Kit man quits after pranging team cars

MARK COOMBE

LATICS’ kit man Mark Coombe kicked off the season with a bang — by smashing his team’s minibus into three of the players’ cars.

Coombe joined Athletic on trial this summer — but his hopes of landing the job permanently have been written off following the prang in the club car park.

It is understood Mark was driving the minibus back from Oldham’s Chapel Road training ground in Hollinwood when disaster struck as he attempted to park.

Officials have declined to comment but it is thought Oldhamer Mark clipped parked cars as he tried to manoeuvre the bus into a space. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

A source said he was “devastated” and had quit immediately after the accident.

The source added: “He was distraught and walked out as soon as it happened. We haven’t seen him since and we think he is really depressed about it. We’ve tried to get in touch but haven’t been able to manage it. We’re quite worried about him.”

Two of the damaged cars are thought to belong to first team players David Mellor and Anton Rodgers. The other is owned by youth team player Will Kinder, who later tweeted “Trust it to be my car someone drives a minibus into.”