Dickov in double swoop

TALL ORDER: Chris Iwelumo (far right) has plenty of experience leading the front line in the Championship.

CHRIS Iwelumo tied up formalities to become an Athletic player today, in place of injured Matt Smith.

The two-goal hero against Liverpool damaged his shoulder late in the game and will be out for several weeks.

And this afternoon athletic further strengthened their squad  with the capture of young Reading midfielder Jordan Obita.
The 19-year-old¹s emergency youth loan is one for one month and subject to
Premier League and Football League approval.
The teenager has represented England at under-18s and 19s level.
While only making a couple of appearances for Reading in the Carling Cup, he
has had loan spells at Barnet, Gillingham and more recently Portsmouth in
the last two seasons.
Obita is also eligible for Athletic¹s fifth-round FA Cup tie against Everton
on February 16.

Manager Paul Dickov had earlier moved quickly to sign Iwelumo (34), a four-times international for Scotland, on loan from Watford until the end of the season. It was hoped other signings would be completed by tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.

Out of favour at Vicarage Road, Iwelumo was on loan at Notts County until the end of December.

The 6ft3in muscular forward has consistently found the net in a career at Stoke, Colchester, Wolves, Bristol City and Burnley.

He and fellow newcomer Paul Murray will add experience to Dickov’s young squad.

With Athletic’s cash situation boosted by progress to the FA Cup fifth round and another televised clash, with Everton, the manager has been given money to add to the squad.

Youssouf Mchangama is out for the season with a knee injury; and Robbie Simpson limped off the field towards the end of the Liverpool game, so further arrivals are likely.

A strike partner for Iwelumo and a winger are priorities


ATHLETIC are still receiving a huge number of media requests following the historic victory over Liverpool.
This week a news organisation from France has been talking to French-speaking duo Jean-Yves Mvoto and Youssouf Mchangama.

Several players have appeared on television and radio: Lee Croft was a studio guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Matt Smith was on Granada Reports and Robbie Simpson was interviewed on TalkSport, as was Chronicle reporter Matthew Chambers.

Chairman Simon Corney appeared in the BBC’s Breakfast News on Monday morning to discuss the epic victory.

Boundary Park can only hold 45 seated reporters, but 80 have asked for passes.


AT its peak, 7.09 million viewers watched the Liverpool game. The average was 4.5m (33-per-cent).