Latics miss out on Uruguayan

ATHLETIC’S bid to sign Uruguayan Fabian Yantorno has been dashed as the midfield man has joined Scottish club Hibernian.

The 25-year-old arrived at Boundary Park late last season after Gretna entered administration and were unable to fund his treatment as he recovered from a cruciate knee injury.

Athletic stepped in and offered Yantorno, who had starred in the Scottish Premier League, their facilities in the hope he would sign for them.

“We had hoped Fabian would join us, but he has since received a better offer from Hibs,” explained Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy.

Craig Dawson, the teenage Radcliffe Borough defender, is one of three players currently on trial with Athletic.

And a further three players are due to arrive next week for trials, including a left-back, though Athletic are keeping their identities under wraps.

Manager John Sheridan is pleased with how preparations have gone so far with pre-season training now well into its second week.

Athletic return ‘home’ next week as they are due back at their Chapel Road training ground on Monday.

They will have spent the first fortnight at the Lancaster Club, BAE’s sports complex on Broadway.

Police have insisted Athletic’s Carling Cup tie at Rochdale on Tuesday, August 12 be all ticket for visiting fans. There will be no admission on the night at Spotland.

But the good news is that Rochdale have given Athletic 3,200 tickets which ought to be ample for their demands.

They are on sale to season-ticket holders who, by producing voucher A, will be able to buy one ticket.

Adults are priced £15, under-16s and over-65s £10 and children under the age of seven are free, but they must buy a ticket.

Season ticket holders have until after the Derby friendly on Tuesday, July 23 to buy their tickets. The remainder go on open sale at 9am the next day.

Though Athletic have pulled their reserve side out of the Central League for the 2008/09 season, the second string will still enter three competitions, the Manchester Senior Cup, Lancashire Senior Cup and Central League Cup.

Bob Gorrill, Athletic’s commercial sales manager, is leaving to take up a similar appointment at Mansfield Town.