Ponting backs Altrincham

There aren't too many English football clubs that have Australian cricketers amidst their supporters, but Altrincham have managed to recruit Ricky Ponting. The fact that the Australians are taken around in a coach owned and driven by the Alty chairman might have had something to do with it.

This from the Altrincham OS:

Ricky Ponting is determined to keep Altrincham's Blue Square Conference campaign on the front foot and has agreed to host a gala fund-raising evening for the club later this month.

The Australia skipper, widely regarded as the world's greatest batsman, will break off from preparations for the one-day international at Trent Bridge to share his thoughts with Alty fans at a dinner at on Monday, September 14.

Alty chairman Geoff Goodwin, who has formed a close friendship with Ponting and other members of the Aussie squad after driving them round the country during the last two Ashes series, explained: 'They've got a one-dayer with England the following day, but Ricky still readily agreed to attend the dinner because he wants to do all he can to help generate funds for the club.

'He's bringing some of his team-mates with him, and he's going to do a question-and-answer session and tell a few anecdotes. Not only that, he is providing some memorabilia that will be auctioned to raise funds. It's a great gesture but typical of the man.'

Ponting, who was recently given shares in the club by Goodwin, underlined his growing affinity to Altrincham by saying: 'I am delighted to be a shareholder, and I really enjoyed my recent visit to Moss Lane for the game against a Manchester United X1. The team played very well that night and have started the season really positively, and I want to make a contribution that will help support the manager Graham Heathcote to be as competitive as possible in what is a very tough league.'

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