No.1 fan dives in to save Latics...

RARING to go . . . Thomas Young with his letter to Simon Corney

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WHEN little Latics fan Thomas Young found out his goalkeeping hero Connor Ripley would be returning to Middlesbrough at the end of his loan spell he was concerned his favourite team would be left in the lurch.

So the Chadderton five-year-old decided to write to the club offering his services ­- and has been given the chance to impress at the final home match of the season, against local rivals Rochdale, on Saturday.

Delighted

Young Thomas penned a note to Athletic chairman Simon Corney which was photographed by dad Matthew and emailed to the Latics chief.

And to their surprise, Mr Corney quickly responded by offering Thomas a pre-match workout with the first-team goalkeepers and coaches, plus the chance to meet the squad in the players' lounge.

Thomas, a pupil at Mills Hill Primary School, wrote: "Mr Corney. Please can I be the new Oldham goalkeeper when Connor Ripley goes. From Thomas Young. Age 5, size 4 feet tall, Oldham fan."

And Mr Corney's charming response left Thomas and his family "gobsmacked."

The Latics supremo replied: "Dear Thomas. Your timing could not be better. We actually think that Connor Ripley might be injured for the match against Rochdale so, if you could come along in your kit, boots and gloves and warm up with our goalkeeping coach before the game it would be very much appreciated.

"We cannot guarantee that you will play, after all Connor may pass his fitness test, but at least we know we have a back-up to call upon. Should you perform to the standard required we will consider a full contract. Now get to bed ­- every 'keeper needs his sleep!"

Delighted dad Matthew said: "We were gobsmacked. I thought they might send him a letter he could keep ­- like when I applied to be the manager! I've still got the rejection letter! But this is fantastic. They have made one young fan very excited ­- and nervous."

Gloves

Thomas enjoys his weekly football coaching sessions at Oldham Academy North, particularly goalkeeping, and is especially proud of the gloves which Connor Ripley autographed for him at an early-season match.

And it seems the love of Latics is in the blood. Matthew has been a fan since first going with his dad to Boundary Park as a seven-year-old and he later married Sarah, daughter of the Chronicle's former Latics correspondent Bob Young.

Matthew, Sarah and Thomas have already got their season tickets for the next campaign, but perhaps there may be a junior ticket going spare after Saturday!