Players may have walked out

Last updated : 31 May 2003 By The Chairman

News is filtering through that some of Athletic’s players may have walked out on the club as their contracts have expired. The players involved are entitled to leave the club as free agents as they haven’t renewed terms. Manager Iain Dowie, who has still not committed his own future, is currently on holiday in Dubai and does not know what to expect when he returns to Boundary Park.

David Eyres (pictured) and Wayne Andrews are two of the key players who have yet to put pen to paper. Other players who are also entitled to listen to offers from other clubs include Tony Carss, Clyde Wijnhard, Julien Baudet, John Eyre, Darren Sheridan and Lee Duxbury. Coaches John Sheridan and Tony Philliskirk and fitness trainer John Harbin are also out of contract.

Owner Chris Moore has still not given Dowie an indication of his operating budget for next season and is currently tied up with other business commitments. The manager cannot make any deals, or start looking for recruits, until he is sure of his budget for the coming season.