ALTRINCHAM switch their focus from points to pints this weekend as they prepare to stage their eagerly-awaited Beer Festival at Moss Lane, from Friday evening to Sunday night.

With their Blue Square Conference North campaign over, Alty are throwing open their doors to fans of beer, football or just fun activities for all the family, in an initiative aimed at reinforcing their community club image.

Admission is free, via the gate alongside the Noel White Suite on Moss Lane, and Alty are hoping aficionados of beer at its best might be tempted by a choice of no fewer than 18 real ales and ciders.

Gates open at 6pm on Friday, with the annual staff v supporters game kicking off an hour later and Harbingers Band performing from 9pm. They reopen at 2pm on Saturday, ahead of an afternoon and evening of more football and music, including Altrincham Ladies’ match with Sandbach (6pm).

A family fun day on Sunday, featuring a bouncy castle and ice cream van, rounds off one of the major weekends on Alty’s social calendar, with games involving junior and past players starting at 10am, a barbecue scheduled for 2pm and a balloon race being staged later in the afternoon.

Manager Lee Sinnott has begun work on reshaping his squad for next season, with Marlon Broomes, James Holden, Mark Lynch, John Miles and Michael Twiss all released and on-loan full-back Kieran Walmsley returning to Kendal Town.

Terms have been agreed for next season with Nicky Clee, Stuart Coburn, Shaun Densmore, James Lawrie, Chris Lynch, Leighton McGivern, Scott Phelan, Simon Richman, Sam Grimshaw, Adam Reid and Duncan Watmore, while negotiations are continuing with several others.

Alty have also marked Geoff Goodwin’s eight-year reign as chairman, during which time he helped haul the club back from the brink and clear debts that were threatening their existence, by offering him a life vice-presidency, which he has accepted.