Sports Editor Tony Bugby brings us the latest from Oldham Athletic
DARREN KELLY was certainly a surprise appointment as Oldham Athletic’s new manager.
While Iain Dowie was touted for a return and former Chelternham chief Mark Yates was also heavily linked with the post at SportsDirect.com Park, the 35-year-old Irishman slipped under the radar until the last moment.
It was another bold move by Latics’ board of directors who are never afraid to look outside the box when it comes to making managerial appointments.
Chairman Simon Corney pointed out that it was a case of having to go “with the gut” as they were impressed with Kelly’s philosophy of a “creative, attacking style”. He had been coaching with Sunderland’s Academy having been a central defender with Carlisle and York City.
Mr Corney added that previously he had given John Sheridan, Paul Dickov and Lee Johnson their first jobs in management.
There will be continuity as Kelly, who has agreed a two-year contract, is keeping caretaker manager Dean Holden at SportsDirect.com Park as his assistant.
Holden was praised by Mr Corney for holding the reins following Johnson’s departure for Barnsley as he took over in difficult circumstances, but comfortably kept the club in Sky Bet League One. They finished 15th, though at one stage they had been in the promotion play-off places.
It looks as though this summer will be more stable than last as Latics had 13 players under contract for 2015-16 and the club has an option on a further three players.
One of the players staying is Carl Winchester who was named player of the year and top young player at the end-of-season presentations.
Kelly, who has watched Latics play a number of times, has been impressed with what he has seen and believes they have the nucleus of a potentially successful side.
So rather than a major rebuilding job that Johnson undertook last summer, it looks as though it will more a case of fine tuning for the new manager.
Latics finished the season on a high with their youth team winning silverware.
The under-18’s defeated Milton Keynes Dons 4-0 in the final of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup, Ben Grant scoring twice with Devante Jacobs and Callum Etches also finding the net.
It was further evidence of the success of Latics’ youth programme which is headed by Tony Philliskirk. This season has seen the likes of trainees Jacobs and Jack Tuohy be blooded into the first team alongside home-grown first-year professionals Joel Coleman and Jordan Bove.
Latics are also hoping to have their new North Stand completed for the start of next season with fans already snapping up 1,000 seats.
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