ALTRINCHAM boss Bernard reckons his first big summer signing Paul is Taylor-made for the Robins . . . literally!

Taylor Snr has been an admirer of Taylor Jnr - no relation - for the past three years and is making little secret of his delight at finally landing him.

The Alty chief said: "I've really liked the look of Paul ever since I first watched him and, after missing out on him once, it's great to think we've finally got him.

"He's just the sort of player I want - totally committed and desperate to win. Many of our fans will know him already and I'm sure he's going to be a big favourite."

Bernard moved in ahead of Droylsden to sign 23-yearold Middleton-based centre-half Paul from Hyde United, whose directors had surprisingly chosen not to take up their option to retain Taylor at the end of his contract.

That's a sore point with Tigers' boss Mike McKenzie, who's now faced with finding a replacement when he felt that, at the very least, Hyde could have earned themselves a four-figure sum for Taylor had they only offered him new terms.

Their decision not to do that has allowed the former Bury starlet to walk away from Ewen Fields for nothing - a move Hyde could have double cause to regret should Altrincham ever cash in on Taylor by selling him to a League club.

Meanwhile, back at Moss Lane after a three-and-a half year break is left-back Chris Adams, 24, who has returned to Alty after a stint with Ashton United.

Boss Taylor is now turning his attention to another of his long-term targets, Droylsden's colossus Carl Holmes.

He hopes to tempt Bloods' chief Dave Pace to part with his powerful skipper in a player exchange deal which could involve at least two Robins' stars.

Also eyeing one of Droylsden's top performers is Leigh RMI manager Steve Waywell, who, having transfer-listed keeper Craig Dootson, now sees Butcher's Arms favourite Paul Phillips as a possible replacement.

As revealed in last Sunday's Pink, Waywell is planning to offer either Dootson or his first-choice No 1 Dave Felgate, in part exchange for Altrincham's highly-rated goalie Stuart Coburn.

But, if that fails to tempt the Robins, the Hilton Park manager could then make a move for one-time Manchester United starlet Phillips.

Waywell is also waiting to hear from Third Division Oxford, who are showing an interest in Leigh's England semi-pro international winger Steve Jones.

Leigh have circulated Jones's name to League clubs and Oxford, who are managed by former Southport boss Mark Wright, have been quick to respond.

Waywell, who this week rejected a Morecambe offer for the 23-year-old Failsworth-based flier,

said: "Oxford have inquired about Steve and I've told them how much we want for him, which is in excess of £100,000 "They've said they'll get back to me and I imagine they'll make a bid."

Jones took the Nationwide Conference by storm last term, finishing second to Rushden's Duane Darby in the race for the golden boot top goalscorer's award.

Leigh are eager to see him fulfill his wish to break into League soccer - but only if the price is right. Waywell added: "Steve wants to make football his full-time career and that's what I want for him, too. "But, considering Morecambe received £180,000 for Justin Jackson when they sold him to

Rushden last summer I don't think what we’re asking is unreasonable Leigh have offered three of their out-of-contract stars - Ricky Harris, Dave German and Robert Trees - fresh terms

.Alty have done the same with Steve Hawes and Ian Craney

Among the friendlies Altrincham have fixed up is a testimonial for their long serving coach Graham Heathcote against old foes Macclesfield on July 26th

STALYBRIDGE Celtic will soar into the Nationwide Conference next season on the back of a stunning new six-figure sponsorship deal.

Tameside Council this week announced they are to support newly-promoted Bridge to the tune of £120,000 over the next two years.

And, with the Celts' long-time main backers, Manro Performance Chemicals, also pledging to more than double their existing sponsorship, which has now run for a non-League record of nine seasons, Stalybridge will march into football's fifth division on a far firmer financial footing than they would have dared to anticipate.

It's all a far cry from the events of little more than 12 months ago, when Bridge were indebted to Manchester giants United and City sending teams to Bower Fold to help ease a cash crisis which threatened to cripple them.

Jubilant chairman Peter Dennerly greeted the deal, which will link Tameside Council and Manro as Bridge's shirt sponsors, saying: "This is wonderful news for Stalybridge Celtic and is a fantastic example of the public and private sectors working together.

"It could not have come at a better time for us given the challenge we now face on our return to the Conference."

As part of the deal, Stalybridge's players will take part in community activities, while the club will develop increased links with schools and host local events, such as those promoting the Kick Racism out of Sport campaign.

A Tameside Council spokesman said: "This deal will not only benefit Stalybridge Celtic, it will give us increased visibility and offer the chance to bring football to a wider community.

"We have invested £5m in sport in the last two years. Five more of our semi-pro clubs have ; between them received more than £100,000 and many other clubs have benefited."

Bridge's fans yesterday turned out to cheer the club's treble-winning heroes when they went on an open-top bus-ride through the town as part of Stalybridge's renaissance weekend.

It was followed by a civic reception for players, management and directors in Stalybridge's newly-refurbished market hall.

The Bower Fold board are steadily working towards appointing a successor to departed boss Phil Wilson, although Emley's Ronnie Glavin, who was said to have been their top target, stunned them this week by announcing he's staying with the Yorkshire club.

That has left Leigh's assistant-boss Dave Miller, ex-Southport manager Paul Futcher and Burscough's John Davison, apparently locked in a three-way fight for the job unless there are any last-minute applications.

Dennerly added: "Ronnie Glavin has told us he has decided to stay at Emley because he doesn't want to destroy what he has built there. I can only respect him for that.

"It's not the end of the world, though, because he was only one of several people we're considering."

Still hoping to force his way into the frame is Bury legend Kevin Hulme, who is keen to break into management after leaving third division York.

Hulme, 33, who became a cult figure at Gigg Lane after joining the Shakers from his hometown club Radcliffe in 1989, is being eyed by a string of leading semi-pro clubs, including Altrincham and Southport, but is tempted by the thought of becoming a player-boss.

He said: "I've spoken to Altrincham manager Bernard Taylor and there's a queue of non-League clubs waiting to speak to me, but I really do fancy having a crack at the Stalybridge job.

"And it couldn't have come at a better time either for me or, hopefully, for them, because I've got two or three experienced pros all waiting to come with me wherever I go."

Hulme has retired from the pro game on doctors' advice, having been told by specialists that his right knee can no longer stand up to the rigours of full-time training. -

But the gritty midfielder-cum-striker, whose all-action displays made him the darling of the Bury fans, has no plans to hang up his boots.

"Playing and training part-time would be no problem for me and I want to go on as long as I can," added Hulme, who's also being chased by Morecambe and Nuneaton.

24 May

Taylor-made

AS part of their attempt to escape the UniBond Premier League, Altrincham have began teambuilding with the signing of former Hyde United defender Paul Taylor.

Taylor, 23, became a free agent at the end of last season, and the Robins coaching staff see him a a key part of Alty's defence.

Speaking on the club's telephone line, first team coach Graham Heathcote said, "Paul will be a big benefit to us and the club.

He has not had a great last couple of seasons because of a cartilage injury, but that has been resolved now.

"When he played against us back end of last season, you could see that he was not as fit as he might have been, and he knows that he has a hard summer's work in front of him"

Heathcote, whose testimonial against Macclesfield takes place at Moss Lane on July 26, added, "We need a strong defence, and to that end, we will be talking to more people as well as those who are already here."

Altrincham have confirmed four pre-season friendlies in preparation for the start of the new season on August 18.

Tranmere Rovers are the visitors to Moss Lane on July 17, while Robins are on the road to Abbey Hey on July 21.

Mace Town come to Moss Lane for Graham Heathcote's testimonial on July 26 and Northwich Victoria are the test for Bernard Taylor's men on Saturday August 11.

Dates still have to be confirmed for matches against Blackburn Rovers and Witton Albion.

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)

  Six players have definitely re-signed for Altrincham for next season. These are club captain Steve Hawes, goalkeeper Stuart Coburn and midfielders Jason Gallagher, Ian Craney and Danny Murphy and Rod Thornley. The latter re-signed  for a further year plus an option on a further year. Thornley, who joined the Club in mid-March 2001, scored nine goals in his nine appearances for the Robins before the end of the season. He will continue to combine his playing role at Moss Lane with his employment as a masseur for Manchester United

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."

SPIRALLING TICKET prices in the professional game have seen high profile Non-League matches hijacked by hooligans, according to the National Federation of Football Supporters.

The UniBond Premier Division championship decider between Emley and Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday was marred by trouble in and around the Belle Vue Ground in Wakefield.

Two arrests were made inside the stadium and a further 15 in the town after supporters from Greater Manchester ran riot in the local pubs.

West Yorkshire Police believe the troublemakers are supporters from Manchester United and Manchester City.

Alan Bloore, NFFS deputy chairman, said: "The lack of CCTV cameras and policing in Non-League football has meant idiots have latched on to the semiprofessional game.

"The stereotypical supporter has been frozen out of professional football by the escalating ticket prices.

"Barnsley supporters travelled to the Emley game to support past-hero Ronnie Glavin (Emley's manager) but fans from other clubs turned up with different intentions. We are monitoring the situation."

Fifty officers were drafted in to escort the rampaging fans away from the town centre but a West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman confirmed Emley and Stalybridge supporters were not responsible for the disturbance.

She said: "Supporters of Premier League teams attempted to hijack the match. Only a strong police presence averted serious public disorder.

"Two people have been charged and will appear in court early next week. "We don't think Emley or Stalybridge fans caused trouble."

The National Criminal Intelligence Service claimed in their latest report that football hooligans were blatantly targeting the Non-League game.

Stalybridge Celtic secretary Martyn Torr said: "I didn't see anything apart from a pitch invasion at the final whistle when our fans carried off the players to celebrate.

"If there were problems with fans from other clubs it's a shame because it was a great day for Stalybridge Celtic."

• YEOVIL have been left counting the cost of mob rule that left a club steward in hospital.

Yobs previously banned by the club sneaked into Huish Park for last Tuesday's game against Hereford and orchestrated violence.

Yeovil have now been ordered to police every home match and admission prices may have to be increased to help cover the £40,000 extra costs.

"These people are scum," chairman John Fry raged. "They're not fans and we don't want them.

"I persuaded people to put thousands of pounds into the club and then this scum come in and destroy it all. A season's hard work has gone up in smoke. Our steward is put into hospital after going outside the ground to retrieve a ball. It makes you sick.

"The directors have done everything only to have a rent-a-mob turn on them. It makes you wonder if it is all worth while."

• HAYES striker Jimmy Quinn has played down confrontations with Boston fans during last Saturday's Conference clash.

Quinn was booked for an off the ball incident and Boston supporters became aggravated by his action One rushed on to the pitch to confront Quinn was wrestled to the ground by stewards

Quinn said: "I've never been bothered about supporters running on the pitch. I've experienced worse abuse and taunting during my League career"

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"

Who's top of the Robins tree

From the Messenger 3 May 2001

ALTRINCHAM FC have seen some ups and downs this season, but SAM wants to know who your favourite player has been.

This is your chance to take part in our exclusive web poll, and vote for your favourite Altrincham player of season 2000-2001.

The more recent arrivals of Paul Edwards and Rod Thornley have grabbed the headlines, and both players have excited the Moss Lane faithful with some neat touches.

Thornley has rocketed up the Alty scoring charts, notching seven goals in seven games for the Robins.

For a more sustained performance over the course of the season, perhaps you prefer mid-field general in the making Steve Hawes, who consistency has been unrivalled, or goalkeeper Stuart Coburn, who still ranks as one of the best in non-league.

Also front runners for the award are Steve Porter and Ian Craney, who have added to the mix with some commendable performances.

"I think it's great for SAM to give added recognition to the players here at Moss Lane," said acting chairman Mark Harris.

"It has not been an easy season, but the lads have been a real credit, not only to themselves, but the fans and their profession." Messenger has picked out 19 players who have featured for Robins this season, and you have the chance to vote for any one of them as this season's Player of the Season.

To vote, all you have to do is log on to the Messenger's website, www.thisistrafford.co.uk and go to the dedicated Altrincham FC section of the site.

A previous restriction of one vote per computer only has been lifted, so remember to tell your family and friends that they can log their vote on the same computer you have logged yours.

The winner will be presented with a specially commissioned Messenger Player of the Year Trophy.

The list of nominees is Stuart Coburn , Ian Craney, Kevin Ellison, Adam Farley, Steve Finney, Jason Gallagher, James Glendenning, Steve Hawes, Alex Hay, Mark Maddox, Danny Murphy, Steve Porter, Stuart Schueber, Gary Scott, Mark Ward, Gary Talbot, Rod Thornley, Paul Edwards.

STUART Locke was the calmest man at the Butcher's Arms last night as he coolly converted the injury-time penalty which sent Stalybridge Celtic soaring back to the Nationwide Conference.

Bridge boss Phil Wilson was hardly able to watch. But he need not have worried, as Locke displayed nerves of steel to fire past Droylsden 'keeper Paul Phillips and give the Celts the 1-0 victory they needed to clinch the UniBond League championship and promotion.

But the Stockport-based sweeper's moment of glory was hard on the relegation-haunted Bloods, who had threatened to be party-poopers. That was i until Stalybridge seized on referee Allan Rawrliffe's mystifying decision to add11 minutes of, stoppage-time- to snatch the goal which ended their absorbing title head-to-head with Emley.

Seven of those minutes had elapsed when Rawcliffe pointed to the spot, adjudging that Harvey Cuningham had handled. It looked a blatant penalty, but the decision so infuriated Droylsden' Andy Green that, following Locke' match-winning conversion, the volatile striker was first booked and then sent off for heatedly protesting

Stalybridge, who now need only draw their final game at home to Burscough on Saturday to set a new UniBond League points record, had started like a train and would have gone in front inside 30 seconds had Phillips not come off best in one-one-one with Steve Jones.

But it was only in the second-half that Bridge began to give their fans in the 2,040-strong crowd something to shout about, with Kevin Parr seeing Lee Prior clear his bullet header off the line via the crossbar and substitute Ian Cooke be in brilliantly denied by Phillips.

Wilson later admitted he feared it was not going to be Bridge's night saying: "We didn't play particularly well and the ball didn't look like it was going to go in for us.

"We couldn't have scripted it better and, though the league was always the big one for us, it should not be forgotten that we've won three trophies. That's a magnificent achievement in anyone's book, and proves not only what a good side we are but also what a fantastic spirit and will-to-win there is in our camp."

Hundreds of Bridge supporters flocked onto the pitch at the final whistle to join their blue-and-white shirted heroes in celebration. But for Droylsden the defeat means d they face another anxious wait before trying to achieve safety by avoiding defeat at Leek tomorrow. There was despair, too, for Ashton United, whose promotion nightmare deepened as Vauxhall's 4-0 win at e Eastwood condemned them to finishing third in Division One for the his fifth time in nine years.

Meanwhile, Altrincham turned back the clock by re-appointing Bernard s Taylor as manager, just under a year since he resigned following their relegation from the Conference.

Taylor, who has been acting as caretaker-chief in the wake of Mark g Ward's dismissal, will be assisted by coach Graham Heathcote, re-uniting the partnership which guided Alty to the UniBond League title two y years ago.

"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.