PARK LIFE: Ex-Latics strikers team up

Scott Vernon

FORMER Athletic frontman Scott Vernon has gone out on loan to Southend — where he will link up with another ex-Boundary Park striker in Scott Spencer.

The 26-year-old Vernon is contracted to Colchester United, but was loaned to League One rivals Gillingham earlier this season.

He managed only one game there due to injury and while Gills boss Mark Stimson was hopeful of re-signing the player, he elected to make the move to the Shrimpers.

Spencer (21) has made a good impression at Roots Hall, scoring twice in four appearances as substitute, including a goal in the 2-2 home draw with Swindon Town at the weekend.


ANOTHER former Athletic forward, Craig Davies, has extended his loan deal at League Two club Port Vale until the end of the season.

The Brighton man arrived at Vale Park on a month-long loan in mid-January and netted his first goal for the club in a 2-0 victory over Hereford on Saturday.


THE YOUTH team's game at Tranmere Rovers in the Football League Alliance was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Tony Philliskirk's charges are back in action on Saturday with a home fixture against Stockport County.


PHILIP McGrath has been forced to withdraw from Northern Ireland's under-19 training squad because of injury.

The promising 17-year-old youth team winger, who has been on the substitutes' bench three times for the first-team this season, was due to attend the two-day get-together at Lilleshall next week, but has picked up a calf strain.