Words John Edwards Picture Jonathan Moore

A glimpse into the work being done to help keep future Altrincham teams furnished with homegrown talent is the intriguing topic on offer for Business Club members at their January breakfast get-together later this month.

Just past the midway point of the 2024-25 campaign, there is plenty to excite Alty fans as it is, with another place in the Vanarama National League play-offs firmly in the Robins' sights as well as a continuing interest in the Isuzu FA Trophy and the National League Cup.

But planning ahead has always been paramount at The J.Davidson Stadium, as evidenced by a thriving Academy and a junior section whose growing popularity within the local community was never better illustrated than when a slight problem occurred at a recent photo shoot at the stadium.

The idea was to use the Atlantic Timber main stand for one giant picture of all the junior teams, boys and girls, side by side, but there weren't enough seats to fit them all in!

So, how and when did the junior section come into existence, to what extent has it taken off and how optimistic should we be about future generations of Alty players having their roots in home soil?

The answers to all these questions, and more besides, will be provided by Alty juniors chairman Paul Woolley when he appears as guest speaker at the next Business Club meeting in The John King Lounge at The J.Davidson Stadium on Friday January 31st.

Starting at 8.30am, there will be the usual trappings of the monthly Friday gatherings, from a tasty hot breakfast that will bring a warm glow to the coldest of midwinter mornings to networking opportunities and the chance to win a £40 voucher for food and drink in the Fan Zone.

All the essential elements of an agenda that has made membership a must for so many local businesses, but, as ever, the main event will be Paul providing an insight into how Alty's junior section has captured the imagination in so many local households.

After starting out with around 15 teams, the section now has over 70, split fairly evenly between boys and girls, and such is the attention to detail in ensuring all needs and eventualities are catered for that awards like grassroots club of the year have been bestowed on them in recent years.

The accent is on fun and enjoyment, but, as Paul will point out, there is a pathway in place that he and his colleagues hope will lead to senior status for an increasing number of aspiring young prospects.

So, don't forget, it's an 8.30am start in a fortnight's time, Friday January 31st, in the plush surroundings of The John King Lounge at The J.Davidson Stadium.