Penney targets long-term loans

ATHLETIC manager Dave Penney (right) and chief executive Alan Hardy (left) with Pentagon general manager Rob Schofield completing the sponsorship deal.

ATHLETIC will again use the loan system to spearhead their drive for promotion from Coca-Cola League One.

New manager Dave Penney has been in contact with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs to sound them out about the availability of players.

Penney would prefer to recruit players on season-long loans as opposed to bringing them in during the campaign which can be disruptive, as was demonstrated last season.

Chief-executive Alan Hardy said: “The club is keen to utilise the loan system as much as possible.

“The manager has been in contact with a number of clubs, including the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. And, as far as I am aware, he has received positive vibes from a couple of them, though no signings are imminent.”

Athletic have dismissed reports from the Midlands linking them with Wolves defender Mark Little.

The 20-year-old Little is an attacking right-back and that is a position in which Athletic are well blessed with Welsh international Neal Eardley and Kelvin Lomax.

Unless Eardley moves, it is unlikely Athletic would be in the market for a right-back.

Little has made 27 league appearances for Wolves, but only one of them has been in the last two seasons and he is unlikely to feature in the Premier League.

Wolves are apparently prepared to allow him to leave on a long-term loan.

Little has had loan spells at Northampton Town in each of the last two seasons.

Local motor dealership Pentagon Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Saab, who are based little more than a goal kick from Boundary Park, have renewed their lucrative sponsorship deal with Athletic which is worth a five-figure sum.

Under the terms of the deal, Pentagon will supply Athletic with four vehicles for Penney, assistant manager Martin Gray, head of youth Tony Philliskirk and chief executive Alan Hardy.

Pentagon, who linked up with Athletic as major sponsors for the first time last season, will remain as the club’s official car partner and will retain title sponsorship of the main stand.