Goal-den moment for popular Paul

PAUL WARNE . . . “devastated to leave Athletic”.

FORMER Athletic star Paul Warne revealed his delight after scoring at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Warne haunted his old club by doubling Yeovil’s lead as they became the first side to beat Athletic at home since March.

Few opposition players could expect the kind of welcome he received and, though Warne retains a soft spot for his old club, Yeovil’s win was crucial in their fight to move up League One.

The 35-year-old, who was released by Athletic shortly after being named player of the year in 2006/07, converted a long ball from Craig Alcock.

Warne said: “Craig picked it up deep and I knew he was going to hit it because he’s got a strike like a Tiger Woods drive.

“I just peeled off Sean Gregan and went to control it, which isn’t the easiest thing to do when it goes over his shoulder, and I miscontrolled it.

“I was surprised to see the ’keeper stay on his line. I put it in the net and it was a great feeling.

“After half an hour I was considering quitting because I was absolutely having one – I wasn’t in the game.

“Everyone was on my back and I was thinking I’m rubbish, but it shows in football you’ve got to hang in there.

“Luckily Craig hit a pinpoint ball, I squiffed my first touch, the ’keeper couldn’t read it and I scored.

“To come to Oldham and score - well, I’m underplaying it. I’ll have a tear in my eye.

“I had the two best seasons of my career here and I loved it. I was devastated to leave and I never hid that.”

After being released by Athletic, Warne admitted he drove into the nearby B & Q car park and “cried his eyes out”.

Several months earlier he had been offered a new deal, but the contract was withdrawn at the end of the season.

A number of northern clubs were interested, but Warne moved his family to Somerset as he wanted to remain in League One and prove John Sheridan wrong.

Saturday’s goal was his third of the season and the fourth of his Yeovil career.