15th March 2000     

Second string draw

RICHARD GRAHAM has given Athletic some cheer on the injury front as they prepare for Saturday's home match against Bristol City. The unlucky defender expects to be passed fit to play after recovering following a freak accident at home. Graham (25) slipped and strained his groin last week having a kick-about in the garden with his son. "I am a lot better and should be all right for Saturday,'' explained Graham at last night's reserve-team match against Birmingham City which ended in a 1-1 draw. Athletic boss, Andy Ritchie, will continue to monitor Graham's progress in the build-up to the weekend. 

He said: "Richard's done what he can with the physio. It's now a case of how he goes on from here and if there's any reaction to the problem." Graham's injury, which ruled him out of Saturday's league match at Wycombe, was the latest mishap to strike the player. After battling his way back from major knee surgery, he then suffered a back injury. There were some pleasing performances by Athletic's youngsters against a far more experienced Birmingham side last night _giving Ritchie plenty to think about in the build-up to Saturday's game. David Miskelly again excelled in goal, Paul Beavers did well in his new role as central defender while Stuart Thom and Ben Futcher, who were alongside him, were solid as Athletic defended resolutely. Danny Boshell was lively and industrious in midfield while left wing-back Ben Smith was involved in some good attacking play.

A DECISION will be taken tonight that could see 300 houses built on Boundary Park if the Clayton playing fields land-swop deal fails. Planning Committee members are meeting to discuss fallback proposals from the council’s joint-venture company, Hiretarget. It has submitted an outline application for residential development on 8.9 hectares of land behind Sheepfoot Lane. It includes Oldham Athletic Football Club, the training ground and car-parking area. However, if the land-swop goes ahead, with Oldham Athletic transferring its ground to the Sports Park 2000 stadium at Clayton playing fields, planning bosses say this application would become irrelevant. However, if the deal falls through, then the decision tonight could prove important.

Mr Keith Coates, Director of Economic Development, said: “At the moment there is no certainty that the new stadium can go ahead. If it doesn’t happen on there and Oldham Athletic want a new stadium elsewhere then the question is what do you do with Boundary Park? “If you have got a fair amount of money invested, you need to establish all the potential uses for the land.” The proposals have been recommended for approval by council officers. If it gets the go-ahead, they hope to include an element of affordable housing as outlined in the Housing Needs Survey. However, objections have been received from the Royal Oldham Hospital, which says that vital car parking would be lost, and the Sports Council, which says the plan is contrary to its policy. The Ramblers’ Association has also objected, claiming insufficient information has been provided.

Four neighbours have also complained over the loss of green space and the increase in traffic.

A strong Birmingham reserve team failed to make a return to winning ways as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic last night. Birmingham, whose run of three successive wins came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers last week, were this time forced to share the spoils with the Latics in the Pontins League Premier Division clash. Peter Ndlovu was on the mark again for Birmingham as he stepped up his claims to return to being a regular in the first-team plans of boss Trevor Francis. The Blues also used the game to launch the comebacks after long-term injury problems of striker Paul Furlong and central defender Darren Wassall. But the duo will need more reserve team action before Francis will be able to consider them for possible first-team returns.