Alty looking for investors to aid the drive for promotion

An extraordinary general meeting in the Community Sports Hall gave the green light to four resolutions drawn up to convert 117,000 non-voting shares into voting shares.

With the figure representing 51 per cent of the club's total shareholding, it raised the intriguing prospect of a takeover, should one investor end up buying the entire allocation.

It was stressed by chairman Grahame Rowley that, although an injection of additional funds would be welcomed, the club were not in any financial difficulty.

Furthermore, the board would be the means through which the shares would be sold and Alty's directors would rigorously undertake due diligence to ensure any prospective new major shareholder had the club's best interest at heart.

Shares are likely to be priced at between £4 and £5 each, and though he currently had no one in mind as a likely new investor, Rowley was optimistic about a favourable response from within the local community.

"It was great to see such a positive reaction to the motion, with not one hand being raised against it," he said.

"It now opens the door for the right investor or investors to get involved with this fantastic club.

"We have been working hard on the football side, with the new manager (Phil Parkinson), and we have made some very good player signings.

"We are determined to move up the leagues quickly, so a financial boost will obviously help us with our ambitions, both on and off the pitch."

Parkinson has significantly strengthened his squad in all areas, in readiness for an anticipated push for promotion back to National League North, by snapping up Jerome Wright, James Poole, Sam Sheridan, Tom Peers, Ben Harrison, Tomoli Omotola, John Johnston, Joe Mwasile, John Disney, Lewis Short, Josh Hancock and Sefton Gonzales.

One of many to depart the club, striker Damian Reeves has joined Evo-Stik Northern Premier League rivals Shaw Lane, while physio Alan Ainsley has also left.