Football hopefuls converge on Latics

ATHLETIC officials, players and guests attended the club’s annual presentation at the White Hart, Lydgate, last night. Pictured with a framed Latics shirt are, from the left: Paul Dickov (manager), Simon Corney (chairman), Jon Christos (artiste), Alan Hardy (chief executive), Ian Hill (director), Jenny Williams (artiste), Barry Owen (director). Picture by ANTHONY MILLER

BOUNDARY Park will play host to League Football Education's annual assessment trials in the upcoming close season, designed to offer youngsters a second chance to make it in the sport.

Athletic's home ground is one of four venues — Staines Town FC, Hartpury College and the Banks's Stadium in Walsall are the others — at which a total of around 300 young footballers who haven't been offered professional terms have the chance to impress watching scouts from other clubs both at home and abroad.

The event at Boundary Park takes place on Thursday, May 12.

Alan Sykes, League Football Education’s chief executive, said: “Just to earn an apprenticeship means you have considerable talent.

"Unfortunately, not everyone who comes through the programme will be offered a professional contract. Those who are released by their clubs are in many instances very unfortunate — and that’s where assessment trials fit in.”

Those interested in registering for the 2011 Assessment trials can do so by logging on to: www.lfe.org.uk/progression/trials




OLDHAM Athletic hold their annual ‘Summer Golf Classic’ at Manchester Golf Club on Thursday, July 7.



A team of four costs £280 plus VAT, including a three-course dinner. Contact Gordon on (0161) 7855166 for details.