Crossley silences his critics

Mark Crossley: In top form

GOALKEEPER Mark Crossley received abuse from a section of Latics fans on the opening day of this season.

He was distinctly unimpressed by their comments, but the veteran stopper has since come up with the perfect response – five clean sheets in his next six games.

Crossley (39), who would have retired last year if Athletic hadn’t stepped in with a contract, is playing a vital role in his side’s great start to the campaign.

Since an off-colour display when Athletic beat Millwall 4-3, he has shut out Leeds, Cheltenham, Tranmere and MK Dons in the league, plus Rochdale in the Carling Cup. 

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Crossley revealed: “I had a few things shouted at me during the Millwall game, basically with people saying it was time to hang up my gloves.

“I made a mistake and it cost us a goal, but getting some stick just made me determined to prove them wrong.

“I’ll decide when the time is right to stop playing – nobody else will do that for me – and, as I’ve always said, as long as I’m enjoying it I’ll carry on.

“There are bound to be questions when a 39-year-old ’keeper makes a mistake, but people shouting things from the stands won’t dictate when I should pack it in.”

Crossley was given a new 12-month contract during the summer after impressing in his first year at Boundary Park.

By his own admission he took a while to reach peak form, but he still conceded only 37 goals in 38 league appearances.

The former Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Fulham man has retained the number-one spot despite rivalry from Scotland under-21 international Greg Fleming.

And Crossley – something of a cult figure who also coaches Fleming, Josh Bell and Athletic’s other goalkeepers – is revelling in the team’s current form.

Athletic stayed top of League One with Saturday’s 2-0 victory over MK Dons, in which Crossley saved a penalty when the game was finely balanced.

He said: “That was a fantastic result because MK Dons are a good team who won’t be far away at the end of the season.

“Myself and the back four were delighted to keep a clean sheet, and we are happy with ourselves at the moment because you can’t argue with our record.

“The penalty save was nice for me – the lad didn’t strike it brilliantly, but I suppose you still have to keep them out.

“I enjoy clean sheets like strikers enjoy scoring goals, and as long as we aren’t conceding we’ve always got a chance.

“We could do with our strikers killing games off a bit earlier, but you don’t get tired of being top of the league, no matter how old you are.

“The manager keeps saying we should keep our feet on the ground – and, don’t get me wrong, we’ll do that – but you can’t deny we are playing well.”