"I came to Alty because it is one of the non-league's biggest names, and because I recognised the ambition of the club. It really wants to go places, and I genuinely think that I can go back into the league with Altrincham. I spoke to Paul Power, who I'd been teamed with at Macc, and the fact that he was here meant that I didn't have to think for long before signing. I did not have to come out of the League, but did so because this club is geared to do even better than Macclesfield have done."

The soft-spoken 25-year-old began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, a two year apprenticeship followed by three years as a pro before being taken to Chester by Kevin Ratcliffe. "I played 40 League games in two seasons for Chester but we had a really young side and I probably didn't have the experience to make the right impact, so I was released. Boston manager Greg Fee is a great friend of mine, and he invited me to York Street where I could put myself in the shop window, which is what I did for 18 months."

Any Alty fan who happened into the bar after Tuesday night's game against Worksop could have been forgiven for thinking that Leroy numbers the Tigers amongst his former clubs. In fact, Robins Review can reveal that a Worksop director remarked: "We had Leroy on trial a couple of seasons ago but our manager didn't want to sign him, and we'd be regretting it ever since!"

Leroy's winning goal for Boston at Moss Lane last September was almost his last action for the Pilgrims, as Sammy McIlroy swooped to thought a host of Conference clubs clamouring for Chambers' signature. The result was a Third Division championship medal, but that did not prevent him moving to Moss Lane where he is certainly enjoying life. "I just want to do my best for the fans and the club. They've all been so good to me and I think that we have the quality to reward the supporters with the success they deserve. Even when we had our bad start I knew we'd come through it because of the calibre of players we've got here. It just took time to gel.

If anything has changed since the start of the season, it's that we're playing more as a team than individuals, which was part of the problem early on. We are more organised now, with every player knowing his job. Now it is up to me and the rest of the lads to put what we've been told in training into practice on the pitch. Although I'm quite pleased with the seven goals I got so far, I did have more in the bag by this time for Boston last season, although I was taking penalties then!"

Frequently reminded of "that" goal he scored for Boston, Leroy can also offer an objective view at why he has never been on the losing side, against the Robins. "The fact is that everyone raises their game against Alty. It's almost automatic. I was no different, and that also partially explains why we started badly. With so many faces, not only did we have to gel together, but most of us didn't realise just how badly everyone wants to beat us until we put ourselves in their shoes."

Jason Gallagher has been signed from Hyde United. Jason is a defender who is also able to play in mid-field. His has previously played for Northwich Victoria and Runcorn. Jason made his debut against Winsford in the Presidents cup 1st round tie at Moss Lane a fortnight ago along with Steve Tobin.

from the Robins Review

Where do we go from here?

IN CONTRAST to some of the bigger names, who have arrived at Moss Lane since the end of last season, Paul Hart has emerged as one of the brightest talents in the club. Although yet to make his full first team debut, 18 year old Paul featured strongly in manager Bernard Taylor's pre-season programme, and is playing a starring role in the fortunes of the Robins Youth Team.

Ironically the sole scouser at Moss Lane, Paul is a product of the Everton School of excellence (despite being a Liverpool fan!) and was spotted playing for Liverpool schoolboys. "Out of the blue I got a letter inviting me to Altrincham for a trial" Paul explains. I made my debut for the Reserves in a 10-0 win over Lancaster at the end of last season, and scored." Paul Hart's style is all-action, and although he's not the tallest of players he certainly battles with the best. Tried in a variety of positions by respective managers Taylor (Bernard & Anthony) and youth boss Keith Mairs, Paul considers his best position to be the right wing berth he occupied for Liverpool schoolboys, but like all footballers adds that its doesn't matter where he plays, so long as he has a shirt.

Robins' faltering start to the season, Paul believes, is partly due to the team having made it difficult for themselves. "There's enough talent to win the league in the squad, and once Keith (Russell) starts scoring regularly again, we'll be up there." In the meantime, Paul's attentions are divided between the club's reserve and youth teams. Part of the team which has already seen off Marine and Frickley in the F A. Youth Cup, and either Emley or Harrogate in the next round, Paul now been called up for the Cheshire FA. Youth side.

The player is clearly one for the future, and hopes to go as far as he can in the game. Supported by his parents and aunt Debbie (who has never missed a game since Paul was 10), he hopes to build on his one bow for the Alty first team, away at Wilmslow Albion this pre-season. It was the biggest buzz I've had in football so far, and to make it even better I scored!" Make no mistake, this boy is one to watch.

OVER THE LAST few seasons Altrincham supporters have had to get used to losing matches on a regular basis - the Nineties have seen more failures than success, but Saturday's FA Cup exit at the hands of Ashton United was particularly hard to swallow.

The game was strangely passionless in the first half, with the Robins of Tameside producing a particularly lacklustre display. Altrincham were comfortably on top without really being convincing. After the break the pattern of the game continued with Chris Timons and Paul France (who completely snuffed out Mark Carter throughout the 90 minutes) marshalling the defence well, whilst Michael Quigley produced an intelligent midfield display - on his debut - that may ultimately have been the one positive to draw from this match.

The 61st minute incident involving the hacking down and subsequent head butting of Niell Hardy was farcical. Mr Faulkner showed that he really didn't have the ability or experience to officiate at this level by dumb-founding the vast majority of the crowd by taking the amazing decision to book Ashton keeper John McKenna for his involvement in the fracas that followed the incident. The referee, who almost rose to the `level of incompetence of the official in charge of our opening day encounter with Frickley Athletic, then proceeded to allow Ashton substitute Gary "Father Ted" to quite literally kick anything in a yellow shirt that moved, without taking any action whatsoever.

With ten minutes to go Stewart Anderson rifled in a rising drive from just inside the area that agonisingly bounced off the inside of the post and into the back of the net. The right hand side of the defence was AWOL, but the back four should not be blamed for our exit - limiting the home side to one shot in 90 minutes constitute a job well done and we had the chances at the other end, most notably through Niell Hardy, to have made that 80th minute aberration far less costly.

Even then our torture was not complete as a penalty claim was turned down and Matt McNeill's acrobatic overhead kick was disallowed because of a foul by Paul Ellender in heading the corner on to the Alty substitute.

All in all a depressing day in a depressing stadium.

Winsford will also be licking their own FA Cup wounds after losing by the same score at Leigh RMI. Hopefully both clubs can put their disappointment behind them and produce an entertaining game for the fans tonight. I am certainly looking forward to seeing our two new signings, Steve Tobin and Jason Gallagher.

Brian

Robin refused

Russell listed as Robins fall at first hurdle

By Mike Crockett

MYSTERY still surrounds the reasons behind Altrincham striker Keith Russell being transfer listed last weekend prior to the Robin's FA Cup match against Ashton United.

The move is certain to baffle the Moss Lane faithful, who were under the impression that Russell featured highly in manager Bernard Taylor's plans for this season.

Press reports on Monday maintained that Russell had declared himself unfit for the game due to damaged ribs, and coach Graham Heathcote is quoted as saying: "He didn't play, it was the FA

Cup and people can draw their own conclusions as to why he was not in the team."

Deputy Chairman Mark Harris, speaking earlier this week, said: "The club transfer-listed Russell on Friday due to an internal club matter and we have not received any offers for him.

"With regards to the game, Keith Russell's absence certainly did not help," he added.

"Physios can confirm a player is fit to play, whereas they cannot confirm a player is not fit to play. We have to take it on trust that when a player says he can't play, then he can't play."

Cryptically, Harris added: "I think, sometimes, some players don't actually realise how well-looked after they are here at Moss Lane."

A source close to the club expressed the opinion that Russell's recent behaviour had not been in the best interests of the club, and Harris may be echoing these words.

Beyond that, club officials remained tight-lipped on the affair, refusing to be drawn on the reasons behind the move.

By transfer-listing Russell, a £25,000 buy from second division outfit Blackpool in March, the club may be employing shock tactics rather than signalling an actual intention to sell.

Another source, within the body of supporters, highlighted that Russell was placed on the transfer list by his own request on Thursday night, after a discussion with Moss Lane chiefs regarding his future.

Undeniably, this would stand to reason, as the prolific striker would likely want to guard against being cup-tied, as this would limit his chances to move.

Another fan said that they felt Russell was being made a scapegoat for the team's failure on Saturday, rather than the team's other shortcomings as a whole.

There was a board meeting scheduled for earlier this week, and no doubt the matter was discussed then.

Meanwhile, confusion reigned on Tuesday when management team Bernard Taylor and Graham. Heathcote instigated a policy of not allowing players to speak publicly - a clause, which has been in player's contracts for the last 20 years!

Robins list Russell after bust-up

Alty Fury

By Richard Frost

Manchester Evening News

ALTRINCHAM have transfer-listed record signing striker Keith Russell after an amazing bust-up in which he declared himself unfit for their 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Ashton United.

Robins' chiefs were furious when Russell, a £25,000 buy from Blackpool in March, ruled himself out of the second qualifying round tie because of sore ribs.

They feared that Russell didn't want to become cup-tied by playing in the match.

Coach Graham Heathcote said: "He has been a very, very big disappointment over the last 24 hours as far as the club are concerned.

"He didn't play, it was the FA Cup, and people can draw their own conclusions as to why he wasn't in the team.

"He's telling us his ribs are sore. Maybe we are the victims of human nature. Football is changing in terms of attitude and loyalty. Selfishness caused this defeat as much as football."

Altrincham, who have signed Hyde defender Jason Gallagher and Leek midfielder Steve Tobin, gave a debut to former Manchester City midfielder Mike Quigley. who has been released by Hull.

He did well in a poor game decided by Ashton's only on-target shot of the game from Stewart Anderson in the 79th minute.

It was marred by a major flare-up on the hour when Altrincham striker Niell Hardy went down claiming Ashton's David Robinson had head-butted him after a clash while chasing a through ball.

Angry Ashton officials raced on to the pitch, claiming that Hardy had play-acted. Liverpool referee Ian Faulkner took no action but gave Altrincham a free kick.

Altrincham chairman Gerry Berman said: "I told the referee after the game it was the most diabolical decision I'd ever seen. He said he didn't think it was a head butt."

Heathcote added: "He definitely butted Hardy. Their dugout ran on to the pitch and the ref did nothing about that either. It was a joke. "

Ashton boss John Coleman said: "Hardy was definitely play-acting."

Ed Lines from the Robins review

After their impressive victory over Frickley our Youth team are now through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the F.A. Youth Cup where they now take on either Emley or Harrogate at Moss Lane. If they are successful in this round, they will join the Nationwide Teams in the 1st Round proper. The date of the next round has yet to be finalised but your support would be greatly appreciated. Watch this space for further information.

Leigh Weatherill, Wayne Hulston, Paul Davies and Paul Had were been selected to play for the Cheshire County EA. Youth Team squad to play against Heswall. FC. on Thursday Sept 24th at Vauxhall Motors FC. in Ellesmere Pod.

The club has approached the Rev. Bruce 0 Thompson of Timperley Methodist Church to become club Chaplain, which he has gratefully accepted.

Making his debut at right back in the game against Spennymoor was Simeon Hodson, who is on a months loan from Conference side Telford, Simeon previously played for Rushden and Diamonds and Kidderminster Harriers. Some fans may remember him playing here at Moss Lane for Kidderminster in September 1996.

Mark Wright the trialist who made his debut against Colwyn Bay has not been retained. Lee Cox, who made his debut as substitute at Worksop, has also been released,

A number of Altrincham's youth team have been called up for representative honours. Mark Drinkwater, Wayne Hulston, John Ross-Jones, Chris Houghton, Paul Davis, Keith Mairs, Chris Curley, Wayne Grandison, Danny O'Brien and Damien Samuels have all been called up for the Altrincham and District F A youth squad for the forthcoming fixture against Crewe, Leigh Wetherill, Wayne Hulston, Paul Davis, Keith Mairs, Paul Hart and Mark Drinkwater nave all been called up to the Cheshire County FA squad.

Jenny Heslop is still looking for collectors for the Yankee, anyone interested in helping out and making a few bob into the bargain, contact Jenny at the club on 0161928 1045.

The club are still looking for people to act as match day stewards, anyone interested contact Phil, the chief steward at any home match.

Well done to the lads (this is written after the Winsford match), lets hope this is the turning point, also well done to you, the fans for sticking with the team through a difficult staid to the season, your support has been greatly appreciated.

Face to Face

with Keith Russell

from the Robins Review

THE PHRASES 'scoring sensation' and 'electric pace' have not been used overmuch in recent years at Moss Lane, but that all changed last October when then manager John King brought the former Hednesford forward Keith Russell to Moss Lane on loan.

The rest, as they say, is history, 21 goals in 18 games was the best return from an Altrincham striker since the far-of days of Jack Swindells, but the real challenge will be to sustain the striking feats over this season. So far, Keith has netted just twice since the league programme got underway, and this week he revealed his disappointment to ROBINS REVIEW

"Scoring so many last season has put me under pressure to carry on where I left oft, and in truth I should have had four or five already, what with missing the penalty against Whitby. I've set myself a target of between 30 and 40 for the season, and I'll see anything less as not good enough." It's hard to remember that Keith played as an out and out centre forward for the first time when he arrived at Moss Lane. I did find it difficult when I came to the club, not just in the position I played, but because when you step down from the league they want to kick you to prove a point, and that can come as a real shock to some players. So every chance I get, I want to use my pace to stick the ball in the net. You have to play to your strengths, and pace is mine."

The scoring run attracted the attentions of scouts from other clubs, so does Keith harbour ambitions of a return to the full time game? "Very much so. I'm only 24 and believe that my goals should earn me the chance of another go in the League" His time at Blackpool was not the happiest for a player who hit the headlines by scoring the goal for Hednesford which knocked the Seasiders out of the F A. Cup. Another Russell goal saw of York in a run, which terminated at the Riverside stadium against a Middlesbrough team featuring Ravanelli, Juninho and Emerson.

It's a far cry from Keith's days as a 16-year-old apprentice at Chesterfield, when he was a full back! On leaving Saltergate, a brief spell at Walsall saw him force his way into manager Kenny Hibbitt's first team at left back. I only went there to keep fit but after doing well against Birmingham I wound up marking Ryan Giggs and playing against David Beckham in a game against Man Utd." Non-league football with Atherstone followed, bringing a conversion to the deep-lying forward role into which Hednesford boss John Baldwin slotted his eventual signing.

Coming up to date, Keith picks out the goals, which he scored in the UniBond League Cup final against Gainsborough as the pick of the bunch in an Alty shirt. I was up front on my own for most the match so had to read the situations well. For the first goal I got between the two centre halves and made the header, and even as we went into extra time I felt really sharp and to get the winner was a fabulous feeling. There's nothing like scoring for the buzz it gives you, and I intend to get that buzz as often as possible for the supporters of Altrincham Football Club.`

Little Ashton aim to topple cup giants Altrincham

Robins at war

Non-League by

Tony Glennon of the Manchester Evening News

Ashton United will be seeking to turn the tables on semi-pro soccer's most famous FA giant-killers tomorrow.

The humble Robins of Hurst Cross entertain the mighty of Altrincham in a qualifying round clash .as all the makings of a minor cup classic.

For while the clubs may be light years apart in terms of achievements, little now separates them in status, with Ashton again riding high in UniBond first division while big-spending Alty are struggling to justify their billing as title favourites in the premier.

Ashton player-boss John Coleman who has spent the week battling to shake off a groin injury, said: "Altrincham may not have got off to the sort of start they'd have wanted, but they're still probably the biggest name in non-League with a lot of good players and we're going to have to be at our best if we're to have any chance of beating them."

Both teams will be without their skippers, as Altrincham's Mick Carmody and Paul Clowes, of Ashton, are each serving bans.

While the likes of Ashton and Alty can only dream of lifting the Cup, Flixton will actually be doing it tomorrow - win or lose.

Supporter Dave Ashurst, who works for Cup sponsors Axa, has secured the loan of the famous old trophy and Flixton will be displaying it to their fans before their Valley Road tussle with Spennymoor.

Hyde, who will give a late fitness cheek to midfield play-maker Lloyd Richardson, are expecting a tough battle at home to Gainsborough.

"It's a tie we'd probably have preferred to avoid at this stage," admitted boss Mike McKenzie.

Stalybridge's Bower Fold tie with UniBond premier leaders Worksop gives them the chance to really silence the terrace boo-boys who are calling for the head of boss Kevan Keelan. But defeat would only fuel the moaners.

Elsewhere, Droylsden receive St Helens and Radcliffe entertain Ryhope. Leigh stage a fascinating all-premier division duel with Winsford and Runcorn, too, entertain one of their top-tier rivals in Blyth.

Ties featuring local North Western Trains League sides are: Ramsbottom v Billingham Town, Witton v Salford City, Cambridge City v Glossop and Billingham Synthonia v Mossley.

Northwich face a testing Conference trip to title favourites Rushden and Diamonds.

Alty sign Steve Tobin and Reserves win 10-1

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