Smalley staying put, say Latics

Deane Smalley

ATHLETIC have denied reports that they are preparing to cash in on teenage forward Deane Smalley.

Speculation in the national media suggests Smalley is a target for Sheffield United, but Athletic insist they have had no contact with the big-spending Championship club.

Smalley is one of several promising youngsters at Boundary Park, but manager John Sheridan has always picked him out as a player who could go on to star at a much higher level than League One.

The 19-year-old broke through last season — his first in the professional ranks — and made 45 senior appearances, including 25 starts.

He will again be expected to challenge for a place when the new campaign gets under way – the ability to play as either a striker or wide man should guarantee him plenty of first-team involvement.

Athletic are determined to keep their assets and have already turned down a bid for Chris Taylor since the end of last season, although the demise of two major sponsors in Hillstone Developments and Horners Motor Group has made their financial position much less secure.

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Club officials, meanwhile, are working to attract new backers and hope to make an announcement in the near future.

Hillstone will continue as kit sponsors next season, but Horners have now withdrawn their support after going into administration.

The Boundary Park pitch remains a source of concern for Athletic as their re-seeding process has only worked in patches.

The surface is playable, but it will not be in ideal condition when sport returns on Thursday night with an Oldham Roughyeds rugby match.

Chief executive Alan Hardy admitted: “We’ve had experts looking at samples and we’ve treated the pitch with everything we can, but the grass growth is still restricted – there’s no sign of improvement and it’s a real mystery.”

Even Athletic groundsman Tony Owen, who has worked at Arsenal, Crystal Palace and the All England Lawn Tennis Club (home of Wimbledon) is at a loss to explain the problem.

Athletic and Rochdale will honour Ernie Cooksey’s memory when they meet in the Carling Cup next month, with both teams wearing special T-shirts ahead of a minute’s applause.