Hearty festive greetings to everyone associated with our club - and that means everyone.... from supporters through to helpers, players and managers and those who log on to this site from time to time.
Do come and join us at our Christmas and New Year's Eve parties at the clubhouse if you possibly can. Experience from last year tells us that another good time is in store!
I trust that the weather won't starve us of too much football in the days ahead. Our senior squad has recently been strengthened for the second half of the season and is ably assisted by powerful performances from the reserves, while our youth team sits proudly at the top of the league and has reached the quarter finals of the Hants Cup. So we're 'good to go'!
Wishing you & your family all that is good for you,
Mr Chairman
Friday, 18 December 2009
Friday, 13 November 2009
GOOD BEHAVIOUR
The Club was recently called in by the Hants FA to answer a charge of 'An Alton Town Supporter abusing a match referee'.
The alleged incident was that such a supporter verbally abused the referee when he was leaving the pitch at the end of a match.
I attended the hearing, gave evidence, questioned the match officials and the verdict was 'not proven'. Our argument being that such a person could have been a supporter of the opposition or, indeed, a neutral who had not been impressed by the referee's performance.
The experience does, however, serve as a reminder that the Club is responsible for the behaviour of its supporters both at home and away. Indeed we enjoy normal banter at a match and no harm in that - but we should be careful not to overstep the mark in the heat of the moment.
I also wondered how it is that some clubs aren't reported for this sort of offence every week? Those clubs who have a group of supporters who always gather behind the visitor's goal and who certainly don't exclude the match officials from their exuberant repertoire!
Cheers
Mr. Chairman
The alleged incident was that such a supporter verbally abused the referee when he was leaving the pitch at the end of a match.
I attended the hearing, gave evidence, questioned the match officials and the verdict was 'not proven'. Our argument being that such a person could have been a supporter of the opposition or, indeed, a neutral who had not been impressed by the referee's performance.
The experience does, however, serve as a reminder that the Club is responsible for the behaviour of its supporters both at home and away. Indeed we enjoy normal banter at a match and no harm in that - but we should be careful not to overstep the mark in the heat of the moment.
I also wondered how it is that some clubs aren't reported for this sort of offence every week? Those clubs who have a group of supporters who always gather behind the visitor's goal and who certainly don't exclude the match officials from their exuberant repertoire!
Cheers
Mr. Chairman
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Steve Lynch
Steve Lynch has today stepped down from his position of First Team Manager by mutual agreement.
We are grateful for Steve's energy, enthusiasm and efforts - which have been considerable - and wish him well in his future footballing ventures.
Clive Ventham resumes as First Team Manager with Kevin Smith as Assistant Manager and Club Coach while Shaun Flanigan continues his excellent work with the Reserves.
In addition we are fortunate to have recently been able to add Vic Harry to our Youth Team set-up. Vic is an experienced and well qualified coach, his
full-time profession, and joins Dave Hawtin and Mark Corbett in bringing on our talented younger members.
Cheers
Mr Chairman
We are grateful for Steve's energy, enthusiasm and efforts - which have been considerable - and wish him well in his future footballing ventures.
Clive Ventham resumes as First Team Manager with Kevin Smith as Assistant Manager and Club Coach while Shaun Flanigan continues his excellent work with the Reserves.
In addition we are fortunate to have recently been able to add Vic Harry to our Youth Team set-up. Vic is an experienced and well qualified coach, his
full-time profession, and joins Dave Hawtin and Mark Corbett in bringing on our talented younger members.
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Confidence
The pundits say 'Football's all about confidence'. Clearly, that's not strictly true - as it's about all sorts of things like skill, ability, mental & physical strength, tactics etc. But we know what they mean in that a confident player and a confident team gain a belief in their collective ability to overcome the opposition.
On Saturday at Moneyfields the first team got the reward of 3 points that they have been unlucky not to achieve on another couple of occasions this season. Those performances have been mixed with one or two rather strange ones - so the aim is to build on the confidence that the midweek cup win and Saturday's league victory has brought.
The Firsts management team of Steve, Clive and Kevin have had to juggle with their resources in the light of injuries and unavailability. It is a credit to the organisation and development of the Reserves that switching both up and down between the sides has been taken on board by the players involved. Inevitably both teams are having to make late adjustments to their sides while they would prefer more consistency. It is a measure of the progress the club is making if we can all cope with such situations.
The Reserves are putting on some fine displays and picking up points along the learning curve. They are a young squad with great spirit and while there has to be movement of players between the two sides we are looking to hold together the nucleus of the Reserves to give them time to grow as a group - in preparation for the Wessex Premier!
Much cheer
Mr Chairman
On Saturday at Moneyfields the first team got the reward of 3 points that they have been unlucky not to achieve on another couple of occasions this season. Those performances have been mixed with one or two rather strange ones - so the aim is to build on the confidence that the midweek cup win and Saturday's league victory has brought.
The Firsts management team of Steve, Clive and Kevin have had to juggle with their resources in the light of injuries and unavailability. It is a credit to the organisation and development of the Reserves that switching both up and down between the sides has been taken on board by the players involved. Inevitably both teams are having to make late adjustments to their sides while they would prefer more consistency. It is a measure of the progress the club is making if we can all cope with such situations.
The Reserves are putting on some fine displays and picking up points along the learning curve. They are a young squad with great spirit and while there has to be movement of players between the two sides we are looking to hold together the nucleus of the Reserves to give them time to grow as a group - in preparation for the Wessex Premier!
Much cheer
Mr Chairman
Monday, 24 August 2009
John McGinty
Both myself and those associated with the club were sorry to hear the sad news of John's passing at the weekend and were able to pay our respects almost immediately with a minute's silence before our game against New Milton Town on Saturday.
John, of course, had been a director of Aldershot Town for many years - more recently becoming Chairman. As soon as he became Chairman he immediately set up our annual pre-season friendly against them. He did this as a gesture of goodweill for the local community and for Alton Town FC, as a fundraiser. We are extremely grateful and will make every effort for this fixture to continue - in future with the inclusion of a suitable memorial trophy to John's memory.
On a personal level our families had become friends way back in the early Seventies at a time when both were recent Celtic imports to Alton. As John said in his programme notes for our friendly 'I consider myself to be an Altonian and that's why Aldershot at here today'. John's interest in football eventually took him to Aldershot while through sheer hard work, determination and no little humour he successfuly developed his transport & storage company.
We pass our sympathies to John's wife Mary and family while remembering John's special relationship with Alton Town FC
Jim McKell
Chairman
John, of course, had been a director of Aldershot Town for many years - more recently becoming Chairman. As soon as he became Chairman he immediately set up our annual pre-season friendly against them. He did this as a gesture of goodweill for the local community and for Alton Town FC, as a fundraiser. We are extremely grateful and will make every effort for this fixture to continue - in future with the inclusion of a suitable memorial trophy to John's memory.
On a personal level our families had become friends way back in the early Seventies at a time when both were recent Celtic imports to Alton. As John said in his programme notes for our friendly 'I consider myself to be an Altonian and that's why Aldershot at here today'. John's interest in football eventually took him to Aldershot while through sheer hard work, determination and no little humour he successfuly developed his transport & storage company.
We pass our sympathies to John's wife Mary and family while remembering John's special relationship with Alton Town FC
Jim McKell
Chairman
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Thank you
Just a quick note to say thanks for the information about Len Boyle as per previous post.
Special thanks go to Arthur Pink - still an Alton Town spectator today as he was at the opening match in 1946.
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Special thanks go to Arthur Pink - still an Alton Town spectator today as he was at the opening match in 1946.
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Can you help?
I reprint below an email just received.
Anyone out there who can remember / help out?
Do please make contact with me if you have any information
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Len Boyle is my Father. Sadly he passed away last weekend at the age of 84. He played for Alton Town from the age of 17 I believe which would have put his debut at around the1942/43 season.
I believe he may have been part of Alton Town's most successful team in the late 1940's, early 50's. He certainly spoke highly of his days there. He always told me he took the position of Jimmy Dickinson when Jimmy went off to play at Portsmouth - not sure if that is true or not.
Would you be able confirm to me when he was part of the Alton squad? If the information is available, I'd like to make reference to it in my funeral speech next Friday (31st). Additionally, if any photographs exist of the team during his time I love to buy some copies if its possible.
Thanks
Paul Boyle.
Anyone out there who can remember / help out?
Do please make contact with me if you have any information
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Len Boyle is my Father. Sadly he passed away last weekend at the age of 84. He played for Alton Town from the age of 17 I believe which would have put his debut at around the1942/43 season.
I believe he may have been part of Alton Town's most successful team in the late 1940's, early 50's. He certainly spoke highly of his days there. He always told me he took the position of Jimmy Dickinson when Jimmy went off to play at Portsmouth - not sure if that is true or not.
Would you be able confirm to me when he was part of the Alton squad? If the information is available, I'd like to make reference to it in my funeral speech next Friday (31st). Additionally, if any photographs exist of the team during his time I love to buy some copies if its possible.
Thanks
Paul Boyle.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Thirty Something....
With 30 or more regularly at senior training on a Tuesday & Thursday, the trend has been followed by our youth team of 15 to 17 year olds - with 33 training last night!
Obviously, we're all delighted to see such numbers - and such quality - at both senior & youth level. It is certainly giving our management & coaching staff a good workout!
Such regular interest and involvement from so many is a clear indication that our club is going from strength to strength - while we all look forward to the remaining friendly fixtures and, of course, the season's start. Can't wait!
Well done everyone - and please keep it up!
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Obviously, we're all delighted to see such numbers - and such quality - at both senior & youth level. It is certainly giving our management & coaching staff a good workout!
Such regular interest and involvement from so many is a clear indication that our club is going from strength to strength - while we all look forward to the remaining friendly fixtures and, of course, the season's start. Can't wait!
Well done everyone - and please keep it up!
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Portsmouth Friendlies
BIG DADDY
I know you've been desperate to know the answer to our poll on Big Daddy's weight! Indeed he has lost lots of weight and even shed a further 4 lbs following a two week holiday in Cornwall after indulging in much fish & chips and cream teas. A new diet perhaps?
FORUM
At the moment we're not running an instant interactive forum but you can comment on anything that takes your fancy by going to 'contacts' ...contact the club...and click on club email. We'll gladly air views and topics.
PROPER WEATHER HAS RETURNED
It was a shock to have the wind and rain return at our pre-season friendlies in Portsmouth on Saturday - back to normal football conditions!
It was a joy, however, to watch two games that showed much promise for the coming season. The first resulted in a 2 - 2 draw against the Royal Navy and the second ended up 3 - 2 in our favour against United Services.
There were long passages of play in both games where we kept the ball and passed well, we created chances and defended strongly in difficult playing conditions.
Fuller reports on both games follow - but the least said the better about Linesman Hawtin's involvement and Mr Chairman's first attempt at 'Punch Ball' in the pub!
Cheers
Jim (Mr Chairman)
I know you've been desperate to know the answer to our poll on Big Daddy's weight! Indeed he has lost lots of weight and even shed a further 4 lbs following a two week holiday in Cornwall after indulging in much fish & chips and cream teas. A new diet perhaps?
FORUM
At the moment we're not running an instant interactive forum but you can comment on anything that takes your fancy by going to 'contacts' ...contact the club...and click on club email. We'll gladly air views and topics.
PROPER WEATHER HAS RETURNED
It was a shock to have the wind and rain return at our pre-season friendlies in Portsmouth on Saturday - back to normal football conditions!
It was a joy, however, to watch two games that showed much promise for the coming season. The first resulted in a 2 - 2 draw against the Royal Navy and the second ended up 3 - 2 in our favour against United Services.
There were long passages of play in both games where we kept the ball and passed well, we created chances and defended strongly in difficult playing conditions.
Fuller reports on both games follow - but the least said the better about Linesman Hawtin's involvement and Mr Chairman's first attempt at 'Punch Ball' in the pub!
Cheers
Jim (Mr Chairman)
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to the new website for Alton Town Football Club.
A terrific amount of work has gone into this by Carl Saunders, who is also the club treasurer, and he will be keeping it as up to date as possible - but he can only achieve this if those associated with the club keep him informed, so don't be shy!
Official attendance at the ALDERSHOT GAME was 569 with many kind comments received from visiting fans. It was another opportunity for the club, as a whole, to present itself to a wider audience and benefit from additional publicity - and we did it very well!
My sincere thanks to all those who contributed to a truly successful day. We had a staff of 33 volunteers working, on various duties, throughout the day - including 18 teenagers. With stunning background support like that it is a terrific base for the club to move forward on the pitch and I repeat my genuine thanks to each and every one of them.
I will be keeping you updated with proceedings at the club regularly on this blog. Please check back soon!
Jim (Mr Chairman)
A terrific amount of work has gone into this by Carl Saunders, who is also the club treasurer, and he will be keeping it as up to date as possible - but he can only achieve this if those associated with the club keep him informed, so don't be shy!
Official attendance at the ALDERSHOT GAME was 569 with many kind comments received from visiting fans. It was another opportunity for the club, as a whole, to present itself to a wider audience and benefit from additional publicity - and we did it very well!
My sincere thanks to all those who contributed to a truly successful day. We had a staff of 33 volunteers working, on various duties, throughout the day - including 18 teenagers. With stunning background support like that it is a terrific base for the club to move forward on the pitch and I repeat my genuine thanks to each and every one of them.
I will be keeping you updated with proceedings at the club regularly on this blog. Please check back soon!
Jim (Mr Chairman)
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