Hill goes on the attack

ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill fired a broadside at Athletic’s staff and supporters after watching his side recover from derby defeat to move back into the play-off places.

He also accused rivals of “cheating the system” by bringing in players on emergency loan.

A 2-1 win over Yeovil at Spotland moved Hill’s men into sixth place in the league. But the sour taste from four days earlier and a 3-0 loss to Athletic lingered strongly enough for the “humiliated” Dale boss to use his post-match interview to complain about his treatment at Oldham.

It is believed Hill was unhappy over alleged comments on the night by Athletic ground staff.

“It was very welcome three points (against Yeovil) and that’s reward to the supporters and players for the humiliation we had stressed upon us on Tuesday night by certain sections of the Oldham staff,” said Hill.

“Whether you win or whether you lose, you’ve got to have a dignity about you. You should have the manners and a responsibility to wear a club badge and who you are representing.

“I would like to reiterate to Rochdale supporters that we are currently four points above Oldham still have a game in hand. It’s not the result. There is nothing I could really do. But there was a heavy dose of salt rubbed into the wounds by a lot of people who represent Oldham, and I don’t like that.”

Athletic beat Rochdale 3-0 with the help of short-term loan men Anthony Gerrard, Mat Sadler and Luke Woodland and Hill railed against teams in the division bolstering their ranks with borrowed players.

“I know what it’s like financially with teams below us and it’s an embarrassment that they are so far behind us,” he added.

“I know what they’re spending and they all try to make signings on Thursday, loan signings to cheat the system again. I don’t want to take on the footballing world, but sometimes English football stinks.”

Hill also turned his ire on Athletic legend Andy Ritchie.