ALTRINCHAM Manager Mark Ward has dismissed speculation that he was on the verge of signing Southport's Lee Trundle and Adie Mike.

The swap was to have included the two players and £8,000 coming to Moss Lane with Robins striker Richard Landon moving the other way.

However, Ward has ruled out any chance of this happening, adding that he knows nothing about it.

Speaking to SAM sport earlier this week, he said, "The truth is, I'm not even interested in either of those players. I haven't spoken to Southport regarding a transfer deal at all.

"To be honest, I don't even know where the idea came from."

Ward added, "Things are a bit quiet just now, with players away on holiday, but I do hope to have a deputy goalkeeper in for Stuart Coburn soon.

Mark O'Connor, who was Leigh's reserve keeper last season, may well sign soon."

"Other than that, it's just a matter getting the boys back together on July 1st for pre-season training."

Meanwhile, Keith Russell's free transfer to Hednesford looks to be virtually tied up, with the Moss Lane club making a £25,000 loss on the ex-Blackpool man.

NEW Altrincham player manager Mark Ward intends to lead from the front next term - in more ways than one.

The newly-relegated Robins will be looking to pass master Ward to add a touch of much-needed class to their midfield engine-room, just as he did in their UniBond premier division championship campaign of two seasons ago.

But, while the former Manchester City, West Ham and Oldham star will be working hard at passing on his skills to his players, he'll also be placing a big emphasis on more down -to-earth matters such as fitness and discipline in his drive to steer Altrincham straight back to the Nationwide Conference by repeating that title triumph.

And, with those factors firmly mind, it will be a super-fit and ultra -professional Ward who will welcome his playing staff back for their first pre-season work-out three weeks from today.

He told the Pink: "I've been training every day throughout the summer and the lads know I'm expecting them to report for our first session on Saturday, July 1, in something at least

approaching the shape I'm in.

"I'll also be stressing the need for discipline both on and off the pitch and, while I'm the first to admit I've never exactly been what you'd call an angel, I realize it's now my job to set a good example by keeping out of trouble with referees."

Ward has spent the last few days scouring the newly-released PFA list of players freed by professional clubs and he has already admitted he'll be using his extensive Premiership and

Nationwide League contacts in his search for new talent.

He'll be looking, too, to recruit a small handful of tried-and-tested semipro stars to bring the large nucleus of contract players he has inherited up to the squad of 18 he knows he'll need.

Among those Ward is eyeing is Lancaster City's highly-rated ex-Morecambe defender Jamie Udall, who 18 -months ago was a target for his predecessor, Bernard Taylor.

At that time, Alty dropped their interest when quoted a fee of £10,000, but Udall is now a free agent, although Ward faces competition from the club he himself has just left, Leigh RMI.

The Robins' first friendly is a home date with Tranmere on Saturday, July 15, after which they'll face further encounters with Bolton, Stockport and Wrexham before the UniBond season gets under way on August 19.

A game against Bradford City is also in the pipeline and Ward hopes, too, that Manchester United or Everton or even both - might yet agree to send a team to Moss Lane.

Due to my absence the following articles were not put on the web when they were published. They are included now to complete the record.

ALTRINCHAM chairman Gerry Berman has admitted that he is on the verge of quitting, in light of the constant criticism the club receives.

Speaking exclusively to SAM Sport earlier this week, Berman confided that his enthusiasm was taking a battering from those who "have no idea how to run a football club."

Berman has come under fire since his side were relegated back to the UniBond Premier League on Saturday.

He and other financial backers had ploughed cash into the club to escape that league, but in a devastating blow to the club's future, they find themselves back at square one.

He said. "I cannot deny I am considering quitting. There are too many knockers at the club and I am always asking myself if I want to keep things going for people like that.

"It makes you think `Is it worth my while?' when people who have no idea what it takes to run a club like Altrincham shout the odds and call for resignations."

"These people need to be reminded that the club was rescued at the eleventh hour not too long ago, and we ploughed £500,000 into it to make sure the stadium achieved the A grading."

However, Berman then went on to say, "If you are asking me if I am about to do what John Maunders did - close the place down and walk away from it then I would have to say my answer's definitely no."

When asked if he anticipated wholesale changes at Moss Lane over the course of the close season, he said, "We've not sat down and discussed anything like that. We need to talk about our overall plan."

A disastrous end to the season saw the Robins take a pitiful five points from their last eleven games, a run which saw them drop from eleventh place to second from bottom.

"When you think that, five weeks ago, we were in a mid table position with a good bit of momentum going. Then two incidents occurred, and they both had a lasting effect on our season.

"Phil Power's red card at Witton let both himself and the club down, and more importantly, we had an enforced three-week layoff, which totally destroyed our momentum."

He added, "I feel that the league have a lot to answer for in that respect."

Seven league championships, two FA trophy successes and sixteen victories against football league clubs. The record speaks for itself.

However, that's all it is - a record. The mantle of "The Manchester United of non-league football" has been passed on to another team - super-rich and super professional Rushden and Diamonds.

Many Robins supporters I spoke to after their trip to Nene Park claimed that the friendly atmosphere was missing from such a state-of-the-art set-up.

I offer that this is merely a natural progression for a club whose ambitions lie elsewhere than the Nationwide Conference.

My point is I have always steadfastly believed that football is played in the present and future tense. A club, regardless of its size and standing, needs to look to the future and anticipate how they wil react to an ever changing sport.

In simple terms, what you plan to do is infinitely more important than what you have done.

Relegation is a sickener - but the club has escaped from it once before and those connected with Altrincham simply must believe they can do it again.

Once the tears have dried and the wounds have been licked, the staff at Moss Lane can take a well earned rest - fifteen minutes is all I'd allow them.

Then they need to grit their teeth and give the Moss Lane faithful a new set of legends to be proud of.

• P.S. Did you know that the Japanese use the same word for crisis as they do for opportunity?

DO-IT-YOURSELF giants Henkel have hammered home their support for the UniBond League by extending their sponsorship for a further two seasons.

Company bosses Dick Norris and Rob Jenkins on Friday told a packed gathering of league officials and representatives of all 45 of their clubs at Manchester's Granada Studios that they are pouring a further £225,000 into the NPL's coffers.

That takes Henkel's total cash backing for the league, which is now set to stretch over eight seasons, to a cool three quarters of a million pounds.

And UniBond League secretary Duncan Bayley was swift to voice his competition's immense appreciation of their sponsors' continued support when he said:

"Henkel and ourselves have formed an excellent partnership. It's an absolute pleasure to work with them."

His enthusiasm was echoed by Henkel's executive director Mr Norris, who said: "The constant professionalism of the league's organizers and their willingness to work with us has really maintained our commitment.

"That's why we've so far put in over £750,000 towards the league's success."

In addition to the latest lump sum, which will take Henkel's backing through to the end of the 2001/02 season, the company are to continue to offer club's major incentives in the shape of their monthly performance and fair play awards.

New for next season will be UniBond "bench coats", nine of which will go to each club, to be worn by their team bosses, coaches and substitutes.

UNIBOND League bosses, delighted by their two-year sponsorship extension, have been further cheered by the success of their three newlook cup competitions.

The league's Challenge, President's and Unifilla Cups were revamped this season (1900-2000) in a bid to boost attendances, cut down on travelling and reduce fixture congestion.

And, with just the second leg of Trafford's President's final with Whitby still to be played, the indications are that all three objectives have been achieved, with crowds up almost 14 per cent.

Over 1,000 more fans have watched this season's 93 ties than attended the 105 last year.

Encouraged by those figures, league chiefs are planning more changes next season.

Clubs will be split into groups of five, guaranteeing each at least four ties, and, unlike this term, there will be just one round-robin phase before the cups enter their quarter-final stages.

NEW Altrincham player-boss Mark Ward is prepared to let striker Keith Russell leave Moss Lane for nothing - just two years after the Robins smashed their transfer record to land him.

Russell arrived at Alty amid a blaze of publicity in March 1998, when chairman Gerry Berman and his board dug deep into their pockets to sign him from Blackpool for a fee of more than £25,000.

But the 26-year-old front man will return from holiday a week tomorrow to discover Ward has agreed to let him re-join his old club, Hednesford, on a free transfer.

Russell, one of Altrincham's top earners, still has a year left on his contract with the Robins.

By letting him go now, Ward will instantly give himself more scope to land his top targets, even though it will mean Alty sustaining a huge loss on a player who, in truth, only lived up to his massive transfer tag during his first few weeks with them.

Ward, who is faced with the task of leading the relegated Robins back to the Nationwide Conference at the first attempt, said: "These things happen in football. I remember during my time at Everton when Howard Kendal signed Mo Johnston for £1.5m, only to let him go for nothing 18 months later.

"People can judge for themselves how much we might have lost on Keith, but I believe my decision to allow him to return to Hednesford on a free is a good one for Altrincham and good for the lad.

"It will allow me to hopefully bring in a striker I'm after, while it's a move I feel Keith will welcome as he lives only a stone's throw from Hednesford's ground and is still very popular down there from his first time with the club.

"I just hope he can agree terms with them when he gets back and everything goes through."

Hednesford are also the only club to have so far inquired about Altrincham's player-of-the-season, left-back Danny Adams, who was placed on the transfer-list at his own request during Ward's first week at the helm.

But the Staffordshire big guns say they haven't a prayer of meeting Alty's five-figure asking-price for a player who Ward admits he still hopes will stay.

The Altrincham chief added: "I understand how badly Danny wants to stay in the Conference, but he's Alty through-and-through and, if he is still here at the start of next season, he'll be a big part of my plans.

"He's a great player and I don't want to lose him."

Ex-Manchester City star Ward plans to turn to his last club, Leigh, to sign goalkeeper Mark O'Connor, although RMI manager Steve Waywell is equally keen to hang on to the former St Helens No 1, who made a big impression when called on to replace first-choice Dave Felgate last term.

Ward sees O'Connor as the ideal understudy to Stuart Coburn, who is making good progress in his recovery from the knee injury which has sidelined him since last October and could even be fit to take, part in Altrincham's first friendly against Tranmere on July 15.

Alty have parted with their three other `keepers. Lance Key has returned to Northwich following his end-of-season loan stint; Dean Greygoose, too, has gone; while Ian Senior is chewing over an offer from Leigh to become their goalkeeper coach.

Waywell is also making eyes at Alty centre-half and skipper Chris Timons, who is now a free agent. Ward doesn't want to lose him, but fears he might.

One player who could move in the opposite direction is Leigh's former Northwich and Southport star Brian Butler, whose work commitments may prevent him from returning to the Conference with the newly-promoted Hilton Park club, making him a potential candidate for a place in the 18 to 20-man squad which Ward intends to piece together.

It hasn't escaped Ward's attention, either, that Southport now have two well-known strikers on the

list in the wake of their signing this week of highly-rated Guiseley goal getter Simon Parke.

They are former Manchester City and Oldham star Adie Mike and ex-Stalybridge favourite Lee Trundle, who ended last season with a goal spree while on loan at Bamber Bridge.

Droylsden chief Dave Pace, who says he's still not certain he'll be in the manager's chair next season even though his top target, Mike McKenzie, is staying at Hyde, is also keeping close tabs on Trundle.

Leigh chairman Chris Healey, meanwhile, has spoken out to allay fears that they could be severely hit financially by a proposed temporary move by the town's Rugby League club to Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium.

Such a switch might be necessary if the Centurions are promoted to rugby's Super League.

But Healey says it would be for "one or two" matches only pending the completion of further ground improvements at Hilton Park, and not for a full season.

MARK Ward has returned to Altrincham on a two-year contract, but he doesn't intend to take that long to lead them back to the Nationwide Conference.

In fact, the newly-appointed Robins' player/chief candidly admits he will consider he's failed if Alty aren't celebrating promotion this time next year.

Ward has spent the week settling into his new role and his hectic schedule has included meetings with chairman, Gerry Berman, players and fans, more than 100 of whom gave the former Manchester City and Oldham star a rousing welcome when he appeared at a specially-arranged meet-the-new-manager session on Tuesday night.

And his message to everyone has been the same: "We have to get back up at the first attempt."

The ultra-enthusiastic 37-year-old Scouser, who intends to place a massive emphasis on fitness in his drive to exorcise the ghost of relegation and herald the dawn of a new era at Moss Lane, said: "I've told the players that there's no margin for error next season. We simply have to go straight back up.

`And while I'm certainly not pretending that will be easy, it has to be our goal from day one."

Ward confesses he can't wait for the season to start, although there's much to be done between now and then.

The Robins having parted with coaches Stan Allan and Owen Brown, who have left Moss Lane in the wake of boss Bernard Taylor's resignation, one of Ward's major tasks will be to sort out his backroom staff.

He plans to appoint an assistant, but has yet to decide who it will be.

Vic Green will continue to operate as kit-man, but striker Phil Power; who was upgraded to player/coach in January, will no longer be involved on the coaching side, although he and Alty's 10 other contract players are all being retained.

Ward has, though, reluctantly agreed to a transfer request from highly-rated left-back Danny Adams, who won all three. of the Robins' player-of-the-season awards last term.

Having forced his way to the fringe of the England semi-pro international squad, Adams is understandably keen to stay in the Conference.

Telford were keen to sign him last season and news of his availability is bound to arouse the interest of leading clubs, although Altrincham will clearly be looking for a sizeable fee.

Definitely on their way out of Moss Lane are right-back Simeon Hodson, veteran midfielder Mick Carmody and ex-Manchester City starlet Ged Kielty, who ended the season playing alongside Ward on loan at Leigh and is now firmly part of their plans, having helped them replace Alty in the Conference by winning the UniBond League.

There's a question-mark, too, over the future of Robins' skipper, Chris Timons, but Ward isn't showing him the door and hopes there will be no other significant departures, either, until he's at least had the chance to cast his eye over everyone in pre-season training and friendlies. - - -Ward is anticipating a major boost in the return from long-term injury of first-choice goalkeeper Stuart Coburn. He'll also be looking to make a handful of signings to bolster the large nucleus of players he's inherited.

Among those Ward admits he'll be targeting Leigh's 32-year-old ex-Southport striker Brian Ross, who's leaving Hilton Park and said to be thinking of retiring because he doesn't want commit himself to the extra travelling which return to the Conference would obviously entail

Ross will clearly be bowing out on a high note if he does decide to hang up his boots, but he might just be persuaded to carry on playing for another season when he gets a call from Ward.

Meanwhile, Leigh boss Steve Waywell, who tried desperately to tempt Ward to stay at Hilton Park, even offering him the chance to become his assistant, has now been left to look in other directions for a No 2.

Waywell has also set about the business replacing Ward on the pitch and has earmarks a couple of potential midfield generals who he's confident are up to the job.

The Leigh chief has seen plenty of Ward this week, though, as the pair have been together ona PFA coaching course in Liverpool

IN response to the letter of 'The Unpopular Side', why do people who are so willing to criticize never give their names?

As much as I am saddened by Altrincham's relegation people seemed to have soon forgotten the silverware Bernard Taylor has helped bring to Moss Lane and that it was hardly his fault we lost the services of Graham Heathcote as coach.

As painful as some of the games were to behold, I am sure the players would have responded better to encouragement, deserved or not, than unhelpful and demoralizing criticism from the stands and the terraces.

Leave the criticism until after the match, make it constructive and to the people who matter.

I wish The Robins well for the new season, believe they can come back stronger having learned a few lessons and look forward to giving my support once more.

Nick Smith, Chester

• Peter Spencer's comment - It would be best if everyone, critical or not, was willing to have their name published.

THE appointment of Mark Ward as player-manager of Altrincham was long overdue. If he had not left last season we would never have gone down.

He was the only class player we had. The team were never good enough to stay up. I feel sorry for the young supporters who have never seen the great teams of the past.

I have watched the Robins over 50 years. We have to get rid of the bad players we have got here.

R Jones, Altrincham

I WAS rather surprised to see yet another letter in Postbag from long standing Alty fan Nigel Holmes (May 20).

He was not content this time with just insulting his fellow Alty supporters, but two of the best defenders in the semi-pro game. Namely, Danny Adams and Gary Talbot.

From kids to granddads, Danny was voted player of the year this season and received a hat-trick of trophies from the Junior Robins, the Ally players and the supporters. Gary Talbot was runner up. For Mr Holmes to infer that Ally's relegation was due to these two lads being only up to UniBond standard just beggars belief.

His statement as good as condemns the man he sets out to defend, Bernard Taylor. The much-talked about £80,000 sale of Paul Ellender only netted £55,000 at best after he lost £9,000 and £16,000 sell-on debt. From the safe seat of Postbag, Mr Holmes told me to keep my opinions to myself, among his other insulting remarks. He now has descended to calling his latest Ally victim a clown, to add to his 'stupid letter' remark he likes to use.

In the archives of the now extinct Altrincham Guardian, the Holmes name comes up often over the years having a go at the club.

The saddest thing to come out of all this is life-long fans having a go at one another in the blinkered belief that they are supporting the club. I've seen nothing like it in my 40 years as a fan.

Good luck to Mark Ward and his cutting of teeth in the managerial minefield at this critical time for Ally. He will need it.

Peter Hennerley, Cheadle

• Peter Spencer's comment -People who resort to personal insults usually do It because their arguments don't hold water.

BERNARD Taylor may be the second most successful manager in Altrincham's history but surely John King's stints in charge are worth a mention.

I feel that winning a trophy final at Wembley, a number of victories over league clubs in the FA Cup and narrowly missing out on promotion to the league in 1990-91 brought the club better recognition than winning second rate competitions such as the Cheshire Senior Cup.

C O'Neill, Timperley

Danny Adams played 5130 minutes without a goal !

ALTRINCHAM striker Keith Russell is on the verge of quitting Moss Lane for a return to Keys Park and former side Hednesford Town.

There is no fee involved for the record signing who cost Altrincham £25,000 from Blackpool three years ago.

Manager Mark Ward said, "It suits the player and it suits the club at this time. It gives me more scope to bring players in."

ALTRINCHAM manager Mark Ward may well have hit the ground running but he is the first to admit a break would come in handy.

It's the time of year when most footballers are taking a break in search of sunnier climes and Mark is biding his time until they come back and he can talk to them.

"I'm hoping to get away for a while myself," he told SAM sport earlier this week.

The former Everton, West Ham and Manchester City player has arrived at Moss Lane with a monumental task facing him, and he is working his way through it.

"I'm just talking to players who I want to bring here and the current players who I want to stay."

"I'm hopeful of getting Leigh's reserve keeper Mark O'Connor to come and understudy for Stuart Coburn. There's also the possibility of me bringing Dean Spink from Wrexham."

Also, Ward's hands are full with the organising of preseason friendlies to test his player's fitness.

Friendlies already confirmed are: July 15 Tranmere (H); July 18 Wrexham (H); July 25 Bolton (H); August 8 Stockport (H); August 9 (H) and August 12 Southport (A).

Premiership survivors Bradford have also pledged to send a strong side to Moss Lane for a pre-season kick-about. Details on this wil be released in due course.

DEPARTURES: Tony Hemmings (Ilkeston T), Martin McDonald (Droylsden), Paul Robertson (Droylsden), Jamie Ramplin (Ramsbottom U), Paul Ellender (Scarborough £50,000), Eddie Turkington (Leigh RMI), Chris Young (Flixton), Tony Rigby (Shrewsbury).

You Mark his words

By Michael Crockett of the Messenger

ALTRINCHAM FC's new manager Mark Ward insists that failure is not an option as he tries to achieve a h a t - t r i c k o f promotions.

The 37 year-old was on the brink of signing up for at least another term as assistant manager at Leigh RMI, who are passing relegated Altrincham, in the opposite direction.

But he found the offer of a return to Altrincham - the team he helped to promotion

last year - and his first ever managerial position too good to turn down.

Although the club's directors decided not to advertise the position, they still received numerous written and verbal applications and it quickly boiled down to a two horse race.

Ward beat off competition from a very strong internal candidate to land the job, and brings with him experience as an assistant manager at Birmingham City and Leigh RMI.

"I'm very excited about what's happening here. Both the board and the supporters are very positive and I can't think of a better club to set out on my managerial career," he said.

"With there being only one promotion place in the very physical Unibond League, there is no room for failure.

"I don't think I've ever needed as many stitches in my shins as I have done while playing in the UniBond."

Ward insists he will place greatest emphasis on two key aspects - fitness and commitment.

"No team I'm in charge of is ever going to fail on fitness. It is one of the most important aspects."

He added, "Also, I'm speaking to all the players one by one to let them know what I want from them. I need to know they will be giving 110% for Altrincham, because I'll be giving 120%."

"At the end of the day, it's going to be hard work, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Ward maintains he has had numerous calls from players looking to sign for the club and has a number of other players in mind.

Ward's appointment has certainly restored the smile to deputy chairman Mark Harris' face.

Harris, who by his own admission felt close to quitting the club said, "The important thing now is that not only does the club have a crystal clear objective, it also has the opportunity to unite behind a man who will strive to achieve it.

"When you look at managers such as Sammy McIlroy and Jan Molby, the old adage that league experience is no use in non-league managers is somewhat disproved."

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MARK Ward, Altrincham's new player/manager was formally introduced at a special fans meeting held at Moss Lane on Tuesday night and he set out his plans for the future of the club.

Top of the agenda for discussion was defender Danny Adams' transfer request.

Ward said, "Danny is a top class player and I want him to stay here at Altrincham.

"We will try to persuade him to stay here, but we will not stand in his way if he is adamant."

"I'm talking to all the players at the moment and I have ideas about some I wish to bring to the club."

Ward also announced that he has a specific idea of who he wants as his assistant manager to assist him in the role of overseeing all three teams the club will be running next season - the first, reserves and youth.

Ward also said he recognised the need at the club for a recognised striker.

It was revealed that the club put in a bid for Guiseley's Simon Parke, who netted 30

times last season, but it was found to be un-workable.

The fact that the player, who works in Bradford, does not drive would have caused more of a problem than Altrincham could handle. As Ward says - "It's not just the player, but what comes along with him."

Also announced were the preseason friendlies - the pick of the bunch is a visit from Premiership Bradford City, who are committed to send a strong first team.

The others are - Tranmere at home on July 15, Wrexham at home on 18 July, Bolton at home on July 25, Stockport at home on August 2, Manchester City at home on August 9 and Southport away on August 12.

Deputy chairman Mark Harris took the opportunity to announce that Stan Allan, whose appointment in December saw the resignation of coach Graham Heathcote, and Owen Brown have left the club.

NEW boss Mark Ward has vowed to use all his football contacts to guide Altrincham back into the Nationwide Conference.

The former Everton, Manchester City and Oldham midfield star plans to use the wealth of links he has built up during his career to raid league clubs for the best young talent around.

The 37-year-old Merseysider who was named as successor to Bernard Taylor on Friday, said: "I know a lot of people in the game. People like Dave Watson, Alan Harper and even Joe Royle who signed me when he was at Oldham.

"There are young players at clubs like Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere who don't quite make it and they have to go somewhere.

"I want to sell Altrincham to the best of them and, although not all of them will come, some of them will."

In what has been a hectic few days for Ward, who played for the Robins two years ago before helping Leigh into the Conference this season, he has had a series of head-to-head meetings with the current playing staff as he begins to build a side capable of taking the Robins back into the Conference after their relegation.

And he told a packed fans' forum at Moss Lane last night: "I only want players here who want to play for the club and play for me.

"There are quality players at this club and there are a few people I want to bring in, but whoever I bring in I will guarantee they will be quality players. I want to develop the players we have got here too."

Ward admitted a striker was top of his wanted list but he may also need a new left-back after defender Danny Adams, who was on the verge of the England semi-professional squad last season, slapped in a transfer request.

But the new chief, who is looking for a new assistant manager, will be seen on the pitch next season. He said: "I would like nothing more than for one of my players to keep me out of the side, but they are going to have to he very good do it"

Mark Ward impresses and a positive meeting 

Some 200 supporters accepted the invitation of Altrincham FC to attend a meeting on May 23rd, chaired by Mark Harris to meet new manager Mark Ward and discuss the future of Alty FC 

Director Mark Eckersall, Gerry Berman (Chairman), Mark Harris (Vice Chairman) and new manager Mark Ward face the supporters

Mark Ward had a very impressive debut when he was introduced as the new manager. Overall the meeting was very positive, the past was put behind and all were encouraged to look to the future and work together for the benefit of Alty FC. Questions were invited from the floor and answered by the appropriate Board member. If this feeling of togetherness and support for the Club which was present this evening persists into the new season, the future looks bright for Alty FC.

In an introduction Mark Harris pointed out that their had been several changes since relegation, Bernard Taylor had resigned and Stan Allen and Owen Brown were no longer with the Club, Graham Heathcote was Secretary of the Club. After some deliberation the Board had appointed Mark Ward as Player Manager Mark Harris then introduced Mark Ward as the Manager who would unite the club and overcome some of the divisions that had existed. He stressed that the purpose of the meeting was to look to the future of the Club.

Mark Ward said that he considered it a great honour to be appointed as player manger of a club with such a great tradition as Alty FC. He believed that the club had been unlucky to be relegated but had players with the potential to take the club back into the conference at the end of the next season. He then answered a series of questions from the floor. He already had a series of meetings with the players, many of whom he had played with during his time at the Club. At this stage he was not prepared to name those players he would be keen to play with next season. An assistant manager would be appointed and Mark Ward would be responsible for the development of not only the first team but also the reserves and youth teams.

Four players had been released by the Club as their contracts were up , Mick Carmody, Ged Kielty, Simeon Hodson and Chris Timons. The only other player that had indicated he wished to leave was Player of the Year Danny Adams, however Mark was to have further talks with Danny to try to persuade him to stay. If he still wished to go he would be released.

A failure to score goals had been a serious problem this season and Mark Ward would try two approaches, make more effective use of the current strikers and look to bring in a new one. The Chairman Gerry Berman said if the right player could be found the money would be available.

Stuart Coburn was training hard and it was possible he would be available for the preseason games 

The preseason games would be used to evaluate the players and select the basis of the first team squad;

Fitness would be the number one priority and lack of discipline leading to red card would not be tolerated and fines imposed.

Mark Ward then left accompanied by generous applause to speak to more of the players.

The meeting then turned to non football affairs which included

•   an apology from Chairman Gerry Berman who, at the end of the Kidderminster  because of frustration had used the microphone to criticize some fans for not supporting the team

• a plea for positive support for the team rather than slagging off the opposition

• greater support for the club at all levels

• greater participation of fans in SAFE

• the current main sponsor Kinetic have move from Altrincham and the new sponsor would be connected with McAlpines

• a new commercial manager, Ronny Buxton had been appointed

• greater efforts will be made to encourage the local community and Trafford Council to support the club. Supporters were encouraged to lobby the Council

• a new Press officer was required and volunteers for that position  and any other area of support were called for

• the prices for kids would be reduced, the Messenger voucher system would be continued and the possibility of a low price season ticket was being considered

• Bernard Taylor has been asked to join the Board but to date has not made a decision 

• Additional members to the Board were being sought but they had to make a positive contribution.

• Mark Eckersall contribution to the Board as a representative of SAFE was welcomed by Mark Harris

• There was some discussion on the future of football on the Moss Lane site. There will be no change in the medium future and any change would be discussed with the share holders and supporters before a decision would be reach. 

• More information on the performance, fixtures and results of the Reserves and Youth Teams were required. Help was needed to collate this information

• Peter Barry was congratulated on the way he had maintained the pitch

• The club need additional income, more support for the Yankee, greater sales of replica kits which will be available for the start of the new season, more Hon Vice Presidents

• There are a few shares available for sale in addition a new scheme is being looked at which would allow supporter participation

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Fans select new away strip

Player of the year

As is usual The Player of the Year Award was decided by votes of SAFE Members only. This year, they chose their top three players.  Voting forms were in the Messenger and  voting forms were sent to those SAFE members living outside the area.  The award was to have been been announced and presented after the Kingstonian game on May 3rd but this was delayed.

The awards were presented after the Kidderminster match and "fan power" showed its might when they shouted down a suggestion from Mark Harris that the presentations were to be made in the bar after the fans who had gathered to say thank you to the team had dispersed. Now they shouted so the players were recalled from the dressing room in their "change?" strip.  

Danny Adams swept the board winning the SAFE Player of the Year with 198 points, the Players Player of the Year and the Junior Robins Player of the Year awards  Here he is seen after receiving his award from SAFE's Alan Brotherton and Peter Read

Gary Talbot came second and Kevin Ellison third

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Ray Armstrong with Dean Greygoose and Stuart Coburn and some of the ball persons including the trophy winners at the May 6th Kidderminster game

Well done to all the Trophy winners in this Millennium year. I think you can tell by the number of games the winners have achieved that there has not been a great need for changes this year. With on or two problems, I think all the ball persons have once again done a fantastic job for Altrincham FC. The totals for the rest of the squad are:. Tanya Lemon - 8 games, Matthew Eaton - 22 games, James Dawson -19 games, Scott Bradshaw - 20 games, Rachel Nichols -8games, Paul Nichols- 7 games, William Harrison - 10 games, Francesca Tracy - 6 games, Daniel

King - 14 games, Jamie Greygoose - 12 games, Ryan Ashton - 15 games, Lee McGuiness - 4 games, John Bradley -7games, Matthew Summerfield-22 games

Thanks also to:- Richard Howard, Carl Swindells, Rory Loughran, James Parfitt, Omar Tajdean, Jordan Richardson, Matthew Warburton, Enrico, Liam Walsh, Ben Wiltshire & Lindsey Taggert.

Thanks also to Francis Malan for helping me out on The Popular Side when the many balls go out of the ground into the brook & allotments.

As usual, if you wish to join the club for next year's campaign, please see me during the match or at any of the pre season fixtures.

Have a pleasant summer's rest.

MARK Ward is the new player-manager of Altrincham - as exclusively revealed in today's Manchester Evening News.

Robins' chairman Gerry Berman confirmed that the former Manchester City and Oldham star is Alty's choice to replace Bernard Taylor, who resigned last week in the wake of the club's relegation to the UniBond League after just a season in the Nationwide Conference.

Said Berman: "News of Mark Ward's appointment will leave a lot of high-quality applicants very disappointed.

"But what tipped the decision in his favour is that we feel he's got another three or four years as a top-class non-League player, so we're getting a manager and a midfield general in one."

Ward was tipped as a leading candidate for the job in last week's Pink.

He did not apply, but Altrincham swooped when they heard he was keen to talk to them.

Ward played a key role in Altrincham's promotion campaign of 1998-99, but quit the club weeks before they clinched the UniBond title, claiming he couldn't get on with the then coach and current Robins' secretary, Graham Heathcote.

Ironically, Heathcote was among those Ward is believed to have beaten to land the boss's job.

Others thought to have been in the running were another former City favourite Kevin Bond, ex-Bolton chief George Mulhall and Owen Brown, a member of Taylor's Moss Lane coaching staff.

In a further twist of irony, Ward's return to Altrincham comes just three weeks after he helped Leigh RMI to replace the Robins in the Conference by succeeding them as UniBond champions.

Meanwhile, Alty's deputy chairman Mark Harris, who last week quit the Mos Lane board "on a matter of principle", has withdrawn his decision and returned, saying: "The issue over which I resigned which was not connected with anyone at the club, has been resolved."

From the site October 1998

Mark Ward has joined the Robins on a month's trial, with the view to a more permanent arrangement if both parties agree.

Mark made his Ally debut in our 2-0 away win at Chorley, only hours after the club received international clearance for him to play. Mark had been playing in Iceland for Valur Reykjavik (The same club that Bolton Wanders Gundni Bergsson came from), on his return from Iceland Mark had been training with Macclesfield prior to joining up with Altrincham. Last season Mark played for Northwich. Mark started his career at Everton, but did not break into the first team, before moving on to Northwich, from there he moved to Oldham for £10,000 and began a distinguished league career that involved over 200 senior games for West ham and two subsequent £1 million + transfers, to Manchester City and back to Everton , before finishing his league career as player coach at Birmingham City.