Tribute dinner for Alty legend (From Messenger Newspapers)

Former Manchester United boss Tommy Docherty to be guest speaker at tribute dinner for former Liverpool FC chairman Noel White

1:05pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Sport

TOMMY Docherty will lead the acclaim for one of Altrincham’s most famous sporting sons at a tribute dinner for Noel White at the Cresta Court Hotel next Thursday, May 31.

Former Manchester United manager Docherty, who had a spell in charge at Alty, has agreed to appear as guest speaker at the gala event, which starts at 7.15 and includes a four-course meal, celebrity guests and entertainment.

White rose to the very top of football administration, holding the prestigious position of FA international committee chairman for 14 years, but has never forgotten his roots and still attends games at Moss Lane whenever he can.

Explaining the decision to honour his remarkable impact on the game – locally, nationally as Liverpool chairman and internationally with the FA – Alty chairman Grahame Rowley said: ‘Noel will always be regarded as a club legend at Altrincham, but we feel his general contribution to, and achievements in, football should be recognised and that this tribute dinner is a fitting way to do that.’ White’s rise to prominence began after he forged a business partnership with Peter Swales. The pair opened their first White&Swales record and sheet music shop on Cross Street before taking over at Alty in 1961 and transforming their fortunes.

While Swales moved on to Manchester City a few years later, White remained at Moss Lane as chairman and oversaw an era in which Alty became the country’s most renowned FA Cup giantkillers.

Told the dinner was being staged in his honour, White said: ‘It is very nice that my efforts in football are being recognised in this way. My involvement in football administration goes back to when I was 15, playing for a team run by my father in the Altrincham and District Service of Youth League. I used to collect match subs of threepence per player per match, write the details in a cash book and handle player registrations.’ Alty, who have signed former AFC Telford United midfielder or centre-back Carl Rodgers, still have tickets available at £30 each on 0161 928 1045 or at office@altrinchamfootballclub.co.uk.