LONG-SUFFERING Oldham Athletic fans have embraced the arrival of the club’s new owner Frank Rothwell after he told them “your pain is over”.
At a rather extraordinary welcoming party, the local businessman – who once rowed across the Atlantic at the age of 70 – vowed to bring the good times back to the Boundary Park faithful following the controversial and unpopular regime of Abdallah Lemsagam.
Under the control of the Moroccan former football “We can’t promise the Premier League, it’s hapagent, the Latics, were relegated twice in the space of four years, dropping out of the Football League entirely last season for the first time in their 115-year history.
No fewer than 12 managers came and went in the space of four years, while players and staff complained consistently of wages not being paid on time.
It led to a series of angry fans’ protests on the pitch but those same supporters returned to Boundary Park swigging champagne on Thursday to hail the dawn of a bright new era.
Rothwell, who made his fortune via his Manchester-based cabins company, has lived in the town for nearly 50 years and is a freeman of the borough.
Passionate
He told fans: “I think every football club has its natural level. Where’s Oldham’s level? It’s top of League One, banging on the door of the Championship. That’s where we want to be. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. pened before but that’s a long way off and a major challenge.
“Let’s get people being proud of Oldham again, talking about the club at the chippy, at school, in the canteen at work.
“I hope you grasp I’m passionate about Oldham.
A successful club will have a significant impact on the lives of people in Oldham.
The pain is over now.”
The takeover deal was set up by Darren Royle, son of Oldham legend Joe, who will become chief executive and take a seat on the board along with his father.
Royle Jnr said: “It’s new start and opportunity for the club. Some of us will remember the glory years and some of the more barren times. Today’s an opportunity to look forward. It’s a dream ticket for the town, local people with the best interests of the club and community at heart.”
Rothwell showed he means business by overseeing the return of fans favourite Dan Gardner.
The 32-year-old, who played 72 times for Latics across two seasons from 2017, has re-joined the club after spells at Wigan and Doncaster.
