Welcome to today's issue of 
BOUNDARY BULLET-zine
 
The Daily On-line e-zine for 158 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
     16th March 2000     
 
 
Today's Headlines
 Oldham Evening Chronicle 
Latics axe falls on youth boss

ATHLETIC have sacked Peter Lowe, the club’s director of youth development. The former teacher from North Chadderton School has had his contract terminated by the Boundary Park board. Chairman David Brierley stressed it had nothing to do with the operation of the club’s Centre of Excellence. “I don’t want to go into detail. Suffice to say I was not happy with certain happenings on the administrative side, and he is no longer part of our organisation,” explained Mr Brierley. Chris Williams, a director of the Centre of Excellence, takes temporary charge until a new appointment is made. Mr Brierley added that the centre will continue to function as normal as they have able people in control. 

Lowe initially worked for the club on a part-time basis but became a full-time employee nearly three years ago when he succeeded Jim Cassell after he moved to Manchester City. Lowe said: “There is nothing I want to say other than I have enjoyed my seven and a half years with the club. “I feel I have learned an awful lot about both administration and coaching and would like to thank the club for giving me those opportunities. “The chairman is entitled to his views and I respect them in his position.” 

Meanwhile Athletic’s preparations for Saturday’s home game against Bristol City are progressing smoothly. Manager Andy Ritchie will have a couple of extra defensive options with Shaun Garnett back after suspension and Richard Graham returning from injury. After the team kept a clean sheet at Wycombe last Saturday it will be interesting to see what, if any, changes Ritchie makes. Scott McNiven, Mark Hotte and Paul Jones were the three central defenders on duty at Adams Park. 

Homes on park plan is on hold

THE decision to allow 300 houses to be built on land covering Boundary Park if the Clayton Playing Fields land-swop deal fails was deferred. Councillors voted to put off the decision until after a site visit. The outline application was for a residential development on the 8.9 hectare site. The proposals are a fallback position for the council’s joint venture company Hiretarget, which now owns the land. If the land-swop deal goes ahead, with Oldham Athletic transferring its ground to the Sports Park 2000 stadium, the application would be irrelevant. However, if the deal falls through, the committee’s eventual decision could prove important.

 Teamtalk Oldham 
Graham injury boost

 Richard Graham has recovered from a groin injury sustained in a freak accident at home, and should be fit to face Bristol City on Saturday. The injury-jinxed defender expects to be passed fit after slipping and straining his groin whilst having a kick-about with his son in the garden. The 25 year-old insisted: "I am a lot better and it is getting easier by the day so I should be ready for Saturday." Andy Ritchie will monitor the player's progress in the build-up to the weekend and will probably put him through a late fitness test before deciding whether to play him.  "Richard has done what he can with the physio, it is now a case of how he goes on from here and if there is any reaction to the problem," he said.

Duo expected to return


 Centre-back Shaun Garnett and striker Matthew Tipton are back in contention for selection after serving suspensions.
Garnett missed only the last game but Tipton is back after sitting out a four-match ban. The return gives Andy Ritchie more selection options as the Latics try to steer themselves to safety.

Pitch solution sought


 Experts have told the Latics that the only guarantee to solve their current pitch problem is to replace the top three inches of the turf. That could cost up to £100,000 - a figure the club have already decided they cannot afford. The pitch is holding water and one first team and two reserve matches have been lost recently because of a waterlogged surface.  The club have therefore decided to have the pitch vent-drained which means digging sand-filled trenches a metre apart. This should help drain surface water and hopefully cure the problem at a cheaper cost of £20,000.
Press Association 
Graham boost for Latics 
 
Oldham's Richard Graham could return to face Bristol City at Boundary Park. Graham is doubtful after suffering a freak groin injury while playing football in the back garden of his home with his son. Shaun Garnett and Matthew Tipton are back in contention and could be handed a place in the side. Meanwhile, striker Mark Allott is not expected to be included despite a return to action, he is short of match fitness. Bristol City caretaker-boss Tony Fawthrop will be hoping his men can continue their run of form. City booked their place at Wembley in the Auto Windscreens Shield in midweek. The Robins can look forward to a final showdown with either Rochdale or Stoke but must first turn their attentions back to the league. Brian Tinnion and Mickey Bell could be back in contention after missing the 1-1 second leg draw at Exeter which sealed a 5-1 aggregate win. Keeper Steve Phillips will continue in place of the injured Billy Mercer.
 
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