Also in Wales, former Alty defender Mark McGregor is manager at GAP Connah's Quay Nomads and Welsh Premier confirm that the "Nomads are pleased to announce a huge addition of fixtures... North Wales has become the fashionable place to prepare for some of Europe’s finest teams. We are proud to confirm that we will play Romanian giants and regular UEFA Champions’ League entrants, Dinamo Bucaresti (Dinamo Bucharest)...on Wednesday, 2nd July with an 8pm kick off.

Following this, Saturday 5th July will see a blockbuster weekend as we host Scottish Championship side, Heart of Midlothian (Hearts), who will train at the Deeside Stadium on the Saturday, prior to departing to play Preston North End.

Amazingly, no sooner that our Edinburgh friends depart, do we welcome a side who last season made the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League, Bulgarian Champions PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (Ludogorets). Ten days later, we are also pleased to confirm that a very strong Cardiff City Development Squad side will make the trip north where former striker Rhys Healey will make his return to Deeside Stadium. The side will be managed by former Wales international, Craig Bellamy who will be at the stadium in person.

Finally, a party to end the party, as we become the first Welsh club to host the new giants of the non-league circuit as ex Celtic and Ross County manager Willie McStay will bring his footballing equivalent of London Irish, the new and rising Celtic Nation FC, to Deeside Stadium on Saturday 19th July. Supported by a hoard of Irish ex-pats, the stadium will no doubt be bathed in green, white and orange.

Admission for all of these games will be £6 for general admission and £2 for concessions. Anyone in full time education will receive entry for just £1. It is possible to purchase a pre-season ticket which will give you access to all of our pre-season fixtures for just £15 for general admission and £5 for concessions.

Our full home pre-season fixture list is as follows;

• The Nomads vs FC Dinamo Bucuresti Weds, 2 July, 2014 8:00pm
• The Nomads vs PFC Ludogorets Razgrad Sat, 5 July, 2014 2:30pm
• The Nomads vs Cardiff City Development Squad Tues, 15 July, 2014 7:30pm
• The Nomads vs Celtic Nation FC Sat, 19 July, 2014 2:30pm
• The Nomads vs Tranmere Rovers FC Sat, 26 July, 2014 2:30pm"

CONFERENCE NEWS

As reported yesterday, Welsh Premier says that "Treble-winning skipper George Horan has confirmed his departure from Chester FC after four seasons. The 32-year-old spent 10 years in the Welsh Premier before moving to his hometown club and, despite no shortage of offers from clubs in the English pyramid, sources suggest his former club Connah's Quay are leading the race to secure his return to the domestic league".

The Football Conference has issued its "final" AGM list of clubs in each of its leagues for 2014-15. It adds that "To correct any misconceptions, under FA regulations - National League System, no further changes can be now made to Conference constitution".

The 2014/15 Football Conference season, for all Divisions, opens on Saturday, 9th August 2014 and closes on Saturday, 25th April 2015.

SATURDAY TIDY UP!

Please don't just rely on others to turn up but, if you can possibly spare a few hours, please do come along yourself and help. Your work will be greatly appreciated both by the Club and by your fellow supporters. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

Alty's official caterer, Richie Bentley adds that "We'll be providing food for FREE to all the volunteers who turn up on Saturday... FREE breakfast for all those loyal fans who help with the ground clear-up starting from 10am. I am happy to feed as many as possible, everyone is welcome!"

HALL ON TARGET FOR OCTOBER

Chairman Grahame Rowley said, 'The new community sports hall is a 750,000 pound project with the backing of the Premier League Facility Fund, Viridor, the Football Foundation and our own supporters and sponsors. It's a massive project, one of the biggest things we've done in the last 30-40 years. It's very important for our future'...

'We've retained forteen players from last season' added Rowley. 'Our manager has confidence in them. We've made three signings and we've got irons in the fire for another couple'.

Club officials are hosting a volunteering day tomorrow (Saturday) and are urging supporters to help get the ground ready for pre-season... Volunteers are asked to turn up at the stadium on Moss Lane from 10am tomorrow".

Pictured, above, are the builder's containers for the new community hall.

ALTY KEY HOLDER

OLD BOYS

Left back Doughty, 31, had a spell at his home-town club in 2011 but left for a successful [return] spell at Altrincham, helping the team win promotion...

Also joining Town are Runcorn Town goalkeeper Karl Wills and Nantwich Town defender Alex Frost... [ex-Alty youth and reserve] Frost, 28, has bags of experience after playing more than 200 club games for Ashton United, prior to joining Nantwich as club captain last season".

SUMMER FUN WEEKS

Altrincham FC is running two Summer Fun Weeks for boys and girls aged 4 to 14. Click on the image right for details and an application form.

A coaching page will be developed on this site to highlight such events.

CONFERENCE NEWS

A broken leg, sustained in pre-season, meant that Craig missed all but the final five games of the 2012/13 season, but he became one of just seven players retained following relegation".

Dover Athletic "are pleased to announce the signing of former central defender Tyrone Sterling, who left Whites for Kent rivals Dartford last season, on a one-year deal.

Sterling, 26, was Chris Kinnear's first signing in his second spell as manager of the club as he joined from Cray Wanderers in January 2013. The former Dagenham & Redbridge trainee impressed as he helped his side reach the Blue Square Bet South Play-Off Final...

Sterling departed that summer to Dartford last season... On the same day skipper Craig Stone agreed terms to commit his future to Crabble".

In the West Country, Forest Green Rovers have signed former Salisbury City midfielder Clovis Kamdjo on a two-year deal. The 23-year-old, who can also play as a central defender, made 34 league appearances for Salisbury last season while operating in the midfield...

Kamdjo has already built up a resume that included 114 games for Barnet in League Two... following his release from Reading... Kamdjo was moved into a defensive midfield role during the 2011-12 season by then Barnet manager Lawrie Sanchez. The combination of strong precise tackling, aerial ability and quick passing has kept Kamdjo on the radar of Rovers manager Ady Pennock over the past few seasons... Born in Cameroon, Kamdjo moved to the United Kingdom as a 14-year-old".

At the International Stadium, "Another four players... have committed themselves to Gateshead for another year. Goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, captain Ben Clark, fellow central defender James Curtis and midfield playmaker Phil Turnbull have all penned new deals...

'The time has gone quickly', said Clark, who is approaching 200 games at Gateshead having previously spent six years at Hartlepool United after four years at Sunderland. 'I enjoyed last season more than any other, and that was down to the great changing room the new management fostered... We have set our standards and teams will no doubt come at us now. It will be a different type of pressure but we have the experience to cope and do well again.

Getting Jon Shaw back is a great first signing for the Club'...

Manager Gary Mills [said]... 'Offers have been made to players and it would be nice to have most of the squad in place before we return to training in July'".

ACcording to the BBC, "Woking have agreed to sign midfielder Keiran Murtagh on a permanent deal once his contract at Mansfield Town expires on 1 August. The 25-year-old spent five months on loan with the Cards last season...

Murtagh joined Mansfield from Macclesfield last summer, but only featured five times for the Stags. The Antigua & Barbuda international has had spells with Yeovil and Wycombe. Murtagh previously had loan spells at Woking in 2010-11 and 2011-12".

NewsAtDen reports that "Millwall have been given the green light to discuss personal terms with Lee Gregory after Halifax Town accepted their fourth bid for the striker...

The Lions finally agreed a deal with the Conference club, worth around £250,000... NewsAtDen understands that Millwall are the first club to be granted permission to speak to the forward but two rival bidders are close to meeting Halifax's asking price."

From the Chester Chronicle we learn that "Club captain George Horan has confirmed his departure from Chester FC after four seasons... His inspirational leadership and outstanding performances in the heart of the back four over the past four seasons have been key to the club's remarkable rise.

Former boss Neil Young signed the 32-year-old in July 2010 from Droylsden.... Blues' boss Steve Burr was keen for Horan to remain next season and hoped the centre back would sign a new deal, although [he] admitted the offer was on reduced terms. But with Horan working full-time the move to daytime training would have been difficult...

Horan will have no shortage of offers from clubs in England and Wales, with Altrincham, Airbus UK Broughton, Colwyn Bay, FC United of Manchester and Gap Connah's Quay understood to be among his admirers.

Burr said, 'We can't keep him on the same type of money and I understand that George has got do what is best for him and his family'".

SALISBURY RELEGATED

The club has failed to meet the requirement to settle all football creditors in cleared funds by 5pm Thursday, 12th June 2014. Furthermore, it has also failed to provide a financial bond of £50,000 by the same time and date.

These elements constitute two of four requirements unanimously set by members of the Board of the Football Conference Ltd, in attendance and eligible to vote, on Friday, 6th June which, if fulfilled, would enable the club to retain its membership of the Conference National Division.

If unfulfilled the club was advised at the meeting it would be liable to be expelled from the Competition and the Company under Article 5.2 or be relegated.

At a Board meeting today (13 June) the Directors considered various issues relating to the club's financial stability, in particular the club's failure to provide the Bond and its failure to settle all its football creditors by the due date.

The Directors in attendance at the meeting, and eligible to vote, unanimously agreed to invoke the latter part of its previous decision and relegate Salisbury City FC from the Conference Premier to Conference South.

Furthermore, if a Bond of £50,000.00 (or a Bank Guarantee) is not deposited, and the football creditors have not been settled in cleared funds, by 5pm on Friday, 4th July 2014, the club will be expelled from the Competition and the Company.

The consequence of today's decision means Dartford FC will be reprieved from relegation to Conference South and will be replaced in the constitution of this division by Salisbury City".

At 1.23pm today Salisbury City had announced that "Salisbury City FC are facing expulsion from the Conference on Tuesday after the league's board decided to consider relegating them today, despite meeting certain financial demands placed on them. [NB in the original statement the Club said "decided to relegate" not "decided to consider relegating", a phrase which appeared later].

On Friday £75,000 was transferred into the club solicitors client account to meet unpaid debts. The Conference board have also been given assurances that in the next seven days, the funds to meet all outstanding club debts will be paid. However, because of a legal issue in relationship to ownership of the club, the Conference board have decided to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league on Tuesday. It staggers belief that this is a Conference board who were quite happy, along with the FA, to endorse the appointment of Otail Touzar but following forensic investigation by the club to expose his financial situation, are now using him as an excuse to throw Salisbury City FC out of the league.

Following legal advice, Salisbury City FC will now consider taking an injunction out on the Conference or taking the case to an FA independent appeal board. It is disappointing that the Conference have failed to give the club a 7 day extension to clear up their financial irregularities and as a result of their imminent action it leaves Salisbury City FC with no choice but to take legal steps to safeguard their future".

SATURDAY TIDY UP - WITH GOOD FOOD!

This Saturday, 14 June, from 10am, the Club invites all supporters to come along and help make the stadium a place to be proud of. Whilst your willingness to give your time will be the main thing, if you can also bring anything that you think might be useful, such as garden tools, brushes, etc., please do so and you will be made very welcome. The more volunteers who come along, the quicker and more thorough will be the job done.

Please don't just rely on others to turn up but, if you can possibly spare a few hours, please do come along yourself and help. Your work will be greatly appreciated both by the Club and by your fellow supporters. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

Alty's official caterer, Richie Bentley adds that "We'll be providing food for FREE to all the volunteers who turn up on Saturday... FREE breakfast for all those loyal fans who help with the ground clear-up starting from 10am. I am happy to feed as many as possible, everyone is welcome!"

FIXTURES

OLD BOY

Manager Brian Clarence said, 'I`m delighted to have Ady on board. He's exactly what we've been after... Ady has a brilliant football CV'".

CONFERENCE NEWS

Furthermore the club today have, upon legal advice, taken steps to remove the current owner, Mr Otail A.S. Touzar after information surfaced questioning the legitimacy of his takeover of the club. Following consultation with legal experts, Mr Touzar has been banned from the club and will be served with legal papers in the forthcoming days to overturn his ownership.

At this point in time no further statement will be made".

City also stated that "Mark Winter and other professionals employed by the club are in on-going discussions with the conference who are being as supportive as they can be". Winter himself added "Should we be able to resolve this very difficult situation the club will still need financial funding to remain in business as explained to the fans yesterday".

Meanwhile, the Western Daily Mail said that "Salisbury City will stay in the top tier of non-league football for now - after negotiations with league officials over their rollercoaster financial situation went into extra time.

Club officials said.... they were taking 'legal steps to ban' a Moroccan businessman, who bought the club for £1, said he would save it and made his first signing, a 19-year-old Saudi Prince to play in midfield, because he had not invested any money...

Within days of Moroccan businessman Otain Touzar being installed as chairman and saying he’d signed a Saudi Prince, alarm bells began to ring at the RayMac stadium. First the club admitted it was still under a transfer embargo for not paying its players since April, so couldn’t sign a midfielder, royal or otherwise, and then the post on the club’s website heralding Mr Touzar as chairman was removed.

Mr Touzar’s business partner, Salisbury fan, shareholder and youth coach Mark Winter, met fans at a fans’ forum on Wednesday night and laid bare the club’s predicament, saying it needed to find £29,000 to pay wages by 5pm last night. He said he had been taken in by Mr Touzar, branded him an ‘idiot’, and himself for signing him up.

'If no money comes in we'll be kicked out of the Conference. He (Touzar) has lost the fans and players. They have been asking who this idiot is. The players don't want to work for him and neither does the manager', Mr Winter told supporters on Wednesday night.

'I've asked Otail to sign over his shares to me so others can invest but he won't at the moment. Therefore, I won't allow anyone to invest while he's got control', he told fans. 'I feel like the biggest idiot in the city. It has cost me £75,000 to learn a lesson. I never intended anything bad to happen to the club. But, as people keep telling me, he was the only man available to help at the time.

I've taken money from my mortgage to help save the club. I feel embarrassed and ashamed about how this has panned out. Never in a million years did I expect this outcome'".

The Daily Echo adds that "Mr Winter, who is responsible for running the club on a day-to-day basis with the help of fellow supporter and fiancée Michaela Menzel, took over the club last month from William Harrison-Allan when it was on the verge of folding.

Along with Mr Touzar he took on about £160,000 of debts after purchasing the club for a pound. About £41,000 of that was owed to the players, some of which the Journal understands has been paid...

Mr Winter added, 'I needed somebody to be the financial backer and was recommended someone by a well-respected man from Capita. That man was Otail Touzar. I met him and spoke to him and he reckoned he could take the club to the Championship - he came down to earth later on.

His business is investing in football clubs. Even William and former director Jeff Hooper said you've landed on your feet. But that's not the case'...

In the midst of the financial saga, defender Brian Dutton has left and ex-Saints striker Jamie White terminated his contract to join Bristol Rovers, despite Mr Winter offering him £700 to stay. Cameroonian midfielder Clovis Kamdjo is also not planning to return."

Away from this sorry saga, the Football Conference reports that "Torquay United have signed forward Louis Briscoe on a two-year deal.... [which] is a huge boost for manager Chris Hargreaves...

Briscoe, 26, came through the youth ranks at Port Vale and made three appearances for the Valiants before moving into non-League football with Leek Town, Hednesford Town, Gresley Rovers, Stafford Rangers and Ilkeston Town.

A move to Mansfield came in 2009 and in five years at Stag Meadow, Briscoe won the supporters` player of the year, was named in the Conference team of the year and helped the Stags secure promotion back to the Football League".

More comes from the Torquay Express which says that "One of the 'unknown factors' hampering manager Chris Hargreaves' summer transfer plans should be removed by this time next week. That's when the last of the five Torquay United players who are still considering contract offers – striker Ashley Yeoman has already accepted his – have to give their answers.

The quintet include both the Gulls' senior goalkeepers, Michael Poke and Martin Rice, midfielders Lee Mansell and Damon Lathrope and winger Niall Thompson... All of them, of course, are on reduced terms from last season.

For, under the small-print of their existing contracts, they must take automatic 'drops' for being relegated from the Football League to the Conference...

Then attention will refocus on the bigger, and possibly more problematic, group of players currently on the transfer- Welsh midfielder Nathan Craig has already left the club by mutual consent... Both Craig and winger Jordan Chapell had indicated to Hargreaves that they would like to return nearer to their homes in North Wales and Sheffield respectively.

But Hargreaves also listed Dale Tonge, Aaron Downes, Ben Harding, Karl Hawley, Elliot Benyon and Shaun Cooper. Tonge, Downes, Harding, Hawley and Benyon all have another year to run on deals negotiated with former manager Alan Knill. Ex-AFC Bournemouth, Crawley and Portsmouth defender Cooper has the option of exercising another year on the contract he signed with Hargreaves in January. Cooper has yet to make an appearance for Torquay, because of injury problems."

At the other end of the country, "Gateshead manager Gary Mills' has made his first new signing of the summer, former record-breaking goalscorer Jon Shaw returning to the club on a two-year contract. Shaw, 30, left Tyneside for Luton Town two years ago after scoring an impressive 56 goals in ninety-six appearances at Gateshead...

Shaw, who has also played for Burton Albion, Halifax Town, Rochdale and Mansfield Town picked up a Conference winners` medal at Luton last season...

'As soon as I found out Gateshead were interested, I was keen to come back', said Shaw. 'It was too good an opportunity to turn down... My previous two years at Gateshead couldn't have gone much better... They play my type of football and I can play to suit them, so hopefully the goals will come'.

Mills, who is waiting to hear back from other targets, including another striker, believes Shaw can do well at Gateshead again... Said Mills, 'He's an excellent striker, and one I tried to sign for York when I was manager... He was hungry to come back to Gateshead'".

The Conference also tells us that "Grimsby Town have signed a second player from league rivals Southport this summer after bringing in central defender Aristote Nsiala on a one-year deal. Nsiala has one cap for his home country of Congo, although he was brought up in Paris and then Liverpool.

The 6'4" defender was part of the Everton youth system but never got further than being an unused substitute at Goodison Park. The 22-year-old went on to join Accrington Stanley and then Southport, where he played nineteen games...

He joined former Port team-mate, midfielder Scott Brown, who made the switch to the Mariners earlier in the close season".

Supporters Direct asks "Hereford United – has Stephen Vaughan reappeared?

Vaughan is a highly controversial figure who owned Barrow, Chester City and Widnes Vikings – and recently had a controversial spell at Floriana in Malta – and was subsequently banned for 11 years in November 2009 from acting as a director of any company following his involvement in a £500,000 VAT fraud whilst a director of Widnes Vikings. This meant that he failed the FA’s fit and proper person test, and was forced to reduce his shareholding in Chester City. However, even with his son formally in control in February 2010, Chester City was unable to fulfill their financial obligations and the Club was expelled and then wound up at the High Court.

The Council has already disclosed that Agombar has approached the Council to transfer two important leases out of the football club and into his own company, with Council leader Tony Johnson saying that he wants to prevent any 'asset stripping'.

It has also emerged that the club is in breach of of its leases. Local councillor Jim Keynon has told BBC Hereford and Worcester... 'Within the lease it says they have to pay the utilities, if they don’t they are in breach of their lease. They have got to pay the Council. They haven’t paid any rates or rent in 18 months. The Council should up the anti and say we want our payment. This is taxpayers money at the end of the day'"

Wrexham report that "Young striker Nick Rushton called at the Racecourse this lunchtime to sign the paperwork on a new one-year contract. The 22-year-old was on an extended loan spell with Barrow last season...

'I feel like I have progressed during my time at Barrow and now I want to come back and show what I can with Wrexham', he said.

According to Chester First "Steve Burr is relishing a second chance to manage Chester in the Conference Premier league...

'As a team last season we just weren’t good enough. But I am delighted that I have another chance of managing a club at the same level of football', Burr said... 'The one big thing that I was really disappointed about when we got relegated was that we would miss going to play at Premier division grounds and playing in front of big crowds. I have got to be realistic and say that I think we still face a tough season'".

ALTY TO RAISE PROFILE AT FESTIVAL

Also if anyone would like to get involved on the day, walking in the procession or helping on the field afterwards, all comers are welcome. We especially need a few more adults to come along and help out but also to enjoy the experience of being involved with the Altrincham Festival to help promote and spread the word about out great club.

Also get the word out there of how well all teams involved with Altrincham FC did last season. So come and join us on Saturday CHECK!!!!! 5th July at Altrincham Festival for a great day out and help promote YOUR local Football Club.

If you would like to get involved or have any Tombola prizes you would like to donate please contact Stuart Buchan by < ahref="mailto:altyjuniorsfestival@hotmail.co.uk">e-mail. Prize donations can also be dropped off at the club but please ring 0161 928-1045 first to make sure someone is there to take them from you. Many thanks; see you on CHECK!!!!! 5th July.

CONFERENCE NEWS

Led by former vice-chairman Andy Scott, a deal had been put together to buy out Amar Alkadhi’s majority shareholding. That would, in the short term, have involved clearing the outstanding tax bills and paying players’ wages that were two months' overdue.

Mr Scott and an associate, Mark Blower, were at the league’s AGM in Newport at the weekend, and convinced the board there that they had put together the funding to pay off the necessary debts and prove that they were able to move forward securely. But, with the deal waiting to be done, Mr Alkadhi pulled out of the deal, electing to pay the tax and playing staff’s debts to keep his position in control of the club.

'We had worked really hard over the last few weeks to put a proposition together to buy the football club', said Mr Scott. 'It was an exciting proposal and it would have been a boyhood dream for me, and we had got the funding to a level where we had the necessary levels of funding for the deal to go ahead. We’d been through some very uncomfortable meetings with the league but we managed to persuade them that we had the finances necessary to keep the club going. At the 11th hour Amar decided that he’d be the one to provide the funds to clear the tax debt and the outstanding players’ wages. The most important thing is that the football club is still alive and Amar Alkadhi’s financial input means that we’ll be playing Conference Premier football next season, and doing it on the Moss Rose...

I was looking forward to creating a more community-based football club, working with council and local businesses to develop a strong presence in the town'... This week’s broken deal leaves manager John Askey still unable to put together a squad, although he has continued to make plans for this term... Midfielder Jack Mackreth has signed a one-year deal at Grimsby Town and last season’s leading scorer Scott Boden, who hit 22 goals, is thought to be set to join FC Halifax".

AFC Telford United "are set to sign left sided defender Rod McDonald from Hereford United. The 22 year-old is likely to join the Bucks on a one year deal. The former Nantwich, Oldham and Stoke player made 44 appearances for the Bulls last year, scoring 4 goals in the process.

The club are also delighted to announce that last year’s player of the season, Mike Grogan, has signed a one-year contract. The popular midfielder joined from Cammell Laird last season on non-contract terms... Liam Watson is still busy in negotiations with several players, particularly focussing on two new strikers and a midfielder".

So far the AFC Telford United squad comprises "Jonathan Hedge (GK); Chris Lever; Wes Baynes; Steve Akrigg; Neil Byrne; Rod McDonald; Sean Cooke; Alan Moogan; Mike Grogan; Charlie Barnett; Josh Hancock; Mike Phenix; Adam Farrell; Andy Owens; Tony Gray; Sean Clancy".

At Aldershot Town "Defender Joe Oastler, wingers Tristan Plummer and Jordan Roberts, plus striker Josh Scott, have all signed new deals...

'We’re establishing a nucleus of men', explained manager Andy Scott... 'We’re picking the best players out of last season’s squad and we want to add to that as well. We know what is required, not just in quality and ability but character as well. Now we’ve got to look at players who can improve on what we did last year and be more solid as a squad, in physicality, experience and nous. I think people will be quite pleased with what we’re doing'.

This follows the retention of defender Chris Barker and top scorer Brett Williams, both of whom triggered performance-related clauses in their contracts to earn another year with The Shots. The Club have also received verbal agreement on new contracts from full-backs Jaydon Gibbs and Anthony Tonkin, and hope to soon conclude negotiations to retain midfielder Mark Molesley.

Oastler, named Players’ Player of the Year, made 42 appearances last season, at both right-back and centre-half. The 23 year-old began his career at Bognor Regis Town before joining Queen’s Park Rangers. He subsequently enjoyed a loan spell at Salisbury City before playing over 120 games in three seasons at Torquay United.

Former England youth international Plummer joined from Weston Super Mare in January 2014. He made six appearances before his season was ended prematurely by injury... [As well as playing for Hereford United], Plummer has also enjoyed loan spells at Luton Town, Torquay United and Gillingham, as well as a spell in Portugal with Portimonense SC.

Roberts, 20, made 45 appearances last season as both as a winger and left-back, and... joined The Shots in 2011".

Scott made 21 appearances and scored three goals after [joining] The Shots in January 2014, following his release by Dagenham and Redbridge... Previously, he scored 71 goals in 164 appearances for Hayes and Yeading, and in 2012-13 scored three goals in a six-match loan spell in the Conference National with Ebbsfleet United."

Alfreton Town report that they "have appointed a Chief Executive Officer... and Paul Wetton is now responsible for the day-to-day running of the club... They are looking to Wetton to help improve matters away from the pitch as they seek to improve the club financially.

Wetton, 34, has as an impressive pedigree having previously worked as a scout/recruitment officer for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, a goalkeeping coach for Nottingham Forest Ladies and has also coached for the University of Nottingham. More tellingly and apt for the post, he has worked as a Sports Management Consultant and studied law at University...

His immediate remit includes maximising income generation introducing additional revenue streams both on match days and outside of them with the club's commercial activities set for expansion."

Barnet FC "are delighted to announce that Curtis Weston has signed a new one-year deal... The midfielder has become a key player for the Bees since joining the club in 2012...

Head-coach Martin Allen expressed his pleasure after the 27-year-old put pen to paper... 'It is good news about Curtis, he is a good professional and a proper good bloke'...

Allen also announced that he is close to signing a second centre-forward to spearhead the attack alongside John Akinde".

"Club owner Tommy Agombar spoke to the Hereford United Official Website following the news released that Hereford United have been expelled from The Football Conference.

'The club was not in a position to pay the Football Conference's requirement of a £350,000 bond. A bond that we could not touch during the season. Neither Macclesfield Town nor Salisbury City were put in the same position as we were regarding this.

I am truly gutted that this situation has arisen, I bought the club in the knowledge that I was buying a Conference Premier side, but the amount of debt that we have discovered and have to now deal with, has brought about unwanted changes to our initial plans.

I have today made sure that payments are being made to both staff and creditors, and we will also be sorting out payments to Martin Foyle and HMRC this month. I am fully behind the club and will be making every effort possible to get it back to where it belongs, The Football League.

When I came into the club I had a three-year plan to take the club forward and back into the League, the recent happenings have turned that into a four or five-year plan, but I'm still determined to turn it around for Hereford United. I want us to hit the ground running in the 2014/15 season and get this club back on track on the field and off it.

I want to prove to United fans that we are serious, and we'll be putting together a team to prove that we are. We will have quality players coming into our club'".

Meanwhile, Bulls' News says that "The Southern Football League is in discussions with Hereford United FC to determine if there is a way forward for the club’s participation in its Competition and will make a further statement in due course."

Concerning the beneficiaries of Hereford's demise, NL Pitchero reports that "Following the signing of midfielder Kingsley Black earlier, and the news that they had been reprieved from relegation from the Conference Premier, Chester FC completed a happy day by bringing in winger Wayne Riley from Hednesford Town.

Riley, 24, came through the ranks at Northwich Victoria... but followed his manager Andy Preece to Airbus UK Broughton in the summer of 2012... leading to him being offered a trial at Wrexham. He turned down that offer to join Hednesford, scoring 12 times in twenty-three starts for the Pitmen last season".

At Nuneaton Town, "A new generation will be able to share the heritage of football in Nuneaton thanks to a local history project supported by a grant of £45,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project, which has a working title of ‘From Town to Town’ is a partnership between Nuneaton Town Supporters Co-operative (NTSC) and local agencies including Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery, Nuneaton Heritage Centre, St Thomas More Secondary School, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Nuneaton Town FC, the Alzheimer’s Society and the University of the 3rd Age...

Nuneaton Town FC (formerly known as Nuneaton Borough FC/AFC), will be celebrating their 125th anniversary since formation in 1889. The main purpose of the project will be to collect the memories and experiences of older generations of Nuneaton townsfolk in relation to their support of the football club and present them in a social history format to the area’s youngsters."

From Southport comes news that "Southport manager Martin Foyle made three signings today. Right back Matty Challoner commences his second season... after agreeing a new contract.

Joining Challoner in the Port ranks is 22 year old England C goalkeeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston who signed from Foyle's previous club Hereford and 26 year old midfielder Stephen Brogan who signed from Forest Green Rovers...

A delighted Martin Foyle said 'It is good to see our new squad taking shape. Matty Challoner is a young player with a good season of Conference Football experience behind him. He fits my criteria of young, hungry players. I am really looking forward to working with Matty. Stephen Brogan has a wealth of experience, he is at the perfect age of 26... Stephen is two footed, a set piece specialist...

Danny Lloyd Weston did ever so well for me last season'... The three new captures add to the Sandgrounders' close season retained list of: Danny Hurst, David Fitzpatrick, Chris Lynch, Danny Hattersley, Charlie Joyce and Luke George."

However, "Martin Foyle, after lengthy talks with goalkeeper Danny Hurst, has placed the goalkeeper on the transfer list. Martin Foyle said, 'I recognise Danny had an outstanding season and is obviously on the club's retained list. I have had a series of discussions with Danny who wants part=time football, with evening training to fit in with his work commitments. Obviously that does not suit our structure. I have therefore circulated Danny Hurst as a transfer listed player'".

According to Welling United, "The Wings and Matthew Harriott have mutually agreed to terminate the midfielder’s contract. Harriott signed for the Wings in the summer but is now a free agent".

And news of another departure comes from Wrexham where it is confirmed that "Johnny Hunt will be leaving the Racecourse and taking up an offer to join newly promoted Cambridge United.

The Liverpool-based player has been at the Racecourse for the past 14 years and was offered a new contract...

'It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in leaving the club', said Johnny. 'But the opportunity to play League football is something I have always dreamt about'. While no transfer fee will be involved, as his contract had expired, an undisclosed figure in relation to Training Compensation has been agreed."

Also, Wrexham fear that "Another product of our Youth system could well be leaving us, as defender Anthony Stephens has declined an offer put to him in May... Anthony spent most of last season on loan at Colwyn Bay, initially as a centre half but later switching to left back...

Now aged 20, the Liverpool-based player is keen to be playing regular first team football... 'I’m a little bit disappointed he has decided to look elsewhere', said manager Kevin Wilkin... 'We have decided to let him move on without claiming a compensation fee'...

The boss did though confirm that a deal with Nick Rushton was close."

According to te BBC, "Manager Mikey Harris is considering his future at Salisbury City, BBC Wiltshire has learned. The 29-year-old is thought to be unhappy with the Conference Premier club's current financial plight.

Salisbury have been under a Football Conference transfer embargo since April and it is thought staff wages have been delayed for the last two months... Harris has been at Salisbury for six years and worked as assistant manager under Darrell Clarke when they dropped to the Southern Premier.

The management duo secured two promotions in three years to return to non-league's top flight, before Clarke opted to join Bristol Rovers last summer. Harris succeeded Clarke as boss, making him English football's youngest full-time manager".

"The Moroccan businessman who has taken over Salisbury City had previously been involved in negotiations to buy Crystal Palace and Reading, the Western Daily Press can reveal.

Otail Touzar was one of two 'mystery men' photographed with Reading chairman Sir John Madejski earlier last season, and he was involved in talks between a Dubai consortium and Crystal Palace to take over the Premiership club in March.

But the businessman opted for Conference side Salisbury City instead, and admitted he faces a challenging and busy few days to save the club now. Salisbury have been given an ultimatum of 5pm Thursday to pay outstanding debts and player wages or they face being demoted...

And the Whites' signing of the first Saudi prince to play professional football in the world, 19-year-old midfielder Prince Khalid bin Bader Alsaud, will have to remain on hold as Salisbury are still under a transfer embargo imposed in April – which is understood to be the last time players were paid.

Mr Touzar told the Western Daily Press...'I have a list of priorities that I need to deal with now, and ultimately very soon I need to put a proper structure place', he said. 'We will let our actions speak for ourselves in the end'...

Mr Touzar also explained why, when asked about a Saudi prince they had on their books last season, officials at Bromley were initially a little baffled. 'He's only 19 and he went along there to Bromley and didn't tell anyone he was a Saudi prince. So when they are asked about it, they don't know...

He did very well. I am told that he never missed any training sessions, even when others did because of the terrible weather. And he played in a dozen games, and was a very promising player. They have only good things to say about him at Bromley', he added"".

NW NEWS

Cammell Laird 1907 FC have been allocated to our First Division, but the application from Stockport Town was rejected by the FA... The FA issued the following statement 'The Committee were unable to recommend that the club be placed at Step 6. They were of the opinion that the club had not demonstrated any exceptional circumstances why it should be placed above Step 7. They were also aware of issues surrounding the possible ownership of the ground at Woodley and who has the use of the facilities going forward. They were also mindful of the need to protect clubs already operating in the National League System and to try to ensure that their status in maintained'.

It was also confirmed that Hereford United have been expelled from the Football Conference this evening, leading to Chester FC being reprieved from relegation. There is no indication at this stage that Hereford United`s expulsion from the Football Conference would have a knock-on effect further down the non-League Pyramid and have any impact on the constitution of the NWCL for the 2014/15 season."

JOIN THE "YANKEE" AND HELP THE CLUB

Last week's winning code was 3029, which was an unissued sequence. Consequently the secondary jackpot rose to £1,000 whilst the primary jackpot of £5,000 is also available to be won. Three scheme members shared £150 for winning "trebles".

LADIES' TEAM PRESENTATIONS

EARLY KICK OFF AT BUXTON

TASC WORLD CUP COMPETITION

From the entries received to date Brazil are the clear favourites with almost everyone believing they will win both the opening match and the competition outright. Spain, Argentina and Germany are the other favourites to finish as either runners-up, or in 3rd or 4th place. Columbia, Uruguay, Portugal and France have all received one vote each to finish in 4th place.

Surprisingly, no one has chosen England to finish in the top 4! Regular updates will be provided on the Fans' Forum throughout the group matches once the competition kicks off on Thursday. The more entries, the bigger the prize pot".

WORK ADVANCES

OLD BOY

CONFERENCE NEWS

James originally arrived on loan at Edgar Street during the 2012/13 season from Port Vale... The versatile defender or midfielder began his career with Sheffield United before joining Vale where he made eleven first-team appearances and also gained experience on loan with Chasetown".

Before Hereford United's ejection from the Football Conference on Tuesday afternoon, Bulls' News said that "The Conference are understood to have required, from both Salisbury and the Bulls, to have received money for football creditors by 5pm last night into their escrow account. Both clubs were then to have placed further sums, understood to be bonds, with the Conference by Thursday.

Former Bulls' groundsman Ian Pritchard has taken to Facebook to express his anger at the current situation. Claiming his company was owed £20,000 for work on the pitches at Edgar Street and Victoria Park, Pritchard says he visited the club yesterday to seek news on payment but was turned away".

Following on from this, Lowestoft Town "are disappointed with the decision by the Football Conference to move them to the Conference North. The club were informed of the decision late this afternoon [Tuesday] and have been informed that, due to Hereford being expelled from the Football Conference, Hayes & Yeading have been reprieved [in Conference South] and Lowestoft have been switched from the South to the Conference North. This has come as a shock for the club and once we've had time to digest the news, we will respond in due course. Until this point the club will make no further comment."

The BBC says that "Salisbury have confirmed they are under a Football Conference transfer embargo until they can pay outstanding debt. The Conference Premier club came out of administration in December but have been under embargo since April, and it is thought players' wages have been delayed for the last two months.

Businessman Otail Touzar and fan Mark Winter took over the Whites last month. The new owners have been told they must pay the outstanding wages by Thursday or risk being thrown out the league.

But Winter told BBC Wiltshire he is confident the players will receive their money by the 17:00 BST deadline, set by the Football Conference at their AGM on Friday. The problems with payments has already had an effect on the squad for next season, with striker Jamie White cancelling his contract to move to Bristol Rovers and captain Brian Dutton also leaving.

And it means incoming midfielder Prince Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud, who was unveiled by chairman Touzar on Monday, cannot complete his move from Bromley until the embargo is lifted.

The Whites, who finished 12th in non-league's top flight last season, have suffered five years of financial turmoil and previously incurred a double demotion to the Southern Premier in 2010, after failing to pay back a creditor by a set deadline".

Bulls'News says that Hereford United's "Daniel Lloyd-Weston has joined former boss Martin Foyle at Southport. He is one of two players signed by Foyle today, with midfielder Stephen Brogan joining following his release from Forest Green. Another, like Kingsley James, to have been offered a deal [by Hereford], Lloyd-Weston is again not expected to command a fee due to unpaid wages".

The Daily Post tells us that "Wrexham manager Kevin Wilkin has bid a reluctant farewell to Johnny Hunt who will be joining an as yet un-named League Two club next season. The out-of-contract 23-year-old midfielder turned down a new Racecourse deal...

'Johnny is a big loss to us because I wanted to keep him', he said. 'Obviously we offered him a deal so I’m disappointed, but we wish him well... He’s going into League football and he’s worked hard to get that move. He has proved himself consistently at this level and his are a big pair of boots for me to fill, but that’s what I’ll endeavour to do'.

Wrexham have agreed a compensation payment, undisclosed but understood to be a five-figure sum, for Hunt, a graduate of the club’s centre of excellence which he joined as a schoolboy. And Barry Horne, the Dragons’ director of football operations said the money would be reinvested in the manager’s budget.

'The level of agreed compensation is mutually acceptable to both clubs', he said".

HEREFORD EJECTED FROM CONFERENCE

The Club has confirmed it will not meet the requirements, to which it previously agreed, set by the Board of the Football Conference Ltd on Friday 6 June enabling the Club to retain its membership. As the Club was advised at the above meeting, the Board has exercised its unanimous decision that should the Club fail to fulfil the requirements it would be expelled from the Competition and the Company under Article 5.2.

At the Annual General Meeting on 7 June of the Football Conference Ltd, the member Clubs agreed to an alternative Constitution for the 2014/15 season, in case of the above eventuality. Chester FC will now be reprieved from relegation from the Premier Division and Hayes & Yeading United FC will be reprieved from relegation from Conference South".

SATURDAY WORK FORCE

On Saturday, 14 June, from 10am, the Club invites all supporters to come along and help make the stadium a place to be proud of. Whilst your willingness to give your time will be the main thing, if you can also bring anything that you think might be useful, such as garden tools, brushes, etc., please do so and you will be made very welcome. The more volunteers who come along, the quicker and more thorough will be the job done.

Please don't just rely on others to turn up but, if you can possibly spare a few hours, please do come along yourself and help. Your work will be greatly appreciated both by the Club and by your fellow supporters. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

PRE-SEASON

1. Sat. 5.7.14 3pm A Abbey Hey
2. Tue. 8.7.14 TBCpm A Buxton
3. Tue. 15.7.14 TBCpm A Mossley
4. Sat. 19.7.14 3pm A Trafford
5. Tue. 22.7.14 TBCpm H TRANMERE ROVERS
6. Sat. 26.7.14 3pm A Hyde FC
7. Tue. 29.7.14 TBCpm H ACCRINGTON STANLEY
8. Fri. 1.8.14 7.45pm H SHREWSBURY TOWN

Admission prices for the pre-season friendlies at the J. Davidson Stadium will be as follows:

• Adults £7
• Concessions £4..
• Under 5s are free of charge.
• Altrincham FC 2014-15 season ticket holders are also admitted free of charge.

150 PATRONS NEEDED!

Chairman Grahame Rowley would like to thank the sixty supporters who have already signed up for 2014-15, listed below. He explains below how this important fundraising scheme works.

For the bargain sum of £50, your name will appear throughout the season 2014-15 in the matchday programme for every home game and on the club’s official website as a Patron of the Football Club.

In August, every Patron will be entered into a prize draw with the winner being match sponsor for an appointed game along with 9 guests. Second prize will be hospitality for 5 people and third prize hospitality for 3 people in the Sponsors Lounge – the value of the 1st prize is £550.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron again this season please forward a cheque payable to “Altrincham FC” for £50 for the attention of Grahame Rowley.

If you require further information, please speak to me on 07720-606897 or email me.

We need your support, especially now that we have gained promotion to the Conference National, and have set a target of 150 patrons for the forthcoming season.

KEITH DAVEY

CONFERENCE NEWS

However, this does not mean the build will be delayed by 12 months; we still intend to get on site and start building later this year. The delay to the project to date has come from the Judicial Review hearing the subsequent appeal and the English Heritage application, and has cost the club a lot of time and money. It is extremely frustrating that these small minority groups have been able to have such a massive impact on this project and associated projects that will bring so many benefits to the local area.

Outstanding contractual agreements between all parties have been on hold since the JR proceedings got underway last autumn, but we are now in the process of addressing these agreements."

On the east coast, Grimsby Town report that "Former Macclesfield winger Jack Mackreth has joined the Mariners on a one-year deal. Jack joined the Silkmen in the summer of 2012, signing on a one year deal from Barrow. The pacy right winger was an almost ever-present the previous for the Bluebirds... as being nominated as one of the top five players in the Conference most likely to make it into the Football League. He is also a member of the semi-pPro Wales U23 squad.

The winger had come through the ranks at Tranmere Rovers where he gained extra experience with loan spells at Burscough, Colwyn Bay and Cammell Laird as well as a spell with Hyde the following season. He played nearly 50 times for the Silkmen last season, scoring four goals."

The Tamworth Herald reports that "Tamworth FC have completed the signings of Nuneaton midfielder Danny Sleath and striker Dave Hibbert. The duo join James Belshaw, Jon Adams and Connor Taylor in joining from the Boro."

As they await confirmation of their place in the Conference's national division, Salisbury City FC "is pleased to anounce the appointment of Moroccan businessman Mr. A.S.Outail M.Touzar as its new Chairman.

In addition to becoming the youngest pro football club owner in the world and the newest Arab investor in European football after completing a takeover deal for the club [a] couple weeks ago, along with British businessman Mark Winter, Mr.Outail becomes the youngest chairman in English football recent history. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sports investments, strategy, marketing and management along with a strong network of contacts and relations in both the business and the football sphere.

'I am honoured to take on the role of Chairman of Salisbury City Football Club', Mr.Outail said. 'I was in the middle of advanced negotiations with [a] couple [of] EPL, Championship and La Liga clubs when my partner Mark Winter proposed to me this opportunity and, after initial hesitation, deep thinking and consulting with my advisors, I decided to accept the challenge of taking this lovely small town community club and build som[e]thing special out of it.

I again want to thank previous Chairman, Mr.William Harisson-Allan, Vice Chairman Jeff Hooper and their crew, including James Baker, Harvey, Vera, Hanne, Natasha and all the others in addition to both the FA and the Football Conference Officials for their tremendous support thru [sic] this transition period. I look forward to working with my partners,the current staff, supporters and the rest of the stakeholders to achieve our vision for the club and reach our short and long term goals both on and off the field'.

Mr.Outail also added 'I also would like to take this opportunity to announce our first major squad addition in this new and exciting era. Prince Khalid Bin Bader Alsaud from Kingdom of Saudia [sic] Arabia agreed to play for us next season. A 19 years-old versatile midfielder, he will join us from Bromley FC [reserves] and will become the first Arab and Saudi Royal to play professional football in history and what a better historic and special place for that to happen than Salisbury?'.

Prince Khalid commented, 'I am very happy to be joining Salisbury City FC, who have shown an interest in young players which is encouraging for me. I want to thank the club['s] new Chairman Mr.Outail for putting his faith in me and hope I can gain some experience this season and show that I deserve to be here'. He also said, 'I’m looking forward to working with the players and managers at this club and this is an exciting new chapter in my life'.

New Chairman Outail said 'Khalid is a hard-working individual who loves and understands his football. I ve been receiving great reports and reviews on him from our scouts and advisors and we look forward to welcoming him to join the rest of the squad for pre-season and, hopefully, this will be an opportunity for him to learn and develop both as a player and as a person'.”

More details and an official presentation will be organized and announced soon."

The BBC has a picture of the new owner and his new signing.

Meanwhile, the Salisbury Journal adds that "Saudi Arabian prince Khalid Bin Bader Alsaud is yet to sign a contract at Salisbury City, the Journal understands...

'No players have signed for Salisbury City as of today', a spokesman from the Club told the Journal. 'No one has registered'. Salisbury were informed at a Football Conference board meeting on Friday that the players’ wages bills need to be paid by Thursday if they are to preserve their place in the division. Until the outstanding debts are met, no players can be signed...

Long-time skipper Brian Dutton, and striker Jamie White, who completed a move to Darrell Clarke’s Bristol Rovers on Friday, have already left, with more set to depart".

The Western Press adds that "Salisbury City fans woke this morning to find their club had been taken over by a Moroccan businessman, Otail Touzar, who had appointed himself chairman, and then signed a Saudi prince to play in midfield.

All of this was apparently news to people working at the club, who arrived first thing Monday morning to discover Mr Touzar had posted in the middle of the night on the club’s website pictures of him taking over as chairman, and signing a 19-year-old member of the Saudi royal family called Prince Khalid Bin Bader Alsaud...

Mr Touzar said Prince Khalid had ‘signed from non-league side Bromley FC’. A spokesman for Bromley initially said he could not remember a Saudi prince ever playing for the Kent club, which plays in the Skrill South, the league below Salisbury City. But a few hours later the spokesman said he had discovered Prince Khalid had ‘apparently turned out a couple of times for the reserves last season. We get lots of players coming along saying they want to play for us, so what usually happens is we’ll have a look at them in the reserves, it seems that’s what happened with him', the spokesman said...

Mr Touzar, 31, teamed up with 47-year-old Mr Winter, who coaches Salisbury’s under-11s side, and said they wanted to take on the club. After successfully ending the demotion threat last week, yesterday morning at 4.37am, Mr Touzar posted a statement on the club’s website saying he was the new chairman. [A] statement, which club sources indicated yesterday staff knew nothing about until they saw it online themselves.

Mr Touzar, whose name was spelled two different ways on the statement, was quoted as saying, 'I look forward to working with my partners, the current staff, supporters and the rest of the stakeholders'".

At the other club whose Conference future remains to be confirmed, the unofficial Bulls' News said "Bulls' fans remain in the dark about the progress of payment to football creditors. New owner Tommy Agombar is understood to have been at the ground today, but both players and trade creditors have told BN that they are yet to be paid or be contacted about their due sums. BBC Hereford & Worcester have also been trying to speak to Agombar today without success.

There remains some confusion over the deadlines imposed by the Conference. Several Conference clubs have named a Thursday deadline for the payments to have been made, but the Conference Twitter account talked of cleared funds on Monday. The club, apart from the Bulls, most keen on the situation is Chester. They report on their official site, 'The Football Conference had initially set a deadline for payments of football creditors to be made by 5pm, on Thursday 4th June. However, this was then amended to 10am on Saturday 6th June. Following review by the Football Conference board, this has now given a third deadline of Thursday 11th June, although both clubs mentioned need to have confirmation of cleared funds relating to their outstanding football creditors'.

Conference spokesman Colin Peake has told the Hereford Times the following, 'There is a certain amount of money that both clubs needed to deposit with the Conference today and there are other conditions which must be met later in the week'".

On the BBC, "Hereford United chairman David Keyte has backed the threatened Conference Premier club's decision to sell to new owner Tommy Agombar. The London businessman has a criminal record, having been jailed for seven years in 1987, for being part of a gang which stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of goods from lorries...

'Yes, absolutely. It was 27 years ago', he told BBC Hereford & Worcester. 'It's not the vicar coming along to buy the football club, is it? He was 27 years of age, with a group of other lads who came up with an idea that they didn't get away with'.

The Football Conference are yet to confirm that Agombar, who took over at Edgar Street last week, has satisfied the Football Association's 'owners and directors' credentials' - formerly known as the 'fit and proper persons' test. But they have, so far, appeared supportive of the Bulls' bid to secure new ownership, having extended the deadline that had been set three times, by which time the club's football creditors should have been paid...

Hereford now have until Thursday to ensure that the £148,000 owed is deposited in their various football creditors' accounts. The club, who are also overdue with their latest PAYE tax demand, have been told they can retain membership of the Conference, without any points penalty, for the 2014-15 season. However, that is dependent on the Bulls meeting all their financial responsibilities to former manager Martin Foyle, their players, club staff and other clubs to whom outstanding loan payments are due...

Tommy Agombar has so far failed to respond to BBC Hereford & Worcester's request for an interview or statement".

Football League World reports that "Millwall are set to make a third offer for FC Halifax Town striker Lee Gregory... Millwall had made a £100,000 bid for the 25-year-old who hit 31 goals in 39 appearances for the Conference side last season.

But, the West Yorkshire side turned that offer down and have reportedly turned down another bid from the Lions of £150,000. News at Den understands that Halifax would be willing to let the striker leave The Shay for around £250,000... Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, MK Dons and Barnsley are monitoring the situation".

In the East Anglia Daily Times we read that "Braintree Town boss Alan Devonshire, has managed to sign up the majority of his successful squad from last season, for the new 2014-15 campaign. However, four of Iron’s current squad have yet to sign new deals; striker Dan Holman, winger Dan Sparkes, keeper Nathan McDonald and right-back Ryan Peters. It is likely that at least one or two of this quartet will be plying their trade elsewhere next term.

Braintree’s success story of last season, when they finished an outstanding sixth in the Skrill Conference Premier (the highest finish in the Essex club’s history), was based around a superb defensive record... and with regular centre-halves Alan Massey and Dean Wells already signed up for next season, along with first-choice keeper Nick Hamann, and left-back Sam Habergham putting pen to paper recently, it bodes well".

WELSH PREMIER NEWS

LEE AIMS TO TAKE ALTY HIGHER

Lee recalls how, after three years of coaching at the Leeds United Academy, he answered an NL Paper advert and got the manager's job at Farsley. Lee believes his best signing was former Oldham and Newcastle centre-half, Lee Serrant, who he signed for Farsley. When Farsley gained promotion to the Conference National it was by beating North Ferriby United who "were managed by Brian France, who would later become my father-in-law".

Off the field, Lee considers the two best appointments were his deputies, John Deacey at Farsley and Neil Tolson (right) at Altrincham.

As for players who have been jokers, one of his nominees is James Walshaw, "who was daft as a brush" but was a "great lad to have around, though". Lee's greatest managerial achievements are, he feels, his promtions with Farsley and "The other one, of course, was promotion with Altrincham last season. Alty are a big, traditional non-League name who've done great things in the past. To get them back to the Conference gives me a lot of pride in the job everyone's done. But it's important to keep the momentum going and I want to take them up again".

Lee's lowest moment was "Leaving Bradford Park Avenue in 2009. I'd only lasted ten months and it was after I'd had the sack at Port Vale".

The best thing about non-League in Lee's opinion is "Being able to feel the soul of a club... You see who sells the programmes, who mans the gates, which fans come game after game and where they like to stand. The fans are first class and I'm full of admiration for them. They are not sheep, following the big clubs. They support their local teams and, without them football would be a poorer place".

Asked about tough away venues, Lee mentions Blyth Spartans, Leek, Workington and Telford, "you start bawling there,they'll bawl right back", he says. Lee's aim is "to achieve something at every club that hasn't been achieved before. I did that at Farsley and I want to do it again here... I want to take Altrincham up again".

MARK DOES IT AGAIN

ALTY SIGN KEEPER

The talented shot stopper makes the move to the Conference Premier side, who were promoted last season".

Town say that "The highly-rated young goalkeeper has been one of the mainstays in Newcastle's defence since his release from Stoke City and with goalkeepers developing into top players at a later age than outfield players no one would back against him getting back into the full-time game. Manager John Diskin was delighted to sign up the player saying [in 2013] 'When you have someone as good as Dave between the post it gives a great deal of confidence to the other defenders. We think that he is the best keeper in the Evo-Stik League'".

Whilst at Stoke, Dave had a loan spell with Worcester City in 2010-11 season.

ALTY GIRLS' SUCCESS

Also there were Altrincham Sparrows (under 12s), who were league cup runners up, league runners up and Challenge cup winners".

CONFERENCE NEWS

Payment in full by the Club of its HMRC debt and actions taken by the potential investors before the Conference AGM to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to meet the Club's outstanding payroll have satisfied the Conference Board that the investors have the ability to sustain the Club going forward",

Hereford United report that "David Keyte, who attended yesterday's Conference Board Meeting regarding membership for the 2014/15 season, has thanked the Conference board for a fair hearing.

'I'd like to thank the Conference Board members for their time and for an extremely fair and professional hearing. We accept their ruling and conditions fully', Keyte told herefordunited.co.uk. 'I would also like to thank Andrew Green for his support. Mr Green is Mr Agombar's accountant and financial advisor and, I'd like to clarify, not a club director as reported'.

David Keyte and Club Secretary Lee Symmonds will travel to Newport this morning for the Conference AGM. 'There is no requirement to pay funds this morning, but proof of funds has been requested by the Conference Board. Mr Green will provide the necessary documentation', Keyte confirmed."

Meanwhile, the Daily Echo reports that "Salisbury City FC have been told they must get their finances in order if they are to preserve their place in the Football Conference...

That includes covering the players' wage bills, which is understood to be thousands. 'I am pleased to say Salisbury is still a Conference club. We have a few conditions to meet which we are confident we can', said dedicated supporter Mr Winter".

AFC Halifax Town send "Congratulations To Lee Gregory... Gregory has been named the Football Conference Player of the Season for the 2013-14 season. Gregory was the Shaymen’s top goalscorer last season... Premier Team of the Year: Mark Tyler (Luton)., Steve McNulty (Luton) Ian Miller (Cambridge), Dean Wells (Braintree), Shaun Pearson (Grimsby), Craig Disley (Grimsby), Luke Gutteridge (Luton), Luke Berry (Cambridge). Andre Gray (Luton), Lee Gregory (FC Halifax Town), James Norwood (Forest Green)."

Welling United "boss Jamie Day has added more quality to his new-look backline with the signing of Chris Bush. The centre-back, who can also operate as a left-back, has been in Day’s sights for many seasons...

'We tried to sign him before and he has shown that he is very capable of playing at this level with the amount of Conference matches he has played for his age. We will need his experience next season. He can play at left-back but I have always seen him as a centre-half and that’s where we have signed him to play. That means we have now got three quality players competing for places in that position'...

The 21-year-old former Brentford trainee played 42 times for Hereford last season".

At Torquay United the Club has "agreed to cancel the contract of Nathan Craig after a request from the young midfielder. The Welshman has expressed a desire to return closer to home after a frustrating season saw him kept to the fringes of the Yellow first-team".

According to the Daily Record "Brian Reid is aiming high as he relaunches his dugout career in the basement of English football. The former Rangers defender and Ayr boss has had to fight tooth and nail just to get an interview down south.

Now he’s got his foot in the door at Skrill Premier outfit Nuneaton Town he is determined to kick on and lead the club out of the non-league wilderness. It’s a huge task on a budget of buttons but proving himself in England is nothing new to Reid.

As a player his five-year spell at Ibrox was blighted by a serious knee injury but he then enjoyed success with Blackpool, captaining the Seasiders to Third Division play-off glory to begin their climb up the leagues.

He hopes his management career down south will have a similar upward trajectory after growing tired of the Scottish game’s monotony.

Reid, whose five-year spell in charge of Ayr included two promotions to Division One and a League Cup semi-final, said, 'I want to manage at the highest level possible. I reinvented myself as a player south of the border with Blackpool after the disappointment of what happened to me at Rangers. Hopefully I can do the same as a manager at Nuneaton...

Taking Nuneaton into the Football League would be an absolute dream. I was delighted to get this job because there were over 60 applicants and only nine were interviewed including the likes of ormer Man City defender Keith Curle. One of the reasons I left Ayr was the staleness of Scottish football where you play sides four times a season...

I was ready for something new and Nuneaton ticks all the boxes... Most of the clubs in this division are full-time and this season’s champions Luton had a budget of £1.6 million. Nuneaton’s is a tiny fraction of that so it’s a difficult job but I will give it my best shot'".

NW NEWS

With incoming transfer rumours rife, the club have decided to reveal a list of players who have committed to the club for next season. We're sure that supporters will be enthused by the quality of player attracted to Moor Lane for what should be an exciting campaign and we'll release details of further signings as soon as we can.

In alphabetical order the new arrivals [include]...

Jason Jarrett - Bury born midfielder with a wealth of Football League experience...

Dale Johnson - Signed from home-town team Ashton United but made over 200 appearances during a long spell with Hyde. Has also turned out for Droylsden, Altrincham & FC Halifax Town as well as a loan spell with Barrow...

Paul Linwood - Experienced Birkenhead born central defender who started his career in the Football League with Tranmere Rovers...

Sam Madeley - Lively striker who can also play out wide. Began as a junior with Altrincham before moving to the USA to play for Trevecca NU Trojans. Returned to the UK where he turned out for Woodley Sports, Nantwich Town, Ashton United & Hyde. Was top-scorer with Mossley during season 2012-2013 before moving on for spells with Glossop North End and Droylsden where despite playing for a relegation bound side he managed to score regularly.

Nicky Platt - Spent most of last season in the Conference North with Stockport County having almost moved to Edgeley Park after being released by Liverpool as a youngster...

Andy Robertson - Goalkeeper. Well known to Salford supporters and has played over 100 times for the club since they were promoted to the NPL. Spent last season dual registered with Runcorn Linnets and Trafford.

Gareth Seddon - Born in Burnley but started his career at Bury where he notched 18 times in 72 appearances, finishing as top-scorer for season 2001-2002...

Andy Smart - Powerful left-back who played in the Football League with Macclesfield Town before moving into the non-league game with Northwich Victoria, Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde & Altrincham. Signed for a second spell with Trafford in 2012 and was an important part of the side that won promotion last season and consolidated in the NPL's Premier Division during 2013-2014.

Danny Warrender - Defender who started out with Manchester City and made Football League appearances whilst on loan to Blackpool...

Simon Wiles - Midfielder who spent last season with NPL Premier Division champions Chorley, having previously been with Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Premier League, Blackpool, Macclesfield Town & Barrow."

WALSHAW WINS "BOOT" AND ALTY HAVE FOUR IN 'TEAM OF YEAR'

In addition, James Walshaw received the Golden Boot award as leading scorer in the Skrill North last season.

CONFERENCE NEWS

If one of them fails, Chester and Hayes & Yeading will be reprieved from relegation from the Premier and Southern Divisions respectively. That would leave one South club needing to be transferred to the north, but the Conference declined to tell the meeting which club it would be.

If both clubs fail to meet the terms laid down by the Conference, Dartford will be reprieved from the Premier and Tonbridge Angels will be reprieved from the South as the 21st placed team with the best record".

The Chester Chronicle reports that "Chester FC could have to wait until Thursday to find out if they will be handed a relegation reprieve after members at the Football Conference AGM voted to allow Hereford United a further extension to their deadline to pay creditors.

The Blues had been widely expected to replace the cash-strapped Bulls at a meeting of Conference chiefs at Celtic Manor in Newport yesterday, with the Edgar Street outfit having failed to meet the initial deadline imposed by the League of 5pm on Thursday by which to pay their football creditors.

That deadline came and went with no payment to players, who have been without a pay cheque for over two months, or any other football creditors.

The Blues will now sweat on the outcome of a deadline imposed on Hereford to have cleared funds for football creditor payments by Monday, with an EGM believed to be scheduled to ratify league structure for the 2014/2015 season on Thursday.

Chester FC chairman Tony Durkin told The Chronicle, 'We are going to have to have discussions with the Conference over this and try and put some pressure on them as it is a ridiculous. We want to know what is the basis for them moving the goalposts again.

It is impossible to start preparing properly for a season when we are just left in limbo like this. We want some answers. I think that the Conference think that Chester will just slot in somewhere, but it’s not as simple as that and, realistically, we are going to be left with just three weeks to prepare for a season.

It holds back things like season tickets and leaves us in a difficult position. We will be seeking discussions as soon as possible'.

Chester FC manager Steve Burr took to Twitter to express his dismay at the situation, tweeting 'You've heard the saying, rules are there to be broken. #FARCE'.

In a surprising turn of events, the Football Conference board of 11 decided to allow the Bulls, who were represented at the meeting yesterday by chairman David Keyte and newly-appointed director Andrew Green, a further stay of execution. They asked the Bulls, ahead of this morning’s AGM, to provide proof that the club could pay its creditors in the coming days, something which the club provided.

Following today’s AGM, the Football Conference tweeted, 'Constitution of Conference agreed by member clubs at the AGM with caveat. Conditions exist on Hereford and Salisbury with cleared funds Monday. Failure re funds then Premier Division would be constituted with Chester and Dartford in this order'.

On Thursday, new Hereford owner Tommy Agombar, who revealed himself as the Bulls mystery investor on Monday, wanted written assurances from the Football Conference that the Edgar Street side would not be relegated before handing over the £148,000 owed.

With Hereford still owing their football creditors, having a live winding-up order from ex-manager Martin Foyle hanging over them, as well as debts to the HMRC for missed PAYE payments, Bulls fans had been expecting the worst.

The Football Conference will be eager to have assurances that Hereford can last the coming season in order to avoid a repeat of when Chester City were wound up mid-season back in March 2010 for an unpaid HMRC bill of £26,125."

The BBC says that "Hereford United have been given a stay of execution by the Football Conference as they wait to see if they will be allowed to remain in the league. After a four-hour meeting with the Conference board at a hotel in south Wales, Hereford have been told that they must pay all their football creditors by Monday 9 June...

The Football Conference made the following statement after emerging from the meeting, at which chairman David Keyte and director Andrew Green represented the Bulls... Hereford chairman Keyte and Green, the club's accountant, made an hour-and-a-half-long personal appearance in front of the 11-man Conference board at the meeting, held at Celtic Manor, Newport.

They then left the room before being called back in several times as the situation was discussed with representatives of other Conference clubs... Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick said earlier this week that there would be no extensions to Thursday's deadline.

However, it was extended until Saturday, and then again to Monday... Chester FC, who were formed following City's liquidation, have been interested spectators in the outcome of Hereford's trails and tribulations this week.

Having gone down instead of Hereford on a dramatic final day of the Conference Premier season just over a month ago, they had been given a lifeline - but now look like being disappointed".

According to the Salisbury Journal "Salisbury City FC have been told they must get their finances in order if they are to preserve their place in the Football Conference. New owners Mark Winter and Otail Touzar had a board meeting with the Conference yesterday evening and were informed that the city club will remain in the division as long as outstanding debts are paid.

That includes covering the players' wage bills, which the Journal understands to be thousands. 'I am pleased to say Salisbury is still a Conference club. We have a few conditions to meet which we are confident we can', said dedicated supporter Mr Winter....

Mr Touzar, a 31-year-old Moroccan businessman, is the main financial backer while Mr Winter, who coaches the Salisbury City under 11s' side, will be running the club’s business on a day-to-day basis".

Bulls News adds that "In other news from the AGM, the 68 Conference clubs are reported to owe £159K to HMRC".

The Football Conference report that "Jamie Day, player-manager of Welling United, has added more quality to his new-look backline with the signing of Chris Bush from troubled league rival Hereford United.

The centre-back, who can also operate as a left-back, has been in Day’s sights for many seasons... The 21-year-old former Brentford trainee played forty-two times for Hereford last season, including in the 2-1 win over Welling in August.

Born in Leytonstone, he lists AFC Wimbledon and Gateshead among his former clubs, as well as a whole host of spells out on loan to the likes of Salisbury City, Woking, Thurrock and Lincoln City".

Elsewhere, "Midfielder Jamie Chandler has signed a new one-year deal with Gateshead. The 25-year-old former Sunderland and Darlington player scored a personal best nine goals last season, having joined The Heed midway through the 2011/12 season. Chandler... played forty-six games last season".

NL Pitchero tells us that "England `C` international goalkeeper Andy Coughlin has signed a new one-year contract with Wrexham to remain at the club for the 2014/15 season. After starting the last campaign as the back-up keeper, he was given his chance in early October and never looked back.

The former Tranmere Rovers custodian played over thirty times for the first-team and ended the campaign as first choice".

SKYLARKS REACH SEMIS

Courtesy of Darren Gregory we learn that "Altrincham FC Skylarks under-11s took part on Saturday in a very well organised Moston Brook tournament, losing on penalties in the semi-final to Bolton Academy. The Skylarks played very well in very wet conditions and, are still smiling, as the photo (right) shows".

150 PATRONS NEEDED!

Chairman Grahame Rowley would like to thank the sixty supporters who have already signed up for 2014-15, listed below. He explains below how this important fundraising scheme works.

For the bargain sum of £50, your name will appear throughout the season 2014-15 in the matchday programme for every home game and on the club’s official website as a Patron of the Football Club.

In August, every Patron will be entered into a prize draw with the winner being match sponsor for an appointed game along with 9 guests. Second prize will be hospitality for 5 people and third prize hospitality for 3 people in the Sponsors Lounge – the value of the 1st prize is £550.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron again this season please forward a cheque payable to “Altrincham FC” for £50 for the attention of Grahame Rowley.

If you require further information, please speak to me on 07720-606897 or email me.

We need your support, especially now that we have gained promotion to the Conference National, and have set a target of 150 patrons for the forthcoming season.

To date the following people have signed up"...

1. Paul Brady
2. John Hutton
3. Mark Embury
4. Paul Daine
5. Stan Riley
6. Isabel Riley
7. Paul Salt
8. David Meadows
9. Bob Peters
10. Ian Senior
11. Terry Surridge
12. James Surridge
13. Barry Pond
14. Grahame Rowley
15. Karen Rowley
16. Chris Rowley
17. Stacey Rowley
18. Sarah Jones
19. Dan Jones
20. Robert Sharpe
21. Dr Nigel Lord
22. Arnold Rogerson
23. John Laidlar
24. Dana Laidlar
25. Steve Murray
26. Bob Allan
27. Claire Allan
28. Kirsten & Nigel Bunce
29. John Skelhorn
30. Mike Garnett
31. Mike & Louise Alexander
32. Celia Hodgkinson
33. Neil Faulkner
34. Harold Smith
35. Francis Heald
36. Alan & Shirley Gorrill
37. Alan Blinkhorn
38. Martin Green
39. John Green
40. Mark Griffin
41. Jackie McLay
42. Campbell McLay
43. Thomas Murray
44. Alan Murray
45. Matthew Wheeler
46. Bryan Ford
47. Laurence Howarth
48. Mike Ford
49. Steve Foster
50. Dan Parris
51. Abi Parris
52. Richard Parris
53. David Slack
54. Peter Foster
55. Judy Foster
56. Peter Wragg
57. Gillian Wragg
58. Buchan Family
59. Altrincham FC Juniors
60. Phil & Gill James

CLOCKING UP THE MILES

'Rafo' adds that "This is, of course, done for the love of Altrincham FC!"

CONFERENCE NEWS

Failure to meet the financial conditions imposed, [means] the club's membership would be revoked".

And, "Pursuant to Article 5.2 of the Ltd Company Articles of Association, a quorate meeting of its Board of Directors today met to consider matters of membership ahead of its Annual General Meeting. In the case of Salisbury City FC Ltd, (Company Number 4374422) being represented by directors Mark Winters and Otail Touzal, the Board unanimously agreed that the club can retain membership of the Ltd Company and their place in the Football Conference Premier providing financial payments are secured as directed by the Board. Failure to meet the financial conditions imposed, [means] the club's membership would be revoked".

Alfreton Town "manager Nicky Law has received a major boost ahead of the 2014/15 season with defender Bradley Wood committing himself to a new two-year contract. The deal will keep tough-tackling Wood at the Impact Arena until 2016. The popular 22-year-old right-back was named as the named the ATFC Supporters' Player of the Season... He enjoyed a hugely consistent campaign where he also played in central midfield for several games and only missed one game out of 50 for the club and that was due to illness".

The Football Conference reports that "newcomers Bristol Rovers have announced their first new signing of the close season. Striker Jamie White has left new league rivals Salisbury City to link-up again with his former manager Darrell Clarke at the Memorial Ground.

The 24-year-old, who averaged a goal every other game while at Salisbury, has joined Rovers after he became a free agent after terminating his contract at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium. White joined the famed Southampton Academy as an 8-year-old and went on to make his first-team debut in August 2008. Three months later he joined Shrewsbury Town on loan...

White joined Eastleigh on loan in October 2009... and joined Eastleigh on a non-contract basis in December of that year. In 2011, he signed for Queensland State League side Whitsunday Miners in Australia... He then returned to England to join Winchester City... From Winchester, White was signed by Clarke for Salisbury and continued his goalscoring prowess, netting 26 goals in the league in his first season. In two seasons he scored 37 goals in seventy-three games at Conference level".

Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers announce that they "have snapped up former Stevenage goalkeeper Steve Arnold to provide competition for incumbent Sam Russell. The 24-year-old was released by Stevenage after a combination of managerial choice and injury interrupted last season, but is back to full fitness...

Arnold said, 'I've come here to challenge for the number one shirt. I had that competition at Stevenage and as long as it's a healthy rivalry than the player that ends up in goal will be the deserving keeper'. An imposing presence between the sticks at 6'5" tall, Arnold made 32 appearances for Boro in 2012-13 during his first season at the League One club, but managed only four games last season after a change in manager and then injury saw him slip behind Chris Day in the pecking order.

'I've got a bit more in my locker than just my size. It was the best season for me personally last year; the one before I played the whole season but there was a change in manager there and I was pushed aside. From my point of view it was a no brainer coming here to Forest Green and the ambition to get into the Football League struck a chord with me'.

Arnold began his footballing journey at Boreham Wood and Arsenal before settling at Norwich City's centre of excellence in 2005. He made his senior debut after moving on to Grays Athletic in the Football Conference and had further spells at Eastleigh, Wycombe Wanderers and Hayes & Yeading before signing for Stevenage as a 22-year-old."

According to NL Pitchero, "Lincoln City have announced the signing of Sahr Kabba from Havant & Waterlooville for an undisclosed fee on an initial one-year contract. Kabba started his career as a youth player at Millwall before signing Academy forms with Bristol Rovers. After his time at Rovers he was a regular starter with Almondsbury Town before he signed for Weston-super-Mare in August 2010... before moving to Havant & Waterlooville in July 2012. He scored 24 goals for the Hawks in eighty-eight matches."

The BBC tells us that "Striker Andy Mangan has returned to training with Forest Green Rovers after successfully appealing against his sacking from the club. Mangan was suspended for disciplinary reasons under the tenure of ex-boss Dave Hockaday and had his three-year deal cancelled in February.

But the 27-year-old took his case to the Football Conference, who then overturned his dismissal... Manager Ady Pennock told BBC Gloucestershire, 'He's still under contract and he's here to get fit. I knew what had gone on but I never got involved in it and I'm still not going to get involved in it... We've given him a fitness programme and we'll go from there'. Mangan signed for Rovers last summer, following his release from Fleetwood, and made nine appearances before his suspension occurred".

BE PROUD OF YOUR CLUB!

On Saturday, 14 June, from 10am, the Club invites all supporters to come along and help make the stadium a place to be proud of. Whilst your willingness to give your time will be the main thing, if you can also bring anything that you think might be useful, such as garden tools, brushes, etc., please do so and you will be made very welcome. The more volunteers who come along, the quicker and more thorough will be the job done.

Please don't just rely on others to turn up but, if you can possibly spare a few hours, please do come along yourself and help. Your work will be greatly appreciated both by the Club and by your fellow supporters. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.

ALL CHANGE AT THE JDS

Above, courtesy of images from Grahame Rowley, we see that work progresses on the new Community Sports Hall and associated developments at the J. Davidson Stadium. On the left is the Noel White Suite, in which the lower part of the bar (by the cellar door) has now been cleared and this space, along with the existing referee's room, will become the new away dressing room with a new entrance being created from the tunnel. The existing away dressing room will be converted to a new referee's room, with facilities for male and female officials.

In the right-hand photo, the trench down the side of the pitch has been dug so that water pipes, BT cables, PA wiring and the mains electric cables for the Golf Road end of the ground can be buried there. This will mean that there will be no more wiring pinned around the perimeter wall and over the gates, creating a much tidier appearance.

The work on the changing rooms is scheduled to be completed by July 21st. As a consequence of the work, the bar (Noel White Suite) will be reduced in size until the Sports Hall opens at the end of the year. Plans are being considered to ease congestion in the bar during this period by creating a bottle bar and other innovations.

CONFERENCE NEWS

The matter will now go to a vote of the Conference board early tomorrow afternoon, with a unanimous vote sees the immediate expulsion of the Bulls. A split decision will see the Premier clubs vote on the Bulls' future on Saturday".

The Bristol Rovers chairman says "I would like to thank you all for your patience as we continue to work towards restructuring the club, and getting everything ready for next season. I hope you can appreciate that it is not a straightforward process...

We are working closely with Darrell Clarke and we have drawn up a recruitment budget for next year, which should be very competitive for the Conference. Darrell knows exactly the sort of players he wants to bring in to the club, and we hope to announce the first new signing before the end of the week.

We are also hopeful that we will be able to add another name to that before the end of next week... We have now established the costs of dropping in to the Conference, and we are producing a budget to move forward next season. Unfortunately, this involves changes and redundancies at the club, but some of these were inevitable anyway following the departure of the rugby club from the Memorial Stadium.

Our aim is to bounce straight back into the League next season, and we believe we are going to have a budget in place to do that. The money received from the sale of Rickie Lambert to Liverpool has obviously come as a timely boost and will help us to move forward.

I know you are all desperate to hear news on the stadium redevelopment project, and I hope to be able to give you a more detailed report in the next couple of weeks. However, for now I can tell you that we are in the process of submitting the pre-commencement planning conditions to South Gloucestershire Council to clear the way for work to begin on the site".

At Nuneaton Town, "Non-League Day, the campaign to promote semi-professional and grassroots football, returns for a fifth consecutive season on Saturday 6th September 2014. The event... always coincides with a break in the Premier League and Championship calendar, giving a wide range of fans the opportunity to visit their local non-League club".

News of Stockport County comes from the Manchester Evening News whch reports that "County's future direction has become slightly clearer following the news that five of the club’s shareholders have agreed to walk away.

Former chairman Lord Peter Snape, Mike Clark, David Dyson, Ken Graham and Stewart Vann have all decided to write off outstanding loans. They have also gifted back their shares to the club for a nominal amount, thought to be around £1 per person.

In terms of what happens to the shares that have been returned to the club, their future is now in the hands of the remaining shareholders... A club spokesman said, 'The club is indebted to Peter, Mike, David, Ken and Stewart for this extremely generous gesture. Each of the aforementioned individuals was there for the club in its hour of need, investing their personal finances into Stockport County to ensure that the club survived'...

Those departures leave six remaining shareholders, all of whom have decided to retain their stakes and continue to provide the club with financial assistance. The half-dozen are Simon Bellamy, Sharon Brammall, Malcolm Cooke, Richard Park, Stockport Sports Trust and former vice-chairman Spencer Fearn.

A couple of other shareholders have still to make their final decision, the outcome of which the club ‘expects to be clarified in the very near future.’ This week’s development comes almost nine-and-a-half months after Mr Fearn first contacted the Express, proposing that the majority of loan holders write off their debts to facilitate a possible sale of the club.

The Express contacted shareholders at the time to discover their response, only for none to be forthcoming – as was the case on subsequent occasions during last season".

FRIENDLY ARRANGEMENTS

• Adults £7
• Concessions £4..
• Under 5s are free of charge.
• Altrincham FC 2014-15 season ticket holders are also admitted free of charge.

WORLD CUP COMPETITION

"With the England squad in Miami for the final preparations ahead of the World Cup Finals which start in Brazil on 12 June, there is still time to get your entry in for the TASC World Cup Prediction Competition.

The entry fee is just £5.00 and you have to try and predict the scores in all the group qualifying matches.

There will be a maximum of 3 points available for each match, with one point awarded for predicting the correct home team score, one point for the correct away team score and one point for predicting the correct match result.

Regular updates will be posted on the Fans' Forum throughout the qualifying group matches.

The prize money will be dependent on the number of entries with 20% of the total pot going to the person with the most points, 15% to second place and 10% to third place.

The final date for entries is before the first match kicks off on 12 June at 9.00pm our time. An entry form can be downloaded here". Paul invites you to print off the form and deliver/post it to the club (Altrincham FC, Moss Lane, Altrincham WA15 8AP) with your entry fee. Alternatively, he is happy to accept e-mails direct, with payments being made in due course.

GOAL RUSH

The outstanding goal benchmark and end of season draws were conducted last night and the winners are as follows

• 80 Goals - No 91 David Jones
• 90 Goals - No 84 Dana Laidlar
• 100 Goals - 32 Theo Langeveld
• 110 Goals - Paul Salt

Each of the above has a choice of one of three prizes namely:

1. 2 tickets for a home league match of their choice or,
2. Free away travel for one person on a TASC organised coach trip, or
3. A signed photograph taken with a player of their choice.

In addition, the winners of the end of season draw for a signed football and signed shirt were No 84 (again) Dana Laidlar and No 55 Nigel Bunce. Congratulations to all the winners.

Forms for the 2014-15 Season are being sent out with season ticket renewal letters. Alternatively a form can be downloaded here. Paul invites you to print off the form and deliver/post it to the club (Altrincham FC, Moss Lane, Altrincham WA15 8AP) with your entry fee. Alternatively, he is happy to accept e-mails direct, with payments being made in due course.

CONFERENCE NEWS

As for Connor, he already knows the club following his loan spell here a couple of years ago. He was only 17 at the time but he has become a man now. What he will bring is tenacity, pace and energy'".

At Alfreton Town "manager Nicky Law has brought his second new signing of the closed season to the Impact Arena. Hot on the heels of signing Nathan Hicks, an attacking midfield player with bags of potential from Leamington, the Reds' boss has quickly followed up by persuading experienced former York City, Kidderminster Harriers and Tamworth defender Duane Courtney to join the club.

Courtney, 29, arrives with a very good pedigree. He is an athletic and versatile right-back who has also played in central defence and at left-back. Duane began his career with Derby County's youth system as a schoolboy and went on to play for Birmingham City as a trainee.

He moved on to AFC Telford United.. before joining Burnley for £25,000 where he made eight first team appearances. After being released by the Clarets, he joined The New Saints where he had three seasons before moving back to England to join Kidderminster Harriers and then York City.

He was released by the Minstermen and moved to Tamworth where he has played for the past four seasons".

On the East coast, Grimsby Town "have signed former Southport midfielder Scott Brown on a one-year deal. He becomes Paul Hurst's first summer signing after Craig Disley, James McKeown and Scott Neilson all agreed new deals for the 2014/15 campaign

Scott started his career with Everton... He later moved to Bristol City, having failed to make the breakthrough for the "Toffees". After three years with City, he moved to Cheltenham Town in 2007. Two years later he spent a brief spell with Port Vale, before signing for Morecambe in 2010. After a brief spell with Fleetwood Town, he signed with York City in January 2012...

After a brief spell at Macclesfield Town in August 2012, he went on to join Chester the following month... The 29-year old [joined] Southport in July 2013 and was their captain last season."

From Kidderminster Harriers we learn that "Marvin Johnson has become the 18th player climb aboard at Aggborough for the new season with the signing of a one-year deal.

The winger, who has made 85 appearances for the club since first joining in early 2012, was offered a new contract at the end of the season just past... ending the term out on loan with Hednesford Town".

Also, "Boss Gary Whild has confirmed that neither Amari Morgan-Smith nor Danny Jackman are likely to make returns to Aggborough for next season. Hit-man Morgan-Smith, who reached double figures last term, was offered a fresh contract at the conclusion of the last campaign while Whild had also been working to find a deal suitable for versatile former Gillingham man Jackman...

The Harriers chief has stated that the duo will move on to pastures new... 'Unfortunately, we have brought one or two in which probably, in a way, closes the door on players we’ve had here... I’m sure they won’t find it too difficult getting themselves fixed up elsewhere'.

Morgan-Smith scored 12 goals in 49 appearances... while Jackman featured on 60 occasions, netting twice. Harriers currently have 17 players contracted for next season, including new summer signings Jasbir Singh, Craig Reid, Reece Styche and Ahmed Obeng."

At Wrexham, "Reds make their next capture with winger Wes York arriving on a one-year contract after being at Nuneaton Town for the last three years... He played under Kevin Wilkin, who signed him in the first place, and was interesting Football League clubs 12 months ago.

With a new manager in place at the Liberty Way, Wes was not offered a new deal and the Wrexham management team were quick to make their move...

Said Wes, 'It's a big club and there was little they had to do to sell the place to me... I like to play up front, but am more than happy to operate on the right; as long as I'm around the penalty area, then I'mhappy."

Reports from the Football Conference say that "Stockport County have formally captured the signature of promising midfield player Russell Benjamin. Benjamin joins from AFC Telford United".

According to the Lincolnshire Echo, "Boston United have become embroiled in claims of match fixing between teams in the Conference North. The Pilgrims’ 3-2 defeat against Brackley last season has been highlighted in a report on fixed football matches by Federbet...

Boston’s defeat saw the Pilgrims trailing 3-0 at half-time after goals from Steve Towers, Izak Reid and Ben Mills put Brackley ahead."

Concerning this, the Football Conference say that "The following statement is issued in relation to a presentation made to the European Parliament by an organisation called Federbet. This included a chart listing some 10 matches in our competition in 2013/14 which they claim were a subject of 'match fixing'...

At this time there is no evidence that any of the fixtures specifically listed by Federbet, relating to our competition, have been the subject of report or investigation. Therefore we are at a loss to understand what evidence may exist for Federbet to make such claims.

Federbet has not consulted with the Football Conference about making such alleged information public." Six Conference North matches were listed, none involving Altrincham.

The Kidderminster Shuttle confirms that "Harriers have been implicated in a match fixing scandal by an international report.

The Aggborough outfit's home defeat to Alfreton Town on Saturday, December 13 2013 is one of 13 English matches included in a wide ranging investigation by Federbet, a conglomeration of European casino and gambling agencies.

Harriers lost 3-1 to their Derbyshire rivals... Amari Morgan-Smith was also dismissed for two yellow cards... A spokesman for the club said, "We aren't aware of any report into the game, we've certainly had no contact from the FA about anything suspicious."

The game was one of ten Football Conference matches included in the investigation, including Telford's 3-1 win over Stalybridge and Forest Green's 3-2 triumph over Cambridge".

VAL'S GREAT EFFORT FOR MADDOG'S CHARITY

Tough Mudder "is a series of hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle race, mud run events designed by British Special Forces to challenge the toughest of the tough".

MARK'S POSITIVE ATTITUDE

And the motivation for all these life-affirming adventures? The possibility of losing his. Mark has Motor Neurone Disease. But, after being diagnosed in 2010, the 41-year-old father-of-three from Stoneycroft has refused to give in and play the victim.

'A lot of people with MND call themselves sufferers', says Mark, who this year won the "Echo"’s Community Sports Personality Award, 'but I’ve never gone with that rule. I always say I am living with MND. A positive mindset is half the battle – plus, I only have to look at my family to give me the strength to fight this awful disease'.

A professional footballer for 10 years, he played for Altrincham, Mark worked as a coach and manager before learning he had the condition almost four years ago. 'As you can imagine, it was a shock', he says. 'I thought it was something old people get'.

Mark had begun feeling symptoms of muscle twitches and stiffening hands a few months before diagnosis, but he says, 'I thought it was arthritis. To be told I had MND was devastating. I looked on the internet and saw the average life expectancy and, from then, everything changed. I have always been a positive person so I decided to face it head on and fight it, and I’m convinced this attitude has got me this far'.

Mark is one of Professor Carolyn Young’s patients at The Walton Centre and has taken part in two medical trials to test new drugs. He was given a placebo on the first trial, and he is still waiting to hear about the second. But, just being included, has 'saved my life'.

'Mentally, it is really hard to cope with a terminal illness, but going to The Walton Centre really saved me. I meet other people in the same boat, and their families, and we can talk and, even have a laugh together. Being on the trials gave me a hope; they were good for the mind. I have been involved with Prof Young since diagnosis and I feel lucky to be under her care because, to me, she’s one of the best neuro profs in the world.

I can’t imagine how difficult her job is, seeing people pass away regularly and trying to stay positive with incurable illness'.

Maybe she takes a leaf out of Mark’s book. Since diagnosis, he says, 'I have achieved some amazing things and seen parts of the world I’ve always wanted to see. I’ve jumped out of planes and run marathons, including this year’s London Marathon. And I’ve recorded two albums! I have played guitar since I was 16 with my best mate who built his own studio in his house. So, when I was first diagnosed, he suggested we make an album together and, when we had completed the first one, we still had songs we had written, so recorded another one.

Music has always been a massive part of my way of dealing with MND. I decided to do the Liverpool Marathon in 2012 to raise awareness and it went well, so I thought, let’s do London. I have always enjoyed a challenge'.

Mark has also linked up with the MND Association to raise awareness in football, with nearly half the Premiership clubs getting involved last season, all of which helps Mark to 'get a positive out of a negative'.

'Telling my family was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do', he admits, “especially my three young kids, Sonny, 13, Vinny, eight, and Bo, five. Life goes so fast now. I married Jayne and, as a family, we have done so much. Between all the good stuff we’ve had to adapt our home, ready for when I’ll need a wheelchair and can’t use the stairs. I don’t know how much time I’ve got left, that’s the scary thing. But it’s what I do now that matters.

Since I was diagnosed, I’ve done things I never thought I’d do, all because I want people to understand more about MND. I always say I’m living with MND, not dying from it. I’m still the same bloke. I love my music, my football and my family, and a good laugh. Life’s too short to be miserable... trust me!'".

TWO YANKEE JACKPOTS TO BE WON

CONFERENCE NEWS

Further south at Dover Athletic, the club is "delighted to announce the signing of striker Stefan Payne, who joins the club on a free transfer. Payne scored 31 goals in 46 appearances for AFC Hornchurch last season, and has signed a one-year deal. The 22-year-old is manager Chris Kinnear's first signing of the summer...

Payne started his career at Croydon, before joining Sutton United in 2009... and the striker signed for Fulham in 2009. He then recorded 27 appearances for Gillingham, before spells at Braintree Town, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Macclesfield Town and Ebbsfleet United. In August 2013, the Lambeth-born man joined AFC Hornchurch, where he netted 31 goals and contributed 11 assists".

Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers report that they "have signed former Mansfield Town left-back James Jennings on a two-year contract. The 26 year-old clocked up 33 League Two appearances with Mansfield Town last season and moves on a free transfer...

Jennings, who was a youth player at Manchester City, also spent three years at Cambridge United from 2010, where he made nearly a hundred appearances and was vice-captain. Jennings, who is noted for his leadership qualities, follows recent signings Sam Wedgbury (midfield) [like Jennings, a former Altrincham loanee], Kurtis Guthrie (winger),and David Pipe (right-back) as Rovers' manager Ady Pennock looks to reshape his squad before the start of next season.

Pennock said, 'James is a very good left-back, strong defensively and good going forward... He looks after himself off the field, and loves his football. James is here to compete with Chris Stokes, not to replace him; Stokesy’s not going anywhere, we want to keep our best players".

At Hereford United "new owner Tommy Agombar... introduced himself as the new owner of Hereford United to staff today... Tommy reassured staff that all payments and wages due to themselves, players and football creditors would be paid in full this week, subject to Conference status.

Tommy then spoke to the club's official website... 'I'm a football man and I want what is the very best for Hereford United and its supporters, they've endured a very hard time in recent months and years and we have to put things in place to avoid that happening again. I want to see the club back in the Football League as soon as possible and I'm confident that we can do that...

If I had been approached about buying a football club I would probably not of even entertained it but this is Hereford United, a great little club with a fantastic history'".

More on this comes from the BBC which says that "Businessman Tommy Agombar has taken over as owner of financially struggling Hereford...

If football creditors are not paid by Saturday's Conference Annual General Meeting, the club risk expulsion. Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick says... that he is yet to have any direct contact with the new investors at Hereford United. Strudwick has spoken to a club representative, but says that this is not good enough and that they require much more detailed information before the AGM.

In the club statement released by Hereford, Agombar, whose son Harry played for both Swindon Town and Macclesfield Town, said... 'We are currently liaising with the Football Conference regarding the club's current situation'. Bulls' chairman David Keyte, whose own future is not yet clear, was reported to have been in talks with three different rival bidders regarding a takeover.

A club statement was released last Thursday saying that the consortium of investors involved in trying to take over at Edgar Street had 'begun the process of payments' to the Bulls' football creditors. But the club are also overdue with their latest PAYE tax demand and they remain under a winding-up petition brought by former Hereford manager Martin Foyle, which was adjourned on Monday for 28 days".

Kidderminster Harriers "say goodbye to another member of the ‘100 club’ at Aggborough with the news that Mickey Demetriou has declined a new deal... The 24 year-old England C international is to sign for Shrewsbury Town on a two-year deal. He first signed for Harriers in the summer of 2011 and has since gone on to make 122 appearances for the club.

The former Eastbourne Borough youngster was offered fresh terms to remain in Worcestershire but will follow in Lee Vaughan’s footsteps in favour of a move into the League".

PITCH PREPARATION

CONFERENCE NEWS

More on this comes from the Hereford Times which says that "Hereford United's latest winding-up order has been adjourned for 28 days. Registrar Stephen Baister adjourned the petition until June 30 this morning after club lawyers told him that the club was purchased last week and the new owners are investigating options, including administration and a creditors' voluntary arrangement (CVA).

The registrar said that he would give the club until June 30 to 'look into all those possibilities'. The winding-up order was brought against the club by former manager Martin Foyle, who is now in charge at Southport".

The report adds that "It is understood that, despite the 28-day extension, any agreement will have to be determined ahead of Friday's Conference AGM in order to avoid falling foul of Conference rules".

The Football Conference says that "Paul Linwood and Gareth Seddon have both left Chester FC... Linwood, who arrived at Chester for his second spell in the summer of 2012, went on to help The Blues clinch the Conference North championship...

The defender told Chester FC.com 'I was absolutely devastated about the relegation and how it happened but I'm sure the club will be back where it belongs soon enough... Unfortunately, I can`t commit to the full-time model of the club due to work commitments and my family had to come first. I would have loved to have hit the 200-game mark but I am proud of my 199. I have had many ups and downs at Chester but the ups outweigh the downs for me'...

Striker Seddon is also leaving the Blues... 'I'm just sorry that I've had to leave the club but, unfortunately, there has been no offer of a new contract and I had to make the decision to leave'. Seddon, who collected the Golden Boot award at the recent end of season awards evening, joined Chester from FC Halifax Town last summer".

Elsewhere, the Conference reports a departure elsewhere as "Barnet have seen striker Jake Hyde leave The Hive for York City. However, because Hyde is under the age of 24, a Football League tribunal will have to determine a compensation package between the Minstermen and the Bees. Hyde, who stands 6'1”, started his career as a trainee with Swindon Town seven years ago...

In Barnet's ill-fated 2012/13 relegation campaign he topped the North London club's goals with 26 from fifty-six matches, including notching the last goal at the club's former Underhill Stadium. Hyde again led the Bees' goal charts last term, scoring 12 times in twenty-seven appearances. However, he was put up for sale at the end of the season after only being offered a new one-year deal".

However, Barnet also report that "Jack Saville has signed a new one-year deal with the club. The defender looked set to leave The Hive following the 2013/14 season but he has agreed fresh terms for the new campaign...

Head-coach Martin Allen shared his thoughts on the news, 'After a good chat with Graham Stack and Jon Nurse I have taken their advice and guidance to give Jack another chance. He had 14 clean sheets when he played in the Barnet team last season which is a good tally and at the end of the season he played and stuck it out with an injury. It took guts and determination and showed he can stand up when the going gets tough'".

Meanwhile, NL Pitchero tells us that "Jamie Day, player-manager of Welling United, has signed former West Ham United centre-back Callum McNaughton... for the coming season after leaving Bishop’s Stortford.

A delighted Day said, 'We watched him for a fair chunk of last season so we know all about him. Callum is a die-hard central defender who puts his body on the line but he can also play and pass as well. He knows this level and what is expected of him. We’ve added him to the squad and see him as a key defender this season'...

The 6'4" defender was sent-off in his only game for West Ham’s first team, in the League Cup against Aldershot, and since spent time on loan at AFC Wimbledon".

In addition "Welling United have announced a U-turn by striker Ross Lafayette. He is now expected to join Luton Town. The popular forward had agreed a new one-year deal with player boss Jamie Day following the conclusion of last season. He shook hands on the deal and, despite rumours of a potential move, assured the Wings boss that he was going to sign a new contract at Park View Road on his return from holiday.

However, Lafayette delayed signing the deal and informed Day at the end of last month that he was no longer going to remain at Welling as he wanted to pursue a career in the Football League. Lafayette scored 39 goals in ninety games during his Welling career... Since Lafayette’s decision, the Wings made an offer for a different striker that would have seen that player become the highest-paid player in the club’s history. That forward subsequently turned down our offer and has since joined a Conference South club for more money.

Day has alternative targets lined up but relocation is currently proving a problem in a bid to bring these players to Park View Road".

According to the Grimsby Telegraph, "Grimsby Town have been linked with a potential double swoop for Wes York and Louis Moult [Jake's brother], according to speculation coming out of Nuneaton. Mariners boss Paul Hurst has already admitted his interest in the pacy York, while terrace talk in Warwickshire has also added Moult into the mix, with speculation that one, or both, could move to Blundell Park this week".

SEASON TICKETS FOR 2014-15

"We will be competing in the Conference Premier next season and have set season ticket pricing that reflects the increased number of games and the higher standard of football that the Club will face".

• Standing: Adults £250 Concessions £145
• Seating: Adults £290 Concessions £155
• 12-16 year olds: £60
• Under 12s: £30

Gate prices will be as follows:-

• Standing: Adults £14 Concessions £9
• Seating: Adults £15 Concessions £10
• 12-16 year olds: £5
• Under 12: £2

A £10 discount will apply to adult season tickets purchased before 30 June 2014. The home pre-season friendlies will be free to those holding 2014-15 Altrincham FC season tickets.

Tickets can be ordered by ringing the usual number (0161) 928-1045 or by calling in at the Club Offices during weekday office hours (9.45am to 5pm). Payment should be made by cheque or cash, please.

COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL UPDATE

He rejoined Celtic for the 13/14 season... and agreed to the move to Barrow a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile midfielder Paddy Lacey has also signed a two year deal... after operating on non-contract terms last term."

News of another player with Altrincham connections comes from the Shropshire Star which says that "AFC Telford United striker Andy Owens today targeted becoming a double-figure striker next season after signing a new contract, when he’s not ‘winging it'.

The 24-year-old has since put pen to paper on a new one-year deal for the Bucks' return to the Skrill Conference Premier. Owens got seven goals for the Conference North champions, all but one coming from February, and was also used at left-back and on the wing by manager Liam Watson.

The forward said, 'The gaffer has mentioned to me that if we do play with certain formations, he will utilise me on the left and I am happy with that, as I have done it before. The rest of the time, I will be playing up front and I have to get the goals. Last season was my first mainly being used as a striker and it took me time to adapt. Individual achievement wise, I want to show what I have learned and a good target would be to get into double figures this time'.

Going up a division will mean players need to spend more time devoted to the club, particularly on long away trips where overnight stays will be needed. It shouldn’t affect Owens too much, though, as he’s entering the second year of a university course in sports science.

He said, 'I welcome the step up and playing in the Conference Premier won’t affect me too much, with my studies. It’s mainly Fridays we need to be free and I don’t have lessons that day. Liam will keep the same sort of training and time schedules that we had when we were at Southport. I have played at full-time before, so I know how fit you need to be at this level... I actually think it will be easier for some of the lads to play at the step above. The one thing you do get is a lot more time on the ball in the Premier. Decision making is crucial, that’s what we need to be very good at and not waste possession, rather than just reacting'".

According to Southampton's Daily Echo, "Eastleigh boss Richard Hill says Oxford United only have themselves to blame for losing iconic marksman James Constable to his newly-crowned Skrill Conference South champions.

The Spitfires set the non-League world buzzing last week when they followed Constable’s capture with that of his ex-Oxford strike partner Jack Midson, released by AFC Wimbledon, as they prepare to take the Conference Premier by storm... Hill, who is himself Oxford based, says disgruntled Us fans should be asking questions of their own club rather than blaming Eastleigh for taking their cult hero away.

'Some of the comments I’ve seen on the fans’ forums have got out of control', said Hill. 'Don’t blame Eastleigh for signing James Constable, blame your own football club who didn’t offer him the terms of contract he deserved'.

Ironically it was Eastleigh’s owner/chairman Stewart Donald and his company Bridle Insurance who, as Oxford United sponsors, paid the £69,000 fee that secured Constable’s permanent move to the Kassam Stadium in the first place. Now Donald has come up trumps for the 29-year-old once again, offering him the security of a two-year deal as opposed to a new one-year contract on reduced terms at Oxford.

'Stewart and Eastleigh FC have been getting a bit of flak, but it’s not our fault', Hill stressed. 'We moved in because we found a player who wasn’t happy with the length of contract he’d been offered and it had become obvious that Oxford weren’t working very hard to keep him. All we did was monitor the situation and do our job. If a player is out of contract you are free to speak to him. For James, the pull of Oxford was greater than the pull of Eastleigh because he wanted to break the goal-scoring record. But, more than that, he wanted to secure a future for himself and his family like any of us would'.

Hill added, 'Don’t forget that when James left Shrewsbury to join Oxford, they were a Conference Premier club, so it’s no different. He hasn’t stepped down a division through lack of ambition, he’s stepped down because of ambition'...

Constable said, 'I spent a couple of evenings looking at the players already there at Eastleigh, wondering whether I’d missed something and it was a squad that had just won promotion from the Conference Premier! Add the players in that Richard wants to sign and it excites me. It’s going to be great teaming up with Jack Midson again'".

According to the Bristol Post, "Bristol Rovers striker Ryan Brunt is being eyed up by a trio of League One clubs, the Bristol Post understands. Walsall, Leyton Orient and Chesterfield are among the outfits understood to be interested in the Birmingham-born forward, who was 21 earlier this week.

Brunt managed only 13 league and cup appearances for Rovers last season and failed to find the net before his season was ended in November by a knee problem, which eventually required surgery. But he scored five times in 18 outings after joining on a three-year deal from Stoke City in January 2013 and was pivotal in helping the side move away from the relegation zone.

Brunt was at the Memorial Stadium earlier in the week in a bid to build up his fitness, and is also to pay for a trip to America to receive specialist treatment before the players report back on June 30. The target-man, who had a spell with Bristol City's academy as a youngster before joining Stoke City, spent six months on loan at Leyton Orient two seasons ago...

Chesterfield, who lifted the League Two title last season, were keen on landing the striker shortly before he joined Rovers and are now set to rekindle their interest. Walsall boss Dean Smith is also believed to have Brunt on his radar...

Rovers, meanwhile, are to hand a trial to Concord Rangers striker Lewis Taaffe. Manager Darrell Clarke has said he will cast his eye over 'six or seven' trialists. Taaffe, who can also play in midfield, served out the remainder of last season at part-timers Rangers after leaving Histon and impressed sufficiently to secure a two-week trial at the Memorial Stadium.

'This is a great chance for me', said Taaffe. ,I have had a good season and it was nice to play between 40 and 50 games and score around 15 times. Bristol Rovers is a good chance for me and it could well be the last chance I get. I am 22 now and need to be thinking about taking the next step now or it may not come around again'".

The Chronicle Live tells us that "Gary Mills insists 'Two, maybe even three' proven goalscorers are his summer transfer target priority. Amid this 'toughest time for a manager', swinging the axe and joining the bun fight, he means to make good on the momentum built at Gateshead this past month, year and season...

And having agreed on next season’s budget with chairman Graham Wood last week, Mills told 11 players last week they would not be offered new contracts at the International Stadium. efenders Carl Magnay, Luke O’Brien, Joe Tait and Jordan Holt, midfielder Josh Walker and strikers Liam Hatch, Jack Lester, Colin Larkin, Richard Brodie, Adam Boyes and Ryan Noble have all been allowed to leave...

The Heed boss said, 'We had a lot of strikers last season but never really had a settled one, so that’s an area I need to address... Not one player is signed up for next season yet but I’ll sit down with the ones I want to stay, offer them terms and hopefully they’ll sign. Then it’s a case of complementing that... I have to sit back and look at why and how we finished third, and how to improve on that...

This is the toughest time for a manager, there’s no holiday. You have to evaluate the right balance. We’ve built a bit of momentum here, we have to grasp that and keep it going. These aren’t changes for the sake of it, we have to look to improve. That’s important'".

COMMUNITY SPORTS HALL UPDATE

The next step will see the commencement of the Changing Room refurbishment on June 2nd, with completion due on July 21st. The Community Sports Hall construction will start on June 9th, with full completion and availability for use anticipated by Christmas.

The fundraising for the project has been progressing well and we are now just £98,500 short of our target. We have reached the point where we are asking anyone who has pledged money in support of the project to convert this to cash. If you are a UK tax payer, please sign and return the Gift Aid form, which will add 25% onto your donation..

It's now even easier to support the project via the Just Giving Web page (see link below), but as a reminder of the various ways you can provide that support:

Share Purchase The Share Purchase opportunity is still open thanks to Geoff Goodwin and Grahame Rowley, who have kindly donated further shares in support of the project. Minimum purchase is 5 @ £5 each, but feel free to purchase more!

Individual Donations Every donation is really appreciated. Whether you are a supporter of the football club, a resident, local business or a sportsperson aware of the shortage of suitable facilities in the area, this is an opportunity to contribute to a lasting facility for the Community and, from the Club’s perspective, one that will introduce many local people to the Football Club.

If you would like to donate there are a number of ways you can do this:

1. Donate £1,000 or more to the project and be recognised as a “GIANTKILLER’ on our glass honours board
2. Donate £250 towards the project and be recognised as a ‘CHAMPION’ on our glass honours board.
3. Donate £50 or more and be recognised as a ‘SUPPORTER’ on our glass honours board

All donors to the project, past and future, will receive a free invitation to the Opening event.

Business Sponsorship Whereas the Main sponsorship has now been taken up by Sky Wheels, there many other opportunities for a business to help.

Business Giant Killer, for £5,000 or more, sponsors who will have significant internal/ external exposure within the complex and business links with the football club. The Business Giant Killers' Package could also include either:

1) Up to 4 directors/guests of the sponsoring company can attend a match in the Boardroom, see behind the scenes, meet opposing Directors, and enjoy food and drink in the Boardroom, or

2) Be match day sponsors for a game; this is for 10 people, choice of hot meals, complimentary drinks, reserved seats, choose man of the match, receive a commemorative gift, photograph, and recognition in the programme and over the tannoy, or

3) Supply the mascot for a game and enjoy hospitality for 4 people in the Manchester Glass Ltd Sponsors' Lounge, including hot meals, complimentary drinks, and reserved seats for a match.

Business Champion, for £1,000 or more, will have internal exposure and business links with the football club. Package can also include either:

1) Up to 2 Directors to travel with the team in the team coach to an away game and join Alty Directors' team for the day or

2) Have match ball sponsor's package for a game; this is for 2 people (although number can be increased), choice of hot meals, complimentary drinks, reserved seats, name in the programme, signed ball, photograph.

Business Supporter, for £250, who will have their logo displayed within the Community Sports Hall. Package will also include hospitality in the Manchester Glass Ltd Sponsors' Lounge – choice of hot meals, complimentary drinks, reserved seats

If you are interested in any of these options, you can either:

Finally, if you are planning on running a marathon, or crossing the Sahara on a motor bike, and would like to raise funds for the Community Sports Hall project we can create a Just Giving page for you so that your efforts are worth it!".

UNDER-17S' FOYLE CUP DRAW

• Monday, 21st July: Altrincham FC v Inishowen Youth League @ Maginn Park, 7pm.
• Tuesday, 22nd Altrincham FC v Enniskillen Rangers @Killea
• Wednesday, 23rd Derry City v Altrincham FC @ Wilton Park

I would like to thank Dave Crompton for all the work he has done on fundraising for the trip. Also, I would like to thank Graham Heathcote for the dinner he ran to raise funds for the trip and for all the help he gave to the team in the time that he was involved with them".

BATTING FOR ALTY

Altrincham FC supporter and Ashley Cricket Club member Brian Birtles informs us that Altrincham FC is "bringing a Supporters' XI to play Sale Sharks' supporters at our beer festival in July. Details of the event are right (click on image to enlarge).

CONFERENCE NEWS

The former Port Vale defender instigated an overhaul of the squad that summer which has been repeated, albeit on a smaller scale, each close season since thanks to those almost-uninterrupted promotions. Aspin said, 'When I turned up there were lots of players, the wage bill was far too high and we had to reduce that. It was massive for the league it was in and that had to change. The whole attitude of the club had to change. I had to bring in players I knew, that I could trust.

There was a lot of upheaval but, once we got it going, then it just went on from there. The first promotion was the most important, which got everything going in the right direction... It’s been a progression. I’ve enjoyed the football we’ve played, we’ve scored a lot of goals and there’s been some good players who’ve played for the club. The achievement this season [play-offs] has probably been the best one of the lot.

I’ve never sat down and picked a team from the five years but it would be a very strong team and I’m sure it would cost a bit of money too... You have to try and enjoy it but there’s a lot of times when it becomes difficult when you’re getting stick or losing games. It can be a very difficult job when people are having a go at you'...

He added, 'We got into the play-offs this year and were close to getting to the final. As a part-time club nobody gave us a chance but we proved we could do it. We’ve got to try and prove people wrong. You hear people saying we’re going to lose players, our top-scorer, and it can’t be done again. I’ve heard all the negativity but I have to try and figure out how it can be done. If I didn’t think we could do anything there’s no point starting again next season...

I’m not unrealistic, we know it’s going to be tough, probably even harder than last season'".

The Times Series reports that "Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous has revealed he is looking to sell Underhill, the club's home of 106 years until last season.

The Bees left Underhill at the end of the 2012/13 campaign and moved to their current premises at The Hive in Canon's Park ahead of the 2013/14 season. Super League side London Broncos currently train at Underhill and their under-19s play their home fixtures at the stadium as well.

However, speaking to the club's website, Kleanthous admitted he is seeking to sell Underhill with the intention of building a new 10,000 seater stadium, ideally within Barnet, in the future... Said Kleanthous, 'We have had Broncos using the facilities keeping it ticking over but it is clearly deteriorating fast and the cost of maintaining the old stadium seems disproportionate'...

Kleanthous had been keen to move Barnet from Underhill for a number of years due to the poor facilities but the Bees eventually left following a dispute with Barnet Council over the lease of the stadium, having also missed out on moving to Barnet Copthall in favour of Saracens".

NORTH WEST NEWS

David Haythornthwaite, Chairman of AFC Fylde, said, 'We are not over the line yet but this is really good news and the result of a hell of a lot of work behind the scenes by a lot of people. We’ve already invested over a million pounds in acquiring the site and preparing for this moment so it would be a tragedy for us to fall at this last hurdle. The good thing is that, if we do succeed next Wednesday, work can begin virtually straightaway. There are some "legals" to agree and we then have to wait six weeks to allow for a judicial review. So, if all goes to plan, we will begin construction in late August, early September'.

The site will provide a new six-thousand capacity stadium for AFC Fylde with 2,000 seats in the main stand and will meet all the ground requirements for the Football League. It will also provide eight all weather 3G pitches, including a full-size football pitch and hockey pitch up to National League standards.

Mr Haythornthwaite added, 'Our manager has given us a team to be proud of and we now want to build a stadium to suit. After five promotions in just eight years we are only two steps away from our aim of League Football by 2022. This facility will be a huge step forward and, hopefully, convince any remaining doubters of our true intentions'".

ALTY'S COMPETITORS

They are Aldershot, Barnet, Cambridge United, Forest Green, Gateshead, Grimsby, Hereford, Kidderminster, Lincoln City, Luton, Macclesfield, Salisbury, Tamworth and Wrexham. Eight sides are two-nights a week semi-professional outfits; Alfreton, Braintree, Chester, Dartford, FC Halifax, Hyde, Nuneaton, and Woking. The other two teams are the "Inbetweeners" doing three sessions a week, Southport... and Welling".

And last August, the NLP added that the then Skrill Premier "budget table" was as follows...

• £1 million plus: Forest Green Rovers and Luton
• £750,000 to £1 million: None
• £500,000 to £750,000: Barnet, Wrexham, Grimsby Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Cambridge Utd, Gateshead
• £250,000 to £500,000: Aldershot Town, Lincoln City, Hereford Utd, Salisbury City, Dartford, Chester, Woking, FC Halifax Town, Southport
• Below £250,000: Macclesfield Town, Tamworth, Alfreton Town, Braintree Town, Nuneaton Town, Welling, Hyde.

CONFERENCE NEWS

And the Bath Chronicle adds that "Former Bristol Rovers hero Rickie Lambert is on the verge of completing a dream £4 million move to boyhood club Liverpool from rivals Southampton. And the transfer will provide a financial boost for Rovers... with the club confirming there is a sell-on clause in Lambert's current contract.

The 32-year-old striker... scored 59 goals in 139 appearances for Rovers between 2006 and 2009".

The Bristol Post claims that "Rovers could be in line to receive up to £2 million should the proposed transfer be finalised. The unexpected windfall could not be more welcome at a time that Rovers are looking at a loss of up to £1 million as a result of their recent relegation to the Conference".

Aldershot Town report that "Goalkeeper Glenn Morris has joined Gillingham on a one-year contract Morris joined the Shots in August 2012, after making over 200 appearances for Southend United and Leyton Orient. In his two years at the Electrical Services Stadium, The Cat made 39 appearances".

At, Dover Athletic, "After finally completing the mission of reaching the top tier of English football under his ownership, chairman Jim Parmenter issued a warning to Whites' fans who may be expecting another promotion battle similar to previous seasons in the Skrill South and the Ryman divisions. 'Expectations will need to change. We have a competitive budget but we won't be finishing in the top six. We have to accept there is building to do and, in the long term, we are going to try and progress'.

Manager Chris Kinnear is currently taking a well earned week's break, though Jim revealed the club are already looking to strengthen... 'I have no idea what the squad will be, but we are talking to a number of players. However we are going to be prudent and not rush, I know for a fact that that ridiculous money is being thrown about at the moment by some South East clubs. We need to make sure we get the right type of players here so this club can remain sustainable'...

Jim confirmed one player has made a decision. 'Moses Ademola has turned down our offer of a new contract to go elsewhere for a bigger package.'

Match day prices have increased and the Dover Chairman admitted that this was something he considered very carefully. 'The costs of going up are very high - Training three days a week, the extra travel, more stewardship, a doctor at every game and we still need to pay our bills like everyone else!' He also added 'It is a comparable price to other clubs at that level that don't have a geographical disadvantage'".

At the other end of the country Gateshead announce that they "will not be offering new contracts to eleven players. These include six strikers, four defenders and one midfield player. Three players who spent the second half of the season out on loan; Adam Boyes, Joe Tait and Richard Brodie will all leave the club.

Boyes scored 15 goals in 24 games for Guiseley and has now joined the Conference North club for the 2014/15 season. Brodie spent time on loan at Hereford United and Southport last season while Tait returned to former club Darlington.

Former Chelsea starlet Carl Magnay has also left Gateshead after playing 77 games for his home town club... Left-back Luke O'Brien, 25, made only nine appearances in his one season on Tyneside... Another left-sided defender, Jordan Holt, 20, was brought in during the season from Notts County but was limited to one substitute appearance. Experienced front man Liam Hatch is also surplus to requirements at Gateshead...

Another striker, Ryan Noble, 22, was signed in mid-season from Burnley but the former Sunderland man failed to break into the side, starting just one game. Veteran goalscorer Jack Lester was brought out of retirement during the second half of the season...The 38-year-old was resticted to four starts for Gateshead... Colin Larkin is another who will be leaving...

The only midfield player to leave the club is Josh Walker... Walker, 25, joined Gateshead from Scunthorpe United in the summer and most of his 25 starts came in the first half of the season. The club would like to thank all of the above players for their efforts".

Meanwhile, Hereford United report that "Representatives of the consortium who have taken on a major shareholding in Hereford United have failed to reach agreement with Martin Foyle over a settlement to bring to a close the winding up petition by former manager Martin Foyle...

Club representatives will now go to Court on Monday to ask for an adjournment that would enable negotiations to continue".

Kidderminster Harriers "are pleased to add to their squad tricky young winger Ahmed Obeng... Boss Gary Whild has long been an admirer of the skills the 22 year-old possesses. He’s been with [Rushall] Olympic since 2010 and has regularly been amongst the goals each season with his pace and scoring prowess... Born in Ghana, Ahmed is capable of playing on either flank or up front and joins Harriers on a one-year contract".

According to NL Pitchero, "Supporters of Leamington will be disappointed to hear that midfielder Nathan Hicks will not be re-signing for the Sclub, having been offered the opportunity to play Conference Premier football next season at Alfreton Town. The 22-year-old midfielder began his career at Leicester City and had spells at Evesham United, Daventry Town and Kettering Town, where he was skipper, before signing for Histon in the summer of 2013. He joined up with the Brakes in March.

Leamington boss Paul Holleran said, 'He told me that he... would not have left us for any other club at this level of football. Quite simply, the chance to play Conference Premier football was too good for him to turn down'".

RYAN CROWTHER AGREES TERMS

As a youngster he was at Stockport County, before he joined Liverpool (2007-09) where he figured regularly in their Reserves. After a brief spell at Stalybridge Celtic in 2010, he joined Ashton United, then moved across Tameside to Hyde. A spell at Fleetwood Town followed before he was released in January 2014 after which he joined FC Halifax Town.

CONFERENCE NEWS

Both the FA and the Football League have indicated they take the allegations seriously and shall be investigating them without further delay. Wycombe Wanderers FC have failed to respond. The allegations relate to payments made and agreements in existence during the last season in which Bristol Rovers was relegated on goal difference. The Club reserves all it rights following the investigations under way by the FA and the Football League."

At Macclesfield Town, "Mark Blower has been helping the Silkmen work through the takeover process which we hope will soon come to fruition for a new era for Macclesfield Town...

'As the club announced on Friday, the talks are at an advanced stage and are making good progress. There is now one, locally-based individual who is putting together a rescue package to put the club back on an even keel and set the foundations for a sustainable club to emerge. This isn’t someone who is planning to bankroll the club with unlimited resources, but someone who wants to see the club building for the future again'...

Amar has been involved in the discussions and remains committed to hand the club over to someone who will commit to its long term sustainability and we are now edging closer to a deal... We don’t think we’ll be able to complete everything before this weekend, but we are hopeful that we could be in a position to make an announcement by the end of next week. But as with any deal you can't be sure about anything until the ink is dry on the contract'".

In the Lincolnshire Echo we learn that "Bob Dorrian is urging his fellow football club chairmen to join him in a call for more regionalisation in the Conference as he battles to balance the books in the face of rising travel costs.

The Imps' chief plans to raise the issue at the next meeting of league bosses after revealing he faces a bill of more than £20,000 next season just to get his players to games. With Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, Eastleigh and Dover Athletic joining the Conference Premier next season, the Imps travel costs will be the equivalent of a first-team player's wages at the club according to the Imps chairman.

The distance travelled for the four new fixtures will total 1,716 miles and Dorrian says the cost is unsustainable. 'We are facing an increase of £7,500 on top of the £12,500 we already had to budget for', said Dorrian. 'There could even be arguments to travel overnight to more games, but it is a heavy cost, just to start, the hotel can cost £1,500 and the coach is £1,000 as it is for two days. We will have to find funds to cover this and we will hope people can come forward to help by sponsoring some trips, but we need to start thinking about the situation.

When we played in the Football League we had a solidarity payment of £700,000, which went a long way to covering the costs for travel. Now we get just under £50,000 from the Conference, it's a massive disparity when it comes to covering the costs. In effect, the £20,000 we will pay out in travelling next season would be the same amount of money that would go towards a first-team player. This cannot continue, we are reaching a breaking point'.

The answer in Dorrian's mind is to bring back regionalisation. The Football League had a Division Three North and South, with the Imps last competing in the northern division back in 1952 under manager Bill Anderson...

'Regionalisation is an idea which we must start talking about and, when I can, I will raise it', said Dorrian. 'I can see the merging of League Two and the Conference into North and South divisions. I don't think it would be a massive change as there are so many former League clubs now in the Conference. The benefit would be that you would not be funding overnight stays and that would save you a lot of money straight away.

You could then also start to contemplate that if you are facing sides who are not a million miles away from you, then there would be more local rivalry. That in turn could be a bigger draw to fans which could in turn mean more gate revenue. Sadly, at the moment, I think the Football Conference like the fact their set-up has a number of ex-League teams in it as it gives it a lot of credibility and I feel they would be loathe to give them up.

The truth is though, they cannot provide the support needed and this is the only national division of non-league. Something has got to happen for the sake of the clubs involved in this division. There has been talk of a League Three, so the FA is considering changes to the league structure in this country'".

At another ex-League club, Wrexham report that "Manager Kevin Wilkin wasted no time in making his first new signing after returning from a family holiday, by securing the signature of Cambridge United centre back Blaine Hudson. The 6'6" tall defender arrived in Wrexham late this afternoon, toured the stadium and then agreed a one-year deal, before heading back off to his home in Lowestoft.

Although emerging through the ranks at the Abbey Stadium, Blaine spent the whole of 2014/15 on loan with Welling United and played about 40 times for the Wings, scoring once. In addition to this, he played over 30 times for the U's, since making his debut in January 2010 as an 18-year-old against Eastbourne.

With their promotion to the Football League, Blaine found himself on a long list of players who were not retained. He jumped at the opportunity of switching to the Racecourse, after watching his former Welling defensive partner Frasier Franks enjoy a move to Luton Town... After a short loan spell with Billericay Town in the Blue Square South in March 2013, he was more than happy to head south of the Thames and hardly missed a game for Welling United last season".

Still in the Principality, the Daily Post says that "A special pop-up museum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Wrexham FC opens today. The museum will be officially opened...by the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Alan Edwards, and former star player and manager Dixie McNeil will be a guest of honour.

The museum will be open from 11am to 4pm every day until Saturday and will include interactive exhibits and free family entertainment such as table football tournaments and treasure hunts. The club, established in 1864, is the oldest in Wales and the third oldest in the world.

Organisers say the anniversary celebrations are particularly appropriate with the World Club looming because as the Racecourse is the world’s oldest international football ground still in use. The first international match was played there in 1877 when Scotland played Wales.

Among those visiting the museum will be a group of football fans with dementia... Liz Wilks, the Alzheimer’s Society Befriending Manager, runs the group and she said, 'The group is made up of up to ten football fans who are living with dementia... We find that using football memorabilia often jogs memories of games in the past and in turn that leads to other associations, who you went to the match with and other things... They can help people with dementia remember other areas of their lives'".

SHREWSBURY GAME, TIME CONFIRMED

• Standing: Adults £250 Concessions £145
• Seating: Adults £290 Concessions £155
• 12-16 year olds: £60
• Under 12s: £30

A £10 discount will apply to adult season tickets purchased before 30 June 2014. Ring the club on 0161 928-1045 to order yours or visit the club offices during normal office hours on any weekday.

CONFERENCE NEWS

The Red's supremo understands there are bound to be some frustrations following the departure of some of last season’s squad, the most recent being Josh Law who has signed for Motherwell and striker John Akinde who has been announced by league rivals Barnet as a new signing for them despite still being contracted with the Reds until the end of June...

'We obviously have our own targets and are talking to players every single day, making offers to them, and all the majority of them will do is somewhere along the line, wait for a better offer to come in', explained Bradley. 'We could not be any busier if we tried, and I am asking the fans to be patient and show us some trust and faith. We have many irons in the fire and I am confident in many of our targets joining us.

There will be players who will go and yet we are being asked to announce a retained list when we are still talking to people to try and get them to stop with us! It is fair to say there won’t be a single player who leaves Alfreton who won’t have been offered terms by the club and that was the same last season. You have to accept that the player has a limited span of career and wants to do the best for himself and his family. There is no negativity, it is a matter of fact, and fans have to accept that.

Things are also quickly forgotten, and it is only a couple of weeks ago that manager Nicky Law signed a new deal to extend his stay with the club. We are at that quiet time of the season and we simply have to accept Alfreton have to wait for the right type of player to come along but we are not going to change the way we do business. Until we have physically negotiated, agreed terms with, and actually signed someone, there is no point in announcing what we are going to do or not going to do with whichever target we are in contact with.

These things take time and I think I am correct in saying that Alfreton Town have never ever signed a player in May for the following season. Any club doing that at this time of year is paying absolute top dollar for them anyway and we refuse to use up valuable budget money unnecessarily. We cannot compete at that level of finance. What would supporters want us to do, break the bank?

Players come and go, but one thing we have seen regularly every season since I have been here, is that there will be people coming in who will become the new household names and heroes to Alfreton fans', ended Bradley.A fantastic example of the club's policy of waiting for the right player at the right time was the signing of last season’s top scorer John Akinde. The powerhouse striker was only actually signed on the day of the first game of the season at Dartford and didn’t make his debut until the first home game a few days later".

Macclesfield Town announce that "full-back Danny Andrew has signed for Fleetwood, who earned promotion to League One at the weekend... The player, who joined the Silkmen from Cheltenham Town last summer, went on to be an ever present for the side in League action with a total of 53 appearances... as picking up the club's Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year awards."

Torquay United "have announced season-ticket and admission prices for the 2014-15 season will be frozen at the current levels". A general guide to Conference National admission prices for 2014-15 is here.

According to the BBC "Hereford United keeper Daniel Lloyd-Weston has opted to leave as he is still owed part of his salary by the troubled Conference Premier club. Lloyd-Weston, 22, has told BBC Hereford & Worcester that he is not the only player still owed money by the Bulls, who are currently up for sale. 'The money I'm owed might not sound too substantial to some people', he said. 'But, as a percentage of what I am owed contractually, it is a lot. I need it to survive, to put food on the table'.

After making his debut for the Bulls in November, the Manchester-born former Port Vale and Cheltenham Town reserve keeper became a fixture in the Bulls team over the second part of the season. He conceded a comparatively frugal 37 goals in 28 appearances, 10 of which came in the space of two matches at Woking and Luton when Hereford hit the low point of the season in early February.

But, after playing a key role in the three wins in five matches that steered the Bulls to their miraculous final-day rescue at Aldershot, Lloyd-Weston is upset at the lack of contact since from the club, who allowed caretaker manager Peter Beadle to leave last week for Conference South side Sutton United.

'We had that high on April 26th. Then we haven't heard anything from the club', Lloyd-Weston told BBC Hereford & Worcester. 'We were then told we'd receive an email every week to notify us of the situation and we haven't received one. I just think what's the point of making promises if they're not going to keep them. It's unfair and unjust how the club have treated this. It's not like I'm asking for the earth. I'm not a £100,000 a week player from the Premier League. I'm on the equivalent of a minimum wage. Some lads have got mortgages and children. We kept our end of the bargain. We stayed and did the job. If this was any other club they'd have struggled to put a team out. Anywhere else, the lads would have walked'.

Under Conference membership rules, Lloyd-Weston has notified the club, the league and the Football Association, giving 14 days' notice of the termination of his contract, making him a free agent. 'I'm disappointed as I've grown really attached to the club and I saw a future here', added Lloyd-Weston. 'I had the hunger and desire to do well but my hands have been tied'...

Former Bulls' manager Martin Foyle's petition for a winding-up order against Hereford is due to be heard at The Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, 2 June. The Conference's Annual General Meeting will take place four days later on Friday, 6 June and the Bulls have to clear all their football debts by then, or they may face sanctions that could yet include relegation, possibly reprieving Chester from the drop.

Meanwhile, Hereford United Supporters Trust officials say they are 'deeply concerned' about the length of time it is taking to complete the proposed investment deal in the club."

NORTHERN NEWS

The league on Monday 26th May received further correspondence from Worksop Town asking for the resignation to be withdrawn. The NPL board in consideration of the contents of the letter voted unanimously to uphold its original decision and to decline the request. The club has been advised accordingly.

The League will now await instruction from The FA as to its revised constitution of clubs for Season 2014-2015."

SATURDAY YANKEE

CONGRATULATIONS

CONFERENCE NEWS

Another goalkeeper on the move has arrived at Kidderminster Harriers where "Harriers are pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Jas Singh following the shot-stopper’s departure from Solihull Moors. Jas, who is 24, had a year with Harriers in 2009/10 following his release by Shrewsbury Town but left Aggborough after just seven appearances.

Since then he’s spent several years with the Moors earning his ‘kicks’, making close to 200 appearances there and becoming one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Conference North. A free agent at the end of the season, however, he has been brought back to the club by boss Gary Whild who confirmed Singh will duel with Danny Lewis for the spot between the sticks next season after Nathan Vaughan opted not to extend his stay with Harriers.

Jas has agreed a one-year deal on his return to Worcestershire."

At Grimsby Town, "Chris Doig has been appointed as the club’s assistant manager. The Scottish defender will continue as a player and will take up a role as ‘assistant player-manager’ when the players return for pre-season on July 1.

And Town manager Paul Hurst is delighted to see the 33 year-old back at the club. Paul said, 'I’m pleased to have Chris on board. He showed last season, once Rob had gone, what a massive help he could be on the training ground. We did have that in mind for him to help a little bit but he ended up doing more and more on the training ground, which he took to very well'.

Doig is currently undertaking his final assessment for his UEFA A-Licence."

Torquay United report that "The Gaffer’s player recruitment plans may have taken a hit recently; with a transfer target giving the Club a knockback, but the young manager is moving at full throttle to bring the ‘right’ type of player to Plainmoor...

'We tried for a player that I thought would be good for the Club but it wasn’t to be. We do have three experienced Conference players joining us for pre-season with a view to signing for the Club. These are separate from the players that impressed on the trial day. Fans will get to know who they are in due course but our business needs to be kept quiet for now', said manager Chris Hargreaves".

The Football Conference tells us that "Boston United have recruited Grimsby Town striker Dayle Southwell as their first outright signing of the summer. The 20-year-old, who scored against the Pilgrims during a loan spell at Harrogate Town last season, officially put pen-to-paper on Tuesday afternoon.

He netted 5 times in only three starts for the Mariners last season, including an FA Trophy hat-trick against Coalville Town, but found regular opportunities hard to come by... United boss Dennis Greene said, 'We feel that he is a young player with plenty to offer. We saw him at first hand for Harrogate last season and he arrives with a glowing endorsement from Grimsby manager Paul Hurst'”.

Meanwhile, another player moving from the national to the regional level is the subject of Conference reports that "An agreement has been reached with Adam Boyes to keep the striker at Nethermoor [Guiseley] for the upcoming campaign. Boyes spent the latter part of last season with the Lions on loan from Gateshead and quickly became a fans’ favourite due to his 15-goal haul in 24 games as well as his impressive work-rate.

He is Mark Bower’s third new signing of pre-season, following the arrivals of Danny Lowe and Ryan Toulson, with the Guiseley boss delighted to bring the 23-year-old to the club permanently".

Bristol Rovers report that "It has come to the attention of Bristol Rovers FC that Wycombe Wanderers FC appear to have breached FA rules on Third-Party Ownership. Its current Chairman, in giving evidence at a recent FA Disciplinary Hearing, appears to have admitted a serious breach in respect of the player, Matt Phillips (and possibly other players).

The result of this led to Wycombe wrongfully obtaining a competitive advantage over Bristol Rovers. Without this, Wycombe rather than Bristol Rovers could have been relegated. Bristol Rovers were relegated merely on goal difference and as the breach, if proven, would have almost certainly led to a points deduction, Bristol Rovers have instructed specialist sports lawyers, together with Nick De Marco, a leading sports barrister, to draft and send a complaint to both The Football League and The Football Association".

According to Bulls' News, "BBC Hereford & Worcester are reporting that a statement is due from the club [Hereford United]. Trevor Owens reported that he had spoken to David Keyte, who denied that a new manager had been appointed and that there was no trial game planned for this coming weekend in London.

Since posting details of the claimed trials match, the Twitter account making the announcement has been locked from public view. People who have contacted the mobile number listed on the messages say the man behind the account is named Don Ubah.

Update: The BBC have added this, 'General manager Dennis Strudwick has confirmed that the Conference has issued United a directive with which they have to comply, but was hopeful the Edgar Street club would "get all their ducks in a row" before the deadline. The Conference can also request a bond from the club in order to guarantee Hereford would be able to fulfil their fixtures for the 2014-15 season.'"

Bulls' News also has an interesting aside concerning one of our Conference rivals next season. It says, "Coventry have reported selling less than 400 season tickets in six weeks despite offering discounted prices to their disconnected fans. Their playing budget is reported to be cut for the coming season to £2 million, roughly the same as Forest Green and Luton this term".

In the Bath Chronicle, "Chairman Paul Williams has called on Bath City’s supporter groups to help put a winning team on the field in 2014-15. Williams revealed at a fans’ meeting that his board has cut the playing budget by £70,000 for next season in a bid to arrest the year-on-year losses that have left the club close to £1 million in debt... with the future of their prime asset, Twerton Park, still the key issue to be resolved".

The Daily Post says that "Midfielder Johnny Hunt, who was Wrexham’s leading goal-scorer last season, could be leaving the Dragons this summer, the club admitted yesterday. The 23-year-old England C international, who has been offered a new Racecourse deal by manager Kevin Wilkin, is currently away on holiday, but Wrexham’s head of football operations, Barry Horne, confirmed that a League Two club have expressed in interest in signing the Liverpool-born player..

Yesterday Hunt, who grabbed 12 goals last term, declined to comment, but Horne said... 'If he were to choose not to stay with us, we would be entitled to compensation'.

Horne confirmed that goalkeeper Joslain Mayebi, who returned to his family home in France at the end of last month, and Hunt’s midfield colleague Joe Clarke have given no indication of their plans after being offered new deals. But the Dragons have opened negotiations with two new potential signings... He added, 'There is nothing to add on Joe Clarke, who is away on holiday, so we don’t know where we are up to with him and there has been no contact with Joslain'".

have published "Further questions answered by Club Chairman Tony Kleanthous...

16. How do you feel the membership scheme has gone?

AAK: 'Exceptionally well and it enabled the club to continue with its investment both on and off the pitch despite the financial pain of relegation.. The membership scheme meant that we were able to put together a strong budget for a promotion push but ultimately it was having to sustain a playing squad of some 30 players that was our downfall and not the budget...

We started the junior membership scheme at Underhill some twenty years ago and this allowed kids to watch the game for just £1. This was very successful and we tried to extend the scheme this season by making it a monthly charge with a guaranteed seat. The problem was that a number of supporters booked up the seats and either never used them, leaving lots of empty space in busy games or, worse still, would pass the membership to older age groups who would attend and cause problems with stewarding and turnstile staff. We knew the members responsible because every supporter has their photograph taken as they enter the turnstiles but we were very disappointed by the abuse of the system caused by some of our own supporters. We were faced with either getting confrontational with our own fans or scrapping the scheme, we chose the latter...

22. Are there any plans for the future of Underhill?

AAK: 'We are now looking to sell the site. We have had Broncos using the facilities keeping it ticking over but it is clearly deteriorating fast and the cost of maintaining the old stadium seems disproprtionate... Ultimately we would all like to be in Barnet [not Harrow] but this will require a concerted effort...

Building work at The Hive is all practically paid for and has been funded by a further cash injection of nearly £7 million by me personally, some grant funding and also bank financing which I also personally guarantee on behalf of the group...

25. Do you think that having Rugby played on the pitch as well as football had an impact in any way on results at home? AAK: 'Absolutely not at all, the pitch has held up fine but we have asked Martin to keep the ball in the air more... Just in case...

Barnet Council are not and have not been interested in anything to do with Barnet Football Club since Underhill ward become politically sensitive in the local elections twelve years ago...

AAK: 'Last season was poor. A talented squad underperformed and ultimately did not even make the play-offs finishing in the lowest position since I have been Chairman. I am embarrassed and very upset about it and my expectation for the coming season is to do a lot better. Our target, as always, is the play-offs'.

29. How long are we likely to be playing at the Hive? AAK: 'As long as is necessary until I can find a new site, preferably in Barnet, to build a modern new 10,000 seated stadium which has always been my stated goal'".

WALSHAW SIGNS FOR HARROGATE

James, 30, joins us after what can only be described as an 'epic” season for Altrincham that culminated in him not only scoring an impressive 29 league goals (32 in total) and winning the league’s top scorer award, but also helping Altrincham to a tense 2-1 play-off final win against our neighbours, and ironically his former team, Guiseley AFC.

Right: James Walshaw in action at Harrogate last season.

Following his decision to quit Altrincham, Town manager Simon Weaver acted quickly to secure the much sought after striker’s signature and we believe that this signing will send out a real statement of intent for the forthcoming campaign...

Despite FC Halifax’s hope to sign him full time, James agreed to re-join Guiseley during the 2012-2013 season and finished with another 16 goals to his credit. A deal for the 2013-2014 season wasn’t forthcoming from Guiseley, so James reluctantly left Nethermoor for a second time to link up with Altrincham and forge an envious [enviable?] and extremely profitable partnership with Damian Reeves".

Harrogate added later that "Press-officer Peter Arnett caught up with our new signing. This is what he had to say. It must have been difficult for you to leave Altrincham having had such a fantastic season with them?

'It was. I was gutted to be honest, I would have liked to have had a stab at the Conference Premier but, with all the travelling that would be involved and with my family, I had to leave. I had a fantastic time [at] Altrincham but I am ready to give it my all with Harrogate Town'.

I’m sure that our supporters will be very happy to hear that. We haven’t had a 30 plus goal striker in quite some time, does that spur you on knowing that you could be the first? 'It’s definitely a spur. '.

Superb. How did Simon sell Harrogate Town to you? 'I spoke to a few clubs but, after speaking to Simon, I sensed that Town are a club that is really pushing forward to improve and improve all the time! I wanted to go to a side that wanted promotion as bad as I did'.

We also released the news last week that Ashley Worsfold has signed a new contract, what do you make of playing alongside Ashley this season? 'When he played against Altrincham he was the stand-out player for you. I am really looking forward to playing alongside him. He is one of those players that when you see him working hard, it spurs you on to work harder as well. It should be great to play with him and all the other players in the squad as well'.

You have often been a thorn in our side, but what did you think of our club when you were playing against us? 'Yeah, sorry about that!! I must admit that it is a ground that I always liked going to. As a club it always looked really well run. Other players that I have spoken to about Harrogate Town have never had a bad word to say about it. To be fair, that was one of the reasons why I joined. It’s all the little aspects that make a successful club and that is why players sign... On a personal level, I will give 100% every match and watch this space!'"

KEITH DAVEY

CONFERENCE NEWS

The likes of winger Mike Phenix and 15-goal defensive midfielder Mike Grogan are all without terms at the New Buck's Head for their return to the Conference Premier. The Bucks also want to open talks with top scorer Adam Farrell over a new contract, but they have another season’s option on his deal which they plan to take up.

Captain Simon Grand left last week for Barrow AFC, opting to stay in the Conference North but picking up a significant wage from the big-spending Bluebirds. And Watson insists he won’t be held over a barrel by anybody re-negotiating or coming into the club, adding there will be no mercenaries plying their trade at Telford next season.

He told the Shropshire Star, 'Players have to be conscious of putting themselves into a position where they are not value for money. It comes down to what level you want to play at. People have got to be at your club for the right reasons and that doesn’t mean wages. I am not giving someone a pay rise just because we have been promoted. There are players who, perhaps, don’t deserve it as they were on good money last season and didn’t deliver. Each situation will be judged on its own merit.

Some have never played at this level, either. I have had people, in the past, who I thought would be nailed-on to succeed in the Premier and they have struggled. There have been others who I have been unsure of and they have done it. There are no guarantees in anything'.

Phenix and Grogan have both mentioned cutting down on their hours in their day jobs, to focus more on life as a footballer in non-league’s top flight. Overnight stays on a Friday night are more commonplace in the Premier, too, as the part-time Bucks pit their wits against a number of full-time outfits. Watson said, 'Yes, there will be more travelling but the training patterns won’t change. There will be some overnight stays, though, because of the distance we have to travel. We also have the option of travelling down to Telford, which is in the Midlands, and staying in the hotel at the club, on occasions where that suits the trip'".

According to The Leader, "Wrexham will be keeping tabs on left-back Neil Taylor’s situation at Swansea City as the club could be due a big pay-day. The 25-year-old Welsh international, who joined Swansea from Wrexham in the summer of 2010, has cast doubt over his future at The Liberty Stadium after a lack of first-team action...

Wrexham sold Taylor for £150,000 plus 10 per cent of any future transfer fee profit and missed out on a cash windfall in January... When asked whether he expects to be at Swansea next season, Taylor, who has 18 Wales caps to his name, said, 'I've no idea. The most important thing is that you do your job for the team and that's what I've had to do'..

Southampton are keen on Taylor and see him as a possible replacement for England defender Luke Shaw who is expected to join Manchester United in a £27m deal after the World Cup...

Meanwhile, winger Theo Bailey-Jones has become the latest player to sign a new deal at Wrexham this summer. The 20-year-old Mancunian has signed a one-year contract after impressing manager Kevin Wilkin towards the end of last season. Bailey-Jones had two short-term deals last season and also a brief loan spell with Colwyn Bay, before returning to the Racecourse...

Bailey-Jones joins Dean Keates, Mark Carrington and Steve Tomassen in committing to the Reds".

ANOTHER STRING TO KYLE'S GUITAR

Perry, who plays alongside Alty team-mate Tom Marshall in "Stubblemelt" said, 'Ian saw what I did organising the Lichfield Rocks festival last summer and was impressed. He's wanted to put one on at Liberty Way for along time and we've come up with this.

We've got some fantastic acts on two stages... with stilt walkers, graffiti artists, fire breathers, face painters, inflatables and stalls. There'll be something for everyone but to get people as big as Scouting for Girls" and "Lisa Lashes" involved... is just massive". For details see the Big Boro Festival website.

YOUTH COACH/ASSISTANT MANAGER NEEDED

The team has also been the Premiership Cup winner three times & runners-up four times. So, we are trying to keep up a high standard of play and discipline. Our pre-season is due to start around June 24th. Manager George Heslop (Manager) can be contacted on phone 0161-718-0624 or by e-mail.

NEW VENUE FOR RESERVES AND LADIES

Meanwhile Sale Town announced on Saturday that their "Football Club is no longer based at the Mersey Valley Sportsclub (MVSC). STFC Chairman and Secretary are currently in the process of concluding an amicable agreement with MVSC Treasurer / Director to finalise conditions of departure of STFC as the football member section of the MVSC.

This decision was made by the Chairman and Secretary of Sale Town FC during a meeting with officials from the Cheshire County FA on Tuesday 13th May 2014 who were fully informed of the situation the club has found itself in at the MVSC. Many issues have arisen that have led to this outcome.

Fundamentally, Sale Town FC committee do not consider the Football Development Strategy that is now evolving and being led by MVSC at Banky Lane to be aligned with what we were trying to achieve when we formed Sale Town in 2010".

OLD BOY

CONFERENCE NEWS

Negotiations involving a number of parties are at an advanced stage but are not yet complete. A further statement will be made as soon as the situation allows".

Right: It will be good to see Welling at Moss Lane again this season after a 15-year absence; as shown on the poster at the time, their last visit was on 12 February 2000, when no lesser referee than a young Mark Clattenburg was the official in charge, Alty lost 0-1.

At Welling United, "As the close season is now upon us the Club and in particular the Team Management will obviously be turning their attention to squad strengthening... Thankfully, a number of exciting signings have already been made.

It almost goes without saying that there will be times where a player’s remuneration expectations / requirements are beyond that which our budget structure permits and one problem that a Club such as ours faces is that it is difficult to be able to recruit players who do not already live within commutable distance to Welling. Clubs with larger budgets are able to offer relocation allowances, or simply wages high enough that allow a player to afford temporary accommodation.

The Club do wish, from time to time, to be able to consider recruiting a player from further afield (perhaps even abroad) and we are therefore enquiring [of] all of our wonderful, loyal fans to see if they, (or if they know of anyone who), would be willing to provide accommodation/lodging for a player during the football season. If we were able to find one or two such accommodation options, it would enable the Club to consider recruiting a player from further afield, which may just increase the calibre of whom could be signed."

According to the Hereford Times "Hereford United’s new mystery investors will be watching a trial game for the club in London next Saturday. A sports management company, called SSGlobalSports, says the trials for United’s new team will take place at Bedfont FC.

SSGlobalSports’ Twitter page claims the trial 'Will be watched by the new owners plus by pro-scouts representing over 12 pro clubs'. United chairman David Keyte expects an investment deal to be concluded shortly but says those putting in the cash, believed to be based in London, want to remain anonymous.

Keyte says he expects to remain in the hot-seat after the investment has been confirmed. Since United avoided relegation from the Conference Premier at Aldershot, the caretaker boss Pete Beadle has joined Sutton United and assistant Steve Jenkins, Merthyr Town. Three people are understood to have been interviewed in London for the manager's job.

And fans’ message board speculation claims Terry Harris, the assistant boss of Luton Town, will be among those involved in a new-look Hereford United management team".

WELSH FOOTBALL

The average gate at the 192 regular season WPL games rose to 326, compared with 279 the previous campaign. The return of Rhyl to the top flight with reported average gates of 594 was a significant factor, especially as well-supported Bangor City saw Nantporth attendances drop by almost 7%...

There was no four-figure gate during the league campaign, although Bangor attracted 1,442 to the last-day Europa League showdown against north Wales coast rivals Rhyl. A major caveat is that many of the figures should be regarded with suspicion. Earlier this season, a WPL club press officer confided that an actual attendance of 77 was officially returned as more than 200 for reasons he found difficult to fathom...

The FAW seems to have accepted that attracting respectable crowds to WPL games is a losing battle. Instead, the policy is to turn clubs into 'community hubs' with major investment in synthetic pitches which, whilst undoubtedly beneficial from many other aspects, tend to produce fixtures with a lack of the traditional competitiveness and physical contact which makes football the game that fans want to watch.

A large number of WPL fans are also bored with the repetitive nature of the fixture list which sees some clubs play each other as many as seven times a season, as was the case with Bangor and Rhyl.

Rhyl boss Greg Strong... [said] 'I’ve seen Nev Powell (Bangor manager) more often than I’ve seen my wife this seasom... We want rivalries to be special and playing the same team seven times in the same season is way too often'...

Only 14 clubs achieved the requisite FAW domestic licence standard this year and neither of the two who are currently outside the top flight, Haverfordwest (fourth) and Llandudno (fifth), finished high enough in their feeder leagues to achieve promotion... For the time being at least, the 12-club format looks set to remain in place and fans will no doubt vote with their feet and their wallets".

News of an ex-Alty man also comes from Welsh Premier, to the effect that, at "Airbus UK Broughton, experienced former Football League defender Phil Bolland has decided to retire".

FIVE YOUTH TEAMERS AT FIRST-TEAM TRAINING

CONFERENCE NEWS

Barnet "are pleased to announce the signing of centre forward John Akinde. The striker joins the club on a two-year-deal... He has chosen to join Barnet FC ahead of the challenge of getting back to the Football League".

NW NEWS

The League cannot make any further statement until The FA is able to clarify the NPL constitution of clubs for Season 2014-2015".

Worksop finished fourth in the NPL Premier league last season but their main backer has since withdrawn.

ALTRINCHAM FC SETS UP A RESERVE/DEVELOPMENT TEAM

"Altrincham FC are pleased to announce that next year the Club will have a reserve/development team in the Cheshire Football League Division 2

The Club runs teams at all age groups up to and including Youth team. However, we do have a gap, being unable to offer football to players too old for Youth team football, if they are not quite ready for the first team squad. We believe that entering a team into the Cheshire Football League will assist in the development of such players. The team will also provide an opportunity for players returning from injury to get back into competitive football.

The AFC Youth teams have an outstanding record and reputation within North West Youth Football, with many of our players having represented Cheshire (seven this year) and with the team also having reached the 2nd Round Proper of FA Youth Cup this season. We believe that, within the Cheshire Football League, players will benefit from playing a good competitive standard of open-age football in a well organised league, with good playing facilities.

The team will be run by Craig Malbon and Chris Rowley, both experienced and well qualified coaches, who will in turn report to Neil Tolson (AFC 1st Team Assistant Manager). Anyone interested in joining the squad can contact Craig or Chris by e-mail or by phoning the club on 0161 9281045 and leaving your details".

Please note that the above e-mail address is not operative until 1 June.

YOUTH PRESENTATIONS

Above, Max Pouncey received the James Black Trophy from Ian and Jenny Black after being selected by George Heslop as the Manager's Player of the Season.

The annual presentation night for Altrincham FC youth players was held on Friday evening. This year two youth squads were honoured; the Under-18s who play in the NW Youth Alliance Premier League, and the Under-17s, who feature in the NWYA First Division and represent Altrincham and District FA in the Cheshire County FA's District Youth Cup.

The Under-18s finished league runners up and progressed to Round Two of the FA Youth Cup before bowing out with honour at Walsall's Bescot Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Under-17s finished off their season on a high note by clinching the NWYA President's Cup trophy.

Paul Fay presented his Under-17s' Manager's Player of the Season award to Will Foster and the Players' Player of the Season trophy to James Campion.

Altrincham FC Vice-Chairman Andrew Shaw introduced the Under-18s Youth Team manager, George Heslop. Before announcing the awards, George paid tribute to his captain, Spencer Cunliffe, who had recovered from a bout of glandular fever to attend the event. He went on to praise Spencer's talent and commitment whilst joking about the verbal exchanges that he and his captain had during the past two seasons.

George's first award was to goalkeeper Steve Bullen, who was named as Clubman of the Season. Unfortunately, Steve was unable to be present to receive this honour in person.

George called on Karen Rowley to present the Goalscorers' Award to Max Pouncey. The manager then announced the prizes for Players' Player of the Season, as voted by the squad. Third place was won by goalkeeper Josh Samberg whilst the runner-up was defender Tom Clarke. The winner of the Players' Player award was fellow defender David Brown.

George then paid tribute to James Black, a keen supporter of Altrincham FC, who had died at the age of 18, and in whose memory his parents, Ian and Jenny Black, had commissioned a prestigious bronze trophy which is awarded each year to the Manager's Player of the Season. For 2013-14 the award went to striker Max Pouncey.

Finally, George paid tribute to his long-suffering wife, Jenny, who had not only endured George's many absences at football matches and training but had also washed the players' kit for 17 years. On his behalf, Club Secretary Derek Wilshaw presented Jenny with a well deserved bouquet.

Before the presentations ended, Andrew Shaw underlined the admirable work done this season by George in managing the team despite suffering ill health. For his part, George looked forward to being able to resume his full role in 2014-15.

Above, top row, David Brown, Players' Player of the Season with George Heslop and Andrew Shaw; Max Pouncey, Goalscorer of the Season, with Karen Rowley and George Heslop. Middle row: Tom Clarke and Josh Samberg, respectively second and third in the Players' Player of the Season voting. Bottom row: George Heslop with Andrew Shaw, and, right, Derek Wilshaw with Jenny and George Heslop.

PITCH PREPARATIONS

Above, the pitch at the J. Davidson Stadium currently is more suited to beach football than Conference National after being sanded as part of the preparations for the coming season.

CONFERENCE NEWS

Players already under contract for next season are goalkeeper Mitch Walker, defenders Sean Raggett and Tom Wynter, midfielder Tom Murphy and striker Jeff Goulding. In addition, three players have signed new contracts; defender Richard Orlu, and midfield duo Chris Kinnear Jr and Ricky Modeste.

Four players have been released by the club; defender Terrell Forbes, midfielders James Rogers and Ashley Carew, and striker Elliott Charles.

Moses Ademola, Nathan Elder, Craig Stone, Barry Cogan, Liam Bellamy, Michael Kamara, Lee Hook and Lloyd Harrington have either been offered a contract by the club and are weighing up their options, or are currently away on holiday. With the latter, manager Chris Kinnear will talk to the players upon their return".

Further experience is being added to the squad at Eastleigh, where the club "can reveal that we have completed the signing of Jack Midson. The attacker comes to the Silverlake Stadium on a two-year deal, having played his football with AFC Wimbledon since 2011.

In his first campaign at Kingsmeadow, Midson’s 18 league goals were sufficient for him to finish tied at the top of League Two’s 2011/2012 scoring charts. Twelve months later, the striker completed another season as his club’s leading marksman. The last of Midson’s 13 strikes in 2012/2013, a penalty against Fleetwood Town, was decisive in the Dons’ retaining their Football League status.

Midson’s new boss, Richard Hill, has now secured the Spitfires’ second marquee acquisition in the space of three days, with the former Histon man’s arrival coming hot on the heels of the club’s swoop for James Constable. Hill says that the pursuit of Midson began as soon as he learned that the 30 year-old was set to become a free agent.

‘I have been speaking to Jack for a few weeks now, desperately trying to get this deal over the line. Like James Constable, Jack is an extremely ambitious lad and, to come and play in the Conference, he needed to be convinced that we’re not going into this league just to tread water.

‘Jack has committed to us for the next two years and, once more, that speaks volumes for this club’s long-term aspirations. We are all looking forward to welcoming a player of Jack’s pedigree and goal-scoring ability into what we consider is already a high-quality squad’. Prior to his time at AFC Wimbledon, Midson was a team-mate of Constable’s for two years at Oxford United...

Midson had stops at Dagenham & Redbridge and Bishop’s Stortford but it was on moving to Histon that he announced himself to a wider audience. The forward’s 20 Conference Premier goals in 2008/2009 helped the Stutes all the way to the semi-final of the season ending play-offs".

At Welling United, "Jamie Day has made a further permanent signing this week by bringing in Rod Young on a one year deal. 19 year-old striker Rod joined Norwich City from Exeter City and is Essex-based and can also play in midfield. Young was part of the Norwich City team that beat Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final before being released at the end of last season.

Rod also spent time on loan at Bishop’s Stortford last season."

Also, "22 year-old midfielder Matthew Harriott will join the Wings from July 1st on a one year deal after his release from Northampton Town. Harriott started out at Luton Town as a youth player and moved on to Sheffield United, appearing for the first team, before going on to Northampton Town."

Meanwhile, wrexham announce "the re-signing of Theo Bailey-Jones for a full year, after the exciting young winger impressed new boss Kevin Wilkin at the tail end of last season. A former schoolboy with both Manchester City and Crewe Alex, he was a trialist with us 12 months ago and also had a spell training with Birmingham City.

Last year he had two short-term deals and also a brief loan spell with Colwyn Bay, before returning to The Racecourse and playing in our final four games of the campaign".

A report in the Burton Mail says that "John McGrath is hoping to extend his contract at Alfreton Town but needs to overcome the injury that curtailed his season first. The former Burton Albion skipper signed a one-year deal with the Reds, after leaving the Brewers last summer, and was enjoying a good season until a knee injury hit him at the end of last year.

'My season finished at Christmas', he told Mailsport this week. 'Until then, I had had a good season with Alfreton and really enjoyed it. I saw the specialist this week and he said my knee is as stable as it was before I injured it. But now I’ve got to build up the muscle around it. Alfreton have said my situation is a bit different because they want to keep me on, but they can’t offer me anything until we know what is happening with my injury'".

LOCAL REFS PROMOTED

YOUTH PRESENTATION NIGHT

To mark their achievements, there will be a Presentation Evening on Friday (23 May) at 7 p.m. in the Noel White Suite. During the evening the players will be given an insight into the new Altrincham FC Development Squad and awards will be to players of both the NWYA Premier Division side and the First Division side. Of course, the main award of the evening is the James Black Trophy, presented by James's parents in memory of their son who was an ardent Alty supporter until his untimely death.

MONTHLY DRAW

• January 2014: 1- Jamie Taylor (78) 2- Graham Jackett (56) 3- Sarah Rowley (100) 4- Hilary Moore (104)
• February 2014: - 1- Dave Tracey (65) 2- Steve Murray (52) 3- Jackie McLay (28) 4- Neil Faulkner (44)
• March 2014:- 1- Mike Ford (86) 2- Campbell McLay (27) 3- Terry Surridge (47) 4- Claire Brennan (76)
• April 2014:- 1- Ruth Gallagher (53) 2- Paul Daine (8) 3- Ian Gordon (106) 4- Mike Jones (67)
• May 2014:- 1- Graham Houghton (99) 2- Stuart Coburn (3) 3- Paul Salt (90) 4- Dianne Swindells (19)

CONFERENCE NEWS

Participants covered by the ban will be prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world".

According to the Football Conference, "Midfielder Andi Thanoj will not be taking up his contract offer with Grimsby Town and is set to leave the club. Thanoj was one of only three players offered new deals by manager Paul Hurst. It is thought that the Albanian player will now look to play his football at a European club, nearer to his homeland. Hurst said, 'After speaking with Andi he indicated that he feels a change of scenery is required and as a result has turned down the offer to remain with us'".

Hereford United have issued a "Club statement regarding current negotiations. The current negotiations between Hereford United and investors has [sic] continued to go well today [Thursday].

Both parties have reached agreement and the matter is now being dealt with by each parties' legal teams. The agreement is expected to be finalised tomorrow (Friday 23rd May). The Football Conference have been fully kept up to date with proceedings throughout. The Official website will publish further news and details on this tomorrow.

The current winding up order served by ex-Manager Martin Foyle has not come unexpectedly, the debt owed to Martin is included [in], and will be fully covered by, the above agreement".

He was injured playing for Colwyn Bay against Altrincham last season, but the Daily Post now reports that "Jonathan Royle has signed a new one year deal with Wrexham FC. The 19-year-old midfielder spent his first season as a professional on loan to Colwyn Bay... Royle joins Steve Tomassen, Mark Carrington and Dean Keates on the list of players to accept new deals from Kevin Wilkin".

According to the Telegraph & Argus, "Guiseley manager Mark Bower has made it his goal to sign Adam Boyes on a permanent deal. Boyes, who was named as Skrill North’s Player of the Month for April and May, was a big hit during his loan spell from Gateshead...

'As a goalscorer he will be in demand, but he enjoyed his time here and I hope he signs for us', said Bower. Guiseley have already snapped up the Halifax pair of Danny Lowe and Ryan Toulson. Experienced goalkeeper Steve Dickinson has agreed to extend his stay at the club and Guiseley have exercised the extension clause in winger Wayne Brooksby’s contract. Talks are still continuing with defenders Danny Hall and Ben Parker over new deals.

Bower has decided to release four members of last season’s squad, Jack Rea, Rhys Meynell, Michael Potts and Macauley Parkinson. 'It was the hardest thing I have had to do since becoming a manager', said Bower. 'Sitting down and telling players, who have done their best for you, that you are letting them go isn’t easy but if, I was to freshen things up, I had to make room for new signings to come in. There is a budget to work to and so I decided that I would let the four players go'.

Youngsters Kyle Harrison, a product of the club’s academy, and forward Ryan Williams have been included in the first team squad.

Bower is delighted that former Halifax skipper Lowe has agreed to move to Nethermoor. He said, 'He can play centre-half or right-back and that is the sort of flexibility we need. Last season Telford and Altrincham, the two promoted teams, had the personnel to switch to playing with three centre-backs on occasions and now we can do that too.

Ryan Toulson is no stranger to the club. He has played for Guiseley [and Altrincham] before and is a good right-back. Having him in the squad gives us the flexibility to use the experience of Andy Holdsworth in midfield'. Bower insists that there won’t be wholesale signings over the coming weeks. He said, 'I am comfortable that we have a squad that can mount a challenge for promotion again'".

Barnet Mad "looks at another of Barnet's opponents in the Conference in 2014/15 - Altrincham... The two clubs first met back in 1979/80 in the initial Alliance Premier League season. The two clubs met four times that season. In the APL, Altrincham won 1-0 at Moss Lane, but the Bees won 2-0 at Underhill with goals from Steve Robinson and Elwyn Roberts. Altrincham won in the semi-final of the APL Cup, beating Barnet 8-0 on aggregate, winning 1-0 at Underhill and 7-0 at home".

After outlining the clubs' clashes in the seasons after that, the report resumes.. "In 1990/91, the game at Underhill ended goalless and Altrincham, inspired by future Underhill favourite, Paul Showler, won 4-1 at Moss Lane, a result that took Alty to the top of the conference, but it was to be Barnet who took the title with a last day of the season win at Fisher.

Paul Showler was a rare player who played for both Altrincham and Barnet, moving from Alty in 1991 after Barnet had won promotion to the Football League for the first time. Showler helped Barnet to the play-offs in 1992 and to win promotion to Division Two (now League One) the following year but left that summer to join Bradford City. He scored 16 goals in 90 matches for the Bees.

Steve Berryman was a goalkeeper who had a short loan spell from Cambridge United in 1991 and subsequently played for Altrincham. He made 2 appearances for Barnet."

Football Webpages reports that the average home gates for those clubs who were in the Skrill Premier last season were as follows. The figures for the play-off teams (Cambridge Utd, Grimsby Town, Gateshead and FC Halifax town) are affected, of course, by high gates in those matches.

1. Luton Town 7,387
2. Cambridge United 3,873
3. Grimsby Town 3,637
4. Wrexham 2,993
5. Chester 2,366
6. Lincoln City 2,353
7. Kidderminster Harriers 2,038
8. Aldershot Town 1,946
9. Hereford United 1,757
10. Barnet 1,705
11. FC Halifax Town 1,683
12. Woking 1,601
13. Macclesfield Town 1,529
14. Dartford 1,250
15. Nuneaton Town 1,209
16. Forest Green Rovers 1,194
17. Gateshead 1,187
18. Southport 1,048
19. Salisbury City 998
20. Braintree Town 993
21. Tamworth 970
22. Welling United 807
23. Alfreton Town 804
24. Hyde 688

Altrincham's average gate in 2013-14, from the same source and on the same basis as above, was 1,118, though it would have been 909 without the play-off matches.

LEE IS MANAGER OF THE MONTH

The Skrill North Player of the Month is Guiseley's Adam Boyes.

ALTY SHOP

GETTING TO ALTRINCHAM

CONFERENCE NEWS

The club can also confirm that they have given Stockport County permission to speak to Russell Benjamin and that Robbie Booth has left the club. Striker Andy Owens has agreed terms to remain at the club for another year. Andy Pryce has also agreed to remain at the club as Goalkeeper Coach".

Telford's squad so far is: Jonathan Hedge (GK), Neil Byrne, Wes Baynes, Steven Akrigg, Chris Lever, Josh Hancock, Adam Farrell, Charlie Barnett, Tony Gray, Alan Moogan, Sean Clancy, Sean Cooke, Mike Grogan, Mike Phenix, Andy Owens.

According to the Football Conference, "Welling United have announced two new defensive signings with Zach Fagan joining from Arsenal and Ben Jefford from Port Vale. Fagan, 19, is a centre-back who featured at both under-21 and under-18 level for the Gunners, having been at the club since the age of 10. He joins the Wings on July 1st on a permanent basis having been released by Arsenal.

Welling boss Jamie Day is clearly deciding to bring in younger faces as he freshens up his squad for the second campaign at Conference Premier level... Day said of Fagan, 'He is a good size but is also mobile and can pass and play'... Fagan ended last season on loan at Boreham Wood.

Earlier, Day signed 19-year-old defender Ben Jefford. Having been released by Port Vale at the end of the season, Jefford has penned a one-year deal at Park View Road. He started his career at Reading and then moved to Port Vale. A left-back, who can also operate as a holding midfielder, Jefford has experience on loan in non-League circles, having spent time with both Boreham Wood and Basingstoke Town.

Day added, 'Ben is a young left-back'".

At the other end of the age spectrum NL Pitchero reports the signing of another experienced player at Eastleigh. "Ambitious Conference South champions Eastleigh have announced the signing of former Walsall, Kidderminster Harriers and Shrewsbury Town striker James Constable on a two-year contract. Twenty-nine-year-old Constable has spent the last six years with Oxford United...

Spitfires’ boss, Richard Hill, said, 'I’ve spent the past two-and-a-half weeks speaking to James and telling him all about what we are striving to achieve here. On the three occasions we’ve met, and during numerous telephone conversations, the subject of money has never been raised. In truth, James was keen to stay at Oxford and overhaul the club’s scoring record... He was initially holding out in the hope that Oxford would offer him fair terms to stay and do that. Oxford’s loss, though, is definitely our gain.

James is exactly the type of player that Eastleigh need to be signing, not only to meet our immediate objective to establish ourselves in next season’s Conference Premier, but as a statement of where we view this club going in the long-term. Don’t misinterpret James dropping down a level as representing any lack of personal ambition. After listening to what we’ve had to say he is excited to be embarking on this next stage of the Eastleigh project with us, and wholeheartedly believes he is coming to a place where he can be part of something extremely special'".

The BBC says that "Lincoln City have signed former Stevenage striker Jordan Burrow on a two-year deal. The 21-year-old was released by Boro earlier this month after scoring three goals in 23 appearances. The former Chesterfield trainee had previously scored five goals in 54 games for Morecambe. Burrow is the second player to join the Imps for next season after Southport midfielder Karl Ledsham agreed a one-year contract".

In the Express & Star, we learn that "Kidderminster Harriers have announced defender Josh Gowling will join the club’s management team as player-coach. The 30-year-old will join assistant boss Mark Creighton as part of manager Gary Whild’s backroom staff.

Gowling has been a fixture in the Harriers defence since joining the club two years ago and has been a professional for more than a decade, playing extensively in League One and League Two with the likes of Gillingham and Bournemouth...

Whild said, 'Josh still has a massive part to play as a player... Josh knows that and knows that this isn’t a step for him to ease off in terms of playing... It’s nice to have two guys who are young, hungry and ambitious in him and Mark Creighton'".

Scotland's Daily Record reports that "Motherwell win race to sign midfielder Josh Law from Alfreton Town...

Law, the younger brother of former Fir Park midfielder Nicky, now at Rangers, knocked back offers from England's League One and League Two to sign for the Steelmen after quitting Alfreton Town".

Meanwhile, in Wales, the Daily Post says that "Steve Tomassen has become the latest Wrexham player to put pen to paper on a new deal. The 20-year-old defender, who came up through the ranks at the Dragons' Centre of Excellence, has signed a one year deal... after making 31 appearances during the 2013/14 season.

Tomassen was used at right back at the start of the campaign before putting in a number of impressive performances when switched to centre back. He joins Wrexham skipper Dean Keates and player of the season Mark Carrington on the list of players to have committed themselves to Kevin Wilkin's team for next season".