10th February 2000
10th February 2000 ANDY RITCHIE has abandoned his immediate search for a loan striker in the wake of Craig Dudley's return from injury. Dudley, out for four matches with a foot injury, made an impressive comeback in the reserves' 3-2 win at Bury last night to prompt the manager's about-turn. Ritchie immediately pencilled Dudley into his plans for Saturday's home match against cup giantkillers Gillingham. Fellow forward Paul Beavers also returned after injury last night, though he won't be considered for Saturday. The return of Dudley and Beavers is a lift as Athletic's strikeforce will be depleted by injury to leading marksman Mark Allott and an impending three-match ban for Matthew Tipton. Ritchie had been hoping to clinch a loan signing, but now things have changed.
He explained: "As Craig and Paul are back in action it would be hasty and somewhat silly to take another wage on when we have players available. "I will see hope we cope this weekend and then assess the situation again." The Athletic manager has watched three matches in the last two days as he scours the country for players. His staff have also been out and about. Stuart Thom, who broke his collarbone in October, took his first steps on the road to recovery last night.
The central defender, who was a substitute at Bury, is still some way from match fitness having been missing for over four months. Meanwhile, three players were today leaving Boundary Park. Striker David McNiven, who is available on a free transfer, has joined Conference club Scarborough on loan for a month. Left-back Ian McLean has joined Telford, also from the Conference, for a two-week trial. Central defender Iain Swan, the third player available on a free, has signed for Unibond League club Leigh RMI on loan for the next month.
Stadium is step closer as trustees support deal
A NEW multi-million-pound stadium for Oldham has moved a step closer, after trustees gave the go-ahead for contracts to be exchanged. Councillors, meeting as trustees of the Clayton Trust, voted to approve heads of agreement between the council and developers Hiretarget for the land transfer, and authorised the solicitor to prepare and exchange contracts. But that was only after a Liberal Democrat-led amendment, asking for any decision to be deferred, was defeated. The Director of Economic Development, Mr Keith Coates, clarified three areas of contention at last night's meeting. He told trustees that the comparative areas in the land swop had been questioned by protesters, and confirmed that the current Clayton playing fields cover 20.77 acres, with the replacement being 24 acres, including a buffer area of one acre. He confirmed that the new land would be covered by covenant, restricting further development, and set out a timetable of work which would see completion take around 30 months. But Councillor John Anchor said the matter was being dealt with too hastily. He appealed for a decision to be deferred until the Charity Commission, which will rule on whether the swop is lawful, has reported, a town-green application has been heard, and more information on the financial package of the development has been set out.
He added: "The whole of the matter is being rushed through with undue and unseemly haste. "We were asked to oppose a town-green bid before it was submitted, and again I get the feeling that this decision is being rushed." He added that a House of Lords case could change the town-green rules when the new bid, by members of Clayton Action Group, is discussed. Councillor Keith Pendlebury also asked for a decision to be deferred until the matters are resolved. He added: "With the status of the land yet to be resolved, I suggest it is not yet appropriate to go ahead." And Councillor Christine Dugdale said: "There is no reason at this stage to exchange contracts. The perception on this is that the final outcome is a foregone conclusion, that the council has contempt for the public and will get its way whatever." But Councillor Peter Dean said everything the trustees need to know at this stage had been provided and that people were happy with the plans. He called the amendment "bizarre". He added: "We have to make a decision. We heard clearly why the trustees should oppose a town-reen bid, because it would be detrimental to the trust.
That was advice from the Charity Commission. "I feel we are now making progress." And Councillor John Johnson, the deputy leader who proposed the vote, said there is no rational reason to delay further. He added: "If town-green status is granted, the scheme cannot go ahead anyway, but that has no bearing on the heads of terms. "We cannot just do nothing until everything is resolved, or else we would not get anything done. It helps to take these decisions now." Although the trustees were said not to be dealing with the votes politically, the Lib-Dem amendment was lost by 32 votes to 26, with the proposals agreed by 32 votes to 25 — along party lines.