Altrincham

Altrincham complete triple swoop
Altrincham have signed midfielders Gareth Whalley and Cavell Coo, and striker Matthew Berkeley. The trio were released from their previous clubs at the end of last season, while Coo and Berkeley had both been on trial with Altrincham. Whalley, 33, left Swindon earlier this summer but has made 361 league appearances for five clubs. Coo, 19, was freed by Crewe, while Berkeley, 20 on Friday, was released by Scottish Premier League side Gretna.

Chester recruit ex-Altrincham man
Chester City have signed former Altrincham midfielder Adam Walker, 20. Walker did not figure in the league for Altrincham after coming through their youth set-up but impressed City boss Bobby Williamson in a trial spell. "The lad has shown up well in training and he gives us options in the wide midfield positions," Williamson told the club's website. Chester want to sign players before the transfer window closes but must release players to stay within the salary cap.

Shotton joins Alty on loan deal
Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton has joined Altrincham on a month's loan. Shotton joins the Robins for the chance of first-team football after coming through the youth-team set-up at the Britannia Stadium. The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract with the club this summer. Shotton made his debut at Woking on Saturday but could not prevent a 2-0 defeat which leaves the Robins looking for their first win of the season.

Robins chief backs boss Heathcote
Altrincham chairman Geoff Goodwin has backed manager Graham Heathcote after the Robins' poor start to the season. Goodwin told his club's website he was upset by "hurtful comments" directed at Heathcote and the board as Altrincham wait for their first win. "If some of the critics are unhappy they can talk to me directly and I'll be straight with them," said Goodwin. "The board is 100% behind Graham. No other manager would achieve what he has achieved with the budget he has had."

Altrincham sign Saunders on loan
Altrincham have snapped up teenage Wigan goalkeeper Russell Saunders on a month's loan. Robins boss Graham Heathcote made his move for Saunders after losing Stuart Coburn and Richard Acton to injury. The 18-year-old is set to make his Altrincham debut in Saturday's Blue Square Premier clash with fellow strugglers Droylsden. Saunders signed his first professional contract at Wigan in the summer after coming through the club's youth scheme.

Altrincham plan January signings
Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote plans to bolster his squad in January to aid their fight against relegation. "The board's done well to give us a few bob in the transfer window so we'll be looking to strengthen," Heathcote told the Sale and Altrincham Messenger. "But the problem is that we'll probably have to rely on loan players because all the good players out there require a transfer fee," he added. A striker, midfielder and left-back will be top of his wanted list.

Steele leaves role at Altrincham
Altrincham's assistant manager Dalton Steele has left the struggling Blue Square Premier club. Steele resigned following Altrincham's Boxing Day 2-1 defeat at home to Northwich Victoria. His departure ends a second spell as asssitant manager to Graham Heathcote at Moss Lane. The loss against Northwich was Altrincham's ninth home league defeat of the season and leaves them in the Blue Square relegation zone.

Altrincham let veteran Whalley go
Altrincham have released experienced midfielder Gareth Whalley. The former Crewe, Bradford, Cardiff, Wigan and Swindon player, 34, joined the Blue Square Premier club at the start of the season. But injuries have restricted Whalley to just 16 appearances and he is currently sidelined with an ankle problem. Meanwhile, Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote is hoping to add a further three new loan signings to his squad when the transfer window opens.

Altrincham let defender Munroe go
Altrincham have released experienced defender Karl Munroe. The former Macclesfield Town player, 28, had been at Moss Lane since July 2005 and started 71 senior games for the Robins. However, the recent signing of Greg Young and the loan extension of Stoke City's Ryan Shotton have pushed him down the pecking order. Munroe has also had spells with Halifax Town and Northwich Victoria since starting his career with Swansea City.

Altrincham recruit Vics defender
Altrincham have made Northwich defender Richard Battersby their seventh new signing this month. The 28-year-old made the short switch to Moss Lane after making more than 100 appearances for the Vics. Battersby made his debut for Altrincham as a substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw with York City. Meanwhile, Northwich have added former Morecambe defender Danny Meadowcroft, 22, and ex-Lincoln City midfielder Michael Roddy, 19, to his squad. Meadowcroft was released by the Shrimps last summer.

Facebook helps McGregor find Alty
Defender Mark McGregor is in debt to a social-networking website after joining Blue Square Premier side Altrincham. After failing to win a contract following a trial at Mansfield, the 31-year-old set up a Facebook group called 'Help Find Macca A Football club'. The former Wrexham, Blackpool and Burnley man was released by League Two side Port Vale in April. "I signed him on experience alone. Look where he's been," boss Graham Heathcote told the Sale & Altrincham Messenger. The story reflects that of former Wycombe FA Cup hero Roy Essandoh, who responded to an appeal on Ceefax from Wycombe Wanderers for a striker in 2001. He signed a two-week contract with the club and scored the winning goal in their FA Cup quarter-final victory over Leicester City. Wanderers went on to lose in the semi-final to Liverpool. McGregor replaces captain Darren Tinson, who left the Robins to sign for his hometown club Nantwich Town. "Although Darren Tinson and McGregor are slightly different players, Mark will fill that void in defence left by Tinson's departure," said Heathcote. Altrincham have also recently signed Lee Elam on a part-time deal as Heathcote continues his rebuilding of the squad.

Altrincham sign Waterfall on loan
Blue Square Premier side Altrincham have signed Tranmere Rovers defender Luke Waterfall on a one-month loan. The 18-year-old centre-back has played two matches this season for Tranmere. Rovers boss Ronnie Moore told the club website: "He's a talented young player, who needs games. Hopefully he'll benefit from his time there." Meanwhile, The Robins have handed a season-long deal to utility man Shaun Densmore, who had been on a month-long loan with the club. Waterfall joined Rovers in July after leaving Barnsley earlier in the summer.

Heathcote hails marksman Little
Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote has praised striker Colin Little after he got his 100th goal for the club in the 2-1 FA Cup win at Newcastle Blue Star. The 35-year-old took just 197 games to reach his landmark record. "He has maintained a ratio that's better than a goal every other game. That really is remarkable," said a delighted Heathcote. "He has had loads of offers to go back into the League but he has stayed loyal to Altrincham. He has been fantastic."

Altrincham sign Hadfield on loan
Macclesfield Town have loaned midfielder Jordan Hadfield to neighbours Altrincham for one month. The 21-year-old began his career at Stockport County before joining Macclesfield in July 2005. He made his first appearance for the Silkmen under Brian Horton in 2006/07 and continued to feature regularly when Paul Ince took charge. Hadfield was loaned to MK Dons for the second-half of last season and has only featured six times in this campaign.

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