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Topics - Hugh

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121

Altrincham FC First Team / Playing next season

« on: September 11, 2020, 08:54:07 PM »

weather not withstanding of course!

With the current situation and October 3rd only a few weeks away, I tend to think it will be option 5 - if we are lucky. There seem to be just too many forces ranged against a return to sanity, sadly. If we could only have some certainty on this matter, we need (almost) never mention this wretched "political" virus on here again. If only...

It would be good to know what plans, if any, are being made by the club and the league, FA etc. against each eventuality. Presumably any option (apart from the first) would be problematic in different ways for the club.

Of course other options are possible, but 6 is enough for now.

122

Altrincham FC First Team / Gatherings of more than 6 banned in England

« on: September 08, 2020, 10:42:48 PM »

on BBC news, I think I heard that right. Exemptions include "some team sports".

Does this mean we can forget about watching Alty at Nantwich then, or will exemptions include crowds of up to 600 for a step 3 club?

I make no apologies for repeating that this madness has to stop, or it will be devastating for football and quite a lot of other things besides.

123

Altrincham FC First Team / What about the "Mark Eckersall fan zone" in tribute?

« on: August 11, 2020, 08:21:57 PM »

I don't know whether it's too early to discuss this or what other people think, but I strongly feel there should be some sort of permanent tribute to Ecky at Moss Lane. He did so much for the club during the darkest times, and he really was the heart and soul of the Golf Road End for many years.

As I understand a new fans area is being created between his beloved Golf Road End and the popular side, I would like to suggest naming this in his honour. After all, he is everything you would want a fan to be and more - just look at the way he inspired the team this season. I suspect, knowing him, he wouldn't want the Golf Road End named after him, and I dare say to some people it will always be the Golf Road End. But this new feature will create its own history and I feel it would be the perfect tribute to him. I don't know yet what the area will consist of exactly, but tributes etc. might be included to other supporters who have left us in recent times. We will sorely miss his presence, and it would be nice to feel that he is still part of the place in some way.

124

Altrincham FC First Team / Tell you what

« on: May 12, 2011, 06:49:08 PM »

All this slaGGING OF hEATHCOTE'S RECORD is ridiculous. Because of Heathcote you're in the Conf north? yes, instead of the NPL where you were headed when Heathcote took over (well you know what I mean). Up to 2006 he was doing great, as for three relegations, the firest was obviously a joke, the others by one goal after pre season disruption. Last season, they had a perfectly good team til they lost three or four players pre season.

If some people are so upset because of his other actions (the so called money grabbing, offensive behaviour etc.) then maybe you're best off without him, but to compare him with bin laden is ridiculous, as is calling him a bad manager, and I for my part would rather stay aty home thaqn watch footbAALL WITH PEOPLE WHO TAKE THIS EXTREME ATTITUDE.

125

Altrincham FC First Team / Heathcote is not clueless.

« on: November 19, 2009, 06:58:40 PM »

So there

Anyway, the best thing we can do now is move on.

"just my opinion"

126

Altrincham FC First Team / When is Johnson likely to be back?

« on: October 06, 2009, 04:40:01 PM »

He's the last major player still injured isn't he, and I feel that with him back, and without too many injuries, Alty can realistically challenge for the top half this season (especially with a cup run) - which would be a tremendous achievement, although I'm taking nothing for granted.

And on another topic, I was just reminded that Dicks played for Birmingham in 1986. He goes into management and his first game with Grays - a 3-0 defeat by Alty! He must be sick of the sight of ALty! (and as for "Seasman...)

127

Altrincham FC First Team / In defence of Coburn

« on: October 01, 2009, 06:54:10 PM »

Whilst some might say it was a bad mistake for Gateshead's first goal, I would point out that it was firstly, a "rasping" shot, secondly, along the ground, and thirdly, near his feet, meaning he could neither palm it away easily or get into a position where he could easily catch it, and it is all too easy to spill such shots - goalkeeping nightmares are made of shots like that. At the end of the day, Stu has basically proven to me in recent times that he is still a class act at this level.

Another quick point. Graham said that some people need a reality check. Without a doubt he is right of course. There probably won't be too many times when Altrincham are tenth in the Conference at this stage of the season, and you should be making the most of it. In my opinion/criticism

128

Altrincham FC First Team / To whom it may concern

« on: January 15, 2009, 01:02:25 PM »

Sorry about my drunken ramble before in which I mentioned "it" again.

I will try and be more careful in future (and more sober

), I'm afraid I get a bit carried away sometimes.

Regards, and a happy new year to all

COME ON ALTY

129

Altrincham FC First Team / FAO Jezza

« on: January 12, 2009, 07:55:26 AM »

Sir, you mentioned some time ago a "consensus" before Lewes that Heathcote should have until Christmas to turn it around.

For the record, I estimate about 20 forum users (at least) were callikng for change between Stevenage and Lewes. One person also said "you'll never hear the last of it if we lose to Lewes". If on the other hand we go on a great run and are top half by January.

Looking back I think what most annoyed me is that we'd had to go through all this last season aswell. I just hope this doesn't happen next season. Whilst I have raised my expectations a bit, I am still delighted just to be in the Conference. We have only the 24th biggest crowds in non-league after all and probably less counting core support.

Ah, if only people had listened to Dino before Lewes - lets get right behind the team tommorrow,we can win this one. i would urge supporters not to get involved with heathcote, even if things go wrong

130

Altrincham FC First Team / Rushden ref

« on: December 03, 2008, 04:23:42 AM »

Having watched the game I'm not convinced he got an awful lot wrong. And too bad if he did, in my opinion it's a cop out ot blame the ref, he just doe his job to the best of his ability. Of course some decisions can have a big effect on matches like on Saturday but he can only give what he sees, and the more abuse refs get, the more we'll have a shortage of offiicials. And fair play to Phil for trying to clarify refereeing decisions.

131

Altrincham FC First Team / For the record

« on: November 28, 2008, 05:15:38 AM »

I was sober on Saturday morning. I'm not now though, although I'm planning to give up alcohol (what's the time to do with it anyway?)

Anyway there's no point doing a Southport (or a City for that matter) - we all want what's best for Alty after all so let's not fall out over it. I was really annoyed about certain stuff (which I won't go into here) but I'm getting over it now, let's move on. And remember I said I had better things to do than to defend 'Coate's record, and I wouldn't have mentioned it again if things had't escalated. All I want is what's best for Alty and I was worried about what might happen if Graham, Graham, Grahame and Geoff decided to walk out. Hopefully it's sorted now anyway.

Cheer up people, this could still be our best season since 1995 AD (and Luton was the first time we didn't lose to a league side over 90 minutes since 1994). Hopefully I'll see you again some day.

132

Altrincham FC First Team / let me put this another way

« on: November 22, 2008, 08:19:09 AM »

When we got vdeducted 18 points, we may have had an increase in crowds(although there's no hard evidence of this) from the publicity and sympathy but the FA were still wrong.

When Maunders left us in trouble, it may have led to increased supporter involvement but he was that we got to the conference three years ahead of schedulestill wrong.

According to the fondly held belief of the protesters at the Lewes game we started doing better because of the protests.. (again no hard evidence) - doeswn't mean the protests were right.

I would remond people we got promoted 3 years ahead of schedule - and we've been holding our own most of the season. So the tactics were wrong (at least first half) against Stevenage (and put right soon enough) - Ishould darn well hope the tactics were wrong - I would hate a manager to be so scared of taking risks that he didn't try different things eith a bunch of new players until hed hit on a winningt formula, as you'll see if you learn a thing or two about footbnall.

Ok, there may have been other factors, which I won't go into here, but -

GRAHAM HEATHCOTE'S RED AND WHITE ARMY

133

Altrincham FC First Team / Geoff Goodwin and Peake.

« on: November 18, 2008, 01:25:05 PM »

To be fair to Colin, Geoff mainly blamed the Accrington chairman for the Robinson debacle, without which we certainly wouldn't have had three "relegations", and probably not even one.

Speaking of Geoff, how are things with him? The last I heard, he was quoted in the NLP in the aftermath of Lewes saying he wished he hadn't bothered (with Alty) and how annoying it is people who don't know him saying things about him etc.

To borrow a phrase, this is not good enough. He basically saved us and turned the club around and people should not be implicitly or directly having a go at him like this. I hope it's sorted out. This was the main reason why I was worried about the Heathcote protests. I can take you spoiling my season or even forcing a good manager out, but Geoff deserves better after all he's done.

GRAHAM HEATHCOTE'S RED AND WHITE ARMY!

134

Altrincham FC First Team / Season review

« on: November 14, 2008, 10:19:48 AM »

Woking 3pm 2-1 1,645 Meechan 45, Little 90(+1) 4 - a good result
2 Tue.12.8.08 H BARROW 7.45pm 3-4 1,312 Little 64,76 Denham 72 12 poor, but the exciting football people had wanted. I hope no repeat.
3 Sat.16.8.08 H KETTERING TOWN 3pm 1-1 1,045 McGregor 84 10 Ok result against promotion challengers though felt poor at the time
4 Sat.23.8.08 A Kidderminster Harriers 3pm 0-4 1,335 18 Always getting beat after that decision though would have got beat anyway
5 Mon.25.8.08 H WREXHAM 12noon 1-1 2,619 Senior 6 17 Could have won against big time Wrexham

Only one really poor result here (v. Barrow), always going to be a slow start with a dozen new players and three strikers injured/struggling for fitness.

6 Sat.30.8.08 A Eastbourne Borough 3pm 0-1 1,170 19 Should have got something.
7 Tue.2.9.08 A Histon 7.45pm 0-1 692 19 Only got beat by dodgy goal v. best nteam in the league (more or less)
8 Sat.6.9.08 H SALISBURY CITY 3pm 0-0 1,002 19 Unlucky not to beat the top team
9 Sat.13.9.08 A Stevenage Borough 3pm 0-3 1,804 21 "Alty in poor freekick shocker" the 2nd of three 3-goal wins for brilliant Stevenage
10 Sat.20.9.08 H LEWES 3pm 1-0 827 Young 87 21 The result I predicted

Worst judged protest ever at the start of a long unbeaten run. Burton also lost 4-1 to Stevenage before we played Stevenage. If they had fans like ours and listened to them, Cloughie would never have had the chance to guide them to the top of the table. N. B. never call me clueless again. Unless I wind up some youths from Luton.

11 Tue.23.9.08 H MANSFIELD TOWN 7.45pm 1-0 1,005 Senior 1 20 the players clicking and strikers back to their best. Result nowt to do with protest.
12 Mon.29.9.08 A Rushden & Diamonds 7.45pm 1-1 1,349 Little 44 19 Could have won against big spending Rushden
13 Sat.4.10.08 H EBBSFLEET UNITED 3pm 2-0 967 Little 27, Senior 45 17 Another bogie team beat.
14 Tue.7.10.08 A Salisbury City 7.45pm 3-1 950 Little 46, Johnson 86, O'Neill (pen) 90+5 14 Excellent result, could have won without the dismissals
15 Sun. 12.10.08 H OXFORD UNITED 3pm 1-0 1,806 Little 64 9 Good performance, Little shows his class.
16 Sat.18.10.08 A Weymouth 3pm 0-2 926 13 Always gonna be hard - 3rd game in a week, long trip, part time players
17 Sat.1.11.08 H HISTON 3pm 0-1 953 Edged out by the league's best team. Could have been different but defeat always likely.

Overall, I would love to be able to start well with a dozen new players and three strikers struggling but in real life it just doesn't happen. I was always confident the results would come though, we were never that bad. Stevenage? look at Burton. Kiddy? the sending off.

Great to beat Stalybridge in a proper match at last and draw with Luton too.

Graham Heathcote's red and white army.

135

Altrincham FC First Team / Graham Heathcote's red and white army

« on: November 13, 2008, 04:47:23 AM »

Officially our best season now since 1995 *(when Heathcote also coached us)

Graham Heathcote's a football genius

*on the basis of first match v a league team we haven't lost, and doing fairly well in the COnference.