Forte move to Barnsley fails

JONATHAN Forte: couldn’t agree personal terms

JONATHAN Forte’s move to Barnsley is off.

Last season’s 15-goal top scorer, 29 tomorrow, was the subject of an agreed deal by the two clubs. The Chronicle understands the move collapsed over a failure to agree personal terms - the result beinf that for now at least, the former Sheffield United and Scunthorpe man remains with Oldham.

The potential loss of Forte was controversial: some supporters felt the club was wrong to dispense with a player in red-hot form in the first half of last season and who still has a year on his contract.

From the club’s perspective, a persistent knee problem hampered the Sheffield star last season and though he made 37 appearances, his effectiveness appeared restricted.

A limited playing budget prompts Oldham to look for players - Lee Croft, for example — more likely to be able to play for most of the season.

Having said this, Kelly’s squad still seems to lack on-field leaders - hence the continued presence of triallist defender Gavin Gunning, who spent virtually all of last season on the sidelines at Birmingham City with a knee problem. Gunning is set to play again tomorrow in the second home pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers (3pm), alongside former Exeter midfielder Jimmy Keohane and Slovenian forward Alen Ploj.

The relative inexperience of Athletic’s squad is likely to be playing some part in the club’s pursuit of David Dunn. The free agent, a legend at Blackburn, was a guest of the directors in the midweek clash with Bolton Wanderers.