Work in progress

Joel Coleman: rising star

JOEL Coleman is Athletic’s rough diamond, says manager Lee Johnson.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper recently signed a two-year contract at Boundary Park, replacing the outgoing Luke Simpson as an up-and-coming star between the posts.

Coleman, who spent the latter end of the 2013-14 season on the first-team bench, could be farmed out on loan to gain experience. But Johnson believes he already has “exceptional” qualities and is even good enough to play in other positions.

“Coleman is a player we rate very highly and have big hopes for,” Johnson said. “He is young and has flaws as goalkeepers do at that age. But we do see exceptional parts to his game.

“It is a question of when he will be ready to step up: that could be one, two or three years down the line.”

Including Coleman, Athletic currently have two senior goalkeepers, with Paul Rachubka in line to start the season as number one. If Coleman goes to another club on loan, Johnson will need a third ’keeper.

“Ideally, I would like three, even if mainly to improve their training sessions,” added Johnson.

“Much depends on how he (Coleman) does in pre-season. He needs games but if he goes out on loan to get that, then I need someone else in on the bench.”



THREE of Athletic’s fixtures in the 2014-15 season have been amended.

The home match against Crawley on November 15, will now start two hours early at 1pm to avoid a clash with England’s game against Slovenia.

The game at Barnsley is to be held back a day to 7.45pm on December 29, and the Boundary Park fixture against Bristol City has been brought to April 3 (3pm).



ATHLETIC’S home tie against Middlesbrough in the first round of the Capital One Cup has been confirmed for August 12 (7.45pm). Tickets are not yet on sale.