2016 - It's another fight for survival

John Sheridan

January...

"I CAN'T prepare a team to keep making individual errors. I don't think Sir Alex Ferguson could do that. Get Jose Mourinho in here and he would not be able to sort that out." David Dunn, January 4.

With Athletic deep in the relegation mire, top scorer Danny Philliskirk was flogged to rivals Blackpool for £75,000 before Newport manager John Sheridan agreed to step into the departing Dunn's shoes over a cappucino in the local supermarket.

Sheridan spoke of "unfinished business" and chief executive Neil Joy apologised to supporters for poor decisions made at board level. Anthony Gerrard agreed to return and starred in a vital 1-0 win at Shrewsbury.

February...

"Every game will be like a cup final and I am serious when I say that." John Sheridan, February 19.

The revelation that Athletic had cashed in early on James Tarkowski's sell-on clause before he completed a £3million move to Burnley caused consternation and a 'Know the Score' campaign was launched to fund a score board that has yet to materialise. Three unheralded players came in on loan - Curtis Main, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Matt Palmer - who would each go on to play a huge role. Athletic beat Gillingham to end a run of 13 home matches without a win.

March...

"I think people are getting a little carried away with Matty. There are lots of things he needs to improve on." John Sheridan on Matt Palmer, March 1.

Neil Joy told how he was "devastated" by the postponement of the home game against Swindon due to snow and ice, but the mood was far happier when the outstanding Palmer netted a very neat goal to see off Blackpool and lift Athletic above their rivals in the table. Curtis Main elected to stay with Athletic rather than go back to relegation-threatened Doncaster, in a development that it's fair to say got right up the nose of Rovers boss Darren Ferguson.

April...

"I have played for enough people who say one thing to your face and another behind your back but with the gaffer Shez, he says it exactly how it is and won't pull any punches." Anthony Gerrard, April 4.

Four wins in six outings was secured with a routine 2-0 victory against Swindon and that was followed up by a 1-0 triumph over Walsall that saw Athletic move out of the bottom-four for the first time since the previous November. Sheridan was not minded to get carried away ("I am not going to run around and do a celebration on the pitch once we stay up, touch wood") but after winning 1-0 at Southend, he did go across to the travelling fans while patting the club crest. safety was assured after Crewe were beaten, before Bolton were linked with a swoop for Sheridan.

May...

"It's all rumours. People are talking about it more than me." John Sheridan on the Bolton speculation, May 1.

Trust Oldham hailed the 'Shezurrection' in a statement to supporters before Mike Jones became the first player confirmed as leaving the club, with an option in his deal not taken up. Sheridan was next linked with another of his former clubs Leeds, but Athletic director Barry Owen felt that if he did stay the club could aim their sights high. "With John at the helm, we will get a top-six place," was Owen's prediction. Sheridan left to join Notts County in League Two on May 27.

June...

"Ideally, we will have a manager in place by June 13, to enable squad-building to take place in time for pre-season." Neil Joy, June 1.

Athletic handed themselves a two-week deadline to replace Sheridan at the start of the month. Rick Holden backed the claims of early front-runner Frank Bunn, while Iain Dowie and John Coleman were also mentioned. Youth team goalkeeper Chris Renshaw was linked with a move to Everton before Carl Winchester signed a new deal. Stuart McCall was linked, as was Steve Evans. Skipper Liam Kelly was linked with Leyton Orient before Evans turned the job offer down. Sean O'Driscoll, Paul Dickov and Shefki Kuqi were next to be linked as the process dragged on.

July...

"I am in discussions with maybe five groups at the moment, but I don't want anyone to get too excited." Athletic director Anthony Gee on takeover talk. July 13.

All five of Athletic's senior players returned to pre-season training conducted without a manager at the helm. Stephen Robinson and Ian Baraclough were linked with the vacant role on Wednesday, July 6, and installed by the following weekend with Peter Shirtliff standing down as assistant five days after the club had said he was to stay on. Connor Ripley, Josh Law and Lee Erwin all came in early on and Ryan Flynn was also signed, with Peter Clarke installed as the new captain.

August...

"It is always nice to get two clean sheets on the bounce and it was good to get 200 Pampers off the chairman as well." New father Connor Ripley after a 0-0 draw with Northampton, August 16.

Ousmane Fane signed for £30,000 and there was a failed cash bid for Josh Magennis as Robinson frantically built a squad in time for the opening game at Millwall. Athletic lost 3-0 but beat Championship club Wigan three days later. A narrow, hard-fought win at local rivals Bury lifted the club to mid-table in the early standings, while the long-awaited arrival of Freddie Ladapo on loan from Crystal Palace was designed to improve the team's goal threat.

September...

"I don't think, in truth, there has ever been a long-term plan at Oldham." Stephen Robinson, September 13.

Cameron Dummigan returned to Athletic on deadline day but while that was regarded as a coup, there was bad news in the shape of a 3-2 home loss against Shrewsbury in which Athletic were on the rough end of several decisions by referee Andy Haines. Ched Evans came to town with Chesterfield in a game that finished goalless, chief scout Lee Turnbull left for Scunthorpe and though there was a creditable 1-1 draw at Charlton, by the end of the month Athletic were in the relegation zone.

October...

"There is definitely a fear factor (at SportsDirect.com Park) and they played with that." Stephen Robinson after a 2-0 home loss to MK Dons, October 1.

Striker Billy Mckay got his second goal of the season in a Checkatrade Trophy win at Fleetwood that set the club on a run of three wins in four matches in all competitions - including a rousing 2-0 home victory over leaders Scunthorpe. Anthony Gerrard was brought back to the club to train and a banner was installed at Little Wembley: "Be the best team out of possession." Athletic were poor at Rochdale, though, losing 1-0.

November...

"The debts will be paid. There's no two ways about it. Simon Corney, November 23.

Passage to the second round of the FA Cup was assured thanks to a home victory over Doncaster and the club's hierarchy tried to capitalise on the good feeling by reducing advance tickets to £15, the lowest rate in the division. A shoot-out win at Blackburn put the club through in the Checkatrade Trophy and though there was another highly impressive performance against Scunthorpe, victories in the league proved elusive - and there was also the blow of the club being placed under a transfer embargo due to unpaid debts.

December...

"There were eight or nine players who got beaten up, if we are honest." Stephen Robinson after Lincoln, December 5.

Athletic suffered an "embarrassing" 3-2 loss in front of a worldwide audience at non-league Lincoln City in the second round of the FA Cup, the players losing their free meal privileges as a result. Skipper Clarke urged the team to go back to basics to recover and a 1-1 draw at Oxford, achieved despite Ousmane Fane's red card, was followed by a Walsall win in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Losses against Southend and Sheffield United left Athletic with a game at Fleetwood with which to end a pretty rotten year on a high.