Fresh goals for ex-Latics men

FORMER Athletic striker Nicky Banger, who played in the Premier League for Southampton, is determined to return to the top flight in his new off-the-field job.

Banger is corporate sales manager at Coca-Cola League Two club Aldershot, having been recruited from FA Cup giantkillers Havant and Waterlooville.

After finishing his playing days at Blue Square South club Eastleigh, Banger became assistant manager and also worked in the club’s commercial department.

“I bring in money to football clubs through sponsorship, black-tie dinners, golf days and other events,” he explained.

Banger, who says he never wanted to become a manager, hopes to work his way through the divisions and eventually carry out his current job for a Premier League club.

Banger kicked off his career at Southampton and joined Athletic in a £250,000 transfer in October, 1994.

He remained at Boundary Park for three years before moving to Oxford United on a free transfer.

He later played for Dundee United and Plymouth, and also had the briefest of loan spells at Scunthorpe.

Banger’s only appearance for The Iron lasted just four minutes when, after coming on as a late substitute, he picked up a groin strain.




JOHN Eyre, another former Athletic striker, has begun training to become a fully-qualified financial advisor.



“I’m work with a guy who I used to know when I played football,” said Eyre. “He is trying to franchise his business across the country by giving advice to professional footballers.”

Eyre, who advises a number of players at Boundary Park, stopped playing in 2005 and spent 18 months as a car salesman.

“I got this latest opportunity by chance and have taken to it. It is an interesting business,” he said.