Blow for Athlone as Hamm heads down under

ATHLONE Town's plans for the 2010 season have suffered a setback with the news that defender Robbie Hamm will not be re-signing for the club. The 22-year-old defender, who earlier this season racked up his 100th appearance for the club, has confirmed this week that he is travelling to Australia in January and intends staying there for twelve months. Speaking to the 'Westmeath Independent', Hamm said: "I had five very enjoyable years playing for my hometown club and always gave my all. I will definitely miss playing for Athlone but this is a decision I've made to go travelling for a while and we'll see how it turns out. I'll keep a close eye on how the lads are doing and be in contact, and I'd imagine I'll return to it whenever I get back to Ireland." Team manager Brendan Place wished his right-back well for the coming year. "Robbie has been a good servant to Athlone for a number of years and I've no problem whatsoever with his decision. I certainly wish Robbie all the very best on his travels and I know the club think likewise. Obviously, it leaves a situation whereby I need a right-back for next season and I'm working on that and a number of other things," Place said. The Athlone manager confirmed he has "agreed terms" with at least three new signings and hopes to officially announce his new acquisitions within the next week or so. "I'm not in a position to divulge names at the moment but I can tell you we have agreed a couple of very good new signings," he said last week, "The team building process is very pro-active at the moment and I'm constantly speaking to potential new signings, existing Athlone players, and also watching numerous games around Dublin trying to unearth someone who can make an impact." The Town boss also poured cold water on the PFAI's recently published list of unsigned players who are looking for new clubs, a list which included Des Hope and Noel McGee. "I'm confident both those players (Hope and McGee) have a part to play for Athlone next season," said Place. "I wouldn't read too much into the PFAI's list because I phoned a few lads on it and they told me they'd already agreed to stay with their existing clubs," he added. The Athlone manager has spoken to virtually all of last season's Athlone squad and believes the majority of them will again play a part for the club next season. Meanwhile, Place has also confirmed that Padraig Moran will remain as assistant manager and that he is considering adding another coach to his backroom team.