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 1996-97 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, going to Tranmere Rovers.

In came John Sheridan, in June 2006, but who had previously had two short, presumably caretaker, spells, with the club. In his first 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. The next season they decided to do it the opposite way - starting slowly but working their way upwards as the campaign unfolded. However at the death they just fell short of the play-offs, finishing 8th.

Oldham demolished the Broadway Stand ahead of the 2008-09 season and have been operating with a three-sided ground since. For those who visited the ground during our early visits, this is the stand situated to your right as you look out from the Rochdale Road Away End. That side of the ground is now cleared, and construction was supposed to be beginning on the replacement stand in early 2009, with the project expected to last 16 months and therefore be ready for the start of the 2010-11 season. The plans were for a 5,200 capacity replacement stand that would ultimately become Oldham's new Main Stand. Facilities built into the plans included a new club shop, dressing rooms, conferencing and banqueting facilities and lettable office space. As one might guess from the tone in which this article is drifting word soon leaked out of Boundary Park that all was not well and the money for their grandiose plans weren't there. This was compounded when all of their major sponsors went into administration one after another and withdrew their sponsorship.

The Broadway Stand - now demolished. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

Since then the club has changed tack several times. There was a floated idea to develop a ground-shared facility with Rochdale - that seemed to be complete news to the Rochdale chairman. And then it was to sell Boundary Park for development - planning permission for housing had been applied for - and develop a new stadium of their own on the council owned Failsworth Sports Complex. As this guide guaranteed at the time: the Oldham board's optimistic pronoucements that they'd be in their new home for 2010-11 were total hogwash. Far too many years of following the bollox that emanates from many a football club boardroom has given this site a finely tuned antenna for the b*llsh*t wishful thinking and self-delusion that appears to be the staple diet of some chairmen and directors.

Where they had got to by the summer of 2010 was some very nice looking artist's impressions of proposals costing £20 million. Possibly more realistic than the £80 million development that was being trumpeted just a few years previously, but in practical terms they had moved forward mere inches, and healthy scepticism was still the order of the day. They spoke of a new stadium in time for the 2011-12 season but then came the news that the Failsworth project would not be going ahead, due to a dispute over a portion of the Failsworth site designated as charitable land. Instead they were going back to looking at redeveloping Boundary Park - the very option they'd ruled out when turning their attention to Failsworth.

The latest information, dated August 10th 2011, claims that Oldham are "on the verge of" a new deal with Oldham Council that was "in principle and subject to contract" and "could" be capable of "unlocking exciting new regeneration opportunities". Apart from dealing with the issue that Oldham were stuck with land at Failsworth that they no longer had a use for, their plans include the "construction of a new North Stand" - yes boys and girls, we've now gone full circle and are back to the rough idea they had back in the summer of 2008, although as you can see from the quoted text, this is a far from firm plan. The Manchester Evening News claimed at the time of this announcement that the Failsworth failure (see what we did there?) had cost the club £5 million, with so far just one demolished stand to show for it.

Going back to the football, the 2008-09 season ended in something of a shambles for the Latics. They started the campaign like a train, and although they couldn't maintain an automatic place they were in the top six for virtually the entire time until a fracas at Belle Vue dog track during a team social event in March triggered the departure of Sheridan. Former hero Joe Royle reappeared to huge fanfare and excitement, only to see the club not win another game until the final match of the season, by which time it was far too late and they had already blown any play-off spot.

Royle mooched off back into semi-retirement and TV punditry, and in came Dave Penney. Nothing changed, and nor should anyone but the Oldham board and the most rose-tinted-spectacle-wearer amongst supporters have expected it to. The club's problems are deep seated and fundamental, but the hierarchy appeared, with yet more self-delusion, to have convinced itself that the Latics should be play-off bound at least. Unsurprisingly they spent the 2009-10 season floundering at the other end of the table, with crowds frequently in the three thousands.

Of course, as is all too common in football, the board couldn't bring itself to analyse and face the real issues, and so took the usual easy route of sacking the manager with one game to go. Paul Dickov became the next lucky man expected to walk on water to cover up the incompetencies of those at the top. Their 18th place finish for the 2010-11 season was about par for the course, although two places lower than what got Penney the sack on the previous season, whilst in the 2011-12 season he matched Penney with a 16th pace finish.

This year, they're slightly lower than that, but tempered that with a fine FA Cup run that involved knocking out Liverpool. However, one week later, Dickov fell on his sword - badged as a resignation, although with his Chairman having hardly been supportive in the week leading up to it. In stepped Lee Johnson - a surprise choice as the youngest manager in the Football League at the age of just 31. But those Glovers fans who know his father rather well, will know that if Lee can make himself even the slightest of a chip off the old block, that he could turn into a great appointment for the Latics. They will have to be far more patient with a young inexperienced manager than they have been with some of their more recent hiring'n'firing would suggest they are.

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RECENT RESULTS

09/04/2013	Preston North End	Away	NPL1	L	0-2	9080
13/04/2013	Bury	Away	NPL1	W	1-0	4558		Smith 79
16/04/2013	Yeovil Town	Home	NPL1	W	1-0	3888		Smith 45
20/04/2013	Crawley Town	Home	NPL1	W	2-1	4794		Smith 56, Yves Mvoto 90
23/04/2013	Shrewsbury Town	Away	NPL1	L	0-1	5332
27/04/2013	Leyton Orient	Away	NPL1	D	1-1	5191		Millar 46

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Jose Baxter	13	2	0	0	0	15
Matt Smith	6	2	0	1	0	9
Matt Derbyshire	5	2	0	0	0	7
Jean Yves Mvoto	4	0	0	1	0	5
Robbie Simpson	2	2	0	0	0	4
Lee Barnard	3	0	0	0	0	3
Youssouf M'Changama	2	0	0	0	0	2
Reece Wabara	0	2	0	0	0	2
James Tarkowski	2	0	0	0	0	2
Cristian Montano	1	1	0	0	0	2
Dean Furman	2	0	0	0	0	2
Jonathan Grounds	2	0	0	0	0	2
Kirk Millar	1	0	0	0	0	1
Dan Taylor	1	0	0	0	0	1
Cliff Byrne	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jordan Slew	0	0	0	1	0	1
Chris Iwelumo	1	0	0	0	0	1

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 6426, vs Sheffield United, 02/03/2013
Lowest League Attendance: 2969, vs Scunthorpe United, 18/09/2012
Average League Attendance: 4129

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	2		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	2		Games Without Defeat:	1
Games Without A Home Defeat:	2		Games Without An Away Defeat:	1
Games Without A Draw:	0		Games Without A Score Draw:	0
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	46		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	LWDLWW
Away Results Sequence:	LDLWLD		Overall Results Sequence:	LWWWLD

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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 early as the police tend to close access off a long time ahead of kick-off.

By Supporters Coaches

The Green and White Supporters Club are running coaches to the match for this 2012-13 season League One fixture as follows:

Coaches will depart from Huish Park at 12.30p.m. with no pick-up from Yeovil Bus Station on this occasion. Cost of travel will be £26.00 for Adults, with concessions available at £24.00. Non-GWSC members are welcomed and will pay two pounds extra (or you can buy membership on the day).

To place your booking, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 or Rich Rendell on 01935 427072 (Evenings).

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.

The old Oldham Loop Line has now closed and converted into an extension of the Manchester Metrolink. On recent visits there's basically been nothing to replace it, but we're gradually getting there with the June 2012 opening of the Freehold Metro Station, which is roughly 30 minutes walk from the ground. There will be eventually an Oldham Town Centre stop, circa 2014.

Walking between Freehold and the ground is quite fiddly, but if you want to do it, get on the Block Lane (East) side of the station, then turn left up Block Lane. Turn right into Lansdown Road, passing the Dog Inn. At this point turn left into Middleton Road then right into Garforth Street which you'll follow it's full length until you meet Burnley Lane, where you turn right. Almost immediately you'll hit the Chadderton Way dual carriageway. Turn left, but as soon as you can find a safe place to cross as you need to be on the other side of the road where there is a turning into Westhulme Way (and you'll probably be able to see the floodlights by then). The away end is on the far side of the ground from where you are.

An alternative service you can consider is the Mills Hill station serving Oldham. The service is run by Northern Rail, out of Manchester Victoria, with trains leaving on and and at half past the hour. Journey time is ten minutes. For any 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). Unfortunately it's the wrong side of town for the football ground, about a 40 to 45 minute walk away.
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.

The club also suggest the option of getting to Rochdale station and then switching to buses. The 409 service to Oldham runs around every ten minutes on a Saturday and takes around 25 minutes.

Away fans get part of the Rochdale Road Stand. It's currently called the Leesfield Developments Stand. Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

By Bus

From Manchester Piccadilly Bus Station the 25, 181 and 182 for Rochdale pass near Boundary Park and take half an hour or so. From Oldham town centre the 409 for Rochdale runs closest to the stadium.

Taxis

A selection of Oldham taxi companies can be found here.

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Club Bar :

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

Local Pubs :

Best pub for quality beer (and cider) in town by a mile © 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 and is far and away the best pub in town. There are seven constantly changing guest ales, mostly from local and micro breweries, as well as a good range of authentic continental bottled beers. Lined glasses are used, and there's a designated smoking area on the premises at the back. Opening is 11.30 - 11.00 p.m. (11.30 p.m. Friday and Saturday). Food is lunchtimes only as far as we are aware. There was the unexpected bonus of a beer festival the last time we used the place. 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. In the Toby Carvery chain, which may attract you, or put you off. Opening: Monday to Saturday 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.; Sunday 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Chadderton Park Inn, Burnley Lane, Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 2QS. Tel: 0161 6273883. 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 immediate area, but no real ale. Food served at lunchtime from noon. Opening: Sunday to Thursday 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 12.00 noon - 12.00 midnight. Old Grey Mare, 331, Oldham Road, Royton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL2 6AB. Tel: 0161 6242719. Email: oldgreymare@ntlworld.com. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Royal Oak: Robinson's outlet right by the bus station and main taxi rank in town. Claimed as the most improved pub in Oldham over the last twelve months. Has pool. No food. Opening is 11.00 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11.00 a.m. - 12 midnight Saturday, 11.30 a.m. - 11.30 p.m. Sunday. Royal Oak, 178, Union Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 1EN. Tel: 0161 6332642. Map: Click Here.

The Squire Knott: Lloyds No.1 Bar - which is the supposedly slighty younger trendier version of the more traditional style Wetherspoon, though we rarely see much difference between to the two. Opened in 2008. Does have Sky Sports. Sunday to Wednesday 7.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight, Thursday and Friday 7.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m., Saturday 7.00 a.m. to 2.00 a.m. The Squire Knott, 53-55, Yorkshire Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 3SL. Tel: 0161 7854780. Map: Click Here.

Up Steps Inn: A J.D. Wetherspoon in Oldham, opened in 1998. 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 7.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight every day. No outside area so it's smoking in the street. 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. In its favour is the pub posting on a Yeovil forum to emphasise its away fan friendly welcome. Opening is a simple 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. every day. White Hart, 233, Oldham Road, Royton, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL2 6BB. Tel: 0161 620 7772. 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. Expect it to be a little bit breezy at times.

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

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