Season ticket discount end's Saturday

 Richard Graham has turned down the offer of a new contract at the club. In a letter to the Latics his agent described the terms on offer as unacceptable. However, after further talks with Andy Ritchie the defender is now thinking over an improved deal. His current four year contract is up this summer and the Latics want him to stay on, but the main problem surrounds the player's fitness. In each of the last two season's he has managed only fifteen starts and the club feels that it is too much of a risk to offer him another long term deal.

 The Latics have taken on the first trainees from abroad, the new recruits being a keeper and midfielder from Finland. Toni Leonoff and Mikko Muurimaki both play for top Finnish Club FA Jokerit who are based in Helsinki. The Latics have forged close links with the club over the last few seasons and both players have accepted the offer of a new three year scholarship. Muurimaki has spent two trial spells at Boundary Park whilst Leonoff has been over once. The Latics have also watched them play in Finland with Chief scout Ron Millward saying: "There is intense competition for young players and you have to spread your net far and wide to find the best."

 The Latics have started their search for a new Director of Youth, with initial interviews due to start on Thursday. The club are looking for a successor to Peter Lowe whose contract was terminated in March. Andy Ritchie will sit on the interview panel. There is a short list of six at the present time and the quality of applicants is said to be very high.

OLDHAM Athletic’s boom in season ticket sales continues to grow. The Latics have now sold 160 per cent more than at the same stage last season. Chief executive Alan Hardy said: ‘‘We are now selling to first time buyers and that is a very encouraging sign. ‘‘We had a good second half to last season and it seems that expectations for the future are high.’’ The deadline for a 15 per cent discount on season tickets ends this weekend.