Likely lads boost Athletic’s coffers

PARK LIFE: ATHLETIC head of youth Tony Philliskirk fully accepts the need for the club to sell some of its brightest stars.

The latest talent to show himself in the public eye after coming through the Athletic ranks is Danny Philliskirk.

An attacking midfielder or support striker, Tony's son moved to Chelsea at the tender age of 16 two years ago for a fee initially believed to total around £150,000, plus substantial extra payments in relation to appearances.

After skippering the youth team last season, Philliskirk impressed the management enough to be handed a place on the bench for the Champions League home clash against Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday night.

Although he was not brought on in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, It was a proud moment for dad Tony not only in terms of personal pride but also as it served to further vindicate the hard yards Athletic put in when bringing youngsters through despite increasingly-heavy competition for signatures from Premier League clubs.

"It is a massive thing for Danny," Tony said.

"He is only 18 and just the experience of the day and the build-up to it, training alongside the first-team players, will have been great for him.

"We have had quite a few players who have gone on in the professional game and not just here at Oldham.

"It proves that, even though the results haven't been as good as they may have been recently, we are still producing good players and that is the most important thing.

"Ultimately, the aim is to bring through players who will either play in the first team, or be sold on to other clubs to make us some money.

"In the last two or three years we must have brought in close to £1million when you take into account the transfers of Neal Trotman, Danny and Neil Eardley.

"Then there is Scott Spencer (currently on loan at Yeovil from Everton) and Scott's brother Grant who is now with Bolton.

"And everyone knows the situation with Micah Richards."

Tony was in Northern Ireland over the weekend looking at two players from Linfield.

He hopes to bring them to the club in order to follow in the footsteps of highly-rated youth team wing pair Kirk Millar and Philip McGrath.


ATHLETIC’S youth team went down 3-1 at home to Rochdale, their FA Youth Cup conquerers.

Tom Eaves was the sole scorer for Athletic at Chapel Road, netting a consolation in injury time for his 13th goal of the season.

The home side took the opportunity to give a host of under-15 and under-16 prospects their chance, along with debutant 14-year-old Chris Sutherland.

Unfortunately for Athletic, they lost two of their more experienced performers during the game, Djeny Bembo-Leta and Laquan Esdaile-Biney both coming off injured.

The youth team are in action again on Saturday, facing Morecambe at Chapel Road (11am kick-off).