First-day rivals in striker swoop

DONE DEAL: Celebrating the sponsorship agreement with Pentagon Vauxhall are, left Rob Schofield (general manager) and Alan Hardy (Athletic chief executive), with Chaddy the Owl.

ATHLETIC’S first-day opponents Millwall are hoping to add a new striker to their ranks before the League One kick-off at Boundary Park on Saturday.

They have offered £100,000 for John Akinde of non-league Ebbsfleet United, although it’s understood Peterborough are chasing the same target.

Meanwhile, Kelvin Lomax is set to be entrusted with the left-back role in Athletic’s first game of the season.

Manager John Sheridan has been seeking cover for the troublesome position, but now Lomax will have a chance to make it his own.

Despite raising question marks over his defending, Sheridan rates the 21-year-old as an excellent footballer – he brought him back to Boundary Park after his release by Ronnie Moore two years ago.

Athletic have checked out various trialists in pre-season, while Chris Taylor has never let them down when moved to left-back from a more advanced position.

Lomax, however, was given the job on a regular basis in the second half of last term. And delays in the move for Demar Phillips mean Taylor will be needed on the wing.

Athletic have sealed their third commercial partnership in less than a week.

Pentagon Vauxhall & Saab, who have a base a matter of yards from Boundary Park, are the club’s new car partners.

The deal – signed for an initial 12 months – will see Pentagon supply a number of vehicles for senior club management and staff.

And Pentagon will also sponsor the club’s popular mascot Chaddy The Owl.

The deal comes hot on the heels of lucrative agreements with JD Sports and Leesfield Developments.

Tickets for the game at Leeds United on Saturday week go on open sale at Boundary Park tomorrow.

Fans are reminded this is an all-ticket match and demand is expected to be high as Athletic have already sold a lot of seats to season-ticket holders.

Prices are £27 (adults), £17 (over-60s) and £13 (under-16s). Leeds operate an automated entry system, so tickets should not be bent, folded or ripped and stubs should not be detached.




THE Supporters’ Association are holding a quiz night in the Boundary Park sponsors’ lounge on Monday, August 18 (7.30pm).






A CHARITY which helps people suffering from skin cancer will be making a collection at Boundary Park on Saturday.



Fans are being asked to help the fight against malignant melanoma – which recently claimed the life of former Latics player Ernie Cooksey – by donating to the Factor 50 campaign, whose proceeds will go to Christie Hospital, Manchester.