Words John Edwards | Picture Altrincham FC

Altrincham are heading into their final National League Cup group game with all to play for in just under a fortnight's time, and the club are delighted to announce that match sponsorship has again been secured to enable free admission for everyone.

Wolves under-21s are the visitors to The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday January 28th (kick-off 7.30pm), and a competitive edge is assured, with both teams going into the game harbouring hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Alty need to win and hope results go their way elsewhere, and manager Phil Parkinson and his players are desperate for a bumper turnout of Robins fans to raise the roof and provide the backing that could help land a place in the last eight.

The chances of their wish being granted have been significantly bolstered by news that brownfield development experts McAuliffe have stepped forward and generously agreed to sponsor the game in a gesture that allows us to open the doors to everyone for free.

It promises to be an intriguing night of cup football for all, and our sponsors' Group CEO John McAuliffe explained why he is particularly relishing the prospect of watching the best Molineux has to offer in terms of potential taking on an in-form Alty side.

"With our business headquartered in Wolverhampton, and having an office in Altrincham, this makes for a very interesting game!" he said. "As a Wolves fan who moved to the Altrincham area over 20 years ago, I have always had a soft spot for Alty as the local team.

"We are delighted to welcome Wolves to Altrincham and look forward to a great game of football.”

Founded over 50 years ago in 1970, McAuliffe have gone from strength to strength and firmly established themselves as a leading remediation and enabling works contractor for UK housebuilders, developers and main contractors.

They have proven expertise in the complex and tricky process of developing brownfield land, and, as a family business, they take great pride in everything they do, finding the right solution for every project and delivering it with a professionalism and quality that keeps clients returning year after year.

It is a service that is second to none, and everyone at the club is grateful for their support and looking forward to welcoming them to The J.Davidson Stadium, not least Phil and the players.

After Tuesday's spectacular 4-0 Footy for a Fiver demolition of Maidenhead United, Phil underlined the positive impact made by Alty fans getting behind the team in numbers by saying:

"I can't stress enough how important that is. There were probably new people coming to the stadium for the first time tonight, and we all hope they keep coming back. The fans turned up in numbers and really got behind the team and stayed at the end to applaud us.

"That connectivity is really appreciated by the lads, and my hope now is that we get even more through the gates and are watched by even bigger attendances, because if we want to keep these lads here, we need that.

"Everyone is looking at our players after the way they have been producing. We need big gates to make us an even more attractive proposition to play for, because that is what they all want - to be playing in front of big gates.

"We all know our fans are the best. They get behind the lads unequivocally, and the support they give us is tremendous.

"But if they know anyone in Altrincham who isn't coming to games, drag them down, because that could be the difference-maker for us at the back end of the season. Players respond to big gates, and I'm sure there will be more positive results if we get that."

The initiative of waiving admission prices due to match sponsorship has been well received in our three Group B games so far against the under-21 sides of Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Stoke City, and the club are anticipating more of the same for the one remaining tie against Wolves a week next Tuesday.

With so much at stake, it's one not to be missed, and don't forget, thanks to McAuliffe, it's free. You can obtain your free ticket for the match on our website by clicking here.