Youngsters hold the key, says Royle

Dale Stephens: One of Athletic’s promising youngsters.

JOE ROYLE believes giving youth its chance is the way forward for Athletic.

Admitting he is concerned about the club’s current plight, the legendary ex-manager stressed how difficult it is for clubs to breed success on a tight budget.

In his early days in charge Royle was forced to sell a host of players in order to bring money into the Boundary Park coffers, leaving him with the task of building from the bottom up.

And though he says that is much more difficult these days in terms of getting players in from the country’s top clubs, Royle points to the likes of 20-year-old Dale Stephens, brought in from Bury as a teenager, and 19-year-old former trainee Paul Black — both players he encountered during his short spell in charge at the back end of last season — to show it is possible to develop first-team talent without spending mega-bucks.

“I am worried about the position the club is in, but Latics are not in a unique situation,” said Royle.

“The owners have pumped millions in to the club but it is very hard in football at this level.

“I was used to getting in players from the reserves at Manchester City, Leeds and Everton, and giving them a little bit more money to play here.

“You just can’t afford to do that any more because of the sums involved.

“For me, it was quite often two steps forward and one step back and players had to go before others were brought it.

“I made a transfer profit every year I was here.

“I sold Tommy Wright, who was a massive influence for us, saved a lot of money and bought Rick Holden.

“We also sold on Mick Quinn — simply because we had to — and brought in Andy Ritchie instead.

“There were ins and outs every year.

“Now it is a case of scouring the bargain basement and I am sure Dave Penney is out looking at new players all the time.

“I think that clubs at this level will have to start doing what Crewe are famous for in concentrating on the grass roots to bring players through.

“And with that in mind it is good to see players like Dale Stephens and Paul Black getting games.

“Developing and bringing through young players like that may be the way forward.”


JOE Colbeck staked his claim for a place in Athletic’s starting line-up with two goals for the reserves at Wrexham last night.

The winger netted in both halves to secure a 2-2 draw in a game featuring other first-team men Kelvin Lomax, Alex Marrow, Deane Smalley, Jon Worthington and Lewis Alessandra.