Fans are the club heartbeat - Kelly

DARREN Kelly gets his point across at last night’s fans’ forum.

NEW Athletic manager Darren Kelly hopes the fans will quickly start buying into his vision.

Kelly was grilled by just over 40 fans at Trust Oldham’s first “meet the manager” session at SportsDirect.com Park last night. He was joined by club director Barry Owen and Trust Oldham’s Simon Brooke.

Kelly, who mentioned the importance of Athletic’s “12th man” on a number of occasions, told the Chronicle: “It was great to meet the hardcore supporters. I’m always open to meeting them because they are the heartbeat of the football club.

“I just hope I forced some kind of impression on the ones that were there in terms of how I want to do this job. You’ve got to try to talk to the fans and mix with them as best you can.

“We’re all human beings, and I’m a people’s person. I like to chat, it’s the way I am. I believe in what I’m trying to do, and I hope the supporters buy into that too.”

Over a 90 minute session confident Kelly spoke about his passion for the game and revealed he’s targeting a “big brute” of a striker and a possible addition to the coaching staff.

Several pre-season friendlies have been arranged: Athletic will travel to Chester FC, play host to Blackburn on July 25 and Bolton, and play Carlisle United at Brunton Park a week before the start of the Sky Bet League One season on August 1.

Kelly impressed most if not all, the fans in attendance: “I think it was all very positive,” said Robin Keast. ”I had an open mind when Darren Kelly was appointed, but I like him and it looks good as we head towards the new season.”

Paddy Harwood added: “I was very impressed with him. It’s his first appointment, of course, but he seems to have some good ideas. The only issue I’ve got is that we have been here before with other new managers. They all come in with great ideas, but it’s not always worked out.”


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