History of Oldham Athletic A.F.C.

The history of Oldham Athletic A.F.C. football team began in 1895.

1895–1923: Early success

Oldham Athletic in 1905 with manager David Ashworth (far left)

The club was formed in 1895 as Pine Villa F.C. before being renamed to Oldham Athletic in 1899.[1][2] Attaining professional status in the same year, the Latics played in the local Manchester leagues before gaining entry into the Football League Second Division in 1907.[3] Two seasons later, the club gained its first ever promotion, finishing ahead of Hull City by virtue of a superior goal average.[3] In their first ever top flight campaign the Latics finished in seventh position.[3] Oldham reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1913, followed by a top four league placing in the 1913–14 season.[3] The outbreak of the First World War coincided with the Latics' best ever league season, as the team finished second in the Football League in the 1914–15 season, missing out on the title by one point.[4] Following the war, however, the team consistently finished near the bottom of the table, culminating in a last-place finish and relegation in 1923.[3]

1923–1940: Interwar struggles

Back in the second division for the first time since 1910, Oldham finished around the top half for several seasons before missing out on promotion by two points in 1930 to Chelsea.[5] Mid-table finishes followed until 1935 when the club finished 21st in table and were relegated to the Third Division (North).[4] Successive top five finishes occurred at the new lower level until the outbreak of the Second World War saw the cancellation of the domestic league programme.

1946–1970: Postwar plight

Manager Jack Rowley led Oldham to promotion in 1963.

Again, the outbreak of war hit Oldham hard and, as with the First World War, the club's results deteriorated significantly when the football league resumed finishing in 19th position in the first post-war league season. Disappointing mid-table finishes followed in the subsequent seasons before the signing of former England international George Hardwick as player-manager in 1950 proved the catalyst to a promotion as Third Division (North) champions in 1953.[4] Hopes were again high at Boundary Park but the Latics slumped to relegation after only one season back in the higher tier. Only 25 points were gained from 42 games and 17 of 21 away games ended in defeat.

Back in the Third Division (North) after only one season, Oldham found themselves established in midtable in the division until 1958 when the club's 15th-place finish meant that they became founder members of the new nationalized Fourth Division, two years later having the embarrassment of having to apply for re-election to the Football League with only Hartlepools United finishing below them.

Promotion to the Third Division was achieved in 1963 under the management of Jack Rowley. Two years later the flamboyant Ken Bates took over as chairman.[6] Despite Bates' financial ability to purchase players, narrow escapes from relegation occurred in 1965 and 1966,[6] before the inevitable relegation back to the basement division finally occurred in 1969.[3] With this, Bates left the club, and the result was a poor financial situation and a low finish in the Fourth Division in 1970.

1970–1982: Frizzell's Latics

Scottish defender Jimmy Frizzell took on a player-manager role during the 1969–70 season and led the Latics to promotion in 1971.[4] Back in the Third Division, a mid-table finish was achieved in 1972 before the Latics missed out on promotion by just three points the following season. An incredible run of ten consecutive league wins during the 1973–74 season (still a club record to this day) laid the foundations for Oldham to win the Third Division title and find themselves back in the Second Division for the first time since 1954.

Frizzell did an excellent job of keeping the Latics away from relegation danger at this higher level, despite tighter finances and lesser gates than many of their rivals. It was therefore a shock that, in 1982 after twelve highly successful years in charge, the popular Scotsman was sacked. He had, however, laid the foundations for what was to come.

The Joe Royle era: 1982 to 1994

1982 to 1989: Pushing for promotion

One of the most successful, and also longest-serving managers in Oldham Athletic's history was Joe Royle, who took over from Jimmy Frizzell as manager just before the start of the 1982–83 season.[4] Royle's first four seasons in charge resulted in moderate midtable finishes before the first signs of success arrived during the 1986–87 season. That season the club finished third in the Second Division on their new artificial astroturf surface,[7] a position which would have been good enough for automatic promotion in any of the previous thirteen seasons. Unfortunately for Oldham, the 1986–87 season saw the introduction of the promotion play-offs, and they were eventually defeated by Leeds United on the away goals ruling in the play-off semi-final.[8]

1989–1990: The Latics reach Wembley

In the 1989–90 season Oldham reached the final of the Football League Cup. In the second round striker Frankie Bunn scored six goals, a League Cup record, as Scarborough were thrashed 7–0.[9] The club were in the Second Division promotion play-off zone by the time League champions Arsenal arrived for the League Cup third round. More than 15,000 Oldham fans were in the crowd as the champions were beaten 3–1.[9] The win set up the Latics' first ever quarter-final appearance in the League Cup where they were handed an away trip to top flight Southampton. The game finished 2-2, Andy Ritchie scoring an equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time to set up a replay back at Boundary Park, which Oldham won 2-0.[9] In the semi-finals the Latics beat Second Division promotion rivals West Ham United 6-0 in the first leg. The 3–0 second leg defeat at West Ham's Upton Park ground proved irrelevant and Oldham were on their way to Wembley for the first time in their 95-year history.

At the same time however, Oldham had started another excellent cup run, this time in the form of the FA Cup. Few would have expected such an occurrence when Third Division Birmingham City took a 1–0 lead at their St. Andrews ground in the Third Round of that year's competition, but a late equalizer from Frankie Bunn led to a replay at Boundary Park. The replay seemed to be heading for another stalemate before Rick Holden scored an excellent solo goal, weaving through the Birmingham defence, to give the Latics a 1–0 win and set up a Fourth Round tie at home to Second Division Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton took a first half lead before two goals in a minute from Scott McGarvey and Andy Ritchie gave Oldham a hard fought 2–1 win. Everton, at the time one of the leading English clubs, were the visitors to Boundary Park for the Fifth round tie, and raced into a 2–0 half time lead thanks to goals from Tony Cottee and future Oldham player/manager Graeme Sharp. A second half fight back saw the underdogs claim an incredible draw thanks to an Andy Ritchie penalty and a late Roger Palmer header. The replay at Goodison Park was again a draw – ex-Evertonian Ian Marshall's close range header for Oldham being cancelled out by a disputed Kevin Sheedy penalty. Another replay was required, and this time Oldham prevailed – a Roger Palmer goal and an Ian Marshall penalty cancelling out Tony Cottee's early strike to give Oldham a 2–1 win and hand them another home tie, this time against First Division leaders Aston Villa. The Villains were however sent crashing out of the cup – losing 3–0 to Rick Holden's 20-yard (18 m) effort, Neil Redfearn's close range finish and a Chris Price own goal. The Latics' first FA Cup semi-final appearance since 1913 saw them pitted against old local rivals Manchester United at Manchester City's Maine Road ground.

Despite talk in the press of Oldham struggling away from their artificial home surface, the game against their more illustrious neighbours was a classic. Earl Barrett tapped in from close range to give the Latics the lead after just five minutes before Bryan Robson's goal for United led to the sides going in at the half-time break level at 1–1. Neil Webb's goal for United with less than twenty minutes remaining looked to have won the tie for the Red Devils but an Ian Marshall volley just five minutes later pegged United back. With the game going into extra time a Danny Wallace goal for United again looked to have won it, before Latics stalwart Roger Palmer popped up late in the second half of extra time to score yet another equalizer and tie the game at 3–3.

The replay was just as exciting, although it proved to be controversial. Brian McClair gave United a second half lead before Andy Ritchie stunned his old side with an equalizer ten minutes from time. Sadly for the Latics there was to be no fairytale ending and Mark Robins, born in nearby Ashton-under-Lyne, a man who was to prove to be the club's nemesis over the years, scored a winner late in extra time for the Manchester side. However, it was later proven on subsequent TV replays that a Nick Henry effort in the first half had clearly crossed the line, but referee Joe Worrall, himself a United season ticket holder, failed to award the goal.

Despite the heartbreak of the FA Cup semi-final, Oldham still had their first ever Wembley appearance to look forward to in the League Cup final, however the Latics succumbed to a 1–0 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

1990–1991: Promoted at last

The 1990–91 season culminated with the Latics regaining their top flight status for the first time in 68 years. Oldham were never out of the top two in the league all season and guaranteed promotion with a 2–1 win at Ipswich Town with four games remaining. The last day of the season saw the Latics entertain Sheffield Wednesday at home, themselves already promoted. The Latics still harboured hopes of winning the Second Division title, but for this to happen they needed to beat the Owls at home and hope that rivals West Ham United failed to beat fourth placed Notts County. This scenario looked highly unlikely when Wednesday raced into a two-goal lead, but goals from Ian Marshall and 17-year-old debutant Paul Bernard levelled the game and set up a tense finish. In stoppage time, Athletic were awarded a penalty. Neil Redfearn had the task of scoring, and in extremely tense circumstances scored to clinch the Second Division championship.

1992–1994: Premier Latics

In the first ever season of the Premier League (1992–93), Oldham Athletic gained 49 points from 42 fixtures to stay up by the narrowest of margins. With three games remaining, the Latics had attained 40 points and looked doomed, lying second from bottom in the table. For the club to survive relegation, three wins from their final three matches were required, and the Latics had to bank on Crystal Palace gaining no more than one point from their final two matches. Oldham's first game of the final trio was away at second placed Aston Villa – a side who had to win to have any hope of winning that year's title. In a battling display, Latics stalwart Nick Henry scored the winner midway through the first half, a shock result but one that gave hope to an unlikely escape and clinched the first title for 27 years for Manchester United. Three days later Liverpool were beaten 3–2 at Boundary Park, whilst Crystal Palace could only draw at Manchester City. This led to a scenario by which for Oldham to survive, they had to beat fellow strugglers Southampton at home and hope that Crystal Palace were defeated at Arsenal's Highbury ground. Oldham eventually won 4–3 despite leading 4–1 at one stage, whilst Palace lost 3–0 at Arsenal, meaning that the Eagles were relegated on goal difference.

Oldham reached another F.A Cup semi-final in 1993–94, again facing Manchester United. The match, at Wembley Stadium, looked to be going Oldham's way, with Oldham holding a 1–0 lead until Manchester United's Mark Hughes scored a last gasp equalizer in the penultimate minute of extra time. A poor performance in the replay at Maine Road ended Oldham's hopes, and culminated in a disastrous run of results, with the Latics' failing to win any of their remaining seven fixtures. A month later they were relegated from the Premier League after three seasons in the top flight. It is argued by many Oldham fans that the team never recovered from the Mark Hughes goal.

1994–98: Royle departs and the Latics slump

Joe Royle was lured to Everton in October 1994 and 34-year-old striker Graeme Sharp was appointed Oldham's player-manager,[10] however he resigned in February of the 1996–97 season. Relegation to the third tier for the first time in 23 years was confirmed three months later following a defeat at Reading. Sharp's replacement, Neil Warnock, left after 15 months in charge.[11]

1998–2001: Disappointment under Andy Ritchie

Former striker Andy Ritchie took over from Warnock in the summer of 1998 but he too was unable to turn things around and Ritchie's first season in charge almost proved to be disastrous. After losing a number of key players during the weeks after his reign began, Ritchie's squad of free transfers and youth team players struggled throughout the 1998–99 season, only avoiding being dragged into the relegation fight by winning their final two matches at home to Stoke City and Reading. The signing of the highly talented veteran Irish international midfielder John Sheridan proved to be the season's only high point.

Hopes were high at the start of the 2000–01 season after a 4–1 opening day win at home to newly relegated Port Vale, but a run of 11 games without a win saw the club slump to second bottom in the league, making relegation look a real possibility. The signings of veteran winger David Eyres and midfielder Tony Carss gave the side added impetus and the Latics recovered well to again finish comfortably mid-table.

2001-2003: Financial uncertainty

During the 2001 close season, local businessman Chris Moore purchased Oldham Athletic, with the promise of providing Premiership football within the next five years.[12]

After a whirlwind start to the 2001–02 season, the Latics lost three consecutive matches and slipped to eighth position, and manager Andy Ritchie was sacked after guiding the Latics to first in the league earlier in the season.[13] Ritchie was offered an alternative role as director of football but declined the offer. His replacement was Mick Wadsworth,[14] a nomadic manager, and several Moore funded big money signings followed. The result was a disappointing ninth-placed finish at the end of the season, although there were high hopes for the following campaign. Wadsworth was also sacked however, and was replaced by his assistant Iain Dowie.

Dowie's expensive side began the 2002–03 season with a narrow home defeat to Cardiff City but recovered well to lose only seven more games for the rest of the season, just two of them away games. The Latics narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, gaining 82 points from their 46 league games to gain entry into the end of season play-offs. The play-off campaign ended in heartbreaking disappointment for Oldham, with Queens Park Rangers winning a tense battle with a late goal at their Loftus Road ground.

Worse was to come for the club, with chairman Moore deciding to end his interest in the club, refusing to finance reported losses of £50,000 a week.[15] The club was forced into administration in October 2003,[16] and was reportedly close to folding when American businessmen Danny Gazal, Simon Blitz and Simon Corney bought it in February 2004.[17][18]

2003–2005: Relegation dog fighters

Dowie left the club to join Crystal Palace in December 2003,[19] and in March 2004 Brian Talbot took over as manager[20] and the team lost only one of his first thirteen games in charge, against bottom club Wycombe Wanderers, the result being the Latics finishing comfortably in mid-table. In the 2004–05 season the Latics defeated Premier League club Manchester City in the FA Cup,[21] but manager Talbot left the club the following month.[22] Former Rotherham United manager Ronnie Moore took charge, and the club just avoided relegation, winning their final game of the season at home in a derby with Bradford City. Moore was sacked on 1 June 2006 and immediately replaced by reserve team coach John Sheridan. In the 2006–07 season Oldham finished in sixth place, but for the second time in five seasons lost in the play-offs.[23]

References

  1. ↑ "Oldham Athletic". 11vs11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Oldham Athletic". Historical Football Kits. Dave Moor. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Oldham Athletic". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Mitchell, Colin (2013). The History of English Football Clubs. New Holland Publishers. p. 232. ISBN 9781780094496.
  5. ↑ FCHD
  6. 1 2 Inglis, Simon, ed. (2008). The Best of Charles Buchan's Football Monthly. Malavan Media. p. 152. ISBN 9780954744588.
  7. ↑ When Saturday Comes
  8. ↑ Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  9. 1 2 3 Guardian
  10. ↑ Graeme Sharp warns Oldham that Everton won't be pushovers
  11. ↑ SkySports
  12. ↑ Tom Lutz (26 August 2010). "Early days in Oldham Athletic's bid to recapture the glory years". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "Ritchie sacked by Oldham". WalesOnline. 31 October 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "Wadsworth takes charge at Oldham". The Guardian. 7 November 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Oldham on the brink - Dowie". The Guardian. 10 June 2003. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  16. ↑ "Oldham placed into administration". Manchester Evening News. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  17. ↑ City slickers who rode to Oldham's rescue
  18. ↑ "Latics takeover approved". BBC Sport. 2004-02-03. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  19. ↑ Dowie handed Palace reins
  20. ↑ Talbot named Oldham boss
  21. ↑ Oldham 1-0 Man City
  22. ↑ Boss Talbot leaves Boundary Park
  23. ↑ Blackpool 3-1 Oldham (agg 5-2)
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