Conference trucks::football;1

Gary,

Fancy you of all people making such a "schoolboy error"...

It's Oldham Athletic FC, not just plain Oldham.

(Boundary Park was where my grandad took me to see my first ever football
match!)

Tarik

    
    I stand corrected.
    
    Gary.

    
    Here is a little of the background to 'The Latics'.
    
    Ground:		Boundary Park Oldham
    
    Ground Capacity:    16,500
    
    Record Attendance:	47,671 v Sheffield Wednesday FA Cup 4th rd. 1930
    
    Year formed:	1894.
    
    Turned Professional:1899.
    
    Ltd Co.		1906.
    
    Club Nickname:	'The Latics'.
    
    Previous Names:	1894 Pine Villa, 1899 Oldham Athletic.
    
    Previous Ground:	Sheepfoot Lane; 1905, Boundary Park. 
    
    Managers since 1946:Bob Mellor, Frank Womak, Billy Wooton, George
    Hardwick, Ted Goodier, Peter McKennan, Norman Dodgin, Jack Rowley, Les
    McDowell, Gordon Hurst, Jimmy McIlroy, Jack Rowley, Jimmy Frizzell,
    Joe Royle (14).
    
    Record Victory: 11-0 v Southport, Division 4 26 December 1962.
    
    Most league points (2 for a win):62, Division 3, 1974-74.
    
    Most league points (3 for a win):88, Division 2, 1990-91.
    
    Most league goals: 95 Division 4, 1962-63.
    
    Highest League scorer in season: Tom Davis, 33, Division3 (N), 1936-37.
    
    Most League Goals in total aggregate:Roger Palmer, 115 (and rising).
    
    Most capped player:Graeme Sharp (?).
    
    Most League Appearances: Ian Wood 525, 1966-80.
    
    Record Transfer Recieved: 850,000from Everton for Mike Milligan 1990.
    
    Record Transfer Fee Paid: 650,000 to Everton For Mike Milligan 1991.
    
    Football League Record: 1907 Elected to Division 2; 1910-23 Division1;
    
    1923-35 Division 2; 1935-53 Division 3(N); 1953-54 Division 2; 
    1954-58 Division 3; 1958-63 Division 4; 1963-69 Division3;
    1969-71 Division 4; 1971-74 Division 3; 1974-91 Division 2;
    1991-   Division 1.
    
    Honours:
    
    Football League: Division 1 - Runners-up 1914-1915; 
    Division 2 Champions 1990-91, Runners-up 1909-10;
    Division 3 (N) - Champions 1952-53;
    Division 3 - Champions 1973-74;
    Division 4 - Runners-up 1962-63;
    F.A. Cup: Semi-final 1913, 1990;
    League Cup: Finalists 1990.    
    
    Colours
    Royal Blue shirts trimmed with red.
    Royal Blue shorts.
    Royal blue socks.
    
    Away Strip: All Red.
    
                                                      

    
    Here are the fixtures for the coming season:-
    
    August
    
    17	Liverpool 	(Away) what a start!
    21	Chelsea		(Home)
    24	Norwich		(Home)
    28	Man United	(Away)
    31	Notts Forest	(Away)
    
    September
    
    04	Coventry	(Home)
    07  Sheff United	(Home)
    14  Luton Town	(Away)
    21	Crystal Palace	(Home)
    28	Man City	(Away)
    
    October
    
    05	Southampton	(Home)
    19	West Ham United (Home)
    26	Leeds United	(Away)
    
    November
    
    02	Notts County	(Away)
    16	Arsenal		(Home) On the same date as we beat them in the
    League cup 2 years ago.
    23	Q.P.R.		(Away)
    30	Aston Villa	(Home)
    
    December
    
    07	Wimbledon	(Away)
    14	Everton         (Home)
    21	Chelsea         (Away)
    26	Man Utd         (Home)
    28	Notts Forest	(Home)
    
    January
    
    01	Sheff Weds	(Away)
    11	Norwich		(Away)
    16	Liverpool	(Home)
    29	Spurs		(Away)
    
    February
    
    01	West Ham United	(Away)
    08	Leeds United	(Home)
    15	Q.P.R.		(Home)
    22	Aston Villa	(Away)
    29	Wimbledon	(Home)
    
    March
    
    07	Everton		(Away)
    11	Arsenal		(Away)
    14	Notts County	(Home)
    21	Coventry City	(Away)
    28	Sheff Weds	(Home)
    
    April
    
    04	Sheff United	(Away)
    11	Luton Town	(Home)
    18	Crystal Palace	(Away)
    20	Spurs		(Home)
    25	Southampton	(Away)
    
    May
    
    02	Man City	(Home) Should be a good atmosphere if anything is
    at stake.
    

    
    Liverpool tommorrow at Anfield I'll settle for 2 - 0 (if we are lucky).
    Just hope that John Barnes doesn't play do to his niggling little
    injury. I just hope that the forwards can continue their fine
    goal-scoring form that they displayed in their pre-season friendlies
    netting 22 goals in six games with Sharp getting six, but the league is 
    totally different as we all know.
    
    Good luck Latics I think you will need it.
    
    G.

    
    
    Is Sharp fit for tomorrow ? - I heard that he'd picked up a bad injury
    in the pre-season games.
    
    Paul

    
    Sharp was fit for the game on saturday it was just a pity that he could
    not put away a chance he had in the last minute apparently Bruce made a
    great save. Apparently McMahon tried to hospitalise him in the first
    half ( I wonder how many hit lists that bloke is on).
    
    It was dissapointing to lose after playing so well but Liverpool are
    always very strong in the last quater of any game and to lose
    concentration against them is fatal. No point crying over spilt milk
    the score was 2-1 and I am sure Liverpool will improve.
    
    Chelsea at home on Wednesday which should be an entertaining game I
    just hope that we have not picked up to many injuries. It will be
    interesting to see the state of the pitch I just hope it is in decent
    condition but that may asking a little to much after the ripping up of
    the artificial surface at the end of last season. We used to have one
    of the best grass surfaces in the football league with sub-soil heating
    but then we went plastic. Thank God we changed back.
    
    G.
    

    
    By all acounts the 'Latics' were beaten by the best side seen at
    Boundary Park this season. 
    
    Oldhan will just have to knuckle down and fight their way back up the
    table.
    
    Torquay in the League Cup midweek I just hope we can beat them to get
    the confidence level back up again.
    
    Gerry.
    

    
    I am just glad I am not a Torquay fan. The atmosphere on the coach
    going back last night must have been lousy.
    
    Ritchie notched up four as the 'Latics' took Torquay apart. I supposr
    Joe Royle will blood some youngsters for the return leg in a fortnight.
    
    Gerry.
    

    
    Just a query ???????????
    
    How are Milligan and Sharp doing this season ?????
    
    I think i saw their names on a score sheet somewhere ...
    
    
    
    Liam

    
    It would seem that Sharp has it in his contract that Joe Royle should
    not take him off even if he is not playing well. He did score on a
    regular basis in the pre-season friendlies but he hasn't scored in the
    league yet as he has left that mostly to Ian Marshall (another
    ex-evertonian). He has lead the line well but he already has a
    reputation for whimpimg out of 50/50 situations.
    
    Milligan has not yet recovered his old form but as usual when the chips
    are down you can rely on him to keep trying even if he is not playing
    well.
    
    There is a feeling amongst the supporters that what they really need is
    someone to put their foot on the ball which is what Milligan used to do 
    but seems to have lost the knack of creating time for himself. One
    person who would fit the bill is Jan Molby but I am not sure whether he
    would have the inclination or Oldham would have the money.
    
    We play City on Saturdayat Maine Road, which was a happy hunting ground
    in our second division days except that Boundary Park was a happy
    hunting ground for them.
    
    I suppose a lot of the game will centre around how Kilcline copes with 
    Quinn and has Barrett enough pace to stay with White, we shall see.
    
    I shall be away for a couple of weeks by which time we should have
    progressed into the next round of the Rumbelows Cup and hopefully we
    should have recouped some points from Southampton, as I think we will
    do well to get anything from City on Saturday.
    
    Gerry.
       

    
    I have been away for a while, during which quite a lot has happened.
    
    We beat City at our happy hunting ground of Maine Road I wouldn't mind
    betting tha they do well at Boundary Park on the last day of the
    season.
    
    Graeme Sharp finally scored some goals for the club the two against
    City and one against Torquay in the 7-1 win, this tie was sewn up with
    a 2-0 win at Plainmoor.
    
    We had a disapointing 1-1 draw with Southampton at home where Ian
    McDonald made his debut after we put another 500,000 in Everton's bank
    account, given that he gifted us a goal in the F.A. Cup a couple of
    years ago I will reserve judgement on this one until I have seen him
    play.
    
    We have also drawn Derby County in the Rumbelows Cup at home, which I
    see as being a very difficult tie.
    
    Tommorrow it is West Ham United at home. West Ham have not had the best
    of luck in their last three visits to Boundary Park I just hope that
    their luck doesn't change on Saturday, let us hope that Richard Jobson
    and Earl Barrett can cope with Mike Small and Trevor Morley and that
    their keeper has an off-day. We shall see but I daresay it will not be
    a 0-0 draw.
    
    Gerry.
      

    Good prediction Gerry....certainly was not a 0-0 game, in fact the 2-2
    scoreline according to the Sunday rags was a surprise with the Oldham
    keeper saving the day ( 4 times from Small, 1 from Morley, and Morley
    being subb'd after missing 2 sitters! )...
    
    Ps.  Did anyone go to the match?  What happened on the first Oldham
    goal?  I heard a Oldham player went down so West ham sidelined the 
    ball so he could get treatment. From the throw-in Oldham passed back
    to their own forwards and scored....I thought this would happen one
    day.   

    
    Didn't get to the game on saturday so I can't comment on the throw-in
    incident. It would appear that the 'Latics' can only lift themselves
    for the bigger games nowadays.
    
    If the games that Oldham had played had lasted 80 minutes instead of 90
    then we would be in the top six not the bottom six, yet again we have
    thrown away the point in the last ten minutes.
    
    We have got Leeds on Saturday at Elland Road, which I do not fancy us
    for at all despite our apparent good record against Leeds in recent
    seasons. Since Leeds were promoted we have had no joy at all at Elland
    Road, still stranger things have happened, but with the class players
    that Leeds have nowadays I just can't see it somehow.
    
    Gerry.
    

    
    
    QPR 1 OLDHAM 3
    
    Any match comments.
    
    Good away win on any account.
    
    Any more info though ??
    
    mac

    
    RE: Any comments.
    
    Sorry for the delay but I have been out of the office and up to my ears
    in it when I have been in.
    
    I did actually go to the game with a QPR fan (it was a bit quiet on the
    way home).
    
    It was a cracking game which could have ended up about 10-6 to Oldham.
    The bizarre thing was that although four goals were scored and there
    were chances throughout the game, all four goals came in a five minute
    period in the first half. Oldham had been threatening to score for some
    time with Marshall fluffing a couple of good chances, before Henry was
    put through after a neat move, when he had ample time to place the bal
    in to the net, with the Rangers defenders looking on like statues. A
    minute later the Latics were two up with a good goal some of you may
    have seen it on the Match as one of 'the goals of the day'. The ball
    was played out of the Oldham half it was laid wide to Marshall who put
    a cross to the far post where Roger Palmer put a neat angled header
    into the net. Two minutes later Rangers pulled a goal back through
    Ferdinand when Hallworth came to far for a cross, and Ferdinand soared
    above him to put the ball into the empty net.
    
    One minute later Oldham restored their two goal advantage after Sharp
    looped the ball over the Keeper from very close range after some neat
    inter-play in the Rangers area. There were many more chances on both
    sides in the second there two good saves by both the Keepers from
    Palmer ans Sinton, the funniest thing in the second-half was the
    miskick by Sharp when he had the goal at his mercy.
    
    Quite why it took Sinton 70 mins to get into the game was a mystery to
    me, perhaps it was a feature of Flemings marking which kept him quiet
    for so long. Wilkins distribution was very good as usual but his
    marking was very poor as he allowed Palmer virtually free reign to
    creat havock (he could have had six never mind one). 
    
    Having seen Rangers last week, I wonder just how bad Notts County are
    nowadays if Rangers beat them and forced over 20 corners.
    
    On saturday we came from behind twice to win the game in the 86th
    minute, when Sharp put away Les Sealey's parry. Blake put Villa ahead
    with a blinding shot after we had failed to clear a corner, Sharp
    equalised from the spot. Regis put away a classic downwards header to
    regain the laed for Villa (again from a corner, Royle will have to
    something about that). Royle brought Holden on and he provided the
    crosses for both the final two goals the first being for Palmer. 
    
    Two wins on the trot then for the Latics, which is great preparation
    for the Rumbelows Cup-Tie with "lucky" United. Let us hope we can
    revenge some poor refereeing decisions when we met in the League in
    August., though on present League form we will be lucky to come away
    with a replay.
    
    Poor old Frank Bunn announced his retirement today as he has not yet
    recovered from the Knee injury he received in the Rumbelows Cup final.
    I just hope all goes well with big Frankthough i daresay the Leeds
    united fans will not be sad to see the back of him as he had a habit of
    scoring against them. 
    
    Regretably I will be away in Leeds until seven that night (just my
    luck) and I will be in Oldham when we play the wombles at Selhurst
    Park.  
    
	G.
    

    
    Sorry to see Frankie Bunn having to retire.  I bet Scarborough will be
    glad to see the back of him too.  :-)
    
    Gary.

    
    The supporters of Oldham Athletic would like to wish everyone a Merry
    Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    
    G.

                      <<< Note 41.18 by SAC::MAGUIRE_G >>>
                         -< Merry Christmas Everyone! >-

    
>>    The supporters of Oldham Athletic would like to wish everyone a Merry
>>    Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    
>>    G.

Gerry,

Fanx for an early xmas present, 4-2

T_

    
    Ton,
    
    Don't thank me thank the ref.
    
    1) Jobson is pushed in the back by Dixon and handles the ball, the ref
    gives a pen!
    
    2) Our keeper gets nowhere near a shot the ref still gives a corner
    from the corner Elliot scores.
    
    Still at least I am not as sick as the United fans this morning, what a
    shambles they were yesterday.
    
    Happy New Year!!
    
    G.
    

    
    The 'Latics' finally kept a clean sheet, only Chelsea and Torquay had
    been unable to beat our very charitable defence before Saturday. Still
    the point is very welcome after our recent dismal performances. I
    wonder what the odds were on a 0-0 draw at the bookies beforehand.
    Apparently both keepers had a blinder.
    
    We play the not so happy hammers on saturday, which should be an
    interesting game, given the generous natures of both defences. The main
    problem with Oldham's defence at the moment is the left-back slot where
    Joe Royle has put Earl Barrett. Barrett is like a fish out of water in
    the position and is far more at home in the centre of defence. The
    injury to Andy Barlow and his consequent loss of form has caused Joe
    Royle a lot of problems. He would do well to get rid of Kilcline and
    McDonald and purchase a full-back of quality. I thought he missed the
    boat last season when he could have snapped up Colin Gibson who went
    for #100,000 from United.
    
    Although Joe Royle's gambles payed off last season in the second
    division, it has failed to work so far this season as the better
    quality players in the first division have punished any gaps at the
    back that went unpunished last season. The use of Ian Marshall at the
    back did work to some extent but the poor bloke doesn't know whether he
    is coming or going as he started off the season as an out and out
    striker finding the back of the net on a regular basis.
    
    Anyway now that they are out of the cup competitions they can
    concentrate on their survival in the premier league next season.
    
    G.
    
    

    
    I had the misfortune to go to the game on saturday. ALthough the
    approach play by both sides was of a high quality at time it all fell
    away in and around the box.
    
    Dicks was very fortunate to be on the field after he started laying in
    to one of the Oldham players, this was after he was booked. The Oldham 
    player got the yellow card but Dicks wasn't even spoken to, this was
    one of a number of poor refereeing decisions in a game that became
    increasingly niggly because the referee was weak.
    
    The goal that decided the game came in the first half when McAvennie
    (sp?) broke clear in the box fired in a shot which Hallworth parried
    straight to Mitchell Thomas who made no mistake from 14 yards. Oldham
    seemed to loose their way a bit when Milligan was forced to leave the
    field after a bad foul by Mitchell Thomas. Even pushing Marshall up to
    help the loan Sharpe couldn't help Oldham who looked badly out of
    sorts.
    
    Joe Royle certainly has his work cut out if he is to avert a disaster
    against Leeds on Saturday. The battle between Barrett and Cantona (sp?)
    should be interesting, I wonder if Craig Fleming will be assigned a
    man-to-man marking job on Wallace. Leeds are due a win at Boundary Park
    the last time I can remember them winning there was when a certain Andy
    Ritchie scored the winner for them after a mistake by Andy Goram
    although I feel sure J.B. will correct me if this is wrong.
    
    I hope Royle does pick Ritchie for this game as they need his vision up
    front which was sadly missing on saturday. Anyway I am sure it will all
    unfold in the fullness of time.
    
    G.
       
     

    
    Was Oldham's away strip as bad as it looked on telly yesterday - or was
    it just weather interference..... ?
    
    Paul

    
    I can truthfully say it was hideous, truly hideous. It might explain
    why the referee was so terrible his vision was definitley being
    interfered with especially when Julian Dicks was making a tackle.
    
    We normally play in all red when playing away if there is a clash of
    colours, but we always have a problem when the other side wears claret
    and blue. Last season we wore blue shorts and white shirts when we
    played West Ham away.
    
    One of the few comforts I can take out the strip though are that it is
    not as bad as Arsenal's or Notts County's purple strip though I only
    saw it briefly while Leeds knocked in three against them on the box
    though I must admit I was concentrating on Batty's wonderful goal
    rather than the strip. I suppose there must be a note somewhere in this
    conference on ghastly strips, particularly away strips.
    
    G.
      

    
    A good win on Saturday I will have great delight in getting DIDDLY to
    tell JB the result when I see him in Warrington on Tuesday.
    
    	G.
    

    
    Have been away for a while so apologies for the lack of entries. 
    
    Saw the Latics beat QPR well the other week, which regretably was Earl
    Barrett's last game for the club.
    
    He went for 1.75 Million around 300,00 of which will go to Man City,
    still it's not bad since we got him for 35,000. The sad facts are that
    the new stand that we need to comply with the Taylor report will cost
    1.5 million and Joe Royle seems to think we are safe from relegation
    now and the way to pay for it is to sell our most valuable player,
    which is a sad reflection of the state of the club's finances.
    
    Kilcline has gone to Newcastle on a month's loan hopefully Keegan can
    knock some life into the donkey, who must be a little cheesed-off as
    when we had a problem in defence we brought our centre-forward back to
    cover the position rather than put him in to cover the position.
    
    Wimbledon arrive at Boundary Park on saturday which I thought would
    have been an ideal game for Kilcline against "FASH the Bash" but Joe
    Royle has seen fit to send him to Newcastle. There is a lot of
    discontent on the terraces that he is making too many changes and that
    this is causing a lot of discontent in the dressing room. Only time
    will tell, but a win on Saturday would help alay any lasting fears over
    relegation. Let's hope we can do the business.
    
    G
    

    
    After four defeats in a row, the 'Latics' bounced back with an
    important win against Notts County, who will now have to fight very
    hard to avoid the drop.
    
    It was good to see that Andy Ritchie was back in goalscoring form,
    though he was upstaged by two cracking goals the one from Notts County
    and one from Ian Marshall from all of thirty yards, ( both of them were
    featured as goals of the day in 'The Match').
    
    As we are eight point clear of the relegation zone I feel sure that we
    should avoid the drop, though another six points should see us through.
    We still have Luton at home and Southampton away, so we could have a
    big say in who goes up and who goes down.
    
    We play Coventry next saturday, where a point would be most welcome
    though you never know what they are going to do next. They seem to be a
    bit of a Jekyl & Hyde team this season.
    
    Lets hope we can start scoring goals again and get back to the
    entertaing form that brought us promotion last year and pleased so many
    people at the start of this season.
    
    G.
    
    

    Gerry,
    
    After all we did in helping you to win the Division 2 Championship last
    season, this is how you repay us. ;-)
    
    I must admit, things are looking bleak for County, given the form that
    Southampton seem to be in. The 'Pies have now got to conjure up wins in
    at least five of their last six games to stand a chance of surviving,
    starting with Everton tonight. Some hope :-(
    
    Cheers,
    
    Rob
    

    
    Rob,
    
    I do apologise I will have a word with Andy Ritchie the next time he's 
    jamming with the Inspiral Carpets. I suppose in the light of recent
    results you must be happy with the point you got last night seeing as
    Everton are still chasing a place in Europe. 
    
    Seroiusly though you are going to have to win a few games if you are
    going to stay up in the Premier League. Have you spent any of the money
    you got for Tommy Johnson yet or is it being used to pay for ground
    improvements.
    
    G.
    
    P.S. Did you see me on the ALPHA DVN today?
     
    
    

    
    Sheffield Wednesday tommorrow at home. Should be an entertaining game
    but it will have to go some to beat the drama of the corresponding game
    last season when we took the Second division title with the last kick
    of the game.
    
    Wednesday are coming back into form at the moment so we will do well to
    get any points especially with Hirst hitting the back again. We got a
    draw against them on New Year's Day but this time there is no Earl
    Barrett to shore up the defence. I just hope we can continue our recent
    unbeaten run. Another four points should guarantee our Premier League
    survival.
    
    G.
    

    
    Sharpe put four coffin nails into Luton's Premier Division coffin on
    saturday, Milligan adding the other one. It was another all-out attack
    game from Oldham which paid dividends, especially in terms of
    guaranteeing their Premier Division future.
    
    The only sad note was the departure of Andy Ritchie to hospital for a
    back operation which should keep him out for the rest of the season.
    
    Should Luton leave the First Division, I for one will not shed any
    tears, their board of directors do not deserve to host football in the
    top flight with their narrow minded attitude towards away fans and the
    lack of investment in their own team, despite the valiant efforts of
    the team and the coaching staff.
    
    We play Palace away next saturday which will probably end in defeat
    given our recent dismal away form, but then Spurs will be the visitors
    on Easter Monday. I wonder if the "Mars Bar Kid" will have lost enough
    weight to play in the game.
    
    G.
    

    G.
     Being a Luton fan. The previous board of directors were being narrow
    minded regarding away fans. The new board have let away fans back into
    Kenilworth Road. Luton fans wish they'd done it about three years
    earlier. I take your point about the present board not investing in the
    team. In fairness to them, they've probably invested and are investing
    heavily each week just keeping the place floating. They are apparently
    attempting to reduce overheads to live within their means. Money coming
    in has got to be equal to or greater than that going out. I know where
    that is going to land us.
    
    Luton have played some good footy in the past and are trying to now. As
    a  Luton fan I don't believe the Town deserves a football team as the  
    populas just don't want to support it. I would conservatively estimate
    that 60-70% of the regular support travel into Luton to watch em.
    
    What were your impressions of Luton during this game. Until the
    collapse the radio and papers gave me the impression that they deserved
    another goal.
    
    Regards,
    
    Barry.

    
    I am afraid that Luton looked distinctly Second Division for large
    chunks of the game, perhaps 4-1 would have been a fairer reflection of
    the game. 
    
    As for the welcoming back of away fans, it would be O.K. if they were
    all five foot four but all of the fans around me were distinctly
    cramped in the very small seats we were provided with when we went to
    Kenilworth Road earlier in the season (at a mere #13.50). The
    atmosphere was awful as well, it very rare that the Latics fans can
    out sing the opposition but they did it with ease on that occasion.
    Have you forgotten how to sing?
    
    As for the club losing money where did the money go from the sale of
    Kingsley Black to Notts Forest and a few of the other good young
    players like Jackson.
    
    Still you won midweek so that should have Coventry worried although
    your goal-difference must be something of a liability so instead of the
    points difference being three it is effectively four.
    
    Still we have Crystal Palace on Saturday which we will do well to win 
    despite the fact it is the end of the season and both teams have little
    to play for.
    
    G.
    
    

    Where did the money go.
    
    To the sponsors of the Football League. Barclays.
    
    If all the interest charges paid to Barclays by the Football League
    clubs were added up. Do you think it would mean we are effectively
    paying our own sponsorship.
    
    Regards,
    
    Barry.

    
    T'other week we bought Olney from Villa for #700,000, which I suppose
    will help spread out the payment for Earl Barrett of 1.7 Million.
    
    Wimbledon are apparently after Ian Marshall the fee being talked about
    is 1 Million, though I am told that Royle does not want him to go.
    
    The season ticket sales are not going well as the recession continues
    to bite in the town. Hopefully they will pick up towards the start of
    the season.
    
    G.
      

    
    All of the 'Latics" fans would like to thank Dave Beasant for a
    memorable start to the season. Perhaps he borrowed one the Santa Claus
    outfits from the Sheffield United fans. Unlucky Chelsea, but apparently 
    some savant has claimed that you will win the F.A. Cup.
    
    During the closed season we swapped Rick Holden plus 300,000 for
    Poynton and Redman from Man City. Joe Royle cocked up slightly in the
    fact that two of his new signingings have both got three match bans,
    which might suggest a more physical approach from the team, lets hope
    that we get a few more way points this year. I would like to see a good
    improvement on last years 17th place and a decent cup run this year but
    given the silly money that the big boys are throwing around we will do
    well to survive. Personally I think we missed the boat not buying
    Robbins from United, he may be a little lazy but he does know the way
    to the back of the net.
    
    Well fingers crossed for the rest of the season.
    
    G.
    
     

    
    Another draw on Wednesday at the first home game of the season. Sharp
    netted his first goal in what I hope will be an increased tally this
    season. The crowd was a little dissapointing, still it could be worse I
    could be a United or Arsenal fan. We have got Forest at home tommorrow
    who will be smarting over their defeat by Sheffield Wednesday so we had
    better watch out.
    
    There are strong rumours that we lost sponsorship worth #825,000 from
    SwissAir because of the hooligan problems in Sweden last summer, which
    leaves us with a hiole in the bank balance at the moment. Let's hope it
    is resolved soon, as like everyone else we need the money.
    
    G.
     

    
    Remember Frankie Bunn, who used to play for Oldham a few years back,
    and had to retire due to a dodgey knee. Well my local team 'Stalybridge
    Celtic' have just signed him on. He will be an asset to the side,
    bringing his knowledge and own direct approach to the 'bridges attack.
    Good to see him up, I remember him a few times back when Oldham were in
    the 2nd Division(as it was). A small stocky player, who would not stop
    all the game. Should be interesting.
    just thought someone might want to know.
    
    mac.
    
    Stalybridge Celtic's first home game ever in the Vauxhall Conference on
    Saturday, was against Bath City, and ended in a 1-1 draw. The Bridge
    play Stafford tonight at stafford, so should be interesting as Frankie
    Bunn will be in the side as well.

    
    Yes I remember Frankie well we bought him for #90,000 from Hull and
    took a while to settle into the side, eventually he built up a good rapport
    with Andy Ritchie. His last game was in fact at Wembley in the
    Littlewoods Cup final when Joe Royle gambled on his fitness and lost.
    He tried for some time to recover from his injury and gave up the fight
    eventually. I am pleased to see that he is playing again, he used to
    lead the line very well and was a fair target man but his pace is not
    his best asset. 
    
    We thrashed Forest for 60 minutes last Saturday then we let them back
    in to the game. For a match report please see the Forest note.
    
    Arsenal tommorrow night. They seem to have recovered their confidence
    after a wonderful performance at Liverpool, so we had better watch out
    as they don't seem to have forgiven us for knocking them out of the
    Littlewoods Cup a few years ago. It will be interesting to see if
    Royle includes his two new signings Olney and Poynton or whether he will
    stick with the team that won on saturday.
    
    G.                              

    
    My abiding memory of Frankie Bunn is his 6 goals in the 7-0 thrashing
    of Scarborough.  He set a league cup record.  Before anyone asks, no I
    don't remember who Scarborough beat in the previous round.  :-)
    
    Gary.

    Is this the same Frankie Bunn who once had a TV film named after him?
    
    It was about 5 years ago on BBC 2 and centred around the attempts
    of a groom to attend his own wedding and a Hull vs Leeds (I Think)
    F.A Cup game.
    
    Or has my memory completely gone? Anyone remember the name of it?
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    It could well have been as Frankie transferred from Hull City to Oldham
    as I mentioned a couple of replies ago. He is a bloke with a big chin
    and short dark hair.
    
    By the way Gary Scarborough did beat Chelsea 3-2 didn't they. 
    
    Here's a quick question for you who scored the other goal in the 7-0
    victory and who made it for him?
    
    G.
    

    Andy Ritchie scored... and did Bunn make it for him.

    
    Quite right it was 'Stitch' and yes Frankie did make the goal for him,
    the irony was that it was the best goal of the night.
    
    We could have used that sure shooting last night when we went down to
    the Gunners at Highbury. We had our chances in the second half. Olney
    was brought on after 60 minutes and shot straight at the keeper, Halle
    missed a couple of sitters as well. Apparently the 'Latics could have
    done a Norwich but the difference was that Norwich took their chances
    and we didn't. Still no use crying over spilt milk.
    
    We have got Exeter in the League Cup. It could be a bit of a trek but I
    havn't been to the Exeter ground before. Has anyone else been? I
    suppose it will be all ticket being the first leg.
    
    G.

    
    I'm back after a great trip to Galway. A big thanks to Gary Spain and
    the boys in Galway, I hope you cna make it over the water some time
    next year, perhaps we can get some continental teams interested as
    well.
    
    The 'Latics" are playing the toffemen on Sunday and unless I can find
    someone who has Sky I will be trying to rig up a dustbin lid with a
    radio-ariel and trying to pinch the picture off the nearest viewer who
    has a disk in the street and them turn the radio on for the commentry.
    Don't laugh it has been done before.
    
    I hope we can pick ourselves up after a lack-lustre performance against
    Blackburn, you should never miss a penalty, but that is life? We have
    got Exeter at home in the Cocoa-Cola Cup next week which I would expect
    to be a difficult tie despite the 1-0 lead from the first leg. All will
    be revealed in the near future I suppose we will have to make sure that
    we do not field any players that are not eligble.
    
    G.
    

                      <<< Note 41.45 by SAC::MAGUIRE_G >>>
                            -< Toffemen on Sunday! >-

    
>>    I'm back after a great trip to Galway. A big thanks to Gary Spain and
>>    the boys in Galway, I hope you cna make it over the water some time
>>    next year, perhaps we can get some continental teams interested as
>>    well.
    
  
Gary,

continental is Dutch??????

Could you tell something more like the score, who went etc  I know Lawrence
did, Andy didn't, you drew one and lost one but that's all.

T_

BTW when are you commin' to Holland again? It's being a while!

    
    Right ton, we'll rathole the Oldham topic.  :-)
    
    PTG/CUIP select (our group) 1 Basing Albion 0
    Digital ESSB 1 Basing Albion 1  (ESSB equalised in the last minute)
    
    Great days/nights were had by all.  Hopefully we can get a Galway team
    to the next tournament.
    
    Gary.
    
    BTW I'll be across the water next weekend en route to Copenhagen.  I'll
    be at Fratton Park to watch Pompey v Swindon.
    
    And as this is the Oldham topic I'll just mention that we were all very
    disappointed when we got to the pub to find that Blackburn had beaten
    Oldham 2-0.
    
    

    
    Dear Gary/Ton,
    
    Can I just say to start with how heart-broken I was with the score from
    Highbury the other day, Wise scored a cheeky goal though. I see you
    have Newcastle in the next round of the Coca-Cola Cup, that should be
    interesting as they are on something of roll at the minute, just ask
    the boys at Ayresome Park.
    
    Any way enough of those boys in blue and back to the Latics. We managed
    to sneak past Everton with Richard (will he get his debut for
    England)Jobson scorong with a diving header at the far post from a
    Graeme Sharp flick on from a corner. We had better be careful or Kenny
    Dalgleish will make big Joe an offer he can't refuse and we will have
    to go and raid Man City reserves again for a potential England
    defender. At least we kept a clean sheet though a fair reflection of
    the score should have been 7-2, with Ian Marshall wasting a great
    number of chances as he did in the Cup-tie against Exeter the following
    Wednesday, when we came through by virtue of the goal Nick Henry scored
    in the 85th minute at Exeter. the reward for this supreme effort is an
    away tie with Swindon so I hope Pompey give them a hard time at Fratton
    Park.
    
    We play Sheffield Wednesday on the 17th which is usually on of the most
    entertaining games in the season. We will never forget winning the
    Second Division Champioship with the last kick of the season at
    Boundary Park a couple of seasons ago. Who knows what is in store this
    season.
    
    G.
     

    
    Have you heard Neil Pointon's latest nickname ?
    
    
    
    Dizza
    
    
    As in Dizza Pointon (say it out loud)
    
    Sorry...
    
    Paul
        

    Wasn't so dissapointing when we totook three points of Everton.
    
    G.
    

             Match Report on Wimbledon v's The 'Latics' 12-Dec-1992 
    
    I missed the first few minutes of this game due to an enormous number
    of determined parents blocking the road trying to get into the Toys'R'Us 
    car park. I just wished I had stayed in the queue and spent my hard-earned
    cash in the store instead of of watching one of the most inept Athletic 
    performances since losing to Leyton Orient last season.
    
    I had arrived at the ground expectant (as the children in the back of the 
    cars at Toys'R'Us) in the hope that Latics could begin to resurrect
    a gloomy season with a victory over a lowly Wimbledon side. Instead of
    being treated to a fascinating duel between "route 1" football and a
    cultured passing game, it was almost like watching a "gentleman's excuse 
    me", one could almost hear the cries of "after you old-boy" as a sluggish 
    Athletic side with a lamentable lack of appetite for the game let a 
    Wimbledon side walk all over them; I must admit they were aided and abetted
    by some very poor match officials.
    
    For the first 25 mins it was fairly even apart from one tackle by Jones
    on Milligan which was so late he should have had a note from his
    mother, someone will sort this thug out one day the sooner the better
    in my opinion. Then the 'Dons' scored 3 goals in 8 minutes all from set
    pieces. The inability of the Latics back four to cope with the near-post 
    throw-ins and crosses, the young keeper Gerard to command his area and the 
    mid-field to cover the far-post enabled the 'Dons' to bungle their way into
    a 3-goal lead by half-time.
    
    Joe Royle must have given them a roasting at half-time as they appeared
    fully five minutes before the restart. They played like a team re-vitalised
    with their neat passing game opening up the Wimbledon defence with 
    consumate ease. First of all Brennan placed a neat left foot shot past 
    Segers after some neat interplay between Milligan and Olney. Minutes later
    came the turning point of the game. A good cross from the left by Brennan 
    a deft knock down by Sharpe and Olney couldn't finish fron 6 yards with 
    the goal at his mercy. One minute later another mistake by Redmond allowed 
    Clarke to score easily past a stranded keeper. His resultant provocative celebrations in
    front of the travelling fans incensed one fan so much that he came "tanking
    down" from the back of the stand and if it hadn't have been for the
    height of the advertising hoarding (he obviously hadn't sampled the
    product as it didn't reach the parts of his body that it needed to)the
    incident could have been somewhat more ugly than the demeanor of Vinny Jones.
    The "fan" was escorted from the ground Clarke wasn't even spoken
    to by the referee, the phrase "incitement to riot" did come to mind at
    the time. A minute later another mistake by Redmond allowed a goal this
    time from an offside position inside the 6-yard box (an appaling
    decision). Thankfully this brought about the immeadiate substitution of
    the hapless Remond by a very keen Craig Fleming.
    
    Milligan scored another goal for Athletic at the 2nd attempt to close
    the gap a little. After that the only team that looked like scoring was
    Athletic, keeping Segers busy from efforts outside the box. Very little was
    pulled back from the by-line which explained the substitution of Adams (who
    always wanted one touch too many) by Roger Palmer who at least showed an 
    appetite for the game and tried to exploit the wide-open spaces that the 
    Dons had left all afternoon.
    
    But what of the future for the 'Latics'? Well unless they stop "defending 
    like women" and start playing like the highly paid professionals should do 
    with passion and committment then most of them will be playing in another 
    league next season. Perhaps if they showed the same tenacity that their 
    supporters display in travelling through traffic jams full of christmas 
    shoppers then we will still be supporting a Premier league club next season.

    
    The game against Liverpool was called off last night due to frozen
    pitch, which is probably just as well as 10 of the first team squad are
    injured at the moment.
    
    It's a pity really as the team were well buoyed up after stealing a
    point at Everton with two goals in as many minutes.
    
    The next game will be against United at home when hopefully our luck
    will change and we will have the players out on the pitch to finish the
    job.
    
    There is a problem with fixtures building up at the moment as a number
    of clubs we have to play are still involved in the F.A. Cup.
    
    G
    
    
    
    

    
    Don't suppose you know if there are any tickets left for next weeks
    Oldham v Man Utd...
    
    If not do you have the ticket office number for Oldham?!?!
    
    mac

>>    Don't suppose you know if there are any tickets left for next weeks
>>    Oldham v Man Utd...
    
    This isn't Ian(how do I get to Old Trafford ?)MacDonald attempting to
    go to a game is it ?
    
    Paul :-)

    
    Re -1,
    
    Sorry 'Ionlygowhentheyarewinning' Paul, I didn't realise that the
    toffee men had much to say these days. Plus the fact I am not paying
    #12 for a bloody cold seat, watching 22 players, a ref, and two linemen
    run about a green surface, even when they are winning. Plus the fact I
    don't like buying tickets from touts, just so I can get in and see the
    above.
    However with Oldham being 6 miles from where I live I might just force
    myself, if t'other 'alf lets me????
    
    mac 'ionlygowhenicanaffordaticketorcanbebothered'

    
    The phone number for Oldham Athletic AFC is 061-624-4972.
    
    G.

    
    re -1
    
    Thanks,
    
    But all the tickets have gone !! surprise surprise!!!
    
    mac

    
    We have the "Red Devils" at home tonight in an interesting local derby.
    It is quite literally top against bottom. This is the first of 12 very
    difficult games for the 'Latics'. In each game we will have to play
    teams that either going for the title ( United, Villa and Norwich)
    going for Europe (QPR, Spurs and Sheffield Wednesday) or relegation piers 
    ( Middlesborough, Wimbledon and Liverpool (twice)).
    
    It will take a monumental effort to stay in the Premier League but the
    last minute equaliser against the 'Toffe Men' has given us heart. We
    hope that our luck is finally going to change against United tonight.
    
    At least if we hit the stantion at the back of the net I hope the
    referee has the guts to give a goal. There should be quite an
    atmosphere tonight despite the fact that the ticket touts have been
    rearing their ugly heads again as they attempt to make more money out
    of the football crazy fans of the Greater Manchester area. I daresay
    the horses will be on stand-by again I just hope tha if the horses do
    come on that they leave the droppings on the pitch as the pitch needs
    all the help it can get since it was re-laid at the start of last
    season.
    
    G.
     

    
�   At least if we hit the stantion at the back of the net I hope the
�   referee has the guts to give a goal.

When did this happen.

    
    Boxing Day 1974. we still won 1-0.
    
    Remember the incident with the ball being over the line in the F.A Cup
    Semi-Final.
    
    These things are sent to try us and they do!
    
    G.
    

    
    GREAT RESULT!
    
    To beat United when the odds were stacked against us provides us with
    the momentum that could carry us out of the relegation zone.
    
    Ian Gerrard kept his first clean sheet against a team that has made a
    habit of scoring a lot of goals away from home. Richard Jobson showed
    why he is in the reckoning for an England place (I think he will go at
    the end of season, whether we stay up or not) depite being constantly
    fouled especially by Hughes. Fleming had yet another good game, what a
    snip he was at 85,000. Adams yet again was in the right place at the
    right time to score another vital goal.
    
    We have got Norwich away on saturday which is another tough game. I
    just hope the team have got enough running in their legs to get at
    least a point, we beat them last season at Carrow Road lets hope they
    can repeat the performance.
    
    However, as for United? Last night's result against the team with the
    worst defensive record in the Premier League who had only won one of
    their last eight games begs the question will they blow up again or was
    this just a one-off. Who knows we will find out on Sunday when they
    face a stern test against Villa. It wouldn't surprise me in the least
    to see Earl Barrett nullifying the threat of Hughes, we shall see?
    
    Still this isn't the United note it belongs to the 'Latics' as did the
    result last night, a well deserved three points taken from the team
    whose first team squad was recently valued at 24 Million by an
    Investment consultant who also happens to be am Oldham fan.
    
    A Great Night! 
    
    A Great Win!
    
    No prizes for guessing who has the biggest smile on their faces in this
    building today!
    
    G.

What you Oldham fans are slow to realise is that this is a subtle plot by
United to help relegate Liverpool. 

We take 3 points off 'pool & give them to Oldham. This keeps the pressure on
Liverpool as just about all the teams below Liverpool are winning.

    
    I think the 'Latics' might just have a little to do with it than United
    as we have to play them twice in the remaining 11 games, but they
    certainly have the indian sign on us as I can not remember getting even
    a draw out of them in the last 20 + years.
    
    You never know though if we keep beating these supposed super clubs we
    might just survive.
    
    G.
    

    
    Lost an a single own-goal on saturday, talk about shoot yourself in the 
    foot. I wonder whether it would have gone in had the pitch been rain
    sodden. Still we lost and on the balance of play Norich deserved to win
    although we had our chances. Young Gerarrd played well again, he
    couldn't do anything about the goal.
    
    Another tough one on saturday against QPR who are still looking to get
    into Europe. Here's hoping we do well.
    

    
    Literally squeezed a 2-2 draw with QPR on saturday but suffered another
    twp injuries in the process. Crunch game tonight with Middlesborough at
    Ayresome Park, due to the demands of satellite T.V..
    
    We have not a point out of any of the Monday night games we have played
    so far. we really need at least a point to keep any hope aliveof
    staying up, but the 'Boro' got a good point at Blackburn on saturday so
    heres hoping.
    
    G.
    

Gerry,

-good luck with tonight's match.

-seems you had a bit of luck on Saturday. From what I saw of the Oldham goals
(highlights on MotD), QPR's defender Peacock was to blame for both. Sinton's
goal was a good one: -I'm glad to see him back.

JohnW

    
    Although it was a great win at Middlesborough it was somewhat
    overshadowed by the good away wins for both Forest and Sheffield United
    which put us firmly back in the bottom three.
    
    It was nice to see Andy Ritchie get back on the scoresheet again with
    what proved to be the winner.
    
    Just after the win Joe Royle signed Darren Beckford for 300,000, a
    player Royle has been after for some time. Norwich must be a little
    peeved as they paid 925,000 for him. We also signed a Dutch guy whose
    name escapes me) for the rest of the season on trial.
    
    We have got another bruising encounter with Wimbledon on saturday,
    hopefully the Oldham players will not allow themselves to become
    intimidated the way they did at Selhurst Park just before Christmas.
    Let us hope that the referee will be a strong one and will keep these
    thugs in check. Sheffield United have the distraction of the cup this
    week-end so it could provide us with a chance to leap-frog over them
    and Forest if the results go our way.
    
    G.
     

    
    Great 6 - 2 win against the thugee's of Wimbledon on Saturday, which
    helped the goal difference no end. Struggled to get a point of
    Wednesday last night despite hitting the woodwork, apparently Chris
    Woods was in world-class form, lets hope he keeps it up for the rest of
    the season.
    
    We play Liverpool on saturday in which I can't see us coming away with
    anything there. The crunch game is against Sheffield united on Tuesday
    at Boundary Park. Quite frankly if we lose we are down, if we draw or
    win we will live in hope, One thing is for sure it will not be a 0-0
    draw.
    
    A Happy Easter to you all.
    
    G.
    
      

    Has the other game against Liverpool been rearranged yet?.
    
    It seems very strange that we're under a month from the end of the
    season and we haven't played Oldham yet.
    
    Regards,
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    Wed May 5th at Boundary Park. Sorry for the delay I have been away.
    
    Regards,
    	    Gerry.
    

    Oldham v. Liverpool result, for us deprived foreigners, please ?

    Tks for prompt service.  Sounds exciting....
    ds.

    
    A great win on Saturday. No doubt it was great watching for the
    neutral, but why I have any nails, nerves, voice or hair left is beyond
    me. When I get more time I will post a match report and try and relay
    some of the tension.
    
    My heart goes out to the Palace fans, as I was merely minutes away from
    being in hteir place. It seems a shame that some teams who come along
    to intimidate the opposition are allowed to get away with it by some
    very inconsistent refereeing. I particularly would like to see the back
    of Wimbledon and Sheffield United as they were particularly brutal in
    the games I saw.
    
    But what of the future for the Latics. Unless they sell and buy wisely
    in the near future they will find themselves in the same position next
    year, be they entertaining or not. Not only didwe have many injuries
    but there were also far too many inconsistent performances particularly
    from the like of Pointon and remond who were brought in to shore up the
    defence with the sale of the sorely missed Rick Holden to City.
    
    WE shall see what happens in due course.
    
    Have a peaceful closed season.
    
    Gerry.
    

    
    This was it! the season having finally boiled down to one staurday
    afternoon. The permutation was simple, 'Latics' had to win Palace had
    to lose. Six days earlier the odds had been stacked against 'Latics' to
    survive, now against all the odds they were still in the chase. They had
    to overcome a hurdle they had'nt overcome before, during their stay in
    the top flight, three consecutive victories.
    
    If the United fans that have recently emerged from the Old Trafford
    woodwork can claim that their ground is the "Theatre of Dreams", that
    claim paled into insignificancewith the drama that was about to unfold
    on the Boundark Park "pitch". It was not so much a "pitch", but more
    like a scene from Lawreence of Arabia, a large tract of sand with the
    occasional oasis of green grass. I think there were more hairs on the 
    head of Andy Ritchie than blades of grass on the pitch. With a stong
    wind ( blowing straight towards the Chaddy End)fanning the surface into
    a sandstorm the scene was set.
    
    The tension on the terraces quickly transferred to the pitch with there
    being little pattern to the game at all apart from a couple of snatched
    half-chances coming mostly from Athletic, who failed to master the
    aforementioned wind. Finally in the 29th minute Pointon did just that
    embarassing the highly rated Flowers and the full-back on the far post
    with a goal direct from the corner. The relief was immediately apparent
    but was shattered when Le Tissier hit a lazy volley past the helpless
    Gerrard. Pointon and Redmond were embaressed by marking each other instead 
    of the scorer.
    
    Then came one of the few lucky breaks that have come Athletic's way this
    season when Olney hit a deflected shot past Flowers, the linesmans view
    of Milligans offside position no doubt being obscured by a passing cloud
    of sand.
    
    Half-time brought about a turn-around in the game. Flemming finally
    moved forward with the ball to create some space on the right-hand side
    to feed Halle who provided the perfect cross for the "bald eagle" to
    soar and plant an emphatic header just inside the near post. 3-1.A few
    minutes later he repayed the compliment by doing what he does best
    by coming off his marker and playing an intelligent through-ball, the
    Norwegian had so much time he could have put it anywhere 4-1.
    
    As usual the 'Latics' relaxed and conceded a free-kick, Gerrard
    allowed Le Tissier to much of a view of his far post, although the ball
    did bounce awkwardly in front of him on the bone-hard pitch. 4-2.
    
            
    Joe Royle felt that Ritchie was tiring and he needed a fresh pair of
    legs to cover the space that Benali was making use of. On came Marshall
    who missed a great chanceto finish the game instead of placing the ball
    he tried to break the back of the net which gave Flowers the
    chance to tip the ball over the bar.
    
    After 80 minutes the crowd began to relax with a "Mexican Wave" which
    spread round and round the ground (including the directors box). My
    71-year old father thoroughly enjoying himself until being stopped 
    mid-wave by an excellent free downward header from Le Tissier. Those
    last eight minutes were the longest of the season. After I ran
    out of nails, hair and nerves I borrowed one of my Dad's Park Drive
    fags, Thank God the referee blew the whistle before I got on to the
    second one.
    
    When the final whistle went there were some very impressive side-steps
    around the stewards and overweight special constables which would have
    graced Watersheddings never mind Boundary Park. Very few people left the
    ground to give the team a well deserved emotional cheer. It just goes to
    show "Dreams can come true".
    

    
    There hasn't been much activity in the transfer market at Boundary Park
    this summer. "Lucky" John Keely went on a free transfer to Colchester,
    he wasn't one of Joe Royle's most inspired buys he only played a
    handful of first team games in three seasons and cost 240,000.
    
    Ian Marshall has gone to Ipswich for 750,000 who we play on the first
    game of the season at Boundary Park, lets hope he doesn't embarass us
    with any goals, I should think that any team that plays with a flat
    back four against Ipswich this season will be asking for trouble given
    the pace of Marshall and Kiwomya (sp?).
    
    Anyway this should free Royle up to buy a semi-decent midfielder who
    can score goals, Jan Molby's name has been mentioned in the past but it
    may be a dodgy investment given his age and susceptibility to injuries
    in the last few seasons though the fact that he has lost 20 lbs should
    help him.
    
    The pitch has been improved at Boundary Park so it should help with the
    awful list of injuries we had last season. Everybody is fit again
    though it will be interesting to see how long Andy Ritchie lasts.
    
    Here's hoping for a successful season I hope it isn't like last season
    as my finger nails have only just grown back, especially as I think
    four go down this season.
    
    G.
     

    Gerry
    
    Was it you I sat next to at Selhurst in late '91 when Wibledon beat the
    "Latics 2-1 (and Sharp missed a penalty)? WHoever he was, he was a good
    bloke.
    
    You'll never take the Chaddy.
    
    See you in Division 1 1994, with Everton & Sunderland
    
    Peter

    
    No I glad to say it wasn't me I only sit down when I have to.
    
    As for seeing you in the 1st Division well let's just wait and see, I
    would just love to prove everyone wrong in the predictions note that we
    are going to go down.
    
    We get so few penalties that I have forgotten who takes them now.
    
    Sharp will be back for the start of the season after cracking a
    vertebrae in his back.
    
    G.
    

    
    So, we face United again in the semi-final, but this time at Wembley
    which to my mind totally devalues the final itself. The F.A. said that
    if the clubs objected strongly enough then they would change to an
    alternative venue. United did object, but the Athletic board obviously
    thought that they would cash in as they obviously thought that there is
    little prospect of progressing further in the competition.
    
    I wish it had been at Maine road because of the great performance we
    put up there 4/5 seasons ago when we were a second division side. Both
    sides are very different from then with United having a very impressive
    squad and Oldham clinging on to their Premiership status by the
    thinnest of threads, which has got htinner since the week-end with
    Pederson suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury which will mean he
    misses the World Cup and will be lucky to see the start of the new
    season.
    
    A lot of eyes will be focused on Craig Fleming who it is rumoured that
    United have eyeing for some time. He returns tonight against Tottenham
    after twisting his ankle in the game agaist Leeds. It really is a six
    pointer, it wouldn't take the 'Latics' out of the bottom three but it
    would keep the pressure up on Manchester City who are ailing badly,
    even more so now that Richard Edgehillis out for six weeks with a
    broken toe. 
    
    Gunnar Halle will be out for at least another month after he has had
    his second cartilidge operation in seven weeks. Ian Olney is still out
    with another cruciate ligment complaint. Big Joe may be forced to dip
    into the transfer market once again although prior to the cup run the
    'Latics' were about One million in debt with the purchases of Pederson
    and McCarthey. This must have been somewhat reduced with the Cup run
    (three home ties and a Wembley appearance) and the sale of Neil Adams
    to Norwich.
    
    It will be another very tough run-in to the end of the season, with
    Sheffield United and Manchester City still having to come to Boundary
    Park along with the Dog-fight against Tottenham tonight. I just hope we
    don't get many more injuries or big Joe himself will be pulling on the
    blue number 36 ( that is how many player he has used tis season) , I do
    hope they drop this squad numbering idea, Arsenal are to be applauded
    for reverting to the old system I just hope a few more clubs follow
    suit. I have yet to go into the United note I daresay they are writing
    the 'Latics' off already. "Don't" we may be struggling but we do have
    proven goal scorers who will punish mistakes just ask Bolton.
    
    G.

    
    After the fine victory at Villa over the week-end, another injury blow.
    
    Paul Bernard, the Scots U-21 midfielder is out for a month after having
    a cartlidge operation yesterday. It means he will also miss the F.A.
    Cup Semi-Final. It has got to the state now where we could field a full 
    team in the hospital ward.
    
    G.
    
    

    
    Chaps,
    
            Due to unforseen circumstances I now have a spare ticket for
    the FA Cup
            Semi-Final between Oldham Athletic and Manchester United.
    
            I have one available. However, there are three disadvantages:-
    
            1) It costs 26 pounds
    
            2) You will be amongst the OASIS Oldham fans noted for their
    	    intolerance of United fans.
    
    	    3) You will have to sit next to me.
    
            If you are interested give me a bell on 781-1679.
    
            Regards,
                    Gerry.

    
    Let us just say that I am gutted. It was a superb strike by Hughes but
    a referee with a spine in him would not have left him on the pitch
    along with a few other players from both sides.
    
    Gerry.                

    If the referee had been up to scratch and had a spine, then Sparky
    wouldn't have felt it necessary to offer so much helpful guidance.
    All this whining from the Man United bashers is just typical. Not
    content that one of the two best strikers in the world is suspended
    (due to blatant victimisation by biased refs, I might add), you now
    have the audacity to suggest that the other best striker in the world,
    should be sent off for simply chatting with the referee.
    
    As my maiden Aunt used to say :  F*** the Begrudgers !
    
    Jerry.

    >have the audacity to suggest that the other best striker in the world, 
    >should be sent off for simply chatting with the referee.
    
    	Oh... I haven't laughed that much in ages.... ever thought of
    turning into a professional comedian?? :->
    
    Rick.

================================================================================
Note 41.84                     Oldham Athletic FC                       84 of 85
BERN01::BOLGER "Jerry Bolger."                       11 lines  11-APR-1994 11:27
               -< This week's challenge: "Spot the smileys" ... >-
    
>>> you now have the audacity to suggest that the other best striker in the world,
>>> should be sent off for simply chatting with the referee.
    
Jerry,	John Aldridge wasn't playing in this match....(a million smileys)

    
    Re .85
    
    Rick,
    
    	Jerry's currently working in a circus!!! 8-)
    
    JBG

    JBG,
    
    So that's way our PM is wearing a large red nose !  And there I was
    thinking he'ld just forgotten the sun block when he was skiing last
    weekend ;-)
    
    Jerry.

     Re .84
    
    Luckily my sense of humour is slowly coming back.
    
    Hughes was of course wishing the referee a belated Happy Easter in
    Welsh this was after trying to remove Craig Fleming Cartlidge without
    the benefit of anaesthetic. Unfortunately, we will have the same
    referee in the replay if normal F.A. rules apply. 
    
    I forgot to mention the acting lessons Hughes was handing out at
    half-time, it was amazing to see his recovery. Perhaps he could take a
    lesson in sportsmanship from Craig Fleming, who wasn't moaning to the
    referee in Welsh or any other language. The word gamesmanship comes to
    mind but I shan't stoop to that.
    
    However, I thinkl we have blown our best chance especially with the
    return of Keane and Kanchelkis (sp ?) in the replay.
    
    Gerry. 

    Hi Gerry,
    
    Glad to see that you've come to your senses.
    
>    Hughes was of course wishing the referee a belated Happy Easter in
>    Welsh this was after trying to remove Craig Fleming Cartlidge without
>    the benefit of anaesthetic. 
    
    I have it on good authority that Mark didn't even charge Mr. Fleming
    for the operation. Such magnanimity !!!!!
    
    
>    However, I think we have blown our best chance especially with the
>    return of Keane and Kanchelkis (sp ?) in the replay.
    
    
    At least the smaller teams are starting to realise that their only hope
    of defeating the World's Best is to play them without their key
    players.  This probably explains why that aformentioned nasty individual
    Craig Fleming tried to injure poor Mark "Harmony" Hughes, viciously
    assaulting Mark's foot with his knee !  Still, we at Manchester United,
    as lovers of football, strive to maintain a healthy outlook on the game
    and its' ups and downs. We understand how frustrating it must be for
    the minnows (e.g. Liverpool, Everton, Norwich, Blackburn, etc.) who
    find themselves so far distanced from the peak performers. 
    
    I'm sure that many of the shallow people out there are now chomping at
    the bit, ready to jump in with recent results or ancient history (yes, 
    that was aimed at The Blimp supporters club president). However, don't
    wear out your keyboard. I'm not referring to trivial league points or 
    cup trophies, I'm talking about the difference in class !
    
    Take heart, at least you all have a team who you can look up to and try
    to emulate.
    
    Jerry.

Lads,,
      Don't make me laugh. Henry was the player who should have walked.
If he was a United player, he would be in the headlines today, and Jimmy Hill
would have called him a disgrace.

�@

    >Hughes was of course speaking Welsh! 
    
    	Its surprising the number of Welsh words which start with F isn't
    it!! :->
    
    	Rick.

	re .92

>    	Its surprising the number of Welsh words which start with F isn't
>    it!! :->

	Welsh 'F' is pronounced as 'V'

	Tony

    I'm afraid, joking aside, that I have to agree with Brian. I got around
    to looking at the whole game last night (SKY showed it at 1am CET on
    Sunday night/ Monday morning, so I recorded it).  The challenge by
    Henry on Ince was absolutely disgraceful. Poor old Eric would probably
    have gotten a life ban for that one. However, just because Henry plays
    for a little club with no Championship ambitions this century, the ref
    books both him and Ince. Presumably Ince was booked for standing in a
    dangerous position (i.e. where Henry was going to land)  ;-)))
    
    As for Sparky's challenge, it was nothing to write home about. Hughes
    made an attempt to reach the ball but Fleming got to the ball first and
    landed where Hughes was standing, albeit with his leg stretched out
    towrds where the ball had been. There was a tangle of legs, with
    Fleming coming off worst, due to the fact that Sparky is superhuman.
    
    Glad to see Blackburn keeping up the pressure with a 1-0 win over Villa
    last night. Gary W. should be thrilled ;-)
    
    Jerry.

    
    What you probably didn't see on the T.V. was the elbowing incident a
    couple of minutes beforehand of Ince on Henry which may go some way to
    explaining what was a rash challenge one of many in the match.
    
    As for the "Latics" having no championship ambitions this century if we
    hadn't lost the last game of the season in 1913 we would have been
    champions.
    
    As for United missing vital player I suppose if you were missing three
    Norwegian internationals through injury, last years leading scorer
    through injury and one of your first choice defenders through injury
    yuo might just be bleating about it. I did not provide these reasons
    for our inability to beat a side that will do well to win the
    Championship now, based on the display I saw on Sunday.
    
    Anyway, at 7:45 tonight the banter will end and the players will do the
    talking. The man we fear is Kanchelskis.
    
    Is it on SKY?
      
    Gerry.

I think Oldham blew it on Sunday and that United have gained more from the
encounter than Oldham have.  Oldham should be dissappointed at not winning,
plus the fact that United are inherently the stronger team will show tonight.  

United to go through to the final :-(.  Though saying that "COME ON THE
OLDHAM".

                             James.

    
    	In recent years we have taken supposedly-lesser sides to replays
    	after being outplayed and lucky to get a replay in a tremendous
    	semi-final.
    	
    	eg. Oldham twice and Crystal Palace.
    
    	Each time, the replay has been poor and United have just done
    	enough to win by the odd goal.
    
    	Tonight should be different. The first match was poor. I think
    	Oldham will be strengthened by the return of the now-unbanned
    	Redmond. They also know how to counter our tactics and to upset
    	our game.
    
    	I predict 2-2 at full time. What happens then is anyone's guess!
    
    	Andy.
                 

    
    Not sure I agree about Redmond he is very inconsistent he gives me
    palputations every time he is on the ball. The defence was very well
    balanced on Sunday with every member of that defence having more speed
    than Redmond.
    
    Anyway we shall see what Joe Royle decides, he is a law unto himself in
    terms of tactics. One thing we should not do is sit back and wait for
    United to come at us that will be suicidal.
    
    Gerry.
    

I'm sure Big Joe will come up with something but my advice would be:

The way to beat this United team is to get the midfield by the 
throat (not literally), and unless you have Batty and Sherwood you have to 
use 5 in there, Ron Atkinson knows this ;-).

United control the game when Ince and Keane pick up the ball from their 
defence and are allowed to bring it forward to feed the wings. Basically 
you have to work your nuts off to supress this.

So, drop Beckford, he looked a total waste of time last time, and bring 
back Ritchie. 

Get Ritchie to operate in the space in front of Pallister and Bruce (from 
where he can run at them if he gets the ball) and leave Graham Sharp to 
run around up front.

Then put your hands together and trust in the lord !

Good luck boys, 

Andy

    Re: -1
    
>   Then put your hands together and trust in the lord !
    
    
    I think you meant 
         "Put your head between your legs and kiss your a**e goodbye"
    
    ;-)
    
    Jerry.

Well talk about deep troath. 
24 whole inches Jerry , the boys will be impressed !

Now where's Justin Fashanu when you need him ?

Peter.

    
    I'm not sure Andy Ritchie will lsat 90 mins never mind 120, but we
    shall see. It is just a pity McCarthy is cup-tied, but that's life. It
    could be worse I could be a city fan. Nothing worse than having your
    ground being used for a semi-final.
    
    Gerry.
    

    Thank you Mr. Hayden.

    
    
    .....thats quite enough of that Mr Hayden! You should know that
    soliciting is not allowed in DEC notes files..... 8-)
    
    JBG

    JBG,
    
    Presumably soliciting for help in your cellar is excluded from this
    prohibition !!!
    
    Jerry.

What me ?

It's the Elephant's and Horse's who should be lining up. 
My advice Jerry...

Don't swallow !

Peter.

    
    Looks like Milligan is on his way to Norwich. The Latics want 1 Million
    Norwich have offered 500,000. Big Joe is in the States at the moment
    let's hope that he comes back with some decent Nigerians.
    
    G.
    

    
    Joe has now forked out 350,000 for Lee Richardson from Aberdeen, a
    supposed midfield dynamo. He is supposed to be a hard-man which should
    push Oldham's disciplinary points score up. I just hope he can score a
    few goals at the same time? He supposedly came from Blackburn to
    Aberdeen so perhaps he is a little home-sick.
    
    G.
    
    
    

    
    Darren Beckford has just added his name to the injury list and is not
    expected to play until about a month into the new season. The other
    names on the list already are Olney ( cruciate ligament, 8 weeks) and
    Bernard ( back, 6 weeks). Let us hope that our luck will change,
    especially as the pitch should be in better nick this season as we will
    not have to train on it, due to the new training facilities being
    ready.
    
    G.

    
    An encouraging start on saturday beating Charlton Athletic 5-2 after
    going 2-1 behind (just like old time s really), with the new boy
    Richardson scoring twice. There is a long way to go just yet.
    
    The bad news however is that Richard Jobson has handed in a transfer
    request as he still has international aspirations and wants to play in
    the Premiership. Even at the age of 31 he is still a class defender and
    would be a steal at anything under a million given current prices.
    Let's hope the board say no and that we can keep hold of one of our
    best assetts.
    
    G.
    

    
    Can anyone tell me how to get to Boundary Park by public transport from
    Liverpool?
    
    Or have the Tories abolished public transport in the north of England?
    
    Cheers,
    
    j.

    re: -1
    
    j,
    
    There may be a National Express bus from Liverpool to Oldham,
    definately to Manchester. Then from Manchester (Victoria I think) take
    the train to Oldham(either Oldham Werneth or Oldham Mumps). There is not
    a station that I am aware of, near
    Boundary Park(correct me if I am wrong) however there are numerous
    buses from Oldham out towards Boundary Park. Either that or about 30/45
    min walk. Can fax A-Z map of Oldham if you want??
    
    You may be abale to get a train direct from Liverpool to wherever via
    Oldham... not sure.
    
    Failing that maybe the Latics have a fan club in Liverpool that you
    could tag along.
    
    If you want any more info give us a mail/call.
    
    reg'ds
    
    mac   
    

    
    	Just hop on any metro bus and ask for a single to the end of
    	the earth. Once the bus comes to its destination get off and the
    	ground is sure to be right in front of you.
    
    	Good luck
    
    	Andy.

    
    Arsenal at home in the next round. It brings back memories of 1989.
    Trouble is we have mostly the same squad. We will just have to wait and
    see. Should create a little bit of interest though.
    
    G.

    If our currnt form is anything to go by, the only thing that will
    trouble you is keeping the fans awake cos I sincerely doubt that it
    will rank as an outstanding cuptie, although I could be wrong.
    
    

    
    A welcome three points at home to Pompey on saturday but there was a
    an appalling decision by the referee to give the 'Latics" a second
    penalty. Sean McCarthy dived headlong when in a shoulder to shoulder
    challenge with Kit Symons and the referee gave the penalty. Even Joe
    Royle said he would have been disapointed if it had been given agaist
    him.
    
    Still this pushes up into eigth place. Next week-end there is a tricky
    little encounter with Bolton at Burnden Park. They are an excellent
    side who have not been performing all that well away from home but are
    formidable at home. We beat them last year in the cup by the skin of
    our teeth, I would be happy with one point.
    
    G.

    
    Two draws in two games has left us adrift in mid-table but this
    division is so open this season (apart from Wolves) tat there could be
    a real scramble at the end of the season for play-off places.
    
    Quite how we could not score a goal after winning 22 corners is beyond
    me, but the score was still 0-0 and one point was awarded.
    
    Arsenal on wednesday in the Coca Cola Cup, unfortunately Wright seesm
    to have re-discovered his scoring boots so it could be good-night
    nurse unless we can summon up another giant-killing performace as we
    did 5 years ago when we took them 3-1, it was worth paying the tout the
    extra money (much as I hate to admit it). Hopefully Andy Ritchie will
    be fit, he may be 34 but he still makes a difference.
    
    Let's wait and see.
    
    G.

    
    
    Graeme Sharp is out of tonight's Coca-Cola Third Round tie with Arsenal
    there are a few other doubts as well i.e. Andy Ritchie, Craig Fleming
    so we will have to wait and see what happens.
    
    G.

    
    Another 0-0 draw. This is unbelievable from a Joe Royle team. There
    might be those who say they are saving themselves for next wednesday
    against Arsenal but seeing as they are having great difficulty scoring
    goals at the moment, the thought of me parting with more then 10 quid on
    wednesday night does not fill me full of wild anticipation, but if I can
    get away from my desk in time I will I suppose. At least it will allow
    George Graham to have another look at Paul Gerrard but given the
    performance Seaman put up at Boundary Park he really has nothing to
    worry about. 
    
    I will probably see anyone going in the George Robey, if I can get
    away.
                                                                        
    G.

    
    So yet again a big club flexes it's financial muscles and get their
    man. Everton will have to pay in the region of 250,000 for "Big Joe".
    
    Regretably he has taken Willie Donachie with him, which leaves the
    managerial post wide open. Who will fill the gap. The fans favourite
    would be the bald eagle (Andy Ritchie), but whether he would want to do
    it is another matter. He has calmed down a lot since he arrived from
    Leeds and is the most intelligent player on the staff, but whether or
    not he will see eye to eye with Stott the chairman is a different
    matter, as I am sure he will have his favourites as well. Please God he
    doesn't try and go for Ron Atkinson. 
    
    It is sad to see Joe go but I supppose it was on the cards as the
    'Latics' could not compete with Everton in terms of salary and
    potential honours from a club that pulls in 32,000 every week whilst
    languishing at the bottom of the Premiership. The way the players
    performed on wednesday night they must have known, lets hope the new
    manager can galvanise them quickly into playing the attacking style of
    football thet we have come to expect at Boundary Park.
    
    Regretfully Yours,
    		      Gerry.

    
    	I heard a short, ex-WC-winning player from South America was
    	available...
    
    	Andy.

    >I heard a short, ex-WC-winning player from South America was 
    >available...
    
    Blimey! I didn't think that Pele would be interested in working at
    Oldham ;-)

Andy Ritchie will be player-manager.

�@

    On a radio phone-in last night, Gordon Strachan was the fans favourite
    with Andy Ritchie his assistant.

    
    Strachan would be an interesting choice but could the rest of the squad
    stand living on a diet of bannans. I believe he is nearly fit again.
    Just how good his motivational properties would be off the pitch rather
    than on it remain to be seen, but I would view an appointment such as
    Strachan with some optimism. Is he ready to move into management and
    would Leeds "cough up" enough money to keep him.
    
    G.

    Strachan has expressed a wish for management; he is in his last season
    with Leeds.

    
    The short-list so far for the managers job at Oldham includes Frank
    Stapleton and Grame Sharp Andy Ritchie has not been mentioned nor
    Gordon Strachan, Ray Wilkins would be an interesting choice but I think
    he will go to QPR being a London boy.
    
    We had another exciting 0-0 on saturday with Gunnar Halle being
    sent-off by the referee for kicking. Halle claims it was a case of
    mistaken identity I havn't seen the pictures yet, it should make
    interesting viewing.
    
    West Brom away on saturday. I should imagine Sharp is hoping for a
    victory to try and secure his permanent appointment from one of
    caretaker.
    
    G. 

I saw the pictures of the Halle incident... it definitely wasn't him... it was 
indeed a very large Oldham player who came in with boots flying (behind Halle)... 
not sure who it was though. 

Norman

    
    You're right It was definately Richard Graham. Hopefully the referee
    will have a look at the pictures and change his mind. Terrible result
    at West Brom at the week-end, lets hope that things improve witht he
    visit of Bristol City at the week-end.
    
    G.

    
    Gunnar Halle has now asked Oldham Athletic to support him in his appeal
    against a three-match ban, because of a case of mistaken identity.
    
    I see Joe Royle a great start as Everton manager last night, they
    played really well in the second half and really deserved the victory.
    
    G.

    
    Damn good win at Reading on saturday we totally outplayed the Berkshire
    club. I used to think our ground was bad until I went to Elm Park what
    a dump! What a lot of money they will have to spend.
    
    G.

	re .135

	Exactly how bad is the slope at Reading?
	Or has Oldham levelled its hillside since I was last there?

	Tony

    
    There is no longer a slope on the pitch at Boundary Park and there
    hasn't been for some seasons. This was achieved when the artificial
    pitch was laid down. The pitch was left even when re-laid with grass
    three seasons ago. 
    
    There was a 9ft drop from one end of the pitch to the other, but that
    is nothing compared to the slide Reading are going to suffer if they
    continue to play the way they did last week, though the signing of
    Nogan should brighten them up a little.
    
    We have got Sunderland at home tommorrow, which will be a tough one
    especially as we are having yet another injury crisis, this time the
    srtikers are the problem, both McCarthy and Ritchie are carrying
    hamstring injuries though it was good to see Beckford back on the pitch
    last saturday even though he was a little rusty. It seems strange when
    we do have a crisis like this one that they have extended John Eyre's
    loan period to Scunthorpe for another month.
    
    A poor reward for the victory over Reading was a draw against Leeds or
    Wallsall, lets hope it is Wallsall.
                                                                       
    G.   

    
    Went to see the 'Latics' play Bristol City on saturday in some appaling
    weather, luckily for the assembled masses of 'Latics' fans they have
    dramatically improved facilities for away fans at Ashton Gate so we
    were able to watch the game in the dry, instead of having to squelch
    our way home.
    
    Well we got off to a flier with Pointon heading the ball straight into
    Allisons path, he couldn't believe his luck and thumped the ball into
    the back of the net Gerrard had no chance. We then started to try to
    atone for our mistake with the reward coming from Halle's header after
    he had turned away Banger's flick header only for the ball to be
    crossed back in right away for Halle to punish them.
    
    A couple of minutes later we gave another goal away when Henry and
    Richardson left it for one another and from the ensuing cross Allison
    was left totally unmarked (though there was a suspicion of offside) he
    must have thought it was Christmas. We were unlucky not to get a
    penalty shortly afterwards when after a short interplay of passes
    between Banger, Ritchie and Henry, Banger's path to goal was only
    blocked by a sliding save by the full-back's hand which everyone saw on
    the ground apart from the referee and the linesman who should consult
    his optician as soon as possible ( I hope he doesn't drive, may be he
    was the driver of the Bentley who cut me up on the way home, needless
    to say the parenthood of the offender was called into question on both
    occasions). 
    
    Apart from two efforts on goal by Bristol in the second-half it was all
    Oldham. However, that is not to say that the defence was as solid as a
    rock there was a definite lack of understanding between Redmond and the
    on-loan Moore from Everton to often they were slow to react to the
    changing of position of Fleck and Allison, the latter providing a good
    supply of flick header which his colleagues were unable to make the
    most of. Banger was thankfully taken off after 70 minutes to be
    replaced by McCarthty who is obviously a little short of match
    practice. Rick Holden followed him onto the field shortly after to
    provide some much needed width, although it took him a while to get the
    weight of his crossing right. He eventually got it spot on in the 83rd
    minute when the bald eagle soared to meet Holden corner with an
    emphatic header which clipped the bar on the way in. It was as much as
    the 'latics' deserved and indeed they could have taken all three of the
    points if McCarthy had been able to convert the knock-down that Moore
    had provided from get another good Holden cross.
    
    More question were raised than answered from this game especially
    around tactics. Why oh why was the ball continually played up in the
    air to Banger rather than on the floor behind the defenders. Why do we
    keep playing without wingers, we have two great crossers of the ball in
    Holden and Brennan? Why isn't Eyre in the team, Banger looks as though
    he needs a rest, wheras Eyre found the net on a regular basis for
    Scunthorpe ans has done again for the reserves since his return? There
    is a lack of cutting edge in the box could Ritchie afford to come a
    little deeper and off the wing to produce a bit more imagination into a
    team that is lacking flair and belief in itself.
    
    Glad to see we beat the 'baggies' the other night but apparently we
    lacked the incisiveness in the box again. So why does Sharpe want to
    get rid off Beckford a recognised goal-scorer. A lot of question
    remained to be answered and quicly if we are to make the play-offs.
    
    G.
     
     

    
    Hours have passed since the end of a match in which the 'Latics'
    surrendered three points against a side which they outplayed for large
    sections of the game, and I am still ANGRY!
    
    If two experienced defenders such as Redmond and Snodin allow wingers
    to run at them and whip-in crosses the goals will be conceded. They
    diced with death in this manner for the whole of the game and paid the
    penalty in the most cruel of ways in the dying seconds of a game that
    should have seen them alleviate their relegation worries. 
    
    The game started well for the 'Latics' when a long clearance from
    Gerrard was lifted towards Bernard, the ball bounced and he managed to
    knock it to his right just as the keeper and his defender converged
    on him 30 yards out ( and Shakka is worth 2 Million is he?), this presented
    Halle with the simple task of sweeping it in. Everybody was on cloud nine,
    except Dave Ogden who was up there before anyone else but crumpled in a 
    heap as his ankle went on the antiquated Elm Park Terrace. It was like 
    going back twenty years standing on that terrace.
    
    Halle then immediately tried to present Reading with an equaliser when
    he put a header straight into Lovell's path luckily he shot wide as he
    did 10 minutes later when even better placed, it seemed it wasn't his
    night, how wrong can you be.
    
    In the second half Bernard worked himself a bit of space on the right
    inside the area only to see his shot ghost past the post with Hislop
    well beaten. Five minutes later McCarthy went on a typical surging run
    which ended in a cracking shot which bounced in front of Hislop who did
    very well to tip it over the bar from a prone position. The ball went
    straight down the other end where Snodin allowed the winger time to
    cross yet again, Gerrard did well to smother the free header that
    Reading got in. 
    
    The 'Latics' seemed to be holding Reading fairly comfortably until
    disaster struck six minutes from time. The ball was switched to the
    left Snodin and Halle decided to mark each other instead of Gilkes who
    whipped in a cross where Nogan beat Redmond to the ball at the near
    post and glanced it in. Then in injury-time Redmond stabbed a clearance
    straight to the speedy Taylor who cut the ball back from the by-line
    where it hit Lovell and went in. Seconds later the whistle went and we
    were all left with that horrible empty felling akin to grief when you
    fell ever so angry but can do nothing about it. 
    
    On relection if Redmond was injured in the first half then Sharpe should 
    have taken the opportunity at half-time to reorganise, which might have 
    meant that Latics had got something from the game, rather than succuming to
    defeat in such a cruel way, leaving fans feeling cheated at being left with
    no points at all.
    
    As for Reading, should they be fortunate to make it to the Premiership
    I will be hot-footing it to the bookies to place a bet on their
    immediate return to the Endsleigh League with a record for the least
    points achieved, they were abysmal in the first half. Fortunately for them 
    last night they kept going against a side that has lost the will to win.
    
    G.
      

    
    Ther is speculation that Joe Royle is looking at Paul Gerrard. THe
    Latics have now slappeda 2.5 Million price tag on him.
    
    Let's wait and see. Could be interesting especially as we have just put
    Jon Hallworth on the list.
    
    Gerry.

    
    Fixtures this season. They are likely to change because of demands of
    T.V., cup replays and weather etc..
    
    AUGUST
    
    SATURDAY 12
    
    Oldham v Huddersfield
    
    SATURDAY 19
    
    Barnsley v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 26
    
    Oldham v Sheff Utd
    
    WEDNESDAY 30
    
    Norwich v Oldham
    
    SEPTEMBER
    
    SATURDAY 2
    
    Stoke v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 9
    
    Oldham v West Brom
    
    TUESDAY 12
    
    Oldham v Ipswich
    
    SATURDAY 16
    
    Charlton v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 23
    
    Oldham v Crystal Palace
    
    SATURDAY 30
    
    Birmingham v Oldham
    
    OCTOBER
    
    SATURDAY 7
    
    Oldham v Portsmouth
    
    SATURDAY 14
    
    Grimsby v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 21
    
    Oldham v Reading
    
    SATURDAY 28
    
    Derby v Oldham
    
    NOVEMBER
    
    SATURDAY 4
    
    Oldham v Port Vale
    
    SATURDAY 11
    
    Luton v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 18
    
    Wolverhampton v Oldham
    
    TUESDAY 21
    
    Oldham v Millwall
    
    SATURDAY 25
    
    Oldham v Southend
    
    DECEMBER
    
    SATURDAY 2
    
    Portsmouth v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 9
    
    Crystal Palace v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 16
    
    Oldham v Birmingham
    
    SATURDAY 23
    
    Oldham v Watford
    
    TUESDAY 26
    
    Tranmere v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 30
    
    Leicester v Oldham
    
    JANUARY
    
    MONDAY 1
    
    Oldham v Sunderland
    
    SATURDAY 13
    
    Oldham v Barnsley
    
    SATURDAY 20
    
    Huddersfield v Oldham
    
    FEBRUARY
    
    SATURDAY 3
    
    Sheff Utd v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 10
    
    Oldham v Norwich
    
    SATURDAY 17
    
    Ipswich v Oldham
    
    TUESDAY 20
    
    Oldham v Stoke
    
    SATURDAY 24
    
    Oldham v Charlton
    
    TUESDAY 27
    
    West Brom v Oldham
    
    MARCH
    
    SATURDAY 2
    
    Oldham v Tranmere
    
    SATURDAY 9
    
    Watford v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 16
    
    Oldham v Leicester
    
    SATURDAY 23
    
    Sunderland v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 30
    
    Reading v Oldham
    
    APRIL
    
    TUESDAY 2
    
    Oldham v Grimsby
    
    SATURDAY 6
    
    Oldham v Derby
    
    MONDAY 8
    
    Port Vale v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 13
    
    Oldham v Wolverhampton
    
    SATURDAY 20
    
    Millwall v Oldham
    
    SATURDAY 27
    
    Southend v Oldham
    
    MAY
    
    SATURDAY 4
    
    Oldham v Luton
    
    Gerry.
    
     

    RE:                  <<< Note 41.141 by SAC::MAGUIRE_G >>>
                          -< League Fixtures for 1995/1996 >-

    
    Fixtures this season. They are likely to change because of demands of
    T.V., cup replays and weather etc..
    ^^^^
    
    Gerry,
    
    Delusions of grandure, me ol' fruit - you're not in the Premier anymore
    y' know! You don't really think Granada will want Boundary Park on the
    box every other Sunday do you? (they'll be more interested in Rochdale,
    I'm sure)
    
    Rob

    
    Rob,
    
    Now that you have struggled past Lincoln in the League Cup your team
    may be able to tread the hallowed Boundary Park turf once more.
    
    I am afraid that we do have a record for making it into the latter
    stages of the cup competions in recent years, especially Wembley.
    
    Remind me how many times Notts County have been to Wemblry recently in
    a recognised cup competition.
    
    Hope you get promoted soon so that our friendly rivalry once more,
    besides I would like to know what a decent ground looks like, have they
    finished yours yet?
    
    Cheers,
    	   Gerry.

    
    Well I was wrong we have drawn Tranmere in the next round of the
    Coca-Cola Cup with the first leg being away from home.
    
    Perhaps we will draw Notts County in the next round, if we get there as
    I am afraid that Tranmere have been our bogey side for quite some time
    now.
    
    G.

    
    After the spanking of Palace on saturday, has come the sad news of the
    imminent departure of Paul Bernard to Aberdeen for 800,000, which by
    today's process seems a bit of a bargain for a Scotland U21
    international of 22.
    
    I wonder who we are going to buy with the money? 
    
    More likely which stand are we goiing to re-build?
    
    G.
    
    P.S. could be worse I could be a United fan
     

    
    Hello out there, is anything going on in here.  A recent contractor at
    Newbury, was introduced to sport by Father and several uncles.  1 week
    Latics the next Watersheddings.  The biggest win, 11-0 on a very snowy
    f****** cold day, just old enough to remember going. The weather I
    think, kept the crowd down ;-}   Any how imagine my pleasure at finding
    a conference like this, then sorrow when there has been no action for
    almost a year.  If anyone out there has any current info, much
    appreciated, my Chrons take light years to arrive, I think they are
    sent by Mule post.
    
    Ger_aut_of_it_scruffy_likkle_git
    
    Sound familiar?
    
    Gradley one