Big Joe back! -

Joe Royle has returned as manager at Boundary Park after the sacking of John Sheridan. The final nail in the coffin for Sheridan was the 6-2 humiliation at Franchise FC last Saturday. Royle was Athletic's most successful manager and the buzz amongst the fans is phenomenal with the news that 'Big Joe' is back in the fold.

Royle's first business was to oversee the return of Seb Hines and Jan Budtz to Middlesbrough and Hartlepool respectively after they had their completed one-month loan deals. Royle is already looking into the prospect of bringing in some transfers to help salvage Athletic's flagging promotion drive.

Joe said, "I have been told there is a possibility of bringing in a couple of loan players and I have been working already by making telephone calls. We have slipped a little lately so we have to try to get going again. Anybody who has seen my teams play will know it will be with smiles on our faces. I also like to see them get forward." Tommy Wright and Lee Duxbury will remain and Boundary Park and will assist Royle on the training ground.

Simon Corney added, "This has been very upsetting and a tough decision, but we have been in a bit of a rut of late and we feel this was the best course of action. John has done a great job here, and I am sure he will go on to better things. It was a learning curve for him. We are sad that he has gone, but that is football and we must move on. John and I had become good friends, and I would like to thank him for his service."

Big Joe back!

Last updated : 17 March 2009 By The Chairman