15 minute read
Tonight’s Opposition: Oldham Athletic
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
LATICS PLAYING SQUAD
BETWEEN THE STICKS
1. Ian Lawlor
c
Signing on a season-long loan from Doncaster Rovers in the summer, the 26-year-old was picked up as a youth by Manchester City and was a regular for their Development side before going on loan to Barnet and then Bury in the 2015-16 season. He moved to Doncaster in January 2017 and quickly claimed the number one jersey as Rovers were promoted to League One and made 85 appearances, before joining Scunthorpe United on loan last January 2020.
37. Laurie Walker
Signing for Latics on an emergency loan from League One club MK Dons, the 31-yearold joined his parent club in July and as well as providing coaching to the club’s academy goalkeepers also spent time on loan at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Chelmsford City. After spending his youth career at MK Dons, he signed his first pro deal with Cambridge United in 2009 and has gone on to make over 380 appearances throughout his career, so far, playing for a host of non-league clubs which includes Kettering Town, Brackley Town, Oxford City and Hemel Hempstead.
AT THE BACK
2. Harry Clarke
Joining Latics on loan from Arsenal in October initially until January 2021 but later extended to the end of the season, the 20-year-old began his career in Ipswich Town’s academy before switching to Arsenal’s youth setup in 2015. After signing his first professional contract with the Gunners in August 2018, he recently captained the Arsenal U21 side against Crawley in their EFL Trophy win and is also an England U17 youth international.
Ian Lawlor
© Eddie Garvey
3. Cameron
Borthwick-Jackson
Signing for Latics permanently in August having spent the secondhalf of the last season on loan at Boundary Park, the 23-year old joined Manchester United’s Academy in 2003 at the age of 6 and progressed through the youth ranks before being handed his senior debut in December 2015. After finishing that season with 10 Premier League appearances, he had season-long loans over the next four years at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, and Tranmere Rovers respectively although his loan at Tranmere was cut short in January 2020, and he joined Oldham for the rest of the season before being released by United in the summer.
Carl Piergianni
© Eddie Garvey
4. Sido Jombati
Joining Latics in August 2020 from Wycombe Wanderers, the 33-year-old started his career in his native Portugal before moving to England and joining Exeter City in the Conference in 2005. His stay with the Grecians was brief and he moved to Weymouth a month later before joining Basingstoke Town in summer 2008 and then Bath City the following summer. After two seasons at Bath, he moved to Cheltenham Town in August 2011 and turned out 134 times for the Robins before signing for Wycombe in 2014. In his six years at Adams Park, he made over 150 appearances and helped the Chairboys to two promotions from League Two to the Championship.
5. Carl Piergianni
Joining Oldham in the summer from Salford City on a permanent basis after a loan spell at Boundary Park last season, the 28-year-old made over 100 appearances for Salford and played an influential part in the Ammies back-to-back promotions from the National League North to the EFL. Prior to joining Salford in May 2017, his career began at Peterborough United where he came through their Academy and had loan spells at Spalding United and Altrincham before joining Stockport County and then Corby Town. In 2013, he signed
for Boston United and after 100 appearances over a three-year spell with the Pilgrims moved to South Melbourne in Australia’s second division in January 2017 making nine league appearances for the Hellas before returning to the UK and joining Salford City.
15. Kyle Jameson
Joining Latics in September 2020 after leaving AFC Fylde, the 22-year-old spent his early career with Southport, before signing for Chelsea in January 2017 and then West Bromwich Albion in August 2017. Whilst with the Baggies he spent time on loan at Barrow during the 2018–19 season playing 25 games before signing for A.F.C. Fylde in May 2019, playing 21 times for the Coasters last season.
20. Andrea Badan
Another summer 2020 signing from Hellas Verona, the 23-yearold has spent all his career prior to joining the Latics in his native Italy making over 100 total senior appearances in Italian football. Coming through the youth systems of Padova and Hellas Verona, he then spent time on loan at Prato, AlbinoLeffe, Alessandria, Carrarese and Cavese, before joining Oldham in September.
22. Raphael Diarra
Joining Oldham in November 2020, the former French youth international came through the ranks at AS Monaco and played mostly in their B team but made a senior appearance as a sub in December 2015 at Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League. A loan spell followed at Cercle Brugge in 2016-17 before the 25-year-old joined US Quevilly-Rouen in 2018.
THE ENGINE ROOM
6. Ben Garrity
Arriving at Boundary Park in September 2020 on a season long loan from Blackpool, the
Keith Curle
Appointed: March 2021 Age: 57
Keith Curle was appointed Oldham manager on 8th March following the departure of Harry Kewell. Before the Oldham job, he guided Northampton Town to League One last season via the play-offs having been given the Cobblers hotseat in October 2018. He began his managerial career as playermanager of Mansfield Town in 2002, and later managed Chester City and Torquay United. Curle then assisted Neil Warnock at both Crystal Palace and QPR as First Team Coach, notably guiding the R’s to the Premier League as champions in 2010-11. He returned to management with Notts County in 2012, before taking over at Carlisle United in September 2014. The former England centre back, enjoyed an illustrious playing career between 1981-2005, with spells at Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, Bristol City, Reading, Wolverhampton, Sheffield United and Barnsley.
IN THE DUGOUT
24-year-old signed for the Seasiders from non-league side Warrington in January 2020 and in the process, became the first player for Warrington to graduate to the EFL in 20 years.
8. Callum Whelan
Signing for Latics in August 2020, the 22-year-old is a graduate of Manchester United’s academy after joining them at the age of eight. After a loan spell at Port Vale in 2018-19 where he did not feature in a matchday squad he was released by the Red Devils and signed for Watford in August 2019 where he played twice in last season’s FA Cup before joining up with Oldham in the Summer.
10. Davis Keillor-Dunn
Joining Latics in August 2020, the 23-year-old spent his youth career at Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Chesterfield
Davis Keillor-Dunn
before moving to Ross County in July 2016 and signed pro with the club in Summer 2017. He turned out 29 times for the Staggies in the Premiership in his first season but after more limited first team opportunities the following season joined Falkirk on loan in January 2019. With game time again limited on his return to County, he signed for Wrexham in January 2020 playing six times for the Red Dragons before the season was ended early.
14. Dylan Fage
Joining Oldham in July 2019 from French club Auxerre where he played 25 times for their second string, the 22-year-old made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Latics in his debut season in English football last campaign.
16. Brice Ntambwe
Signing in October, the 27 year-old, former Belgium youth international began his career in the youth system of FC Brussels before moving to Birmingham City. He turned pro with the Blues in July 2011, but never made a first-team appearance, and returned to Belgium to join RAEC Mons in January 2013. He went on to play for Lierse and in Scotland for Partick Thistle before returning to England with Macclesfield Town in January 2019 before joining Oldham
17. Serhat Taşdemir
Joining Latics on loan from Peterborough United, the 20-year-old began his youth career at Blackburn Rovers before switching to AFC Fylde at the age of 15. He made his senior debut at just 17-years-old and went on to make 63 appearances and score 14 goals for the Coasters before Peterborough swooped for the youngster in July 2019. He has featured 20 times in all competitions for the Posh and has also represented Azerbaijan at U19 level.
Zak Dearnley
© Eddie Garvey
19. Zak Dearnley
Arriving at Boundary Park for his second spell with the club in January 2020, the 22-yearold began his career with Manchester United. During his time with the Red Devils, he had a brief loan spell with Oldham in early 2019 scoring on his debut and making a further eight appearances before picking up an injury and returning to Old Trafford. He was released by United at the end of the season and signed for NWCFL club New Mills in late 2019 before signing for the Latics.
21. Marcel Hilßner
Joining Latics on loan in January until the end of the season from Coventry City, the 25-year-old German signed for the Sky Blues in the summer from SC Paderborn but is yet to feature for the first team. He started his pro career at Werder Bremen where he made one senior appearance in 2015 but mainly played in their second string before joining Dynamo Dresden in April 2016 and then Hansa Rostock in August 2017 prior to his move to SC Paderborn in May 2019. He has been capped at youth international level by Germany.
23. Nicky Adams
Signing for Latics in January 2020 from Northampton Town, the 34-year-old has amassed over 600 career appearances. He began at Bury after coming through their academy where he netted 15 goals in 94 appearances before joining Leicester City in July 2009. After loan spells at Rochdale and Leyton Orient he joined Brentford in August 2010 before returning to Rochdale on loan and then making the deal permanent, notching over 60 appearances for the club. He then went on to ply his trade at Crawley Town and Rotherham United before returning to Bury for a year. He signed for Northampton in May 2015 before joining Carlisle United a year later and then returned to Bury for a third spell adding another promotion to his CV. In his three spells with the Shakers he made 191 appearances before returning to Northampton in June 2019.
24. Dylan Bahamboula
Prior to joining Latics in October 2020, the 25-year-old Congolese international spent his early career on the Continent, starting at AS Monaco, playing in their second string before a spell at Ligue 1 Dijon. After a loan at Gazélec Ajaccio in the French fourth tier, he moved to Romania in 2018 with Astra Giurgiu and a year later a switch to Algeria came with CSC. He joined Bulgarian side Tsarsko Selo in
Dylan Bahamboula
October 2019 scoring two league goals in 17 appearances before moving to Lancashire.
25. Alfie McCalmont
Signing on a season-long loan from Leeds United in late September, the 21-year-old is a product of the Whites academy and a key component of Carlos Corberán’s successful U23 side at Elland Road. He has represented Northern Ireland at youth levels as well as earning one senior cap after coming on as a substitute against Luxembourg in September 2019.
Conor McAleny
UP TOP
7. George Blackwood
Joining Latics in September 2020 after leaving Adelaide United having scored 16 times in 72 appearances for the Reds, the 23-year old started his career with Sydney FC and during his time with the club, won the A-League. He has also represented Australia at Under 20 and Under 23 level.
18. Conor McAleny
Signing for the Latics in August 2020, the 28-year-old came through Everton’s academy having joined them at the age of 11. During his time with the Toffees he had numerous loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Brentford, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Oxford United as well as playing a couple of times in the Premier League for his parent club. In June 2017, he joined League One Fleetwood Town scoring nine in 70 games for the Cod Army as well as having loan spells at Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town before moving to Boundary Park. This season he is the Latics top scorer with 14 goals in 34 league appearances.
26. Marcus Barnes
Joining Latics in January, the 24-year-old started at the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy before moving down to Southampton where he signed his first pro contract. He featured once for the Saints first-team in the FA Cup as well as playing for their U23s and also had loan spells at Yeovil Town and most recently Eastleigh. last season, scoring five in 20 appearances for the Spitfires.
29. Junior Luamba
A product of Oldham’s academy, the 17-year-old made his first team debut in December against Grimsby Town.
RECENT LINE-UP
v Morecambe (A) L3-4
Saturday, 17 April 2021
McAleny Keillor-Dunn
Bahamboula
Borthwick-Jackson McCalmont Whelan Fage
Jameson Piergianni Clarke
Walker
SUBSTITUTIONS:
60’ Fage ‹› Adams; 60’ McCalmont ‹› Garrity; 60’ Bahamboula ‹› Blackwood 66’ Clarke ‹› Hilßner; 84’ Keillor-Dunn ‹› Vaughan Subs not used: Badan, Bilboe
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