Blu-Blood Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Apologies in advance for the lengthy post coming up, amongst a number of other Oldham memories I've taken this extract from an upcoming book, maybe won't make an obvious list of Latics moments, but certainly a memorable one... ...It wasn’t a particularly special goal in technique terms. It wasn’t scored by a legend of Oldham, let alone a football legend. It wasn’t in a massive game or local derby. It wasn’t even by someone who was with us for an entire season. It was a 20 year old who earned himself 2 months worth of contracts at the start of the 2003/04 season and made 13 appearances, a young lad by the name of Matt O’Halloran. At the time of writing, Matt is turning out for Lincoln Moorlands Railway, a long, long way away from league football. That for me is a shame, because Matt is someone who has a special place in my heart, and most importantly my eyes. He made me cry. It wasn’t even that ‘special’ a strike. It was a decent hit as I remember, but not breathtaking. It somehow though became the strike that made me (and I’m sure a good many other Latics fans) cry. It was the moment, the signal that Oldham Athletic had regained consciousness after a summer of intensive care when it looked, on more than one occasion, like our club would breathe no more. After a summer when former owner and Chris Moore had withdrawn his cash and rode off into the sunset leaving our club on the brink of liquidation. In the process, selling our best players who had come so close to sealing a place in the Championship for nothing and letting the remaining good players go for free. O’Halloran had been drafted in as a cheap stop gap, one of a rag-tag bunch of journeyman pro’s and young, unproven castoffs. The pre-season friendlies that summer had been a mix of trial matches for anyone and everyone who could lace a pair of boots, and fund-raising celebrity/ex-pro exhibition games. It was sometimes difficult to tell the two types apart such was the bottom of the barrel that was being scrapped to bring people in. Needs certainly did must at the start of the 2003/04 season, indeed the fact that we had a club at all to kick off the season was enough for most of us. It really isn’t an exaggeration to say that we were hours, if not minutes away from the club going out of business. So it didn’t matter that they were a rag-tag bunch, they were our rag-tag bunch. As you’d expect with such a summer of turmoil we hadn’t started the season that well. 6 games into the season we’d gained 1 point, a remarkable one at that as a once retired John Sheridan stroked home a penalty that went some way to earning Latics a 2-2 draw against just relegated Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Sheridan even then in his 30’s had the knees of a 65 year old. Still 6 games in and we were in the relegation zone and the season was looking longer by the game. Matt O’Halloran, who made his first start in Latics blue in that Sheffield Wednesday game, was on the bench for the visit of Rushden and Diamonds, a side that had been rushing through the divisions backed by the Dr Martens millions of Max Griggs, with future Oldham manager Brian Talbot in charge. Things had started well in the game itself with the legend John Sheridan, creaking knees n’all slotting home an early penalty. Then Onandi Lowe, a name many Soccer Saturday viewers will remember, hit a screamer from fully 35 yards that arrowed into the goal in front of me and Andy and Rushden were level. It was the kind of goal that gets scored against you when you’re at the bottom. A frustratingly great goal for opposition fans such as us. You just know that even if the player in question has a habit of long distance strikes, it would still be the only one of he’ll ever hit, and he’s scored it against you. We played excellently in that first half and should’ve been further in front, however it wasn’t until the 2nd half that we scored again. This time Mr Michelle Marsh (aka Will Haining) scrabbled home a scrappy goal to put us 2-1 up, before Marcus Bignot scored for Rushden in the 81st minute. We were broken. I turned to Andy, and he gave me the same look I knew was on my face, the one of depressing inevitability. We had deserved to win the game, yet here we were level at 2-2 desperate for a win of any kind, it looked a long way off and we knew it. Oldham manager Iain Dowie took the final, and only, gamble he could, throwing on the youngsters Carlos Roca (from the youth team) and Matt O’Halloran on in the 85th minute. In all honesty it felt like nothing more than a token gesture to see if anything, just anything could happen. Inevitably the final 5 minutes rushed by and the stewards were out lining up ready for the full time whistle. 4 minutes of injury time were almost up when the ball was played into young striker Scott Vernon. He teed up the young, unassuming blond lad who from almost nowhere arrowed a shot towards the Chaddy End goal. Even with a defender trying his best to get in the way there was no stopping it, and in that way that always seems to happen at these moment, for the split-ist of split seconds a collective intake of breath meant it seemed to go deathly quiet. Then booooooooom! The crowd exploded, Andy and I were jumping like men possessed and 5,000 Oldham fans were going mental. Matt O’Halloran, had produced a moment that will live with me forever. This future nobody of league football hit the goal that gave us win number one of the 2003/04 season and something even more important. It was the moment a summer of heartache, worry, stress and devastation came flooding out of us all. Well it certainly came flooding out of me. In the midst of the celebrations, at the end of a huge primeval, braveheart style roar of celebration, I felt the tears of relief rolling down my face. We’d done it, my club felt saved and it felt good. Thank you Mr Matt O’Halloran. Matt O'Halloran, the reason I turned up to PE at school the following Monday with new White Adidas football boots, the same as he wore ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piglinbland Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 One of the best nights at BP (for me, anyway) has to be the Anglo-Scottish Cup 2nd leg match against Morton. It would have been about 1978 and we were 3-0 down from the first leg. Their manager had made scathing remarks in the press about the inferior nature of the English second division game and we went on to stuff them 4-0 and win 4-3 on aggregate. It was a poor crowd, even for a mid-week game, but for some reason the atmosphere in the Chaddy was unbelievable. I think we got battered in the next round by Burnley. Does anyone else remember this game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dec666 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'd love to see the Hazell and Allot goals again, pretty sure they're gonners though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelatics Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Gary Mac hitting the winner at Goodison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBosch Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 1. The launch of the new badge 2. A mate of mine getting butted by a Police horse in the queue for the Southampton Littlewoods Cup game 3. The "We Want Lees's Out" sit in protest 4. Alan Hardy's Bovril powder reduction initiative 5. Steve Bashforths "One Man, Two Cars" phenomenon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics_Fanatic Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 was you not there to witness mark allots volley from about 20 yard from a corner away at huddersfield infront of about 3000 latics?? WHAT a moment!!! atmosphere that day was ridiculously good aswell Forgot about that goal... wish someone had it somewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimsleftfoot Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 We never equalised at Spurs in the Prem Jim. We drew 0-0 in Old 1st Div in January 1992. Then April 1993 we took the lead through Darren Beckford then shipped 4. 5 months later we were dicked 5-0.... I Just realised I quoted the wrong post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelatics Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 When I first started to follow Latics in 1958 I remember one day asking my dad if he thought that Latics would ever play in the first division or play at wembley. He looked at me kindly and shook his head. Sadly he passed away before Latics achieved both and I must admit as Latics were led out by Joe Royle at the League Cup Final I thought of him and tears welled up in my eyes with pride at my little team. The result was immaterial to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Add Danny Philliskirk's great display tonight to the memory bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pukka Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Unless we win the cup.. Jordan Boves display will be as memorable to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc-latics Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I always remember Dean Holden scoring from 30 yards away at Notts County a few years back, mainly because I was in the county main stand and was jumping up to celebrate. I was only a kid and my dad had to sit me down and explain why all the locals were staring at us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC0AFC Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I do think the goal was better. Just searched YouTube and can't find it - if it's not on there and you're reading Prozac is that within your database to upload at some point? i have a lready asked and searched the web pages:( no where to be found.. such a shame for such a goal!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagger Lee Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 (edited) -latics-moments-youll-never-forget Losing to Burnley in the Anglo Scottish cup final Losing to Fulham in FA cup 3rd round at home in the mid 80's, Fulham fans came to the ground very late but just in time to see there team win. I was left in the Chaddy end on my own after the game devastated,despondent beyond belief, and frankly close to tears at the :censored: team i supported. However I resigned my self to supporting a team of of none achievers for life even though I would never see my team successful. last game of Frizzel as manager - a 3-0 win at Leyton and riding in the train back home with the team. Frizzel came over for a chat and gave me some of the teams sandwiches to eat. Just before the train got back to Manchester Frizzel said his goodbyes to the team. When I read much later that Frizzel was sacked I knew that he had known. Winning at main road with roger palmer scoring a hat trick (was it 1988?) Winning 3-1 against the Arse - They were league and league cup winners and we did not just beat them but outplayed and outclassed them - great times were coming to Oldham. Just before Nial Quinn scored a late goal I reflected back on how upset I had been against Fulham several years before. Any and every game I saw us play in the old first division /premier league Edited November 13, 2013 by Stagger Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelatics Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Jimmy Frizzell! He married my cousins daughter. I remember my Uncle Willy bringing Jimmy to our house. Nice man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelatics Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Alan McNeil was a midfielder for Latics under Frizzell. Although talented he was very lazy. He specialised in the pointing department. Pointing to his colleagues to mark the opposition whilst he wandered around doing his own sweet thing. Of course this always drew a few barbed comments from the Latics supporters. On one occasion it must have been a bit too much because this little man in front of me turned round and shouted with some feeling, "Leave him alone, he's my son in law!' Naturally the Latics supporters apologised and proceeded to offer encouragement for the rest of the match - well maybe in his dreams!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chorlton_Latic Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) Most of them pretty obvious, but here's mine... 5. Leyton Orient A 1-1 2012/13 Not for the unremarkable game and result, but just for the sheer relief of safety and the absurdly brilliant atmosphere. Walsall away a week after the cup escapades is one of the very lowest ebbs I’ve had watching Latics. Watching a team devoid of life, fight and passion. I genuinely thought it was curtains for us. I thought about how I felt that day while we settled in to O’s luxury away end seats and couldn’t have been more happy to still be in this Division. Throw in Jose Baxters’ baby giving us on demand waves, tales of Cheryl Cole, watching Hulk Hogan queue for a half time pie, bantz with the balcony fans and being sat behind the cast of Father Ted - this day will live long in the memory!!! 4. Stockport A 2-1 2002/03 – Packed 2 sides of Edgeley on a day which included an unexpected but glorious appearance from The Boshmeister general, but to surmise briefly…. 93rd minute free kick…….EYYYYYYYYRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSYSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joint 3. Man City A 2-1 1998/99 Our masseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeef neighbours were on a 13 game unbeaten streak and fresh from twatting Burnley at Turd Moor 6-0 the previous Tuesday, we were on our arse without a win in 4 defeats and 1 draw in 5, a run which included an embarrassing defeat at Macclesfield. Queue a team that gave absolutely everything they had, and add one of the best individual performances I will ever see from a footballer (arise Sir Gary Kelly!! ) and you know what happened next. ‘I never felt more like singin’ the bluuuuuuues!!!’ Joint 3. Man City H 1-0 2004/05 With the summer of utter hell still on everyone’s minds and a very weak squad struggling at the bottom, this could’ve been a royal dicking, but I’d still have been proud of my boys. What proceeded next was just euphoric as we dominated the first, and proper backs to the wall stuff 2nd half, with Pogs in outstanding form. Watching a 40 year old Eyresy selling a dummy and skinning Danny Mills who promptly fell on his arse was also a highlight. All the talk from City fans I know in the build up were of bettering Tottenham’s 6-0 tonking earlier in the season. Oh my word did I give it large to those Citeh fans that week and bask in the glorious wine from their sour grapes!!!!!!! This is the moment I felt our club was well and truly alive and kicking again!!! 2. Leeds 3-1 & Everton 1-0 2007/08 – Leeds unbeaten at home, Everton’s last 2 defeats were to Utd & Arsenal. How the hell did we do that?!?! Ridiculous atmospheres, at Everton especially as the chip shop fire allowed us to get more tanked up and even more rowdy by the time kick off rolled around, and after Gaz Mac’s thriker dipped over Wessels on the stroke of half time, it was just pandemonium. I completely lost my voice for a good few days. What a feckin week that was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1. Liverpool H 2012/2013 – It has to top it for me. I’ve never felt such joy from a football game. The electric atmosphere of a packed Boundary Park, the early goal only served to send us even more wild. Every ball was fought for with passion seldom seen under Dickov. Even at the time, I didn’t think winning this match was actually a genuine possibility until we somehow extended the lead through Wabara’s ridiculous header. I had a mini breakdown when Gerrard hit the bar, but we held on. We did it and I ended up sounding like the girl from the Exorcist again due to the non-stop screaming!!! As I walked up the Chaddy steps afterwards after a good 20 mins celebrating, I looked back onto the joyful faces as ‘Boys in Blue’ blared through our rag tag sound system and thought back to all the times since 1992 I have made this pilgrimage in rain/hurricane/snow storm, how I’ve pretty much felt every emotion possible in those 300+ games I’ve attended. How I’d will the school week to end to be on the Chaddy End with my kind. Even little things like the hotter-than-the-sun hot chocolate me old Man used to buy me at half time as a nipper. I thought how close to near death this club came and how we came through. Most of all it brought home what a huge part of my life this club is to me, and I don’t know what I’d do without it. I was fighting to hold back the tears. These days are so few far and between, but I would not swap following Latics for anything in the world. Oldham Athletic, I :censored:ing love you!! Edited November 14, 2013 by cheshire_latic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pukka Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) "5. Leyton Orient A 1-1 2012/13 Not for the unremarkable game and result, but just for the sheer relief of safety and the absurdly brilliant atmosphere." We were dressed as priests. I ended up in Altrincham having fallen asleep hammered on the tram going in the wrong direction. Great day Edited November 14, 2013 by pukka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC0AFC Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Most of them pretty obvious, but here's mine... 5. Leyton Orient A 1-1 2012/13 Not for the unremarkable game and result, but just for the sheer relief of safety and the absurdly brilliant atmosphere. Walsall away a week after the cup escapades is one of the very lowest ebbs Ive had watching Latics. Watching a team devoid of life, fight and passion. I genuinely thought it was curtains for us. I thought about how I felt that day while we settled in to Os luxury away end seats and couldnt have been more happy to still be in this Division. Throw in Jose Baxters baby giving us on demand waves, tales of Cheryl Cole, watching Hulk Hogan queue for a half time pie, bantz with the balcony fans and being sat behind the cast of Father Ted - this day will live long in the memory!!! 4. Stockport A 2-1 2002/03 Packed 2 sides of Edgeley on a day which included an unexpected but glorious appearance from The Boshmeister general, but to surmise briefly. 93rd minute free kick.EYYYYYYYYRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSYSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joint 3. Man City A 2-1 1998/99 Our masseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeef neighbours were on a 13 game unbeaten streak and fresh from twatting Burnley at Turd Moor 6-0 the previous Tuesday, we were on our arse without a win in 4 defeats and 1 draw in 5, a run which included an embarrassing defeat at Macclesfield. Queue a team that gave absolutely everything they had, and add one of the best individual performances I will ever see from a footballer (arise Sir Gary Kelly!! ) and you know what happened next. I never felt more like singin the bluuuuuuues!!! Joint 3. Man City H 1-0 2004/05 With the summer of utter hell still on everyones minds and a very weak squad struggling at the bottom, this couldve been a royal dicking, but Id still have been proud of my boys. What proceeded next was just euphoric as we dominated the first, and proper backs to the wall stuff 2nd half, with Pogs in outstanding form. Watching a 40 year old Eyresy selling a dummy and skinning Danny Mills who promptly fell on his arse was also a highlight. All the talk from City fans I know in the build up were of bettering Tottenhams 6-0 tonking earlier in the season. Oh my word did I give it large to those Citeh fans that week and bask in the glorious wine from their sour grapes!!!!!!! This is the moment I felt our club was well and truly alive and kicking again!!! 2. Leeds 3-1 & Everton 1-0 2007/08 Leeds unbeaten at home, Evertons last 2 defeats were to Utd & Arsenal. How the hell did we do that?!?! Ridiculous atmospheres, at Everton especially as the chip shop fire allowed us to get more tanked up and even more rowdy by the time kick off rolled around, and after Gaz Macs thriker dipped over Wessels on the stroke of half time, it was just pandemonium. I completely lost my voice for a good few days. What a feckin week that was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1. Liverpool H 2012/2013 It has to top it for me. Ive never felt such joy from a football game. The electric atmosphere of a packed Boundary Park, the early goal only served to send us even more wild. Every ball was fought for with passion seldom seen under Dickov. Even at the time, I didnt think winning this match was actually a genuine possibility until we somehow extended the lead through Wabaras ridiculous header. I had a mini breakdown when Gerrard hit the bar, but we held on. We did it and I ended up sounding like the girl from the Exorcist again due to the non-stop screaming!!! As I walked up the Chaddy steps afterwards after a good 20 mins celebrating, I looked back onto the joyful faces as Boys in Blue blared through our rag tag sound system and thought back to all the times since 1992 I have made this pilgrimage in rain/hurricane/snow storm, how Ive pretty much felt every emotion possible in those 300+ games Ive attended. How Id will the school week to end to be on the Chaddy End with my kind. Even little things like the hotter-than-the-sun hot chocolate me old Man used to buy me at half time as a nipper. I thought how close to near death this club came and how we came through. Most of all it brought home what a huge part of my life this club is to me, and I dont know what Id do without it. I was fighting to hold back the tears. These days are so few far and between, but I would not swap following Latics for anything in the world. Oldham Athletic, I :censored:ing love you!! what a cracking post, nearly had my kleenex tissues out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ritchie Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 what a cracking post, nearly had my kleenex tissues out Kleenex? Posh bastard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanuts Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 kl Kleenex? Posh bastard kleenex kleenex :censored:in izal ya pussy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 what a cracking post, nearly had my kleenex tissues out It was a very good post granted but it didn't make me want to crack one off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebOAFC Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 I can't believe no-one's mentioned Ryan Sugden relegating Blackpool yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chorlton_Latic Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 I can't believe no-one's mentioned Ryan Sugden relegating Blackpool yet Oh yes - last minute in a crucial game for them. I think they had to win to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Stitch did his best to give them 3 points on a plate by playing Stuart Thom up front, and Tipton as a wing back (remember them?!). Can still see those lashers faces as their pitch invasion was spoiled by Sugden sticking out a leg to knock a scrappy goal home in injury time to equalise and relegate them. That's gotta hurt!!! They had a grudge against us for a good while after that, I remember, although they've more than had their share of revenge against us since then Similar scenario where we had feck all to play for and nearly relegated Burnley by coming back from 3-1 down at half time to draw 3-3 with 10 men in last home game of 97/98. Really wish we could've stuck the nail in to that particular coffin and sent them down, but just knowing they'd be :censored:ting themselves on the last day was funny enough at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chorlton_Latic Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 It was a very good post granted but it didn't make me want to crack one off. I dunno, the whole post was probably choc full of subconscious phallic references. I'm a right filthy bastard, me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlossopLatic Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 It is weird, but I tried to make my list the top five 'moments', that is the feeling they gave in that split second. As for best 90 minutes Liverpool can't be touched for me (missed out on the '90s thanks to the inconvenience of being a burping farting child for the majority) but that equaliser against Everton just reignited my belief at the absolute last possible second, having resigned myself to defeat. I remember thinking that once Everton went ahead early in the second half their was a possibility that the flood gates could open but we kept going the players dug deep the crowd stayed with the players. For me the best performance from the boundary park crowd and through sheer persistence desire and will power from everyone we got the equaliser. The wins against man city Everton and Liverpool were bigger wins they were about getting ahead in the game and holding on for dear life. This was different we had to come from behind. I think the fact the draw is seen as the greater moment for many is proof that their is nothing more dramatic in football than a last minute goal. Would mark Hughes goal felt so painful had it come 10 minutes earlier. Would that goal from Neal redfearn felt the same had it come much earlier in the game? A stand out theme seems to be late goals which might turn an average game into a great one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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