Rushden and Diamonds vs. Altrincham FC
Saturday 9th
September. K/O 3pm Nene
Park
This Saturday
Altrincham FC visit Nene
Park for both clubs
seventh game of the season. It will be the fifth time the two clubs have faced
each other, with 16 goals being scored in the previous games. With both clubs
performances mirroring each other this term, this match will be an early
midtable six-pointer- if there is such a thing!
Altrincham FC- The Club
The origins of
Altrincham FC can be traced back to the 19th Century, when a local
Sunday school formed the original club. They were then known as the Rigby
Memorial Club. Two years on, and they merged, Rushden and Diamond style, with
another local team, known as the “Grapplers”. The two clubs were
then renamed as Broadheath FC. In the preceding ten years or so, the club
struggled to find a permanent home. They played their matches in a variety of
locations-on pitches in Broadheath, West Timperley
and Altrincham. However, in the year of 1903, the club found a new ground, at
Pollits Field. At the same time, the name of Altrincham FC was first adopted.
During the
following ten years the club enjoyed relative success. This prompted the Urban District Council
to allow the club to move into their current ground - Moss Lane. It was officially opened in
May 1910. This was to be their home up to this day.
The club is better known for their FA Cup exploits, in particular, of
their scalping of larger, league opponents. Their first defeat of a league club came
in 1921. They defeated Tranmere Rovers 4-2 after a 4-4 draw led to the replay.
However Altrincham real cup exploits began in 1934 when they reached the First
Round Proper for the first time, admittedly losing to Gainsborough Trinity. A
major milestone had been set and the club was to enjoy FA Cup fame in the
future.
The
50’s and early 60’s were not as enjoyable for the Altrincham
faithful. The club went close to going out of business on occasion, before the
club was revived with the arrivals of Peter Swales, Noel White and manager
Freddie Pye. They enjoyed late 60’s success, before the clubs fortunes
really took off and for the next fifteen years or so they were one of the
leading non-league sides. In the FA Cup a famous 1-1 draw with Everton away,
was followed by a creditable defeat at the hands of Manchester Utd, at Old
Trafford. After a series of trophies, cups, non-league titles, the club really
began scalping bigger, and better opponents in the FA Cup, beating amongst
others, Crewe, Blackpool (twice), Rotherham, Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, York
City and First (now Premier) Division Birmingham City. They also performed
highly against the might of Liverpool and
Spurs.
Unfortunately
this period of stability ended in the late 90’s. The club suffered their
first relegation since their foundation, and spent a couple of seasons in the
Unibond League before regaining its honour and returning to the Conference
North. They were relegated again after just one year. But enjoying a
two-promotion campaign within 3 seasons, they were in the Conference National
for the 05-06 season.
They
began last season as one of the few clubs still playing as a part time club.
Arguably they also had the lowest budget- it all looked set for a quick return
to the Conference North. However, in true underdog style the club-avoided
relegation, finishing the season in 18th place. However, as the club
began popping open the champagne to celebrate their survival, the Conference
Board had contradicting ideas. For 18 games during the season, Altrincham had
played an ineligible player. He had not been internationally registered, but
had been played. The club was fined 18 points. This put them in the relegation
zone. The club was saved due to Scarborough
being relegated in their place, due to financial irregularities. While they did
survive, their preseason training and preparation was interrupted by this
crisis –it also failed to attract players to Moss Lane.
The fans started this season in the same way as we did- not knowing what
to expect, optimistic yet cautious, but overall just happy to have a club to
support.
For more information
about the above controversy, click here!
US VERSUS THEM
Rushden and Diamonds have played
Altrincham FC four times. They have
generally been exciting affairs-16 goals have been scored, and 7670 fans have
watched the matches. Overall the Diamonds have the upper hand winning 3 of the
4 matches, with Altrincham winning the remaining match. Although the most
recent match was just 6 years ago, no Diamond player on display that day has
remained- the most recent being Gary Mills, now at Crawley.
Another
interesting fact is the attendances of the 2 previous meetings at Nene Park.
Both recorded attendances of little over the 2500 mark, which is not a lot over
our recent attendance versus York-
2416. With attendances mirroring this seasons the Diamonds finished in 2nd
place, behind last weeks opposition, Kidderminster Harriers. The following
year, with attendances much the same the Diamonds won the league, winning
promotion to the Football League. This puts into perspective the claim that a
reduced fan base will result in a loss of football quality. We have the same
number of fans as our last Conference winning season. Now all we need is the
fans to realize this and get behind the team.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
|
1996/97:
|
|
17/08/1996
|
Altrincham
|
4
v 3
|
Rushden and diamonds
|
1,304
|
[ details
]
|
|
03/05/1997
|
Rushden and diamonds
|
3
v 2
|
Altrincham
|
2,521
|
[ details
]
|
|
1999/00:
|
|
|
02/10/1999
|
Altrincham
|
1
v 2
|
Rushden and diamonds
|
1,114
|
[ details
]
|
|
15/04/2000
|
Rushden and diamonds
|
1
v 0
|
Altrincham
|
2,731
|
[ details
]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE SEASON SO FAR
Much like the
Diamonds, Alty have also had a bittersweet start to the season. After beginning
their campaign with a victory they suffered consecutive defeats. Another
victory was followed by another defeat, at the hands of St.
Albans, on Bank Holiday Monday. Last Sunday, they entertained Dagenham
and Redbridge, who at the time were a lofty seventh in the table. The Robins
suffered a shocking and unexpected 5-0 defeat. Their victory lifted Dagenham
and Redbridge to third in the table, while Altrincham remained in sixteenth
place, three places, and one point lower than the Diamonds. Just 951 fans
watched their teams worst defeat of the season
Stephen
Aspinal has scored twice for the Robins this season, although Colin Little is
more of the danger man, being top scorer for the club for the past two years.
(See below). However, at Altrincham FC there is even a chance for the keeper to
get on the clubs goals list, as their keeper, Coburn did last season!
Despite a decent midtable start for the
Robins, their performances have failed to bring in the crowds. With an average
attendance at Moss Lane
of just 963 diehard fans, the second lowest in the league, the Nene Park
faithful should not expect packed house come Saturday.
MEN TO WATCH
One man that has stood
out amongst the others for the Diamonds this year is Dan Chillingworth. After
six disappointing games last year for us, he was put on loan to Notts County.
There, he also failed to perform, scoring only two goals in 13 games. When he
returned to Nene Park
this year many fans expected more of the same from the former Notts County,
Leyton Orient Darlington, and Cambridge
striker. Surprisingly, building on a good preseason, after 5 games Chilli is
now the Diamonds top goal scorer, with 2 goals for the club. He has looked good on the
ball, and is fast becoming a fans favourite. With Altrincham keeping only one
clean sheet this term and a recent 5-0 defeat, this is another perfect
opportunity for Dan to enhance his current popularity. (Dan will no doubt use this as a cue to
get sent off come Saturday!)
Alty’s key man
seems to be ex Halifax
Town striker Colin
Little. In little over 100 matches he has scored an impressive 55 goals- a goal
every other game. Colin's class in games is evident and not just in his goals. After previously starting
on the right he now invariably starts up front. He has been Alty’s top
goal scorer in his two years at the club- 38 goals in his first season,
’04-’05, and 17 goals last year. After only scoring 1
goal this season, Colin will be looking to boost his tally at Nene Park
this Saturday. He has played at
Hyde Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, and Macclesfield
Town, as well as Halifax and Alty.
Altrincham
Links
Altrincham FC Homepage
Fans Message board
BBC's
Club News
Match preview by Joseph Millar, all the way from Ireland.
Thanks to RA for allowing me to write this preview!
What It’s All About
Despite there being trouble with the board, controversy over the
Airwair, loss of attendance, and loss of fans confidence in their club, on the
pitch and off… Saturday we
will be playing football. Get down to Nene Park
and cheer your team on. Because that’s what it’s all about, really.
