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

Take That (assuming by the 1st post that it's still you Paul), C said she was leaving after 45 years due to abuse "especially by our old mate Paddy". (Abuse I'm still ,despite looking over 15-20 times, to find)

 

BD Dunbar had a little do saying my occupation should mean I know better than to post what I did (didn't realise my job meant I couldn't have an opinion) and that if I was chocolate I'd eat myself (probably half true).

 

There was a woman too : I'm trying to find it as we speak.

 

As you know, my comments are nothing personal over you, C, J, or E, and I'd much rather not have this debate in public...

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

He was poor, but I got hate mail from Dave Mellor's friends and family for saying less detrimental things about him last week than what some of you are saying about Plummer...

 

That said : the own goal was bad enough, but his defending for the second stunk of Sunday League...

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.

Definitely a penalty

Never a penalty, quite clearly no contact. Knew Tarky's leg was outstretched so thought he'd go for a dive.

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

This was before my time so correct me if I'm wrong but 73-74 was the year we won the 3rd division title with a dazzling run in the second half of the season?

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

Feel that some names are more heroes, cult or otherwise, rather than legends.

And, whilst Philiskirk is undoubtedly a superb and loyal asset to the club I wouldn't back legend status being given to anyone still active .

Legend surely implies someone who has gone down in the annals of the club for past deeds. And our history is much more than the last 20 years ( or 40 or 50 or 60)

 

Number 10 for me from these:

Eric Gemmell - second highest goalscorer and still holds record for number of goals in one match

George Hardwick - revitalised the club on the field, led us to a championship

David Ashworth - if you've ever read any history about our early days then you'll appreciate the massive influence he had on establishing Latics in the League. He also seems to have been quite a character

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

 

Andy Gorton, then?

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.

All this I hear that Corney will only sell to someone who's got the best interests of the club at heart, is a load of rubbish. He'll sell to anybody who can put an acceceptable bid forward. He's desperately trying his best to offload the club.

2nd troll this week

Edited. Rather be at a game. Bored.com

While I'm sad to see Jose go and it won't be the same raising a glass of the old pink to the human league, I count myslef blessed to have had the pleasure of seeing the talent that is Jose Baxter perform at mecca for the last 12 months.

I think it's fair to say that he is arguably the most talented player we have had on our books in the last 10 years. It really has been a bonus to have had him here and for us as a club it was massive that we got him to sign a 2 and a 1/2 year contract in January. Not huge in terms of the sell on clause, but huge because it gave us enough to ensure survival last season and huge because he played such a big part in our cup run.

We were losing money hand over fist last season until that cup run and have probably ended up breaking even on the back of it. Staying up was huge to us as a club and Jose played a big part in that despite the stats saying otherwise. It's not all about what happens on the pitch, Thats only 90 minutes of the week. What happens in the dressing room and on the training pitch is equally as important and Jose's "spirit" lifted the place. The scouse humour brought the Royle feeling back and it is so important that the dressing room has spirit.

We will miss Jose, how much I'm not sure because we have a cute (no girls not that sort of cute) manager who plans meticulously and who clearly knew what was coming. He's known for sometime that Jose would be off. He's planned for it. Rooney, Mc Donald, Dayton Smeltz Philliskirk and now todays addition. The firepower has been replaced.

It's gutting, but not as gutting as it would have been if we'd lost him to Taggart junior in last January. I'm also gutted that he's not gone up a league. Yes Sheffield United are a bigger club than us, have bigger support, a bigger history bigger wage bill, bigger dickheads, but let me leave you with this thought for the weekend.

That bigger club who have taken our best player are still 7 places below us in league 1.

Lets take 3 points tomorrow and move on. Thanks Jose and all the best.

I'm only bothered about clean sheets (the football kind ) if either we don't score or only score once

This rumour suggests that we may be in desparate need of the money hence selling at £150k (when the supposed release fee is set at £250k) yet we have signed 2 players in the last week or so.

Somehow that doesn't add up

It's about time Jose either committed his future publicly to the club or handed in a transfer request....

 

All this uncertainty shrouding the club makes me sick!

Why does he need to. The club haven't said they have received any offers/or that a release clause has been met. Also Jose hasn't shown anything other than being fully committed and wanting to play even when carrying an injury as at Peterboro

All I've seen so far is internet rumour

Who and where are all these 'successful' youth products? Taylor, Eardley, can't think of too many more.

 

Don't think anyone is saying Tarkowski hasn't stepped up performance wise this season, merely that his career to date doesn't yet justify the plaudits some are giving him.

How far do you want to go back? Shall we say last 10 =12 years that TP has been here?

Off the top of my head and besides the 2 you mention, Neal Trotman (PNE when in the Championship) Tom Eaves (sold for £300K to Bolton) Scott Vernon (Aberdeen) Will Haining (Scots Prem) Mark Teirney (Norwich) Andy Hughes (Reading, Leeds etc in the Champ) Danny Philliskirk (Chelsea) , Scott Spencer (Everton) MICAH RICHARDS, Scott Vernon (Aberdeen) Tarky. We've also turned down £400K for Dave Mellor and Carl Winchester 2 years ago.

Theres a dozen names for you.

You've then have several other players that have come through who haven't either stepped up and gone on to beigger things but have still had or having a decent career, the likes of Smalley and Alexandra.

The plaudit that Tarky is getting is that people are acknowledging and seeing the potential that he could potentially play at a higher level. At the end of the day he is still only 20. I think you are acknowledging that he has stepped up this season so accept that he has improved. IF he carries on he could take a step up to the next level to progress his career. He fails to keep his current levels up and he obviously wont.

I dont see much constructiive critisism on this thread just negativity yet again to yet another successful product from Tony Philiskirks youth setup.

If you seriously believe that Tarky has not significantly stepped up this season you are clearly in a small minority as a look at the MOM polls so far will show.

I still find it strange that the defence in particular are getting stick and decribed as worrying. We aren't shipping loads of goals, the opposition are not having loads of attempts on goal and we dont look like conceeding loads.

What we have got is a way of playing that is quite open and whilst that sometimes leaves us prone more on the break. We are a relatively structured unit from a defensive point of view. We have also got a relatively young team and especially young defence and a mixture of inexperience and naivety will see us concede a few unnecessary goals.

But, when you look at the goals conceeded, with the exception of the keeper in the last 2 games, none can be put down to any of the back 5. I'd class most of the goals conceeded as "team" goals rather than individual errors and that surely is a sign that individuals are not letting us down. I think people are concerned because we have lost the height of JYM but of the goals conceeded to date how many have been to headers?

With our current style of play we are maybe more likely to concede than we would if we played as we did under PD, but how many would sacrifice our attacking potency for greater defensive tightness. Not me for sure.

After tonight I'd say a new centre back is less of a priority.

 

Mellor isn't a centre back, yet, 2nd proper game in the position, it was against better opposition than we get most weeks and he did better than most of us thought he would do.

 

One very good last gasp challenge when he legged it from miles away and appeared from nowhere to slide in and do the best tackle of the night. He made the odd mistake but his head didn't drop once, or even look like it. He came out of defence with the ball at his feet and head up looking to play a pass and get us started again, been a while since we've had a CB who can do that.

 

Some weeks he will have a torrid time against some of the big ugly lumps we get in Division 3 but there were signs tonight that he is learning and to write him off now is laughable. Tarky did well too considering this was yet another new partnership for the youngster to get to grips with and this time he is the senior partner. Christ, at various points in that game against much better opposition each of our centre backs did rampaging runs forward with the ball. We aren't looking at "Don't pass me the ball" players here, both of these lads are as comfortable on the ball as some of them foreign types.

 

When Tarky was pushed up towards the end our only player playing in the centre back role was Mellor, going from playing in a new position with an inexperienced player along side to guide him through to being the only bloody centre back and we still didn't concede another is pretty good in my book.

 

As for Brown, he too did well going forwards as well as backwards which is what is expected of full backs today.

 

I said earlier that Mellor did the best tackle of the match, Brown for me did the best moment of the match, Derby got a free kick late on and looked to play it quickly, Brown was the only player switched on enough to leg it and track the runner. Fortunately they took the free kick too quickly for the ref so it didn't matter but even at that late stage of the game Brown was switched on.

 

Have I seen better defences at BP, yes, have I seen securer defences at BP, yes and I have seen worse, much worse. But there is something interesting and intriguing about this defence that I am looking forward to seeing develop.

^

Quite simply this.

Defensively there were so many positives tonight against good quality opposition. There was a big improvement in how the back line performed as a "unit" and although there were some errors, overall it is another game showing improvement. We are now "playing" the ball out which leads to greater retention of possession leading to (hopefully) more chances at the opposite end.

Our main failing tonight was how we dropped off after half time and whilst that was disappointing, I think Clough should take credit for that with how he changed his tactics at half time and denied us the space we got through the middle in the 1st half. LJ tried to counter that by making his own change but we then started to give the ball away more often, Wes, Jose and even Smith being guilty. It was only in the last 5 mins that Tarky was pushed up as we gave it one last push. Monty was unlucky not to see his effort go in and we gave it a good go against more than decent Championship opposition.

Role on Saturday

So sorry for your loss

They have lots of roundabouts in Stevenage. Which led me to a car park I'd last used in 1990, after driving there via Darlington to collect a blonde to take in a huge gig at Knebworth. I never noticed the small football ground over the road. And I never saw the blonde again and can't even recall her name. But that's another story.

 

Byrne 8 - steadying influence after we went ahead.

Decent summary O4U.

But that mark for Byrne is a surprise.

We scored in the 87th minute and he didn't come on for a couple of minutes after that so was on the pitch for all of 5 mins. For me the steadying influence on that pitch was our captain who I think brings calm and direction to his teammates

The 3 we conceeded today were team faults not individual errors

Haven't kicked a ball in anger yet but we have a top 6 and the rest are average. The wingers are out in full force before kick off. In fact Stevie j's post suggests relegation is nigh