Corney’s salute to manager

LEE Johnson possesses exactly the right ingredients to be a management success, says seasoned manager-hunter Simon Corney.

A host of team bosses have passed in and out of the Boundary Park door in the near-decade since the now-chairman first arrived at Boundary Park.

Corney admits that many of the board’s choices have not been successful.

But so sure was he that rookie Johnson, who turned 32 on Friday, would be a hit at Athletic, Corney always felt his immediate impact would serve to halt the spiral down towards League Two.

“The truth is that Lee did a fantastic job to keep us up, fairly comfortably in the end,” said Corney, discussing a manager whose record after arriving at the stricken club was four wins, three draws and three losses, with safety from relegation assured with two matches to spare.

“But at the end of the day, we were always confident that would be the case. I am not that surprised.

“Some people either have it or they don’t. You learn a bit from each time you give jobs to managers and I have had plenty.

“The most important thing is character. He could have kept playing but a long time ago, Lee decided this was what he wanted to do.”

Johnson is working on assembling his squad ahead of the new season.

And he told the Chronicle this morning that he hopes to make a new signing in the “next three or four days”.

A right-wing replacement for outgoing wide man Lee Croft is set to arrive at the club from overseas, with the name currently being kept under wraps.



ACCRINGTON Stanley have announced ticket prices for their home friendly with Athletic on Tuesday, July 23 (7.30pm kick-off). Fans can pay on the gate at rates of £12 adults, £8 concessions (over 65s and under 17s) and £4 under-12s.