Geller, Stott in ‘low-key’ talks

1^st October 1997

Oldham Evening Chronicle

Latics among Uri’s targets

by MICHAEL YARWOOD

and TONY BUGBY

URI GELLER and Athletic chairman Ian Stott had preliminary talks last night following revelations that the famous psychic is considering a takeover of the Boundary Park club.

Geller set the wheels in motion by contacting Mr Stott and outlining his interest in securing a major financial involvement.

Athletic are one of five or six lower-division clubs on Geller’s shopping list and his contacts are continuing to investigate other possibilities.

However, the TV personality and spoon bender remains committed to checking out the situation at Athletic, whose major shareholder JW Lees has admitted that it will consider any serious offer.

INTERESTED

Mr Stott stressed that last night’s conversation was a general chat’ rather than the beginning of negotiations.

He said: “It is all very low-key at the moment and he is not in any hurry because he has a book coming out.”

“For that reason, it will be three or four weeks before everyone sees where they are up to.”

“It isn’t just us that Uri is looking at, but he is interested and we agreed that the best thing to do would be to talk again at a later date.”

“The extent of his involvement would also have to be discussed further.”

Steve Redmond and Shaun Garnett today felt the backlash for Saturday’s calamitous defensive display against Bristol Rovers.

The defensive duo have been named in the Athletic side for tonight’s reserve-team match against Notts County at Boundary Park (7.0).

“Read it into what you want,” was Neil Warnock’s terse comment when asked about their inclusion in the side.

Right-back Redmond was substituted at half time on Saturday, while centre-half Garnett remained on the field for the full game.

Athletic also have a new front pairing on view tonight — Doug Hodgson and Paul Rickers.

The worries surrounding Sean McCarthy and Stuart Barlow — both have niggling injuries — has prompted Warnock to make contingency plans in the event of either being ruled out or hitting a patch of bad form.

He said: “I have no money to spend so I have to look at perhaps using players in different areas.”

“I have used Rickers up front in training this week and he has impressed me so I want to see if he can reproduce that form in a game.”

Midfield man Rickers played as a striker for Leeds City Boys.

Central defender Hodgson was also a front man early in his career.

Lee Richardson, who returned to Boundary Park this week after loan spells and Crewe and Stockport, has shaken off an injury and is likely to play.

Philip Salt will take over in the event of Richardson being ruled out.

Athletic have a trialist striker on parade tonight.

Aussie Alex Kiratzogiou is likely to be on the bench.

PERMIT

Kiratzogiou is able to play now that ha has been granted a Greek passport.

He would have been unable to play otherwise because he is not a full Aussie international and, therefore, would not have got a work permit to play here.

Warnock wants to assess the form of Kiratzogiou, who trained with the club earlier this month.

Reserves: Johnson, Hotte, Holt, Redmond, Garnett, Allott, Richardson, Hughes, Innis, Hodgson, Rickers. Subs (from): Salt, Kiratzogiou, Clitheroe, Swan.