www.altyfans.co.uk

Here's a real horror show:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlVZd8-sHkY

"The referee, who apparently supports non-league side Altrincham...."


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-liverpool-referee-row-12005182

Just announced on the official website:

NEW MANAGER APPOINTED

Altrincham's joint Press and Media Officer, John Edwards, writes "Altrincham are delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Harvey, a coach with vast experience at international, Football League and non-League level, as their new manager.

The 58-year old former Northern Ireland assistant-manager will leave team affairs to caretaker trio Jake Moult, Shaun Densmore and Alan Goodall against Chorley at The J.Davidson Stadium in Tuesday night before launching his reign in earnest at Gloucester on Saturday.

He has still to decide on appointing a number two but was the overwhelming choice of the Altrincham board to succeed Neil Young, who resigned as manager eight days ago.

'We had a high-calibre field of applicants for the job, which again shows the stature the club has in the eyes of a lot of people,' said chairman Grahame Rowley.

'In the end, after due diligence and a lot of discussion, the board felt that Jim was the number one candidate.

'With his experience in this league, we felt he was the ideal choice to steady the ship and take us forward. He presented a long-term plan, full of good, positive ideas for progressing the club, and we are looking forward to seeing them put into practice. I would like to thank everyone who applied for the job and wish them well in their future careers.'

After leading FC Halifax Town to a Wembley triumph in the FA Trophy and almost pulling off an unlikely escape from relegation, many felt Harvey was unlucky not to be kept on at The Shay at the end of last season.

Instead, Halifax went for North Ferriby boss Billy Heath, but the Northern Irishman was more interested in looking forward than reflecting on what might have been, as he said:

'I'm absolutely delighted to be taking the job at Altrincham. The team are at the wrong end of the table at the moment, but we will be aiming to remedy that as quickly as possible.

'There is a good job in hand here, and I am really looking forward to cracking on with it. A job needs doing, but that suits me fine. I'm up for it and ready for the challenge.

'I saw Altrincham at Halifax earlier this season, and I know a few of the players, but I will have a better idea of things when I have seen them again and worked with them close up.

'I've seen how results have gone in recent weeks. Confidence is a big factor in football. Clearly something is not right, so we will come in and have a look at that and see what can be done. We will try and resolve the problems and get the club going forward again.

'I thought there was a good shape about them against Stockport on Saturday, and they were a bit unlucky. So I will leave the three lads in charge against Chorley and take the reins after that.

'It attracted me straightaway, this job. Whoever you speak to or wherever you go, it's clear Altrincham are still a big name in non-League football. The club's history speaks for itself, renowned Cup fighters and giantkillers. I would like to get that good feeling back in the club again. That's what we will be trying to achieve.'

Harvey began his playing career as a midfielder with Glenavon before joining Arsenal in 1977 and making three League appearances and one in the UEFA Cup. He made nearly 300 appearances for Hereford and almost 200 for Tranmere, prior to a move into management with Morecambe in 1994, where his decade in charge included a spell as Northern Ireland assistant-manager.

His reputation for getting the best out of teams continued to flourish at Forest Green Rovers, who were bottom of the Conference with two points from six games when he became their seventh manager in nine seasons at the beginning of September, 2006.

After steering them to safety, he followed up by producing a team that took the eye with a free-flowing passing style that earned them an eighth-place finish, the club's highest-ever at the time. In his third season, he took them to the third round of the FA Cup, where they gave Championship side Derby County a scare before losing 4-3.

After Halifax made a disastrous start to last season under Darren Kelly, they promoted Harvey from assistant to manager and saw their fortunes transformed. They went all the way in the Trophy, beating Grimsby in the final at Wembley, and came agonisingly close to beating the drop from the Vanarama National League after a marked improvement in form and results"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36603525

Look who's back again as part of "a Cheshire-based consortium":


http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-former-blues-chief-11437590

5 May 2016

NINE PLAYERS LEAVING

John Edwards, joint Press & Media Officer at Altrincham FC, writes that new manager "Neil Young has begun the decision-making process needed to shape a new-look Altrincham squad by announcing that nine players from last season have left the club.

After deliberating over targets he wants to bring in and a need to balance the books, Alty's recently-appointed manager has confirmed the departures of Ryan Crowther, Tom Marshall, Adam Griffin, Luca Havern, Tim Deasy, Josh O'Keefe, Jordan Sinnott, George Bowerman and Nicky Clee.

'I've spoken to each one of them individually, with the exception of George Bowerman, who has been left two messages,' he said. 'I think they appreciated that, but I wouldn't have it any other way. These lads have done fantastically well for the club over the last few years and deserved to hear the reasons for my decision in person.

'Whenever a new manager comes in, he always has a tough call to make about keeping some people and not others. We need to add players to what was a fairly small squad last season, but to do that on what will obviously be a reduced budget, we have to free up some money.

'That has now been done, but I can tell you it entailed some very difficult decisions. When I spoke to the lads who are leaving, I thanked them for the job they've done, and I want to place on record the club's appreciation for all they did in their time with us.'

Meetings are planned with the four other remaining players - Damian Reeves, Scott Leather, Michael Rankine and James Lawrie - to see if agreement can be reached about staying at The J.Davidson Stadium, while Young confirmed he is closing in on a list of potential new signings.

'We have sounded out one or two, and the first signing could be imminent, if all goes well' he said. 'We have to be absolutely sure they are players who can take us forward, but plans are in place.'"

Prominent in the BBC News report footage of today's memorial service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the British victims of those terrorist atrocities in Tunisia last summer, one of whom was his brother Philip.

An unimaginably sad occasion:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36016547