No hiding place

CONNOR Hughes . . . the Athletic youngster is expected to get his chance next season in Paul Dickov’s first team.

ATHLETIC’S young guns have been told to steel themselves for action next season.

The four teenagers entering their second season as fully-fledged professionals — James Tarkowski, Connor Hughes, Carl Winchester and David Mellor — will have no hiding place from now on, says manager Paul Dickov.

Kirk Millar, still only 19, will enter his third year as a senior with precious little first-team action to show.

With a reduced budget, the emphasis will be on home-grown youth but with just as great an expectation of results.

“It is important that young players like James Tarkowski, Carl Winchester, David Mellor, Kirk Millar and Connor Hughes really step up,” Dickov said. “We had a chat with them and it is important that they realise that they are professionals now, not just young lads.

“Carl and Tarky in particular have already grown up a lot this season, mentally and physically. There is a massive difference in their maturity. In your first year as a professional, you tend to get away with little things. That isn’t the case any more.”

Athletic chief executive Neil Joy has revealed his delight at the boost to season ticket sales from juniors. The £10 offer for juniors is indefinite — and 767 have already been snapped up.

By the time the cut-price offer for adults expired, 2,238 season tickets had been sold overall — compared to the 1,786 sold at this time last year.




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