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Gregan to leave Latics
Reporter: Latics latest by TONY BUGBY
Date online: 12 May 2009
Athletic’s out-of-contract captain Sean Gregan has been released by new manager Dave Penney.
The 35-year-old defender was informed by Penney today that he is not being offered a new deal.
Gregan had been at Boundary Park for almost three seasons following a move from Leeds United.
The remainder of the playing staff will meet Penney tomorrow now the boss is back from holiday.
Athletic insist there is nothing to worry about after disclosing Chris Taylor was today being admitted to Highfield Hospital.
Physio Mark Czuczman says the 22-year-old forward, who will be given a general anaesthetic, is having a check on his damaged ankle ligaments. He said: “Chris has made excellent progress bearing in mind it is only three weeks since he was injured.
“I am not anticipating any problems, but the surgeon wants to check the ankle. If he finds anything wrong he will operate straight away.
“It is far better to do that now rather than finding something wrong three or four weeks further down the line when a lay-off would rule him out of the start of pre-season.”
Czuczman believes Taylor will be ready for pre-season training as will Reuben Hazell, who is back at Boundary Park for rehab after last week having a minor operation to cure a long-standing groin problem.
The 30-year-old defender has had surgery to loosen ligaments in his pelvis which have been the cause of the muscle ache in his groin which had affected him for much of the season.
Midfield man J P Kalala had a similar operation towards the end of the season and was able to resume training in nine days.
There is also a likelihood that Mark Allott will have a similar operation during the close season as he is showing symptoms.
Czuczman describes the operation as more of a “maintenance” issue than anything to worry about.
Young midfield player Dale Stephens continues to be troubled by a long- standing hip flexor muscle problem which has affected him for much of the campaign.
Stephens was pencilled in to feature in the last game of the season at Walsall only to break down in training in the build-up to the match.
The full story of Gregan’s departure will appear in tomorrow’s Chronicle.
Comments
Goodbye and good luck.
Your lack of pace has been cruelly exposed and we need to progress.
Non-league, perhaps?
this looks like further evidence of the board cutting the wage budget down considerably. liddell, hughes and now gregan, all decent earners, all going. they keep saying 'surplus to requirements' but how can the leader, the captain, the top goalscorer and the most experienced player we have be surplus? if they want 4500 season tickets next year they are not going about it the right way
rg2403. Would the leader & captain be the one who marshalled a defence that let in 60+ goals and appeared disorganised, the forward who said he wanted to play in the Championship next season and the most experienced player who couldn't pass a defender but could accurately point to a space? Excellent moves by the board to get rid of them all.
mikejh45 what a hypocrite, you defended Hazell who gave away 18+ points and the back line only weeks ago when i pointed it out, i think its you who is the Victor Meldrew your never happy unless your having a go at some one on here. So lets get one thing straight anyone who spends money at boundry park has a voice worth listening too.
rg2403 at this stage I agree with you, to a extent but I am waiting to see what the board offer him to work with for next season, Mr Royle gave us a good clue when he gave his leaving talk to the Oldham Chron, did you read that mikejh45? as i said. This board have no real ambition a club like Chesterfield can get a new ground and get 4 million funding, they can get financial backers and we can't. says it all of this board
Oldham scotland! Firstly - I don't try to peddle my opinion as fact. My points on here are mine and mine alone. But they are OPINIONS, something you haven't quite grasped yet. Secondly - Royle is not the manager. How about saying something complimentary about Penney (your new manager - assuming you are a Latics fan)! Go on! You can do it!
What is this drivel? Are you seriously suggesting that Liddell & Gregan were crowd pleasers rg2403?! Past it both, one a passenger, the other only up for big games or when playing for a new contract. As for those paying to get into BP being worth listening to OS, you definitely aren't so why not stay away until the board you dislike so much moves on..
This is not bad news, it gives Dave Penney the financial scope to build the side he wants.
Mikejh45 lets look back shall we early in the season i said the backline is not up to the task "proven", I said Latics would do no better than 10th "proven" I said December Hughes would be shipped out "proven", then I said Mr Wardle would not invest in this club "proven" later to say Joe would not stay due to the lack of ambition and funding "proven"
Joe said this himself, mine was a opinion based on gut instinct and was my opinion. But of course opinions are only valid it seems if they are yours, and ones that you agree with. RG2403 keep writing mate and don't be intimimidated. As for Mr Penny I have not said anything negative about him, Only wished him luck he has done nothing to be had a go for.
if joe royle thinks gregan was our best player then that will do for me 'yarddog'. liddell was also our 2nd highest goalscorer and hughes' goals speak for themself.and to answer your question i definately feel gregan was a fans favourite, especially with those who go away games aswell as home games - not those who pick and choose.you name me 3 players with our budget we can get to replace those mentioned and ill hold my hands up
OS! If I'd have read your posts early on re: the defence, I would have agreed with your opinion as I firmly believe that Gregan was the problem and not the cure. During the previous season, stats show that Trotman/Stam and Hazell/Stam were our most solid defences but for some reason Sheriden decided that Gregan had to return. Not forgetting we also played a significant part of the season with a makeshift left back called Jones. So there you go, we can agree on something!!!
Can we all give Penney a chance to assemble his squad before we write off next season. Other clubs pick up lower/non-league players for a pittance and successfully dovetail them into their team so why can't we. The time to hammer Penney is after 6 games and we are languishing near the foot of the table not a couple of weeks into the close season.
Have Your Say
GOOD!!!
By mikejh45 @ 12/05/2009 14:48:52