Mac the knife

Charlie MacDonald: north of his previous border

Cockney striker Charlie MacDonald is determined to make his first venture north with Athletic a success.

Milton Keynes is the furthest north the Southwark-born 32 year old has ever played during his

15-year, 12-club career - so Oldham is definitely pastures new.

MacDonald can’t wait to start his Boundary Park challenge at former club Stevenage on Saturday.

He has signed a one-year deal at Athletic, with the option of a further year.

MacDonald said: “I’m really excited to have been given the chance to come up north for the first time.

“It’s a new challenge, a new chapter in my career.”

Though he will lodge here during the week and see his family in London when he can, it’s not a situation that has caused him any serious heart-searching.

“It’s only two hours from London on the train from Piccadilly, and my wife and three kids are 15 minutes from Euston. I had a flat in Milton Keynes too, and I travelled home whenever I could, so it’s not a situation I’m unused to.

“This move has kept me in the game and keeps me hungry. I’m just determined to keep scoring goals at this level.

“The family issue aside, the move is a good one and the gaffer has known me for a long time, so obviously feels I can do a job for him.

“He told me all about his plans, the type of players he wanted to bring in and it all sounded so exciting.”

MacDonald acknowledges it’s not going to be easy for his new club to push for promotion this season, but the veteran hit-man pointed at Lee Johnson’s dad Gary, whose Yeovil team overcame difficulty matching “bigger” club finances to realise their Championship dream.

MacDonald added: “It is a difficult climate for everyone at the moment, but if you look at the achievements of teams like Yeovil last year, the right desire in a squad can mean success.

"Yeovil have proved anything is possible, so why can't a team like Oldham do just as well?”