Midfield man Banks keeps it in the family

Photo: Alan Howarth

OLLIE BANKS . . . "good grounding" in non-league for Athletic's new midfield man

IF Ollie Banks is anything to go by, the attraction of a move to Athletic is in the blood.

The ball-playing ex-Chesterfield man (23) has caught the eye since being thrown in against Preston on the same night he drove for two hours to sign for Stephen Robinson.

But while the surroundings were new, there was one introduction he didn't need to make before the North End friendly - that of his first cousin Josh Law.

It's very much a family affair for the two new boys. The mother of Banks is sister to Law's own mum.

And both their fathers, former professionals Ian Banks and Nicky Law, worked together as brothers-in-law on the management team at Chesterfield for two years up until 2002. "We haven't probably kept in touch as much as we should have done to be honest, but we get on really well," said Banks of his clubmate. "It's nice to be here with him."

Matching family heritage is mirrored by a similar rise up the ladder from non-league circles.

Released by Rotherham four years ago, Banks had spells at Gainsborough Trinity, Scarborough Athletic, North Ferriby United and FC United and had to work as a part-time kitchen fitter to make ends meet.

Law, who will face brother Nicky Jnr when Athletic take on Bradford this season, didn't make a senior league appearance for Chesterfield before joining non-league Alfreton, where his father managed in 2007.

Six years later, two years at Motherwell followed before he moved back south.

"Coming from non-league like we both did does give you a good grounding," added Banks, who ended a three-year, 99-game stint at Chesterfield in order to make his move.

"Josh didn't drop down as far as I did, but when you do drop down and you are not earning enough money to live off, you have to get out there and do something.

"It makes you realise what a good life you have got when you are playing football for a living."