Latics home in on new boss

IN THE FRAME: Mark Crossley

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THE CANDIDATES are entering the final straight in the race to become Athletic’s new boss — and it looks set to be a three-way tussle for the line between Mark Crossley, Martin Gray and Frank Bunn.

Interviews continue to take place featuring the would-be managers for the vacant Boundary Park position.

With time running out on the season tickets discount deals, which are available up to an including Thursday, June 3, the club will aim for a boost in those numbers by naming the new man before that date arrives.

Goalkeeper Crossley (pictured above) joined up with his old manager John Sheridan as a player-coach at League Two outfit Chesterfield at the start of this season, but would relish the chance to return to Boundary Park as number one.

A former Wales international, Crossley has made more than 400 senior appearances and spent time coaching fellow goalkeepers during his time at Athletic.

His appointment would be regarded as a gamble, though his vast experience working under managers of the calibre of Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and Terry Venables at Middlesbrough would no doubt stand him in good stead.

Gray, who served as assistant to the deposed Dave Penney, is a popular figure in the corridors of Boundary Park and is regarded as a positive influence on the training field. The former Sunderland player has made it clear that despite the difficulties the club encountered this season, he is keen to take the reins.

And as for Bunn, who publicly declared his interest in the role three weeks ago, the former strike partner of Andy Ritchie officially departed Coventry City yesterday, with the Championship club not renewing his 12-month contract.

Meanwhile Jim Goodwin, an unused substitute in the second leg of Huddersfield Town’s play-off tie at Millwall, has been put on the transfer list.

The midfielder spent the second half of the season on loan at Boundary Park, though a persistent thigh injury restricted him to only eight appearances in that time.


ATHLETIC have finalised details for their Lancashire Senior Cup final against Liverpool.

The game will take place at the Lancashire County FA headquarters in Leyland on Saturday, July 24 (3pm kick-off).

The friendly against Wigan at Boundary Park has been brought forward a day to Tuesday, July 20 (7.45pm).