retired_Suhel Rizvi

Why sell good old (crap today) Beharall or nowt plus bag of horse crap Wilson? You could get about £400k for big ears, rather than the nowt your getting.

retired_strazzann

Monday 28th July 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Technique PM)

Steve Bruce the manager of Birmingham City puts in a bid for Oldham top-earner Paul Murray. An offer of £75k is made. I accept his offer as Murray is on too much and the club can't afford to pay his wages each week, he won't agree to a new deal either so he can leave.

Alan Pardew makes a bid for Scott Vernon, £35k upfront plus Rob Lee and Dean Smith and a 20% sell on clause. I reject it straight away because I don't want Lee and Smith and I hate Pardew. Hope he gets sacked the cheat!

retired_strazzann

Tuesday 29th July 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Agility AM, Closing-Down Session LUNCH)

Chris Latchem reckons Ken Scrivens will develop into a good goalkeeper, Aylesbury win the race to sign him. They pay £2k for his services.

Bradford City offer £40k plus Peter Atherton and Fraser McHugh for David Beherall, I refuse the offer outright.

Reading give up on signing Scott Vernon but Steve McClaren has seen something in the youngster and Middlesborough put in a bid of £85kfor him, I tell them I want £100k.

Friendly Match
Halesowen Town Vs. Oldham Athletic
The Grove
19:30

Halesowen Town
Lowe, Jones, Charlton, Newall (c), Colwell, Steane, Hollis, Baker, Trainer, Ashby, Dunkley
Subs: Cook, Hallam, Saunders, Ford, Kennedy, Stuart, Smith, Webb, Newton, Skidmore, Wilson

Oldham Athletic
1. Matthew Ghent (c)
2. Des Lyttle
3. Bryan Small
4. Matt Carbon
5. Darren Bloor
6. Damon Robson
7. Jamie Cassidy
8. Billy Gibson
9. Leon Bell
10. Howard Forinton
11. Ian Lawson
Subs
12. Michael Robertson
14. Alex Dick
15. Nicky Hill
16. Anthony McStea
17. Spencer Whelan
18. Jonathan Perry
19. Jonathan Paul Mills
20. Phil Salt
21. Danny Boshell
22. Anthony Shandran
23. Craig Fleming
24. Carlos Roca

Final Score: Halesowen Town 1 Baker pen (13) Oldham Athletic 3 Shandran (76), (90+4), Forinton (87)
Att: 150
Ref: Mr.C.Wilkes
MOM: Anthony Shandran

Simon Pope: Jonathan Perry picked up a Pulled Hamstring during the game tonight and won't be back in action for 2 weeks.

Oldham Evening Chronicle: Sub Shandran Spares Latics Blushes

Another game to test out trialist almost ends in a shocking defeat to the hands of lowly Halesowen Town. Oldham were always in control of the ball in the first half but a rare attack by Halesowen resulted in a corner, from the corner Lyttle pushed Hollis and the ref awarded Halesowen a penalty. Baker put in the top right hand corner, Ghent no chance. The Blues created plenty of chances but Forinton was missing a load. Changes were made in the break and Oldham came out a more determined, attacking force, they were still being frustrated by some poor finishing. Eventually Halesowen's defence cracked under the pressure and Shandran fired into an empty net after a superb passing move involving Forinton. With minutes to go Oldham finally went ahead. Mills broke free on the right of midfield and raced down the wing and played an inch perfect ball to the onrushing Forinton, he ran and at last made one of his shots count, the scoring wasn't finished for Oldham, Shandran ho had made a positive influence in the game sealed the victory with a superb 30 yard free kick which sailed into the top right hand corner, even Beckham would have been proud. So another victory but nothing we didn't expect from this game, typical Oldham for leaving it late but eventually a job well done.

Manager's Comments: We were dominant tonight and so we should have been. I was very disappointed at our lapse in concentration which led to their penalty and goal and our lack of finishing until the end of the game. It's only pre-season but we need to be winning games like this, no disrespect to Halesowen, they were good opposition to play against. I thought Billy Gibson was fantastic tonight, he is definately looking like a player who could come good for us. Anthony (Shandran) was magnificent when he came on and that free kick was fantastic.

retired_strazzann

Wednesday 30th July 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Sprints AM, Technique LUNCH)

Dario Gradi offers Richard Walker in a straight swap for Scott Vernon. I reject the offer. Cardiff City offer £40k for David Beherall, I ask for £75k.

Paul Murray rejects a move to Birmingham City, he feels his ability justifies a bigger salary, so Murray stays put.

Wycombe Wanderers loan Eddie Sandford from Coventry City for 3 months.
Shrewsbury Town loan Gary Jones of Barnsley for 3 months.
Derby County's Chris Palmer goes to Stockport County on a 3 month loan deal.
Ex-Manchester City defender Danny Granville joins Luton Town on a 3 month loan deal from Crystal Palace.

retired_strazzann

OAFC FinancesJuly 2003
INCOME Month Season
Gate Reciepts£1,854 £1,854
Season Tickets£146,300 £146,300
TV Revenue£0 £0
Merchandising£8,723 £8,723
Players Sold£0 £0
Prize Money£0 £0
Investments£0 £0
Interest£0 £0
Other £6,075 £6,075
Sponsorship£0 £0
£162,952 £162,952

Expenditure Month Season
Wages £111,895 £111,895
Bonuses £0 £0
Signing On Fees £1,000 £1,000
Dividends £0 £0
Players Bought £0 £0
Ground Maintainance £37,500 £37,500
League Fines £0 £0
Interest £254 £254
Tax £0 £0
Other £32,130 £32,130
£182,579 £182,579

Income £162,952 £162,952
Expenditure £182,579 £182,579
Profit/Loss -£19,627 -£19,627

Balance -£272,461

Wage Budget £21,000
Wage Total £25,107
Difference £4,107
Dff. Previous Month-£107

retired_strazzann

Hmmmm how do I get the finances looking neater?

retired_strazzann

Thursday 31st July 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Closing-Down Session AM, 5 a-side (small pitch) LUNCH, Weight Training PM)

Chris Latchem believes that Adebayo Akinfenwa won't develop into a top striker for Oldham but James Wills thinks that Matthew Ghent might make a useful squad member.

Brian Wilson rejects my contract offer and the Beherall swap deal to Stoke City falls through. Middlesbrough withdraw their offer for Scott Vernon.

Alan Hardy sends me a letter notifying me of players contracts running out at the end of the season.
First Team: Danny Boshell, David Eyres, Paul Murray, Darren Sheridan, Scott Vernon, John Sheridan
Reserve Team: Carlos Roca, Danny Hall, Craig Fleming, Danny Forde, Marc Tierney
Youth Team: Chris Grange, Kelvin Lomax, Chris Taylor, Charles Treacey, Ashley Winn, Paul Armstrong

Weymouth sign Steve Williams from Wycombe for £9k.

Southampton's Jamie Gleeson joins Brentford on a 3 month loan deal.

retired_strazzann

Friday 1st August 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Technique AM, Overloading (defensive) LUNCH, Sprints PM)

The Board of Directors send me an e-mail stating that they have every confidence in me as manager of Oldham and they feel they made the right choice.

My scout Chris Latchem recommends that I sign James Williams, he looks decent enough so I offer him a contract.

Ron Millward recommends striker Eric Rostron but his stats are poor and I don't follow it up.

James Wills feels that Hereford United defender Ryan Green would be a useful addition to the team, I agree but ask him to scout him more.

Today I travel to The Football League HQ for the Carling Cup 1st Round Draw, as the draw unfolds Oldham Athletic will be at home against Lincoln City of the 3rd Division. The tie will be played on (13/08/03).

Both Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic offer £75k for David Beherall. I agree to their offers and it's now upto David to decide where his future lies.

Rotherham United and Everton make bids for Paul Murray. Rotherham offer Nick Daws and Chris Swales for him, but I don't agree to that deal so I reject it. Everton offer £8k plus young promising defender Sean O'Hanlon for Murray. This I agree to and I offer Sean a contract.

retired_strazzann

Saturday 2nd August 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Pig In Middle AM, Cross Country LUNCH)

Chris Latchem who keeps on updating me daily tells me Darren Wright will not make it as an Oldham player.

Carling Cup opponents Lincoln City offer a contract to James Williams.

West Bromwich Albion into how much I'd be willing to let Paul Murray go for. I reply saying £150k.

Auxerre offer £240k for Ibrahima Sonko.

Friendly Match
Oldham Athletic Vs. Reading
Boundary Park
15:00

Oldham Athletic
1. Leslie Pogliacomi
2. Michael Clegg
3. Matthew Wicks
4. Dean Holden
5. Will Haining (c)
6. Matt O'Halloran
7. David Eyres
8. John Eyre
9. Billy Gibson
10. Chris Killen
11. Scott Vernon
Subs
12. Matthew Ghent
14. Danny Hall
15. Des Lyttle
16. Spencer Whelan
17. Scott Jones
18. Darren Sheridan
19. Ernie Cooksey
20. Paul Murray
21. Adam Griffin
22. Howard Forinton
23. Ian Lawson
24. Anthony Shandran

Reading
Hahnemann, Brown, Shorey, Mackie (c), Rifat, Hughes, Tyson, Harper, Newman, Goater, Savage
Subs: Ashdown, Hindley, Boucard, Campbell, Henderson, Murty, Davis, S.Murray, Forster, Williams, Castle, Salako

Final Score: Oldham Athletic 0 Reading 2 Shorey pen (7), Boucard pen (66)
Att: 4,484
Ref: Mr.N.Barry
MOM: Will Haining

Oldham Evening Chronicle: Oldham Beaten by Dubious Penalties
Oldham were beaten today by two harsh looking penalties. It was McAlister's first home game in charge and he would have liked a victory for the fans but it wasn't to be. Oldham did play well though, some of their passing and build up play was excellent, they caused Reading's defence problems. Matthew Wicks had a good game at left back, he'll have done his chances of a contract no harm. The only negative point was the result, with a bit of luck Oldham should do well this season. Things are looking promising.

Manager's Comments: We were unlucky today against a very good Division One team. The penalty decision I felt were harsh. Will Haining was bossing the defence like a veteran and Matthew Wicks had a good game too, we passed the ball around well, created space and got behind their defence once or twice. On another day we would have beaten them today. I feel this performance shows we won't do too badly in Division Two this season, play offs? Who knows? I think the team has improved so much in the 3 weeks I've been in charge for.

retired_strazzann

Sunday 3rd August 2003 - Training Pre-Season (Technique AM, Sprints LUNCH)

Ron Millward thinks that Rory Barker has the potential to become a promising player and that he is a free transfer after being released by Hartlepool United, I see nothing in him however.

Chester City and Barnet also offer contracts to James Williams, fingers crossed that he decides to come here.

Paul Keegan of Leeds United joins Wrexham on a 3 month loan and scottish side Livingston buy Port Vale's Michael Walsh for £65k.