Corney spells out what FA Cup means to Latics

Athletic chairman Simon Corney

CHAIRMAN Simon Corney says that Athletic WILL keep the season going by making it into the second round of the FA Cup — provided the players show the necessary desire on the pitch.

Saturday’s first-round tie at League Two hopefuls Mansfield sees the visitors from a division above enter as the bookies’ marginal underdogs.

But Corney, who watched as Athletic were undone by Burton last week, believes that despite having players missing there is more than enough quality within David Dunn’s squad to make it into the hat for Monday’s second-round draw.

While admitting that unspecified players haven’t hit the heights so far, the chairman stressed the FA Cup is particularly vital given the current placing of 19th in League One combined with early exits from the Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“The FA Cup is massive for us,” Corney said. “Realistically, it isn’t impossible that we make the play-offs. But it appears unlikely.

“It is a huge thing for this club to keep the season and the excitement going. The FA Cup is a massive competition and I am hoping we can really have a run in it.

“Mansfield have a good, strong team. But without being disrespectful, if our players want it then we win this tie nine times out of 10.

“I think that one or two of our players, without naming names, do need to look at themselves as they have been disappointing in what they have produced so far.

“But generally, I am happy and the boys are genuinely playing for their manager.”





GEORGE Green has been released from his two-year contract at Athletic by mutual consent.

The 19-year-old midfield starlet, who came to the club in the summer from Everton, had not trained with the first team in recent weeks and made the last of his four appearances for Athletic as a substitute at Doncaster on September 19.

“I chose to leave Oldham Athletic due to personal issues,” Green wrote on his Twitter account last night. “I would like to thank Oldham Athletic for everything they have done.”