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'New era' at Oldham Athletic procession planned

Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park stadium.

Oldham Athletic is planning a 'new era' procession down Sheepfoot Lane ahead of the football club's first home game of the season. 

Announcing the plan, the club's new livewire owner, Frank Rothwell, will head the procession accompanied by his wife Judith.

The muster planned from 3.30pm at the top of Sheepfoot Lane with the procession setting off at 4pm.

The front of the procession will be at Cumberland Drive and the back at Rochdale Road end at the mini roundabout in front of the ground. The procession should disperse at the mini roundabout to allow supporters through.

Frank said: "The older, infirmed, wheel chairs and parents with young children who want to take part in this momentous event, please join at the top or Sheepfoot Lane at Rochdale Road.”

Greenfield Brass Band will head the procession and Frank said: “I’ve told the band to play loud so supporters at the back can hear and the ladies in the maternity wards at Boundary Park hospital will be distracted from their labours and wishing they could join us.”

Joining Frank and Judith representing The Queen will be Oldham’s Deputy Lieutenant Muzahid Kahn.

Accompanying them will be Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, and Arooj Shah, the former leader of Oldham Council.       

Other dignitaries, community leaders and religious leaders of Oldham Including Kashif Ashraf, who bagged the Boardroom to invite the Rothwell family to last season's Leyton Orient game where this journey began.

Frank said there will be plenty of time to get into Boundary Park before the 5.20pm kick-off against Dorking Wanderers and listen to a concert by Greenfield Brass Band and Maddison, who will sing our National Anthem.   

Frank added: “There is time to visit the new, yet unnamed, supporters bar on the ground level in the Joe Royle Stand.

“I welcome new era banners and don't want banners to mention the past. What has happened in the past is history, do not dwell on it, let's move on.

“We are on a new journey and in a new era. We have a good strong squad who want to win and a first class manager who we all love.

“I want the nation to know with this level of love and support, Oldham Athletic will not be in the National League for long.

“We will have the world watching us on BT Sport so let's be orderly and respectful to everyone but a few 'who are you' and the like will not go a miss.

“Do make sure you record North West Tonight and Granada Reports so you can watch our procession when you get home over and over again and be proud to be a Latics supporter.”

But he adds: “No flares or other fireworks, but plenty of singing, banners and flat caps both on the procession and in the ground.   

“I do not want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt at our club. And if you see someone with a flare, take a photograph and send it to me.

“There will be stewards managing traffic and safety. Please abide with their requests.”

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