Bertie_Dugger

A clapped out over-rated former England International doesn't become a World Beater overnight. We have nothing to fear if we can get our over-rated left winger to raise his game and actually do something for a change.

Check your power options from control panel Bob. Could be going into power saving mode.

Mebbe people would rather have their hub caps stolen than be thumped by a gang of Leeds fans.

Nearly right, think you meant to say the Amigos Arena.

Alan Hardy says it will take 72 weeks to build the new Main Stand.

Big win for Athletic OLDHAM Athletic won through at the second attempt in the planning battle over the new stadium and associated developments. All but one — Keith Pendlebury — of the councillors who caused such a furore by rejecting the first planning application, changed their minds last night and voted instead to accept the development proposals. There were sighs of relief all round, except perhaps among some local residents who boycotted last night’s planning meeting while supporters of the scheme, dressed in Oldham Athletic’s blue, packed the council chamber and cheered the final result. They knew that a defeat here could well have been the end of the club, The whole development will be good for the borough, bringing much-needed facilities and new homes to create an attractive gateway for visitors. It should also guarantee the long-term future of Oldham Athletic, putting the club, for the first time in generations, on a sound financial footing while, at the same time, rewarding the owners, three American-based businessmen, for their enterprise and initial investment. The club’s owners have poured thousands of pounds into the club since rescuing it from oblivion and, like all businessmen, need to see some money coming in to offset the vast sums that have gone out. A return on an investment is neither illegal nor immoral. Rumblings So where does that leave us now? The relief from the directors, staff and fans of Oldham Athletic last night was palpable, and understandably so, but the objections of the local residents are not going to go away. Already there are rumblings about covenants on the land and the encroachment of the development on part of Clayton playing field which is designated as a town green. How important these issues are and whether opponents of the scheme will seek to turn it into a legal battle when full planning permission for the development of the flats is sought remains to be seen. But, while respecting lone dissenter Pendlebury’s decision, and his courage and sticking to his guns, there is an issue of the greater good of the borough to be considered here. It benefits the borough not a jot if Oldham Athletic disappears from the landscape as it gives the borough a national profile, and the area around the current stadium is in several places an eyesore and a mess. On balance it is clear that the gains from the development outweigh the losses and the planning committee made the right decision, albeit at the second attempt.

Hope you right and they feel as excited about the development as I do today.

Don't make jokes like that, you'll have the people on Carlton Way thinking it is true.

Looks exciting and really proves that a set of inward looking people were wrong to try and prevent this from happening. This should be a benefit for new Latics supporters for years to come. Make it happen TTA.

If that's the case then let's see the proof. Sounds like more posturing to sway councillors opinions before the meeting. Another case of the Chron putting the boot in with inopportune timing?

It's linked to your post count.However if you are prepared to pay a fee you can choose a name more to your own liking.I'm sure there is a linky somewhere. Perhaps one the mods will point you in the right direction.

Number 10 Petition now carries the name of Gareth Bashforth. Daddy will be pleased if it is his son.

From Oldham Chronicle 23/11/2007 "Chairman IRRESPECTIVE of the decision that was arrived at, there seems little doubt that Councillor Steven Bashforth was wrong to chair the planning meeting into the controversial development at Boundary park. Although there is nothing to suggest that the councillor did not do anything that a good local councillor would do to help his constituents, his close involvement with protesters before the application was heard jeopardised his position. Politics is as much about perception as anything else and Councillor Bashforth left himself open to accusations of being on the side of the residents rather than completely neutral, somthing that prompted him at one stage to say he would not take the chair. That decision was the right one and Councillor Bashforth should seriously consider his position before the next planning hearing, for his own sake more than for anyone else’s" Maybe he may change his mind to chair the next meeting?

If you had a face like that would you really want to save it?

I was at the meeting. Bashforth did try to arrange another deferrment and during the 5-10 minute adjournment after discussing that possibility with the Council's legal team he was told that a decision had to be made that night. No deferment meant a vote had to be taken. We all saw how the meeting was guided to bring about some kind of doubt about the traffic surveys.

Cracking stuff Diego,I'm certain this encapsulates what most of us were thinking during this pantomime. Go get 'em.

Great Stuff, well done to all. We can do it if we all stick togeth er.

Diego, I also only paid for 2 hours but was luckier than you. Well actually paid more because the machine wouldn't give change from a £2 coin.Must admit that during the meeting I was wondering if it may cost me.

As far as I Know you can still pay by direct debit through the club with Zebra Finance.Interest charges may apply. No doubt someone will correct me if this no longer applies.I have used them in the past to pay for my season ticket over 10 months.

It'll be the Gordon Lawton fitness video.

Has he scored one since?

I will be there.

Don't we already have a "standing area" in the lower left of the Chaddy? Muppets and drums.

Why not go a bit further and ban drums for visiting supporters too.

If you're that fond of singing,why don't you move to Wales, BOYO. This topic is getting boring now. I'm sure most of us go to B.P. to watch the Blues play football. If the product on the pitch was better, people wouldn't care who was singing and who wasn't. Still I'm sure I could sing just as loudly if I was getting tanked up before games as has been described on here. And as far as "Oh when the Blues" is concerned, wouldn't it be nice to hear the second line- from you singers of course.