Carrying on the good work

STEPPING UP: Neil Joy says “it is a great feeling” to be appointed Athletic’s new chief executive.

‘Long apprenticeship’ serves Joy well
NEW Athletic chief executive Neil Joy has been impressed with Paul Dickov’s side this term — but is determined to do everything he can to improve off-the-field matters.

Joy (43), who has been with the club for 15 years, stepped up from his previous role as accountant to replace Alan Hardy, who retired due to ill health two months ago.

Alongside Trust Oldham chairman Barry Owen, he had been overseeing day-to-day affairs at the cash-strapped Boundary Park outfit in the aftermath of Hardy’s departure, and after interviewing for the post he was delighted to get the nod.

Joy said: “It is a great feeling to have been given this opportunity.

“I think the fact I was here dealing with club matters on a daily basis alongside Barry is a good thing because it probably makes the transition a bit smoother.

“On the pitch I think we are doing well. The trip to Anfield in the FA Cup third round gave everyone at the club a big lift and we got a real buzz, which was fantastic.

“Obviously if we can make it to Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy that feeling will return again and it would be a brilliant occasion for everyone connected to Oldham.

“Off the pitch there is always a lot of work to be done and I will look to continue the excellent work Alan carried out in his time here, as well as adding my own ideas.

“We are constantly looking for ways to generate interest in the club among people of all ages and from all backgrounds, and I hope we can do that.

“I have fresh ideas in my mind which I can bring to the table, although I cannot say any more than that at this stage.”

Joy, who makes the journey from his home in Hadfield, Glossop, to the ground every morning, will toy with the idea of repeating last season’s one-off price cut, which attracted more than 8,000 supporters to Boundary Park for the npower League One clash with Carlisle.

No announcement is imminent and it is unclear if it would take place before the end of this season, but Joy remains open-minded to any method of whipping up extra support.

Looking ahead, he feels the trials and tribulations he has witnessed since his arrival at the club in 1997 make his a good fit for the chief executive role.

Joy continued: “As is the case at any football club, an awful lot has happened over the last 15 years.

“I have seen us drop down the divisions, go into administration and come back out of it. There have been so many ups and downs since I walked through the door in 1997.

“It was like I was serving a ‘long apprenticeship’ in the background and I feel my experiences during that time can only be a good thing for my new role.

“Every football club needs continuity and my appointment as chief executive provides just that.”