Latics on Koukash radar

Boundary Park is next stop, claims Reds chief
MILLIONAIRE racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash last night confirmed that he still wants to buy Oldham Athletic Football Club.

Palestine-born magnate Koukash, who took over as the newly-named Salford Reds Rugby League Club supremo earlier this year, revealed in June that he wanted to buy a mystery club in the North-West and “take it to the next level”. The club in question is Athletic.

In June, current Athletic owner Simon Corney said he would welcome someone of the go-getting nature of Dr Koukash (54) ultimately taking over the reins at Boundary Park, and now, during a BBC Radio Manchester interview last night, the man himself briefly confirmed that the Sky Bet League One club is still very much at the forefront of his mind.

Asked if Oldham Athletic is still on his radar, Koukash said: “Absolutely.

“My priority and my time has recently been taken up with building the (Salford rugby) team that we announced today, but now I will start trying to concentrate on acquiring the football club.”

Koukash announced eight more high-profile Salford signings for the 2014 Super League season yesterday, with the club also reing relaunched as the Red Devils.

Huge names such as Rangi Chase, Gareth Hock and Tony Puletea have now joined Koukash’s Salford revolution as he has repeatedly promised significant investment in the playing staff since taking over at the Salford City Stadium on January 31. 

LEE Johnson has revealed that he won’t be contesting his FA charge of improper conduct following his dismissal from the technical area by referee Eddie Ilderton during last weekend’s game against Tranmere.

ATHLETIC prospects Kirk Millar and Carl Winchester have joined up with the Northern Ireland under-21 squad ahead of their home European Championship qualifier against Belgium on Monday.

ATHLETIC central-defender Edijs Joksts was an unused substitute yesterday as Latvia lost 2-0 at home against Switzerland in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier in Jurmala.

Latvia’s next qualifier is against Ukraine on October 14.