Oldham boss Sheridan leaves club

Sheridan finished his playing career at Oldham before going into management

Oldham Athletic have parted company with manager John Sheridan after almost three years in charge.

A club statement confirmed the decision was made after talks between Sheridan, 44, and managing director Simon Corney on Sunday morning.

His departure comes after reports last week that players brawled during a club night out at Belle Vue greyhound track.

Newspapers also claimed Sheridan was involved in the incident, though he said the reports were exaggerated.

Corney told BBC Radio Manchester that Sheridan's departure had nothing to do with the incident at Belle Vue.

606: DEBATE I can only say that this is a bad desision, to sack a manager at this time of the season MeanwoodWhite

"The timing is unfortunate because people will draw conclusions but they are wrong in this instance," he said.

"If I am honest, one or two players have let him down recently and they need to look at themselves because to a degree they have cost the manager his job."

The club announced on Thursday that one player had been fined two weeks wages with two others warned about their future conduct.

Sheridan's departure comes after Saturday's 6-2 defeat by MK Dons which saw the club slip to eighth in the League One table.