Alvin Stays

By Craig Haddock
June 19 2003

Vauxhall Motors legendary manager Alvin McDonald laughed off speculation of him making the same switch as Phil Brazier to Northwich Victoria, he said, "nice to be linked with a Conference club"

Alvin has took The Motormen from the North West Counties to a leading force in the UniBond Premier Division and making a historic cup run for good measure, Alvin was quick to point out, "I've still got a year to go on my contract at Vauxhalls.

In an interview with the Ellesmere Port Pioneer he said, "It's the first time I've been linked to another job since I been at Rivacre Park and I think the recognition that Vauxhalls have come such a long way in such a short time, is long overdue.

"We haven't had the credit we deserve for what we have achieved, two successive promotions, UniBond Premier Division runners-up at the first time of asking, defeating QPR in the FA Cup last November. It's a remarkable achievement for this club and yes, it is nice that that has been recognised elsewhere."

Early reports had linked both Alvin and Burscough manager Shaun Teale to the Vics post left by Jimmy Quinn, who took over relegated Shrewsbury Town. Teale has taken an unfashionable side from being classed as the Bad Boys of the UniBond League, to the second cleanest (behind Vauxhall Motors) and picked up a FA Trophy on the way, beating Tamworth in the Final at Villa Park in May. The vacancy ended up with Steve Davis having to try to take the club out of the Conference.

Alvin is concentrating on the up and coming season and as of yet not made a signing, but says, "I've spoken to a number of players and invariably they say at this time of the year 'I'm interested' but never put pen to paper, as they want to keep their options open. Some players are still talking silly money, £200 or £300 per week, but with so many players been released by Football League clubs, there will be a domino effect.

"Some will sign for Conference clubs and then players from that level will be on the look out for a club.

"Hopefully, we'll pick up one or two along the way, but experience tells me not to panic. Some players are going to finish up desperate for a game," he added.
"The players I have ear-marked invariably still have a year to go on their present contracts. I've already got my starting XI in my head, but we don't have strength in depth, but we've always managed to get it right in the past.

"Just like last year, some clubs are throwing money at it, because with the Conference North likely to start August next year, they want to make certain they are in the top 10. Worksop and Harrogate are just two clubs that fall into that category - it is going to be very competitive and probably the hardest yet in our time in the UniBond Premier."

Alvin said of young keeper Andy Ralph, who picked up a lot of high praise in the great cup run in November to December, "Andy's happy to be at Vauxhalls, but he does want to keep his options open. He has told me he wants to get back into the Football League. If someone came in for him, we would release him straight away - we wouldn't stand in his way, but the lad doesn't want to tie himself down.

"I think Andy was unlucky to get injured when he did, just after Christmas, because he was in the limelight then after his Cup heroics, and when you think, 30 keepers were released by League clubs this summer, it shows just how hard it is going to be, to get picked up by a League club because they are all trimming their staff."

He went on, "The loan system is growing all the time and I can see Vauxhalls having to go down the same route. It's not the same as having your own players, but just look what happened to Danny Collins after he came to us on loan from Chester last season. Not only was he good for us, suddenly Chester wanted him back to help them in the Conference and he played for the England non-League side."

I am sure anyone to do with Vauxhall's will be happy with Alvin's commitment, and wish him and staff like Peter Carroll and Dave Hallam all the best on getting Vauxhall Motors on to the next platform.