Turning back the clock

Photo: Andrew Schofield

ATHLETIC’S Masters line-up, back row, left to right: Tony Philliskirk, Jon Hallworth, Lee Duxbury, Andy Ritchie, Mike Milligan. Front: David Eyres, Tommy Wright, Darren Sheridan. Not on picture: Rick Holden. Picture by ANDREW SCHOFIELD.

IT was a case of Friends Reunited for Athletic who fielded a team of golden oldies in the over-35s Screwfix Masters Cup.

And it was a chance to catch up on the whereabouts of players, some of whom are no longer in football.

Mike Milligan, the heartbeat of Athletic’s midfield during the glory days under Joe Royle, is still based in Norwich where he is working in the world of corporate entertainment and promotions.

And there is still a touch of glamour in his life as Milligan recently took a number of clients to the Monaco Grand Prix, entertaining them on a luxurious yacht in the harbour.

Rick Holden, who had a spell as physio and assistant manager when Andy Ritchie managed Barnsley, is back in the Isle of Man where he has a physiotherapy practice at Peel Football Club which he also manages.

Ritchie, meanwhile, is doing media work as he is currently between jobs having been sacked by Huddersfield at the end of the season.

David Eyres has become an agent and is still a regular at Boundary Park where he looks after the interests of seven players.

Of the remainder of the Athletic team, Darren Sheridan is player- manager of Blue Square Premier side Barrow, goalkeeper Jon Hallworth is still in Oldham where he is working in property development, while Tony Philliskirk, Lee Duxbury and Tommy Wright are on the coaching staff at Boundary Park.

There were a number of other former Athletic players in action for other clubs at the Masters.

Steve Redmond, who was a member of the victorious Manchester City team, is a delivery driver for a builders merchants in his native Liverpool.

Redmond, who has been taking coaching qualifications, would like to get back into football but says he has yet to find an opening.

Paul Warhurst, a member of the Blackburn Rovers team, has also become a players’ representative after recently hanging up his boots and he is employed by one of the biggest agencies, First Artists.

Andy Rhodes and Simon Charlton were in the Bolton team. Rhodes was last weekend appointed Academy goalkeeping coach at Manchester City after recently being sacked by Ipswich, while Charlton is coaching part-time at Norwich City’s academy after finishing playing.