Oldham Athletic Association Football Club: Introduction

Oldham Athletic Association Football Club, commonly known as Oldham Athletic or simply Oldham, is a historic English football club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The team plays in the National League, which is the fifth level of the English football league system—a far cry from its glory days at the top level.

The club dropped into the National League at the end of the 2021–22 season. Indeed, they became the first former Premier League club that dropped down to play non-League football.

The staff at the Fanbase hope that the club and supporters rise up again soon. So here’s an in-depth look at the club:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Foundation and Early History

• Founded: 1895 as Pine Villa Football Club, it changed its name to Oldham Athletic in 1899 after being taken over by Oldham-based businessmen.
• Nickname: The Latics. This nickname is shared with Wigan Athletic, another club from the Greater Manchester area.
• Stadium: Boundary Park, which has been the club’s home since 1904. The stadium currently has a capacity of around 13,500. Moreover, the team’s loyal supporters can create a proper football atmosphere when they are in the mood

Oldham Athletic Football Club: Colours and Crest

• Colours: Oldham Athletic’s traditional colours are blue and white. The home kit typically features a blue shirt, white shorts, and blue socks.
• Crest: The club’s crest features an owl, symbolizing wisdom and vigilance, which has been associated with the club for many years.

League History and Achievements

Oldham Athletic has had a fluctuating history across the English football league system. Indeed, there were significant periods in both the top tiers and lower divisions:

• Early 20th Century: The club’s most successful period came in the early 1910s. They finished runners-up in the First Division (now the Premier League) in the 1914-1915 season, their highest-ever league position.
• Post-War Period: Oldham spent much of the post-World War II era in the lower divisions, fluctuating between the Second, Third, and Fourth Divisions.
• 1980s and 1990s: The Joe Royle Era: Under manager Joe Royle, Oldham enjoyed a golden period. They won promotion to the Second Division in 1981-82. Then in 1991 they won the Second Division, earning promotion to the First Division. Oldham became one of the founder members of the Premier League in 1992.
• Premier League: Oldham spent three seasons in the top flight from 1991 to 1994. The club is perhaps best remembered during this time for their dramatic escape from relegation in 1992-93, when they stayed up on the last day of the season.
• FA Cup Semi-Finalists: The club also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1990 and 1994. They also narrowly missed out on a place in the final on both occasions.
• Decline: After relegation from the Premier League in 1994, the club struggled financially. Moreover, they experienced a gradual decline, eventually dropping to the lower leagues.

Of course, major honours are largely missing from the club’s history. However, the club has won the lower leagues and have won the Lancashire Senior Cup. But Oldham Athletic have come runners-up on many occasions in some competitions.

Oldham Athletic Football Club: Rivalries

Indeed, the club’s geographical position means that within a 20-mile radius, they have around 11 other teams close by. So, Oldham has many rivals, so here are the ones that the supporters love to beat most:

• Main Rivals: Oldham Athletic has a strong rivalry with Rochdale, with whom they contest the “Greater Manchester Derby.” Another traditional rivalry is with Bury, though this rivalry has waned somewhat due to Bury’s financial issues.
• Other Rivals: The club also has local rivalries with other Greater Manchester clubs like Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, and Stockport County.

Notable Players and Managers

• Joe Royle: The most iconic manager in Oldham’s history, Royle led the club to its most successful period, including promotion to the top flight and an extended stay in the Premier League.
• Roger Palmer: Oldham’s all-time leading goal-scorer. Palmer also played a crucial role during the club’s golden era in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• Paul Scholes: A former Manchester United and England midfielder, Scholes briefly managed Oldham in 2019, although his tenure was short-lived.

Ownership and Finances

• Recent Ownership: The club has experienced significant challenges off the pitch, particularly concerning ownership. The most notable recent owner was Abdallah Lemsagam, a Moroccan football agent who took over in 2018. His tenure has been marked by controversy, financial difficulties, and protests from fans.
• Fan Ownership: Due to ongoing issues with ownership, a significant portion of the fanbase has advocated for fan ownership or more significant influence in the running of the club, including the formation of a trust.
• Financial Challenges: Like many lower-league clubs, Oldham has faced financial difficulties, particularly after their relegation from the Premier League. The club has had to contend with debts, administration threats, and poor financial management.

Oldham Athletic Football Club: Community and Culture

• Fan Base: Oldham Athletic has a loyal and passionate fan base, despite the club’s struggles in recent years. The fans are known for their resilience and deep connection to the club, which is deeply rooted in the local community.
• Community Initiatives: The club runs several community programs, focusing on youth development, social inclusion, and promoting healthy lifestyles through football.

Recent Performance

• 2021-2022 Season: The club suffered relegation from League Two, the fourth tier of English football, marking the first time they fell out of the Football League since joining in 1907. They currently play in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
• Current Ambitions: Oldham is striving to return to the Football League, with a focus on rebuilding both on and off the pitch.

Oldham Athletic Football Club: In Conclusion

Oldham Athletic AFC is a club with a rich history, known for its passionate fan base and notable achievements during the Joe Royle era. However, the club has faced significant challenges in recent years, both financially and on the pitch, culminating in their relegation from the Football League.

Despite these struggles, the club remains an integral part of the Oldham community, with supporters hopeful for a revival and return to former glory.

Oldham Athletic Football Club Promotion

The Football Fan Base is here for all footy fans everywhere, of course. However, if you don’t promote Oldham Athletic, who will? The more publicity your football team gets, the better it is, right?

To promote Oldham Athletic, all you need to do is brag about your club here on the Football Fan Base. We have the perfect platform in which to brag and boast about your favourite team.

Oldham Athletic Fans Forum

The Fanbase just got bigger and better. Indeed, we have made sure that the Oldham Athletic Fans Forum is located within our message boards. Our improvements mean that football banter just got better too. So, join in today!

** Information updated on September 3, 2024.