FORMER Latics skipper Sean Gregan says he fears for the club’s future as the dust settles on the sacking of Richie Wellens following relegation to League Two.

Gregan, now assistant manager with Conference North outfit York City, enjoyed a four-year stint with Athletic between 2007 and 2011, and the no-nonsense defender was always a popular figure with the Boundary Park faithful.

“I’ve a lot of time for Oldham, it is a good club with a big history, and it is very sad to see them down there,” he said.

“I was proud to be their captain, but to get things going again they have to be strong next season, and whoever is in charge at the top, well they have to back the manager in the transfer market.

“If they don’t do then they could be down there for years.”

Athletic legend Frankie Bunn is leading the race for the hotseat, according to the bookmakers, following the club’s decision to dispense with Wellens on Friday.

With prices fluctuating all the time, Bunn was 1/6 with Sky Bet at 8pm today (Tuesday) as odds for Paul Scholes, Peter Clarke and Darren Ferguson drifted.

Neil Redfearn had been odds-on favourite until the Doncaster Belles boss took over at Liverpool Ladies.