Gerrard: I’m here to keep us up

ANTHONY GERRARD . . . secret meeting.

A CLANDESTINE meeting between Athletic chairman Simon Corney and player Anthony Gerrard led to the return of the popular centre-back this week.

A Manchester summit was held in which the former Walsall, Cardiff and Huddersfield defender was asked to help with Athletic's battle against the drop.

Gerrard had been playing for free at Shrewsbury earlier in the season, but after hearing what Corney had to say, the 29 year old free agent accepted a deal to end of the season.

“I met Simon Corney and it was cloak and dagger stuff,” said Gerrard. “He said what he wanted from me and we talked about what I wanted. He said he values League One status highly - and could I help him keep hold of it. So that's what I’m here to do.”

One former Shrewsbury colleague had cottoned on to Gerrard's signing on Monday morning, but the player didn’t let on and joined in the stir when Gerrard walked into Greenhous Meadow in his Athletic tracksuit.

“I made a lot of friends here and went to school with Shrews striker Andrew Mangan. He messaged me on the morning of the game and asked if I had signed for Oldham. But he didn't get a reply....”

Athletic have an enforced break due to Peterborough's involvement in the FA Cup, but their next game is an equally vital one at home to Blackpool.

“That little break could do us good, to get some more cohesiveness, coordination and team morale,” he added.