Sackings threat over dogs night
Reporter: Latics latest by TONY BUGBY
Date published: 10 March 2009
ALAN HARDY: Club embarrassed.
ATHLETIC bosses haven’t ruled out the possibility that employees could be dismissed as investigations continue into the alcohol-fuelled incidents which took place during a night out at Belle Vue dog track.
Chief executive Alan Hardy visited the dog track yesterday and was due back today to speak to staff who witnessed the alleged drunken and lewd behaviour.
There were a number of incidents, including striker Lee Hughes holding manager John Sheridan in a head lock following a heated exchange. Captain Sean Gregan is also alleged to have been involved in another.
Mr Hardy admitted that the trouble, which has made the national media, has been “embarrassing” for the Boundary Park club.
He said: “If anyone is found to have been acting inappropriately, thus bringing the club into disrepute, I would expect the strongest possible action to be taken.
“We have to look carefully at all the evidence, but cannot discount sackings on the ground of gross misconduct.”
The results of the investigations are likely to be discussed at a board meeting later this week. Athletic have been keeping all the directors, including New York-based chairman Simon Blitz, informed by telephone of developments.
Athletic are hoping to conclude their investigations before Saturday’s Coca-Cola League One fixture at Milton Keynes Dons as they view it as an unwelcome distraction in their bid for promotion.
Athletic could find themselves outside of the top six after tonight when close rivals Scunthorpe and Leeds United are both in action.
Scunthorpe, one point behind, have two games in hand while Leeds, two points adrift, have one game in hand.
ON a happier note, Athletic’s fund raising for the Royal Oldham Hospital’s breast cancer ‘Link4Pink Appeal’ continues to gather momentum.
The pink shirts worn by the players against Leeds have been put up for auction and bids totalling £5,830 have been lodged.
The deadline for bidding is 3pm tomorrow and they can be made at www.oldhamathletic.co.uk
