20th September 2000   

Watson for Bournemouth debut

ATHLETIC boss Andy Ritchie’s bid to strengthen his squad before Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth received the brush off today when Marlon Broomes turned down the chance of a loan move. The highly-rated Blackburn Rovers central defender has instead chosen a loan spell at London club Queens Park Rangers. Broomes began the season in Rovers’ first team, and would have been a timely addition to Athletic’s injury-hit troops. Ritchie was disappointed not to land the pacy 22-year-old, but understands why the player has opted for a division one club ahead of Boundary Park. 

“At this stage of his career Marlon wants to play at the highest possible level,” said Ritchie, who has been chasing the player for most of the week. “So when Gerry Francis offered him the chance to stay in division one, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. We are looking at all the other options. We are a bit light on the left-hand side of defence and that’s an area we are looking to cover.” Ritchie, meanwhile, was today taking a look at Colin Pluck. The 22-year-old trialist is another left-side central defender, and was recommended to Ritchie by former Athletic team-mate Toddy Orlygsson. 

Pluck has been playing his football in Iceland after being transferred by Watford to Morton in February this year. “According to Toddy, Colin made a good impression over there so we decided to bring him back and see what he could do,” said Ritchie. Because of injury or suspension, Athletic are already without John Sheridan, Paul Rickers, Shaun Garnett and Mark Hotte for Saturday’s Nationwide League division two clash. Neil Adams and Matthew Tipton both faces late fitness tests before Saturday’s long trip to Dean Court. Adams missed the midweek Worthington Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday because of a knee ligament problem. Tipton, meanwhile, is recovering from a nasty knock on his pubis bone — in the front part of the pelvis —which was caused when he collided with a metal gate during Tuesday night’s defeat. 

Teamtalk Oldham

The Latics Canadian trialist Mark Watson could be in line for a call-up for Saturday's long trip to Bournemouth. The six-foot defender had a solid game in a reserve team outing on Wednesday night which was watched by boss Andy Ritchie. Ritchie has been concerned about the back line in recent weeks and is keen to strengthen it with players of experience and Watson certainly fits the bill. He was the mainstay of the Oxford United defence last season but rejected a new deal with the U's because they wanted him to quit international football The 30-year-old has been without a club since then but has since signed on non-contract forms which allow him to play in the League. Watson trained at Boundary Park last month with his Canadian colleague Carlo Corazzin at a time when new signings were ruled out because of lack of money at the club but since then the Latics have sold Stuart Thom, while Paul Beavers has gone on a free and Steve Whitehall is out on loan. That has given the Boundary Park chief more room to manoeuvre and he was able to invite Watson for trials with a view to making it a permanent deal if he impresses.

The Latics have reported a profit in their annual financial report. The figure of £95,421 might not seem a lot, but put it next to the last campaign when they were £3.2M in the red, and its significance is remarkable. An overdraft which also stood at a massive £1.76M is now down to a manageable £58,000. Much of it was achieved by the sale of the ground and surrounding land for just over £3M. The Latics, however, still owe creditors just over £700,000. Chairman David Brierley describes the financial turnaround as a "significant improvement."

The Latics' reserve team game at Stalybridge ended in a 1-0 defeat and Huddersfield Town going home with all three points. Town secured the points midway through the first half thanks to a goal from Delroy Stacey. The Latics second string have now won only one game from three in the Avon Insurance League Premier Division.