Latics complete Westlake move

BOSS Joe Royle welcomes goalkeeper Shane Supple.

ATHLETIC have completed the loan signing of Cheltenham Town midfield player Ian Westlake for the remainder of the season.

The 25-year-old left Gloucestershire at 6am today to drive to Boundary Park to complete the formalities.

Westlake played a starring role for Cheltenham — bottom of Coca-Cola League One — in Tuesday’s surprise win against promotion-chasing Tranmere, a game watched by manager Joe Royle.

Royle handed the Clacton-born player his league debut when he managed Ipswich Town.
He joined Leeds United in 2006 and played two seasons at Elland Road — during which he scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner for them in last season’s victory at Boundary Park. He moved to Cheltenham in October.

Westlake becomes Athletic’s second recruit of the week, following Royle’s introduction of Eire under-21 keeper Shane Supple from Ipswich Town.

Chris Taylor, meanwhile, has signed a new contract which commits him to the club until the summer of 2012.

The 22-year-old Taylor’s existing deal expires in 15 months and the new package is a measure of Athletic’s determination to hold on to their prized asset.

They say they have already rejected one “substantial” bid for Taylor who has scored 10 goals this season.

Taylor, a product of the club’s youth system, has no burning desire to leave the club he has supported since he was a boy.

He said: “I would have signed for longer if I could. Everyone knows Oldham is where I want to be.

“I love playing for this club, and I want to help us into the championship.”


TRUST Oldham have been unable to contact former manager John Sheridan so are assuming he won’t be attending tonight’s ‘A Question of Latics’ at PlayHouse 2, Shaw.
Former players Rodger Wylde, Ian Wood, Andy Barlow, Andy Rhodes and David Eyres form an impressive line-up, with Inspiral Carpets guitarist Graham Lambert added to the list.


WE have heard of Athletic fans, enthused by the appointment of Royle, making trips from Northern Ireland, the Isle of Wight and London to be at Saturday’s game.

If you know of anybody travelling from afar, please contact me:

tonybugby@oldham-chronicle.co.uk