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I feel so sad right now, I find it hard to believe (although we knew it was coming). Ecky is a great friend, all the times we’ve had (Alty and non Alty) seep into one big collective memory of enjoying being in his company. I don’t know what to say. Luckily there are literally hundreds of people here who can do so.

Life will move on eventually I suppose, although by God 2020 is testing my patience on that score, but this, yeh this right now makes it difficult for me to imagine an Alty without Ecky being present. Maybe that’s because I haven’t known it any other way for the 30 odd years I’ve known him. I’m generally loathe to say these things but I don’t think it’ll ever quite be the same again.

I’ll treasure an evening myself, Ecky, Hughesy and a couple of others spent at the ground in the 90s after we’d heard news that winding up was on its way. I don’t think it was 95, it may have been a slightly later one. We climbed in and just spent ages sat and stood in the corner of the pop side looking out at the ground talking about all the things we’d seen and done at our home. I’d trade so many things to have those chats again.

God speed mate. We love you. X

* Wrexham boss Dean Keates will have a £969,313 budget for the upcoming season - it was £1,256,900 for Bryan Hughes in 2019-20.



Aside from the actual figures (about £18k a week) and whether they can afford it in current Covid environment) I’m startled at just how open they are with their budget there.

I mean it’s a very irregular thing to state it so openly? To the exact pound as well, not just circa £950k etc 🤷‍♂️

I also think we have a better chance of staying in the league than we would have of winning the conf North. I think it will be very compe next year

It’s always easier to stay in a division rather than actually win it but yes it seems like it would be quite an ask. And hard going to do the whole slog again.

I can do without watching us play Fylde at home again too..

I’ll be down about 12:30 Flynny.

Ah, you know, how sad. This time comes to us all I guess but this one leaves me (us all) with a very heavy heart. I obviously have fond memories of George but I think from what Hugh and Cult have said it just shows you that whatever age you are as an Alty fan from any time in the past 60/70 years you’ll have come across George and been enriched by his presence.

I’ll remember him as a true gentleman, Alty to the core and an absolute football man in the very best sense. In my time coaching with him he was honest, decent, organised and more than that, caring. He managed a lot of lads from widely different races/classes/areas/backgrounds /circumstances - I don’t know how that comes across, I mean a spectrum I guess - and he treated them all unscrutably fairly and with understanding.

In that sense, he was always able to treat every young player on their own basis. He never, ever said that x was like y who he had managed the year before and bracketed them together if you see what I mean. I learnt a lot from that and I bet there’s hundreds of young footballers out there who would attest to that.

Moreover, the planet is less one good guy tonight and that’s sad and I wish Jenny and the rest of the Heslop family my very best of wishes and respect tonight, and what a marvellous couple they are and alway will be.

Rest easy George, we all owe you a great debt in this Alty family and it has been a pleasure x

My condolences Phil, myself and the lads are bereft at Martin leaving us, the most lovely of lads. He's done you all proud.Please be assured you all have our love and support.

I agree Jezza, the team deserve ALL our support but I am concerned that the stayaways are going to miss what is happening this season. I know you feel you are making a point, but what is happening now is under Graeme Rowley's chairmanship also.

With respect Steve..,

Very professional today. I thought we looked poor for first 20 mins of 2nd half but result says it all.

Thought James Jones was immense. Only negative was my eggy smelling pint of Wainrights . Rowley Out.

Luckily we've got the right chairman to sort that out...