UNIBOND Premier title chasers Lancaster City have been warned they could be kicked out of next season's Peter Swales Challenge Shield after they rested all their first team players for the 11-0 midweek thrashing by Conference side Stalybridge Celtic in the league's equivalent of the charity shield.

Both Celtic and City were in action in yesterday's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round with Lancaster hoping to cash in with a potential £20,000 windfall for reaching the First Round Proper.

But UniBond League secretary Duncan Bayley threatened Tony Hesketh's team with a fine or even a ban from entering the competition next season.

Lancaster fielded a side of reserve and under 18 players with 16 year-old substitutes.

"We could decide to impose a financial penalty on Lancaster or consider their involvement in the competition in future," slammed Bayley.

In contrast, Celtic included experienced players including Jason Batty, who has appeared in 12 World Cup qualifying games for -New Zealand, ex-Chesterfield player Chris Perkins, West Ham loanee striker Matthew Clements and new signing from Scarborough James Turley.

ALTRINCHAM could bank a much-needed £20,000 on Saturday if they conquer high-flying Conference visitors Nuneaton Borough.

More importantly, a win would see them through to the first round draw, when Nationwide league teams enter the fray.

Robins are already at a disadvantage as striker Carl Furlong is rated very doubtful for the tie. He had to leave the field early against Witton in the UniBond League Cup on Tuesday night, after sustaining a knee injury.

A 3-0 defeat compounded the disappointment for Robins, who may find their limited squad stretched to breaking point come Saturday.

Efforts at strengthening one of the smallest squads seen at Moss Lane in recent years are continuing, but Chairman Mark Harris stressed the need for caution.

"As has been said before, we are not out of the woods yet in a financial sense and we are still working under a sensible budget as far as wages and recruitment are concerned.

"The FA cup monies, which we obviously have not budgeted for, will be used to continue the reduction of the liabilities of the club.

"This must be the first priority of the club."

THERE will certainly be a buzz around Moss Lane next Saturday when we step out to face Nuneaton In the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup.

After a barren five years in the competition, it's a great feeling for us to be again within 90 minutes of a possible clash with a League club, but let's not get carried away.

A glance at the Conference table shows just what a good side Nuneaton are and this is a tie

which is going to stretch us to the limit.

It's imperative we try to seize on home advantage, because if Nuneaton do seem to have one

a slight weakness, it ties with their away record.

They've currently won more games on home soil than any other Conference team, so, if we're going to get the job done, then, realistically, we need to do It at our place.

And we're definitely not going to get away with the sort of dodgy first-half performance we produced in beating Witton in the last round although, to give the lads their due, they perked up considerably after the interval.

This time, we're going to have to be on our mettle right from the off, because, as we know from our days in the Conference, if you lose concentration for a second against teams at that level, you're likely to be punished.

As everyone is now aware, the extra prize money on offer for non-League clubs in the FA Cup this season is providing an added Incentive to that of the usual excitement and interest a run in the competition always generates.

We'll collect a very welcome £17,500 from our wins over Frickley and Witton and, with a further £20,000 at stake next weekend, that's one hell of a carrot to have dangling in front of you.

Of course, that only adds to the pressure as well, but I don't expect our lads to be worrying about the money when they run out onto the pitch because all they'll be thinking about is the game itself and how we can win it.

Inevitably, the Cup can sometimes have an adverse affect on your league form and that's something we're trying to guard against because no-one needs to remind us where our priorities lie.

But, just over a quarter of the way into the season and, so far, the lads have performed admirably.

There's still a long, long way to go and all we've done up to now is give ourselves a useful little platform but I can't praise the boys enough for their efforts.

Burton Albion, the UniBond title favourites, might be up there in pole position but all the signs suggest they're not going to run away with the championship and it goes without saying we'd love to be one of the clubs still in with a shout come next spring.

If the players' attitude has anything to do with it, we'll definitely be in with a chance because I can say without reservation that our current squad are as good a bunch as I've ever worked with.

Each and every one of these boys wants to play, as has just been typified by Jez Illingworth, our summer signing from Ashton United, who has chosen to move on to Stocksbridge simply because he wanted a regular game.

I've no complaints with that sort of attitude, even though it has meant us losing a decent player and a nice lad. I genuinely hope he does well over there.

Finally, I can't let this opportunity pass without praising one of the unsung heroes of our camp, our physio, Gary Thomson.

There have been times this season when Gary has been the busiest man at the club.

When you're operating with a small squad as we are, you either need a lot of luck with injuries or a physio who really knows what he's doing. And I'm pleased to say that, in Gary, we've got one of the best around.

ALTRINCHAM boss Bernard Taylor is warning his players to beware treading on a big FA Cup banana skin tomorrow.

The on-song Robins, riding high in the UniBond Premier, are strong favourites to dispatch their inconsistent First Division rivals Witton Albion at Moss Lane.

Victory carries a £10,000 prize together with a place in the fourth and final qualifying round, but Taylor is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "I watched Witton last weekend and, in spite of the fact they were beaten, they looked a decent side with players who could hurt us given the chance.

"It's a marvellous draw for us, but no-one should forget what Mossley did to us when they came here in the Cup last season. If people think Witton will come as lambs to the slaughter, I'm afraid they're very much mistaken."

Taylor is fervently hoping crocked quartet Stuart Coburn, Ian Craney, Kevin Hulme and Carl Furlong will all have shaken off knocks in time to play.

Elsewhere in the Cup, in-form Rossendale will have their hands full at Barrow, but Runcorn Halton will be hoping to make the most of home advantage against top Northern League outfit Bedlington Terriers.

Accrington will travel to Emley full of confidence, having recently won there 3-0 in the UniBond League.

In the UniBond Premier, Droylsden visit Bishop Auckland while bottom-placed Hyde face a crunch clash at fellow strugglers Frickley

Top local First Division tussles see Radcliffe hosting Chorley and Ashton United locking horns with leaders Eastwood at Hurst Cross.

ALTRINCHAM FC have issued a rallying call for the town to get behind them as they bid - for another bumper FA cup payday.

Robins have already banked £7,500 from their second qualifying round win against Frickley, and they stand to win £10,000 if they beat Witton Albion at Moss Lane on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

And chairman Mark Harris highlighted one of the key elements behind Alty's great start to the season.

Speaking to SAM sport before Tuesday night's 1-0 reverse against Trafford in the UniBond League cup, Harris said "Previous matches at Moss Lane this season have shown that a loud and supportive crowd is crucial when it comes to winning tough games -witness the matches against Frickley and Barrow in recent weeks.

"Support of every kind, both financial and physical, are the lifeblood of this club, and as such, the club is sending out a real rallying call to the town to get behind their football team on Saturday and help us through to the next round of the FA cup - a competition with many great memories for everyone connected with Altrincham.

"With a bumper crowd on Saturday, we hope to provide a new set of memories for the

loyal fans of this club," he added.

In addition to their cup exploits Altrincham are third in the UniBond league, and while no one is getting carried away, Harris paid credit to the club's coaching team.

"While there is no premature back-slapping going on, I think Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote deserve the thanks of everyone who has Altrincham FC at their heart."

EDDIE Bishop will be back at the helm when Witton Albion visit Altrincham for their FA Cup third qualifying round crunch next Saturday.

Witton had taken the unusual step of suspending their volatile manager pending an FA disciplinary hearing into his involvement in stormy scenes at the end of their 3-2 UniBond Cheshire Senior Cup defeat at Woodley.

But, after discovering the inquiry will not take place until the middle of next month, the Albion board this week summoned Bishop to a meeting which. resulted in him being reinstated.

Witton secretary Phil Chadwick said "We have been widely-applauded over the stance we took over this matter, but we needed to bring some stability back into the dressing-room and, with the best will in the world, we felt we couldn't afford to be in limbo for another six weeks.

"Eddie has agreed to meet certain conditions laid down by the board, a key one of which is that from now on, he works more closely with our football adviser, Terry Murphy. Hopefully, the FA will not be too hard on him."

Murphy took charge during Bishop's ban - and steered Witton to three successive wins!

Another casualty of the Woodley fracas is Witton's player/coach Charlie Boyd, who was sent off in the dying minutes of the game and hasn't been seen at Wincham Park during the period of the suspension he has subsequently served for his dismissal.

The Moss Lane showdown is a crucial one for both Witton and Alty since they'll be playing for a further £10,000 in prize money as well as a place in the fourth and final qualifying round.

Altrincham, whose 4-1 FA Cup triumph over Frickley last weekend was their first in the competition for five years, are currently in a rich vein of form.

Tuesday's 2-1 win over Barrow tool them up to second in the UniBond premier and they'll be seeking to maintain the pressure on leaders Burton when they visit Accrington today (3pm).

Alty's record of seven wins, a draw and just one defeat in September has earned them the UniBond premier club-of-the -month award, which they'll receive before Tuesday's home League Cup clash with neighbours Trafford.

FORMER Altrincham boss Mark Ward is back home from a coaching stint in America - and looking for a job.

The ex-Manchester City and Oldham star was working just eight miles from downtown New York at the time of the terror attacks, and the resulting carnage, plus his desire to return to management, prompted him to cut short his planned month-long stay in the States.

He told the Pink: "It was an experience I'll never forget. Even from where we were, we could hear the two towers of the World Trade Centre collapsing and, tragically, the fathers of five of the lads I was coaching didn't come home that night.

"Obviously, it has upset me and prompted me to come back to England sooner than I'd planned, but I also returned home early because I'm desperate to have another crack at management.

"I'm itching to get back to work and will be applying for every job that comes up from Conference standard upwards.

"I'm not bitter towards Altrincham, but I'll always believe the reasons they gave for sacking me were, ridiculous.

"All I want is a decent opportunity to prove myself."

Among the clubs Ward is likely to be keeping close tabs on are struggling Chester, whose manager Gordon Hill, is under pressure to impress new owner Stephen Vaughan.

Both Graham Barrow, who Hill replaced in the summer and is now working as Bury's first-team coach, and newly-departed former Wrexham chief Brian Flynn, are being widely tipped as possible Chester targets should Vaughan, quickly run out of patience with the one-time Manchester United and England star.

Nolan and Dickinson between them run top Liverpool junior outfit Mossley Hill Athletic.

• ACCRINGTON are fervently hoping rumours of an impending £1.5m bid for Blackpool's former Crown Ground favourite Brett Ormerod, are accurate as they are due a fifth of anything the Bloomfield Road club might get for the 24-year-old sharpshooter!

Meanwhile, Stanley boss John Coleman says he has given up hope of signing Mike Marsh from Boston United as the former Liverpool star looks likely to quit playing following his surprise York Street exit.

GREATER Manchester was engulfed in football frenzy today for the countdown to its most important-ever match.

Fans are pouring in for the crucial clash between England and Greece at Old Trafford - a match which David Beckham's team must win to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Millions of pounds are also pouring in to the region as hotels fill with visiting fans, pubs prepare for Saturday night celebrations - and Greek restaurants get ready with an ouzo-pouring welcome for all.

But the place basking in unlikely glory today was hidden away in suburban south Manchester - hosting England's opponents.

While Paul Scholes and team-mates train at Manchester United's famous old Cliff training ground in Salford- non-league Altrincham Football Club is home to the Greeks. It is the first time an international team has headed to the 6,000-capacity Moss Lane ground, attracted by a "perfect" pitch cultivated by groundsman Peter Barry, from Timperley

The garden firm boss ploughs in 30 hours to maintain a surface which now meets high standards demanded by big names including United and City

As the Greeks were put through their paces, club secretary Graham Heathcote said "It’s a great honour for us. We're happy to give our guests all the help we can - so long as they promise to lose."

IT'S NOT just Altrincham who felt the benefit of Rod Thornley's expert touch this week.

The Robins striker missed Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Barrow because he is working with Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad in their run-up to Saturday's World Cup qualifying match against Greece at Old Trafford.

Thornley's day job sees him as chief masseur for Manchester United, and on the recommendation of Reds midfielder David Beckham, Thornley was called up to do the same job for the national side.

Without this dream job, it is difficult to see Thornley staying at Unibond level, such is his talent.

Speaking after netting his third hat trick for Altrincham on Saturday, Thornley played it cool about his future.

"Everything is going well with both work and football, and I am looking forward to a very busy weekend.

"I'll be with England for most of the week, and then Alty have got the Accrington match on Sunday, so let's hope Saturday night's party doesn't get too hectic!"

When asked about his future plans as far as playing was concerned, he said, "Who can say what happens in the future The main thing is I am enjoying m time here at Altrincham. We've got a good squad and we have big pans to challenge for honours this season."

• Games between Altrincham and Barrow never lack in entertainment value, and Tuesday night's match was no different.

To be entirely fair, Barrow will be kicking themselves for losing this, after creating in excess of 20 chances, but not scoring until the 90th minute.

They were the better side on the night, but two second half-goals from Hulme and Furlong meant Steve Housham's late strike counted for nothing.

Stuart Coburn had his best game. so far this season keepng an intelligent and tricky Barrow side at bay with a succession of impressive saves.

• Altrincham, recently awarded the UniBOnd Club of the Month Award for September, play host to the Greek national side this weekend.

Greece, who stand between England and World Cup qualification, will make use of Alty's Moss Lane facilities for a couple of training sessions.

UNDER Bernard Taylor and Graham Heathcote, Altrincham are at last showing signs of a strong revival after several years of underachievement due to serious financial troubles.

The Robins, now with a completely new board, have started this season with skill and promise of a return to their former glory.

The team is now an exciting mixture of youth and experience, which has the supporters excited once more.

As always crowds could and should be much better. We play in pleasant surroundings - no queuing, good bar, plenty of cover. Interested? See you at Moss Lane.

SIX MONTHS after being sacked by Altrincham, former player manager Mark Ward wants to get back into management.

The former Premiership midfielder says what he calls "one bad. experience" will not put him off.

He has now settled his dispute with the UniBond Premier side. "I enjoyed managing and now I can go looking for work again," he said.

Ward saw out the season playing at Leigh and coaching in the USA. "I could have stayed at Leigh and been assistant to Steve Waywell," he said. "But management is what I want to do.

"I've had a few phone calls and I'll be applying for every job - I enquired about the post at Scarborough that Ian Kerr has got. I'm willing to go anywhere and it's what I want to do."

Ward was fired in March with Altrincham £450,000 in debt and losing £3,000 a week. Chairman Mark Harris said the board acted because of a poor disciplinary record, comments Ward had made about other clubs, and concerns over his ability to work on a tighter budget - despite already slashing the £7,000 a week bill by half.

The former West Ham and Everton star stayed silent while he sought to settle his contract, due to expire next May. Now 38 year-old Ward has spoken for the first time about his dismissal after only eight months in his first managerial job.

"My first job was to go in front of an FA disciplinary hearing because of Altrincham's record in the Conference," he said. "They had the third worst in the country nine sent off and 126 bookings.

"By March, we'd had just two off and 60-odd bookings. I'd also introduced a fining procedure for discipline and by Christmas I'd taken £1,000.

"As for comments, I told a local paper I thought it would be sad for the UniBond if Stalybridge - the eventual champions - represented us in the Conference'. That was my opinion about their play. I felt we'd outplayed them twice."

Ward sold Kevin Ellison (Leicester) and Danny Adams (Macclesfield) to cut his wage bill. "I felt I'd done a decent job under the circumstances - which included players and myself not getting paid around Christmas.

"But I was treated with no respect and the whole thing left a really bad taste in the mouth."

Problems with my scanner soft ware have prevented the reproduction of several articles of relevance to Altrincham supporters. Although some what dated they are included for interest and completeness