Dear Fellow Supporters,

Welcome back to another exciting season. I hope you all had a great summer and are ready to meet the challenge of supporting the Latics yet again. After the disappointment of relegation last year we are now in an optimistic mood (as we always are at the start of a new season) as we hope that this is the season which sees us bounce back at the first attempt.

I will keep this editorial short as a complete write up of my summer happenings can be found in “The Chairman’s Visit” and a round up of team activities is also included elsewhere in the programme. I just wish to conclude by offering a hearty welcome back you all and also a warm welcome to any new members who have crossed the threshold for the first time. With dedication comes reward. As one particular member of the club made a special effort to attend two Oldham matches in person, became a true fanatic, witnessed two wins and bought a new Latics shirt to boot he has been promoted by a whole division. Any thing is possible!

The Chairman

The season has started with optimism. The opening game against York started with an exhibition in the sun which resulted in a 3-1 victory. The next game was the CC Cup at home to Grimsby. Although a scrappy affair, the first Andy Ritchie goal since his return to the club gave the Latics a 1-0 first leg victory and hope for a second round tie against Tranmere Rovers (again!!!). Back to league action and the first away trip of the season saw the lads lose their first game of the season at Wrexham, Wales by the score of 3-1.

Back to winning again as the boys edged the then league leaders, Bournemouth, 2-1 at home to take the Latics to fourth position in the league. A disasterous second leg of the CC Cup at Grimsby confirmed that the Chairman will not be taking another free drink from Roger Williams this year unless he is brave enough to wager that Tranmere will finish in a higher position in the first division than Latics do in the second. I’ll keep you informed on this one. The next league action took the Latics to Luton, one of the fancied teams of the division, and saw them come away with a point after a creditable 1-1 draw. The Lancashire derby at Burnley on 2nd. September brought another point in a well earned draw and leaves the team in eighth place in a second division which is going to be difficult. Due to last week’s events the Football League has postponed all of tomorrows matches so the next game will be against Preston N.E. on 9th. September. No team has a right to expect success without effort and the future season will be a trying one although with that little bit of luck - who knows? - we could be celebrating promotion again next May.