ATHERTON LR 1st team manager Steve Plant has been rocked by the news that star goalkeeper of last season, Mark Winstanley, will be unavailable for regular North West Counties League action until at least the end of October due to work commitments.

Plant who looks to rally his club this term in order to regain Division One status explains, "Mark telephoned me earlier this week to explain he had a fresh job working on a new golf course development which involves working Saturdays.

"Although he would be available for midweek games, we now have to find a replacement.

"Fortunately we had two really good keepers on our books last season and we can now elevate Andy Almond into the Number One slot.

"He played a few games towards the end of last season and has continued training with us.

"It is a real shame to lose Mark at this time because he was undoubtedly one of the best keepers in the league last season. "We would certainly have been looking for him to build on that this time around.

"Taking over from him is a tall order for Andy but there is absolutely no doubt that he is up to it.

"He is a real quality keeper and we are so fortunate to have him onboard.

"Apart from this setback,I am very pleased with the way things are building up for the new season."

THE development of junior and youth involvement at Atherton LR is moving along at a rapid rate under the guidance of highly ambitious director of football Steve Plant.

"We had been looking to have three teams competing at youth age groups this coming season but now it looks as though we'll have seven," says Plant.

"The team which last season competed at under 16s level with Hindsford is joining us to play in the under 17s section of the Bolton Boys Federation, forming a natural progression from our existing 15s and 16s.

"But it is at the younger age groups where we are achieving phenomenal success.

"The Advanced Soccer Coaching School we have been running has proved even more popular than we'd envisaged and has enabled us to seriously consider entering teams at under 8, 9 and 10 in the Robin Park League.

"In addition to this, I have also brought my existing Trafford Borough under 7s team to play under the LR banner giving us competing teams at each age group.

"We have plans to set up an Academy which we are currently talking to the FA about." "News is expected any day now concerning our grant application to the Lottery Millennium Fund for £3,500 which is earmarked for the Youth Development plans.

"Our long term aim is to have a Football in the Community scheme with coaches and senior players going into the local schools and clubs organising and running regular coaching sessions.

"Finishing touches are also being applied to the launch of our Junior Supporters Club for the new season.

"I am very interested to hear from any youngsters aged 6 to 16 who would like to arrange a trial with the club. I can be contacted on 0161 777 9287."