Altrincham Chairman To Step Down

Altrincham chairman Graham Rowley is to step down at the end of the season after nine years in the post. He made his decision know at the end of the club's AGM which took place this evening.

Altrincham had severe financial problems in 2002, when Rowley joined the board, but now is probably one of the best run clubs in the whole of the Mational League with money in the bank.

"I came on the Board in 2002, after a short spell in 2001, with the club in a critical condition and between myself, Andrew Shaw and Geoff Goodwin worked tirelessly to eradicate the £650k debts we were faced with," said Rowley as reported by the Alty Files.

"As reported earlier the club now finds itself in the best condition it has been in for many a decade with a very healthy cash balance in the bank.

"In 2013, along with Ian Watmore and Peter Foster I oversaw one of the biggest developments at this Football Club with the submission and subsequent building of our Community Sports Hall in which we sit tonight. A legacy from the Olympics that were held in London in 2012.

"This development has transformed the future earnings potential of the Football Club and many thanks need to be given to our highly successful Community Programme which has recently been awarded level 5 by the Premier League-led Primary Stars initiative. We re one of a few non-league clubs that have been awarded that level.

"As stated I’m happy to remain as Chairman until the end of the present season, if my fellow Directors wish, and will then continue to support the Football Club in any way that I can.

"Once again, my thanks to all the volunteers at the club who have made Altrincham Football Club what it is – a leader in Non-League football – something we should all be proud of."