Gregan nominated for NW honours

SEAN Gregan is in the running for a North-West player of the year gong.

Athletic's inspirational captain has been shortlisted for the MNBA-sponsored awards in the League One category, along with goalscoring defender Ian Harte of Carlisle, former Stockport defender Johnny Mullins and fellow veteran centre-back Ian Goodison of Tranmere.

Who gets the nod depends on votes made through the www.nwfootballawards.co.uk  website.

Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony which takes place at the Old Trafford home of Lancashire County Cricket club in October.

A panel of expert judges, including PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, will decide the winners in other categories.


ATHLETIC missed out on being handed a bye for the first round of this season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

A total of 16 clubs head straight through to the next stage, but Athletic eyes will be fixed on the draw for the opening round, which is being broadcast on Sky's Soccer AM on Saturday.

Paul Dickov's men are included in the North-West section and will face one of Accrington — who knocked out the club at the same stage at Boundary Park last season with a 2-1 victory — Macclesfield, Morecambe, Port Vale, Rochdale, Shrewsbury and Tranmere. First-round ties will be played week commencing August 30.