Some really good replies there, I went through them all. Thing here is - You don't have to be a fan or supporter of Oldham Athletic to enjoy these memories or relive those times with a certain excitement - just be of a certain age where you can recall it and remember a team coming from almost nowhere (to us neutrals anyway, no disrespect) having these games, taking on really big heavyweight opposition, beating them and being one of the (success) stories of an entire season. It only lasted a year or two didn't it. OIdham think dropped out the Premier League in what was it 1994, haven't made it back in the time since and we escaped on the final day that year. Didn't survive the season after though. Fell like a stone into the second league, it were a disaster.
Someone mentioned the West Ham semi-final again. I remember it like yesterday. Had a friend at school, we was - and probably still is - a hammers nut, followed them through thick and thin but after the 6 - 0 game, didn't show up for school the net day. Think the reason gave was ill or had a cold or something but we all knew the truth behind it. He was simply embarrassed, too embarrassed to show his face the next day, it's one thing I'll always remember.
1989 - 90 I can still think back and recall Oldham making headlines time and again particularly in the second half of that season. You were back page news in The Sun after beating Aston Villa 3 - 0 in the F.A. Cup sixth round, even after all these years I can still picture it. You remember those games with Everton in an earlier round - course you do - the first 2 - 2 draw at Boundary Park, draw at Goodison in the replay then winning at the third attempt in the second replayed game. They would have had players like Graham Sharp, Cottee, Neville Southall and a whole team of stars and you took them on, played really well and advanced. Looking back now it was immense, I can still feel a sense of excitement. It's a shame other than reading about it here, so many people won't care or remember outside of these pages about just what went on in those games by way of enthrallment and intrigue.
Around that time I had a 'soccer' annual where they devoted a whole feature to Oldham's season by way of game after game starting in August '89 right through to the Forest final and end of season. I think you missed out on promotion only just but what a read it was. Just wish I had retained it but it was a Shoot annual or something, kind of thing kids at school would have collected. I think they'd be obsolete in today's age unfortunately.
You always wonder how did such a great team and manager only make waves like that over the course of 2 or 3 seasons. You had the time of your lives between 1989 and 1991 what with the promotion to the first division (now premier league) and all those great games and the Cup Final, but it ended almost as soon as it had started. I'd imagine a number of players like Ritchie, Marshall and Milligan etc were sold off or the team just became less, but once again for a short time alone you provided something that could never be repeated in Latics history. Reiteration isn't always necessary but if it's been said before, it's such a shame, it really is, to see Oldham where they are now in non-league rather than back then and making news and headlines time and again. Think maybe rambled on too much but just remember those games and seasons from that time. For whatever happens now and in the future, you'll always have that abiding memories and recollections. Thanks.