Saddleworth Independent Sports Editor Tony Bugby brings us the latest from Oldham Athletic FC.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC’S exit from the Emirates FA Cup was yet another bitter pill to swallow in this challenging campaign.
In the wake of Latics’ financial difficulties, the club desperately needed to make it through to the third round for the chance to land a lucrative tie against the likes of Liverpool and Everton, opponents in recent years.
But the loss at Sheffield United will make it even more difficult for Latics in the remaining months of the season.
The campaign has yet to reach its mid-way point yet Latics are in the Sky Bet League One relegation places, only one point off bottom spot.
Players and staff have been paid late for each of the last three months such are the cash-flow problems at SportsDirect.com Park.
The new North Stand may finally be occupied by fans, but the inside is still far from complete. And that is the floor space that will generate income 24/7 from conference and banqueting facilities and hiring out office space.
While it is an impressive and imposing structure – the cost is apparently in the region of £5.5m-£6.5m – it has not been an unqualified success.
Fans at the FA Cup replay against Mansfield, for example, received a drenching as the monsoonal conditions proved the new stand is far from watertight and, it would appear, there is a flaw in the design if supporters are not protected from the elements.
That simply added to the displeasure of disgruntled supporters who have vented their anger at the plight of the club as it struggles on the pitch – admittedly a lengthy injury list has not helped their cause.
They are also voting with their feet and staying away with attendances at both home and away games down sharply.
There were times when Latics would have had a 1,500 strong travelling army at Crewe where this year the number was down to 414.
I keep hearing reports from media colleagues that owner/chairman Simon Corney is telling them he is desperate to sell the club.
And it is against this depressing backdrop, that rookie manager David Dunn is charged with the challenge of keeping Latics in League One.
It certainly is a baptism of fire for the former Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and England midfielder and December looks like being a pivotal month for the team.
Home games against Millwall and Doncaster Rovers and away fixtures at Coventry and Blackpool sees Latics tackling teams either challenging for promotion or battling relegation.
And they don’t go into those games exactly brimming with confidence on the back of a run of four straight defeats.
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