Oldham Athletic are on the up, but mileage is coming down

Oldham Athletic are on the up, but mileage is coming down

 

Oldham Athletic’s return to the EFL has brought joy to Boundary Park — and a much-needed break for the team’s travel coordinator.

 

After clinching promotion from the National League, Latics are set to compete in League Two next season. But while ambitions remain high on the pitch, the long-haul treks that came with life in non-league football are now a thing of the past.

 

Oldham racked up a grueling 7,170 miles in regular league travel during their 2024/25 promotion-winning campaign. That figure excludes the additional journeys taken for cup fixtures, the play-off semi-final, and their memorable trip to Wembley. Of their 23 away league games, nearly half — 11 in total — involved round trips of more than 400 miles. Clubs like Aldershot, Barnet, Braintree, and Ebbsfleet provided particularly punishing travel itineraries, often leaving the team with little recovery time between games.

 

However, the 2025/26 season brings welcome relief. League Two is not only a step up in footballing stature but a notable step down in travel distance. Next season, only three of Oldham’s away days will involve trips of over 400 miles round trip. Gillingham tops the mileage chart at 252 miles one way, with Crawley Town and Bromley close behind at 251 and 250 miles respectively.

 

In contrast to their non-league days — which frequently took them to the farthest reaches of the south and southeast — Oldham can now look forward to a more northern-centric fixture list. Shorter journeys to the likes of Stockport County, Salford City, Accrington Stanley, and Bradford City will be a welcome change, not just for players but for supporters too. The club’s dedicated away following has long been a source of pride, and shorter distances could boost turnout even further.

 

The reduced travel demands should also pay dividends in terms of player performance and squad management. Fewer overnight stays and lengthy coach journeys will mean more time on the training pitch and greater recovery between matches. Manager Micky Mellon, entering his first full season in charge, will no doubt be pleased with this logistical advantage as he looks to build on the momentum of promotion.

 

Financially, the cut in travel could help Oldham redirect funds into strengthening the squad. Every mile saved represents potential savings on fuel, accommodation, and associated costs — crucial for a club that has worked hard to stabilise itself on and off the pitch.

 

For now, the mood at Boundary Park is buoyant. The Latics are heading into League Two with confidence, cohesion, and a fixture list that finally seems to be going their way — at least geographically. With promotion in the bag and the sat-nav pointing toward shorter journeys, Oldham Athletic are not just on the rise — they’re doing it the efficient way.

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