SPECULATION that Liam Watson is on Altrincham's most wanted list has been denied after stories in th (From Warrington Guardian)

SPECULATION that Liam Watson is on Altrincham's most wanted list has been denied after stories in th

Watson, who scored 41 times last season, has continued in the same vein this year and Altrincham are said to be keen on him.

But Derek Brownbill said: "The first I knew about it was when I read the paper this weekend.

"I say every player is for sale and if Altrincham made an offer that was beneficial for Runcorn then we would sell Liam Watson, but it would have to be a hell of an offer. But there has been no approach."

And Altrincham manager Bernard Taylor denied that his club was about to make a bid: "I haven't made a bid and I'm surprised it was in the paper.

"What was said was what a good player Liam Watson was and that was it. If you had money to sign players, you would sign Liam because he's such a nice lad, but that's all."

Reflecting on the weekend defeat, Derek Brownbill said: "I think unlucky's a fair word. I felt for the players, they couldn't have given any more.

"Whitby had three attacks and scored three goals. We should have comfortably won that game and I am disappointed we didn't."

A feature of the game was Runcorn's unwillingness to shoot when chances presented themselves, and Derek explains that thus: "It's the same for supporters. The longer you don't win at home, you do get a bit tense.

"Players who would normally be carefree probably get a little bit anxious and think they'll just make sure or pass it to someone in a better position."

Next up is an FA Trophy tie against Hyde, and Derek is confident: "Altrincham are one of the strongest sides in the league but we haven't played anybody who is better than us."

Runcorn vs Hyde, Canal Street, Saturday 3PM.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.