Young stars set to shine

AIDAN WHITE

AIDAN White is predicting big things of Athletic’s fledgling stars.

The on-loan Leeds United player has been impressed with the likes of 18-year-old pair James Tarkowski and Carl Winchester, who both formed part of a solid defence which kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win at Swindon on Saturday.

White is only 19 himself and was also a key member of that back four — thought to be one of the club’s youngest ever, with 22-year-old Jean-Yves Mvoto completing the line-up.

Starting at left-back for Athletic for the first time, White was accompanied in the team by another 18-year-old in debutant winger Ryan Burns, while 19-year-old wide man Phil McGrath came on for the last minute to also make his senior bow. David Mellor, who is 17, was again an unused substitute.

Dickov’s youngsters are likely to get another chance to impress against MK Dons at Boundary Park on Saturday, and White says the team will go out to end the npower League One campaign with a bang.

“There is only one more game, but there is no danger that we will just sack it off,” said the England under-19s international.

“We will go out there and give it our all again, to try and do it for ourselves but also the fans.

“It is also important to build for next season as well.

“As he did at Swindon, the manager can look at some of the younger players — and I think they were excellent.

“It is a very young squad even without bringing in the 18-year-olds.

“It is great to see them playing and I think there is definitely some real talent here for the future.”

As for his own future once his loan spell at the club expires, White is unsure.

“After this season I will go back to Leeds and go from there.

“I have another year left on my contract, so I will go back and see what happens.”




RYAN Brooke scored twice and created another as Athletic romped to a 5-1 home win over Bury in the Manchester Senior Cup at Boundary Park.



The striker’s double, an own goal and a David Mellor drive make it 4-1 to the home side at half-time.

Phil McGrath slotted the fifth and physio Jon Guy, a late substitute, came close to a sixth when his free-kick hit the crossbar.