Welcome to today's issue of 
BOUNDARY BULLET-zine
 
The Daily On-line e-zine for 268 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    10th August 2000   
 
 
Today's Headlines
 Oldham Evening Chronicle 
Contract rebels in new Latics talks

ATHLETIC are making headway in their efforts to persuade contract rebels Mark Allott and Scott McNiven to pledge their futures to the Boundary Park cause. Manager Andy Ritchie has spoken to both players, who are currently on week-to-week contracts, and is convinced neither wants to leave. He explained: “I have had a couple of conversations and I think we are getting somewhere. We think we have offered them good deals and I am hoping that they will eventually sign.” Athletic have not received any inquiries for the pair since they rejected new contracts. Indeed, the only known interest was for Allott, and that was from Mansfield Town. A representative from the third division club sounded me out at a recent match about his possible availability. McNiven is in a state of limbo as he is currently on the sidelines recovering from a fractured cheekbone. 

Central defender Stuart Thom today completed a loan move to Scunthorpe United. Irons manager Brian Laws has told Ritchie he is interested in the move becoming permanent, but the Athletic manager says he is in no hurry to transfer Thom. He said: “I am sure the loan spell will be good for both Stuart and ourselves. “I am not looking to sell, but it if he cannot catch the team here it would be unfair for me to stand in his way. We will cross that bridge if and when that happens.” Ritchie says Thom would not have been in his plans for Saturday’s opening league game against Port Vale. The Athletic manager has finalised his team but it won’t be made public until an hour before Saturday’s game. 

A number of former Athletic players have changed clubs. Mike Milligan has moved to Blackpool on a free from Norwich, David McNiven has joined York City, Martin Pemberton is back in league football after a £15,000 transfer from Bradford Park Avenue to Mansfield, while Ian Marshall is having trials at Bolton after being freed by Leicester City.

Stadium plan on way to fruition

A REDEVELOPED Boundary Park will include conference, banqueting and restaurant venues, as well as community facilities. A development brief is to be put together so progress can begin as quickly as possible. The Oldham Stadium Company will be officially established in the next few days. So far a shadow board has been in place.For the first year, Councillor Chris Hilyer will be chairman of the company, but the position will rotate every 12 months between the council, and directors from Oldham Athletic and Oldham Rugby League Club. Councillor Hilyer said that the plan to allow the rugby club to take its turn in the chair showed commitment to the Roughyeds, in spite of the fact the share-holders are the council and Athletic. He added: ``This is a major step forward in our plans to create a new stadium for Oldham, by redeveloping Boundary Park.’’ Councillor Hilyer stressed that wide consultation with the public was an important part of the plans. Oldham Athletic chairman David Brierley said he welcomed the progress made so far, and looked forward to the proposals being developed. 

Stoke Sentinel
Vale for Twiss
 
Port Vale have agreed a one-year contract with former Manchester United starlet Michael Twiss. The 22-year-old (pictured) has impressed sufficiently in pre-season on trial to be offered the deal and manager Brian Horton said: ``It is a great opportunity for him show what he can do."  Twiss, from Salford, failed to make the grade at Old Trafford and was loaned out to Division One sides Sheffield United at Norwich last season. But the youngster has done well with Vale and Horton said: ``Being a first-team player here instead of a reserve at Manchester United will be good for his confidence. ``Michael is strong and has a great left foot and I think the crowd here have been  pleased with what they have seen. ``He is an ex-Manchester United youngster who has not made it so it is a chance for him."  Twiss is scheduled to make his League debut for Vale in a wing back role at Oldham on Saturday now left-back Allen Tankard has been earmarked to play as one of three centre-backs in a sweeper system. Horton watched Oldham lose 4-0 at home to Manchester City , but will not be kidded by what he saw.
He said: ``All managers are talking the same way in that pre-season results do not count. Oldham have actually done quite well." Admission for Vale supporters at Boundary Park will be £15 (£7 concessions) and disabled fans should contact the club (0161) 6244972 for special arrangements.
Predictions competition entry from Philip of Colchester Premiership Champions - Arsenal                   Relegated - Charlton Athletic, Coventry City & Southampton NationwideDivision One Champions - Sheffield Wednesday                    Relegated - Gillingham, Grimsby Town & PortsmouthDivision Two Champions - Wigan Athletic                    Promoted - Stoke City                    Play Offs - Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Millwall (Promoted) & Walsall                    Relegated - Luton Town, Peterborough United, Swansea City & Wycombe WanderersDivision Three Champions - Blackpool                      Relegated - Exeter City Scottish Premier Champions - Glasgow Rangers F.A.Cup Winners - Leeds United League Cup Winners - Liverpool Please have any remaining entries in for tomorrow night.
Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at LaticsGary@cwcom.net.or at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZBoundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.oocities.org/laticsgary.geo.The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.