Ex-Latics midfield ace hoping for public support

BOUNDARY PARK LIFE: MARK Allott’s wonder strike against Huddersfield last season could be in line for a Football League award.

After each club was invited to submit their best goal of 2009, a total of 20 were shortlisted and former Athletic midfielder Allott's stunning 25-yard volley at the Galpharm Stadium was among them.

The vote to find the top five has now ended and the result can be seen on Sky Sport’s Soccer AM this Saturday, with the overall winner to be decided at the 2010 Football League Awards which take place at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on Sunday, March 14.

Meanwhile, the rock-solid centre-back partnership of Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell has been recognised, with both players nominated for Football League awards.

The pair are in the running for League One's player of the season, which is subject to a fans' vote at:

http://fourfourtwo.com/footballleagueawards


PAUL Heffernan rifled home the decisive goal for his new club Bristol Rovers on Monday night, putting a major dent in opponents Charlton's hopes of promotion back to the Coca-Cola Championship.

The former Athletic loan striker ran clear to shoot home powerfully in the second half at the Memorial Stadium, putting his new club two goals up before the visitors — who lost full-back Grant Basey to a broken leg in the opening minute — managed a consolation through Therry Racon's injury-time strike.

Athletic had hoped that Addicks conqueror Heffernan would now be plying his trade at Boundary Park.

The Irish striker, who played four times for Athletic on loan earlier this season and scored one goal, would have made a return in early January.

But his parent club Doncaster believed that Sheffield United were about to sell forward Billy Sharp, who remains on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium, to a rival club.

Such a move would have left the Dons short in the forward department, hence Heffernan staying on in case of such an eventuality.

Athletic were then led to believe that Heffernan would be on his way back to the club on loan once the window for permanent transfers was shut.

Instead, his agent arranged a deal with Bristol Rovers, to the great surprise of Athletic officials.


ATHLETIC'S youth team went down to a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.

Andrew Crompton scored an equaliser before half-time and at 2-1 down, Athletic wasted a host of excellent chances before the home team scored twice in the final five minutes to run out deserved winners.

Weather permitting, Tony Philliskirk's side are away on Saturday morning against Accrington.


ANOTHER cut-price ticket offer is being laid on by Athletic.

Fans have the chance to gain admission to three home matches in March for £30 — half the normal matchday price.

The deal takes in matches at Boundary Park against Leyton Orient (Tuesday, March 9), Wycombe Wanderers (Saturday, March 13) and Brighton (Saturday, March 20).

For concessions the cost for the three matches is £15 and for under-12s it is only £3.

Tickets can be bought in person at the ticket office, over the phone on (0161) 7855150 or on line at: www.oldhamathletic.co.uk