TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
The club was founded in 1895 as Pine Villa FC, but in 1899 became Oldham Athletic. Oldham immediately operated as a professional side and were accepted into the Football League in 1907-08, and after three years in the Second Division won promotion to the First Division. They finished fourth in 1912-13 as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-final, and in 1914-15 The Latics missed out on the First Division title by a point. Following the First World War, Oldham struggled to reach the same levels and in 1923 were relegated to the Second Division and then again to the Third Division North in 1934-35. In 1952-53 Oldham returned to the Second Division under former England captain George Hardwick, however the following season ended with relegation. In 1958-59, Oldham were founder members of the newly formed Fourth Division, and finished 23rd which meant they had to apply for re-election which was successful.
When Ken Bates arrived at the club in the early 1960s the club’s fortunes began to turn, and they were promoted in 196263, maintaining their status as a third tier club until 1968-69 before relegation. Jimmy Frizzell became player-manager and in 1970-71 led Oldham back to the Third Division before winning the title in 1973-74 and establishing Latics as a Second Division team before Joe Royle arrived in June 1982.
After losing in the play-offs to Leeds United in 1986-87, Oldham won the Second Division in 1990-91 and returned to the First Division for the first time in 68 years. In 1992-93 they were founder members of the Premier League and survived the first season on goal difference, before unluckily being relegated the following season after amassing 40 points. Graeme Sharp took over but couldn’t stop Oldham dropping into the third tier in 199697. The closest Latics came to promotion came in 2002-03 and 2006-07 where they lost in the play-offs. Relegation came in 2018 and Latics began life in the fourth tier with a 14th place finish in 2018-19 before a 19th place finish last season under a series of managers including Frankie Bunn and Paul Scholes before Harry Kewell took over in the summer, becoming the Latics fifth manager in 12 months. Celebrating their 125th anniversary this season, Oldham have had a inconsistent campaign where they have gone on numerous runs without a win however have also picked up superb victories over the likes of Cheltenham, Exeter, Cambridge, Newport, Salford and Carlisle. They are also one of the division’s top scorers. Kewell was relieved of his duties as manager in early March after a run of one win in six and replaced by the experienced Keith Curle. He will be keen on preparing for next season and finishing in the top half of the table.
FOUNDED 1895
NICKNAME Latics
BOUNDARY PARK Capacity 13,512
RECORD SCORER Roger Palmer 156 (1980-94)
RECORD APPEARANCES Ian Wood 582 (1966-80)
RECORD TRANSFERS Paid £750k Ian Olney To Aston Villa June 1992 Received £1.7m Earl Barrett From Aston Villa February 1992
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