Six-shooter’s bullets loaded on the wings

HOT-SHOT . . . Frank Bunn was an integral part of the strike force during Athletic’s memorable 1989-90 season.

PARK LIFE:

In the latest of our articles looking back on Athletic’s amazing season of 20 years ago, striker Frank Bunn reveals the fond memories of his time with the club.

THERE IS barely a moment of Athletic's 'pinch me' season which doesn't bring memories flooding back for Frank Bunn.

The striker famously netted six times in one game — still a League Cup record — as Athletic blew away Scarborough 7-0 on the road to Wembley.

Bunn, who admits Athletic's is the first result he looks out for on a Saturday night, still lives in Saddleworth.

And he describes the entire 1989-90 season, in which the club reached the Littlewoods Cup final and replayed an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, as being a "unique" experience.

"I remember everything," said Bunn, now aged 47 and working as first-team coach at Coventry City.

"You never get fed up of talking about it and they are fantastic memories.

"It was a great achievement personally to score six times in one game but it was also great to be a part of that team ethos.

"There have been a few players come close over the years with five goals, but it was just one of those nights when everything I touched seemed to go in.

"The supply from the wide areas was brilliant and I don't think I realised at the time just how good a team it was.

"It is only a number of years afterwards that you look at the players that were assembled — perhaps the experience of working on the other side of the game in coaching and management gives you perspective, too — and you realise that the scouting system, coaches and manager put together an excellent side.

"Once you are working on the other side of the game you can appreciate just how much work was put into that side.

"It was a unique time and a unique club. With the staff at the time, from the laundry lady up to Alan Hardy, everyone got on so well.

"With players, you go to some clubs and there are perhaps little cliques.

“But it was a special time when everybody got on so well.

"Every footballer says it, but going to Wembley is a fantastic occasion for the supporters, your family and for yourself.

"It was a very proud time and you can't really describe the scenes both before and after. It was very special."

Bunn was forced to retire soon after the Wembley appearance, in which Athletic went down 1-0 to a Nigel Jemson goal for Nottingham Forest.

After deciding to stay in the game in a coaching capacity, he got help from the PFA and started out on a community programme at Wigan Athletic before going on to work with Manchester City's youngsters under Jim Cassell.

After spending a decade at City, Bunn was approached by then-Coventry manager Iain Dowie to go there as a first-team coach three years ago and he remains at the Ricoh Arena to this day.

As far as Bunn's managerial heroes go, you don't have to look much further than Joe Royle.

But like Royle, he wonders if the scenes of 20 years ago can ever be replicated.

"Without doubt Joe is the best Oldham have ever had," Bunn said.

"From a personal point of view, with Joe having been a forward himself, he was superb with me.

"I learned a great deal off both him and Willie Donachie.

"I think the camaraderie and atmosphere around the place at that time was unique.

"It was a special blend of people, which made going in to work a pleasure.

"As for getting to the Premier League again, the club would need an awful lot of money investing in it.

"But if the right players are brought in, who knows? Football is unbelievable at times."