Oldham v Oldham

[The Oldham Insider]

Oldham v Oldham

 

Why is the town of Oldham so disinclined to back its football club?

 

Oldham has a population of 103,544 (2001 Census) and a football club who have been around for over one hundred years. But the club resides in a dilapidated Boundary Park, and season-after-season draws poor attendances. During the 2008/09 term, Athletic’s average gate was 5,636, which was, somewhat surprisingly, an improvement on the previous campaign. One side of the ground – what was once the Broadway Stand – is gone; demolished, as the first step in the now-abandoned project to redevelop Athletic’s Boundary Park home. The onset of the current financial crisis, and the subsequent troubles of backer Hillstone Developments, put paid to aspirations of seeing the ground transformed.

 

By comparison, just the other side of the Pennines reside Athletic’s rivals Huddersfield Town. Huddersfield has a population of 146,234 (2001 Census) yet in 2008/09, a season where Huddersfield finished in 9th position in the league and Oldham 10th, the club saw an average gate of 13,297. This equates to 9.1% of the town’s populace, dwarfing the 5.4% of Oldhamers who turned out to see their club. Huddersfield are a significant step ahead of Athletic in terms of their ground of course, having relocated from their Leeds Road home to what is now known as the Galpharm Stadium. One would hope that should Athletic’s dreams of a new stadium materialize, wherever that may be, that it would have a positive impact on attendances. Certainly, Boundary Park, with its three stands, pokey bars, broken seats and toilets that have no place in modern society. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the impressive season ticket sales figures that Huddersfield achieved were, at least in part, down to better pricing and marketing; an area in which Athletic have sadly lagged behind their peers.

 

The small number that do make their way to Boundary Park on a Saturday afternoon, include a growing culture of folk who choose to berate the players they pay to see. Some, of course, will argue that those fans pay their money are entitled to express their dissatisfaction at the players. Whether you agree with that or not is really immaterial, in terms of the point in question; rather, the point is that this element appears to have swelled significantly, as a proportion of the attendees, in recent times. There have always been the moaners, almost fondly noted once upon time, but it seems that the players (some more than others) often suffer an onslaught of abuse, irrespective of their performance. Perhaps all of this has grown out of frustration at Athletic’s lack of success in recent years, having been in the same tier of the football league for twelve years, which of course closely followed a flit in the top flight.

 

At least these people turn up, though, and Athletic’s owners must be far more concerned with those who do not. So, what can be done; what should be done; and what is being done, to address this? One area in which the club have failed to capitalise is in attracting Oldham's large ethnic population to Boundary Park. Far more should be done to promote the club to this section of the town and perhaps Athletic could look to Leicester City as an example of how to do so. If they could increase gates to the level of the town’s population that Huddersfield manage to attract, then Athletic's average per game would be 9,423. Financially - even if it were executed through a more forward-thinking pricing initiative - the benefits to the club of almost an extra 4,000 on the gate would be enormous, moaners or otherwise! But it is, of course, all about how that might be achieved.

 

If Athletic stand any chance of doing so, they will need far more backing from the town at large. Unfortunately, though, one thing that has been ubiquitous, in relation to the club's attempts to make significant steps forward, and in particular with various stadium plans over the years, has been the immediate and vociferous objection, or at least lack of support, that such plans have faced.

 

Athletic's first real stadium plan came in the shape of Sportspark 2000, which was set to involve a very short move to the neighbouring Clayton Playing Fields. This came at a point when Athletic no longer owned Boundary Park and were assetless, but it was not too long before it became abundantly clear that Athletic would never see Sportspark 2000. It was vehemently opposed by local residents, who branded themselves the Clayton Action Group. When successive local councils sided with the objectors, presumably seeing the move as a vote-winner, the project was effectively killed off.

 

Over the few years that followed, Chris Moore came and went as owner of the club, throwing his money into signing players up on expensive contracts that would end up crippling the club financially when he up and left a couple of years on. Before doing so, leaving Athletic in administration, he sold off its only assets – the players. Fitz Hall, Chris Armstrong, Clint Hill, Josh Low and a whole host of other players from a squad that had gotten into the promotion playoffs, losing out to QPR, departed; many of them for vastly reduced fees. But this was one occasion in recent memory where there was spirited support for the club. Fans went to great ends to raise money to ensure Athletic’s survival. Their efforts saw Trust Oldham established and, a little while later, the arrival of three New York-based Englishmen, dubbed the Three Amigos (or TTA), meant that, after coming perilously close to an unthinkable extinction, Athletic would live on. Following such a terrible and uncertain summer, it was heartwarming to experience a season in which Athletic fans were brought to appreciate the simple existence of their club, in spite of the fact that anything other than relegation would have been classed as success.

 

Looking back now though, you have to wonder whether this has too easily forgotten. Today, Trust Oldham is an under-marketed and underused entity; whatever your views of the Trust, its place on the board should be valued and properly utilised so as to maintain a beneficial line of communication between the club and its fans. It constitutes a precious route for the fans’ voice to be heard in the Athletic’s boardroom. There are a whole host of arguments as to whether the Trust is actually representative of Athletic's fanbase and of whether it operates in the best manner, but one would expect that the concept of the Trust would be valued by all Athletic fans.

 

Appreciation for TTA has undoubtedly waned, in spite of the fact that they continue to act as Athletic’s financial crutch, by covering a reported £40k per month loss. Managers such as Brian Talbot, Ronnie Moore and then, Athletic’s very own, John Sheridan were all sacked after becoming unpopular with the club’s fanbase. An arguably cynical attitude has crept back into the terraces, questioning the club’s ambitions and the likelihood of progression in the future. All of this disquiet is borne out of frustration at Athletic’s having occupied the third division (in old money) of English football for such a long time. Of course, this drawn out stretch follows on from the honeymoon Athletic enjoyed under Joe Royle and so, for those that remember the top-flight football and massive cup ties, this just makes the current stagnation hurt all the more.

 

Many of those fans who turned out to watch Oldham in the top flight or on their trips to Wembley in both the League Cup and FA Cup competitions are long gone. It was a romantic time, with Athletic enjoying such an unexpected level of success, which is why it is commonly referred to as the “pinch-me” era; this contrasts starkly with the Athletic of the past decade, where the highlights have been FA Cup wins over Manchester City and Everton and two league campaigns ending in unsuccessful playoff bids. Such occasions have drawn back the stay-away fans but maintaining their interest has proven to be another matter.

 

After the slow recovery from the damage done by the manner of Chris Moore’s departure, years after the blueprints for Sportspark 2000 were consigned to the dustbin, the subject of stadium development was meaningfully broached again. However, the plan to purchase and relocate to land at Ferney Field was another that never really got off the ground. Again, Athletic suffered vehement opposition from local residents. Then, amidst rumours that the club’s owners were considering the option to redevelop Boundary Park – something Athletic argued at the time was no more than a back-up plan – the farmer who was in discussions to sell the 67-acre Ferney Field site to the club hastily withdrew from the deal, claiming that the club had failed to communicate with him properly. The residents who had objected to Athletic’s plan may well rue doing so, given more recent talk of a prison being built on the same site.

 

Following the rumours that saw the owner of Ferney Field withdraw from talks , Athletic’s next plan, the ill-fated Oldham Arena, was indeed one that involved a full-scale redevelopment of Boundary Park at a cost of £80 million. Contrary to previous statements, the club’s owners now stated that this had always been their preferred option. The Arena would incorporate conferencing facilities, a hotel, residential flats, in an effort to progress the club to a state of financial self-sufficiency. The plan was to redevelop stand-by-stand with the Broadway Stand, which was set to become the new main stand, up first. The project progressed further than its predecessors: as far as demolishing this stand and the Clayton Green club that was attached to the ground. Then came the credit crunch and, with that, work on Oldham Arena ground to a halt. The timing of the collapse of the property market and the subsequent recession could not have come at a worse time for this project. Funding for Oldham Arena was to be generated from sales of residential dwellings built by Athletic’s shirt sponsor at the time, Hillstone Developments. Hillstone has since gone into administration and, with no other developer inclined to step-in in this financial climate, the Oldham Arena project was put on hold indefinitely. This came as a far greater blow than previous failings as the project was so forward thinking and would not have meant leaving the club's spiritual home. If we didn't have bad luck...

 

The fallout was Athletic playing in front of the shamefully dated and rundown Chadderton Road and Main Stands, the respectable but uninspiring Rochdale Road End, and a demolition site for the foreseeable future. And this is how things stand today.

 

However, a new plan was recently unveiled which should see Athletic relocate to a brand new 12,000-seater stadium in Failsworth. It would seem that the club’s owners are not content with idea of waiting around for the property market to find its feet again before resuming the Boundary Park project, as they look to move full steam ahead with the current venture. In fact the club have placed on record their hope that the move will be complete for the beginning of the 2011/12 campaign. In spite of having the backing of the local council this time around, this one was no different to previous plans in being subject to instantaneous negative response from various parts of the town.

 

First of all, the Oldham Evening Chronicle printed a story regarding the plans, as well as one on the plight of amateur club, Failsworth Dynamos, who themselves had agreed a deal in principle for the land that Athletic are looking to move to, and felt aggrieved by the council’s intention to move forward with Athletic. There were some sensation quotes to the effect that Athetic’s plans would spell the end the Dynamos altogether; clearly this was somewhat impetuous and TTA have quickly indicated a willingness to embrace the Dynamos and accommodate their needs in Athletic’s new facilities. Publishing these articles, according to Athletic’s Chief Executive, Alan Hardy, constituted a breach of an agreement between the club, the council and the Chronicle (the club’s official media partner) for a coordinated release of the news by all parties. The club were further annoyed by more of what they saw as negative press in the Chronicle in the weeks that followed.

 

Again, the project faces opposition from residents local to the site, as well as Failsworth Dynamos, who continue to voice concerns despite Athletic’s pledge to make a home for them at the new ground. What is more, many Athletic supporters are disgruntled at the plan to move to the outskirts of Oldham, with a Manchester postcode, and so close to Manchester City’s Eastlands home. There have also been mutterings as to whether a 12,000 capacity is sufficient. Whatever your opinion on those issues, as a Latics fan, it seems indisputable that a new ground is imperative to the club’s survival. The club simply cannot be allowed to wither away in their current aged abode.

 

One worrying aspect of the current plan is the potential to alienate yet more Athletic fans, which, one need not to point out, the club can ill-afford. In amongst the statements relating to the current project, TTA have begun to talk about an exit strategy. But what would life in Failsworth, post-TTA, look like? It seems a little disconcerting that this project appears to be more geared towards that exit than the long-term future of the club.

 

Whilst it is refreshing to have council backing for the current venture, sadly, it comes as little surprise by now to witness the lack of support from the town at large and its leading local newspaper. Having watched their club staring eyeball-to-eyeball with death a few years ago does not appear to have been a sufficient jolt to bring the town as a whole out in support of Athletic. Whilst one can appreciate that there are many who have little interest in football as a spectator sport, then there are a great many who once were regular attendees but are now elsewhere of a Saturday afternoon, but those people should see the value of the football club to its ailing town, before it is too late. When Athletic supporters marched through the town, in an effort to push the council to support the Oldham Arena project, one exiled fan, put it most succinctly, “When I tell people I’m from Oldham, they immediate mention one of two things – Oldham Athletic or the race riots – what do you want the town to be known for?”

 

It is harsh to say but Oldham Athletic is one of the only positive features of the town in modern times and its people, football fans or not, will be far worse off should the club ever cease to exist.

 

But without the two pulling together, is it any wonder that the town and the football club alike have stagnated over the past decade or more?

 

Oldham 0-0 Oldham.

[opinions4u]

Huddersfiled were getting crowds of 6,00ish before their cheap season ticket initiative.

 

When Latics have got close to something big, the one thing TTA haven't done is pay a worthwhile transfer fee for a key player or two. I understand why they haven't. But that's what other sides do when promotion beckons.

 

A lack of faith and support for the youngsters, from both management and fans, doesn't help either.

 

The marketing of the football club has been poor for years - a £40k salary and £100k marketing budget could have comfortably paid for itself if used the right way.

 

If the food suppliers are unable to provide a pie to fans at half time it really doesn't make that fan want to return - especially if the side haven't won for 6 months+.

 

There needs to be a clear commitment that the new stadium development will have room for expansion (as Huddersfield's stadium originally had and eventually utilised) to give the town genuine belief and optimism - rather than providing ammunition to those who cite a lack of ambition for their alternative activities on Saturday afternoons.

Edited September 26, 2009 by opinions4u

[futchers briefs]

The apparant apathy of the public is far outweighed by the apathy of our local council over the years, hence so many problems and rejections.

 

A good article though by someone sounding like they may 'know' a thing or two about it all......

[rudemedic]

The apparant apathy of the public is far outweighed by the apathy of our local council over the years, hence so many problems and rejections.

 

A good article though by someone sounding like they may 'know' a thing or two about it all......

 

Oldham council obviously don't see a successful, well-backed (council-wise) sports team as a vote winner- judging by what has happened to Oldham's RL teams and us. (That bloke who made up his own stats- Bashforth was it- he didn't get re-elected did he). One of my biggest problems with the way Oldham is run and promoted is that too much focuses on Oldham itself- in part because of the stupid decision to have such close ties to the Chron (something I've said time and time again on here). Those people living in Heywood and Middleton whilst being technically part of Rochdale would in 80% of cases find it easier to get to BP than Spotland but I can't remember the club doing anything to promote the team in an area where OK has a lot of Man U and Citeh fans- but I would bet that most of them can't afford to pay £50 to watch one of their games but could afford the £25 (when you factor in transport) to watch Oldham (less if the club did some form of deal a la Leicester last year). I'm not just saying this because I'm originally from Heywood- its an example I'm sure they're are areas of Tameside, other parts of Dale, some parts of 'Manchester' etc. where the easiest professional club to get to which doesn't have Premiership prices is Oldham but the club has done less than all to promote the club in these areas. The apathetic of Oldham have had plenty of opportunity to support their team and unless we sign someone from the Indian sub-continent (bearing in mind we now have a Pole- and that hasn't increased our attendance by much) I can't see any new initatives being anything more than . That's one good thing about the possible move to Failsworth- is that it might actually force the club's marketing department to concentrate their efforts in a new area.

 

Loads of people have started following Oldham after one/two games- our American ladies for a kick-off- I'd be disappointed if they stop liking Oldham when certain players leave- TTA didn't watch that many games prior to buying the club. To be honest I think promoting the club in the town could be a lot better too- but I do believe promoting the club in some non-Oldham areas might be more cost effective.

 

Another good article from the insider though.

[Yard Dog]

Typical of Oldhamers to blame the council for the town and its football team's shortcomings. In reality though the two's shortcomings are due far more to the townsfolk than the council, in my opinion.

 

I never can quite understand how some Oldham fans feel so aggrieved at OMBC...how have they treated us so harshly over the years ?? So a few councillors tried to scupper the Oldham Arena plans...shock horror - some councillors actually stand up against a monstrosity of a development (I'm talking about the :censored:-flats here really)...I was annoyed as the next Oldham fan, but in reality the Oldham Arena was totally unsuitable for that location, even if the reasons given my some councillors didn't stand up to scrutiny, and the councillors have to consider the residents not just the football club.

[futchers briefs]

Typical of Oldhamers to blame the council for the town and its football team's shortcomings. In reality though the two's shortcomings are due far more to the townsfolk than the council, in my opinion.

 

I never can quite understand how some Oldham fans feel so aggrieved at OMBC...how have they treated us so harshly over the years ?? So a few councillors tried to scupper the Oldham Arena plans...shock horror - some councillors actually stand up against a monstrosity of a development (I'm talking about the :censored:-flats here really)...I was annoyed as the next Oldham fan, but in reality the Oldham Arena was totally unsuitable for that location, even if the reasons given my some councillors didn't stand up to scrutiny, and the councillors have to consider the residents not just the football club.

Oldham Borough Council have already let 1 out of the 2 professional sports teams (orlfc) go to waste...never backed the basketball - Oldham Celtics - beyond it's early years initiative and currently, regarding of councillor, have no wish whatsoever to back the sole surviving pro sports club in the town.

Grassroots football is a joke in terms of investment as are council pitches and facilities.....to let a football area like the clayton plaing fields go without changing facilities for nearly 5 years and charging teams full price is nothing short of legalised robbery....

OMBC have rejected, fought against, gained residents support against any sports club improvement for years ORLFC, OAFC, Chadderton FC, Oldham town FC, Hollinwood RLFC, Shaw Rhinos RLFC.....They sell land and try to move you on.....and if you don't then they make the facility that poor, that you quit!!!

That's how people of amateur/pro sport in Oldham we feel so aggrieved!!

 

[Yard Dog]

Oldham Borough Council have already let 1 out of the 2 professional sports teams (orlfc) go to waste...never backed the basketball - Oldham Celtics - beyond it's early years initiative and currently, regarding of councillor, have no wish whatsoever to back the sole surviving pro sports club in the town.

 

Sort of agree in regards to ORLFC - but, again, Overall, I will say that ORLFC's demise is down far more to the townsfolk than the council.

 

Grassroots football is a joke in terms of investment as are council pitches and facilities.....to let a football area like the clayton plaing fields go without changing facilities for nearly 5 years and charging teams full price is nothing short of legalised robbery....

Grassroots football facilities are a joke. It's the same up and down the country. I fail to see why us local council tax payers should pay any more than we already do towards sports facilities. It's about time the Govt. forced the FA and the PL to spread the wealth....

 

OMBC have rejected, fought against, gained residents support against any sports club improvement for years ORLFC, OAFC, Chadderton FC, Oldham town FC, Hollinwood RLFC, Shaw Rhinos RLFC.....They sell land and try to move you on.....and if you don't then they make the facility that poor, that you quit!!!

That's how people of amateur/pro sport in Oldham we feel so aggrieved!!

Care to add any meat to that....all of those teams get :censored:e support from their their fans and members and that is why they're in the :censored:. Teams that do get support from the local community - St. Annes, Waterhead and Saddleworth Rangers do OK.

 

And we were discussing OAFC anyway - again I ask for an explanation as to how the council have treated OAFC so harshly ..... ??

 

It's like some local people think the council is some sort of Illuminati fronted by half-lizard creatures on a secret mission to make the town disappear....

Edited September 27, 2009 by Yard Dog

[futchers briefs]

It's like some local people think the council is some sort of Illuminati fronted by half-lizard creatures on a secret mission to make the town disappear....

I suppose you could be right there.....

The debate regarding the councils involvement/lack of backing in professional sport in this town has been well documented time and again, I do agree that the apathy of the public/local business' also plays a part - however I just still believe that Pro sport in this town is not near the top of our local council agenda for future funding/backing.

I don't know if they can do any more, but i don't believe they have done enough in the past.

Anyway, they can't be wanting the town to disappear, we've got trams and academies coming now you know......

[opinions4u]

Anyway, they can't be wanting the town to disappear, we've got trams and academies coming now you know......

Trams just make it easier to get out, don't they?

 

[futchers briefs]

Trams just make it easier to get out, don't they?

 

[EASTLEY]

Sort of agree in regards to ORLFC - but, again, Overall, I will say that ORLFC's demise is down far more to the townsfolk than the council.

 

 

Grassroots football facilities are a joke. It's the same up and down the country. I fail to see why us local council tax payers should pay any more than we already do towards sports facilities. It's about time the Govt. forced the FA and the PL to spread the wealth....

 

 

Care to add any meat to that....all of those teams get :censored:e support from their their fans and members and that is why they're in the :censored:. Teams that do get support from the local community - St. Annes, Waterhead and Saddleworth Rangers do OK.

 

And we were discussing OAFC anyway - again I ask for an explanation as to how the council have treated OAFC so harshly ..... ??

 

It's like some local people think the council is some sort of Illuminati fronted by half-lizard creatures on a secret mission to make the town disappear....

 

I have to say that having in played on the council facilities in differing areas of the country, Bradford, Tameside, Warwickshire, Coventry and Birmingham that Oldham's are poor(I'm not talking about the G3 pitches)and I am not talking about any other than grass soccer pitches and associated changing rooms. The costs per season that I have been quoted are far more than those in warwickshire at the moment and to be honest the facilities available don't compare.

 

This isn't about the FA and premier league this about the government/councils helping promote a sense of community(local football clubs do this), give youngsters a sense of well being and achievement as well as encouraging physical exertion(to a point). It also keeps kids of the streets when there's nothing else to do.

 

This is not to knock Oldham but it does give the feel that the council do not see sport and particularly supporting amateur and professional football as high on their agenda and of benefit to the town. Maybe the council view is that there are other more beneficial ways of spending their limited incomes for the community as a whole.

 

[futchers briefs]

I have to say that having in played on the council facilities in differing areas of the country, Bradford, Tameside, Warwickshire, Coventry and Birmingham that Oldham's are poor(I'm not talking about the G3 pitches)and I am not talking about any other than grass soccer pitches and associated changing rooms. The costs per season that I have been quoted are far more than those in warwickshire at the moment and to be honest the facilities available don't compare.

 

This isn't about the FA and premier league this about the government/councils helping promote a sense of community(local football clubs do this), give youngsters a sense of well being and achievement as well as encouraging physical exertion(to a point). It also keeps kids of the streets when there's nothing else to do.

 

This is not to knock Oldham but it does give the feel that the council do not see sport and particularly supporting amateur and professional football as high on their agenda and of benefit to the town. Maybe the council view is that there are other more beneficial ways of spending their limited incomes for the community as a whole.

Precisely!

Excellently put.