We're delighted to announce Stuart Coburn's Testimonial
HE is right up there as one of THE all-time legends that Altrincham have produced, and the club are absolutely delighted to announce that arrangements have now been finalised for Stuart Coburn's iconic Robins career to be honoured with a testimonial.
Stuey, or England's number one as most Alty fans proudly called him, set a club record that will surely never be surpassed by clocking up a staggering total of 689 first-team appearances during two spectacularly successful spells at Moss Lane.
The vast majority were completed with a distinction that earned him his entirely-fitting sobriquet, and there were some that still live in the memory to this day, eight years since he reluctantly hung up his gloves in his early 40s.
Who could forget the catalogue of saves capped by a brilliant penalty stop at Telford or the heroics that helped shape a 3-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round home win over a Nuneaton side who were top of the National League at the time at the start of the millennium?
Now, Alty fans have the chance to see Stuey take his place between the posts one last time after it was agreed a testimonial match should be staged for him at The J.Davidson Stadium on Sunday July 28th, kicking off at 3.30pm.
And what a match it promises to be. It will be nostalgia all the way, as Alty's play-off final winners from 2005 take on their 2014 counterparts, with prominent names from both memorable promotion triumphs stepping out on to the Moss Lane pitch once more to pay tribute to star man Stuey.
Rod Thornley, Gary Scott, Gary Talbot, Val Owen and Eddie Hussain are among a cast of luminaries from the side who beat Eastbourne Borough 2-1 at Stoke City's Britannina Stadium, while James Lawrie, Kyle Perry, Scott Leather, Nicky Clee and Damian Reeves will be joined by others from the 2014 team that pipped Guiseley at a packed J.Davidson Stadium with the most dramatic of last-gasp goals by Greg Wilkinson.
Admission will be just £5 for over-18s, £2 for under-18s and FREE for under-5s - with tickets on sale RIGHT NOW via the link here.
Excitement and anticipation is already mounting for the game, with Alty director Neil Faulkner saying: "Stuart wasn't known as England's number one for nothing, he was a fantastic goalkeeper who was a credit to the club throughout his 689 appearances for us, a record that will never be beaten.
"It was a pleasure and a privilege for me when the board asked me to organise a thoroughly deserved testimonial for Stuart, and when we first sat down with him to discuss it, he asked if 50 per cent of the proceeds could be donated to a charity.
"We were more than happy to go along with that, and it was decided that we would support the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, in memory of Mark Maddox and George Melling, two of our 2005 promotion-winning team who we have sadly lost to this terrible disease. Both players' families will be attending the game to share Stuart's special day.
"It will be special, too, seeing so many familiar names and faces back at the stadium, not least Stuart's, and I hope our supporters turn out in numbers for what promises to be a memorable afternoon. Look out for more information and updates as we have them, here on the club's website and our social media channels."