Experienced Oldham Athletic defender Cliff Byrne has left Boundary Park to re-join his former club Scunthorpe United on an emergency 93-day loan.
The 31-year-old joined Latics in the summer of 2012 but has found his first team opportunities limited this season with the arrival of Joseph Mills, Matteo Lanzoni and Genseric Kusunga.
Despite right-back Connor Brown being ruled out for up to eight weeks with cartilage damage Oldham have sanctioned Byrne’s move.
The Irishman spent almost ten years at Glandford Park and is viewed fondly by the Scunthorpe fans after winning three promotions during his time there – captaining the club to the last of those in 2008-09.
Following his release from Scunthorpe, Byrne went onto make 43 appearances for Oldham and, ironically, scored his only goal for the club in last season’s 2-2 draw against Scunny at Glandford Park on New Year’s Day.
After Paul Dickov’s resignation in February 2013 Byrne helped form part of the backroom staff assisting Tony Philliskirk, Paul Murray and Paul Gerrard before Lee Johnson’s appointment.
This season he has been restricted to just three substitute appearances and will stay at Scunthorpe until his loan expires on December 13.
Meanwhile, Athletic’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second round tie at Preston will take place on October 8 with tickets costing £5 for Over-16’s and £1 for Under-16’s.
Image courtesy of Scunthorpe United via youtube, with thanks.
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