Words John Edwards

STUART Coburn's testimonial is now just 48 hours away, and on Day Ten of our build-up to game, we are able to bring you news of the last two players lined up for the Altrincham 2014 squad.

Ryan Shotton is one, but, outstanding though he was during a loan spell from Stoke City, it is the other name that will resonate most with Alty fans everywhere.

All who were there a decade ago, players and spectators, will have their own memory of the drama that unfolded in the Robins' Conference North promotion final against Guiseley on a rainy afternoon on Saturday May 10th 2014. Here's how it went for Greg Wilkinson.

For two hours, Greg looked on from the bench, longing for a successful outcome but unable to influence it. He watched James Lawrie fire Alty in front early in the second half and Guiseley equalise soon after. Extra time beckoned. Would he get his chance?

As the 120th minute came and went, a nod from manager Lee Sinnott told him he would. It would be for the penalty shoot-out everyone was bracing themselves for, nothing more, but he was up for that.

Damian Reeves made way, and on he went with seconds of added time left. Would he get so much as a touch before the referee's whistle signalled spot-kicks? Would he ever.

A powerful header from inside his own half by Tom Marshall sent the ball sailing towards the Guiseley area, with Kyle Perry in hot pursuit and Steven Drench leaving his line to meet it after delaying for a moment.

Seeing the keeper's slight hesitation, Greg seemed to sense something might be on, and when Perry and Drench collided and the ball broke free, he was on hand to thread it though the tightest of gaps with a languid swing of his right boot.

As the ball made its way over the line and into an unguarded net at an away end stunned into silence, pandemonium broke out throughout the rest of the ground, as Greg ripped off his shirt and twirled it round his head as he raced towards the Pop Side terraces.

Alty had made it into the Conference North with a 2-1 win, and Greg had created a memory for Robins fans that will never fade.

An elegant, skilful midfielder with an eye for goal that was demonstrated that day, Greg joined Alty from Stalybridge Celtic in October 2013 and had scored eight times in 25+25 appearances by the time he left to sign for AFC Telford United at the end of the 2014-15 season.

He returned for a second spell with the Robins in September 2016, adding a further 11+5 appearances and two goals to his tally.

Ryan Shotton joined Alty on loan from Stoke City for the bulk of the 2007-08 campaign, shortly after signing his first professional contract at The Britannia Stadium.

Equally adept at full-back or centre-back, he stood out as a defender whose future would clearly pan out at a higher level than the Conference, and so it proved. After 34 highly-impressive appearances for the Robins, in which he scored five goals, he went on to play nearly 50 times for Stoke before moving on to Derby County.

*There will be a final round-up, here on the club's website tomorrow, of the two squads lined up for Stuart's testimonial at The J.Davidson Stadium on Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 3.30pm.

We will have at least one cash turnstile operating on the day at the Golf Road End, but supporters can buy tickets here, priced just £5 for adults and £2 for under-18s, for an event that is kindly sponsored by Jones Contracts.

You can also donate to the Testimonial via JustGiving here, as we raise funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.