Ormerod anxious to join 100 club

BRETT ORMEROD . . . happy with his Athletic debut.

BRETT ORMEROD is keen to get an important landmark under his belt after enduring seven months of frustration.

The latest recruit to Boundary Park has been perched on 99 career goals since his last senior strike, which came for Nottingham Forest in March.

Ormerod hadn’t played any first-team football this season until Athletic plucked him out of Preston’s reserves in a one-month loan deal.

He made his debut as a substitute on Saturday and impressed in a 25-minute cameo, especially with his work off the ball.

The game also marked his 32nd birthday, and Ormerod said: “Most importantly it was just nice to play a bit of league football.

“I was blowing a bit towards the end, but I enjoyed my 20 minutes and I’m sure it will be good for my sharpness.

“Playing in the reserves can only do so much for your fitness, but I was happy with the way Saturday went.

TOUGH

“It was always going to be a tough game because Leicester are flying and they’ve got class players, but as a team we did well.

“I’m hoping to get plenty more football during my time here, and it would be nice to score one or two goals because that’s what strikers are for.

“I didn’t realise I was on 99 until someone pointed it out – it will probably play on my mind now and I would like to reach 100, although I’ll always take a victory over a goal.”

Over half of Ormerod’s tally came at Blackpool, mostly during a purple patch when he struck 47 times in 18 months.

That earned him a £1.75million transfer to Southampton, for whom he appeared many times in the Premier League.

He also played on loan for Leeds (alongside Sean Gregan) and Wigan before moving to Preston in 2006.

Ormerod went to Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, appearing in the final 13 games as they clinched promotion from League One.




JOHN THOMPSON’S first game for Notts County has earned him praise at his new club.

Thompson only completed a loan move on Friday, but he was among County’s best performers as they dominated their weekend draw with Macclesfield.

The defender is back to fitness after long-term knee problems, but he has been out in the cold at Athletic.

He signed a one-month deal at Meadow Lane, joining ex-Latics players Richard Butcher and Delroy Facey.

Striker Chris O’Grady also got a taste of League Two action after leaving Boundary Park on a month’s loan.

He was a second-half substitute for Bury, who secured a 3-1 win at promotion rivals Dagenham.




ATHLETIC are in the midst of the One Game, One Community initiative which sees every league club hold events in the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.
And they have appointed Reuben Hazell as their ambassador for the 12-day celebration of diversity.

Activities in the next week include a link-up with the Holocaust Educational Trust, an equality workshop at Boundary Park and a Futsal tournament, all involving local young people. 

* THERE is a 1,300-seat allocation for Athletic’s game at Swindon on Saturday. Prices are £20 (adults), £15 (students and over-60s) or £9 (under-15s).