Latics snap up Irish youngster
Reporter: TONY BUGBY
Date published: 28 July 2009
MANAGER Dave Penney greets two of his newest recruits Philip Ojapah (left) and Rene Steer, both of whom are in action at Stalybridge tonight.
ATHLETIC have beaten off competition from Glasgow Rangers to sign 19-year-old Michael McKerr.
The right-back/holding midfield player has been snapped up by Athletic after being released by Birmingham City, where he spent two years as a professional.
Birmingham only released McKerr, a Northern Ireland under-19 international, because they haven’t got a reserve side in the coming campaign so were unable to offer him regular football.
McKerr, who has been handed a 12-month contract, kicked off his career with top Irish side Glenavon, for whom he was playing first-team football at the age of 16.
He starred in Glenavon’s 2-1 victory against Glasgow Rangers in a pre-season friendly at that time. And McKerr impressed the Ibrox club to such a degree that that didn’t forget him and, after his release by Birmingham, they made a move to sign him.
McKerr, who isn’t expected to feature at first-team level in the immediate future, was brought to Athletic by Irish scout Pat Willett who worked for Joe Royle for three years when he was Athletic manager. He also teamed up with Dave Penney at Darlington.
Summer signing Rob Purdie is resigned to missing the start of Athletic’s new campaign.
The 26-year-old was entering hospital today for an exploratory operation to try to cure the stomach/groin muscle problem which has ruled him out of pre-season.
Purdie was injured during the week manager Dave Penney brought in his players for extra training at the beginning of June.
It is likely Purdie will be given an injection to try to solve the problem and he believes he will be out for between five and six weeks.
Athletic new boys McKerr, Rene Steer and Philip Ojapah will be lining up in the reserves tonight at Stalybridge Celtic.
Other players involved will include Kieran Lee, who has been made available, Dale Stephens, Paul Black, Ryan Brooke, Josh Ollerenshaw, Liam Dawson and Chris Rowney.
Athletic will also be including a number of trialists in their line-up.
MOSSLEY have a pre-season friendly tonight against Hyde United at Seel Park. Oldham Town last night defeated Ramsbottom United 2-1.
