Finnish youngsters join Athletic

ATHLETIC have broken new ground by recruiting their first trainees from overseas. Goalkeeper Mikko Muurimaki and midfield player Toni Leonoff, two players from Finland, are among the new 11-strong intake. The pair, who have accepted Athletic's offer of a three-year scholarship, are from top Finnish club FC Jokerit, the Helsinki-based side West Ham played in the Inter-Toto Cup last summer and with whom Athletic have forged close links. Muurimaki has spent two trial spells at Boundary Park while Leonoff has been over once. Athletic's scouts have also seen the pair play in Finland. Ron Millward, Athletic's chief youth scout, pointed out this is the first time they have gone down this road. "There is intense competition for young players and you have to spread your net far and wide to find the best," explained Millward, who was with first-team coach Bill Urmson scouting in Dublin last weekend. Athletic's nine other trainees are all from within a 30-mile radius and include Bardsley boy Danny Chadderton, a wide right-sided player. The other players are right-back Michael Davenport (Audenshaw); midfield player Danny Hall (Dukinfield); midfield player Scott Vernon (Stockport); full-back Gareth Wademan (Rossendale); defender Karl Lavery (Burnley); striker Lee Maturine (Huddersfield); striker Paul O'Grady (Newton Heath) and central defender Rudi Muscovitch (Stockport). Athletic's centre of excellence under-13 and 14 teams are off to Scotland next week to play matches against Queen of the South, Ayr and Kilmarnock.

 Mathew Tipton's superb end of season form has been rewarded with an international call-up. The young Latics striker has been named in the Wales under-21 squad. He will take part in a triangular tournament against Northern Ireland and Scotland in Belfast next week. Tipton has clearly impressed by scoring three times in Oldham's last six games. Until then, the 19-year-old forward had been having an indifferent season and had been told by boss Andy Ritchie to "sort himself out." By early April the youngster still hadn't found the net but a first team injury crisis handed him another chance.  Wigan were the visitors when Tipton opened his account, capping a fantastic performance. Goals followed against Notts County and Luton Town as the hitman struck a rich vein of form. Ritchie said: "The Wigan game was his best performance for a long time. "It was the first time he had really shown me what he can do." The Latics boss added: "Matthew is a young lad with immense talent. I am sure that he can prove himself in the long term and there is no better place to do it than on the international stage. Tipton was transfer listed just before deadline day and, although he still has three years left on his contract at Boundary Park, his recent form may have saved him from the axe.

 Andrew Holt's fine form saw him shoot to number one spot in the Carling Opta Second Division chart. Latics wing-back Holt is another youngster ending his season on a high note. The 21-year-old showed his best displays of the campaign and, as an added bonus, also found the net twice. Carling Opta, whose statisticians provide ratings based on form, gave Holt it's top spot for defenders. Holt also created a stir with top clubs. Liverpool and Celtic had scouts watching the Manchester born player on several occasions and Oldham would surely find it difficult to hold onto such a fine prospect if the right offer comes in during the summer.

 Following the Second Division promotion and relegation battles, Oldham could be left with just one derby next season. And that could hit the clubs coffers hard, with an estimated £100,000 being lost through these lack of large attendance fixtures. Preston and Burnley have secured their places in the First Division, while Blackpool were relegated.  If Wigan overcome Gillingham in Sunday's play-off Final, the Latics will be left with Bury as their only Lancashire derby. Oldham's Chief Executive, Alan Hardy said: "Those are our four biggest guaranteed gates of the season. The blow to our budget could be anything up to £100,000."
Swindon, Walsall and Port Vale's travelling fans are hardly likely to match the numbers of the departed local teams.

 Season ticket sales continues to rocket with an estimated 160% rise on the same date last year. The number of first time buyers is also encouraging news for the Latics and the extra income will ease the worries of the cash strapped club. The 15% discount currently in operation is due to end on May 31 and club officials are expecting big rush as the deadline day approaches.