Alton Town FC - New website under construction for 09/10 season

ASSISTANT MANAGER APPOINTED FOR RESERVES

Dave Thurgood has been appointed Assistant Manager of our Reserves. He will team up with Reserves' manager Shaun Flanighan with whom he worked at BOSC last season. Dave played locally including a successful spell with Farnham Town and is currently taking his FA level 1 coaching badge and is certified in Basic Life Support.

Chairman Jim McKell said 'We welcome someone of Dave's experience and enthusiasm. He comes highly recommended and is a valuable addition to our overall management team.'

'MEET THE MANAGERS' EVENT BRINGS IN THE CROWDS

Chairman Jim McKell (centre) welcomes the new senior management team of (back row) Clive Ventham, Shaun Flanighan, Steve Lynch and Kevin Smith along with (front row) Mark Corbett and Dave Hawtin of the youth team.

Friday 05.06.09

'Couldn't have hoped for a better turnout' commented Chairman Jim McKell referring to the club's recent 'Meet the Managers' event at which current and potential players and club members were introduced to new first team management recruits Steve Lynch and Kevin Smith along with new reserve team manager Shaun Flanighan. They were joined on the podium by Clive Ventham who continues with the first team and by Dave Hawtin continuing as youth team manager.

Each in turn echoed the Chairman's belief that this 'blood transfusion' into the club would drive it forward with renewed enthusiasm, fresh vigour and boundless energy.

Guests heard that all three new recruits had met with the Chairman and senior members of the club in advance of the appointments being confirmed to ensure that, as a group, they were in agreement of seeing through a 'one club' strategy. A strategy with no bar on youth progressing to the club's senior teams and one that would seek to improve players' skills and ability both individually and as part of a successful and well disciplined team.

'A More than promising start to a new beginning' was the general consensus.

COORS AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OUR GROUND

Previous applications by Coors and their agents to build houses on our ground have been rejected by the planning authority. One of the reasons for refusal was the unsatisfactory arrangements to relocate the football stadium and ATFC. For the past year or so things have been quiet, presumably as the value of land declined.

Coors have recently changed their agents and appointed Alton based Chris Glanfield who, obviously, should have a greater knowledge of the local scene and what is required to be provided under planning regulations when a sports field is to be redeveloped.

It appears now that a planning application to redevelop our ground will shortly be made by Asda Supermarkets - with Coors being responsible for the relocation of the football & bowls club from the Bass ground.

On Wednesday last week Alton Town Council agreed that Coors can draw up plans (which would still have to be agreed and passed) to upgrade & develop the Diggers area of Anstey Park to accommodate pitches and pavilions suitable for youth football (previous suggestions for a full stadium for us at Diggers met with opposition because of floodlights and high fence enclosure - this new suggestion for Diggers is without floodlights and would have less buildings, regarded by some as an intrusion in that area.)

Should the proposed Diggers plan more adequately meet the requirements of Alton United Youth FC they would then move to Diggers from their current home at the Anstey Park Enclosure (stadium).

This would then free up the Anstey Park Enclosure to be upgraded (at Coors' cost) to a stadium of Wessex League standards (to FA Ground Grading 'F') and allow Alton Town FC to lease that upgraded facility from Alton Town Council.

There is, obviously, a long way to go and much to be negotiated in pulling this plan together to the satisfaction of all parties - including ATFC. At first sight, however, there appears to be at least the basis of a plan that could lead to our football club being properly relocated from our current home.

I will keep you informed as matters proceed.

Jim McKell
Chairman

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENT - 21.05.09
I am pleased to announce that the main restructuring of the football management of the club is now complete and am delighted to introduce the new season's line up: FIRST TEAM Steve Lynch to head up the first team management with current manager Clive Ventham supported by newly appointed Kevin Smith as Assistant Coach & Physio
	Steve Lynch Experience: Ex professional at the top tier of the football league having enjoyed 3 seasons in the (original) First Division with Brighton – playing at the back with Steve Foster under Jimmy Case’s management. Contract player in non-league with Hayes, Enfield, Aldershot Town. Qualifications: Currently FA coaching licence and studying for higher UEFA badge with a view to taking pro licence. Level 5 Referee on Suburban & Ryman Leagues.
	Kevin Smith Experience: Playing & coaching career in the Army then coach with Aldershot Town Youth. Assistant Manager & Coach Badshot Lea 2007 – 2009. Qualifications: FA Level 3 (UEFA B) coaching licence, FA Level 2 Goalkeeping licence, FA Level 2 Treatment & Management of Injury certificate.
RESERVES Shaun Flanighan Manager Assistant Manager To be appointed
	Shaun Flanighan Experience: Playing career with a number of local clubs, most recently at Liss. Successful coach at primary & secondary school level and with double winning BOSC Youth & BOSC Senior teams.
YOUTH TEAM
	Dave Hawtin continues as Manager with admin support from Jim McKell.

PRE SEASON FRIENDLY DATE FIXED

ALTON TOWN Vs ALDERSHOT TOWN
Saturday 4th July, Kick Off 3.00pm

Delighted to announce that Aldershot's opening pre season friendly will again be hosted by Alton Town FC. Our thanks to Shots' Chairman, John McGinty and Manager, Garry Waddock for again being quick to agree (indeed, suggest) that we fix this up now and get on with it! The past two pre season meetings between the clubs have been wonderful, friendly encounters for all involved and a terrific way to banish the memory of those football-blank Saturdays of the summer!

ANOTHER PRESTIGE HOME PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

ALTON TOWN Vs BASINGSTOKE TOWN
Tuesday 28th July, Kick Off 7.30pm

Alton Town supporters gather for departure to Cup Final on Wednesday 13th May

Aldershot Senior Cup Final
ALTON TOWN 2 - 4 FLEET TOWN

The Brewers put on a determined show against a very strong Fleet side on Wednesday evening at The Military Stadium in Aldershot. Ex-player and friend 'Duggie' turned tormentor as he controlled Fleet's midfield with his surging runs and remained a thorn in Alton's side throughout the evening.

Despite their greater strength, Fleet didn't have it all their own way and needed the good fortune of a goal scored from an offside position to open up a lead. A clever chip Daniel Read on the half hour gave Fleet a 2 goal advantage before Richard McCann scored from the penalty spot when Simba Mlambo's cross from the left was handled in the box. As half time approached, and with Alton temporarily down to 10 men as Lee McGavin had to leave the field, Fleet restored their two goal advantage with another neat goal from a tight angle.

The game appeared to run away from the Brewers early in the second half when a low cross went through a sea of legs and was poked home. Alton refused to give up and were rewarded with possibly the best goal of the game when Simba struck sweetly from 20 yards.

A loud and valid shout for another hand ball in the Fleet area fell on the Officials' deaf ears.

A night not quite of Chelsea / Tom Herring Ovrebo proportions and certainly not such in the reactions of Alton's players who conducted themselves with style and dignity throughout what was a well contested affair.

ALTON TOWN
Marc Cole
Sean Burton
Lee Tigwell
Clive Hibbert
Lee McGavin
Steve Graham
Paul Preston
Matt Rayner (Capt)
Simba Mlambo
Richard McCann
Cav Ferris

Subs used
Dave Wing
Joe Williams
John Lancashire