Hearty seasonal good wishes to everyone connected with our club. Players, team officials, committee members, helpers and supporters.
Alas, because of the weather, we haven't had the opportunity to be together in recent times so fingers crossed that Monday's game against Alresford will take place.
If it does then perhaps you could plan to 'linger for a while' in the clubhouse after the game to sort of make up for having to cancel our Christmas party last Saturday.
Don't forget that our regular New Year's Eve family disco get together is on again from 8.00pm to a small hour. This really is one for all ages with children, teens and family groups most welcome. Adults £5 just to cover the cost of the disco with under 18's free. This has become a really fun and enjoyable event particularly for those who are unable or unwilling or just 'past it' to go on the razz down town!
Well done to all players and managers of all three teams as we continue to make progress on the pitch. My thanks also to those individuals who are supporting the club financially - even if simply through the 100 club.
We have set out this year to try and be more reasonable and responsible in covering players' travel expenses and introducing a very modest first team win bonus. To fund this requires 'new' money (ie other than that we raise to run the club as always). Four club members have contributed in a very generous way to cover these costs up to Christmas. We now need to widen that net to keep these new funds coming in - so don't be embarrassed to contact me! Ten new people offering just £1 a day would be a start and make a difference.
So, on that thoughtful note.....CHEERS
Mr Chairman
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Season Under Way
And so the new season is well under way - and with it have already come the rich mixture of emotions that being involved in Alton Town brings...
We've been saddened by the news of the passing of Trevor Hill and repeat our condolences to Dan, his mother and brothers.
We've welcomed back John (Robbo) Robson as first team manager with Clive Ventham stepping aside into an assistant manager role. This gives me the opportunity of thanking Clive for his long-term past successes, commitment and devotion to the club and we look forward to him continuing his love affair with us.
We've enjoyed the highs of an FA Cup win and the lows of a couple of poor displays, but hope lives eternal.
We're now on the lookout for a reserve team manager (while Dave Hawtin and Nigel Rhodes temporarily fill in to support Glenn Murphy in this role.) Shaun Flanighan decided not to continue as reserve team manager during the close season. Shaun enjoyed a successful season with the reserves and introduced some younger players from the south of the county who continue to make progress at the club. We are grateful to Shaun for that and for his enthusiasm both on and off the field.
Yes, a mixture of emotions as always but it doesn't stop us looking forward with hope. Hope on its own probably won't work - that's why determination, a willingness to work and a positive outlook towards all those who contribute towards our great club are essential ingredients.
Much cheer
Jim
Chairman
We've been saddened by the news of the passing of Trevor Hill and repeat our condolences to Dan, his mother and brothers.
We've welcomed back John (Robbo) Robson as first team manager with Clive Ventham stepping aside into an assistant manager role. This gives me the opportunity of thanking Clive for his long-term past successes, commitment and devotion to the club and we look forward to him continuing his love affair with us.
We've enjoyed the highs of an FA Cup win and the lows of a couple of poor displays, but hope lives eternal.
We're now on the lookout for a reserve team manager (while Dave Hawtin and Nigel Rhodes temporarily fill in to support Glenn Murphy in this role.) Shaun Flanighan decided not to continue as reserve team manager during the close season. Shaun enjoyed a successful season with the reserves and introduced some younger players from the south of the county who continue to make progress at the club. We are grateful to Shaun for that and for his enthusiasm both on and off the field.
Yes, a mixture of emotions as always but it doesn't stop us looking forward with hope. Hope on its own probably won't work - that's why determination, a willingness to work and a positive outlook towards all those who contribute towards our great club are essential ingredients.
Much cheer
Jim
Chairman
Friday, 7 May 2010
NEW MANAGER
A quick note to let you know that we have appointed John Robson (Robbo) as first team manager following Clive's decision to step down after successfully maintaining our premier league status for the past 5 or 6 seasons - no mean feat and for which we are most grateful.
Robbo is an experienced ex-pro with a variety of clubs including Aston Villa and has had successful management spells at a higher non league leave with the likes of Worthing and Salisbury as well as with Wessex sides Winchester City and Gosport Borough.
Robbo previously managed Alton Town and won us the Hampshire league twice - the second of which gained us the step up to the Wessex Premier in 2001 - so it is a welcome homecoming!
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Robbo is an experienced ex-pro with a variety of clubs including Aston Villa and has had successful management spells at a higher non league leave with the likes of Worthing and Salisbury as well as with Wessex sides Winchester City and Gosport Borough.
Robbo previously managed Alton Town and won us the Hampshire league twice - the second of which gained us the step up to the Wessex Premier in 2001 - so it is a welcome homecoming!
Cheers
Mr Chairman
Monday, 22 February 2010
Best Wishes to Luke
On behalf of all associated with the club I send best wishes to Luke Theakston for a full recovery from the broken leg that he suffered in Saturday's win against Blackfield & Langley - and may that recovery be as speedy as possible.
The three points gained were tarnished by Luke's injury in a closely fought game. Luke had come on as a substitute when keeper Dan Hill suffered a muscle strain on the half hour and had been busy keeping the visitors’ attacks at bay.
From a through ball, 15 minutes from the end, Luke won the chase with the onrushing striker who continued his challenge, breaking the fibula in Luke's right leg. The subsequent medical evidence shows that the first point of boot contact was above the knee but of a force sufficient to break the fibula below the knee. Further hospital examination this morning shows that further ligament damage has fortunately been avoided.
The game ended with Simba Mlambo becoming our third keeper of the afternoon and he ensured that the good work and bravery of his predecessor wasn't to go unrewarded.
Here's to a speedy and full recovery.
Mr Chairman
The three points gained were tarnished by Luke's injury in a closely fought game. Luke had come on as a substitute when keeper Dan Hill suffered a muscle strain on the half hour and had been busy keeping the visitors’ attacks at bay.
From a through ball, 15 minutes from the end, Luke won the chase with the onrushing striker who continued his challenge, breaking the fibula in Luke's right leg. The subsequent medical evidence shows that the first point of boot contact was above the knee but of a force sufficient to break the fibula below the knee. Further hospital examination this morning shows that further ligament damage has fortunately been avoided.
The game ended with Simba Mlambo becoming our third keeper of the afternoon and he ensured that the good work and bravery of his predecessor wasn't to go unrewarded.
Here's to a speedy and full recovery.
Mr Chairman
Thursday, 11 February 2010
ARE WE ON THE MOVE?
Alton Town Council took the first step in paving the way for us to move back to our old home in Anstey Park last night (10th February) when they agreed in principal to allow Coors to fund an upgrade of the Anstey Park Enclosure to Wessex League standards. This would include re-laying a new, flat pitch, installing floodlights, extending the clubhouse and close boarding the boundary. We are still examining the suitability of the changing rooms and would be pressing for demolition and a rebuild.
The plans, as they stand, would mean us losing our enclosed floodlit training space although we will continue to address this shortfall.
Our old home would be made available after Alton United Youth, current users of the Enclosure, move further into Anstey Park to a new facility which would include an enclosed stadium and further smaller pitches for their younger teams.
All of the above is subject to obtaining planning permission and, of course, is also subject to Coors being successful in getting planning permission to build on our current site. They are presently applying for planning permission for a supermarket.
There are many more steps to be taken in this process and nothing is guaranteed but at least a start has been made.
The plans, as they stand, would mean us losing our enclosed floodlit training space although we will continue to address this shortfall.
Our old home would be made available after Alton United Youth, current users of the Enclosure, move further into Anstey Park to a new facility which would include an enclosed stadium and further smaller pitches for their younger teams.
All of the above is subject to obtaining planning permission and, of course, is also subject to Coors being successful in getting planning permission to build on our current site. They are presently applying for planning permission for a supermarket.
There are many more steps to be taken in this process and nothing is guaranteed but at least a start has been made.
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