What Oldham winning the play-off final at Wembley would mean
Oldham Athletic’s biggest game in 30 years has had the entire borough buzzing with excitement.
As thousands plan to make the trip to Wembley and see the Latics in the National League play-off final, there is no question about how much this means to not just the fans, but Oldham as a town.
For everyone connected to the club, a win on Sunday would carry its own personal meaning for each person, along with what it would mean for the club.
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Steve Johnson is the co-founder of the Oldham Athletic Veterans and Armed Forces Supporters Group, which was set up just over two years ago and has become an important part of the club.
The group does incredible work for charity and in the community, including crowdfunding for a defibrillator outside Boundary Park, organising for children to be mascots at games and helping to secure tickets for veterans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to go.
For Steve, 54, Sunday also marks an important landmark for the group and a win would mean everything.
Steve, far right, and other members of the Oldham Athletic Veterans and Armed Forces Supporters Group
Steve, far right, and other members of the Oldham Athletic Veterans and Armed Forces Supporters Group at York City away (Image: Steve Johnson)
He said: “It would be an absolute pinnacle really, an absolute cherry on top of the cake if we can come away with a win on Sunday to finish what is our second full season as a group.”
Like so many Latics fans, Steve has left Wembley disappointed in the past, such as after the 1990 League Cup final, when Oldham lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest.
This time Steve, who served 17 years in the Royal Air Force, is going down with other members of the veterans group, saying they will be “mob-handed” and hoping to see Oldham make history.
Steve, second from left, set up with group to help Oldham fans who are veterans and serving in the armed forces
Steve, second from right, set up with group to help Oldham fans who are veterans and serving in the armed forces (Image: Steve Johnson)
He also mentioned supporters of the veterans group who have recently passed away and cannot be there, such as John ‘Mouse’ Kennedy and Paul Rowbottom, an ex-fusilier.
There are also fans like Michael Sixsmith, who has endured a very difficult 18 months, having been diagnosed with cancer in his eye which was then found to have spread to his liver.
Despite it being incurable, Michael is now in remission after two rounds of treatment which have gone well and he is hoping that this positive news will be followed up by witnessing a Wembley win.
The 63-year-old said: “It’s amazing, honestly, I’ve been twice and I’ve got back upset twice – I don’t want to come back upset again.”
Michael is heading down with a group of a dozen friends and is looking forward to a “fantastic” day.
Michael with Oldham owner Frank Rothwell.
After months of fundraising and battling difficult treatments, Michael insists he’s not going anywhere until he sees the Latics back where they belong.
He said: “When I found out I had liver cancer, I said I’m not shuttling off until Oldham Athletic are back in the Championship.
“I remember someone saying ‘you’ll be here for another 30 years then’.”
Chairman Rothwell wants Latics to rock Wembley
In the build-up to Oldham’s massive game, there has been no shortage of praise for owner Frank Rothwell, with fans keen to pay tribute to the work he and his family have done to turn the club around.
However, the owner is keen to make sure that the importance of Sunday’s match is all about the people of Oldham.
Frank Rothwell has helped turn the culture of the club around
In a video shared by the club, Rothwell said: “Forget me, it’s the people of Oldham – what does it mean to the people of Oldham? It means everything in the world.
“Everybody is passionate about it, everybody wants to come.”
Rothwell did admit that a victory on Sunday and a return to the Football League would “mean everything” to him and his family, adding: “It will be everything that we’ve strived for over the last three years.”
The 74-year-old said he looks forward to Oldham fans showing what “passion and football is all about” at Wembley and thanked all the fans who are making the journey.
The importance of Sunday’s game is felt by everyone, including MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, Jim McMahon.
He said: “This Sunday’s play-off final is about more than just 90 minutes of football. It’s a moment of hope and pride for Oldham. A win would mark our long-awaited return to the Football League and inspire a new generation of Latics fans. After years of challenge, this is a chance to turn the page and look to a brighter future for both the club and our community.
Jim McMahon says the play-off final represents a hufe occasion for the club and the town
Jim McMahon says the play-off final represents a hufe occasion for the club and the town
“Under new ownership, Oldham Athletic has already begun to rebuild trust and ambition, reconnecting with the fans and investing in the club’s future. This final represents not just the end of a hard-fought season, but the start of a new era, one defined by unity, belief, and a renewed sense of purpose that reflects the very best of our town.”
For each supporter and Oldhamer, Sunday’s match has it’s own personal significance which is different for every person.
No matter who you are and what your connection to Oldham as a club and a town is, there is no doubt how important Sunday’s match is and how special a win would be.
Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
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