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Riot at the FA Trophy and birth of this site
Initial Reaction from the Web Authors
Comments from The Popular Side in Robins Review
Comments from SAFE News Letter
Article from the Sale & Altrincham Messenger
Trafford BC exonerates Altrincham
Bishop Auckland Supporters fined
On the day that this site was launched (March 1 1997) a riot occurred during the match against Bishop Auckland involving their fans. Several police officers were injured during the disturbance.
Latest developments 3rd March
From the Sale and Altrincham Messenger 6th march
ALTRINCHAM have been given a Trophy lifeline, if only a small one.
A FA Commission has been called to Moss Lane today (Thursday) to decide what, if anything, to do following the appalling scenes at the ground during Saturday's FA trophy clash with Bishop Auckland.
The three man panel could decide to throw the UniBond League side out of the competition, and allow Altrincham, to take their place in the quarter-finals and a home tie against Gloucester City.
Chairman, Gerry Berman, told supporters meeting on Monday night: We will ask the Commission to make the game null and void and to accept us into the next round. We are in negotiations with lawyers to try and get the best for this football club.
"After the match we thought 'things aren't right here'. We've spoken to the FA and put in an appeal. We are having a go, but we will do It in a professional manner. '
Representatives front Bishop Auckland will also be present at today's Commission who will hear Altrincham argue that their players and the match officials could have been affected by the serious crowd trouble which erupted at the Chequers end just ten minutes into the match.
Graham Heathcote, Robins' assistant manager said: 'Who knows what's going on in people's minds after that. It was difficult for the players to play in that situation, it distracts them. They wouldn't be human if it didn't."
Mr Berman, Heathcote, John King and a number of players and match officials could be called by Altrincham as witnesses during the Commission, who will give their decision by the end of the week. Reports from the FA official Michael Appleby, who was at the game, the Cheshire FA and the police will also be read out as Altrincham try to prove their case for being reinstated.
Steve Double, a spokesman for the FA, said: "The protest lodged by Altrincham will be considered by the Trophy Protest Committee. The FA has unlimited powers."
But according to lawyer Richard Webb, who is also a member of the Altrincham board and will be representing the club at the commission, it is unlikely that the Robins will be re-instated in non-league's most glamorous cup competition. He said: `'The FA could do nothing, they could fine Bishop Auckland, they could order a re-match, they could throw them out and give Gloucester City a bye, or they could throw them out and award us the tie.
"I will be amazed if they order a re-match or award us the game.,'
If a re-match is ordered, there would be a problem concerning where the game would be played and whether fans would be allowed in, or if it will be staged behind closed doors.
Bishop Auckland Manager Tony Lee said: "Altrincham are just clutching at straws because they know they were beaten by the better team. It is unfortunate that it has gone to a hearing, but I know that I wouldn't want to win a football match off the pitch."'
Altrincham lost the incident packed match, which was delayed for 20 minutes when serious crowd trouble broke out amongst the Bishop Auckland fans, on a controversial penalty decision. Eight people were arrested, and two police officers assaulted as mounted police and dogs were called in. The door of the away dressing room was also damaged
Altrincham O Bishop Auckland 1
by Chris Ostick in the Messenger
A HARSH penalty decision against George Shepherd at Moss Lane on Saturday denied Altrincham a place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.
Shepherd slipped and fell on a low cross in the Altrincham box in the 61st minute and referee Mr Messias pointed to the spot. Leading scorer Nick Peverell made no mistake
But the bad tempers switched from the terraces onto the pitch as first Alan Gray was sent off on 67 minutes for hitting Tony Dews, then with just five minutes to go Lee Ellison saw red after punching Shepherd in the face.
Yet Altrincham couldn't capitalise on their advantage. Their best chance came on 72 minutes when Heesom's floating free kick from the right was met by Paul France at the back post, but his goal bound header was palmed away by Simon Bishop in the Auckland goal.
Peverell could have sealed the win in the dying minutes. Auckland went home happy with the result, but not with the behaviour of their fans.
Crowd trouble at game fails to win Robins FA Trophy rescue.
By Chris Ostick in The Messenger
BISHOP Auckland could still face a big fine from the FA, despite Altrincham's appeal for them to be thrown out of the FA Trophy being dismissed.
The FA decided at a special commission at Moss Lane that the 1-0 third round result should stand, despite the match being delayed for 20 minutes while police dealt with serious crowd trouble by Bishop Auckland fans.
After hearing evidence from seven witnesses including police, FA officials, the referee, and Altrincham manager John King during the marathon five hour hearing, the three man commission rejected Altrincham's claim that their players and the match officials were affected by the crowd trouble because of a lack of evidence.
Altrincham's appeal against the behaviour of Bishop Auckland's officials was also dismissed, and the Robins were ordered to pay part of the costs of the hearing which are expected to reach three figures, or less.
It isn't over for Bishop Auckland however, the FA are looking into the behaviour of their fans and the Unibond League side could still be fined.
Steve Double, a spokesperson for the FA, said: "The Commission heard five hours of evidence and dismissed the appeal on what they heard. It is now open for us to look at the question of crowd misconduct on that day.
Gerry Berman, Altrincham's Chairman, told SAM: "Of course we aren't happy, but we accept what the FA Commission decided. We were hopeful that we could win the case."
Eight people were arrested when visiting supporters clashed with police at the Chequers end of Moss Lane during the ill-tempered match. Police horses and dogs were called in as bins and punches were thrown by the Bishop Auckland fans. The away dressing room door was also damaged by a North East player after he was sent off. The game was decided by a controversial second half penalty.
Altrincham Director Mark Harris said: "We are happy that no blame has been attached to Altrincham Football Club and that our good name has been retained.
"It is a huge disappointment but we are not surprised. We never had much of a chance of getting Bishop Auckland kicked out or us re-instated, it would have set too much of a precedent.
"But it is not over, they still have to go before the FA and face the consequences. We win get on with the job of staying in the Vauxhall Conference."
If Altrincham, struggling close the drop zone, do get relegated, they will face Bishop Auckland twice in the UniBond League next season
FROM THE POPULAR SIDE FROM the ROBINS REVIEW
MORONIC BEHAVIOR
Following the unpalatable scenes at Moss Lane at the Bishop Auckland FA trophy tie, the only good thing to appear from the distressing spectacle is none of the unwelcome and unacceptable incidents were attributable to Altrincham supporters. The fact is that some 10 odd people chose to travel from the North East with the sole intention of satisfying their quest for excitement by deliberately causing a riot. These people are not football supporters - in fact I am lost for words to describe them, perhaps David Forshaw can provide some expletives!
The other sad thing about the day was that we lost perhaps unluckily but we were awful in front of goal and the sad fact is unless we improve we are on the sad trail to relegation. We perform creditably away from home, no doubt about that, but our home form is woeful let's make no bones about it. I would hate, as would many other loyal supporters being relegated especially considering the efforts that have been made here. We do not, as a club, deserve relegation but what is the answer? We can not afford new players due to sparse gates. Unfortunately one of our new and star players Mark Maddox has a long term injury.
Things can not get much worse and the management and directors deserve much better, as do the fans, or most of them as I heard quite a bit of ill directed criticism at the Bishop Auckland match. I would say to those responsible we know we are struggling. Please encourage the lads, who are doing their best. After all, no one likes being beaten or playing badly - a bit of encouragement goes a long way. The only way we can turn the tide is to fight, not with fists, cans or bottles but increased effort by everyone. It is easy to give up but remember how we felt in June 1995 before the club was saved Altrincham FC means a great deal to a lot of people I just wish the uninterested would get interested.
SAFE NEWS in The Robins Review
A big welcome to everyone from Hednesford for tonight's vital match. Considering that we've got less than 10 games left victories against the FC Cup heroes and Gateshead (on Saturday) will be extremely useful. The lads need our support more than ever before; it is up to us to provide it.
I don't want to keep going on about the Bishop Auckland saga, but it was very annoying to read in Saturday's Daily Express that," there was fighting between fans of Altrincham and Bishop Auckland...". Why can't the press get it right? Inaccurate comments like that can damage the reputation of a club's support, Altrincham fans were not involved in the hooliganism, and we'll be contacting the Express to set the record straight.
Back on the subject of the current struggles, I suppose that if things were to get any worse, we could take a leaf out of Winsford's book. Struggling at the bottom of the Unibond League, Winsford contacted professional astrologer Raymond Castrogiovanni. I interviewed Castrogiovanni for a university project and he predicted that Winsford would not win anything until 1999 so he buried energy crystals in the goalmouths and stitched tiger eye pebbles to the players shorts. Winsford duly won six of their next nine games! The Manchester City supporters then asked him to work his magic before Alan Ball kicked the scheme into touch I've got his number...
There's members' meeting on Monday 7 April at 7.30pm, everybody is welcome to attend, and there is a coach to Farnborough on Saturday. It leaves the Vine at 9.40, The Hare and Hounds at 9.50, Station House at 9.55 and Moss Lane at 10.00am. It costs members £15 (£14 for concessions), whilst for non-members it's £15 and £16.
R. Muir
Membership Secretary
A Recent Message from the Chairman in The Robins Review
"Normally on this page you would be reading about the events of the last week at Moss Lane. For once, however, these are all too well known to you as supporters of Altrincham FC, and to the nation as a whole.
Let me first start by thanking you all for your excellent conduct at the Bishop Auckland game; by not reacting to the conduct of the visiting spectators (I hesitate to call them supporters of the visiting team), you saved the name of this club being dragged through the media spotlight in a worse light than publicity of the last ten days has portrayed us. At the time of writing, the findings of the F.A. Challenge Trophy Protest Sub-Committee meeting called to hear our official complaint are unknown,(but see Latest News) and the original hearing had to be postponed to Wednesday of this week (10th of March). Obviously, we will abide by the findings of the committee, but I would hope that we never ever have to witness the kind of scenes we saw here a fortnight ago, ever again.
There has been a sizeable post-bag to the club on the subject of the Bishop Auckland game, and although the letters unanimously endorsed the view that Altrincham Football Club did everything in its power to avoid what occured, it is a truism that no good purpose will be served by continuing the debate either through the pages of this programme or at more meetings. Instead, we all have to concentrate on supporting the management team in getting the team into a position of league safety. Everyone at Moss Lane is working as hard as possible to generate additional funds to place at John King's disposal to enable him to build for next season, but in the meantime the players need everyone's support. The job of keeping this club alive is far from over; we may have built a lovely stadium, but we have to rally round once again to keep Conference football at Moss Lane.
There are several things you can do to help, and hopefully many of you are already doing so.
* Come to the matches, and bring a friend.
* Join the Saturday Yankee lottery each week.
* Support club functions; there are plenty of tickets left for the Player of The Year Awards dinner on April 26th.
* Join S.A.F.E. and support all their fund raising efforts.
You will hear no defeatist or negative talk from any of the directors here; we will service and go onto better days, but only if we work together."
Thank you
Gerry Berman Chairman
FROM THE ROBINS REVIEW --THIS WEEK AT MOSS LANE EXTRA
This week, Trafford Council fully exonerated Altrincham F. C. of any responsibility for the disturbances, which occurred against Bishop Auckland. Here, for supporters' interest is a transcript of the council's report from Gary Pickering, Deputy Chief Executive.
BACKGROUND
On Saturday 1 March 1997, Altrincham F.C. met Bishop Auckland F.C. at Moss Lane, Altrincham in the third round of the F.A. Umbro Trophy. Two members of the Sub-Committee and two Officers were in attendance as the occasion was the subject of an official match visit by the Sub-Committee. Altrincham F.C. were aware from previous visits by this club that there was a potential for trouble. This potential was enhanced by a strong antagonism towards one of the Altrincham players following an incident when that player had successfully sued Bishop Auckland F.C. This history caused the club, in consultation with the Police, to ensure that there was a Police presence at this match, a move that is an exception rather than a rule. The risk of trouble became evident before the match when Bishop Auckland supporters created disturbances in Altrincham town centre and in one case, a dress was stolen from a shop. These incidents were reported as alcohol-related.
Shortly before the 3 p.m. kick-off, the Police presence at the Ground requested assistance from their Tactical Aid Unit (TAU). This subsequently proved to be a wise precaution. Approximately ninety visiting spectators were, as is normal, segregated at the Cheques end of the ground and some 12 minutes into the game, a number of Bishop Auckland supporters caused trouble at a refreshment kiosk. When the Police attempted to apprehend those responsible, approximately twenty five Bishop Auckland supporters began fighting with the Police. Only the intervention of the T.A.U., mounted Police and a Police dog prevented the incident becoming more serious. The mounted Police eventually pushed the trouble makers back to the Chequers terrace and as a result of being pushed back, a number of spectators ran onto the pitch. This caused the referee to take the players from the pitch for approximately eighteen minutes. Following appeals for calm, the match was restarted and ended without further crowd trouble although some trouble did occur after the match, outside the ground.
Throughout the trouble, the Altrincham supporters remained calm and the Altrincham Stewards carried out their duties in a responsible manner doing much to calm various individuals during the match.
CONCLUSION
Disturbance caused by spectators at Football matches has diminished over the past ten years when compared to the level which existed during the 1970's and 1980's. This is largely due to co-operation between Football clubs and
Police forces plus a National Intelligence Service operated by the Police. This case however highlights the need for
vigilance and the need not to overlook the risk at smaller grounds. The incident at Altrincham Football Ground Club was potentially serious and whether any intelligence service could have predicted the level of trouble, which occurred, is questionable.
The Trafford Safety Sports Grounds Advisory Group have met to review this incident and -
i) It was agreed that Altrincham Football Club could not be held responsible for this Ground Trouble.
ii) G.M. Police had received no intelligence from Cleveland Police that such a level of trouble could be anticipated.
However on the next two or three occasions when these clubs meet at Moss Lane extra police will be present.
The club also issued the following statement
"We are delighted that Trafford Borough Council have cleared Altrincham Football Club of any blame whatsoever in relation to the Bishop Auckland match and, as far as the club is concerned, this matter Is now closed. We would,
however, like to express our thanks to our supporters and stewards for the good sense and professionalism shown on the day."
Abusive fans escape soccer ban
Rules stop court from barring them from games
From the Messenger
FANS who clashed with Trafford police at a FA Trophy match have been heavily fined - but they will not be banned from future games.
Two Bishop Auckland supporters who were involved in disturbances during the cup match against Altrincham FC back in March pleaded guilty to offences of causing fear or provoking violence.
Trafford magistrates said they would like to place exclusion orders on Tony Willis, aged 24, and 23 year old Marc Coltman, both of Middleton in Teesdale, but as the club was not an associate of the football league they were "unable to do so." Instead they fined the two supporters £350 each plus £40 costs.
The court heard how Willis, of Plantation Villa, and Coltman, of Gibson Row, joined a coach party for the vital third round cup match on March 1.
Prosecutor Mr David Brindle said: "Ten minutes after kick-off a large scale fracas broke out in the crowd, tension was high and some arrests were made along with a number of police warnings."
The two defendants left the match, which had been stopped because of the trouble, but were returning to the ground when they encountered a group of policemen.
"Mr Coltman said he wanted to fight with one of the officers," added Mr Brindle "and both de defendents began waving their arm around and swearing."
At a nearby shopping complex, a number of other supporters were fighting with officers from the Tactical Aid Unit and Willis and Collman were asked to leave the area.
Coltman then shouted "I will take you now, you and me" which led to his arrest and Willis shouted 'Let him go - if you arrest him, you arrest me" which also led to his arrest.
Defence solicitor, Mr John Mail argued that the boys admitted their behaviour had been "out of order" and "totally unacceptable" but should be seen in the context of the more serious outbursts of public disorder at the match.
Magistrate Tim Jenkinson concluded: "The bench was going impose an exclusion order from football grounds, but as neither club is a member of the football league we are unable to do. However, we do take a dim view of this behaviour whether the game was held at Altrincham or indeed Old Trafford."
Six other fans that faced charges of violent disorder were remanded until a future hearing on May 6.
Bishop Auckland 0 drew with Gloucester City 0 on March 22nd in the FA Trophy.
Gloucester City 4 Bishop Auckland 3 on March 25th.
Jamie Taylor wins SAFE and e-mail link system player of the year award
 |
JAMIE TAYLOR Midfield Jamie was signed from Rochdale this summer. A 20 year old, who was once rated at £600,00 made over 38 first team appearances scoring three goals. He signed for Rochdale on his 17th birthday after just a year as a YTS apprentice. In 1998 he was voted player of the year by SAFE members and members of the Altrincham FC e-mail link system |
Danny Adams wins Junior Robins Player of the Year award
 |
DANNY ADAMS Midfielder local player who first played under John King as a junior at Bury, signed from Congleton in July 1997 after spells with several local clubs. Won a North West Alliance Cup winners medal with Altrincham's reserve side at the end of last season and turned down a full time contract with Doncaster to remain at Moss Lane. Danny started the season in midfield but has made a successful transition to full back. Danny was chosen as the Junior Robins Player of the Years award and was runner up in the voting of SAFE members and the Altrincham e-mail ring system |
Class of 78 win again
In front of some 300 supporters on an afternoon when on occasions the heavens opened up to add more water to a waterlogged pitch, the Altrincham team which won the 1978 F A Trophy at Wembley scored another victory. With referee Phil Taylor, who is the Chief steward at Moss Lane in charge and taking a lenient view on the rules and who interpreted a sliding tackle literally i.e. the player had to travel four feet on his backside before it is recognised, the class of 78 showed they had lost little of there skills including a scissors kick which only just missed, but had lost some of their speed and gained a few!! pounds in weight.
Their opponents were a a SAFE side which included Paul Johnson who runs an Altrincham FC e-mail ring and the class of 78 game and was organised by SAFE member Bill Coop who also played.
The first half, of 20 minutes was evenly matched but in the second half the senior team took control and if it had not been for the brilliance of the SAFE keeper the score would have been lopsided. Finally John Rodgers broke the deadlock as a result of a cleverly worked move with a fine finishing touch.
Double click to enlarge
| John Davison | John Rodgers | John King | Micky Brooke | Peter Eales | John Owens | Graham Heathcote | Mal Bailey | Tony Sanderson |
| Tommy Cavengh | Steve Allan | Jeff Johnson | Ivan Crossley | Ian Morris | Peter Warburton |
It was an enjoyable game and no doubt brought back memories to many of the crowd who went to Wembley on April 29th 1978
The only item of concern is the state of the pitch and whether it will be declared fit to play the match against Spennymoor on Monday 27 April.
On Wednesday 29 April Alty play Gainsborough Trinity in the UniBond Challenge Cup. This is to the day the anniversary of the 1978 F A Trophy win. Is this an omen?
More on new manager Bernard Taylor
| Saint Bernard--- Alty fans will put their hope in Bernard Taylor to lead them to promotion back into the Vauxhall Conference after two seasons in the UniBond Premier |  |
TAYLOR MADE FOR THE JOB
Bernard - "message from the fans changed my mind"
By Mike Crockett
THE decision to appoint Bernard Taylor as first team manager at Altrincham FC will surprise as many fans as it delights. Many were under the impression that he was not to keen on taking up the position.
However, a Moss Lane press conference on Tuesday afternoon, hosted by new Deputy Chairman Mark Harris ended the weeks of speculation, as the reserve team and general manager was announced as the latest occupant of the Robins hot-seat.
The appointment is bound to stimulate yet more debate, with SAM receiving a mixed bag of letters as Altrincham fans put their points across in the four weeks since John King's unexpected departure a month ago.
Indeed shortly after King's departure, Bernard was quoted as saying his appointment as caretaker manager was only until the club had decided on someone to fill the vacancy.
When he spoke to SAM, Bernard said it was the support he had received in the weeks he had been in the job had changed his mind.
"What made me rethink was the message coming from the fans in their letters of support, and those who came to see me.
Also, the players wanted me to hold onto the job. To maintain the continuity of the position"
Echoing his words, Deputy Chairman Mark Harris added, "It was impossible to ignore the groundswell of opinion supporting Bernard. As a board we were completely unanimous in our decision, which, we feel has achieved the continuity aspect, and there is no doubt in our minds that Bernard is the man for the job
No announcement has yet been made as to who will be taking up the role of assistant manager alongside Taylor, but he has himself mentioned that an ideal situation would involve a player/coach, and the club stress that Taylor will have the first and last say in who takes up the post vacated by the present secretary Graham Heathcote.
Vice President of SAFE, Alan Brotherton, gave a fans point of view.
"In many ways. A lot of the fans will be happy with the appointment. From what I have read and what people have said to me, they seem to like him, and no one can deny that he has done well with the reserves, and the first team since John left"
I can't see there being many complaints. Some may have wanted to see a bigger name who had been around a bit more, but you can never please everyone can you?" he added.
In Bernard Taylor, Altrincham have appointed a man with commitment to the Robins cause first and foremost in his heart.
Writing in Robins Review late last year he said "Throughout my career, winning has meant a great deal to me. Even in the Sunday league days I wanted to win. As a manager we went unbeaten for two years and that was a great feeling".
His actual managerial experience is limited to two stints as assistant manager at Barrow under David Johnson and Graham Heathcote, and at Winsford, again under Heathcote. The manager's job at Altrincham will be his first experience of a steering a club himself.
• Niell Hardy and Jamie Taylor have been suspended for five matches and one match respectively
• Ricky Harris is recovering from injury, as is Andy Brown.
Matt Dickins is fit again, whilst hopes are high for Mark Maddox, Stuart Terry and Tony Kelly all to have a run-out with the reserves.
ALTRINCHAM APPOINT FROM WITHIN
A UniBond Press Release
Altrincham this week sprung one of the surprises of the season when they made caretaker boss Bernie Taylor's position permanent. It was thought that one of the most prestigious jobs in the semi-pro game would attract a host of big name applications and so it proved but the club stuck with Taylor who stepped into the breach when previous incumbent John King and his Assistant, Graham Heathcote recently resigned their positions.
Prior to taking over team affairs the affable Mr Taylor was the Club's General Manager and he is to retain his responsibilities in that area saying "If there is a door off its hinges why pay someone to come in when I can do it?" Very modest and completely down to earth Mr Taylor has more background in soccer than is generally known and was with Rochdale for a couple of seasons on leaving school. He left to join his father's business but has regrets as "Now I can't play, I would love to play but when I was younger and could play I wasn't that bothered".
Although it is his first appointment in charge of a team at this level Mr Taylor has considerable experience as Assistant Manager having been number two to both Ray Wilkie (in the late eighties) and Graham Heathcote at Barrow whilst he was also with Mr Heathcote at Winsford United.
More recently he has been manager of Altrincham's Reserve side who have lost only three games in two seasons whilst the club's Veterans team which Mr Taylor also manages has yet to lose in fourteen games.
Mr Taylor is anxious to bring in somebody as his number two in readiness for next season but preferably that someone should be a player-coach. Anyone who fits the bill should contact Mr Taylor at the club.
Mark Harris made Vice-Chairman
The popular and hard working Director Mark Harris has been made Vice-Chairman of the Altrincham football Club. Mark who is responsible for the commercial activities of the Club is also Press Officer, (the voice on the tanoy), and for home matches the match reporter for the Messenger and this site. Mark has been very helpful in the development of this site. Congratulations Mark and thank you for all your help.
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