Latics unveil latest crop of scholars

Photo: Picture by ANTHONY MILLER.

FRESH STAND, FRESH TALENT: Athletic’s new scholars, pictured with Barry Owen (Trust Oldham chairman, back left), Tony Philliskirk (youth team coach, back centre) and Neil Joy (chief executive, back right) are, from left, back row: Rio Murray, Rahul Parmar, Lee Knight, Chris Renshaw. Front: Kallum Mantack, Alex Read, Jake Hargreaves, Callum Scullion, Jamie Stott.

TEAM spirit and a never-say-die attitude helped propel Athletic’s under-18s to Lancashire FA Youth Cup glory this season — and the hope is that the same will be true next term, with the new intake of scholars already boasting close ties.

Six of the players hoping to to make it at Boundary Park lined up 12 months ago on the same Greater Manchester Schools team which lifted the national county title. Even the captain of the opposition on that day, Lancashire’s Rahul Parmar, will play under youth boss Tony Philliskirk next season.

The newcomers will be in action on Saturday at Chapel Road, when Hartlepool play an under-17s friendly clash (11.30am kick-off).

New players are:

CHRIS RENSHAW: A goalkeeper from Salford who has been in the system at Boundary Park since he was 11; has played for Athletic’s under-18s.

JAMIE STOTT: The left-sided defender from Failsworth has been with Athletic since he was nine. Was an integral part of the Greater Manchester side.

RAHUL PARMAR: From Preston, the defender joined Athletic just after Christmas and was captain of the Lancashire County Schools side.

CALLUM SCULLION: The left back from Failsworth recently joined Athletic as a local player who has already impressed in his time at the club.

ALEX READ: Already a member of the youth team this season, the central midfielder has been with Athletic since the age of nine. Another of the Greater Manchester Schools clan.

JAKE HARGREAVES: Central midfielder from Accrington is a player Philliskirk has had his eye on for some time. He finally got his man at Christmas, since when he has been impressive.

LEE KNIGHT: From Denton, striker Knight has been with Athletic for three years and played for the successful Greater Manchester Schools side.

RIO MURRAY: A striker who played a leading role in the Greater Manchester Schools team. Has only recently landed with Athletic, who had been looking at him for some time.

KALLUM MANTACK: Excelled in grass roots football as a right winger. Known for his lightning pace.