15th August 2000
15th August 2000 SCOTT McNiven makes a shock comeback for Athletic tonight only a month after suffering a broken cheekbone. The defender was expected to be out for up to eight weeks, but his recovery has been quick and he will line up in the reserves’ league opener against Wolves. McNiven, who picked up the injury while helping to train an amateur side in Blackpool, did not take part in any of Athletic’s pre-season friendlies and will need a few matches to regain his sharpness. But, as it was a facial injury, he was able to keep his fitness level high and could be ready for a first-team return by the end of the month. With Stuart Thom on loan at Scunthorpe — the big centre-back made his debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Macclesfield — Athletic are short of cover at the back. They only have Ben Futcher to step into the centre and will be pleased to welcome back McNiven, who is on the transfer list and playing on a weekly contract.
The reserves’ opening match in the Avon Insurance League (formerly Pontins League) is their first back at Bower Fold, the home of Stalybridge Celtic. Danny Boshell is named in midfield, while Matthew Tipton and Craig Dudley, who was axed from the first-team squad at weekend, will play up front. Ryan Sugden, Paul Beavers and Danny Walsh miss out with muscle strains. Reserves: Miskelly, Futcher, McNiven, Haining, Tait, Smith, Doran, Salt, Boshell, Tipton, Dudley. Subs: Campbell, Froggatt, Duncan, Otto, AN Other.
Athletic are providing free transport to the match, with a Barlows coach leaving the back of the Ellen Group stand at 6 10pm. It then picks up at Pentagon Vauxhall, Park Road (6.15) and the junction of Abbeyhills Road and Lees New Road (6.20). Kick-off is at seven o’clock and admission prices are £3 for adults and £2 for juniors and OAPs.
ATHLETIC fans have until Friday to apply for a place at a fans’ forum to be attended by the manager, chairman, chief executive and possibly a member of the local authority. To make the audience representative, applications marked `Fans’ Forum’ are invited from season-ticket holders, shareholders and members of the Supporters’ Association, Executive Club and Junior Latics. It will be staged on September 7 and, if there are more applications than the Boundary Park sponsors’ lounge can seat, a ballot will take place. Athletic say they will write to fans confirming their attendance and, to allow them to research answers, also ask the nature of their planned questions.
I’m so happy to stay, says Allott
MARK ALLOTT has spoken for the first time about his contract wrangle at Athletic and admitted: “I’m relieved it’s all over”. Allott came off the transfer list on the eve of the new season when he reached a compromise over personal terms and signed a deal up to 2003. The 22-year-old, who was valued at around £500,000, showed his importance to the team by celebrating with a goal in the 4-1 hammering of Port Vale. He now aims to put the six-month dispute behind him and form a deadly partnership with new-boy Carlo Corazzin — a player he expects to have a major impact at the club. But Allott, who began his career as a Boundary Park trainee, insists he never wanted to leave Athletic in the first place.
He said: “I didn’t think I would be playing for anyone else this season. “There were just one or two little things that were causing a problem, but we managed to sort them out and I’m really happy to stay. “The whole thing had been dragging on for too long and it was playing on my mind. “I expected something to happen at the end of last season and, when it got closer to the new season starting, I decided to do something about it.” Along with Scott McNiven, Allott was listed in February when deadlock was reached in his contract talks. Athletic said they couldn’t afford to raise the offer, while their top scorer — who was not thought to be among the higher earners — decided to stand his ground. Several managers took note of the situation, including Preston’s David Moyes, but no firm offers were made before Allott agreed to play on a week-by-week basis.
He then suggested re-opening negotiations and, within 48 hours, the ink was drying on a three-year deal. “It has given me peace of mind,” explained the Middleton-based player. “It’s a relief that I can start looking forward again and thinking about the new season. “It made a difference that Carlo was signed because he showed what he could do as soon as he started training with us. “He is the kind of player I’d like to stay up front with and I’m really hoping we can hit it off. “We needed more competition for places and this puts pressure on us all, which should be a big help. “This is the strongest team we have had for a couple of years and the partnership up front will be very important to how the season goes.” Allott notched 11 goals last term, but he was hit by a persistent hamstring injury and didn’t score after February. His returns have improved with each passing season and playing alongside a seasoned marksman can only help his game.
If
he and Corazzin claim a combined total of around 35 league goals — and,
on past evidence, they are well capable of that — Athletic should be in
contention for the play-offs. They already
have one apiece after Saturday’s winning start. And it was encouraging
for Andy Ritchie that both strikers were on target within 70 minutes of
the big kick-off. Ritchie, who believes
Allott should become a 20-goals-a-season man, is pleased to be the manager
charged with tapping into his potential. He
said: “It’s good news that he has decided to stay, especially for a decent
period like three years. “It was influenced
by Carlo, but I also reassured him that we wouldn’t stand in his way if
a big club came along. “He has security
now, as well as the knowledge that the club won’t stop him moving — that’s
something we never do anyway. “It’s a
good deal for everyone and I think he and Carlo can form a great partnership.”
Teamtalk
Oldham
They will use two goalkeepers, with former Port Vale keeper Paul Musselwhite and Dutchman Frank van der Geest each playing 45 minutes. Van der Geest is from the same Dutch club, Heracles, as Quaker striker Ton Kaak. Frenchmen Lenit Zezu and Christophe Raymond will also play. Striker Zezu impressed with two goals against South Shields last week and if he does impresses again Bennett may think about a permanent deal. "I want to see what the pair of them are like against stronger opposition than what we've faced so far,'' he admitted. "Lenit certainly knows where the goal is, and he could give us a new dimension. Christophe has a slight Achilles problem, but he should play."Even if we do decide to go ahead and sign them, it will be a big jump to the Football League, and we'll have to work on their fitness."