Penney braced for tough clashes

PARK LIFE: DAVE Penney hopes that some tricky fixtures can bring out the best in his men.

With one win in the last nine games, Athletic face a daunting couple of fixtures at home to runaway League One leaders Leeds United, at Boundary Park next Tuesday, followed four days later by the long trip to Norwich, who are in a play-off spot and looking good for an immediate return to the Championship after being relegated last season.

But despite his team's poor form, Penney is confident Athletic can raise their game against two of the division's big boys.

"I don't think they will be a problem, Leeds and Norwich," he said after the 3-0 reverse at Walsall.

"They are tough games, but I know for a fact that the performances will be better.

"It is now a matter of if we can get some goals and results against these top teams.

"But first and foremost we want to analyse the Walsall game, get it out of the way and move on."


CHRIS O'Grady continues to bang in the goals for Rochdale — prompting calls for him to return to Athletic when his loan spell at Spotland runs out in January.

The 23-year-old striker, who was shipped out for spells at Bury, Bradford and Stockport last season, has found form for Keith Hill's League Two side, netting seven times in his last 13 appearances.

O'Grady's latest goal was the winner in a 2-1 home defeat of promotion rivals Notts County, a result which lifted Rochdale to second place in the division.

Athletic's other first-team squad member out on a long-term loan, goalkeeper Greg Fleming, has played in 18 games for Dunfermline in Scottish Division One since moving back north in the summer.


FORMER Athletic hard man Orig Williams — better known as 'El Bandito', a well-known wrestling villain — has died, aged 78.

The Welshman also turned out professionally for Bangor City, Shrewsbury Town and Pwllheli.

During his time as a footballer he built up a reputation as a tough player on the field before transferring his skills to the ring.

In his later years, Williams was a sports columnist for the North Wales Daily Post.