Altrincham F.C. are a football club that do much more for its community than turn out on a Saturday.
The thriving town of Altrincham is arguably best known for its flourishing market, or perhaps for the majestic Dunham Massey Hall and the magnificent 300-acre deer park
that encompasses it. However, for many, there’s one attraction that stands out above all else and that is Altrincham Football Club.
Founded in 1891, the Robins have been an integral part of the community for way over a century, providing the people of Altrincham with enough euphoria and heartache to last them a lifetime.
An outsider may find it curious that supporters turn up in their thousands to Moss Lane, week in and week out, despite geographically sitting on the doorstep of two giants of English football. However, once you begin to dissect and understand the
history, integrity and people that make the club what it is today, the answer suddenly becomes obvious – it’s the connection between the club and the community.
Bill Waterson, lifelong fan and more recently, co-chairman of the club, says: ‘There are many people who live around Altrincham that can afford season tickets at the Premier League clubs but this is a different experience. This is a place to come to with your kids and be up close and personal with the players.
This is belonging to something and being made to feel welcome by a club who have strong relationships with many of the 2,000 fans that come here every week.’
Nic Seller has been a fan for 57 years. He says: ‘I first came to Alty in November 1965 when I was 10. There must’ve been a crowd of four or five thousand at least. Jackie
Swindells scored five of the six goals that we beat Scarborough by that day. There was a pitch invasion at the end – and I was part of it.
‘At that moment, the journey I’m on with Altrincham F.C. started and I became an Alty fan until I die.’
After that first game, there was more chance of Nic winning the jackpot on the Lottery than switching his allegiance from Alty. ‘You’re not a spectator, you’re part of it. I’ve been to big games and there’s some fantastic football, but you’re not connected. Here it’s raw,’ he says. ‘When I ran the supporters’ association, players became friends. I don’t think that exists in the top flight.’
Part of the engagement with the community, particularly in recent years, can be attributed to the success of the Sports Hall at Moss Lane. Built in 2013 with fundraising efforts from the fans, the site hosts activities including
disability sports and walking football to meeting points for charities such as AndysManClub, a men’s suicide prevention group.
Noel Shield, the club’s commercial manager, works alongside many of the local organisations. He says: ‘We want strong links with the town. We have a community side of the club that does an awful lot in the town. So, it means an awful lot, I think, to the fans that the club is engaging and putting a little bit back into the local community.’
The desire of wanting to give back to the community radiates throughout all levels
of the club, from the backroom staff to the pitch. Understanding and respecting
these values is vital for any football player, most of all for a captain or vice-captain.
Fortunately for Alty, they have the full package in Toby Mullarkey, a commanding and
composed centre-back who combines those attributes with his respect for the fans and the history of the club, making him an asset to the team as vice-captain.
‘For us, being able to give something back in return, such as community events, is a great feeling. We owe the fans a lot because it’s a very community based club so to be able to interact with them both on and off the pitch is a special thing to do.’
Last year, the squad joined their community in the middle of the town as the Christmas lights were switched on.
First team manager Phil Parkinson says: ‘Any opportunity we get to immerse ourselves within the community we jump at. We want to be a presence in the community and let them know how important they are to us. I believe in the community and the people that come and support us, I believe in all the extracurricular stuff that goes on and knits the community together.’
As well as activities off the pitch, the club also strives for inclusivity and diversity on it
too. Movements such as Her Game Too, which tackles sexist abuse in sports, have been well represented at Altrincham.
Last year the club gave out 500 tickets to women all around the area in partnership with the charity. Samantha Mackenzie, director of partnerships and sponsors, says: ‘We want to make sure women feel safe walking to and out of the ground. I think we can create a safe space where there is no abuse on the terraces and women are treated respectfully around the ground.
ALTRINCHAM F.C. FACTS
Originally named Broadheath Football Club.
Nickname: The Robins. Originating from the club’s red and white home strip, resembling the breast of a Robin.
Hold the record for knocking out more Football League sides (17) in the FA Cup than any other club that has spent their entire history playing in non-League.
This season: Altrincham announced the move to become a professional club for the first time in their 132-year history.
In 2013, Altrincham’s historic ground, Moss Lane, was renamed The J. Davidson Stadium after the club’s main sponsors and local scrap metal processors, J.Davidson.
Record attendance: 10,275.
Average attendance 21/22: 2,119.
The club’s all-time leading goal scorer, Jackie Swindells, scored 82 goals in his first full season (1965-66).
Record victory: 14-2 against Sale Holmfield, December 5, 1903.
Compete in the National League, one division below League Two, the lowest division of the English Football League.
The people who make Altrincham F.C.
THE MANAGER - PHIL PARKINSON
‘A big reason I’m here is the progression, the forward-thinking of the board, the way the fans make you feel… most of the time. I’m not going to say all the time because it doesn’t always go to plan, but that’s football.’
Phil was appointed as first team manager in April 2017 at one of the club’s lowest points following relegation to the seventh tier of English football.
He has since returned the club to the National League and become Altrincham’s first-ever full-time manager.
Interesting fact: He captained Nantwich Town to FA Vase glory in 2006.
THE PLAYER - TOBY MULLARKEY
‘Being vice-captain is something I’m very proud of and I’ve worked hard to get to this position.
It’s a big weight to carry but I’m hoping the fans can see I’m relishing and cherishing every opportunity I get to walk out as captain in front of 2,000 fans. It doesn’t come much better than that, it’s a privilege.’
Toby signed from Nantwich Town in May 2019 and soon established himself as a fans’ favourite, attracting widespread interest from Football League clubs at the end of last season.
The formidable centre-back agreed to remain at Altrincham, becoming an integral part of the club’s new professional era as vice-captain.
Interesting fact: Just last season, he was working part-time at his brother’s coffee shop in Altrincham.
THE CO-CHAIRMAN - BILL WATERSON
‘I think one of the biggest differences for the club now, compared to the 1970s and 1980s, is that we used to be a football club in Altrincham, whereas now we are a football club of Altrincham.’
Bill became joint chairman in 2020 after being a director at the club and supporting Altrincham as a child back in the Cheshire League days of the late 1960s.
Despite moving to London for university in 1980 and remaining down south ever since, his love for the club has never diminished.
Interesting fact: Alty fan since three years of age.
THE COMMERCIAL MANAGER - NOEL SHIELD
‘It feels like a family here; the players are great lads. The coaching staff too. It’s just a great place to be and a great place to work.’
Noel began working for the club after retiring from his original line of work for an outreach service supporting families and only came in to help a couple of days a week.
However, the lifelong Alty fan quickly picked up the role of commercial manager and has been loving it ever since.
Interesting fact: Noel was formerly the chairman of Altrincham’s Supporters’ Association.
THE LIFELONG FAN - NIC SELLER
‘We’re now getting attendances that are better than when we were the top dogs in non-League football. I think a large amount of that is to do with the way the club’s engaged with the local community.’
Nic went to his first Robins’ game in 1965. The club has meant more to his life than you could ever imagine, with one former player even becoming his daughter’s godfather.
He’s been there through it all, from watching his side draw with Tottenham Hotspur in 1979 to beating Birmingham City in 1986.
At 67 years old, 57 years on from his first game, there’s still nowhere he’d rather be on a Saturday than supporting his local team.
Interesting fact: Nic’s daughter, Daisy, recently had her wedding reception at Altrincham’s ground.
