Priest handed key Latics post

THE stars of the future are in new hands at Boundary Park after Mick Priest’s appointment as Centre of Excellence supremo.

Athletic have brought in the former Rotherham coach to head all their age-group teams and work with the head of youth development, Tony Philliskirk.

The highly-qualified Priest holds a UEFA ‘A’ coaching badge and follows in the footsteps of assistant manager Tommy Wright, who used to run the under-16s.

Home-grown players are vital to Athletic in terms of both strengthening the first-team squad and bringing in valuable extra income.

There were times last season when around half of the players on senior duty had come through the ranks, including Chris Taylor, Neal Eardley, Kelvin Lomax, Deane Smalley, Matt Wolfenden and Lewis Alessandra.

And Athletic have made big money from selling trainees or young professionals, such as Neal Trotman to Preston, Scott Spencer to Everton and Philliskirk’s son, Danny, to Chelsea – they also hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause for Manchester City and England star Micah Richards, who used to be signed up to the Centre of Excellence.

All of John Sheridan’s squad began the pre-season build-up yesterday and will spend most of their first week concentrating on fitness programmes.

Striker Lee Hughes, who hasn’t played a league match since January, is now fully recovered from his groin problems and taking part in full work.

Dundee United have joined Athletic in dismissing speculation that they have made an enquiry for Hughes.

Tannadice manager Craig Levein revealed he had been approached by an agent who said the 32-year-old was out of contract, but Hughes has another 12 months on his deal with Athletic.

Elsewhere in League One, Scunthorpe have ruled out a move for Cheltenham Town forward Steven Gillespie.

Cheltenham have already turned down £400,000 from an unnamed club and Scunthorpe – looking to replace Martin Paterson after his £1.3million switch to Burnley – insist they will not top that offer.