Hello there Alty fans,

My name is Phil Howden, as some of you will know, I am the York fan who started the "Help Altrincham" petition.

The petition has gone very well and at time of speaking there are 8354 signatures listed. Of course a small number of these I have deleted and rejected because sadly some people felt the need to write something stupid on there. However, a large number of the "deleted" signatures were not done maliciously, quite often people had posted their name twice by mistake, and so I have removed the duplicate posting. So if you read "deleted/rejected" it's often because of no sinister reason other than an author error.

I estimate the number of genuine signatures to be around the 8,000 mark.

My main reason for posting here is to ask for your opinions as Altrincham supporters about what you would like me to do with the petition. As I assume the FA appeal hearing is fairly soon, I should probably work towards closing the petition and collecting a "final" number. However, I am undecided whether or not to try and print it off in it's entirity and send it to a) The FA (in time for the hearing) or b) The Conference. Or should I print it and send it to Altrincham FC? Or should I not print it off at all and simply send the link to the FA/Conference? Should I go and deliver it myself it person?

Anyway, as you can see there are lots of questions. Clearly, because so many fans from all over the country have written in support of your club, I now have a big responsiblity to look after the petition in order to respect their opinions and deliver their messages to the relevant authorities to help Altrincham FC overturn this ridiculous and misguided punishment.

I will gladly read all of your thoughts if you would like to post them below. Or, if you wish, feel free to e-mail me.

Thanks,

Phil.

...Im sure i speak for all true alty fans when i say a massive thankyou to yourself for all the effort you have put in!!!

Your a true legend and i'd like to see you made a guest of honour next year at an Alty match, hopefully versus your very own York City!

The petition has been mentioned on a national scale and its really helped open peoples imagination to what we are going through!

What a true star you are!!!

that has been uttered is that JTH and myself could walk to the FA Headquarters here in London town.

I think a copy going to the Conference would be a good idea too.

Also how about a brick wall built in the car parks of our friends at Forest Green Toilet and Tamwuff with a name from the petition on each brick.

RR

I will second that, thanks for everything Phil. I suppose the best thing to do is let the club have it, so a call to GH would help.
AltyBri

Phil-thanks again for your swift action on the day of the Conference decision to set up the petition,to which the response has been truly phenomenal.

I think that any follow up action should be done with the support of the Football Club & therefore I think that the best course of action would be to call Graham Heathcote on 0161 928 1045 between 9-5pm over the next couple of days.

Brian Flynn,
Chairperson,
STAR (Support The Altrincham Robins)
The Supporters Trust of Altrincham F.C.