Versatile Carl’s move cements Linfield link

PARK LIFE: CARL Winchester is to follow Kirk Millar by making the move from Northern Irish club Linfield to Athletic.

The midfielder or full-back is to begin a two-year scholarship at Boundary Park, emphasising the strong links which exist between the two clubs.

Linfield were in Oldham at the weekend, playing matches at under-12 and under-13 level. The visitors won 5-4 in the former age group, Athletic coming out on top 4-1 in the latter.
The youngsters arrived on Friday and trained under Athletic youth team coaches Tony Philliskirk and Mick Priest before taking in the first-team’s match against Southend the following day.


PHILIP McGrath’s injury curse struck again on Monday night.

The promising left winger, who along with Djeny Bembo-Leta signed professionally this week, crashed into an advertising hoarding in a reserve team game at Hyde United and hurt his arm.

The 18-year-old now has to wait until the swelling has reduced before a decision will be made on whether he needs an x-ray.

McGrath, who has suffered a succession of injury setbacks this year, is on a 12-month professional deal.


TONY Philliskirk was pleased with the efforts shown by his Athletic youth side in a 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury on the final day of the season.

The result was not what he had hoped for — but considering Athletic ended the match with three 14-year-olds on the field, it was a good effort against a more experienced outfit who finished third in the Football League Youth Alliance.

“The lads showed a lot of character,” said Philliskirk, who praised the contribution of under-15 player Jack Poxon, a centre-back who hails from Royton.

“We held them at 0-0 for an hour and then they got two goals in a minute. It would have been easy for heads to drop, but we kept on going.”