Gino Padula - Player Profile

Gino was Bruce Rioch’s first signing for the club when he arrived at the JJB Stadium from the Bescot Stadium on a Bosman free transfer after signing a one-year deal on Thursday 20th July 2000. He had left the Midlands club citing a lack of ambition as his reason for quitting. He had trial spells at Derby County, Dundee United and Bristol Rovers before Latics’ new manager got his man. Another bonus for Latics was that as he was a member of the European Union he didn’t need a work permit. Gino was injured for the start of the new season (2000/01) and he finally made his Latics League debut as a substitute against Peterborough United in a League encounter at the JJB Stadium on 12th September 2000 when he replaced Brian McLaughlin in the 86th minute. Latics won the game 1-0.

He appeared just once in the League Cup as a substitute, twice in the FA Cup, twice in the Leyland Daf Vans Trophy and he made just 4 League appearances before being released on 21st May 2001. Six other players, Carl Bradshaw, Darren Sheridan, Roberto Martinez, Gareth Griffiths, Stuart Balmer and Peter Beagrie also left on the same day.