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ATS, You have got the brain of a Scouser or they didn’t do Geography at Wellie Road. Altrincham is in the Greater Manchester borough of Trafford – same as Man U’s stadium, which is only 6 miles away. Historically Altrincham was in Trafford until 1974 when the Labour government put it in Greater Manchester. Post codes were already in use and Altrincham had a Warrington (which was in Lancashire) post code due to the volumes already covered by Manchester. Warrington is over twice as far from Altrincham than Old Trafford is and Wolverhampton is 70 miles away. The postcode excuse was used by Scouse logic when Everton wanted to move 10 miles out of the city of Liverpool to Kirkby, pointing out that it has a Merseyside postcode. In theory Referees have to come from neutral areas, which is not the case when your friend lives in the same borough as Man U. Imagine if I refereed an England v Germany football match on the grounds that I am an Irish National – and made up for the injustice of the 1966 World Cup Final?
As usual you are missing the point that most of us go to watch football matches to be entertained by the 2 teams, not the Referee.
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Redhill
First off I attended Alty Grammar (as incidentally did Anthony) and we did do Geography whilst I was there
Secondly, and not wishing to be pedantic. Trafford actually did not exist UNTIL 1974. Prior to that it was a part of Cheshire. Stretford was part of Lancashire up until that date so historically Altrincham and Stretford are parts of different counties.
Thirdly my reference to Counties relates to how Match Officials register with the FA.
Fourthly (and maybe a touch controversially) Whilst I appreciate that folk obviously primarily go to football to watch the two teams, it is, in my view, noteworthy that Altrincham can claim to be the home of someone who has reached the apex of their profession be they Referee, Doctor or Unicyclist