Bunn's 'terrific' eye-opener back at his beloved Athletic

The late 1980s and early 90s were true halcyon days at Boundary Park, and one of the regular star names on the Oldham Athletic teamsheet back then was that of Frankie Bunn.

A popular striker with a deadly eye for goal, Bunn, now 55, was a firm fans’ favourite as he scored 35 goals in 88 appearances between 1987 and late 1990, when his professional career was cruelly cut short by injury.

Bunn famously scored six goals in one game in October, 1989, when Athletic hammered Scarborough 7-0 at Boundary Park in the Football League Cup. It’s still a record individual haul for any tie in the competition.

He went on to play in the final of the League Cup at Wembley later that season, when Athletic lost 1-0 to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest.

Now, some 28 years on from his last Athletic playing appearance, Bunn is back.

Following a successful coaching career spanning most of the interim period, Bunn was handed his chance to return to Boundary Park in the summer, as replacement for sacked first-team manager Richie Wellens back in June.

Wellens lost his job after Athletic were relegated in May, and now the club have recently begun their first campaign down in the fourth tier of the game since 1971.

These are undoubtedly tough times at Athletic, but now with a club legend at the helm - and with another former hero in Andy Rhodes as his assistant - hopefully happier times are just around the corner once again.

“It’s been an eye-opener, but it’s been terrific,” said Bunn.

“We’re bubbly in the dressing room, we’re bright, we’re positive, and that’s something this club needs at the moment.

“We’re trying not to look back of course, we want to try and move it forward as quickly as possible, but myself and Andy will try and take some of our good experiences and use them as positively as we can.

“Our eyes are certainly on the future.

“The squad is okay – we might need one or two – but there’s a good mixture of youth and experience.

“It’s going to be a long, long season, so everyone will be utilised.

“We did have a great spirit in the camp back in the day, and we are trying to instil that into the current squad, and certainly in these opening games the lads have kept going right until the final whistle.

“We wouldn’t want that any other way, and we can see that spirit growing and the togetherness is coming along nicely.”

While Bunn continues to plot a path towards promotion for Athletic this season, the memories of his playing days still shine brightly.

How could they not? Bunn definitely knew where the onion bag was, as the old saying goes.

He said: “People still ask me about the six goals against Scarborough, and obviously there was the Wembley appearance.

“That was a great day personally, despite the result.

“I also remember scoring the winner at Villa Park one time.

“Being a Birmingham lad and fan, that memory will never leave me.

“They’re all great memories.

“Socially too, there were great times back then.

“Everyone from the laundry ladies through to the chief executive at the time – everyone seemed to get on.

“The spirit around the place was remarkable.

“I do think times have changed for the better, though.

“Players look after themselves so much better thesedays, and rightly so.

“The introduction of fitness coaches, dieticians and psychologists – football is a sport that has improved massively off the field in those terms.”

Bunn has never lost touch with his old Athletic pals, and he consciously made a point of returning to Boundary Park whenever possible.

Maybe that helped in getting him the gaffer’s job in the summer.

“Obviously I’ve been working at other clubs, but I always popped in quite regularly to watch games,” added Bunn.

“However, to actually come into the building and be appointed manager of this club was a really proud achievement for me.

“It’s a club I hold close to my heart, so to manage and lead the team out against the MK Dons on the opening day was an unbelievable experience.”

Athletic hero Bunn began his career at Luton Town in 1980, and later played for Hull City.

He joined Athletic from the Tigers in 1987.

In 1990, Bunn was forced to retire from professional football because of injury.

He later joined Stalybridge Celtic and later Radcliffe Borough, before beginning his coaching career at Wigan Athletic.

Bunn joined Manchester City as reserve team coach in 1998, and then in February 2007, he was appointed first-team coach at Coventry City.

In June 2011, Bunn was appointed as Steve Eyre's assistant manager at Rochdale.

Twelve months later he joined Huddersfield Town as a professional development coach, working with the academy under-18 team.

That was his last job before taking the reins at Athletic in June.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.