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      Kepa kills talk of Chelsea transfer exit as keeper says ‘confidence is high’ as he eyes cup double as Blues back-up

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      KEPA ARRIZABALAGA said his ‘confidence is high again’ and wants a cup double as Chelsea’s No2. And despite being linked with a move away as he plays understudy to Edouard Mendy, the Spaniard admitted he feels ‘very good’ as Blues back-up.
      Chelsea stopper Kepa said his ‘confidence is high again’Credit: Rex
      Kepa, 27, said: “When you are in the same place for years, you feel confident. You feel like you are more at home, more comfortable.
      “I have been playing with the same guys for a couple of years and it’s good – I feel very good at this club right now.”
      Kepa signed for Chelsea in 2018 for a world record £71.6million but has endured a rocky road at Stamford Bridge.
      Last summer, Mendy, 29, was brought in for £22m for Rennes in France and soon established himself as No1.
      The bargain Senegalese stopper has kept seven clean sheets in 12 matches this season, conceding just five.
      It has kept Kepa sidelined and he is set to be reduced to playing only in cup competitions.

      But the former Athletic Bilbao stopper, who has won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, has embraced his role.
      And with two runners-up medals after unsuccessful Carabao and FA Cup finals, he is looking to add the domestic trophies to his collection.
      Kepa said: “Look, I want this trophy because we’ve won the Europa League, the Champions League, and the Super Cup – all of them in Europe – but we lost in the Carabao Cup final and two FA Cup finals.
      “So we have these trophies in our minds, we want these trophies in our hands. We have to go step by step, do the right things, but of course we want to fight to win them.”
      Kepa has played just three times this season, all in different competitions, making appearances in the Carabao Cup, Super Cup and Premier League.
      I have been playing with the same guys for a couple of years and it’s good – I feel very good at this club right now.Kepa Arrizabalaga
      It has led to speculation he could look to leave the club, with Italian clubs Juventus and Lazio recently linked.
      But despite the cameo appearances so far – which has already seen two heroic shootout performances – Kepa insisted his confidence is sky high.
      He revealed: “I feel more relaxed in everything now. I feel everything is going in the right way, and confident.
      “I’ve felt my confidence is high again, and at Stamford Bridge we feel the support of our fans back again at the stadium.
      “So, step by step, we are going in the right direction.”
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba lands World Health Organisation ambassador job to promote sports for children More

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      Bournemouth stars pay emotional tribute to David Brooks after his cancer diagnosis during win at Bristol City

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S stars paid an emotional tribute to David Brooks during Saturday’s win at Bristol City.The Welsh midfielder, 24, announced on Wednesday he had been diagnosed with cancer.
      Jamal Lowe held up a ‘Brooks 7′ shirt after scoring at Bristol CityCredit: Getty
      Bournemouth and Wales star David Brooks was diagnosed with cancer this weekCredit: Rex
      And in their first game since the shock news, the Cherries players remembered their stricken team-mate.
      Scott Parker’s men came out for the warm-up at Ashton Gate wearing black t-shirts with a message printed on the front and Brooks’ No7 on the back.
      The tops said: “Together as one, stay strong Brooksy.”
      Then when Jamal Lowe opened the scoring on 21 minutes, the team celebrated by gathering together and holding up a ‘Brooks 7’ green away shirt.
      Bournemouth tweeted a picture of the moment, which Brooks shared with love heart and cherry emojis.
      All four stands at the home of the Robins applauded the touching gesture.

      And fans from both teams continued to show their support with chants and banners having previously risen as one on the seventh minute to honour the 21-cap Dragon.
      Jordan Zemura added a second on the stroke of half-time as it finished 2-0 with the Cherries top of the Championship table.
      Goalscorer Lowe, who initially could not find the shirt, said: “That was arranged before the game, it was just trying to find it. It took me a while to find the shirt!
      “But we found it and obviously everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with Brooksy now.
      “Obviously everyone is in contact with him wishing him well, but at the same time we have got to respect his privacy, he’s obviously going through a tough time but he knows he’s got people around him.
      “It has been a tough week but to bring some positivity to the club at the minute is great, all the fans that turned up today were very vocal, outsung the home support.
      “To be fair I think on the seventh minute as well so fair play to the Bristol City fans.
      That performance was for BrooksyScott Parker
      “I think Brooksy deserves that to be fair and the Bristol fans did it well so good shout to them.
      “Ordinarily they might have booed celebrating in front of them but you can’t boo that can you?”
      Parker added: “No matter what team you support or colours you wear football has a knack of uniting people in difficult moments.
      “Big respect to Brooksy from the Bristol City fans and that was nice, that performance was for him and I know it’s cliché but he’s a loved and liked boy in this team and in that performance today the boys showed exactly what he means to us as a team.
      “Again, like I say, you score against an opposition team and that was touching really to clap and cheer that. We’re right behind Brooksy.”
      Brooks was told he had stage two Hodgkin Lymphoma but vowed to make a full recovery.
      The former Manchester City youngster underwent tests after complaining of fatigue while training with his country last Tuesday before pulling out of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia.
      And he praised the Wales medical team’s swift action which led to the quick detection of the illness.
      Players warmed up for the match in special t-shirtsCredit: Getty
      The Cherries supporters made their love for Brooks knownCredit: Getty
      Both sets of fans applauded the Welshman in the seventh minuteCredit: Getty
      One fan made a special placard for BrooksCredit: Getty
      Bournemouth star David Brooks diagnosed with cancer and wants to ‘make a full recovery and be back playing’ More

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      ‘Our community and Millwall have lots in common’ – meet Lions’ LGBT team breaking down barriers in English football

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      THERE are some new men at the New Den.And Millwall’s first LGBT team became so popular they have had to set up a second.
      Striker John Goodyear and general manager Paul Loding have opened up about Millwall Romans’ positive impactCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Millwall Romans, the club’s LGBT side, turn out in the London Unity LeagueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Millwall Romans play in the London Unity League and striker John Goodyear said: “There are similarities between the LGBT community and Millwall. We are both often persecuted unfairly by outsiders.
      “And while the club’s fans sing No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care, we are more Some People Don’t Like Us, They Don’t Understand.
      “But we are hoping, with Millwall’s help, we can break down barriers and more people from the LGBT community can enjoy football.”
      The Romans were formed as the London Romans in 2006 and played in north London before being incorporated by Millwall’s Community Trust and moving south of the river last year.
      General manager Paul Loding said: “When I spoke with Sean Daly of the Millwall Community Trust, he told us he wanted the Romans to feel part of the Millwall family — and we really do.
      “Before we came here we were flatlining, just an average Sunday league team playing on crappy pitches which cost a lot of money.

      “Within a year we have now two teams playing on a Sunday, on a better home pitch with better facilities.
      “One of our players even took part in Millwall’s official kit launch in the summer.”
      The Lions have kitted out the Romans in official club kit and tracksuits.
      Bisexual Goodyear said: “It’s strange walking to training and matches and having people driving past shout out at us ‘Millwall’.
      “Builders and workmen who possibly wouldn’t back an LGBT team are now shouting out their support to us, even if they might not know it.”
      Romans drew 1-1 with neighbours Charlton in a league clash two weeks ago.
      Loding said: “I think if you came along to our matches you wouldn’t  necessarily be able to see they were two LGBT teams.
      We don’t give out any homophobic abuse — although you will still hear plenty of people being called ‘w*****s’, ‘p****s’ and ‘d***headsPaul Loding
      “The football is as aggressive as you will see in any park in the country on a Sunday morning and so is the language.
      “We just don’t give out any homophobic abuse — although you will still hear plenty of people being called ‘w*****s’, ‘p****s’ and ‘d***heads’.”
      While the Unity League is thriving, the English professional game is still awaiting its first openly gay player.
      Sadly, Loding, 38, believes that is something which is still a decade off happening — after the torment he went through when coming out to his family and friends.
      He said: “I met my now-husband Gareth when I was 21 but I grew up in a very straight world.
      “It took me three years to come out to friends individually and I hid him from my parents until I was 28. I told them he was a girl named Gemma.
      “The players all take the mick now because my mum, bless her, kept asking when she was going to meet her and at Christmas she would send Gareth gifts of bras and knickers sets.
      Millwall Romans were incorporated by the Lions’ Community trust last yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “We are laughing about it now. At the time it was enormous pressure.
      “Coming out is a very personal thing. While I am old enough now to ignore any homophobic abuse, a negative remark when you are younger could set you back years.
      “A player coming out in the Premier League or EFL would be good for the LGBT community and for football but I don’t think the game is ready for it yet.
      “It would be too big a thing for a gay player to run out on an away team and take stick from home fans because he would get so much abuse.
      “There are gay players in the game but they haven’t come out because they know it would be so much to take on. Probably too much at this moment in time.
      “It will be the natural progression but I don’t see it happening for another ten years.”
      Benik Afobe signs for Millwall as ex-Arsenal starlet makes 15TH transfer of career More

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      Up to QUARTER of EFL players have NO intention of getting Covid vaccine with fears season could be disrupted by outbreak

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      A QUARTER of players in the Football League are reportedly snubbing Covid-19 injections, despite the Government advising them not to do so.The news comes as the latest figures show the percentages of double-jabbed EFL footballers has risen from roughly 18 per cent to 49 per cent. 
      This month it has been reported that roughly 75 per cent of EFL players have been vaccinatedCredit: Rex
      However, the number of those who have been inoculated or intend to get injections has increased by JUST five per cent over the past month, according to the Mail on Sunday. 
      And this information comes in the same month as SunSport exclusively revealing at least five England players are refusing to get vaccinated. 
      It is thought the resistance of the unnamed Three Lions aces has thrown the national team’s World Cup qualification plans into disarray. 
      The Mail on Sunday says a source has informed them that ‘approximately 75 per cent’ of EFL players this month are fully vaccinated, have had one jab or intend to be vaccinated.
      It is thought some players are refusing to get injected due to their young age, fitness levels and the belief they are less likely to get the virus. 
      It is also reported that fears relating to stories of individuals experiencing heart inflammations after being vaccinated are influencing some players’ decisions. 

      This is despite there being limited medical evidence to back up this argument. 
      The latest statistics have come to light despite Football League chiefs ramping up efforts to smash conspiracies and myths concerning vaccine safety. 
      It has even been speculated some players believe Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 was Covid jab-related despite there being no scientific proof of this.
      The EFL has been working on teaching players about the pros of coronavirus jabs for individuals and wider society. 
      There’s no doubt the vaccination programme is our best route out of this problemGareth Southgate
      Their efforts include educational leaflets and posters being circulated with the aim of them being shown at club grounds and stadiums. 
      It is thought league officials are also collaborating with the National Health Service to boost the number of mobile vaccination centre visits to clubs. 
      The Mail on Sunday’s source added: “Vaccinations will preserve the integrity of our competitions and we’re continuing to educate players and staff.”
      The Goverment’s chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van Tam recorded a video with EFL and Prem chiefs in a bid to discredit conspiracy theories. 
      Professor Van Tam has featured in a Government video circulated to professional players in a bid to debunk Covid jab conspiracy theoriesCredit: PA
      It is claimed the footage has been circulated within footballers’ WhatsApp groups. 
      And it is hoped see players getting Covid vaccines will encourage more individuals in the wider population, particularly young people, to get jabbed. 
      Last week just 55 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds were reported to have had at least a single dose of the vaccine. 
      This is despite jabs being provided for this age group since August. 
      Gareth Southgate revealed he ‘received abuse’ following his involvement in a Covid-19 vaccination campaignCredit: Getty
      In July England boss Gareth Southgate front a vaccination campaign. 
      In a video message, Southgate said:  “There’s no doubt the vaccination programme is our best route out of this problem.”
      The Three Lions chief, who was keen to lend the camp his support, later revealed: “Of all the things I’ve received abuse for over the summer — of which there’s been several — that’s the one I’ve received the most abuse over.”

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      England’s World Cup hopes thrown into disarray after it emerges at least five players are refusing to be vaccinated More

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      Wayne Rooney’s Derby and EFL at war over 12-point administration deduction as TWO parties line up £25m takeover bid

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      WAYNE ROONEY’S Derby County and the EFL are at war in a fight over a 12-point penalty for going into administration.The Rams are lodging an appeal against the fixed amount that is normally handed out for the ‘offence’ of taking this drastic financial step.
      Wayne Rooney’s Derby have been deducted 12 points for going into administrationCredit: Rex
      Owner Mel Morris says the financial troubles Derby find themselves in are due to the Covid pandemicCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The defence will centre on former owner Mel Morris’ claim their troubles were caused by Covid hitting their gate money.
      And now the EFL are demanding that Derby show them their books for the last SIX YEARS to see if they have a case.
      The appeal, which will cost the administrators around £300,000 in legal fees, will rock football as Derby bid to get the amount of points deducted reduced to six — HALF the standard penalty.
      Only a year ago Wigan tried the same argument, and lost out, with the ‘automatic’ 12 points taken off and costing them relegation.
      If Derby are successful it could allow other clubs to go down the route of administration for Covid reasons if they are only to be hit with six points off their totals.
      Championship Derby are also facing a penalty from the EFL for Financial Fair Play breaches.

      They are likely to lose nine points with a further three suspended.
      County hope there is a chance of survival if their appeal is successful and the admin penalty plus the FFP charges mean they ‘only’ lose 15 points.
      The news comes as TWO leading football figures are in the race to take over at Derby.
      The chance to rescue the Rams from administration in a deal worth around a basic £25million is catching the attention of a few with connections to rival clubs.
      Former Ipswich owner Marcus Evans has shown a firm interest.
      Multi-millionaire Evans sold Town after 14 years in charge and has the cash to do the deal — with feelers already being put out.
      Evans would have no problem passing the EFL tests after his lengthy spell at the Tractor Boys.
      Burton chief executive Jez Moxey is being strongly linked with a big consortium including local and American cash.
      Moxey has previous experience at Wolves too and could be tempted to change club if the group put in the biggest bid.
      There is also interest from a British businessman based abroad who has previous sports clubs and financial groups in America and Switzerland.

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      American-based Scot William Binnie’s two sons and their Carlisle Capital are also serious players.
      The administrators hope to do a deal for the club AND include the stadium.
      Morris would need to accept an offer at a reasonable price on top of the sale of the club. More

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      Ex-Crystal Palace star Bakary Sako on verge of free transfer to secret Championship club having not played in 15 MONTHS

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      BAKARY SAKO is looking to make a comeback in England — with a Championship team set to bring in the experienced forward this week.Former Crystal Palace and Wolves striker Sako is a free agent after a spell in Cyprus and has been in contact with clubs about a return.
      Former Crystal Palace star Bakary Sako has not played since featuring for Cypriot side Pafos last yearCredit: Getty
      The destination of the France-born attacker, 33, is being kept secret but the interested outfit want to see him train before deciding on a deal.
      Sako has not played for more than a year since he left Cypriot side Pafos in 2020.
      He enjoyed two spells with Palace, the first of which came between 2015 and 2018 when he joined from Wolves.
      Sako played 50 times and scored eight goals before leaving for West Brom.
      He only spent four months at The Hawthorns before returning to Palace in 2019.
      He then featured another four times for Palace before leaving for Cyprus.

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      But after just six games for Pafos he became a free agent in 2020 and has been unable to find a club ever since.
      Meanwhile, Palace playmaker Ebere Eze is ahead of schedule in his recovery from an Achilles injury.
      There were initial fears the 23-year-old would be out until the new year after sustaining the problem in training at the back end of last season.
      But he is back running and doing ball work already – as he revealed himself in an online clip on Tuesday to the delight of fans. More

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      Mick Wadsworth swaps football management for art and hopes drawing auction will raise money for charity

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      FORMER football boss Mick Wadsworth has swapped his tactics board and cones for watercolour pencils and paper.Wadsworth, 70, had a distinguished coaching career, managing Carlisle, Scarborough, Colchester, Oldham, Huddersfield, Chester and Hartlepool in the Football League.
      Mick Wadsworth has swapped football for artCredit: Dave Pinegar
      The ex-football manager showcased some of his drawings for SunSportCredit: Dave Pinegar
      He was also assistant to the late Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle, as well as on his England coaching staff at the 1990 World Cup.
      But now he has turned his hand to art.
      At the start of the pandemic, Wadsworth decided to fuse two of his biggest passions, football and drawing, to raise money for charity.
      He has sketched a series of football grounds including Carlisle’s Brunton Park, Burnley’s Turf Moor and the now demolished former homes of Scarborough (Athletic Ground) and Darlington (Feethams) plus local scenes from his life.
      On Saturday night, he is selling 12 of his charming framed sketches at an auction in Carlisle to raise funds for the Eden Valley Hospice, which cares for patients from Cumbria and south-west Scotland.
      Wadsworth told SunSport: “Me and my Carlisle team were going to get together last year to mark the 25th anniversary of the club winning what is now known as the League Two in 1995.

      Wadsworth drew various places during the coronavirus lockdownCredit: Dave Pinegar
      He is hoping to raise money for charity in his upcoming auctionCredit: Dave Pinegar
      “But because of the lockdown, we had to postpone it a year.
      “I’ve always liked the arts — Lowry, Turner and Norman Cornish are my favourite artists.
      “I drew a lot as a kid and would paint avidly as I was growing up.
      “I was brought up in a pit village in Yorkshire called Dodworth, near Barnsley.
      “My dad was a collier and I started my working career down the pit, so that part of my life was important. It was a big grounding.
      “I drew whatever was around me then — whether it be football or local scenes.
      “And then, during lockdown, I started again, dabbling in sketches and watercolour.
      “I’ve done quite a few football grounds but through the lens of a few years ago.
      “I researched all the grounds that I’ve drawn and acquired old images to get the architecture as accurate as I can.
      “Then everything else is from my weird and strange imagination.”
      Wadsworth’s artistic talents stretch further as he also plays guitar, piano and harmonica.
      But football has always been his big passion and he wanted to do something in memory of former Carlisle midfielder Tony Hopper, who died of motor neurone disease aged just 42.
      Football grounds feature prominently in Wadsworth’s drawings
      He said: “I gave Tony his debut when I was manager and he sadly passed away three years ago. Tony was looked after by the Eden Valley Hospice, who have been struggling because of the pandemic, so we’ve decided to raise funds for them.
      “Not only do we want to mark what we achieved at Carlisle all those years ago but to also remember Tony and our physio Peter Hampton, who passed away last September.
      “It was an incredible time for the club. In my two seasons at the club, they reached the play-off semi-final, which we lost to Wycombe; won the title to get promoted and made Wembley for the first time in Carlisle’s history for the EFL Trophy final against Birmingham. There were 76,663 fans there that day!
      “I gave the likes of Rory Delap and Paul Murray their senior debuts at Carlisle.”
      The Cumbrians will always have a special place in Wadsworth’s heart as they were the first club to make him a professional football manager in 1993. And he admits his regret at resigning a few months after their 1995 triumph.
      He said: “Carlisle — and later Newcastle — are the two clubs where I look back and reflect that I shouldn’t have left when I did.
      “I should’ve stuck around but was stupid. That’s life, though, isn’t it?
      “In the Carlisle case, we had just got promoted to the third tier and didn’t invest so it became difficult and frustrating.
      “Norwich came in and made a good offer to go as assistant manager to Gary Megson.
      “It was a big mistake because after just a couple of months they declared they were bust. What a great move that was!
      “I went into work one day and they said, ‘Can you hand your car back in? Oh, and by the way, we’ve sold your flat!’”
      Wadsworth will always cherish his memories of working with Robson for England and Newcastle.
      Wadsworth is attempting to raise the money in memory of Carlisle midfielder Tony HopperCredit: Dave Pinegar
      He worked as an FA regional coach in the north west and it was while there that he met Robson. And the former Three Lions boss took him to Italy to be part of his coaching team for the World Cup in 1990.
      Robson later recruited him as his assistant at Newcastle and Wadsworth said: “Bobby knew what I was good at.
      “He really leaned on me to head up the coaching at Newcastle so training on a daily basis was my responsibility, along with the coaching team as it were.
      “John Carver was there then and Tommy Craig was doing the reserves.
      “It wasn’t a dictatorial situation under Bobby.
      “I got on with what I enjoyed most, which was being on the training ground.
      “Bobby was fantastic and always very thoughtful in everything we did.
      “If Bobby said, ‘No, I don’t agree with that’, it was fine.
      “I’d make a point, John would make a point, he’d make a point and in the end we’d agree that Bobby was right all the time. Everyone held him in such reverence and working with him was a delight.
      “He was a wonderful person — a true gentleman but also as hard as old boots.”
      Wadsworth is working with Sheffield Star chief football writer James Shield on a book charting his life and memories, which will most probably be published at some point next year.
      And renowned football photographer Stuart Roy Clarke is also hoping to use some of Wadsworth’s drawings in a book and at an exhibition of his work in Carlisle soon.
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      Wadsworth added: “I’ve been so blessed to have had such a great career in football.
      “I only played 20-odd games myself for Scunthorpe in the Football League, with the rest of my playing days in non-league.
      “So I was fortunate to have a successful career in the professional game.”
      Roberto Mancini would be ‘ideal’ new Newcastle manager as he has experience to manage new projects, says Trevor Sinclair More

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      Inside Oldham’s crisis, as fans protest against owner with demos featuring a coffin and Boundary Park pitch invasions

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      FOR Oldham Athletic fans, the atmosphere at Boundary Park is toxic – and likely to only get worse.On and off the pitch, the Latics are a club in crisis with their followers pointing the finger at owner Abdallah Lemsagam.
      It’s the final nail in the coffin for Oldham Athletic fansCredit: Getty
      Fans have spent almost three years campaigning against owner Abdallah LemsagamCredit: Getty
      They have spent almost three years campaigning against the Dubai-based former agent in the fear that the club is heading for extinction under his regime.
      Since he took over in January 2018, Boundary Park has slowly but surely turned into a war zone with repeated protests by fan groups.
      Before a drab 0-0 draw with Hartlepool, police were forced to patrol a demo that featured a coffin inscribed : “RIP OAFC” and was placed outside the main door of the stadium.
      Supporters have taken to donning clown masks on a match day, echoing the belief that Oldham Athletic have become a circus.
      While there have also been pitch invasions, tennis balls and flares thrown onto the playing surface as the tensions rise.
      And although the club moved off the bottom of Football League Two last weekend on goal difference, despite losing at home 2-1 to Harrogate Town, the ill-feeling is still there.
      In 2019, fed up with not being heard, four fans launched Push The Boundary to communicate the concerns and dissatisfaction with the current owner regarding the handling of the football club, whilst raising awareness of its precarious state.
      Founding member Steve Shipman, 40, tells SunSport: “We started seeing the warning signs a few years ago and that things weren’t quite right.
      “We wanted to do something about it because we were just shouting into a big, black hole.
      “But we didn’t want to get to this point, where we’re near the bottom of the league, before people start to act and it’s too late.
      “We’ve been banging on the door for a couple of years. And initially we were trying to engage with the club, not necessarily saying we want the owner out.
      “We made the point of telling them fans weren’t happy, we gave them evidence of that through the form of surveys, but the owner chose to ignore it.
      Push The Boundary’s founding members, including Steve Shipman, far left
      Flares and tennis balls have been thrown onto the pitch as the fans protest against the clubs ownershipCredit: KIPAX
      “I think what we’ve seen recently with the protests is a culmination of that pressure, fans going on the pitch because they’re unhappy, and now he’s got no choice but to address it.
      “But the fact is, he could’ve done this a few years ago. Fans have got to a point now where enough is enough with the new manager appointments and false dawns.
      “And if he wasn’t going to listen to us, then the fans were going to take matters into their own hands.”
      SunSport has repeatedly highlighted the growing crisis at the club that was originally one of the Premier League’s founding members in 1992.
      Before the lockdown in March last year we reported that unless the controversial Moroccan paid debts of £575,000 to the ground’s leasehold owner Simon Blitz then he would put the club into administration.
      That threat, which Blitz would have carried out, followed a bitter war between the pair after Lemsagam sparked a two-month investigation by The Sun over his claims that he had found a £5.2M “hole” in the club’s finances
      Oldham Police were called in over Lemsagam’s allegations, relating to the construction of the ground’s new North Stand with £1.78M of local council money part of the so – called missing money.
      There was no case to answer by former director Blitz as SunSport confirmed.
      But depressed Latics supporters declare that Lemsagam very much does have one to answer following years of turmoil.
      And many believe that they are witnessing the last rites of the club founded 126 years ago.
      Abdallah Lemsagam has refused to cooperate with Oldham fans who don’t understand his intentions for the clubCredit: Rex Features
      An airplane displays a banner over Boundary Park calling for Lemsagam brothers to leave the clubCredit: Rex
      Shipman stresses what he would like to happen next.
      “The ideal situation would be if Lemsagam works with us and the supporters foundation to help facilitate his exit from the football club,” he says.
      “Let’s work towards something that gets him the most money that allows him to walk away.
      “But what we don’t want is if he brings someone in on his own accord, because he’s already proved he can’t be trusted.”
      Back in March, Lemsagam appointed Keith Curle as manager to save the club from relegation.
      Astonishingly, he is the ninth coach to work for the Moroccan, and before his arrival there were on-going accusations of Lemsagam’s interference in team matters, even down to the selection of certain of his favourite players against others.
      Lifelong Latics fan and Manchester United legend Paul Scholes lasted only 31 days in the job, saying he could not work due to Lemsagam’s meddling.
      Wages of players and staff have frequently been delayed, there have been near misses in terms of administration – not just with Blitz but with the tax man too.
      Yet experienced Curle has a managerial career that spans six previous clubs, including 2020 promotion to League One with Northampton Town.
      The 57 year-old is certain he can spark a revival and insists he is doing things his own way – as he has always done –  that he is his own man, not just a company man.
      Paul Scholes lasted only 31 days in the job at Oldham before walking awayCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Many fans are calling for Lemsagam to sell the clubCredit: Getty
      Curle hints that some of his predecessors may have taken the easy way out and allowed Lemsagam to carry the can rather than look at their own efforts.
      The former Manchester City captain declares that won’t be the case with him.
      He stresses that if he fails to keep Oldham up: “I’ll take all the blame. That’s what I do.
      “When we win a game I applaud everybody that’s helped.
      “When things aren’t going well I shoulder the responsibility. The easy thing to do is look at the past circumstances.
      “But I know when I have all of my players fit and available we will be competitive in this division.
      “I know where Oldham can get to but the route there is not a straight line.
      “A straight line is having £3M in the bank as your budget, you get the best players for the division, and you double up on it.
      Oldham manager Keith Curle is tasked with keeping the club up this seasonCredit: Getty
      Last weekend, Oldham lost 2-1 at home to Harrogate TownCredit: Alamy
      “As proven by Salford, it ain’t as straight a line as you think it is.
       “Whatever get thrown at me, I deal with it in eight words : it is what it is, deal with it.
      “It’s not arrogance, it’s not being aggressive or having a confrontational approach.
      “I’m just not one of those people that keep complaining about problems. I find solutions.
      “Being bottom of the league without ten injured players and working within the restrictions of an EFL transfer embargo is a problem.
      “But I know the solution and we continue to put things together to create that solution.”
      Lemsagam’s brother Mohamed is under fire from the fans, who believe the sporting director has only helped deepen the club’s crisis with dressing room interference.
      Curle stresses : “I don’t know what went on before, but it doesn’t happen with me.
      “That’s not the relationship that we’ve got. I make my own mind up, I make my own decisions, I pick the team.
      Curle insists he hasn’t had any issues with team meddling with the Lemsagam brothersCredit: Alamy
      However, should Oldham fall out of the National League they could be headed to extinctionCredit: Getty

      “How else can it work? It’s the only way I work.”
      Oldham fans will be praying his efforts save their side and their efforts in raising awareness of unrest might make the owners appear more transparent.
      Otherwise, if the club falls out of the National League, they could fall into oblivion like neighbours Bury. Imagine the fans protests then? More