www.altyfans.co.uk

There are two sides to this, aren't there? The question of facilities and that of standards.

On facilities, it is just silly to say that clubs at our level play on parks or at the back of a pub or somewhere. As Brian said, it's only when you get to four divisions below  in the  Manchester or Cheshire League that you start to get clubs who may play on a railed off pitch in a public recreation area, or at a college, but even there plenty of clubs have private enclosed grounds.

On playing standards , "Sunday League" covers a massive range. Some leading clubs pay their players, I believe,  although I am not sure quite how "official" that is.  Also, didn't John King spot Mark Maddox playing for A3 in the Liverpool Business Houses Sunday League (I think I have got the club and league right)? Should we have refused him with a patronising sniff of "Sunday League"?

Yes, a decent performance against very competent opposition. I think one of the main points for the remaining friendlies, which I will miss, is to make sure Jordan Hulme, who has had a late start, gets lots of game time.

And thoroughly deserved. I think Chester only had 3 shots, including the dubious penalty.
Peers and Wright both scoring against one of their former clubs, too.

Apart from the National Lottery, I don't gamble myself, but I see that even at this early stage, Billericay Town are literally odds-on favourites to win the Bostik Isthmian League. Their owner/manager, who is a sort of Cockney Donald Trump, based on his character, has been splashing the cash and shouting very loudly about it for a few months, although they missed out on promotion last season.

What could possibly go wrong, I wonder, but 10/11 could be the shortest odds pre-season when a phoenix club is not involved.


:(http://thecoldend.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/betway-make-billericay-town-hot.html?m=1

I was there and it was the best performance by an Altrincham team for a long time, which may not be a hard standard to beat, with some very good football played. Triallists (I assume) Amis and Jones both did well again.
As the squad is so large, Phil Parkinson's difficult task will be to work out who to release.

Extra Prelim & Prelim Round draws made today (we come in 1QR) - highlight has to be
Extra Prelim - Northwich Victoria v 1874 Northwich (!) - winners home to either Athersley Recreation (which I think is the new home of Shaw Lane) or West Didsbury & Chorlton.
EP is 5th Aug, Prelim 19th. Part of me wants to start my competitive season with a Cup-tie - & part of me is saying no, don't go to the Saltmines grudge match! We could of course get the eventual winner of that foursome in 1QR (draw due Aug 21st, I guess).

If you do decide to go to the Northwich derby, don't forget Vics are playing at Barnton now. Incidentally, who would you support or would you hope that both teams slide down a hole caused by subsidence due to salt mining?

Also, if the draw is consistent with last season, and it has been so far, the draw will be on Aug 14th. i.e. the week before the Prelim Round takes place. Strange, I know.

If you buy an £80 adult season ticket at shaw lane AQUAFORCE

And if you buy one, you will be travelling to what are no doubt  the pleasant surroundings of Athersley Recreation as it has been announced that Shaw Lane are playing there this season, with Shaw Lane having priority of fixtures.

http://www.ncefl.org.uk/news/ncelpremierdivision/2017/4341-rectohostshawlanegames/

One addendum - FA Cup draws are, I believe, to be made on or about July 7th. I imagine that will cover Extra Prelim (to be played Aug 5th) & Prelim rounds & possibly 1QR, which would be full of ifs, buts & maybes at this point. I'm not sure about the Trophy draw date - it might possibly be the same as for the Cup.

The Trophy draw was announced on the equivalent day last season, covering the Preliminary and 1st Round Qualifying so I anticipate the same this season with July 7th being the day.

Incidentally,  I think I heard the draws are actually done earlier in the week, because of the sheer number of clubs involved perhaps,  but are only announced on the Friday. I am sure somebody,  no connection with Altrincham, leaked some accurate details in advance a year or two ago.