This coming Saturday is Non-League Day, a celebration of everything that is great about the Altrincham Community, and we intend to celebrate in style, with a whole host of fun-filled events before, during and after our Vanarama National League fixture with Aldershot.
If you are planning a family day out this weekend, particularly with young children, you could not wish for anything more fitting or appealing than the timetable of treats the club are currently drawing up.
One of the day’s highlights will be the opening attraction of a free kids party, hosted by children's entertainer Pete Scotson, in the Community Sports Hall from midday to 1pm.
All you need to do is purchase match tickets for the game against Aldershot, and entry to the party is free, as part of a packed afternoon of activities that will keep the whole family thoroughly entertained.
It can be better value than ever, if you access the National Lottery scheme, announced last week, where you can buy a match ticket and get one free if you present an active lottery ticket, meaning the cost for a family of four (two adults and two under-12s) would be as little as £21 (£17 + one adult free + £2 + £2).
Once you arrive, it's party time for the kids, while mum or dad or both can avail themselves of the well-stocked CSH bar's wide range of refreshments!
Anyone who has attended one of Pete's parties, perhaps in his guise as boss of Kids Disco Parties, will know the accent is always firmly on fun, with plenty of dancing and games.
As an added attraction, there will also be face painting in the Community Sports Hall, courtesy of Vixfacepainting, from 12.30-4pm. Your kids will just love it, and it will hardly be a chore for you, seeing their smiling faces, knowing they are in expert hands and relaxing with a beer or two or glass of wine.
Talking of wine, we have an extra special surprise for all the mums out there, a sort of early Mother’s Day treat, 24 hours ahead of the day that's set aside for spoiling you rotten.
It comes in the form of a free glass of bubbly to celebrate the day and thank you for everything you do for your children – including bringing them to Altrincham Football Club!
The mums attending the party can enjoy their free fizz during the fun and games, while all other mums attending the match can grab their free glass up to 2.30pm in the Community Sports Hall.
And that is not all!
All children will receive a party bag, including a photo of an Alty player. Before the game starts and afterwards, there will be ample opportunity to get their photos signed by all their favourite players.
Football freestyler Chris Draper will also be in attendance, and there will be the opportunity for some of the children to go on the pitch at half-time and practice some of the dazzling skills and tricks he will perform for the crowd.