Hazell looks to live the dream

AMBITIOUS Reuben Hazell is desperate to play Coca-Cola Championship football again - and hopes he can fulfil his dream with Athletic.

The 29-year-old central defender, who this week signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract at Boundary Park, wants another taste of life in the second tier of English football.

Hazell said: “I played in the Championship for Tranmere and I think it is realistic for me to play at that level again. If I can achieve that with Oldham, I see no reason why I cannot finish my career with them.

“That is something I would like to do because this is the happiest I have been since I was a trainee at Aston Villa.

“It is a great club and I get on with everyone from the laundry girls and groundsman to managing director Simon Corney.”

Hazell believes Athletic have the players capable of winning promotion, as was proved by their polished performance at runaway leaders Leicester City on Saturday.

He said: “We have to play like we did at Leicester every week and perform at a more consistent level than we have been doing.

“The transfer window has shut and we have managed to keep all our key players so there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to push for promotion.”

Hazell added that being offered a new long-term deal before his current deal expired - it wasn’t due to run out until June - has given him a big confidence boost.

He continued: “Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty, not just in football but in society as a whole, due to the credit crunch.

“I wondered what the future might hold with my contract due to expire in June. To be offered a new deal before my existing one ran out removes that uncertainty.

“I can concentrate on playing and striving to improve my game, which I believe I can still do.”

Athletic manager John Sheridan and No 2 Tommy Wright returned today after spending two days in Cardiff studying for their UEFA Pro Licences.

Their main priority today was studying their options for a loan goalkeeper as Greg Fleming will be banned on Saturday when Athletic play hosts to Northampton Town.

Athletic are also still confident they will tie up another loan move this week - their target being a talented young player from a Premier League club.




ATHLETIC striker Dean Windass has been named in the League One team of the week - as a goalkeeper.



The 39-year-old produced a heroic display at Leicester as stand-in shot stopper after taking over in goal following Greg Fleming’s sending off.

Athletic captain Sean Gregan, who also had a fine game in the back line, also makes the all-star team.