Harry Dowds Green Shirt

I haven't been on owtb for over a year now but with today's sad news I just had to log on and read what I knew would be glowing tributes to the big fella. I knew Gordon from the day he first started at the club back in 1986. I got to know that when you went in on a match day that welcoming friendly face would be there ready and waiting to welcome all and sundry to another Saturday afternoon "offering" as he would call it from OAFC. Maybe that's what was behind his wicked sense of humour because by god was it wicked. All sorts of stories have circulated around the club over the years and you could guarantee that at least 1 person would suggest it was started by Gordy. You just never knew if he was on the wind up. I've gone into the club at all times of day over the years and he was always engaged with someone. He became the contact for fans from all parts of the uk and further afield, and he became a great friend to all who met him. For me though his greatest work was in the summer of 2003 when the club was at deaths door. The work he put in in those months was staggering, the work he did in helping get that legends game on the liaising with the players etc etc was remarkable and you'll have seen the respect from past players all day today. Gordon was a huge link that has help hold the pieces together over the years and you just can't buy what he has given the club in recent years and particularly during the cup runs of 3 years ago he was the contact for the major media outlets. His passion and assistance shone through and it's a major reason why the club is held in high regard outside the fan base. Our club has had many good people work behind the scenes over the years, all different to Gordon but people who go about their job and make it the place it is. They rarely get the credit they deserve and I'm therefore so glad to see the huge amount of tributes that have been paid today to an absolute starlet. I have only occasionally listened to Latics Player because I'm usually at the game. But the rare time I tuned in I could get the feel of the game as if I was there. The chance he got recently to become football secretary was a huge privilege to him, he felt he was taking himself to the next level. i'll finish by saying he was already at the top level, as a servant of the club, as an honest welcoming face to the public and media but most importantly as a friend. He will be missed by one and all. Football isn't all about the players it's about the clubs, and people like Gordon Lawton make those clubs. RIP Gordon Lawton

Needless to say he was one of my heros and in my book despite only playing for us for 4 years was and remains a legend. His antics made sure I wanted to be a keeper. The way he trained, played and interacted with the fans was just so different. The way his career finished with us was so disappointing yet it provided an opportunity for one of our own, Chris Ogden, to follow in his fathers gloves between the sticks for us. Little did we know that on New Year's Day 1974 When Harry broke his finger at Port Vale (you won't be surprised when I tell you we lost) that would effectively be the last time we would see him in that famous green shirt. Despite that setback we went onto to win 10 league games on the trot as well as reaching the 4th round of the FA Cup where we lost 1-4 at home to Burnley. Harry never got his place back but around the club was absolutely fantastic. A top footballer, a top man. RIP my friend

I've stayed off OWTB since the turn of the year as I felt it was the correct thing to do bearing in mind the Contract my Company has for the construction of the North Stand. However tonight I received a phone call informing me that something was about to be posted about me. All this information is already being in the public domain However, there are a number of factually incorrect comments made in the opening post. The main 1 relates to to the details on the planning application. For clarity (and I have doubled checked this tonight on the planning portal) the planning application is in the name of Oldham Athletic AFC and was submitted by their Agent the Frank Whittle Partnership. In law, any person or company with an interest in the land has to be served with a notice of the planning application. Section 25 of the application form contains a certificate where the applicant confirms that they have served the relevant notice on any person who has an interest in the land. At section 25, Brassbank are noted as having been served. Now It is well documented that Brassbank bought the stadium from OMBC in 2004 and the club enjoy the benefit of a Lease on the stadium. Therefore in law the club, as applicant, are obliged to serve notice on Brasbank. It really is that simple. If you want to check the planning application number is PA/333100/12. Secondly The names listed as Directors of Holroy Developments is incorrect. I wont bore you with the details as the information is freely available on the internet. Anyway, I believe that this thread has been started because I questioned certain comments on a social media site yesterday and asked for factual backup with evidence in black & white. To date there has been no response. In the circumstances, this will be my only post on the matter. I am sure my time will be much better served ensuring the speedy completion of the North Stand on behalf of our Football club and it's future and most importantly our clubs loyal fans.

Never argue with an idiot. He'll just drag you down to his level and beat you on experience. Hmm I think I'll just take my own advice and sleep on it

Chris has her own log in as do I . I asked you a question on the hate mail. Am I ok to post the Facebook conversation or not? Simple as

Paddy tell me it's ok and I'll post our Facebook exchange and we will let others decide if it's hate mail. You won't say it to my face but I will say it to yours. You are :censored: stirring and I can prove it.

Yesterdays ref was by far the best we have had for some considerable time. Got all the major decisions bar 1 right and that went in our favour. He wasn't overely fussy, let the game flow, none of this stopping corners free kicks etc to "talk" to and "instruct" players and used common sense by keeping his cards in his pocket when he could. More performances like that though and he won't progress up the ladder unfortunately.

Since the new pitch went in we haven't had a game called off becasue of waterlogging. Despite the conditions yesterday it was in tip top condition. Had a good look at it after the game and couldn't believe how well it looked after such a horrid afternoon. A resounding well done to Chris Bailey and his stafff

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20131109-ticketnews-1163831.aspx

Indeed it was. We lost at Port Vale on New Year's Day when Harry Dowd broke a finger then went on to win 10 league games on the trot with young Chrus Ogden in goal before eventually losing 1-0 at Chesterfield in March. Just goes to show that once you hit a purple patch anything can happen. Even after the run came to an end confidence was that high that we went on to smash 6 goals past both Southport and then Huddersfield as we clinched promotion from an unlikely position at the turn of the year

Whilst I echo your sentiments Pete, the stand out name for me that isn't in the 1st nine is Alan Groves. For what the club will be looking at doing from a commercial point of view Gus has got to be in there. A left winger who entertained. For the younger generations think Eyers and Holden then think you still didn't see the best number 11 at this club. Gus would take a defender on and beat him time and again. I can't count the number of times that you would see the Lookers Paddock applauding Groves'y on his way back to the half way line after another assist. Pure class for me and the 1 that should complete the list. Sad that it ended tragically. Another flawed genius. I'd love us to cement his name in the new stand

That'll just fanning the flames

First rule of dealing with a troll. Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level and beat you on experience.

2nd troll this week

Edited. Rather be at a game. Bored.com