Welcome
to today's issue of
BOUNDARY
BULLET-zine
The
Daily On-line e-zine for 215
Oldham Athletic Supporters
Worldwide
Today's
Edition for
15th May 2000
Welcome to new subscribers
in Great Haywood (near Stafford), Wigan, Adelaide and Melbourne
Today's
Headlines
Oldham
Evening Chronicle
New
doubts over Latics-Leeds link
ATHLETIC’S
plan to join forces with Leeds United is in danger of being scrapped after
the Football League voiced new concerns over the deal. Athletic
have been informed verbally that League officials are still unhappy about
the controversial scheme, which they believe could be in breach of regulations. The
matter was shrouded in mystery this morning as an official explanation
has yet to reach Boundary Park. Leeds have heard nothing since a recent
meeting between all parties, while a League spokesman could provide no
more detail when contacted by the Chronicle. Athletic
were in buoyant mood last week after holding talks with the League, FA
and Premier League over the proposals, which would involve Leeds paying
half the costs of the Boundary Park School of Excellence. Chairman
David Brierley admitted that the sale of Athletic shares — the major stumbling
block — could be abandoned to allow the rest of the £1million plan
to go ahead.
But
today, when faced with the prospect of the whole deal collapsing, Mr Brierley
reacted with dismay. He said: “Our suggestions are the right thing for
the future of English football. “We need
to encourage our own youth as much as possible, rather than young players
from abroad. “All parties applauded us
last week, but now we are waiting to hear something more from the Football
League. “If it’s against their rules,
then their rules should be changed. We will be doing our utmost, as will
Leeds, to make sure everything goes through.” The domestic game’s governing
bodies have all held meetings in the last few days, concluding today with
the FA. As the link-up has been discussed
by all of them, a final decision is expected soon. Athletic’s new home
kit went on sale at Latique today.
Teamtalk Oldham
Graham
decision needed
Oldham
are waiting to hear if Richard Graham has decided to opt for a new contract
or move on a free transfer this summer. The Latics' big 25 year-old defender
has suffered an injury nightmare over the last two seasons, which has caused
him to spend more time on the treatment table than on a football pitch.
He has managed just 15 starts during that time and Graham insisted that
he would be prepared to stay with the club providing that terms were acceptable.
He has been offered a new deal but the club may be taking a financial risk
if they put him on a long-term contract and the deal is likely to have
been a monthly contract based on appearances.
Star's
knee may be the key
Richard
Graham's biggest concern is a knee cartilage injury which ruled him out
for nine months before he made a comeback last September. He played ten
consecutive matches and began to look like the player once valued at around
£500,000. More injuries followed and, despite the continuing setbacks,
Graham may attract strong interest if he turns down the Latics' new offer
and hope to regain his old self.
Transfer-listed
interest
Oldham
have received a number of enquiries for some of their players on the transfer
list. Top scorer Mark Allott and defender Scott McNiven have been mentioned
in telephone conversations. Those calls have been basic checks to see how
much they were earning and how much the club is looking for. Boss Andy
Ritchie is hoping for a busy summer in the transfer market because he wants
to slash his top-heavy squad to a more manageable squad of 25 players.
The boss also wants to bring in some much-needed cash to buy the striker
he so desperately wants.
Leeds
green light awaited
The Latics
are waiting to hear this week if their pioneering plan to link-up with
Leeds United can go ahead. Club officials have been grilled by the bosses
of the Football League, the Premiership and FA and they remain confident
they will get the green light. It has emerged that Leeds are exploring
similar ties with Carlisle and Peterborough, two clubs who also operate
very successful youth policies.
Please start
sending your questions for the Boundary Bullet-zine interview with David
Brierley. Gary.
Contributions
and letters should be sent to Gary
Davies by e-mail at [email protected].Boundary
Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.geocities.com/laticsgary.geo.The
views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic
F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This
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