

    MARIO ON TV

    Alty's Mario Daniel is again on TV this Sunday afternoon on the MTV Base digital channel, demonstrating his footballing skills in the Nike Freestyle Event.
    25 November 2001

    MATCH OFF

    Today's Open Cup game against Rochdalians was postponed due to the heavy rain overnight and this morning.
    24 November 2001

    CHESHIRE REPS

    Three Alty Youth players are in today's Cheshire FA squad, which is playing in the Northern Counties Championship in Yorkshire today. Those concerned are Lee Shillito, Mark Drew and Paul Tilley.
    18 November 2001

    ST HELENS COLLEGE 1 ALTRINCHAM YOUTH 0

    Despite creating numerous chances, Alty Youth lost 0-1 this morning to St Helens College, who took one of the few chances that came their way. On the plus side, the game saw a return from a long injury spell for Domain Esdale. League leaders Burscough also lost (0-2), so Alty remain second in the table. The Alty team today was: 1. Jordan Broxson, 2. Paul Glynn, 3. Paul Robinson, 4. Vernum Rowland, 5. Steve McGrath, 6. Lee Shillito, 7. Richard Smith, 8. Paul Tilley (capt.), 9. Ian Horton, 10. Wes Wilkinson, 11. Lee Thompson. SUBS: 12. Mario Daniel (for Wilkinson), 13. Neil Wolszcsuk (gk), 14. Steve Lunt (for Shillito), 15. Domain Esdale (for Thompson).

    FA REPS

    Lee Shillito scored for Cheshire FA in their recent win over North Riding in the National Counties Cup, at Scarborough. Altrincham are also likely to have representatives in the Manchester FA side to play West Riding in the Northern Counties Championship next Saturday. These include Paul Robinson (right) and Mario Daniel, who is reported in the Pink today as hitting a hat-trick recently for amateur side Worth Fold.
    13 November 2001

    RESULTS

    Sunday's results:
  • Marine 2 Morecambe 2
  • Prestwich Heys 2 St Helens College 0
    11 November 2001

    ALTRINCHAM F.A. 3 STALYBRIDGE F.A. 1

    Playing with only 10 men for most of the second half, Alty FA showed great character to gain this convincing win: a match report is here
    9 November 2001

    WREXHAM

    Wrexham Youth, who only narrowly beat Alty Youth 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup 1st Round, thumped Farsley Youth 5-0 in Yorkshire last night in the 2nd Round.
    5 November 2001

    STILL SECOND

    Apart from Alty's draw (see below), there was only one other result yesterday:
  • South Sefton 3 Prestwich Heys 0
  • The revised league table is here, courtesy of Bob Allan and Fred Morris.
    4 November 2001

    DRAW WITH ST HELENS

    In a match which they dominated for long spells, Alty Youth let two points slip in a 2-2 draw today, despite a fine performance by centre-back Vernum Rowland (right). Match report here.
    3 November 2001

    Alty v Burscough Youth: Lee McDonald, Vernum Rowland and Paul Tilley close in on Burscough's number ten.
    29 October 2001

    CLOSING IN ON BURSCOUGH

    Alty Youth won 2-1 at South Sefton on Sunday, whilst Burscough could only draw with Prestwich Heys, 3-3. Alty now lie second, four points behind Burscough, with a game in hand. The line-up and some details of the Sefton/Alty game arehere.

    MARIO SHOWS HIS SKILLS

    As Mario Daniel awaits the outcome of his controversial sending off at Bamber Bridge, he took his chance to meet the stars at the Nike Freestyle Event at the MEN Arena last week. Mario was pictured in the presence of Andy Cole in this Sunday's Pink taking part in the competition which allows young players to demonstrate their ball-control skills.

    NO DISGRACE

    Underlining the fact that Alty Youth's defeat at Wrexham was no disgrace, Wrexham's U-19 side only lost 2-3 to the mighty Manchester United's U-19s this week.
    25 October 2001

    CUP RUN ENDS

    The Youth side's fine run in the FA Youth Cup ended tonight with a 2-1 defeat against Wrexham Youth at their Racecourse Ground. Wrexham now travel to Farsley Celtic in the next round. There is now a match report here with a link to the Wrexham view, too.
    21 October 2001

    ALTRINCHAM FA 8 MACCLESFIELD FA 2

    Altrincham & District FA beat Macclesfield & District FA 8-2 today at Trafford FC. Ten Altrincham youth players were used during the match and all of the goals were scored by Altrincham players. More details later.

    MARIO HITS FOUR AND LEE GETS THREE

    Mario Daniel hit four for Manchester FA in the 6-1 win over Westmorland in the Northern Counties Youth Championship this week. Meanwhile, Lee Thompson grabbed a hat-trick for the Great Britain Colleges side. Four Youth players played for the Alty Reserves in their win yesterday at Bamber Bridge, (see the Reserves' Page for Danny Claffey's match report).
    19 October 2001

    REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS

    Amongst the Youth players to play for representative sides recently were Lee Thompson, who turned out for the Great Britain Colleges team, and both Steve Lunt and Michael Bailey who played for the Gtr Manchester Schools's side. This weekend Paul Tilley is involved in the England Schools and Colleges Under-18 trials at North Cestrian College, Altrincham. Nine of the Alty Youth squad were called up for the Manchester F.A.'s 6-1 win last week. It is hoped to have more here on these and other Alty Youth players' representative honours in the near future.

    MATCH OFF

    The scheduled match on Sunday 21st against Prestwich Heys has been postponed due to a clash with an F.A. representative youth match

    UNIBOND YOUTH SIDES

    Burscough beat Scarborough Youth 2-1 a.e.t. in the 1st Round of the FA Youth Cup this week. They now play either Port Vale or Thackley. Both Hucknall Town and Lincoln United went out of the competition, leaving Farsley and Alty to play their 1st Round matches next week against Darlington and Wrexham respectively. Don't forget there is a supporters' coach to Wrexham next Wednesday; click the Away Travel button above for details.
    16 October 2001

    RICO MOVES AGAIN

    Last year's Alty Youth striker Rico Richards is to join ex-Alty men Eric Seekie and Levi Kennedy at Chester City after a short stay at Hyde United. He only joined Hyde recently from Droylsden.
    15 October 2001

    YOUTH SIDE WINS

    On a difficult pitch, Altrincham Youth won 2-0 at Northfield Juniors yesterday. Burscough beat Morecambe 4-3 to stay top.
    14 October 2001

    MANCHESTER REPS

    Defender Paul Robinson and striker Mario Daniel were amongst the Alty players in the Manchester FA side which lost 1-3 to Lancashire FA this week. As the Pink reports today, the Manchester goal came from a Robinson cross whilst Mario Daniel had a "goal" disallowed even though the defenders reportedly admitted that it had crossed the line.
    13 October 2001

    YOUTH CUP

    Apart from Altrincham Youth's game at Wrexham, the other four ties in the FA Cup involving UniBond Youth at the First Round Proper stage are:
  • Carlisle Utd v Hucknall T.
  • Notts Co. v Lincoln Utd
  • Scarborough v Marine
  • Farsley Celtic v Darlington
    11 October 2001

    COACH TO WREXHAM

    SAFE, the supporters' association, is planning to run a coach to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Wednesday, 24 October, for the FA Youth Cup match against the Welsh side. The coach will leave the Vine at 5.10pm, the Hare & Hounds at 5.20pm, opposite Station House at 5.25pm and Moss Lane at 5.30pm. Prices will be £6 adults and £4 for concessionaries. SAFE will donate any profits from the trip and from a football card to George Heslop and Neil Thomason to help the youth team directly as they need training balls, etc. Ring the Club (0161-928-1045) to book your seat. For more on the Youth team and its exploits click here and for fixtures, tables and profiles here.

    LEVI AT CHESTER

    As well as former Alty player Eric Seekie who is in their Reserves, Chester City now number Levi Kennedy, from last year's double-winning Alty Youth side, in their Academy squad.
    10 October 2001

    RACECOURSE DATE

    Alty Youth's FA Youth Cup 1st Round proper match away to Wrexham, at the Racecourse Ground, will be on Wednesday 24th October, k.o. probably at 7.30pm. The winners of this tie then travel to West Yorkshire, either to Farsley Celtic, the UniBond First Division side, or to the McAlpine Stadium of Huddersfield Town. Alty's win in the last round at Morecambe was secured by goals from Lee Thompson and Wes Wilkinson.
    9 October, 2001

    SUNDAY RESULTS

  • BURSCOUGH 4 MARINE 1
  • EUXTON VILLA 2 LANCASTER CITY 2
  • SOUTH SEFTON 4 NORTHFIELD JUNIORS 2
  • ST HELENS COLLEGE 7 PRESTWICH HEYS 1
  • Altrincham's match was postponed. Results courtesy of Bob Allan.
    8 October, 2001

    MORE ON YOUTH CUP

    The Youth team's win at Morecambe last week was achieved with only ten men when Mario Daniel was sent off in added-on time in the first half after being badly provoked by a Morecambe defender. Mario was playing his first game after a five-week suspension had sidelined him for all of this year's campaign so far. A superb second-half performance, with Wes Wilkinson to the forefront, enabled Alty to build on their 1-0 half-time lead to run out 2-1 winners. A number of the Alty side were reportedly watched by Leicester City and may be invited to the Midlands club for trials.
    7 October, 2001

    NEIL'S PLEA

    On the Fans' Forum Youth team coach Neil Thomason is appealing for sponsorship of the Youth Team polo shirts for their big match at the Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham, in the FA Youth Cup 1st Round Proper (date to be announced). If you can help, please contact Neil on 0161 941 4007 or 07802 494673.
    4 October 2001

    YOUTH CUP

    As well as Alty's fine win (see below), the other northern results last night in the Youth Cup were:
  • Burscough 2 Marine 0 - Burscough now meet Scarborough or Doncaster Rovers, away.
  • Farsley Celtic 3 Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 (aet) - Farsley now at home to Darlington.
    3 October 2001

    YOUTHS' GREAT WIN

    The Youth team beat Morecambe, away, tonight 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup 3rd Preliminary Round. They are now in the First Round Proper where they travel to the Racecourse Ground, to meet Wrexham Youth on a date to be determined. Alty were expecting to be without midfield regulars Lee McDonald and Domain Esdale tonight so their result is particularly noteworthy. More to follow on this later this week.
    2 October 2001

    YOUTH TABLE

    The updated NW Youth Alliance league table is on the squad and fixtures page. Last weekend's results were:
  • Euxton Villa 2 St Helens College 0
  • Marine 0 Altrincham 3
  • Morecambe 1 South Sefton 3
  • Northfield Juniors 2 Prestwich Heys 0
    1 October 2001

    YOUTH GO TOP

    Alty Youth went to the top of the NW Youth Alliance yesterday when they beat Marine 3-0, away, with goals by Lee McDonald, Richard Smith and Lee Thompson, with a header. Of their rivals, both Morecambe and Prestwich Heys lost and Burscough did not play. More on this match later this week.

    DRAW AT WRIGHT ROBINSON

    An Alty Youth XI drew 2-2 at Wright Robinson College in a friendly last Wednesday. In a squad which included a number of trialists, the existing Youth team players included Jordan Broxson, Steve McGrath, Ian Taylor, Chris Spencer and Lee McDonald. McDonald scored with a 30 yarder and the other goal came from Simon Guest. Richard Smith nearly won the game in the final minutes but the WR keeper made a fine save.

    YOUTH PLAYERS PROGRESS

    Paul Tilley and Lee Thompson played for the Alty Reserves in their 3-2 win this Saturday; Lee scored one of the goals. Elsewhere, last season's Youth captain Steve Howe turned out for Maine Road FC in the FA Cup against Marine.
    25 September 2001

    RICO MOVES AGAIN

    Rico Richards, a major part of last season's Youth team, has now moved from Droylsden, where he went last month, to Hyde United.

    YOUTH CUP DRAW

    Having overcome a Scottish side (Gretna) in the last round, Alty Youth will meet a Welsh team, Wrexham (away) if they can beat Morecambe Youth in the 3rd Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup, at Christie Park, on 3rd October.
    24 September 2001

    OTHER RESULTS YESTERDAY

  • Burscough 3 Euxton Villa 2
  • Prestwich Heys 2 Morecambe 1
    23 September 2001

    ALTY YOUTH 1 LANCASTER CITY YOUTH 0

    A fine goal by Paul Coverley just before half-time won this hard-fought game this afternoon but Paul Robinson had a penalty well-saved, which could have doubled the margin. Match report here.

    CHESHIRE YOUTH WIN

    Cheshire FA Youth side won 1-0 away in the Isle of Man on Friday, with Alty's Mark Drew and Lee Shillito in the victorious squad.
    22 September 2001

    YOUTH CUP

    Alty's hosts in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup will be Morecambe, who trounced Northwich 5-1 in their 2nd round tie in midweek. The game will be at Morecambe FC on Wednesday, 3rd October, kick-off at 7.45pm.

    CALL UPS

    Both Mark Drew and Lee Shillito have been called up for the Cheshire FA match in the Isle of Man which is part of the national FA knockout competition. Another three Youth team players have been called up for today's Altrincham Reserves' game at Ashton United. The three are Paul Tilley, Lee Thompson and Wes Wilkinson.

    OTIS HITS THREE

    Former Alty Youth striker Otis Thomas, now at Droylsden, got a hat-trick last weekend in the Alty Sunday League (Div.2), playing for The Trevor Arms.
    18 September, 2001

    EUXTON VILLA 2 ALTY YOUTH 9

    Altrincham comprehensively beat Euxton yesterday. The goals came from Lee Shillito (4) and one each from Lee McDonald, Paul Tilley, Lee Thompson, Mark Drew and Stephen Lunt. Alty led 4-2 at the interval. A match report, from information kindly supplied by manager George Heslop, is here. Alty are now 5th; other results included Morecambe winning 8-4 away. Future Alty games are on the Fixtures page.
    16 September, 2001

    RESULTS AND TABLE

    Last week's NW Youth Alliance results were
  • Altrincham 2 Burscough 4
  • Morecambe 5 St Helens College 1
  • Northfield Juniors 1 Marine 1
  • Prestwich Heys 3 Lancaster City 3
  • South Sefton 6 Euxton Villa 2
    14 September, 2001

    LINKS

    Links to the websites of clubs in Alty Youth's NW Alliance League have been added to this site's Links Page.

    HEAVY SCHEDULE

    Just 24 hours after playing for the Youth side in the FA Youth Cup, both Paul Tilley and Lee Thompson also played in Wednesday's Reserves' fixture against Leigh RMI. In the Reserves' side, they joined Dale Newbrook, Steve Howe and Patrick Claffey from last year's Youth team. For a report on the match by Danny Claffey, click here. The next Youth game is away at Euxton Villa (near Chorley) on Sunday 16 September at 2pm.
    12 September, 2001

    ALTY YOUTH 3 GRETNA YOUTH 1

    Another entertaining game in the FA Youth Cup saw Alty through to the third preliminary round and an away tie at either Northwich or Morecambe, who meet on 19 September at the Drill Field. There is now a match report here
    9 September 2001

    ALTY YOUTH 2 BURSCOUGH YOUTH 4

    Alty Youth, without several of their first team squad, went down 2-4 today in a true "game of two halves". For a report, click here.
    7 September 2001

    LEEK REPORT

    The Leek Town web site has a report from their perspective on Alty's win in the FA Youth Cup 1st Preliminary Round in its Youth pages. For this site's report, see lower down this page.

    3 September 2001

    ALTY YOUTH v GRETNA

    Alty's next match in the FA Youth Cup has now been confirmed as taking place on Tuesday 11 September at Moss Lane (7-30pm) as Gretna's first team are already booked to come to play Radcliffe Borough that evening. The two Gretna sides could therefore travel together to save costs. Admission is just £2 (£1 for concessionaries). The Youth league season starts at 2pm on Sunday 9 September with a home game against Burscough at Wythenshawe Town FC, Timpson Road, Baguley.
    2 September 2001

    SQUAD DETAILS

    Brief details of this season's Altrincham Youth team squad have been added to the Youth Fixtures page. Click the link to go there.
    31 August 2001

    YOUTH CUP: ALTY 3 LEEK 2

    There is a match report here. Alty's FA Youth Cup match was exciting enough but, in the same competition, Marine Youth played a 5-5 draw after extra time at North Eastern side Dunston FB. The deciding penalties went to sudden death until Dunston missed their tenth effort! Marine now meet Chester, at home, in the next round.
    30 August 2001

    FRIENDLY MATCH REPORT

    Rainhill United 0 Altrincham Youth 4. Report by Youth Team manager, George Heslop. Thanks for this report to George Heslop and to Grahame and Terry Rowley, editors of the Robins' Review.

    In their only game of the pre-season, Altrincham acquitted themselves very well. Having taken a squad of 17, every one of them got at least 45 minutes on the pitch. The signs are promising as the squad includes four 16 year olds and one 15 year old. Due to injuries, suspensions and holidays the Altrincham team only contained 6 of last year's squad. The Robins led 1-0 at half time from a Stephen Lunt goal and despite 6 changes at the interval, managed to retain their shape. With good teamwork and support play further goals were scored by Paul Coverley, Lee Thompson and Ashley Hennessy. Reviewing the game in the cold light of day Manager George Heslop's problems have increased due to the number of good young players he has available for selection. Hopefully, the central defence has been improved by the acquisition of Chris Phythian and Dean Marley and the strength of squad increased by Paul Coverley, Lee Thompson and Richard Smith. However, there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to match the performance of last season.

    29 August 2001

    YOUTH SPONSORS

    Altrincham Youth are being sponsored this season by M&S Electricals. The new Youth Team kit bears M&S's name, but is otherwise identical to the new first-team strip.
    28 August 2001

    LEAGUE FIXTURES

    The Youth Team league fixtures for 2001-02, recently released, have been withdrawn and re-issued. The new list - which is completely different- is here.
    17 August 2001

    YOUTH CUPS

    Alty Youth will be without two of their main strikers for the FA Youth Cup First Round tie on 29 August (see 18 July news below). Both Mario Daniel and Wes Wilkinson will be suspended; Mario as part of a five-week ban for a sending-off and Wes as part of a one-week ban. At the suggestion of Alty Youth manager, George Heslop, the Bolton and District Youth Alliance is to run an "Open Cup" competition next season. So, as well as the Premier Cup, there will be another competition open to teams from the Premier and First divisions.
    4 August 2001

    YOUTH HONOURS

    Six of last year's double-winning Altrincham Youth side played this week for Manchester County F.A. in their match against Huddersfield Under-19s. Those called up were Paul Robinson, Lee McDonald, Paul Coverley, Mario Daniel and Domain Esdale, whilst Wes Wilkinson was only prevented by injury from also playing in the game. Two other Alty Youth players, Vernum Rowland and Mark Drew, join Wesley Wilkinson in the Cheshire County F.A. trials tomorrow.

    For later news, click here
    For last season's news (2000-01), click here

    Season 2000-01

    The full coverage of 2000-01 season is now on the Youth Archive Page...click the blue link to go there!

    Copyright: ©
    Compiled by John Laidlar