Welcome
to today's issue of
BOUNDARY
BULLET-zine
The
Daily On-line e-zine for 199
Oldham Athletic Supporters
Worldwide
Today's
Edition for
4th May 2000
Welcome to a new
subscriber in Oldham
Today's
Headlines
Sheridan
to play at Luton
Councillor
Battye loses seat
In the local
elections Oldham Council Leader John Battye lost his seat. More details
tomorrow. Gary
Oldham
Evening Chronicle
Four
more go in Latics clear-out
ATHLETIC
have handed free transfers to four of their first-year professionals. Gareth
Gardiner, Glen Roberts, Darren Wardle and Nathan Wharton have been told
they have no futures at Boundary Park. They
join Ian McLean, David McNiven and Iain Swan in being told they won't be
offered new contracts. And, with Mark Allott, Scott McNiven, Mark Innes,
Matthew Tipton and Paul Beavers all transfer-listed, a total of 12 players
could be leaving as Athletic continue to clear the decks. Athletic, who
last season made an operating loss exceeding £1million, want to reduce
the number of professionals to around 24. There
was a time when the figure reached the upper thirties, something a second
division club of their size and stature cannot sustain. Manager
Andy Ritchie is hoping to bring in a couple of players during the summer,
though that will hinge on the outgoings. Ritchie tonight takes a look at
another player as Liverpool's Neil Murphy appears in the reserves' home
match against Stoke City (7.0). The 19-year-old right back/ wing back is
being released by the Anfield club.
But
French striker Vincent Ehoumen won't be playing tonight after he injured
his ankle early in Tuesday's Manchester Senior Cup final against Manchester
United reserves.Ritchie says he will keep
tabs on the 22-year-old and might possibly invite him back pre-season.
Reserves
(from): Miskelly, Murphy, Haining, McLoughlin, Graham, McLean, Smith, Salt,
Wharton, Froggatt, Walsh, Robertson, Gardiner, Roberts, Hall, Oliver.
JOHN
SHERIDAN, Athletic's player of the year, might make a surprise return in
Saturday's final league match at Luton. The
inspirational midfield player damaged ankle ligaments in the home win against
Wigan and it was thought he would not feature again this season. But Sheridan
is back in training and itching to play. Athletic
are anticipating a 600-strong following at Luton judging from initial coach
bookings which must be made by 5 pm tomorrow. Athletic reported brisk business
as season tickets officially went on sale today. Chief executive Alan Hardy
said the initial response was very encouraging. Fans
have until May 31 to take advantage of the 15 per cent discount and the
Boundary Park ticket office is open 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am-12.30
pm Saturday.
Teamtalk
Oldham
Leeds
link-up latest
The Latics
are still waiting to hear if they can go-ahead with the planned link up
with Leeds United. The Yorkshire club are prepared to pump around £1m
into the coffers over the next five years. The money will fund a centre
of excellence for young talent and in return Leeds will get first choice
on the stars of the future.
Part of the
deal will also allow fringe players to move on loan a proposal which certainly
excites Andy Ritchie. It will be a ground breaking move if it is allowed
to take place and certainly there will be many other lower division clubs
monitoring developments. However, the Football League are still threatening
to block the deal. The major sticking point being Leeds owning a 9.9% share
in the Latics. The sale of shares between clubs is against League rules
but the Latics claim immunity, saying the stakeholder would actually be
Leeds Sporting Youth Development Ltd and not the football club. It's been
a month since the initial proposals were released to the press but despite
having full details the authorities have still not decided one way or the
other and further face-to-face meetings are planned. The Football League
and Premiership committees will therefore meet at the League's headquarters
in Preston on Monday and both David Brierley and Alan Hardy will be present.
Reserve
game
The Latics
reserves are back in action tonight when Stoke City come to Boundary Park
for the final league match of the season. It will give Andy Ritchie the
chance to run the rule over a teenage trialist. That being Neil Murphy
- a 19 year old defender who is being released by Liverpool. The right
back has trained with the Latics for a couple of days and Steve Heighway,
who looks after the Anfield youngsters, feels he was unlucky to he told
that he wasn't going to be kept on.
Trialist
no-go
The Latics
will not be following up their interest in 22 year old French striker Vincent
Ehoumen who played for the reserves last Thursday. The striker picked up
a foot injury in the match and Ritchie said: "we've got no more games left
after tonight and so he has gone home. We might invite him back in pre-season
but it really is a case of wait and see for now."
Luton
Herald & Post
Let's
party!
LENNIE
LAWRENCE is hoping for a party atmosphere at Kenilworth Road on Saturday
as his team look to end the season on a winning note. But the Hatters boss
has warned his side against falling foul of potential party poopers Oldham,
who would finish above Luton if they win Saturday’s game. Lawrence said:
“We can’t catch Bristol City but we can finish 10th with 63 points which
will represent a fantastic performance. I think it’s been a great season
for us. “We’ve already got more points than in the last two seasons with
considerably less players but I don’t want any last-minute anti-climaxes.
“I was happy with Saturday’s win at Wycombe because they’d won their last
two home games and wanted a good farewell for their supporters. “We ruined
that but I don’t want Oldham ruining our day and I made that point after
the game. “Once you think it’s going to be a party somebody comes along
and spoils it, so you’ve got to be professional about it. “I just want
to sign off on a good note.”
Lawrence’s
desire for three points will be reflected in his team selection on Saturday.
The Hatters boss will not be giving squad players a run out and will field
the same side that finished Saturday’s game at Wycombe. That means Liam
George, who replaced the injured Stuart Douglas at half-time, will start
against Oldham. Lawrence said: “I’m not playing untried kids. It’s been
too easy to get on the bench and sometimes in the team at this football
club. “I’m happy to encourage them and we all want them to do well but,
wherever possible, kids are not going to get a cheap place in the side
from now on.”
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