Baxter cash funded Athetic shopping spree

Simon Corney: Baxter sale allowed manager Johnson to go shopping

CHAIRMAN Simon Corney has lifted the lid on the transfer of Jose Baxter — which has directly funded the recent influx of new players.

Last season’s top scorer Baxter (21) moved to Sheffield United two weeks ago for an undisclosed six-figure sum in a move that shocked many Oldham supporters.

But Corney said the ex-Everton forward was “surplus to requirements” — and the money paid for him has been spent on improving the squad.

“Jose didn’t start the last game (at Port Vale) and he wasn’t going to start the next one either,” said Corney. Baxter was named only as a substitute following a disappointing showing at Peterborough.

“We all know how talented he is. But sometimes - at the risk of sounding silly - you get players just too good at a certain level. Jose would be better off with better players around him, on his wavelength. I see him as a top Championship player. We didn’t need to sell him. We did because it made sense.”

Of those players introduced as a result of the sale, Danny Philliskirk — effectively a like-for-like replacement — was targeted months ago, Corney revealed.

Arrivals since include defensive duo Matteo Lanzoni and Genseric Kusunga, Manchester City loan forward Albert Rusnak and goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

“We knew there was a good chance Jose would want to go,” Corney added. “We prepared for that by bringing in Danny Philliskirk. We brought in Matteo, who is a very good prospect, a guy in Genseric Kusunga who was playing in the Champions League two years ago, Joseph Mills on loan and another goalkeeper, Paul Rachubka.”



Corney played down new speculation about potential Latics buyer Marwan Koukash.

Reports emerging this morning quote Koukash as wanting to take over both Athletic AND Oldham Roughyeds, creating a new stadium for them both.

Corney - who expects work to start on the club’s new stand soon - said he hasn’t spoken to the millionaire racehorse owner for three months and doesn’t expect to any time soon: “But you never say never in football...”