9th May 2000   

Ritchie's thoughts on the season

ATHLETIC'S joint venture with Leeds has moved a step closer after top-level talks with the game's governing bodies. A special meeting was held yesterday and Boundary Park chairman David Brierley was happy with the "positive" outcome. No final decision was made as the stumbling block — the proposed sale of Athletic shares to Leeds United's parent company — must be dealt with at a separate meeting. It is possible that the share deal will be scrapped, but the two clubs would still go ahead with their plans for developing young talent. Athletic and Leeds officials were joined by the FA, the Football League and the Premier League as details of the scheme were discussed. It revolves around Leeds paying half of Athletic's School of Excellence costs so that the clubs can jointly attract the best teenagers around. 

Mr Brierley said: "All parties, without exception, were strongly in favour of what we propose. "They also appreciate the line we have taken in not trying to hide anything. "We were very open about our intentions, which isn't always the case with clubs who have gone down this sort of path. "Everyone was pleased with our openness and I'm very hopeful that part of the plan will be rubber-stamped within the next two weeks. We have had a lot of compliments about the initiative we have taken and I'm very proud that the idea came from Oldham, rather than Leeds. "Leeds were clear that they want to work with British players instead of importing youngsters from abroad. And I believe a negative result would send out all the wrong signals." The second half of the venture would see a 9.9 per cent stake in Athletic being bought by Leeds Sporting Youth Development, a company inextricably linked with the Elland Road giants.

The Football League are worried that this would break their rules on shares changing hands between clubs. When the matter is debated in the next few weeks, Athletic will argue that the deal isn't technically between two football clubs. But Mr Brierley confirmed that it will not be allowed to jeopardise the School of Excellence scheme, which now looks certain to be given the green light. Meanwhile, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is hoping to tie up the appointment of Brian Kidd as the club's youth development supervisor by the end of the week. Kidd played a key role in developing Manchester United's England stars David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville and Nicky Butt when he was assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. 

ANDY RITCHIE’S second season in management was one of progress and pride — but also frustration. While Ritchie believes his demands and ideas are beginning to hit home, he is also convinced that the team’s appalling start to the season — the worst in the club’s history — cost them a realistic chance of aiming for promotion. “I wouldn’t say we were unconcerned by what was happening,” Ritchie said. “But no-one took us to the cleaners and we were playing well enough to get better results. “If we’d got a few points from those early games — say nine or 10 to get a decent start — we might have been able to find that extra effort to go close. “If we’d been pushing for the play-offs, it would also have been an encouragement to bring someone in on loan. “That might have given us another push but, given our position, I wasn’t going to sign someone just for the sake of it. “After that start, we got into a run of three defeats in 17 games. “That was obviously much better, but the position could still have been healthier if some of the draws had been wins.

“What does please me is the fact that our football is better than it was when I took over. “I like to attack and we have seen more of that, especially in away games. “That’s unfortunate and it still baffles us why we aren’t the same team at home. “Whether it’s something about the way teams play when they come here, or whether it’s about our preparation, I don’t know. It’s something else to muse over during the summer. “Even so, our home form has been better than last year, which is a positive, and we are looking a lot more solid at the back. “Although we leaked goals I didn’t expect us to leak, the players are working as a unit and they have got the system down quite well. “Paul Jones and Mark Hotte have been real finds for us in defence and they are two of the bonuses from the season. “Mark has been a revelation considering he was probably going to leave the club last summer. “And Paul’s form has made him a permanent fixture, which helps because the two of them have pace and they also work well with Shaun Garnett, who is our rock. “The current squad isn’t far away from staging a challenge next season, but we definitely need a good striker who knows the game — maybe even two of them.

“Ryan Sugden is learning his trade, Craig Dudley can still look very naive and Steve Whitehall scored 11 goals but didn’t have the best of seasons. “Mark Allott is the best we have at holding up the ball but, with him being on the transfer list, we don’t know whether he’ll be here to fulfil the potential which could make him a 20-goals-a-season man. “Apart from up front, we are covered in every position except the left-hand side. “John Sheridan is still a big player for us in midfield, but Danny Boshell came in towards the end of the season and he showed he can do that job. “Danny is only a young kid, but he has the potential to be a very good player. “We also think Phil Salt can do well if he works on getting his fitness back, and Mark Innes was excellent towards the end of the season. “I said from the outset that I didn’t really want Mark or the other transfer-listed lads to leave. “The reason for making them available was simple — we needed to realise some funds without seriously weakening the squad. And I thought Mark, Paul Beavers and Matthew Tipton came into that category.

“Maybe it was the kick up the backside they needed to spur them on and improve them. “Mark did well and Tippy also picked up, although he still has a lot to learn in terms of what’s needed for the first team. “With the shareholding changing hands and the issue of a new stadium still going on, there was a lot happening behind the scenes as well. “The stadium is an absolute must for the future of the club — I’m convinced about that — but I never felt I was working against an uncertain background. “The off-field stuff didn’t bother the players either, although it does ultimately have a bearing on their careers. “These things have a knock-on effect in financial terms, so the make-up of the side can be influenced. “But, personally, I enjoyed every minute of the season. Everyone mucked in really well. “Bill Urmson was a big help to me and everyone worked their socks off, from people like David Cross, Tony Philliskirk and the physio (Alex Moreno) to the people in the office. “The senior pros helped out with the youngsters, which was good to see, and the youngsters were willing to work. “I want to thanks the fans, as well, and give a special mention to the ones who always follow us to away games. “The whole season was a big team effort and it’s fair to say that the club took a few steps in the right direction.”

BEST PERFORMANCE: Wigan (A), January 7 — After 24 games, Wigan had the only unbeaten record in the Football League. They had won 10 out of 12 at home and scored in every match bar one. The challenge brought out the very best in Athletic, who specialise in playing the underdog. They battled as though their lives depended on it before, in the 86th minute, Lee Duxbury headed the only goal. The live television audience, including many locals who don’t bother paying at the turnstiles any more, were surprised and impressed.

WORST PERFORMANCE: Bournemouth (A), April 8 — So you thought it was bad at home to Chesterfield? So you thought it couldn’t get much worse than being three down to Bristol Rovers after 11 minutes? Well, you should have seen the 3-0 surrender at Dean Court. You did? I pity you. Andy Ritchie called this one an “absolute disgrace”. He was being generous.

BEST GAME: Bristol Rovers (A), September 18 — A real thriller in which Athletic were unlucky to go down 3-2. They led 1-0, missed a penalty and trailed 3-1 before fighting back near the end. 

WORST GAME: Stoke (A), December 28 — Some 0-0 draws are deceptively entertaining. This one wasn’t. Athletic turned up late after getting stuck in traffic and, as the temperature dropped close to zero, there was hardly a shot at goal. Yawn.

BEST GOAL SCORED: John Sheridan at Bristol Rovers, September 18 — The wily old fox was 45 yards out as he stood over a third-minute free-kick. The Rovers ‘keeper drifted towards his far post in anticipation of a cross. So Sheridan fooled everyone in the ground by whipping the ball into the other side of the net — cheeky, inventive and brilliantly executed. The nearest challenger came at home to Chesterfield (April 18) when Athletic scored with a classic breakaway, finished off by Steve Whitehall.

WORST GOAL CONCEDED: Ty Gooden for Gillingham, February 12 — Against one of the division’s best teams, a solid start was crucial for Athletic. But, within four minutes, Shaun Garnett, Gary Kelly and Richard Graham contributed to a catalogue of howlers from which their side never recovered. 

BEST QUOTES: Andy Ritchie (after the friendly with moneybags Blackburn) — “We have a Jack Walker, as well. But he’s the groundsman.” Shaun Garnett (before the 1-0 win at Wigan) — “If we’re ever going to go there and beat them, this will be the night.” Blackpool manager Steve McMahon (before talking non-stop for 15 minutes) — “I can’t think of anything to say. I’m speechless.” But pride of place must go to Joe Royle. After Manchester City’s win at Blackburn on Sunday, he said: “For the first 45 minutes, we were like pigs in labour. After that, we were like pigs flying.”