Football grounds weren't all tubular steel and aluminium in them days, lad. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

In 1904-05 the Latics advanced into the Lancashire Combination, winning the B Division at the first time of asking and gaining promotion. The J.W. Lees Brewery leased them another site and Boundary Park was born, with 2006 the Hundredth Anniversary. They made their first application to join the Football League in 1906 but missed out by one vote to Clapton Orient. They failed again to get elected in 1907, as Lancashire Combination Champions, but fate played into their hands when Burslem Port Vale went bankrupt. Oldham Athletic were given their place in Division Two and have been in the Football League ever since.

After two very creditable campaigns they were promoted to Division One as runners-up to Manchester City in the 1909-10 campaign. Apart from one poor season, where they just escaped relegation by a single point, they were a strong presence in the top flight and in the last campaign before the Great War brought football to an end missed out on the title by one point to Everton.

However when the leagues restarted in 1919 Oldham were a struggling side, and three campaigns where they only just kept themselves up were followed by a fourth in 1922-23 where they finished bottom and were relegated back to Division Two. There they remained, mostly a solid mid-table side, until 1934-35 saw them relegated to the Division Three North. They were a good Division Three side, but not quite good enough, usually in the hunt for promotion but not quite making it.

After the Second World War they struggled for a couple of seasons but then began to improve, and won the title in 1952-53. However it was a false dawn and they were immediately relegated, coming bottom of Division Two by some margin. Their record through the remainder of the Fifties in Division Three North was not good, and so when the League was restructured in 1958 they found themselves placed in Division Four.

These were grim times, with the Latics having to apply for re-election in 1959 and 1960. They recovered a little to get out of the basement with a promotion as runners-up to Brentford in 1962-63, but found Division Three a struggle and it was no surprise when they went back down again in 1969. In response they appointed Jimmy Frizzell as manager in 1970 and this was a turning point in Oldham's fortunes. He was twelve years in charge and took them up to Division Three in 1971 and then as Champions into Division Two in 1974. After a dodgy first couple of seasons they became a firmly established side at that level.

The Main Stand at Boundary Park. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

In 1982 Joe Royle took over. He would become the second manager in succession to achieve a dozen years at the club. In 1989-90 they got to the Semi-Finals of the F.A. Cup for the first time since 1913, and the League Cup Final, where they lost to Nottingham Forest, but better was to come for in 1990-91 Royle brought them the title and a return to the First Division after 68 years. They were still there when Division One turned into the Premier League but only lasted until 1993-94 when relegation caught up with them, though they got to a third F.A. Cup Semi-Final where Mark Hughes famously denied them with an equaliser at the death, Manchester United then comfortably winning the replay. Joe Royle departed for pastures new.

After twenty-four years of stability and success Oldham have entered a period of decline, frequent changes of manager, and some financial stringency since then. The 1996-67 season saw them relegated again, and they've been flirting with a further fall into the basement. That excuse of a manager Brian Talbot looked like he'd achieve it for them until they sensibly disposed of him after less than a year in charge. Ronnie Moore, who had defied gravity at Rotherham United for a number of seasons but was sacked as they plummeted towards relegation, was brought in and eventually kept them up in 19th place. However it was never a happy marriage, and he soon departed, ending up at Tranmere Rovers.

The Broadway Stand. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

In came John Sheridan, who has been first team manager at Boundary Park since June 2006, but has previously had two short, presumably caretaker, spells with the club. Last season he managed to take them into the play-offs - something of a slight disappointment given that mid-way through the season they had been league leaders. As often happens with the team that drifts downwards as the season progresses, they were knocked out in the semi-finals. This season they've decided to do it the opposite way - starting from the relegation spots in August and working their way upwards. At the moment they are roughly neck-and-neck with the Glovers with rather suggests they've left their charge a little too late, although I'm sure like ourselves, they won't be giving in just yet.

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

RECENT RESULTS

29/03/2008	Huddersfield Town	Home	CCL1	W	4-1	5637		Jarrett 8, 45, Constantine 40, Taylor 61
05/04/2008	Swindon Town	Away	CCL1	L	0-3	5384
12/04/2008	Leyton Orient	Home	CCL1	W	2-0	4325		Taylor 22, Allott 42
19/04/2008	Northampton Town	Away	CCL1	L	0-2	5171
26/04/2008	Cheltenham Town	Home	CCL1	W	2-1	6400		Smalley 16, Alessandra 87
03/05/2008	Crewe Alexandra	Away	CCL1	W	4-1	6786		Smalley 5, Eardley 32, 59, McDonald 69

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Craig Davies	10	0	0	0	0	10
Lee Hughes	7	0	0	0	0	7
Neal Eardley	6	0	0	0	0	6
Chris Taylor	5	0	0	0	0	5
Gary McDonald	4	0	0	0	0	4
Mark Allott	4	0	0	0	0	4
Jason Jarrett	3	0	0	0	0	3
Deane Smalley	2	0	0	0	0	2
Michael Ricketts	2	0	0	0	0	2
Leon Constantine	2	0	0	0	0	2
Lewis Alessandra	2	0	0	0	0	2
Matthew Wolfenden	2	0	0	0	0	2
Andy Liddell	2	0	0	0	0	2
Neil Kilkenny	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jordan Robertson	1	0	0	0	0	1
David Livermore	1	0	0	0	0	1
Neal Trotman	1	0	0	0	0	1
Reuben Hazell	1	0	0	0	0	1
Own Goals	2	0	0	0	0	2

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 10054, vs Leeds United, 02/10/2007
Lowest League Attendance: 3633, vs AFC Bournemouth, 11/03/2008
Average League Attendance: 5326

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	2
Games Without A Home Defeat:	6		Games Without An Away Defeat:	1
Games Without A Draw:	6		Games Without A Score Draw:	6
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	20		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	WWDWWW
Away Results Sequence:	WLDLLW		Overall Results Sequence:	WLWLWW

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

When you turn off Broadway into Hilbre Avenue some on-street parking can be found in the side roads, but you'll have to get there before early afternoon as the police then close access off.

Down the other end from the away fans you'll see the Chadderton Road Stand. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

By Rail

If you are training it from the South you will arrive at Manchester Piccadilly. You will need to get across to Manchester Victoria, which is a ten to fifteen minute walk or a short ride on the Metrolink away. If you have a through ticket it should be valid on the Metro. Choose the service with 'Bury' on the front.

There are three stations serving Oldham, all on the Oldham/Rochdale line out of Manchester Victoria. Having used this line for Rochdale in the 2004-05 season it's a little two carriage effort from North West Trains that trundles slowly through industrial wasteland. Four trains an hour stop at Oldham Mumps, leaving Manchester Victoria on the hour, at quarter past, half past and quarter to. Journey time is fourteen or twenty minutes depending on whether you get the er 'fast' service or not. However Mumps is the station for the town centre and therefore not convenient for the ground, being a good forty minutes walk, though there are usually taxis outside.

The closest station is Oldham Werneth, about a fifteen minute walk from Boundary Park. Half the number of trains stop here, those leaving Manchester Victoria at fifteen minutes past and fifteen minutes to the hour. Journey time is seventeen minutes. There are very unlikely to be any taxis outside this station so if you are going to want one make a note from the Taxi link below.
If walking: exit the station right onto Featherstall Road South. Keep on past one set of traffic lights and a Tesco until coming to a large roundabout and turn left onto Chadderton Way. Cross the dual carriageway by the underpass and continue for about 400 yards until reaching Boundary Park Lane. Turn right and you'll see the stadium.

The third station is Mills Hill. This is a different service, run by Northern Rail, out of Manchester Victoria, with trains leaving at three minutes and thirty-three minutes past the hour. Journey time is eleven minutes. For those Glovers coming by train from further North there are services that stop at Mills Hill from many towns and cities with a change either at Rochdale or Wigan (Wallgate). It's a good half hour walk to the ground.
If walking: leave the station towards the traffic lights and past the Rose Of Lancaster (or stop, the beer and food are cheap) and continue along Haigh Lane. When you reach Chadderton Comprehensive School and a set of traffic lights bear right and continue along Burnley Lane until you reach Chadderton Park Inn and a large roundabout. You'll now be in sight of the stadium. Use the subway in the direction of the ground and keep going. You'll eventually hit the ground at the away end.

Away fans get the Rochdale Road Stand. It currently carries the name of a bed manufacturer. All the other stands have sponsor names too, but frankly life's too short to bother with them. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

By Bus

From Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station the 181 and 182 for Rochdale pass near Boundary Park and take half an hour or so. From Oldham town centre the 408 and 409 for Rochdale run closest to the stadium.

Taxis

A selection of Oldham taxi companies can be found here

Back to Top of Page

Back to Top of Page

Club Bar :

Alcohol in the ground is only served in the Main Stand and the Lookers Stand - both home areas.

Local Pubs :

Only pub for proper cider in town. © Martin Baker Ashton Arms: Some distance (about a mile and half) from the ground, near the shopping centre and opposite the old Town Hall, but included as it's the only place in Oldham we know that serves traditional cider. Also has up to six constantly changing guest ales as well as authentic continental beers. Opening is 11.30 - 11.00 p.m. (11.30 p.m. Friday and Saturday), with food served up until 6.00 p.m. (but maybe not on Saturdays - not quite sure on the score there). Ashton Arms, 28-30, Clegg Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 1PL. Tel: 0161 6309709. Map: Click Here.

Chadderton Park Inn: Across the terminal roundabout of the motorway standard section of the A627(M) and ten minutes or so walk from the away end. Chadderton Park Inn, Burnley Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 2QS. Tel: 0161 6273883. Map: Click Here.

Home fan pub. © Martin Baker Clayton Arms: This is the closest hostelry, immediately behind the home end. As such it's obviously very much a 'home' pub, but not a hostile one, and packed on matchdays. The beer is from J.W.Lees, and not very good. Does food and has Sky Sports. Clayton Arms, Furtherwood Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 2PA. Tel: 0161 6528248. Map: Click Here.

© Martin Baker Old Grey Mare: Well frequented by home fans but visiting supporters are welcome. Few minutes walk from the stadium and five from the away end. Conservatory and beer garden for the summer. It's claimed the beer is kept rather better than at most establishments in the area. Food served. Old Grey Mare, 331, Oldham Road, Royton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL2 6AB. Tel: 0161 6242719. Map: Click Here.

Up Steps Inn: The J.D. Wetherspoon in Oldham. As one would expect in the centre, so 1.5 miles from the stadium. Has child certificate - though in our experience whether Wetherspoon pubs have child certificates or not means little either way. Opening is 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight Sunday to Thursday, 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Up Steps Inn, 17–23, High Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 3AJ. Tel: 0161 6275001. Map: Click Here.

© Martin Baker White Hart: Reasonably large traditional style pub about 150 yards further from the ground than the Old Grey Mare (above). Under the Courage badge. Serves food. White Hart, 233, Oldham Road, Royton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL2 6BB. Tel: 0161 6248167. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Too busy chuckling at 'Famous Sons' Cannon and Ball.

Top-Tip :

The second highest league ground in England. It may be March, but pack your thermals.

Back to Top of Page

[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

Back to Top of Page