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General Category => Altrincham FC First Team => Topic started by: im not really here on September 19, 2007, 05:11:22 PM

Title: From the Messenger
Post by: im not really here on September 19, 2007, 05:11:22 PM
Heathcote stands firm
By Connor Murphy
Comment
GRAHAM Heathcote insists he will stand firm in the face of criticism from fans.

There have been calls for the Alty manager's head after Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Cambridge made it 10 games without a win.

But Heathcote is confident he is still the man to lead the Robins to Blue Square Premier survival.

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 Speaking exclusively to SAM Sport, he said: "All the people who are giving me one or two games to turn things around can play football manager if they want but I'm still confident in my ability.

"When this club were fourth bottom of the Unibond, who was brought in to turn things around? So if I was good enough for the job then, why should I not have the self-belief to think I can get it right this time.

"We have a bigger picture to look at. We've pulled this club out of the mire and want to sustain it playing at the highest level possible.

"I have been in these situations before and there's not a fan out there who will detract from my self-belief.

"If I was to leave this club it wouldn't be the end of Graham Heathcote in football. So why should I walk away from this situation just to walk straight into another one?"

Heathcote also has the backing of chairman Geoff Goodwin, who claimed he would leave the club himself if the Robins boss were forced out the door.

"Some fans have got short memories," said Goodwin.

"They need to look at what we have achieved at this club over the last five years and not be so negative. Graham is Altrincham FC."

After Tuesday's defeat, Heathcote will be looking to bring in loan players to bolster his ailing squad.

He added: "We've got to get our heads down and find answers to some major problems.

"Clearly we have major problems up front. We have always relied on Colin Little to score goals so when he had a tough time we were always going to struggle.

"The solution now is to borrow some players from league clubs but that's not a long-term solution, it's just a stop-gap."

Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Alty365 on September 19, 2007, 05:19:14 PM
So we've got a striker who will leave if Graham leaves, a Chairman who will leave if the manager leaves and he also believes that the manager "is Altrincham F.C."

So, pats on the back all round then for a job well done. It's all about egos and that is a very sad state of affairs. I wonder how much they want to alienate the fans before waking up and smelling the roses. I feel insulted by that article and feel tempted to just stay away all together until this circus gets sorted out.

STOP TREATING THE FANS LIKE IDIOTS.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: markecky on September 19, 2007, 05:48:38 PM
Altrincham FC has been around for 100 plus years. 

Its is not about one man at all. 

Regardless of anyones achievements at the club, the club is bigger than anyone one person.

I think we need to appoint a PR consultant with the chequers money.



Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: TheCultOfIanTunnacliffe on September 19, 2007, 05:52:21 PM
Quote from: im not really here on September 19, 2007, 05:11:22 PM
Heathcote also has the backing of chairman Geoff Goodwin, who claimed he would leave the club himself if the Robins boss were forced out the door.


OK then, hands up everyone who was waiting for this oh-so familiar statement.

Altrincham FC is not about one person.

Will the Chairman be changing our name to FC Heathcote next?
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: altrincham on September 19, 2007, 06:49:18 PM
Shows a complete lack of respect for the supporters implying they will shut up shop if they don’t have it all there own way. The fans have done more for this club than anyone FACT   :-[ 

Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Bob on September 19, 2007, 07:03:11 PM
Agreed.  I think Graham and Geoff have done a brilliant job over the past few years, but nobody in particular can ever be referred to as Altrincham FC.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: gazwarrington on September 19, 2007, 07:11:52 PM
Holding the club to Ransom ??
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: CB on September 19, 2007, 07:12:16 PM
Consider us relegated then  >:(
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Mallorca Alty on September 19, 2007, 07:23:03 PM
Christ! Where has all this doom and gloom come from? Why are we arguing amongst ourselves? We are in a position almost everyone expect us to be in? The players and management are only human, they make mistakes. They are doing their best. Likewise the supporters are doing their best to help the club. So why the pointless arguing?
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: gazwarrington on September 19, 2007, 07:24:53 PM
Its not the position but why we are are there !

I know I'll annoy people cos I keep saying it but I just want ALTRINCHAM FC TO COMPETE !!

Can I just add as the plaque says ... "The Past does not equal the future" IF the worst came to the worst ...
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Ballers on September 19, 2007, 07:30:24 PM
A FEW THINGS HERE

But Heathcote is confident he is still the man to lead the Robins to Blue Square Premier survival.

Good, I'm glad to hear it. However, please lets make sure we don't get confidence and stubborness confused


"When this club were fourth bottom of the Unibond, who was brought in to turn things around? So if I was good enough for the job then, why should I not have the self-belief to think I can get it right this time.

Abso-f**king-lutely Graham! I still (just about) believe in you for one, so why don't you. Why all the other teams are getting better and we can't tripe? Why the negative sides? HAVE SOME BELIEF IN YOURSELF, HAVE SOME BELIEF IN THE PLAYERS YOU HAVE and finally, HAVE SOME BELIEF IN US! We know the league is difficult but any criticism you are getting is because people think you have given up the ghost of trying to get at teams, making Moss Lane a fortress etc? We can't win attacking so we'll just try and compete and die a slow painful death.

As remarked by a cambridge fan tuesday, any other club in the country and you'd be crucified. Maybe GH should go play football manager for a bit until his confidence comes back.

"Some fans have got short memories," said Goodwin.
"They need to look at what we have achieved at this club over the last five years and not be so negative. Graham is Altrincham FC."

NO NO NO NO NO AND NO! Graham is not Altrincham FC, neither are you Geoff, nor is anyone individual, be it Jackie Swindells, Noel White, John King, Ken McKenna, Keith Davey, Dennis Birch, Hughesy or anyone else you care to mention. In my view this is the one factor that needs to be addressed.

And I can assure you, fans have long memories. We know what the Unibond league is like, we know what the winding up orders are like. Going back there is the last thing anyone wants but the fans are growing tired of the negative defeatist outlook currently given, and by that I mean the (on the face of it) managements attitude that we can't attack cos we'll be picked off so trying to use any of our attacking players is a no no. And nor will fans accept that we are a conference north club, never have, never will and it was your leadership with that attitude that got us back to where we are. We have to have that attitude, no matter how far we travel, how hard it is or how arrogant opposition directors are.

In my view, the last 5 years of this club are as much a success story as any of thh 70s and 80s, but we can't just say that is enough. Do you think anyone kept the faith just so we could come so far and fall back. To suggest that people are negative is bizarre, it exactly the opposite that is causing the problem.


"Clearly we have major problems up front. We have always relied on Colin Little to score goals so when he had a tough time we were always going to struggle.


Well, that's easily solved, if we're having problems up front playing with 2 strikers lets just play with 1 all the time instead (preferably the one with least goal scoring threat). That will increase our chances of scoring

"The solution now is to borrow some players from league clubs but that's not a long-term solution, it's just a stop-gap."


Stop gap it is then, but let's at least try and believe we can stay in this division. Our ambition is only to finish 5th from bottom, not an unrealistic expectation is it!

I've left a lot out of this post but that article is one of the most embarrassing pieces of drivel in this clubs history. If you pull your heads out of the sand for long enough you will realise that peoples heads aren't in the clouds.

Furious.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Bob on September 19, 2007, 07:34:37 PM
Brilliant post, Ballers.  100% spot on
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: markecky on September 19, 2007, 07:38:14 PM
Post of the season, if not the history of the forum, that is Ballers.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Bob on September 19, 2007, 07:39:07 PM
Quote from: Cestrian Alty on September 19, 2007, 07:23:03 PM
Christ! Where has all this doom and gloom come from? Why are we arguing amongst ourselves? We are in a position almost everyone expect us to be in? The players and management are only human, they make mistakes. They are doing their best. Likewise the supporters are doing their best to help the club. So why the pointless arguing?

There's a hell of a difference between being in a relegation battle and picking up 3 points from 30, not least by surrendering so many games in such a limp manner.  That's the difference between this season and last two.  And that's why so many people are getting annoyed and frustrated.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: altrincham on September 19, 2007, 07:43:32 PM
I would like to add that I am also furious with that article.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Beez on September 19, 2007, 07:46:25 PM
Im sat here red faced with rage after reading the messenger article.

Im sorry but that is one of the most embarrasing articles i have ever read!

I for one will never ever forget everything that Geoff has done for this football club but it just seems to me that he like graham is putting his head in the sand. As has been said many times, NO ONE MAN is bigger than Altrincham Football Club. Maybe if this is the way Geoff feels it maybe time that he should walk away aswell and let somebody with fresh ideas take the helm.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: samba on September 19, 2007, 07:55:42 PM
Me too, that article is a disgrace.  It upsets me quite how much both appear to patronise us all as fans.  Most people on this forum live and breath Altrincham FC, and it only takes a quick look on here to see that the fans know what they're talking about, and it is just a kneejerk change overnight from champ man fans.

Quote

"Clearly we have major problems up front. We have always relied on Colin Little to score goals so when he had a tough time we were always going to struggle.

"The solution now is to borrow some players from league clubs but that's not a long-term solution, it's just a stop-gap."


Now THAT upsets me a lot.  Major problems up front? What do you expect playing one lone forward at home against a 4 man Cambridge defence?  And Borrow players?  This squad is more than capable of reaching 5th from bottom (and above, but 5th from bottom is the goal), try playing people in position!!

One thing i've often wondered, does anyone from the club, management or player, read these forums to anyones knowledge?  I'd love to know what the players opinions are on Grahams tactics.

I honestly can't beleive all that in the messenger.  This is a fans club, and right now, I feel completely alienated by the club.  It's a sad day for Alty.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Alty365 on September 19, 2007, 07:58:49 PM
I would just like to reiterate that if our manager and chairman stand by the comments in that article I'll be staying away until they leave the club. I am totally disgusted by the patronising and insulting nature of their comments. It hurts to say what I've just said but I have my principals.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: joe on September 19, 2007, 08:00:22 PM
Have to agree with everything being said,top class post by ballers!  I'm sick of all the idle threats by certain individuals,i'll quit if this or that happens or i'll quit if he goes etc. If you're going to go,just go!
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Daycare Dan on September 19, 2007, 08:19:11 PM
I can not believe what I have read. For this to be posted in the local press is an embarrassment for the club.

As said above NODOBY is Altrincham FC and never will be, the club has been here for 104 years long before (most!) of us, and long may it be here long after I'm gone.

I've not heard anyone doubt what has been done over the past 5 years, but we need to keep looking forward, things have to evolve maybe the club needs to move on in some aspects.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: radcliffe alty on September 19, 2007, 08:21:12 PM
Quote
"All the people who are giving me one or two games to turn things around can play football manager if they want but I'm still confident in my ability.

Yes Graham, but I'd suggest the majority of the paying customers who have supported this club through thick and thin don't, and I'd wager half the players who are played out of position week in week out don't either. You don't need football manager to know that you play your best players in their best position.

Geoff is just naive - I think if GH told him to jump off a cliff he would. But clearly he doesn't have the balls to get rid so we're stuck. I thought he was buggering off last season anyway?

Such a shame, so childish and I think the only way we'll get through our disgust at this is to do the unthinkable and stay away from Moss Lane until at very least there is an apology, resignation or sacking. I don't care what order they come in. Who do the club want more - a foul mouthed stubbon manager and his yes man chairman or the loyal fans who deserve so much more than this? Seriously tempted to send back my season ticket with a letter of disgust. I could do what that Middlesborough fan did and throw it at GH but he'd kick the sh*t out of me in the bar and I don't want that!
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: tricky on September 19, 2007, 08:25:04 PM
I have been watching alty for well over thirty years,but i won't be going again this season.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: gazwarrington on September 19, 2007, 08:30:34 PM
I can't agree with fans boycotting the games I'm afraid ... Thats not helping the club.... COME ON PEOPLE !
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Alty365 on September 19, 2007, 08:41:42 PM
Quote from: gazwarrington on September 19, 2007, 08:30:34 PM
I can't agree with fans boycotting the games I'm afraid ... Thats not helping the club.... COME ON PEOPLE !


But Graham Heathcote IS Altrincham F.C. They are not interested in what the supporters think and feel and therefore the club doesn't need us. They have let their egos become more important than the club and I want nothing to do with that.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: joe on September 19, 2007, 08:47:26 PM
I will be there on Saturday like i am for the majority of games because to me its like a bad addiction although like i said in a previous post,changes are needed and fast!!
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Bath Alty on September 19, 2007, 08:51:40 PM
I'm with Gary on this one.  Boycotting games does no one any good.  So GH has insulted the fans, by your own logic the club is bigger than any one man and you are proposing to withdraw support from the club because of one man (or a small number anyway).  Doesn't really make sense, does it?

There are plenty of us on here having to endure enforced abscence from Moss Lane and fans talking of doing so out of choice seems bizarre to me.

The best way out of this mess is for us all to stick together.  People have bemaoned the lack of fight and spirit from the team but it seems that the fans on here have lost something as well.  We all know what GH has done for the club and we all know perfectly well that he isn't going anywhere until he is good and ready so lets accept that, the way we accept the other things that are less than perfect about the club we support and get on with doing what we can to help (which is frustratingly bugger all from down here admittedly)
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: casper on September 19, 2007, 08:56:21 PM
Again GH has ago at the fans. What the hell is wrong with this guy? No one can undermine the achievements of the past five years. Coming from the lower area of unibond to conference national is a good performance. Maybe there is someone out there who can emulate his success. Maybe its just time for a change of leadership to take us further on. GH is not Altrincham FC, he is only a part of a club that has worked closely with its supporters. Now is a true test of whether the whole management will realise that tough changes are needed to bolster our campaign. The turnaround of opinion on this forum over the last few weeks does show that more fans think a change is needed. Saturday is a final test of what GH can conjure up. Simply the performances this season have not been up to the required standard, neither have the tactics.

As for Geoff, during last season he announced his departure, only for our relegation and turnaround to stay. We are a club in need of investment, it is a struggle to stay up but we have a decent squad that the manager needs to play to their strengths.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Mrs Warbouys on September 19, 2007, 09:08:54 PM
Quote from: Beez on September 19, 2007, 07:46:25 PM
Im sat here red faced 

Well you will stop off at the grapes every night after work 
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: markecky on September 19, 2007, 09:20:03 PM

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Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Toff Apple on September 19, 2007, 09:49:07 PM
I'm Altrincham FC and so is my wife.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: samba on September 20, 2007, 12:53:43 AM
I think based on the messenger comments everything has got a lot worse than it was, which is a shame, as it was quite bad in the firstplace!  Seriously though, if we start with Clancy left back, Potts and Logan with Little and Senior up front, I think i'm going to be a very happy man on Saturday. Sat is obviously a must win, we all know this, but I honestly think we'll start with a poor formation again and (hopefully) get a scrappy 1-0 or 2-1 win.  More likely is a draw.  In either of those situations, I don't think any fan is going to be happy, as it's simply appaling to watch.

I'm definately going to be there and I wouldn't boycott, as Joe says it's an addiction we all have.  I'm just depressed because I know as hopeful as I want to be for Sat, I know i'll get there, see the team sheet and know i'm going to have a horrendous 90 minutes ahead of me, again.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: hsmith1 on September 20, 2007, 06:06:44 AM
Having just read the first page, and people know from my posting I an a GH fan.I am glad that Gh has the confidence that we will be ok,i just wish that there was more interaction between if not GH then someone from the club and the Fans.Its not nice reading that so and so was doing this and so and so did this back.I know its the managers job to run the club and the boards to back him etc.but keep the fans informed and backing you.I dont think people would feel half as bad if they knew what was happening behind the scenes.The meeting between the fans and the club earlier on in the season did help calm fans gitters,why not have one say every 6 weeks or so.
We all know Graham is Alty through and through,but so are the fans.GET BEHIND THE CLUB SATURDAY and get the first of many wins
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: louise1925 on September 20, 2007, 07:56:27 AM
I know there was a meeting held recently with GH, Geoff and fans, but I think another one is URGENTLY required, preferably on Saturday when most of us will be able to attend.
For the record, no boycott of games PLEASE.
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: Alex on September 20, 2007, 10:09:06 AM
Quote from: Daycare Dan on September 19, 2007, 08:19:11 PM
the club has been here for 104 years long before (most!) of us, and long may it be here long after I'm gone.

LMAO do you still ahve the programme from the first game?

 i was quite depressed reading the fourm this past week the comments and the negitivity both from the club and some on this fourm make me wonder why i bother? and then i remember that i do it for the love of the club wether we're in the confrence blue squere whatever or the north west counties, i couldn't care less as long as on a saturday there are 1o men in red and white and one in green running out on to a pitch i will be there to give my suppot to the club.

so let's put the in fighting and calling for the manager's head behind us and let's get behind the team from 5 imnuets before the kick off till the final whistle ! ! ! ! ! !
and not let our heads drop and stop singing just because we're 1 down like tuesday  :(, if out heads go down the players can sense it and when they need that lift to get back into the game it's not there. at woking we out sung the home fans (which wasn't hard) but you would have thought we we're on the golf road it was that loud, so let's show that spirt and get behind the lads and managment from the off.

come on alty ! ! ! ! !
Title: Re: From the Messenger
Post by: hsmith1 on September 20, 2007, 10:47:19 AM
Core 104 years and my father has watched Alty for 73 of them