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Joe Garner reveals in his first interview what made him sign for National League club Oldham

Joe Garner reveals what made him sign for National League club Oldham Athletic in his first interview since being announced.

The 35 year old has dropped into non league for the first time in his career having had won many awards and trophies in the English Football League over his career.

He leaves Carlisle United, who won promotion to League One via the playoffs last year, and joins the Latics hoping to claim a playoff place.

CARLISLE STATEMENT:

Carlisle United can confirm that Joe Garner has today joined National League side Oldham Athletic on a free transfer.

Garner, 35, has made 26 appearances this season, scoring four goals. Over his four spells at Brunton Park, the popular striker has made 119 appearances and scored 33 goals.

Manager Paul Simpson said: “Joe has been fantastic for us. He came in and did the job we wanted and helped us achieve promotion as an important member of the squad last year.

“This is a chance for him to be closer to home and extend his career with an extra year on his contract which we all felt was the best thing to do.

“I’d like to thank Joe for everything he’s done and wish him all the best in the future.”

OLDHAM STATEMENT:

Oldham Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Garner from Carlisle United.

The forward joins Latics having made nearly 600 professional appearances including over 200 in the Championship and a further 200 in League One.

Garner arrives at Boundary Park on a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season.

“We’re delighted to have Joe on board, he had other offers but he was very keen to be a part of what we’re doing here,” said manager Micky Mellon.

“He has fantastic leadership qualities and experience at winning things, he knows the qualities that are needed in the dressing room.”

Joe started out with his hometown club, Blackburn Rovers, but got his big break with Carlisle United.

After making his loan move with the Cumbrians permanent, he bagged 14 in 31 appearances, earning him a move to Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Numerous loan spells and two seasons with Watford followed, before he joined Preston North End, where he’d enjoy some of the most successful years of his career.

After bagging 18 in his first full season, winning the Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year awards, he fired North End to promotion with 25 goals, as Preston swept Swindon aside 4-0 in the play-off final.

More recently he’s enjoyed time in Scotland with Rangers, Cyprus with APOEL, returning to Carlisle for his fourth spell twelve months ago, assisting United as they won the League Two play-off final.

“The way the manager spoke about the team and club, how huge it is, was a major part in me coming here, in addition to already knowing Muzza (Paul Murray).

“I just want to get started, helping the team get more wins and hopefully get us out of this league,” commented Joe.

Welcome to Latics, Joe!

Interviewer: You moved to the club today. Firstly, how pleased I could be here.

Garner: Yeah, buzzing to be here. Looking forward to getting started and meeting the lads and just happy to be here.

Interviewer: Obviously sat pitch side of Boundary Park here. I know you’ve played here a couple of times, but first impressions of the place.

Garner: Yeah, setup’s good. Obviously got a new stand over there and the infrastructure of the old place looks like it’s going places and happy to be here.

Interviewer: Many of our conversations with the likes of Micky Mellon and also Paul Murray, someone you know very well. What have those conversations been like?

Garner: Yeah, all positive. I think there’s a positive energy around the place. Played with Muzza a long time ago and he couldn’t speak highly enough of the place. The fans and I was just happy to get signed and get out there and help the lads.

Interviewer: Completed the move from Carlisle. What was it in particular about Oldham Athletic, the strategy for this move.

Garner: Just the way the manager and the staff spoke about the place. It’s a massive club. Hopefully we can pick a few wins up and try and get out the league.

Interviewer: Obviously a player with vast experience. What have the manager and Muzza said in terms of what they want you to bring to the squad?

Garner: Just what I’ve really done for 15 odd years. Go out there and try and get a few goals. Hopefully help me a promotion along the way and see how we get on.

Interviewer: There’s, I think, 16 league games this season to go, so plenty still to play for total place in the playoffs. I guess. Obviously the ambitions this season and what potentially might be achieved is also a major factor of the year.

Garner: Yeah, it’s obviously a very tough league to get out of come the end of the year. It’s a tough thing, but say we’ve got the players and I think the fan base to challenge anyone in this league. Club’s going places, the playoffs are always tough thing to win, but it’s doable and there’s no reason why we can’t do it.

Interviewer: Fans will be familiar with you throughout your career, particularly your spell at Preston. Can you just explain a bit about maybe the last couple of years and maybe how your career developed since Preston?

Garner: Yeah, I’ve had a few clubs since then. I went out to Cyprus for a little while, Fleetwood and then obviously the promotion with Carlisle last year and, yeah, just enjoy your football and keep going.

Interviewer: Obviously the manager said to us that it looks forward to the end of the season now. It’s mainly about consistency, obviously, from your experience, is that essentially what it’s about now?

Garner: Yeah, the running now to the end of the season is massive, massive for the club and put a run together and hopefully get in there and get up.

Interviewer: As you said, your experience professional, how much are you looking forward to playing a leading part in the squad and using that experience to benefit the team?

Garner: I’ve played a lot of games, I’ve played a lot of football, I’ve got a lot of experience and if I can help the young lads along the way, that’s what I’ll be doing and I think it’s something that pride myself on and I think I’ve done it at most clubs that I’ve been at and especially over the last few years and whatever way I can help, that’s what I’ll be.

Interviewer: And just finally a message to the Oldham supporters.

Garner: Yeah. Came the other night to watch the game and think it was going off a little bit over there and hopefully we can pick up a few points on the way and everyone comes out and has a good time and pick up a few points.

Twitter users reacted as Joe Garner reveals in his first interview what made him sign for National League club Oldham…

@northumbrian_: Club legend at Carlisle. Unbelievable attitude. He tries his heart out every game and is a right handful for defenders, even at 35. Decent in the air for a little fella. A right pain in the arse for defenders. I’m glad he has sorted out a decent club to join.

@Kristoph80: That’s a huge blow to united, he was always one of the more promising ones to get us out this rut when he let him play that is, oldhams signed a legend #cufc

@thejoyofrun: He’s a good signing for you. He’s a genuine leader, full effort, absolute nightmare for defenders and can find the back of the net too. Will genuinely miss him at #CUFC. Good luck, Joe. Hope you smash them in.

@JRBulman: Gutted to see him go but glad he’s fixed up with a decent club. All the best Joe!!

@Reay78: Best of luck Joe, always a legend to Carlisle fans!! 💙

@MarkWhitfield2: Who knew when he came on loan in 2007 he would be such a fantastic servant to the club. That £140,000 was the best money we ever spent. We made £1m on that and then the impression the club left on Joe meant he came back time and again. All the best Joe! Oldham for promotion? 🤑

@Blencath007: Best of luck Joe and thx for all you did for #cufc. Sorry to see you go.

@cufcdanny: Take good care of him Latics! You’ve got a great player & top man! Give him service & he’ll get you goals. All the best Joe! 💙

@Nick_Brown86: Came back and played a crucial role last season in getting us promoted. Cemented his place as a true Carlisle United legend and it’s been a pleasure getting to watch him over the years. Go well Joe.

@MacadamNick: Upmost respect for Joe, took Harvey under his wing when he joined Fleetwood. Good luck to Joe and Oldham.

@em_1904: Good luck, Joe, and thanks for all you have done for Carlisle United over the years💙 🦊 all the best for the future xx Oldham fans – enjoy watching Joe pester the life out of the opposition! He’ll do good for you. Look after him and all the best for the rest of the season ⚽️

@rocknrolo: Good luck Joe, you will be missed #cufc

@carlisl9125: Great signing for you. He’ll do you proud.

@JFS1Macca: When it comes to Joe Garner, for the time being at least, I’m more interested in the opinions of Carlisle fans than those of Oldham fans. And, friends, the opinions I’ve read so far have made one rather horny. In Monsieur Mellon we trust #oafc

@MrJackTyson: A club legend. I’m sure we’ll see him back as a guest of honour at some point in the future. A player I’d hate to play against! Keep it up Joe!

@J4ck_C0u51n: You’ve got yourselves a good one. You’ll love watching him.

@Tommy_Oldham1: Not to fussed about this age Joe Garner is a good signing for this level. Another one of those players who for many years caused us problems and you Happy have on this team. Fingers cross him, Dallas and Norwood click. #oafc

@spiderwebb2019: Ooo Joe Garner ooo Joe Garner all the best 💙

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