Leeds deal on hold

 Paul Jones says he aims to repay the faith shown in him by the Latics by helping them launch a promotion bid next season. The 21-year-old Scouser, who has  been the 'find of the season' at Boundary Park this term, is hoping he can take his impressive form into the new campaign and spark some success next season.
"I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Boundary Park. The lads are great and just being involved in the first team has made me hungry for success."
Jones thought his chance in the professional game has passed him by when he was shown the door by his local club Tranmere Rovers. He slipped into non-league soccer with Barrow and then Leigh, but was spotted by Latics' number two Bill Urmson who brought him to Boundary Park. After a couple of impressive displays for the second string, boss Andy Ritchie gave him a contract until the end of the season and Jones repaid him with fine run in the side for the last 14 games of the campaign. Now he is hoping to further establish himself in the side and justify the Latics' backing in him next season.

 Wigan's progress in the play-offs is being closely watched by the Latics' commercial department. Having already lost three local derby games with the promotion of both Burnley and Preston and the relegation of Blackpool, there is a fear that a fourth could not be on its way. With Wigan having made it thought to the final of the Second Division play-offs against Gillingham, their promotion would represent another massive financial loss to the Latics. Walsall, Port Vale and Swindon are the sides coming down with the likes of Swansea, Rotherham, Northampton and, possibly, Darlington or Peterborough. There are no potential big gates amongst that lot, so there are obvious concerns on the cash front. However, optimists by the same token may also feel that it would be an easier division for the Latic's to get out of come next season.

Leeds' planned youth initiative with Oldham has been put on the back burner - but it could be boiling again before the summer is out. Elland Road chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed that plans to take a 9.9% stake in the Lancashire outfit contravene current Football League regulations. Leeds were hoping to use their cash injection to help fund Oldham's centre of excellence for an initial five-year period, with the money likely to ensure the Latics gain full academy status in the near future. But though the project has hit immediate problems, Ridsdale is confident it will get the go-ahead.

"As is stands, the deal breaches Football League rules about being involved in more than one club," said Ridsdale, who added that he had been given hope for the future. "Everyone sympathises with the plan because it would be good for English football. "It was never going to be completely straightforward but we have been told that the relevant football bodies are going to amend their rules at their annual general meetings, which would allow us to proceed. "I fully expect we will continue with this project and I have told Oldham to carry on as agreed." Current rules restrict teams to signing under-16 players from within a 90-minute radius of that club's academy. By linking with Oldham, Leeds would be able to keep a keen eye on young talent which is emerging in Lancashire and tap into a region without a Premier League representative.

Under the scheme if fans introduce one new season ticket holder to the club they will be given a 10 per cent reduction, two new members a 20 per cent reduction and so on up to ten friends when they would be given their season ticket FREE. There are 1,198 season tickets available for next season in the South Stand. And fans in those seats will be transferred to the new West Stand at no extra cost. Welcoming the scheme BSA fans group spokesman Mark Tunesi predicts a big take-up if as expected Pool are given planning permission for the new stadium on Monday. “This initiative is a great idea. Karl is giving fans an incentive. “I think people will wait to see what happens on Monday before they commit themselves. But I would urge people to get down to Bloomfield Road and get their season tickets bought.” And Tunesi said fans welcomed McMahon’s first summer dip into the transfer market. “Milligan is a good signing. I just hope it doesn’t mean that Wayne Gill doesn’t stay.”