14th September 2000   

Jobbo for return?

RICHARD JOBSON could make an emotional return to Boundary Park as Athletic search for a defender to sign on loan. Manager Andy Ritchie has several players in mind for the problem position of centre-half and Jobson (36) fits the bill. The Manchester City star, who left Athletic five years ago, has spent the season in the reserves and could be surplus to Joe Royle’s requirements. Athletic — saddled with the league’s joint-worst defensive record — hope to sign their former favourite in time for the weekend visit of Bristol City. Ritchie confirmed: “I have made quite a few phone calls about players and Richard Jobson is one of them. “We need to bring someone in and I’m waiting to hear about it from City, hopefully today.” 

Jobson, a former England `B’ international, played 189 league games for Athletic before joining Leeds for £800,000. Despite serious injury problems in the past, he hardly missed a match last season as City were promoted to the Premiership. After losing 5-0 at Reading on Tuesday, Athletic are looking to replace broken-hand victim Shaun Garnett, who will be out for three weeks. They could also be without Gary Kelly on Saturday as the experienced ‘keeper has a shin injury. The continuing fuel crisis has put the match in doubt as Athletic may not be able to call on enough fire and safety stewards. They usually operate with a minimum of 50, plus police, paramedics and St John Ambulance staff. 

Club officials are trying to get in touch with all stewards so they can judge whether sufficient numbers are available. Every club must comply with strict safety conditions and chief executive Alan Hardy admitted: “The game is in the balance.” A decision will be made as soon as possible as Bristol City are due to begin their journey at 10 am tomorrow. Mr Hardy added: “We cannot, and we will not, endanger the public. Crowd safety is our paramount concern.” Transfer-listed striker Steve Whitehall has had talks about a move to Conference club Chester City. Whitehall, who would go for free, was contacted by Chester boss Graham Barrow, under whom he played at Rochdale. 

TEAMtalk Bristol City

Darren Dunning has accepted a chance to gain more League experience by staying at Ashton Gate for a second month.
The 19-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfield player agreed to remain with City on loan after talks with Danny Wilson last night. Blackburn boss Graeme Souness had already given his consent and Wilson welcomed the decision. The first game of the second loan spell will be at Oldham Athletic on Saturday and Wilson said: "Darren has done very well for us and is part of my first choice midfield. He is very happy to stay on and that is good news at a time when we are hit by injuries." Dunning has played in all five City League games so far this season, forming a promising partnership with Paul Holland in central midfield. But he had to sit out the Worthington Cup games against Brentford because Blackburn did not want him cup-tied. Souness made it clear when first agreeing to loan Dunning that it was a move designed to give him more first team experience. He is rated highly at Ewood Park and remains ambitious to break into Blackburn's senior side. 

Bristol Evening Post

Bristol City chairman John Laycock is adamant the club will beat the fuel crisis and play at Oldham Athletic on Saturday. Petrol shortages are threatening to disrupt this weekend's sporting programme and the Football League is bracing itself for a spate of call-offs. But Laycock today insisted that City's Second Division fixture at Oldham was safe. "As far as I'm concerned, our coach operator is able to get us there and back without any problems. "I have had a call from one of our staff today finalising the menu for the players on board the coach, so there does not appear to be a problem. "But I sympathise with other clubs who are experiencing difficulties in fulfilling fixtures. The situation is causing chaos." City were forced to postpone Tuesday's home fixture against Brentford when many of their stewards were unable to make it to the ground.

That decision upset Brentford manager Ron Noades, who was today seeking clarification from the League over the postponement. Of 33 League games scheduled for that night, City's was the only one to be called off and Noades suspects that the Robins' poor run of form was the real reason for it. But League spokesman John Nagle today backed City, saying: "In the circumstances, we felt this action was justified." Meanwhile, City manager Danny Wilson has successfully extended Darren Dunning's loan spell for a further month. But the 19-year-old midfielder is highly thought of at Blackburn Rovers and a permanent move to Ashton Gate is extremely unlikely. Wilson said: "Darren has done well for us and, as things stand, is part of my first-choice midfield. He is very happy to stay and that is good news." But an attempt to re-sign Blackburn keeper Alan Miller for a second loan spell ended in failure.

Blackburn recalled Miller before the end of his first month on loan at Ashton Gate due to an injury to their back-up keeper John Filan. Given injuries to Steve Phillips and Billy Mercer, Wilson was keen to bring Miller back to Ashton Gate. "Unfortunately, Blackburn do not have sufficient cover to allow Alan to go. It's just one of those things," added Wilson. "But Phillips has made a good recovery from the knee injury he picked up against Swindon and will be okay for the game at Oldham." Full back Gerard Lavin is on the mend after having stitches inserted in a shin wound last weekend and could still play at Boundary Park.