Thanks for the memories but .......

[joe_lead]

During the 70s, 80s and early 90s I almost religiously travelled home and away to watch Oldham the team my Dad supported. During the later nineties my work took me away from the area resulting in me going to less games, but I would still make every effort to attend about 20 games a season. The noughties (stupid word) saw me move even further away and start a family since when I have been able to attend only a dozen games a season on average. However, like ones true love I would still think of Oldham every single day and stay in contact by whatever means available to me.

 

I grew up much closer to Maine Road than Boundary Park. My Grandad would take me to watch City on the occasions when my Dad couldnt take me to Oldham. I could have supported City but in those days you tended to support the team your Dad supported, lets call it an arranged marriage.

 

Living in Manchester none of my mates were Oldham supporters, so when I started going to watch Oldham without my Dad I had to make new friends. So I found new friends and what started as a common passion for Oldham grew into family friendships where we now share visits, holidays, birthdays, weddings and unfortunately funerals. When I look back I thought it took a lot of guts for a young lad to go and watch Oldham when all his mates were off watching City every weekend, but I know that I made the right decision even though at the time my love was blind and my dad wouldve kicked me over next doors back wall if Id chosen otherwise.

 

There would be a dozen or so of us who would meet up all those years ago in the old 2nd Division. Like my City mates we all grew up with a common allegiance to a club, we sang on the terraces around the country, like them we had heroes that we idolised. But thats where the commonality ended. We got to talk to our heroes when they were warming up or taking a throw-in and wed meet them at the open days and possibly again in the street or at a petrol station. We truly believed we were part of our club, we could access our club and talk to players, club officials and Directors, whereas my City friends could only reach out and barely touch theirs. Our club promoted a family image, an image recognised across the country, yes there were other family clubs but it meant we were slightly different than the norm and it was a badge we could wear with pride. With the family image came a personal responsibility to consider those around you and moderate your language when giving the opposition and officials pelters, but this meant that the patter was generally humorous rather than abusive. There was also the word unfashionable that prefixed Oldham which we always assumed was aimed at us for wearin the same T-shirt and jeans for 3 seasons when everyone else was wearing Fred Perry and Tachinni. Whatever it meant, it gave us a unique identity.

 

Winning wasnt everything to us, because our love wasnt shallow it was forged by a close association with club and fellow supporters alike, it was in our genes, or more likely it simply drained out of us after 40 years that saw us win only 2 promotions. However, our alternative to winning was a sense of pride that for many years we were associated with playing attacking football. I recall our goal scored was regularly one of the highest in all leagues. Admittedly our goals against were equally the highest but that never mattered because it was entertainment and there was lots to talk about post-match. I can also remember feeling smug when people would never put us down for a no-score draw because there were long periods of time when 0-0 was so infrequent. Our history is peppered with characters who kept you talking after the final whistle, not blessed with world-class skill but more of honest endeavours. I admit that there were also dismal times, but you always knew that there was a commitment within then club to turn things around.

 

All of the above were positive attributes that founded the strong association between club and supporters. I accept that Society has changed and I accept that Football has changed but most of these attributes are maintained through a top down club ethos rather than any amount of financial input. The performances on the pitch for several years have been a direct reflection of the (lack of) leadership shown by those at the top. Outside of minimising expenditure there appears no visible strategies for improving the entertainment offered. It has been painful watching something you have grown up with being treated with such frivolous contempt.

 

Weve been through a lot of turmoil in recent times but even up until 2005 there were six or seven of the original dozen would meet up for a couple of pints before and after the games. Last year only two of us attended matches this year theres been only me. The strategy of (over) reliance on lone players has been counter-productive eroding the connection between supporter and player, and preventing any opportunity for continuous improvement. Recruitment of borderline competent footballers and managers intent on playing low-risk, dont lose anti-football has reduced the entertainment value to zero. A family image that took decades to build up was cut down in one week of the Ched Evans affair. For all of us there has been a gradual cutting of the positive identity that originally bound us to the club, but worse than this, any hope of the future return of these values have now been replaced with a belief that this rudderless ship will be a haven for any workshy fop that wants to earn their coin for the near future. My love has stopped and my respect and admiration replaced by dislike and irritation.

 

The final but strongest bond that motivates me to attend is now my Dad. He took me to my first game for which I will be forever grateful, and he still goes regularly as he has done for nearly 80years. Circumstances over the last couple of seasons have meant that Ive been in the area for many weekends which have allowed me to attend many more games, and just like my informative years I go along with my dad. We sit and put the world to right and blether about the past players and the characters in the crowd and how we would all stand in the same place in the paddocks, the banter youd have with the linesman and players.

 

This weekend at Crewe we were reminiscing about the lies people would shout to Ronnie Blair about what the opposition winger had said about him, and Ronnie would give you a knowing wink after hed sent him into the advertising boards. Just as wed stopped laughing one of our own supporters shouted a tirade of abuse at Brown from behind. Neither of us said anything, I could see my Dad shaking his head though, in fact he shook his head that many times on Saturday Im surprised it didnt fall off.

 

It wasnt a nice atmosphere at the end of the match and I was glad to be going home, and as we slowly walked back to the car my Dad turned to me and said Do you only come to the games because of me? I replied Not really, I enjoy the time with you and its just like what we did all those years ago After a few seconds he stopped and said I think thatll be my last game, I dont enjoy it anymore, lets create some new memories just you, me, (your wife) and the grand kids. My eyes filled up as I realised Saturday was probably the last time Ill ever watch Oldham with my Dad.

 

So with that final tie for me attending matches being severed what about my relationship with Oldham. Well weve been growing apart in recent years, in spite of the difficulties weve faced I can honestly say that I tried to make it work but it is now clear to me that we want different things and are going in different directions. I do not see any of attributes that originally drew me to Oldham, and none of my friends like her that much anymore. The increasing arguing and bickering, some of it in public in front of our friends, has become tiresome and destructive. All the good times and laughs are clearly in the past and I will always treasure them however I dont see any future in trying to make it work when all you do is ignore the people that have cared about you. I think its time for a trial separation.

 

Ive no intention of finding another club. I think this has come at a time when football in general is losing my interest and has been sliding down my own set of priorities for some years. There's far too much football being broadcast and far too much money involved in a game which ought to be primarily about participating rather than spectating. I may be enticed to return if there is a change in ethos at the club, an ethos that would set us aside for being different and doing the right thing, the suggestion of food collections is a small but important step in the right direction.

[PlayItLivo]

Nice read.

 

But if we win the next 4 games and you and your old fella will be sat in the main stand, wearing a latics scarf and drinking Bovril.

[oafc1955]

The chance of that I suggest is just about zero!

[philliggi]

That my friend is an epic read. I can't say I've suffered as long as you have having only got my first games under my belt in the late 80's, but so much of what you say I can relate too.

 

Like you, going to a match is father and son time with my dad. I've never really been one to attend games with mates especially at home. God forbid anything were to happen to my dad I do wonder sometimes where it would leave me.

 

I would still go, I know I would but if I'm honest it's because some insane voice in my head says I have too rather than out of enjoyment.

 

I actually prefer the pub pre match and I can't even say I get hammered. Only go in for a couple of pints

[oafc1955]

During the 70s, 80s and early 90s I almost religiously travelled home and away to watch Oldham the team my Dad supported. During the later nineties my work took me away from the area resulting in me going to less games, but I would still make every effort to attend about 20 games a season. The noughties (stupid word) saw me move even further away and start a family since when I have been able to attend only a dozen games a season on average. However, like ones true love I would still think of Oldham every single day and stay in contact by whatever means available to me.

 

I grew up much closer to Maine Road than Boundary Park. My Grandad would take me to watch City on the occasions when my Dad couldnt take me to Oldham. I could have supported City but in those days you tended to support the team your Dad supported, lets call it an arranged marriage.

 

Living in Manchester none of my mates were Oldham supporters, so when I started going to watch Oldham without my Dad I had to make new friends. So I found new friends and what started as a common passion for Oldham grew into family friendships where we now share visits, holidays, birthdays, weddings and unfortunately funerals. When I look back I thought it took a lot of guts for a young lad to go and watch Oldham when all his mates were off watching City every weekend, but I know that I made the right decision even though at the time my love was blind and my dad wouldve kicked me over next doors back wall if Id chosen otherwise.

 

There would be a dozen or so of us who would meet up all those years ago in the old 2nd Division. Like my City mates we all grew up with a common allegiance to a club, we sang on the terraces around the country, like them we had heroes that we idolised. But thats where the commonality ended. We got to talk to our heroes when they were warming up or taking a throw-in and wed meet them at the open days and possibly again in the street or at a petrol station. We truly believed we were part of our club, we could access our club and talk to players, club officials and Directors, whereas my City friends could only reach out and barely touch theirs. Our club promoted a family image, an image recognised across the country, yes there were other family clubs but it meant we were slightly different than the norm and it was a badge we could wear with pride. With the family image came a personal responsibility to consider those around you and moderate your language when giving the opposition and officials pelters, but this meant that the patter was generally humorous rather than abusive. There was also the word unfashionable that prefixed Oldham which we always assumed was aimed at us for wearin the same T-shirt and jeans for 3 seasons when everyone else was wearing Fred Perry and Tachinni. Whatever it meant, it gave us a unique identity.

 

Winning wasnt everything to us, because our love wasnt shallow it was forged by a close association with club and fellow supporters alike, it was in our genes, or more likely it simply drained out of us after 40 years that saw us win only 2 promotions. However, our alternative to winning was a sense of pride that for many years we were associated with playing attacking football. I recall our goal scored was regularly one of the highest in all leagues. Admittedly our goals against were equally the highest but that never mattered because it was entertainment and there was lots to talk about post-match. I can also remember feeling smug when people would never put us down for a no-score draw because there were long periods of time when 0-0 was so infrequent. Our history is peppered with characters who kept you talking after the final whistle, not blessed with world-class skill but more of honest endeavours. I admit that there were also dismal times, but you always knew that there was a commitment within then club to turn things around.

 

All of the above were positive attributes that founded the strong association between club and supporters. I accept that Society has changed and I accept that Football has changed but most of these attributes are maintained through a top down club ethos rather than any amount of financial input. The performances on the pitch for several years have been a direct reflection of the (lack of) leadership shown by those at the top. Outside of minimising expenditure there appears no visible strategies for improving the entertainment offered. It has been painful watching something you have grown up with being treated with such frivolous contempt.

 

Weve been through a lot of turmoil in recent times but even up until 2005 there were six or seven of the original dozen would meet up for a couple of pints before and after the games. Last year only two of us attended matches this year theres been only me. The strategy of (over) reliance on lone players has been counter-productive eroding the connection between supporter and player, and preventing any opportunity for continuous improvement. Recruitment of borderline competent footballers and managers intent on playing low-risk, dont lose anti-football has reduced the entertainment value to zero. A family image that took decades to build up was cut down in one week of the Ched Evans affair. For all of us there has been a gradual cutting of the positive identity that originally bound us to the club, but worse than this, any hope of the future return of these values have now been replaced with a belief that this rudderless ship will be a haven for any workshy fop that wants to earn their coin for the near future. My love has stopped and my respect and admiration replaced by dislike and irritation.

 

The final but strongest bond that motivates me to attend is now my Dad. He took me to my first game for which I will be forever grateful, and he still goes regularly as he has done for nearly 80years. Circumstances over the last couple of seasons have meant that Ive been in the area for many weekends which have allowed me to attend many more games, and just like my informative years I go along with my dad. We sit and put the world to right and blether about the past players and the characters in the crowd and how we would all stand in the same place in the paddocks, the banter youd have with the linesman and players.

 

This weekend at Crewe we were reminiscing about the lies people would shout to Ronnie Blair about what the opposition winger had said about him, and Ronnie would give you a knowing wink after hed sent him into the advertising boards. Just as wed stopped laughing one of our own supporters shouted a tirade of abuse at Brown from behind. Neither of us said anything, I could see my Dad shaking his head though, in fact he shook his head that many times on Saturday Im surprised it didnt fall off.

 

It wasnt a nice atmosphere at the end of the match and I was glad to be going home, and as we slowly walked back to the car my Dad turned to me and said Do you only come to the games because of me? I replied Not really, I enjoy the time with you and its just like what we did all those years ago After a few seconds he stopped and said I think thatll be my last game, I dont enjoy it anymore, lets create some new memories just you, me, (your wife) and the grand kids. My eyes filled up as I realised Saturday was probably the last time Ill ever watch Oldham with my Dad.

 

So with that final tie for me attending matches being severed what about my relationship with Oldham. Well weve been growing apart in recent years, in spite of the difficulties weve faced I can honestly say that I tried to make it work but it is now clear to me that we want different things and are going in different directions. I do not see any of attributes that originally drew me to Oldham, and none of my friends like her that much anymore. The increasing arguing and bickering, some of it in public in front of our friends, has become tiresome and destructive. All the good times and laughs are clearly in the past and I will always treasure them however I dont see any future in trying to make it work when all you do is ignore the people that have cared about you. I think its time for a trial separation.

 

Ive no intention of finding another club. I think this has come at a time when football in general is losing my interest and has been sliding down my own set of priorities for some years. There's far too much football being broadcast and far too much money involved in a game which ought to be primarily about participating rather than spectating. I may be enticed to return if there is a change in ethos at the club, an ethos that would set us aside for being different and doing the right thing, the suggestion of food collections is a small but important step in the right direction.

 

I can relate to all of that as my dad took me in the early sixties and I started to take my son when he was 3.

We still go together most games and a fair few away but it's getting harder and harder to raise any enthusiasm and as people have said, once you stop going it's unlikely you'll go back.

 

This club is at the 'crossroads', new directors including a commercial manager have joined over the last year or so but I've seen nothing to suggest any upturn in fortune is imminent and with the fiasco of the new stand the spiral of decline just seems to go on and on.

 

We badly need a little success on the field where we seem to stumble from one disaster to another, relegation would be an absolute nightmare and without further investment it could well be the death knell for our club.

 

I believe our performance in the second half of this season could be key to the club's future, get it wrong and new stand or not there may be no way back!

[the_mighty_bosh]

Very good read, despite being a sad one.

 

The worst thing is that you don't seem to be the only one.

 

My history of supporting the club doesn't go back particularly far (20 years at most) but there hasn't been many highs in that time and a fair few lows. People hark back to Penney's time in charge as being a depressing one which lost us a lot of fans. I'm getting the feeling that the fallout from 2015 could be even worse. And we haven't got that many more fans to lose.

[laticsmarra]

Sad that long standing family support is under threat,even sadder that so many feel the same.

[Clifford]

Bit of a look at me story this. I barely go, I'm going to stop barely going because we're :censored:e. I might come back if we go good again. Next.

[NewBlue]

The people who were chanting at the end felt the exact same way. Many just weren't around when Latics were good...

[Nohairdontcare]

I - like many of us - was directly influenced by my dad when it comes to Latics. He passed away many years ago, but I still think of him every time I go to a Latics match. I was at the game against Crewe - I've never seen a worse 90 minutes. I've been wondering what my father would have made of it all... I think he'd have the same opinion as me - it was bloody awful, a rotten day, but there are going to be better days ahead.

 

I'd still rather support an abysmal Oldham Athletic than any Premiership side.

 

I totally understand why many would boo, rant and rave. I also understand how many just can't be bothered making the effort any more.

 

But, just as there will be other bad days ahead, there'll be other good days too.

 

I've a 2-year-old boy now. I look forward to the day I bring him to his first Latics match.

 

Whether he'll thank me for it in years to come is a different matter!

[ghostofcecere]

Fabulous post that, and it echoes many of my sentiments.

 

It's really interesting to me that is being :censored: doesn't seem to be the main issue, we're used to that. It's the :censored: negative football we all hate!

[Whitts]

I suspect many of us were hooked into worshiping this club after our dads took us to BP for the first time. It is part of the bonding process and it is something I still do every home game. Early memories of Maurice Whittle, Vic Halom, onto Andy Ritchie. The ups and downs, the pinch me seasons, the terrace banter. Such happy memories which all seem such a long time ago. However, this is my club, its my Church and I make the 250 mile round trip in the hope we will turn a corner but more importantly to see my Dad and continue the tradition.

 

It is hard at the moment but if we all walk away, we will have no club. Where will Dads take their sons then.

[bluear]

I suspect many of us were hooked into worshiping this club after our dads took us to BP for the first time. It is part of the bonding process and it is something I still do every home game. Early memories of Maurice Whittle, Vic Halom, onto Andy Ritchie. The ups and downs, the pinch me seasons, the terrace banter. Such happy memories which all seem such a long time ago. However, this is my club, its my Church and I make the 250 mile round trip in the hope we will turn a corner but more importantly to see my Dad and continue the tradition.

 

It is hard at the moment but if we all walk away, we will have no club. Where will Dads take their sons then.

My grandad started taking me when I was 4. Unfortunately he passed away when I was 15 so it was me that roped my dad into coming as I couldn't drive and live in Preston. I'm sure he'll leave me out of his will as payback

[bigfatjoe1]

We're now eroding the hardest of hardcore. Very soon, we're not going to have crowds to compete with Stockport or UFCM. Very soon.

This is as bad as i've ever known.

 

Simon - we need a bit of investment over a five year period(at least) and we really need a manager - NOW. More than anything, we really need a manager. This one is totally :censored:.

[Andy-latic]

My dads got to a stage where he's had enough now aswell, had to sit him down and tell him that he got me hooked on this :censored: and he's not getting out that easily. He's coming to Sheff now

[L1onheartNew]

During the 70s, 80s and early 90s I almost religiously travelled home and away to watch Oldham the team my Dad supported. During the later nineties my work took me away from the area resulting in me going to less games, but I would still make every effort to attend about 20 games a season. The noughties (stupid word) saw me move even further away and start a family since when I have been able to attend only a dozen games a season on average. However, like ones true love I would still think of Oldham every single day and stay in contact by whatever means available to me.

 

I grew up much closer to Maine Road than Boundary Park. My Grandad would take me to watch City on the occasions when my Dad couldnt take me to Oldham. I could have supported City but in those days you tended to support the team your Dad supported, lets call it an arranged marriage.

 

Living in Manchester none of my mates were Oldham supporters, so when I started going to watch Oldham without my Dad I had to make new friends. So I found new friends and what started as a common passion for Oldham grew into family friendships where we now share visits, holidays, birthdays, weddings and unfortunately funerals. When I look back I thought it took a lot of guts for a young lad to go and watch Oldham when all his mates were off watching City every weekend, but I know that I made the right decision even though at the time my love was blind and my dad wouldve kicked me over next doors back wall if Id chosen otherwise.

 

There would be a dozen or so of us who would meet up all those years ago in the old 2nd Division. Like my City mates we all grew up with a common allegiance to a club, we sang on the terraces around the country, like them we had heroes that we idolised. But thats where the commonality ended. We got to talk to our heroes when they were warming up or taking a throw-in and wed meet them at the open days and possibly again in the street or at a petrol station. We truly believed we were part of our club, we could access our club and talk to players, club officials and Directors, whereas my City friends could only reach out and barely touch theirs. Our club promoted a family image, an image recognised across the country, yes there were other family clubs but it meant we were slightly different than the norm and it was a badge we could wear with pride. With the family image came a personal responsibility to consider those around you and moderate your language when giving the opposition and officials pelters, but this meant that the patter was generally humorous rather than abusive. There was also the word unfashionable that prefixed Oldham which we always assumed was aimed at us for wearin the same T-shirt and jeans for 3 seasons when everyone else was wearing Fred Perry and Tachinni. Whatever it meant, it gave us a unique identity.

 

Winning wasnt everything to us, because our love wasnt shallow it was forged by a close association with club and fellow supporters alike, it was in our genes, or more likely it simply drained out of us after 40 years that saw us win only 2 promotions. However, our alternative to winning was a sense of pride that for many years we were associated with playing attacking football. I recall our goal scored was regularly one of the highest in all leagues. Admittedly our goals against were equally the highest but that never mattered because it was entertainment and there was lots to talk about post-match. I can also remember feeling smug when people would never put us down for a no-score draw because there were long periods of time when 0-0 was so infrequent. Our history is peppered with characters who kept you talking after the final whistle, not blessed with world-class skill but more of honest endeavours. I admit that there were also dismal times, but you always knew that there was a commitment within then club to turn things around.

 

All of the above were positive attributes that founded the strong association between club and supporters. I accept that Society has changed and I accept that Football has changed but most of these attributes are maintained through a top down club ethos rather than any amount of financial input. The performances on the pitch for several years have been a direct reflection of the (lack of) leadership shown by those at the top. Outside of minimising expenditure there appears no visible strategies for improving the entertainment offered. It has been painful watching something you have grown up with being treated with such frivolous contempt.

 

Weve been through a lot of turmoil in recent times but even up until 2005 there were six or seven of the original dozen would meet up for a couple of pints before and after the games. Last year only two of us attended matches this year theres been only me. The strategy of (over) reliance on lone players has been counter-productive eroding the connection between supporter and player, and preventing any opportunity for continuous improvement. Recruitment of borderline competent footballers and managers intent on playing low-risk, dont lose anti-football has reduced the entertainment value to zero. A family image that took decades to build up was cut down in one week of the Ched Evans affair. For all of us there has been a gradual cutting of the positive identity that originally bound us to the club, but worse than this, any hope of the future return of these values have now been replaced with a belief that this rudderless ship will be a haven for any workshy fop that wants to earn their coin for the near future. My love has stopped and my respect and admiration replaced by dislike and irritation.

 

The final but strongest bond that motivates me to attend is now my Dad. He took me to my first game for which I will be forever grateful, and he still goes regularly as he has done for nearly 80years. Circumstances over the last couple of seasons have meant that Ive been in the area for many weekends which have allowed me to attend many more games, and just like my informative years I go along with my dad. We sit and put the world to right and blether about the past players and the characters in the crowd and how we would all stand in the same place in the paddocks, the banter youd have with the linesman and players.

 

This weekend at Crewe we were reminiscing about the lies people would shout to Ronnie Blair about what the opposition winger had said about him, and Ronnie would give you a knowing wink after hed sent him into the advertising boards. Just as wed stopped laughing one of our own supporters shouted a tirade of abuse at Brown from behind. Neither of us said anything, I could see my Dad shaking his head though, in fact he shook his head that many times on Saturday Im surprised it didnt fall off.

 

It wasnt a nice atmosphere at the end of the match and I was glad to be going home, and as we slowly walked back to the car my Dad turned to me and said Do you only come to the games because of me? I replied Not really, I enjoy the time with you and its just like what we did all those years ago After a few seconds he stopped and said I think thatll be my last game, I dont enjoy it anymore, lets create some new memories just you, me, (your wife) and the grand kids. My eyes filled up as I realised Saturday was probably the last time Ill ever watch Oldham with my Dad.

 

So with that final tie for me attending matches being severed what about my relationship with Oldham. Well weve been growing apart in recent years, in spite of the difficulties weve faced I can honestly say that I tried to make it work but it is now clear to me that we want different things and are going in different directions. I do not see any of attributes that originally drew me to Oldham, and none of my friends like her that much anymore. The increasing arguing and bickering, some of it in public in front of our friends, has become tiresome and destructive. All the good times and laughs are clearly in the past and I will always treasure them however I dont see any future in trying to make it work when all you do is ignore the people that have cared about you. I think its time for a trial separation.

 

Ive no intention of finding another club. I think this has come at a time when football in general is losing my interest and has been sliding down my own set of priorities for some years. There's far too much football being broadcast and far too much money involved in a game which ought to be primarily about participating rather than spectating. I may be enticed to return if there is a change in ethos at the club, an ethos that would set us aside for being different and doing the right thing, the suggestion of food collections is a small but important step in the right direction.

That is without doubt one of the best, if not the best posts I have read on here. It is the epitomy of what it means to watch this football club. Thank you for summarising exactly what it means to have Oldham Athletic running through ones veins.

 

Quintessentially the James Brown of message board posts.

Edited November 30, 2015 by L1onheartNew

[ChaddySmoker]

My father never took me to football.

And I thought he was the stupid one!

 

Great sentiments Joe. It'll never be the same though.

Edited November 30, 2015 by ChaddySmoker

[Oh Heck C-Beck]

I've said it a number of times, but whenever I see a post like this I think we just need to go back to being a football club that the fans can care about. :censored: the desperate need for success and the revolving door policy for players and managers. Install a likeable manager with a remit to bring through and develop our own players and set a side a little budget to bring in some older heads who can entertain and I think everyone would be much happier whatever division we are playing in. And who knows having some stability and a plan might even lead to bigger crowds and the possibility of some investment.

[Witty]

Reading this excellent post I thought to myself "that could have been written expressing exactly how I feel".

 

Been going with my dad starting in the 60s, he's passed away so I now go on my own so not quite the same. Been a season ticket holder for over 25 years, done every game home and away a couple of seasons.

I've now found something better to do for the Millwal game and I cant see myself at BP until the Bury game in January.

I agree with what was said earlier, it's not that we are crap, I'm used to that, its the lack of passion and heart. It's like if they really can't be bothered then neither can I.

Maybe it Latics, or footy in general, or just me, or a combination but I'm loosing interest fast.

[deyres42]

I've said it a number of times, but whenever I see a post like this I think we just need to go back to being a football club that the fans can care about. :censored: the desperate need for success and the revolving door policy for players and managers. Install a likeable manager with a remit to bring through and develop our own players and set a side a little budget to bring in some older heads who can entertain and I think everyone would be much happier whatever division we are playing in. And who knows having some stability and a plan might even lead to bigger crowds and the possibility of some investment.

Some nice thoughts there but I think for many it has become all about the results above all else.

 

The glee with the potential signing of Evans "cos he scores goals"

 

The hounding of Kelly and now Dunn "cos I just want a manager who wins games"

 

Even a short time ago I was looking forward to games, now I find myself looking at the racing diary or tv guide to see if I can avoid it.

[HarryBosch]

I've said it a number of times, but whenever I see a post like this I think we just need to go back to being a football club that the fans can care about. :censored: the desperate need for success and the revolving door policy for players and managers. Install a likeable manager with a remit to bring through and develop our own players and set a side a little budget to bring in some older heads who can entertain and I think everyone would be much happier whatever division we are playing in. And who knows having some stability and a plan might even lead to bigger crowds and the possibility of some investment.

 

I was in the main stand at Crewe with one of their players dads on Saturday and he pretty much described them like this (apart from the older heads to entertain maybe).

 

They know they'll go down every now and again but know that if they stick with their production line for young talent they've always got back up in the past and gone up again on occassion...

They're very relaxed about it all.

 

They tend to promote from within when appointing a new manager.

 

They know they'll always get good money for one or two kids every season due to their reputation and are steady financially because of it.

 

But, as nice as it all that sounds, I wouldn't bother going if I didn't care passionately about whether we won or lost.

They seem to go along for a bit of light entertainment rather then the life & death situation I like to enjoy/suffer....

 

Each to their own....

Edited December 1, 2015 by HarryBosch

[Emcee]

I've been going to Latics for over 50 years and I have two sons who joined me as soon as they were old enough and are still coming with me (just about) and are now in their 30s.It's hard for them to have the same passion as me because football has changed so much since the premier league was formed and because of the Bosman rule. Clubs can no longer build a team as players move on within 2 to 3 years. It took Joe Royle the best part of 8 years to build his best squad but you saw this team slowly being assembled over the years. The premier league now just soak up young players who never filter down the leagues and if lower clubs find anyone good they disappear to the premier or championship clubs - usually never to be seen again in the majority of cases. All we get left with are a small squad of players and the rest on loan and so we will never see a team being built again. The premier league has taken the soul away from the lower clubs and we're never going to get it back.

[Bristolatic]

There is so much in this thread, especially the OP, and others elsewhere on the current situation at BP. Like so many others, it was my Dad who got me hooked on Latics. He was born and bred in Hull, but moved to Oldham before I was a tremble in his kneecaps. He was as mad keen a Latics fan as you could ever imagine and took me to my first game in August 1950.

 

I'm 71 now and, by God, I've seen some ups and downs in that time; the fear of becoming a non League club when having to apply for re-election when you landed up in the bottom two of the old Third Division (North & South) and then the bottom four of the old Fourth Division, knowing you'd probably never get back in; promotion under George Hardwick only to come straight back down again; the days of Bobby Johnston et al playing in a League far below their ability; the "Pinch Me" years under Joe Royle; Wembley; relegations and 20 sodding years in this division.

 

One of the things that was different in those days, even in the bad times, was that the football was (mostly) entertaining. Players represented "their" club, not one who had borrowed them. I don't have a problem with loans per se, but not in huge quantities when your own are sat on the bench or not even in the squad. Granted, loans are useful when giving fringe players a chance of more regular first team football, but not at the expense of those who should be given a chance.

 

Football wasn't planned through Powerpoints and the like. Bomb Alley and Corridor of Uncertainty, indeed. What a load of bollocks. It's a simple game. Get the ball, pass to a bloke wearing the same colour shirt as you, preferably moving towards the opponent's goal at the same time, get to within shooting distance and welly the bloody thing. There's just a chance it might end up in the back of the onion bag. The more times you have a crack, the more chance you have of scoring.

 

Some will say I've been lucky this season because I've only been able to get to two games; Swindon and Mansfield away. At least I've not seen us lose! But the football was a let down, even at Swindon in a way because, even though we won (eventually), we should have been out of sight by half time, but weren't good enough. Mansfield was just awful despite the injuries we had.

 

Circumstances (my wife's health issues mainly) have prevented me from getting to any more games that I would normally have been at, so Latics Player has been a saviour. Having said that, even listening to the commentaries is dispiriting and that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the superb efforts of Mike, Gordon and Roy. It's just so obvious that the football on show is pretty dire.

 

Something is wrong at the club. Blame is aimed at everyone from SC down to the tea lady but, in all fairness, it's down to the players once they're on the pitch. DD, or any manager for that matter, can jump up and down, scream and shout, or just stand still Dave Penney style, but the players are the ones with the final product. Someone has to get the best out of them, because they're a reasonably talented bunch. Only time will tell if DD is that man. Changing manager for the second time in the first 3 to 4 months of the season will just create more instability. He has to be given more time, but the question is, how long? We all have differing views on that one.

 

But, back to the point of the OP. Many have said they've had enough and won't come back until results improve. In a way, I can understand that, but what is it that's sung on the terraces? "Sing when you're winning, you only sing when you're winning". Replace "sing" with "attend". Will I be at more games this season? You bet I will; not as many as I would like, but I'll get to a few. Why? Because it's in my blood and has been for 65 years. I can't and won't turn my back on the club I have loved and supported (often from afar) for so many years.

 

Some will say I'm mad, and that's fine. Everyone has their own opinions and a right to do as they wish on a Saturday afternoon/Tuesday evening. Given the chance, I know where I would be. Getting frustrated, excited, disappointed, downhearted, delighted (although not in equal measure) in the blind faith and hope that my beloved football club digs itself out of the mire and some reasonably good times come back again.

[singe]

One thing is for certain, if we do by some miracle get to have some sucess and get out of this god forsaken League, years like this one we have endured will make it taste all the sweeter.

[Hank Kingsley]

 

I'm 71 now and, by God, I've seen some ups and downs in that time; the fear of becoming a non League club when having to apply for re-election when you landed up in the bottom two of the old Third Division (North & South) and then the bottom four of the old Fourth Division, knowing you'd probably never get back in; promotion under George Hardwick only to come straight back down again; the days of Bobby Johnston et al playing in a League far below their ability; the "Pinch Me" years under Joe Royle; Wembley; relegations and 20 sodding years in this division.

 

 

Brilliant post.