Tracking down Athletic’s amazing class of 1990

HEROES ALL . . . Athletic’s Littlewoods Cup final team are beaten, but not bowed. From left, back: Roger Palmer, Mike Milligan, Denis irwin, Nick Henry, Andy Ritchie, Gary Williams, Andy Rhodes, Frank Bunn, Earl Barrett, Rick Holden. Front: Neil Adams, Paul Warhurst, Andy Barlow.

LATICS ROUND UP: ATHLETIC’S class of 1990 are set for a reunion when the club holds its celebration dinner at the Queen Elizabeth Hall next week.

But, 20 years on from the famous run to Wembley, what has become of the side which took to the field for the 1990 Littlewoods Cup final against Nottingham Forest?

Andy Rhodes — based in Bolton, the father of Huddersfield striker Jordan is a goalkeeping coach at Sheffield Wednesday.

Denis Irwin — the Cork-born full-back has worked in the media as a pundit on Manchester United TV for the past six years.

Andy Barlow — involved in coaching with the PFA, in particular working with younger players.

Nick Henry — owns a pub in Scarborough, the club where he finished his playing career and later became manager.

Earl Barrett — the former England international works for the PFA in a coaching capacity.

Paul Warhurst — retired from football after a brief caretaker spell in charge of Northwich Victoria in 2007, following Neil Redfearn’s resignation as boss.

Neil Adams — has his own football-based show on BBC Radio Norfolk, broadcast direct from Carrow Road.

Andy Ritchie — the ex-Athletic boss is now involved as a football pundit, primarily on BBC Radio Leeds.

Frank Bunn — after spending almost a decade coaching in the youth set-up at Manchester City, Saddleworth-based ‘Frankie’ is assistant boss at Coventry City.

Mike Milligan — a matchday host at Norwich City, Milligan is also a football agent with a handful of players on his books.

Rick Holden — the winger runs his own physiotherapy business on the Isle of Man.

There were only two subs allowed at that time.

Striker Roger Palmer lives in Sale and defender Gary Williams runs a pub in Spain.