11th October 2000   

Whitehall agrees Chester deal

ATHLETIC could be without midfield star John Sheridan for another month as they bid to climb away from the second division relegation zone. Sheridan, who hasn't played since the opening day of the season, is not yet back in full training after having a minor operation on his knee. It was hoped the former Eire international would return quickly, but he had an unlucky setback when his foot got caught in a divot while he was out running. The knee twisted, and Sheridan _ widely seen as the key to Athletic's whole gameplan _ has only just stepped up his fitness work. Manager Andy Ritchie wants his playmaker back as soon as possible, both for his passing ability and to bring more experience to a struggling side. But there will be no pressure on the 36-year-old, who can judge his own progress and will return when he feels ready. "The best thing we can do is leave it up to him," Ritchie said. "He will know when it's time to come back." There is better news of fellow midfielder Paul Rickers, who is training again after having nine stitches removed from his leg.

Rickers has missed five games since a Bristol City player's studs ripped into his thigh and went into the muscle. It was an extremely painful injury, but the workaholic 25-year-old could be ready in around two weeks' time. Along with Sheridan and Shaun Garnett, Rickers is a player Ritchie says will make a big difference when he is back to full fitness. New signing Barry Prenderville is also on the casualty list after picking up a slight knee problem. Weather permitting, Athletic's reserves play Manchester United tomorrow night at Gigg Lane, Bury, in the Manchester Senior Cup (7pm kick-off).

ATHLETIC manager Andy Ritchie was forced to defend the club’s much-vaunted youth policy last night when he was quizzed by frustrated fans. Leading figures at the cash-strapped club often describe home-grown talent, which can be nurtured and then sold on for a profit, as the way forward. But, at the annual general meeting, shareholders were concerned that Athletic had fallen behind rival clubs in this fiercely-competitive area. They pointed to two factors — Athletic’s lowly league position and the fact that other teams “bring their youngsters through quicker”. Ritchie said: “All the best resources are in the Premiership. That’s how they attract the best players and that’s how they get them in the side earlier. “I know of one 15 or 16-year-old who received £500,000 to sign for someone, which is obviously something we can’t begin to compete with. “All the big players in the Premiership can afford to pay out stupid amounts like that on the off-chance that the lad will be good enough. “Our best playing card with youth is to say that, if a player is up to it, he won’t have to wait long for his chance. “That has been proved down the years and it has also been the case this season. “We try to get the lads who don’t go into the Premiership. And I think our involvement with Leeds could be a carrot to help us with that.”

It is six months since Athletic announced a £500,000 youth-development deal with Leeds, who agreed to pay half the costs of their School of Excellence in return for first pick of the trainees. It has yet to be rubber-stamped, but chairman David Brierley told shareholders: “It’s going to happen. There’s nothing the Football League, the FA or Uncle Tom Cobleigh can do about it.” Mr Brierley assured the meeting that, as the Chronicle reported last night, money could be made available for team strengthening. He explained: “The manager has a budget to work to, just like every other department, and we try to assist in a financial role by sitting down with the coaching staff every few weeks. “We assess what we have and whether people need moving out or bringing in. If the players Andy wants are within our range, we do try to get them.” But Ritchie said: “A lot of players aren’t within the budget because they make demands which are unacceptable and we aren’t prepared to meet. “And it’s difficult moving players around with what we have at the club.”

He added: “We are going through a bad patch at the moment, but I don’t think we’ll be in a relegation fight. “Everyone has to pull together as a team, and I mean the coaching staff as well as the players. We have to get them to fulfil their potential. “The team at Rotherham on Sunday was virtually the one which finished 14th last season and could easily have finished 10th. “They haven’t become bad players overnight — it’s more about attitude. “We need more experienced players and we are doing what we can to address that, although it’s difficult when you can’t really go out and buy. “But I won’t sit back and take the kind of performance we had on Sunday. It was unacceptable.” Some shareholders were disappointed that the Sports Park 2000 scheme was scrapped when the Liberal Democrats took control of Oldham Council.

One, Mr Jack Verity, accused Athletic’s board of capitulating over a plan which was “billed as the gateway to Oldham’s future”. Mr Brierley conceded that a new ground on Clayton playing fields had been the club’s first choice. But he insisted that redeveloping Boundary Park — and sharing it as The Oldham Stadium with Oldham RL club — was something Athletic had always been content to do. The chairman added: “We can’t go against the tide. It is the council who hold the purse strings. “Clayton playing fields would have been the definitive site, but it isn’t going to happen and we are happy with the alternative of  making Boundary Park a very modern stadium. “We meet a lot of (football club) directors who have to battle to get any support, but the council have been very pro-active and we have support from all parties. “That’s a plus and I can tell you that we as a club, and also the rugby when they come in, will be taking advantage of that.”

Teamtalk Oldham

Steve Whitehall is locked in talks with Chester over a permanent free move as the 33-year-old veteran striker's month loan ends on Friday. Whitehall is expected to put pen to paper and sign a two-and-a-half-year deal, having spoken with Latics officials who made it clear that he had no future at Boundary Park. He had harboured hopes that he might get back in the side, but has now accepted that won't happen. Chester manager Graham Barrow wanted to sign the player immediately but it was Whitehall who decided to bide his time. Whitehall is a former civil servant who did not join the professional ranks until he was 24 and spent six years with Rochdale when Barrow was manager there and was top scorer in five seasons. His scoring streak continued when he moved to Mansfield, but the goals dried up since arriving at Boundary Park for £40,000.

Whitehall managed only four in his first year and 11 last season but the touch has returned since his move Chester and he has hit the target five times in four games. He could, of course, stay with the Latics and see out his contract which expires next summer and a move to Chester would mean a cut in pay. But Whitehall lives nearby and he would be guaranteed a wage for the next 30 months and said: "They are a great set of lads and I am happy to be here." Latics boss Andy Ritchie transfer-listed Whitehall earlier in the season explaining he was looking for a quicker - and younger - strike force.

Burnley midfielder Paul Smith still has three more games in the Latics colours but any chance of Oldham signing him would depend on a fee. Oldham boss Andy Ritchie is a long-time admirer of the player, who has been at Turf Moor since leaving school, where he is highly popular with the Clarets fans, but out of the first team picture at the moment. The Latics chief has already said Smith is the type of player he would like to sign, but any move would depend on Burnley's asking price. There is no doubt that a free transfer would be tempting, especially if Steve Whitehall goes to Chester, so their futures may rest on each others.

Chester City Official Web Site

Striker Steve Whitehall has agreed a three year deal with City. This is great news for all City fans who've been impressed with the strikers month long loan spell from Oldham Athletic. 33-year-old Whitehall has scored four goals in five games with Chester, coinciding with City's unbeaten run. "We've been working on a deal and talking to Steve for the whole month he's been here, he's now come to terms with Oldham and he'll become a full time Chester player when his loan deals run out on Friday." said City chairman Terry Smith.