Latics keep agents’ fees to a minimum

FOOTBALL agents get short shrift when it comes to dealing with Athletic, according to figures released by the Football League.

Athletic made a total of 28 player transactions between January and June, 2009, at no financial cost to the club through fees to agents.

And in the previous six months, Athletic paid out only £4,500.

That was far removed to Leeds United, who paid agents £376,500 in the same 12-month period, while Leicester forked out £121,700.

Elsewhere, Championship club Derby County were the biggest spenders of the 72 league clubs.

They splashed out over £1million in fees to agents, while in League Two relegated Luton Town paid £47,500.

Nineteen clubs paid no fees to agents overs 12 months and these included Crewe, Hartlepool, Hereford, Northampton, Scunthorpe and Tranmere, who were all in League One last season.

In total, agents were paid £8,809,501, which is the lowest figure recorded for the five seasons in which such data has been collated.

That represents a drop of £2m from the previous year.

DEREK HOWARD, who worked in Athletic’s commercial office during the glory years, has died at the age of 79 after a lengthy illness.

Derek, who was at the club between 1988 and 1995, organised the Strike It Lucky draw as well as the club’s golf days.

He lived in Mossley where he was a keen supporter of the non-league football team.

Derek leaves his wife Madge, who used to help him on matchdays at Boundary Park, and daughters Christine and Margaret.

IT WAS down to earth with an almighty bang for Athletic’s youngsters who crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Carlisle in the North-West Youth Alliance.

The loss came a week after Athletic defeated Accrington Stanley 7-1 in their opening league fixture.

Athletic were punished for a poor defensive performance as they gifted Carlisle their goals, two being conceded from set pieces.

Yet Athletic remained in with a shout until the last five minutes when Carlisle scored two breakaway goals.

Tom Eaves scored his 11th goal in seven matches to make it 1-1 in the first half.