Hometownclub

Jim Fryatt played in the first match I ever attended at Boundary Park, I was only about 8 at the time. He formed a great striking partnership with David Shaw, Fryatt was good in the air and Shaw had electric pace, Fryatt would flick on headers and Shaw would get on the end of them. He also used to get his head on the end of alot of George McVities crosses from the right wing. The thing that sticks in my memory most about Fryatt was that balding head, he always looked alot older than he actually was. He also had a spell at Stockport around the same time. He is probably most famous for scoring the fastest goal in league football: 4 seconds, Jim Fryatt (for Bradford Park Avenue v Tranmere Rovers, 25 April 1964). He went out to play in the States at the end of his career and played for: Philadelphia 1973-1974 & Hartford 1975. When he retired he stayed out in America. His son Ed Fryatt is a Professional golfer who plays on the American Tour.

With Ricketts, Davies and Hughes we will have good options going forward, but defensively things are a bit worrying with giving away clumsy penalties and now an own goal, lets hope we get these mistakes out of the way before the season starts.

If he's not playing or refusing to play because of the injury threat to himself then how can we possibly offer him a contract. I would point out to him that he is putting himself in the shop window and giving himself the possibilty of being offered a contract. If he is so worried about getting injured in a friendly, then he we must be more than a little concerned about his long term fitness. If he is refusing to play and making Shez make his judgement on what he saw the other night then I would pass on him, at nearly 36 he's not in a position to be calling the shots.

I suspect given our dire need for a Left back and the fact that our interest in Boertein seems to have dropped that Shez will play Wright at Clyde and then take a view. We are running out of time before the season starts to find someone else if he decides that Wright is not what he is looking for.

I hope the rest of his game is better than Ernie's.

I was sat just 2 seats away from him at Crewe, the drum drove me mad at that range. Although I can see how it helps to build up the atmosphere etc at games, just not right down your ear at close range. They really are just young lads who take the drum but I dont know anything about the trouble mentioned above as I dont go in the Chaddy End.

I went last night as there was nowt else doin, I thought the lad Oakes for the fans team was a decent player. The lad at left back for the Club team had a good game as well. Best moment of the match was the fans teams No. 20 (The mighty Atom) as Franny called him taking the pitch in the second half, he was as barrel (shaped) sorry chested as John Hurst.

I know you from Laticsmad, this is much better. Welcome.

I think he is actually slightly older than Simon Charlton.

I remember him well in the 70's when I was a nipper, he certainly did live somewhere on the Coppice, I didn't know it was Grendon Ave. I used to see him alot on Chamber Road and Heron Street, I only really remember him collecting cigarette cards and trawling through bins looking for them. He always looked very dishevelled and his clothes were a little ill fitting, he would have food stains down his front and dribbled alot. I heard all the urban legends about him being a rich eccentric etc. I did know that he used to live with his sister. I figured he'd be dead by now but wasn't certain until you just confirmed it.

That's a quality of pun the likes of me couldn't even Bream of.

I spoke about my recollections of Milly as a player above. The only time I ever saw him off the pitch was one Saturday morning, Latics were away that day. I had been to a party out of town the night before and stayed over, while driving back the morning after, 4 of us where in the car just approaching a roundabout off the A580 (East Lancs Road). I spotted Mike Milligan and Roger Palmer waiting at the roundabout obviously waiting to be picked up. I said look who's there and one of the lads wound his window down and started chanting OoooooHhhhhhh Roger Palmer at the top of his voice, quickly followed by the rest of us, we then preceded to go round the roundabout about 5 times all the time chanting OoooooHhhhhh Roger Palmer. Roger seemed a little embarrassed about the whole thing but Milly found it highly amusing and was creasing himself laughing.

I always felt Mick Milligan was the most unsung hero of the successful Joe Royle team of the early nineties, he very rarely scored as he was our holding defensive midfield man which allowed Nick Henry to get forward. He was a real workhorse though with a great engine which got him from box to box, his real value to the team for me was his ability to break down opposition attacks and win possession in front of our back four. A good tackler who liked to keep it simply he wasn't one for 50 yard diagonal balls across the field, he would win the ball and play simple passes which helped us keep possession and build attacks by getting the ball wide to Rick Holden. A very underated player for me who brought great value to what was a brilliant Latics team, Joe Royle knew his value to that successful team. It's good to see him come back to BP from time to time and do the halftime draw etc. True Latics Legend.

It's not just a rumour as it was mentioned in the press (the Chron) that Shez was interested in bringing him back. I think he would be a great signing for us even if we only got him on a season long loan initially, to me he would be (along with a Left Back) the final pieces in the jigsaw. Although I have to agree with Bigfinlatic on this one as I think we have been trying to make some sort of deal happen for quite a while now and so far we haven't been able to pull it off. I dont know what the stumbling block is (probably money) lets just hope it's not insurmountable and we can make it happen. He is just the creative sort of midfielder we need to pull the strings around Allott and Kalala.

I'm not sure your talking about the same Neil Wood that I've seen play, I don't see any comparison between Wood and Wellens whatsoever. Wellens is a totally different class player to Wood and a different type of player, I've never seen Wood have a good game, I never saw him as a good passer of the ball either and even when he was fully fit he could barely get a spot on the bench. I'm sure we will try to get him fit and then get rid of him, I'm afraid he's not up to it in a promotion chasing team in this division.

Crossley will definately be the starting No.1 but at 38 I think it's unrealistic to think that he will be ever present for over 50 games during the season. We will be very lucky if at his age he doesn't pick up any injuries atall throughout the whole of the season. It's also important that Shez cen feel confident enough in his back up goalkeeper to be able to give Crossley a rest occasionally, it may be frustrating for Pogs on the bench but I think he will get some games during the course of the season.

The division certainly looks stronger this season than last, but I am very hopeful that we will make the play-offs again.

I've been watching Latics since about 1970/71 so Bert wasn't much before my time. The stats being quoted speak for themselves, not just well up the charts of Latics all time goalscorers but his goals to games ratio is exceptional. Scoring many diving headers which shows his bravery and willingness to risk pain and injury in order to score. A real Latics legend, get well soon.

If we really want Williams it will be disappointing if we can't entice him here over Huddersfield (although I do understand his previous connection with Andy Ritchie at Barnsley). I still think we must be a more tempting option than Huddersfield, surely.

I've said Davies on the basis that Hughes might not appear in the first team for quite some time.

I agree, I dont recall him wronging the club or the fans in anyway during his first spell here or during his time at Chesterfield. He might not have been everyones favourite player but I've been impressed by him when I've seen him play against us for Chesterfield in his more suitable midfield role. I totally back Shez's judgement on this one and hope he is given a good welcome on his return.

My word that was a very downbeat post Rocky. I understand what you are saying, but Shez's hands were tied to a large extent until Wellens, Porter and Stam made their minds up about going or staying. Now that is all settled he knows where he stands and new players will be brought in. Your right he has missed the boat with some of the names you mentioned but I dont think he could have brought some of those players in without knowing that Porter and Wellens were definately leaving.

David Currie is a former Latics Striker from the late eighties. In all my time watching Latics (30 years +) I never saw a greedier player.

I certainly wouldn't defend him in any way, I think him and his agent have screwed us over good style. Him leaving is not a problem atall, but to do so and make sure we don't get a fee of any discription to me is dispicable. He has turned down an offer from a Championship team in England to go to a small club in Scotland. Inexplicable.

I would definately have Vernon back, he didn't leave because he wasn't good enough. He could do us a good job if Porter left. Hughes, Davies and Vernon with Wolfy as well, we'd have plenty of options. Add Kilkenny to that lot and we'd have a cracking squad for next season.