Just the ticket for helpful fans

PARK LIFE:


 A HOST of Athletic fans helped to clear the Boundary Park pitch of snow last week following an appeal by the club.

Every supporter who lent a hand last Friday morning received a free ticket for last night's Tranmere match.

But while the snow has disappeared, a new problem has arisen.

During the month spent under a covering of ice, the playing surface has become infected with fusarium patch, a disease which kills off sections of grass.

However, the ground staff are confident they have the situation under control.


SCOTT Spencer, the former Athletic trainee who made a big-money move to Everton at the age of 17, marked his Southend United debut by coming off the substitutes’ bench to score a late consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium.

And former Athletic midfielder Danny Boshell has been placed on the transfer list by League Two strugglers Grimsby Town.


ATHLETIC'S youth team are back in action on Saturday following an enforced six-week break.

Tony Philliskirk's charges — whose last game was a 2-1 win over Morecambe on Saturday, December 12 — are up against Carlisle United at Chapel Road (11am kick-off).


STOCKPORT County boss Gary Ablett has completed moves for four MK Dons players.

Defender Danny Swailes and winger Richie Partridge have signed permanent six-month deals, striker Jabo Ibehre will stay until the end of the season on loan and Jemal Johnson will remain at Edgeley Park for 28 days.

The quartet all made debuts in County's 1-0 home defeat to Swindon Town on Tuesday night, a 12th consecutive loss for League One's bottom club.


GILLINGHAM are seeking to extend the loan spell of striker Febian Brandy.

The 20-year-old Manchester United striker has scored twice in nine matches for the struggling Kent side, winning the decisive penalty as the Gills beat Athletic 1-0 in mid-November.


HUDDERSFIELD manager Lee Clark has signed Birmingham defender Krystian Pearce on loan until the end of the season.


NEAL Trotman, the ex-Athletic centre-half who left for Preston in a £500,000 deal two years ago, is in talks with Huddersfield Town over an extended loan. Trotman (22) had a spell with Southampton earlier this season, playing in 18 games and scoring two goals.