Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic
Palmer hopes to seal Warne deal Warne has played for Mansfield on loan Mansfield boss Carlton Palmer is hoping to sign midfielder Paul Warne but is facing competition from Oldham. Warne, 32, played seven games and scored one goal for the Stags while on loan from Rotherham last season and has now been released by the Millers. "Oldham have also put an offer to Paul and I can't compete with their money," said Palmer. "But I'm hoping the offer we made - which is a very good one - will be enough to make his mind up

Stags boss plans to sign himself
Mansfield Town boss Carlton Palmer is poised to make up to five new signings - including himself. Palmer, 39, last played in February 2003 when he was player-manager at Stockport but has returned to training with a view to playing next season. He also wants ex-Blackpool defender Rob Clare, Oldham defender Kyle Jacobs and Forest Green striker Charlie Griffin. Former Town striker Danny Bacon, 24, may also return from Hucknall Town following Sunday's FA Trophy final. Bacon, who left Field Mill for Hucknall two years ago, has recently been training with the Stags. But Colin Larkin, Alex Neil and Luke Dimech will join Scott McNiven, who has already been been released.

Defender Owen signs for Oldham
Oldham have completed the signings of Stoke's Gareth Owen and Rotherham pair Paul Warne and Rob Scott. Defender Owen, 22, has agreed a three-year deal after a successful loan spell at Boundary Park. Midfielder Warne, 32, has agreed a two-year deal which will see him link up again with former Millers boss Ronnie Moore. And Moore has added Rotherham full-back Scott to his squad after the 32-year-old passed a medical.

Keeper Mildenhall to leave Oldham
Oldham goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall is to leave Boundary Park after learning that he will not be offered a new deal. The 27-year-old joined the Latics from Notts County in December as cover for number one Les Pogliacomi, but made just six first-team appearances. The former Swindon stopper's contract expires at the end of next month. Meanwhile, ex-Bolton forward Jermaine Johnson, 24, will not be offered new terms by boss Ronnie Moore, and has left the Latics for the second time. Johnson was released by former boss Brian Talbot after having the remainder of his contract paid up - but later returned on non-contract forms under Moore.

Vernon commits himself to Latics
Oldham striker Scott Vernon, 21, has ended speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract. "Although it's taken longer than expected I am delighted. I always wanted to sign for the club but had to see what the best option was," he said. "When Oldham came in with the offer I had no hesitation in signing. Vernon netted three goals in four games on loan at Blackpool, before finding form with the Latics and scoring to stun Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Oldham boost defence with Forbes
Oldham have signed Grimsby defender Terrell Forbes on a two-year contract. "This signing is a blessing in disguise and I'm looking forward to coming to the club and getting my head down," the right-back, 23, told Oldham's website. "I'm excited about becoming part of the building of a new team and all I want to do is come here and play football." Manager Ronnie Moore has also secured the ongoing services of midfielder Mark Hughes, 21, who signed a new two-year deal with the Latics.

Edwards snapped up by Latics boss
Oldham boss Ronnie Moore has signed Blackpool midfielder Paul Edwards on a free transfer and extended full-back Marc Tierney's contract by two years. Edwards, 25, has signed a one-year contract, while Tierney, 19 impressed Moore at the back end of last season. "Boundary Park is a great venue and the club has great ambition," Edwards said. "When I was playing for Wrexham, Ronnie tried to sign me. Now, as luck, would have it, I've ended up following him to Boundary Park and I'm delighted."

Imps' Butcher signing for Oldham
Lincoln's out-of-contract midfielder Richard Butcher has agreed a two-year contract to join Oldham. The 24-year-old is currently on holiday but is set to put pen-to-paper on a deal when he returns next week. Butcher joined the Imps from Kettering in 2002 and has made more than 100 appearances for Lincoln, who lost last week's League two play-off final. Lincoln boss Keith Alexander has several players out of contract and wants a decision on their futures. Alan Marriott, Paul Morgan, Ben Futcher, Matt Bloomer and Peter Gain have all been offered new contracts. So far only defender Peter Folkes and youngsters Lee Frecklington, Chris Gordon and Ollie Ryan have signed deals.

Alexander hopes key men will sign
Lincoln boss Keith Alexander is confident other key players will not follow Richard Butcher's example by leaving Sincil Bank. Butcher, one of ten Imps players offered new terms, opted to join League One Oldham instead. Alexander told Imps website: "I'm surprised and disappointed Richard left, but that's football. "Ideally those offered a deal would've made their minds up, but most wanted to decide after returning from holiday."

Heffernan seals move to Doncaster
Bristol City striker Paul Heffernan has completed a £125,000 move to League One rivals Doncaster Rovers. The Robins had accepted offers from Doncaster and Oldham and gave the 23-year-old a free choice over which club to choose. The signing of Marcus Stewart means that Heffernan is unlikely to feature in City's front line next season. The Irish striker made 13 starts and 18 substitute appearances for City last season, scoring seven goals. City chief executive Colin Sexstone told the club's website that Heffernan was unfortunate not to play more games for the club last season. "He never complained and always had a professional attitude," he said.

Gorman captures midfielder Betsy
Wycombe manager John Gorman has made midfielder Kevin Betsy his fifth new signing of the summer. Betsy has agreed a two-year deal at the Causeway Stadium after leaving Oldham, where he started 34 games last season. "He's a versatile midfielder who can perform in a number of roles," Gorman told his club's website. "At 27, I'm hoping he will bring more firepower to the midfield. I'm delighted to have signed such an experienced player." Betsy began his career at Woking before spells with Fulham, Barnsley and Hartlepool, while he has also served Bournemouth and Hull on loan.

Vernon and Wellens switch clubs
Midfielder Richie Wellens has left Blackpool to join League One rivals Oldham - with striker Scott Vernon moving in the opposite direction. Wellens, 25, has signed a two-year deal at Boundary Park, while Vernon, 21, has penned a two-year deal at Bloomfield Road with an option for a further year. Vernon had a loan spell at Blackpool early last season, scoring four goals in three games before being recalled. Wellens lifted the LDV Vans Trophy as the Seasiders' captain in 2004. However, the former Manchester United trainee, who joined Blackpool in March 2000, had been on the transfer list since the start of last season. The last of his 226 senior appearances in a Seasiders shirt came in March - when he was sent off for the second time in three games. Vernon moves after scoring 20 goals in 43 league starts for the Latics - including the only goal in their giant-killing FA Cup victory over Manchester CIty last season. He had only recently agreed a new three-year deal at Boundary Park.

Holden set to leave Boundary Park
Oldham boss Ronnie Moore says defender Dean Holden is likely to snub his contract offer and leave. "We did make an offer but his agent didn't think it was in his best interests to stay," Moore told his club's website about Holden, 25. "The offer we made was less money but towards the end of next season we could have offered a decent contact when he had earned the right. "At this moment in time, I imagine Dean will be playing for someone else."

Goalkeeper Pollitt set for Wigan
Rotherham have confirmed that goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is on the verge of joining Wigan. The 33-year-old was also wanted by Oldham - who are managed by former Millers boss Ronnie Moore - and had been linked with a move to Ipswich. But Rotherham boss Mick Harford says that negotiations with Wigan have been been held over the last few days. And Pollitt, in his second spell at Millmoor, is now set to join the Latics despite having a year left on his deal. "He is a player I'm interested in signing and we have made an approach," confirmed Latics manager Paul Jewell. "However, at this moment in time we are still at the discussion stage."

Oldham bid to sign Beckett fails
Oldham have failed with a £150,000 bid for Sheffield United striker Luke Beckett and the Latics are now pursuing other targets. "There has been a lot of speculation by fans about Luke Beckett," said Oldham chief executive Alan Hardy. "I think it is only fair to let them know Sheffield United turned down a £150,000 offer for the player. "Ronnie Moore is now looking at other strikers but we would have liked Luke to have joined our promotion push." Oldham have also failed to land other strike targets. Hardy continued: "Moore confirmed the Beckett deal had collapsed - and that we had missed out on Gifton Noel-Williams, who had joined Burnley, and Paul Heffernan, who signed for Doncaster."

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