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  • Alan Brotherton's News    24 May 2001 His last

• SAFE in EXILE   
  • Latest news    20 May   Matchball sponsorship photographs & names
  • List of registered exiles  18 May   Another Exile making 44 for the first season of the Exiles including Kevin Ellison who is now a patron of the Exiles
  • A letter to the exiles

Sales and Marketing Manager and election of SAFE Board member 

Caring Taylor is a father figure

New home for Altrincham FC??

 Alty switch for United skipper

July 4

Sales and Marketing Manager – Altrincham F.C.

Altrincham FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Eckersall as their new Sales and Marketing Manager. In a move away from Commercial Managers, the board were looking to appoint someone with extensive local knowledge and someone who had Altrincham FC "running through their blood." With Mark’s appointment, the board believes they have found their man.

A local man, who has been the Supporter’s Club representative on the board, Mark knows the many aspects involved in the running of the club and in offering him this position, the board believe that the club will benefit immensely from Mark’s enthusiasm in his new position.

Mark’s responsibilities will include all aspects of advertising, sponsorship and corporate hospitality as well as numerous fund raising projects for the Football Club.

Anyone interested in discussing possible opportunities for their involvement with the club, can contact Mark on 0161-928-1045.

Election of SAFE Board member

FA rules do not allow a paid employee to be member of the Board so Mark Eckersall, who was the SAFE representative, has to resign from the Board. The Board have agreed that a representative of SAFE  can replace Mark and steps are being taken for an election of a SAFE member to represent SAFE  on the Board 

Caring Taylor is a father figure

Quiet manager shows passion for his club

The Andrew Warshaw interview

From the Non-League Paper 17 June 2001

HE DRIVES a Mercedes, puts so much gel on his hair you wonder whether it is dyed and owns a seven-year-old horse called Paolo. But if you think all that makes Bernard Taylor a football Flash Harry, think again.

"I'm not very good at the media stuff" was Taylor's first comment when I spoke to him about his special relationship with Altrincham, one of the great names in Non-League football. "It's hard to interview me. See, this club isn't just about one person."

You will have gathered, even from those remarks, that trying to get this modest yet fascinating manager to talk about himself is tough going. So tough that you have to ask Taylor virtually every question at least twice before he opens up even slightly.

But make no mistake. Talk to the Moss Lane fans and they won't have a word said against the man who cried his eyes out the season before last when Altrincham were relegated from the Conference and who is regarded as one of the great father figures of the Non-League game. A warm-hearted man who is more than happy to let the fans into his oft-ice for a chat on match days and has a consoling word for just about everyone.

"I wasn't the only one who cried that day," said Taylor, a joiner by profession who has the unusual distinction of having built the bar at Moss Lane with a couple of workmates. "I was mostly crying for the fans, especially the younger ones. Lots of other managers told me we didn't deserve to go down."

Taylor resigned four days later - but was back after ten months to replace Mark Ward. Now he wants to make it up to the fans he still feels he let down. "It would really be something if I could get the club back up to where they belong. Then I could let a new man come in and I'd just be a supporter again."

Where they belong, of course, is with the Non-League elite. Many around the southern Manchester suburbs, still remember the golden era when Altrincham won the first two championships of the old Alliance Premier League, the forerunner of the Conference, in the days when even one-up, one-down was unheard of. Then, of course, there were those magical FA Cup exploits of the 1970s, including matches against Everton and Spurs in which Altrincham famously drew away with both sides, before losing the replays at Old Trafford and Maine Road respectively.

Taylor, 56, speaks softly but passionately about the dream of putting the UniBond Premier club back on the map. He entered management late - in his 50s - and in two spells at Altrincham has tasted both the euphoria of promotion and relegation heartbreak.

"I still don't really know why I was given the job in the first place," he says, referring to his role as caretaker back in 1998 just after Altrincham were relegated from the top-flight for the first time.

"I thought they probably wanted a big name, but when I did okay, the chairman asked me to carry on the following season."

Remarkably for someone with such limited managerial experience - he had a brief spell at Barrow - Taylor went on to win five trophies in 12 months including the UniBond championship, virtually unprecedented at any level.

Even now he refuses to take the credit. "You need good people around you, like Graham Heathcote, You read about big-name managers being successful, and all that. But let me tell you, it's almost always about the people around you. One man never does it on his own."

Which is why Taylor and Heathcote have become such a trusted double act. Taylor, who still loves to potter around the club doing bits of building work, is the affectionate, lovable one who has a kind word for everyone - he says he gets it from his Italian mother - while Heathcote is the tactical coach who isn't afraid to bark at the players if he needs to.

"I don't think I could have done it all without Graham," said Taylor. "We worked together at Barrow and have always hit it off. But I don't need reminding that we finished 33 points behind Stalybridge last season even though we were seventh. That wasn't good enough for this club."

Heathcote, who played for Altrincham as a teenager, has virtually become part of the furniture after 30 years at Moss Lane and has his testimonial in July.

He says that although Taylor is relatively raw to management, he has qualities which are dying in football. "For a start he's a very good listener," said Heathcote, who is still the club's full-time secretary as well as coach. "He is great at erasing problems, he mothers the players which builds a happy ship and he lets me get on with the coaching without interfering.

"In terms of involvement in management, it's an incredible story given his age. He'd be the first to admit that people gave him a lot of help, but the CV he can put on the table after 30 months, most managers would be proud to achieve in a lifetime."

Robins Review top programme

Altrincham's Robins' Review programme has won the  Wirral Programme Club Non-League Football Programme of the Year award for the UniBond Premier Division 2000-0. Robins Review  won  with 160 points, second were the programmes of Hucknall Town (153) followed by Leek Town (152). Congratulations to Grahame and Terry Rowley, the Editors. 3 June

Hard man: the combative John King, Non-League Player and manager of Altrincham FC.

If Hardisty and Allchurch represented pure skill, then John King - a player whose name on a team sheet could spread fear among the opposition before a ball was even kicked - was the master midfield ball winner.

His name was known both north and south of Watford, and although most fans hated King's bristly, aggressive style, they nevertheless respected him.

King began his career' as a junior with Everton and Shrewsbury before going into Non-League with Kirkby Town, Wigan Athletic and Northwich Victoria the latter two in the tough world of the Northern Premier League.

He then joined Altrincham for the first time in 1977 and began a love affair with the Robins that lasted on and off for 20 years but, sadly, ended on a sour note.

To say that King was competitive would be something of an understatement. Playing in front of some equally tough and uncompromising defenders,

King formed an almost impregnable barrier that brought Altrincham many honours during the 1970s and early 80s. He skippered the Robins to two Alliance Premier title successes, as well as an FA Trophy win in 1978, and featured in the club's many FA Cup giant killing exploits.

In 1982 Altrincham reached Wembley again to meet Enfield in the FA Trophy. That was to be King's swansong as a player because an injury sustained during that match ultimately ended his playing days. He was a natural candidate for management and was quickly snapped up by Northern Premier side South Liverpool, where he revitalized the ailing Merseyside outfit. Such success was swiftly noted by his old club, and in January 1984 he was appointed manager of Altrincham.

Two years later he became the first man to captain and manage an Altrincham side to FA Trophy success but left the club immediately after the game to become boss at neighbouring Runcorn -his victims at Wembley.

King returned to Moss Lane in 1988 and almost steered the club into the Football League two years later when they finished third behind champions Barnet and runners-up Colchester after a 28-match unbeaten run that season. At the end of that campaign he left the club again, this time to have a spell in charge at Barrow, and then became assistant manager at Bury to Mike Walsh.

In June 1995, King wrote another chapter in his association with Altrincham when he answered an SOS from the ailing club and became its outright owner and manager. However, things were probably worse than he thought and it didn't work out. Altrincham were relegated to the UniBond League and very nearly went out of business. In hindsight, it was perhaps a mistake, but the call to help the club he loved was too much to ignore.

THE END of the 20002001 football season also sees changes to one of Messenger's most popular features: SAFE Weekly News.

Alan Brotherton, SAFE stalwart and lifelong Robins supporter is passing the baton on, and SAM caught up with him after a real roller coaster of a season for the Robins.

"It's been a real up and down season for all Alty fans and I think the most important point about it is, okay we don't have a championship or a good cup run to cheer about, but we still have a football club to cheer at all."

"I think this season will be remembered more for its off-field incidents than anything else.

An early departure from the playing staff was Danny Adams and what made it harder to swallow was that it was our arch rivals Macclesfield Town that he was leaving us for," he said.

Worse was to come for the Moss Lane faithful, was the financial situation at the club, which was already causing sleepless nights for directors and fans alike, reached a real crisis point.

"When we travelled up to Blyth on January 20th, it came to light that nobody at the club had been paid for three weeks which - in theory - meant that any of the players could have walked out of the club.

"Their battling display in achieving a 1-1 draw from this fixture was a credit to them all, under the circumstances," said Alan.

Something had to give and very soon it did, as Chairman Gerry Berman stepped down from his position as the club were hours from being served with a winding up petition

Alan takes up the story: "Following that came the departure of yet another popular player in Kevin Ellison to Premiership club Leicester City which brought in some really much needed cash to the club.

"On Sunday March 18th came yet another departure. Only, this time, it didn't bring any cash in because it was announced that the newly formed board had sacked g player manager Mark Ward and we then saw the ref uniting of Bernard Taylor and of Graham Heathcote.

"It was then confirmed that this partnership, the most successful management team ever seen at Moss Lane, had been given the job on a permanent basis."

These are all things that Alan says he will never forget from n this eventful season, as he hands on the responsibilty of keeping Alty fans informed with Safe Weekly News.

"I have enjoyed writing the n columns and I hope that it has opened up an insight to what life is like for an Alty supporter."

(Many thanks for your efforts over the last three years, Alan - MC)

18 May

Altrincham Football club Ball Boys and Girls 2001

The ball boys and girls who do a fantastic job. A report on the contribution is below
Front row - with trophies from left to right Samantha Lewis(Ball girl of the year), Stuart Wilkinson (Snr ball boy -runner up) Mathew Summerfield (Snr ball boy - winner), James Hart (Jnr ball boy runner up), Ryan Ashton (Jnr ball boy -winner), Stephen Bradley, Ray Armstrong Co-ordinator, Mark Harris Chairman Back row from left to right Mathew Jamieson, Sean Johnson, Joshua Hilton, James Dawson, Ben Quantrill, John Bradley, Thomas Hunt
	Mathew Summerfield Senior Ball Boy of the year is presented his trophy by Chairman Mark Harris. Mathew did 35 games this season making his overall total 168

This season as we all know has been a very difficult season for the club, but one good thing is the interest with being a Ball Boy or Girl has been a very good one. At the start of the season we started with a squad of 26 youngsters of that total we still have a total of 22 still with the club.

Most of the present group of ball persons have already said that they would like to be with the club next season. So if anyone would like to become a Ball person for next season please come and see me, Ray Armstrong, early pre-season, to join up.

Now to the awards.

Senior Ball Boy of the year: Mathew Summerfield 35 games this season: Overall total for club: 168

Senior Ball Boy Runner-up Stuart Wilkinson 32 games: Overall Total 65 Games

Junior Ball Boy of the year Ryan Ashton 29 games this season: Overall total: 46 Games.

Junior Ball Boy Runner-up James Hart 26 games this season: Overall total 28 Games

Ball Girl of the Year Samantha Lewis 17 games this season: Overall total 17 Games

Well done to all the other Ball Boys:

James Dawson 30 games Michael Bradshaw 28 Games, Adam Bennett 27 Games

Scott Bradshaw 25 Games, Lee McGuinness 23 games, Thomas Hart 23 Games

Wayne Sellstrom 7 games, John Bradley 13 games, Steven Bradley 10 Games

Sean Johnson 14 Games, Ben Quantrill 11 Games, Niall Flynn 2 Games

Mathew Jamieson 11 Games, Chris Broadbent 5 games, Andy Burney 5 Games,

Joshua Hilton 5 Games, Daniel Staniforth 4 Games.

All the winners trophies are provided by Ray Armstrong, Ball Person co-ordinator.

Carry on

Robins bank on old firm for success

By Tony Glennon

In the Sunday pink May 6^th 2001

BERNARD Taylor, the manager who steered Altrincham to five trophies in 15 months, is back in charge at Moss Lane -and eager to make amends for past failings.

Alty concluded their search for a permanent manager on Tuesday when chairman Mark Harris announced they had decided to stick with the tried-and-tested pairing of Taylor and coach Graham Heathcote, who, of course, had been acting as caretaker chiefs in the six weeks since Mark Ward was sacked.

The move cements the re-uniting of the partnership which led the Robins to the UniBond League title two years ago, only for the pair to then be divided when club secretary Heathcote dramatically quit as coach in December 1999, five months before Taylor, too, stepped down following Altrincham's relegation from the Nationwide Conference.

And it's that relegation which still haunts Taylor, in spite of the fact he'd previously been given the title `Saint Bernard' by adoring fans after guiding the club to its greatest run of success since Altrincham's glory days of the 1970s and 80s.

Taylor, who has remained with Alty as general manager over the last 12 months, told the Sunday Pink: "I know now that I could, and should, have kept Altrincham in the Conference and, although it's going to be very difficult to achieve it, I'd love to get us back there.

"I owe it to the fans, because I let them down when we were relegated. I should have done things differently."

Harris refutes suggestions that Taylor's re-appointment was a foregone conclusion, in spite of Altrincham advertising the post. Indeed, Taylor's son, Anthony, who is Alty's vice-chairman, deliberately kept out of the interviewing process to avoid any talk of family favouritism.

Harris insists, too, that the decision to bring back both Taylor and Heathcote was not prompted, as has been said, by the cash strapped Robins' need to save money, but, on the contrary says the Alty chairman, reflects the board's unanimous belief that the duo are the best men for the job.

Said Harris: "We would not have gone to the time and expense of advertising had we known all along that we were going to appoint Bernard and Graham.

"Quite the opposite, this was a totally genuine exercise which led to us attracting the biggest and best field of applicants we've ever had in my time on the board.

"We did not head-hunt, but nevertheless were able to draw up a shortlist of four particularly high-quality candidates from afield which included 16 current managers and three former internationals.

"The board took a long time making its selection and ultimately decided that our best chance of promotion next season lies with a management team who have done it before and know

what it takes to do it again on the resources available. In short, Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote."

Meanwhile, Harris says Alty remain in talks with the PFA, via their solicitors, over a possible settlement deal with Ward, whose playing contract with the Robins runs until the end of next season.

• FORMER Alty striker Niell Hardy, who has hit 21 goals for Radcliffe this term, has been having trials with Bury.

The Shakers have expressed a strong interest in signing the 26-year-old Chorlton-based front man, but if they don't, big-spending Accrington, who are said to be targeting Emley hot-shot Simeon Bambrook, are waiting in the wings.

Taylor quit in tears as Altrincham struggled to come to terns with Conference football and he watched from the sidelines as the Robins were eventually relegated.

But he admits his decision was too hasty and has grabbed a second chance - along with coach Graham Heathcote - to bring the glory days back to Moss Lane after his two month caretaker role was made permanent.

Taylor said: "I felt as if I had let the fans down last time. Perhaps I should have been a bit stronger: Well, this is a second chance."

Taylor, the one-time night club owner and joiner who has built the club bar and carries out odd jobs around Moss Lane, is ready to unearth the next Paul Ellender and Kevin Ellison for the club.

He added: "I know it's going to be hard. We haven't got the money I had when I was first here. But there are a couple of players at the club who could play in the League and it's my job to find a couple more.

"Graham and I have won a lot together and we are desperate to win this club promotion."

ALTRINCHAM'S most successful managerial team has been reunited at Moss Lane, with the permanent appointment of caretakers Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote as manager and coach.

It is a move that makes as much financial sense as footballing sense, given that both are already contracted to the club in their roles o general manager and secretary respectively

And now they have a second chance to firstly take the club back to the Conference and secondly, keep them there, a task that they failed to complete a year ago.

Bernard admits this himself, stating, "I felt that I hadn't really finished the job, especially for the fans.

The Conference is definitely the league to be in for a club like Altrincham, and we are going to have a really good go at taking ourselves back there."

Chairman Mark Harris, who has dropped the acting part of his title at the request of the board, confirmed that the new reduced budget for the club included wages for a manager, but added that there were no extensions to either of the men's contracts.

Harris said, "We have taken a great deal of time to make our selection, and feel that our best chance of promotion back to the conference is with a management team who have done it, know what it takes to do it again, and are fully aware of the resources available to them in achieving the common goal of everyone at Moss Lane.

"Many-of -the players also made it clear that Bernard and Graham were the choice of the dressing room and that is always a very important factor in any managerial appointment."

He added, "They bring an irresistible and unique combination of man management, coaching skills, organisation and all-round passion for Altrincham FC."

Speaking about his immediate plans, Bernard said, "There's no doubt about it, some players will have to go before we can bring the ones we have in mind to Moss Lane, but there are a number of players here who I would desperately like to hold on to.

"Also, I've spoken to players today, who have said they would come here only if I was manager, which I think is marvelous. They know that there is not the amount of money that there used to be, but they have said it's not about money."

"I’m also looking forward to what Graham can make these players in to. Once he gets working on them and coaches them the way he wants to coach them, they will get better. I know that."

Mark Eckersall, who represents the interests of the supporters on the board at Moss Lane said, "I think these are really exciting times at Moss Lane, both on and off the field.

"We now have a good strong board, holding regular meetings and discussing things properly.

"As far as on-field activities go, we have regained some direction in the last ten games, and you won't find anyone with more passion for this football club than Bernard Taylor"

"Had Bernard and Graham been external candidates, then their CV's alone would have made them leading contenders for the posts. Although both were already at the club, the board was determined to have the widest possible pool of qualified talent to choose from and consequently drew up a shortlist of interviewees from 16 current managers and players including three former internationals. The calibre of applicants was excellent, although we interviewed only those with as proven track record of success at this level of non-league football, however Bernard and Graham bring an irresistible & unique combination of man management, coaching skills, organisation and all-round passion for Altrincham F.C." he said.

"We have taken a great deal of time to make our selection, and feel that our best chance of promotion back to the Conference is with a management team who have done it, know what is takes to do it again and are fully aware of the resources available to them in achieving the common goal of everyone at Moss Lane. Many of the players also made it clear that Bernard & Graham were the choice of the dressing room, and that is always a very important factor in any managerial appointment" concluded Harris.

ARJ The Club are to be congratulated Despite all the rumors that have been flying around the identity of the new managerial team was a well kept secret.

ALTRINCHAM'S supporters' association, SAFE, are having one of their busiest days of the season at Moss Lane this Saturday.

Several events designed to raise both the profile and money for the association are happening in and around Moss Lane on the afternoon of the Robins's last home game of the season against Hyde United.

SAFE committee member Alan Brotherton takes up the story

You could say that Saturday should be called Safe day, with our sponsored walk taking place in the morning, the Junior Robins player award being presented just before kick off, our branch of the Supporters Association, Safe In Exile will be sponsoring the match ball and the `SAFE Player of the Year' presentation taking place in the Noel White Suite at 5.30pm following the match.

"This may be our end to the 'season but the Supporters Association continued 'throughout the year in their efforts to raise additional funds in support of Altrincham Football Club," Alan added.

"Our expanding band of exiled supporters, co-ordinated by Jacqui Forster who is based in Oxfordshire, will!, have the chance to get together on Saturday when they sponsor the Matchball.

"However, one of the members who will be unable to attend is based in Pakistan and has kindly donated his place in our sponsors lounge to young handicapped supporter Andrew Guilfoyle, who along with his dad is a regular at Moss Lane and both of them will be guests of the sponsors on Saturday."

ALTRINCHAM will have a new manage installed before the season ends.

Robins' directors were due to meet yesterday to draw up a shortlist of candidates having advertised the post last weekend.

Interviews will commence within the next few days and, says Alty's acting chairman Mark Harris, an appointment can be expected before the Moss Lane outfit winds up their UniBond League programme with a trip to Hucknall a week on Saturday.

Among those known to be keen to replace the axed Mark Ward are ex-Macclesfield manager Peter Davenport who is currently starring alongside former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Quinn for relegation-bound Congleton, together with Paul Futcher and Mark Carter.

If Alty directors were tempted to try to 'head hunt', Leigh's Steve Waywell, Stalybridge boss Phil Wilson and Hyde's Mike McKenzie would almost certainly be among those whose merits they would be considering.

The Robins are presently under the temporary charge of former chiefs Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote.

Meanwhile, Altrincham's rapidly expanding band of exiled supporters will be sponsoring the match ball for next Saturday': home clash with neighbours Hyde.

Exiles' co-ordinator is Oxfordshire-based Jacqui Forster, who will be one of several long-distance fans at the game.

One who can't make the trip lives In Pakistan and has donated his place In Alty': sponsors' lounge to young handicapped supporter Andrew GuiIfoyle. Andrew, of Wilmslow, is a Moss Lane regular along with his dad and both will be guests of the sponsors.

The exiles are, says Jacqui, in constant touch by e-mail and now have their own

branch of Altrincham's Supporters' Association, SAFE.

• ALTRINCHAM have been named monthly winners of the UniBond premier division'! fair play award after having just two players booked in five games In March.

Candidates with suitable credentials should send CVs, marked 'Strictly Private & Confidential' for the attention of:

The Chairman, Altrincham Football Club, Moss Lane, Altrincham WA15 BAR

To arrive no later than Friday 20th April 2001

The centre pages is up to date and easy to read, giving all the scores, fixtures, attendances and scorers from this season. Match reports, UniBond League news and a look at former players completes the offering. And really there is no criticism that I can make of the programme, except that it is too good!!

Interestingly, the programme is sponsored by a . Bob Green which may explain how Alty can afford such an offering, but nevertheless they should be proud of the publication which will take some beating in the Wirral Awards at the end of this term.

2000-2001 Details Price: £1.50

Pages:40 Value For Money: 10/ 10