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SAFE meeting Bernard puts neck on line
At a SAFE meeting held just before the Spennymoor game on Saturday 19th Bernard Taylor put his neck on the line by accepting full responsibility for the disastrous start to the season. He said he was totally responsible for team selection and formation of play. It was unfair to blame the players. He promised improvements in the future (and the win over Spennymoor confirmed that) and Graham Heathcote's' appointment as coach would be of great benefitMany factors had contributed to the problems, injuries, (Ricky Harris,Jason Donnelly, Phil Power, George Shepherd, Paul Ellender and Neill Hardy's' operation), luck, refereeing, having to play players out of their normal position, not being able to settle on a regular side with a fixed formation and suspensions. But the bottom line was his selection of the team and therefore his responsibility.
Bernard honestly answered a number of questions relating to criticisms of the team's performance and was applauded for his willingness to "face the music" as he left to supervise the team.
It says a lot for a Altrincham that the Club has such a good rapport with the supporters, that not only did Bernard answer questions but also Mark Harris Deputy Chairman and George Shepherd who's injuries are worse than expected and he is likely to be out until Christmas.
Mark Harris answered questions relating to the Clubs new investment partner, Premier crew Sports and the reports of a new stadium which were at present unfounded. If there were any developments in that area the supporters association would be one of the first to know.
George Shepherd also answered questions and said one of the main problems was that there had been no chance to settle down. The three suspensions had been as a result of player frustrations, Mick Carmody sending of for swearing while disputing the decision not to award a goal at Marine was typical and most most unfair as unfortunately now a days swearing is heard from most payers of all teams.
The SAFE meeting followed and details were given of future events which will be reported separately. the meeting was well attended with several new faces.
The next meeting will be before the Gateshead match on Saturday 7th October.
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Robins seeking a route back to the glory days
From The Independent Non- League Notebook
By Rupert Metcalf
THE KNOWLEDGE that Macclesfield Town were playing a Nationwide League fixture against Manchester City last weekend must have been painful for Altrincham supporters, whose team lost at Worksop Town in the Premier Division of the UniBond League on the same afternoon.
It is not so many years since Altrincham, and not Macclesfield, were the top non-League club not just in Cheshire but in the country Now, though, Macc have made their dreams come true while Alty are in disarray.
Altrincham won the Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference) in 1980 and 1981. They missed out on election to the Football League by just one vote. In the same era the Robins had two FA Trophy triumphs and regular appearances in at least the third round of the FA Cup.
The 1996-97 season, however, ended in relegation from the Conference. Alty finished in a steady eighth place in the UniBond last term and, with big investment in player recruitment during the summer, there were high hopes for a championship challenge this season.
At present those hopes look misplaced. Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Marine has left Altrincham in 20th place in the Premier Division, with just two clubs beneath them. After eight league games they are still seeking their first win The threat of relegation to the First Division, and embarrassing local derbies against the likes of Trafford and Flixton, looms large.
Already some of the big-name summer signings by the manager, Bernard Taylor, have departed. Brian Kilcline, the centre-half who once won the FA Cup with Coventry and helped Halifax to the Conference title last season, has gone. So, too, has the player-coach Nigel Gleghorn, the former Stoke and Ipswich midfielder.
A recent recruit who is still at the club is the former Manchester City and Wales goal-keeper, Andy Dibble. He has been the recipient of stick from the fans, after letting in some
sloppy goals. Another experienced player who has yet to live up to his reputation this term is Keith Russell, the ex-Blackpool striker.
Starting with tomorrow's home game against their fellow strugglers Spennymoor, Taylor and his team need points sooner rather than later. To help him, Alty's secretary, Graham Heathcote, a stalwart player from the 1970s and 80s, has resumed his coaching career.
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