Who Are... Altrincham FC?
Altrincham were founder members of the Alliance Premier League when it first kicked off back in the late 1970s, and for two successive seasons, they were arguably the top non-league side in Britain. Times, however, have changed since those days and now Altrincham have found themselves struggling at the wrong end of the Blue Square Premier and have now had to rely on a reprieve three seasons running to stave off relegation from the top tier of the non-league pyramid.

Karl Marx once claimed that history always repeats itself; the first time as tragedy, the second as farce. Quite where Altrincham fit into this is open to debate, as it has been the case that the demise of three other clubs in as many years has ensured the Cheshire side stayed in the Blue Square Premier. It appears incredulous that the side has received so many stays of execution, and equally so that they have failed to learn the lessons of previous years. In 2009, that luck must surely run out.

Altrincham have rarely been cut adrift by a large margin, and so may have the luck in earning that extra point or two that keeps them up legitimately going into the forthcoming season. But in truth it will be a struggle, with the continuing growth between the top sides and those at the bottom end. The teams coming up from Blue Square North and South respectively are each capable of holding their own, and it could yet again prove to be a bumpy ride for the boys from Moss Lane.

BoroGuide Prediction: 23rd