Happy to have made an impact

Adam Lockwood: the defender believes Athletic can be a match for any team in League One.

ADAM Lockwood just wants to carry on playing his part for Athletic next season.

The 33-year-old former Doncaster, Yeovil and Bury centre-back has signed a one-year contract extension after impressing hugely during the second half of last season.

After joining Athletic at the turn of the year, Lockwood (33) went on to make 20 appearances in the 2013-14 season, scoring two goals, and was one of the main reasons why Lee Johnson’s side went on to close last term with a memorable 10-match unbeaten run.

Some may have felt Lockwood’s long and successful career was on the wane when he ended up at Conference North outfit Guiseley at the beginning of the season, but once former team-mate Johnson gave him another Football League chance, he made the most of it.

Lockwood said: “I can’t put my finger on exactly why my move back into the league worked out so well in the end, but I always had confidence in my ability and I knew I’d have something to offer to Oldham.

“I’m just happy I have been able to make some kind of impact. This is a club that’s definitely moving in the right direction and I just wanted to continue to be a part of that.

“We’ve got the nucleus of a really good group at the club and the character really shone through during the unbeaten run at the end of the season.

“We are on a tighter budget than a lot of the other clubs, but if we can get things going early on then we can be a match for anyone.”