I’m lovin’ it at Latics!

ALL SMILES . . . Neil Joy (right) with Robbie Simpson.

AFTER turning down more lucrative offers from other clubs, Athletic forward Robbie Simpson has decided to resume his career at Boundary Park with another one-year deal.

The 27 year old’s re-signing represents a triumph on two counts: it shows that pure enjoyment in his work counts for more than money - and that despite the bookies, Simpson shares Paul Dickov’s view that Latics can finish in the top six next season.

“I am not going to lie,” said Simpson, “I had a fair bit of interest from others clubs and had offers that were better financially. But that isn’t the point. My dad drilled into me that it doesn’t really matter how much you earn — unless you love what you do, you won’t be happy.

“I took a pay cut to sign for Oldham in January and it proved to be a good decision. My dad said hadn’t seen me enjoy my football as much since I was at Cambridge. 

“I am very grateful to Paul Dickov for believing in me. I have a great ambition to play in the Championship and I had to make sure the club matched up to that.

“The manager is a very ambitious person. Though the club has got financial constraints, I believe we share the same goals.”

Athletic’s latest acquisition hopes to take up a role floating behind the main striker on a permanent basis. He reckons that if the club remains united and achieves consistent form, the upper echelons need not be out of reach. “I think that we can achieve something special next season. League One is very open this time," he added.

Simpson initially arrived on loan from rivals Huddersfield, where he had been a virtual outcast who trained separately from. His move to Oldham was made permanent in the New Year — and he celebrated by smashing in a brilliant opening goal in the FA Cup tie at Anfield.

The hope is that teaming him with Dean Furman and James Wesolowski on next season's roster will pay big dividends.

"There was the statistic in the Chronicle last season that showed we only lost one game when Dean, James and I all played together — and that was in the FA Cup tie at Anfield. Hopefully, we can all fulfil that potential together next season."

Chief executive Neil Joy said. "We have done well to get him and it is a testament to the manager that we have done so."






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