Quinn and Captain make amends

CHAIRMAN Bill Quinn and captain Robert Roberts have shaken hands following their clash at the end of the Gateshead game and both men have pledged to put the incident behind them.

As Oldham’s players left the field at the Darlington Arena, Quinn became embroiled in an ugly public spat with Roberts near the players’ tunnel.

In a statement issued by the club, the majority shareholder stopped short of issuing an apology for his unusual actions but was quoted describing the following version of events:

“It was just an occurrence. Robert spoke to me as he was leaving the field and I commented back.

“The adrenaline was running high. There was an exchange of views, but it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

“I hold Robert in the highest regard as captain of the club and as an inspirational leader on the field.

“As men, we have shaken hands and it is now a thing of the past. We are all looking forward to trying to achieve our target of promotion this season.”

Roberts’ statement also indicated that he felt it was time to move the focus elsewhere:

“We have shaken hands and it is all over now. It was all done in the heat of the moment.

“It just shows how passionate we are for the club. It was just one of those things and it is now time to move on.

“If we could turn back the clock I am sure we would have done things differently by sitting down and having a talk, but emotions were running high immediately after a disappointing cup defeat.”