Dear Fellow Supporters,

Happy New Year. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year with lots of cheer to wash it down. Well, we did it yet again! The record attendance was officially recorded at 53 and that didn't include the plethora of unofficial visitors who also attended the meeting. They must have numbered another 20 or so. The draw was, in my opinion, a huge success and Ernie has been recuperating from electron fatigue syndrome after his non-stop efforts. It's time he was sponsored by Duracell or Energizer.

I'm a little disappointed that no-one noticed the lucky programme. It was the first time a lucky programme has been issued. Check the seniority list under Dan's signature. I am not surprised though as the programme was a complete sell-out and I am sure many supporters took them home so that they would have something interesting to read after the turkey dinner. It was gratifying to see so many different winners and rewarding to see some loyal supporters winning some of the valuable prizes. I would like to state that I won the bottle of plonk fair and square, although there was some haggling and suggestions of a fix? It did feel good to finally win a draw as I have been a member of the LSC as long as you can remember.

I had a meeting with Dan over Christmas and can tell you that he has lots of new and exciting features for you all to look forward to this year, so let’s get on with it. Articles are still being accepted and don't forget you can nominate yourself or a friend as a future Latic Fanatic. What a great gift! Also send in your letters to our own agony uncle, Dr. Roof (he's always on top of everything), who is sure to sort out your problems. I note with interest that Wigan Athletic A.F.C. now have a fanzine (like a programme). It's name is LATIC FANATIC ll. Could it just be a coincidence?

The Chairman

Well the Christmas games started off in great style with an unexpected 2-1 derby win over local struggling neighbours Manchester City. The result came as a surprise as City had not lost at Boundary Park in the previous seven visits. City took the lead, after missing a penalty, but Ormandroyd and Banger both scored to give the Latics a valuable three points and lift them out of the relegation zone for the first time in yonks. The Boxing Day clash with Birmingham City was postponed due to inclement weather but on Saturday 28th. December, Oldham travelled across the Pennines to visit old rivals Sheffield United. They came away with a creditable 2-2 draw and with City losing again the Latics were hoisted above them to fifth from bottom. City are now in their lowest position ever in their 102 year existence, thanks to the Latics, he-he-he!.

On New Year's Day all roads across the Pennines were closed due to the heavy snowfall so it was another postponement, which was a shame as all 19,000 tickets had been sold. Last Saturday came, and the FA. Cup third round, and should have brought another trip to Barnsley, but again it was postponed. So it was an undefeated Christmas/New Year and I think it's time now to forgive and forget and let Sharpey get on with the job. Remember the hostility when Joe Royle took over from Sir Jimmy Frizzell? He took a long time to be accepted and he didn't do too bad now, did he? Sharpey finally appears to be heading in the right direction (for the moment) but that could change and so could our opinions. Fickle lot aren't we?

The LSC is now on the Internet. Supporters can check it out on:

http://www.angelfire.com/mo/latics/index.html

Please sign the guest book as the worldwide audience would be interested to hear from local supporters. You need not sign your name as your number will suffice but you are welcome to sign your name or your alias if you like. The Chairman retains the right to delete any negative comments (he does not like) and of course cards can now be e-mailed direct to you at no extra cost. What progress!

John Motson, BBC: "And I suppose they [Spurs] are nearer to being out of the FA Cup now than any other time since the first half of this season, when they weren't ever in it anyway." Elton Welsby "And now for the goals at Carrow Road where it ended nil-nil." Elton Welsby "Football today would certainly not be the same if it had not existed."

David Coleman : "Don't tell those coming in the result of that fantastic match, but let's have another look at Italy's winning goal."

Today we begin a new series of student bloopers. They are actual direct quotes from a range of USA students' English essays from Grade 8 to college level. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

The inhabitants of ancient Egypt were called mummies. They lived in the Sarah Dessert and travelled by Camelot. The climate in the Sarah is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere, so certain areas of the dessert are cultivated by irritation. The Egyptians built the pyramids in the shape of a huge triangular cube. The pyramids are a range of mountains between France and Spain.

The Bible is full of interesting caricatures. In the first book of the Bible, Guinesses, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. One of their children, Cain, once asked, "Am I my brother's son?" God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Montezuma. Jacob, son of Isaac, stole his brother's birth mark. Jacob was a patriarch who brought up his twelve sons to be patriarchs, but they did not take to it. One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, gave refuse to the Israelites.

Pharaoh forced the Hebrew slaves to make bread without straw. Moses led them to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments. David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought with the philatelists, a race of people who lived in biblical times. Solomon, one of David's sons, bad 500 wives and 500 porcupines.

Continuing our theme of The History of Football this week we concentrate on that little man in black, (well he used to be before psychedelia took over the game) the referee. The early players didn't need a referee! They were gentlemen, and any dispute could be settled by the two captains. Of course, this idyllic state of affairs couldn't last, especially when competitive soccer in the form of the Football Association's Cup came along in 1872. Bt this time, it had become the practice for each team to appoint an umpire. These two gentleman then ran about the pitch, keeping an eye on matters. They had no right to interfere with the game, but they could be appealed to by the players, just as in the game of cricket today.

Of course, it is not surprising that occasionally the two umpires could not agree on a decision, and so the need arose for a neutral observer, the referee. For F.A. Cup matches, the rules stated that the umpires had to be neutral also. The referee remained on the touchline at first. At some date in the 1880’s, he got onto the field of play. Not until 1895 was he finally given the powers he has today, and the two umpires relegated to the role of linesmen. They have recently been termed as assistant referees. I always remember the definition of a game of football as a game played with 22 players, one ball and about 20,000 referees !!!!!!

Joe Royle, undoubtedly the most successful Oldham manager ever, is pictured in his heydays in the '70's. I pay homage to Big Fat Joe as he was the manager of the successful team I left in 1990, and he did more for the town of Oldham to put Athletic back on the map than anyone I can remember (except The Chairman of course). Although he is revered he should heed the warning below as you never know in football. Good luck Joe from the LSC, Surrey, B.C., Canada.

As a Bolton fan who also supports Oldham, I know the perils of becoming complacent after 2 away wins. Last season, Bolton beat Middlesborough, Leeds and Coventry away and we felt, we would then stay up. What a mistake that was. I go to Oldham games as often as possible but as a student who has just spent 13 pounds to get in at St. Andrews, I cannot often afford it. There seems little point on jumping on Sharp. He is doing his best with limited finance. I blame Harvey more than Stott. It is he who coaches tactics which have obviously been non existent in recent home games. Face facts. RITCHIE WILL NOT BE BACK, so let it rest. There is no proof that Andy could do any better than Sharp anyway, Be thankful you have not had Roy McFarland as manager. Then you would have genuine reason to complain. I have seen nearly every side in Div. 1 this year and Oldham are not the worst. Spare a thought for our "friends" over at Maine Road (Ha Ha Ha).

Chris Evans

CAPRICORN - (22 December - 20 January)
The Goat. Mercury has a strange effect on you for most of this year; the sooner you can stop drinking it, the better you will feel. If you are a highly rated forward with dazzling skill and pace you will need to turn it on full during the first week of the year. Things will quieten down after May though, before picking up again before the autumn. Capricorn football fans are capricious by nature, unpredictable in the extreme; sometimes they just don't show up for matches, other times you don't see them at all. Football fanzines launched during this sign, or named after any date in this sign are unlikely to succeed or entertain. It may be safer to avoid them altogether. If you are a football club manager, you may have noticed that you share your birth-sign with Jesus Christ. You, however, are unable to perform miracles, but will probably be crucified anyway, possibly before Easter.

AQUARIUS - (21 January - 19 February)
The Water-carrier. The total eclipse of the sun in the obliquity of the ecliptic is just meaningless mumbo-jumbo. Meanwhile, this is the dawning of the age of aquarius. If you are a temperamental midfielder with considerable daily journeys to undertake you may find yourself in possession of your driving licence again this year. Try to look after it this time. Aquarian football fans are frequently to be seen sipping the water they carry from small hip flasks. They are generally good natured, almost jolly, and are treated with considerable respect by wise club chairmen. If you are a football club manager, however, you deserve much more sympathy than you will be getting in 1997; now get lost.

PISCES - (20 February - 20 March)
The Fish. The moon will be your best friend throughout 1997, you sad git. If you are a loan player at Boundary Park, the purchase of a return ticket might have proved a shrewd investment. Alas, there is no pot of gold under the wise owl, until the ascendance of Konsor Teum during the spring. Strength, loyalty, pride and passion are seldom found in the Piscean football fan, but then you have been rather messed about lately. If you are a football club manager, you will be sacked this year.

ARIES - (21 March - 20 April)
The ram. If you are a central defender, you will probably moved to Manchester City at the start of the season. Don't worry, though, there are plenty more sheep in the Forest. Ariean football fans are both optimistic and gullible, so are particularly welcome at Boundary Park. If you are a football club manager you might wish to reconsider your career this year.

TAURUS - -(21 April - 21 May)
The bull. This is something there will be plenty of around Boundary Park this year. If you are a forward sort of a person, you probably play for Wolves. Taurean football fans are loyal and devoted to their club, especially if it's doing well, but are prone to see red at the Old Trafford. If you are a football club manager you might feel suddenly insecure during the course of this year, but don't worry about this, you're just unpopular.

GEMINI - -(22 May - 21 June)
The twins. Venus is lying just to the left of Pollux and Uranus is partially obscured by asteroids. You should consult your doctor. If you are a full back you will probably be completing your first three match ban of the season about now. Never mind, there'll be another before Easter. Gemini football fans are notoriously fickle, cheering one minute, booing the next. If you are a football club manager you might hear calls for your resignation during the early part of this year, but they'll go away if you do.

CANCER - (22 June - 23 July)
The crab. Saturn will be a large ringed planet throughout the year, while Alpha Centauri is Latin for something. If you are a goalkeeper you will probably spend most of this year in the country of your birth. Cancerian football fans are a generally happy bunch and therefore extremely scarce, especially along the south coast of England. If you are a football club manager you may find yourself unemployed before Easter. Perhaps you should take up gardening.

LEO - (24 July - 23 August)
The Lion. Look out for Mars and the Milky Way, especially around Easter, but don't bother if you don't like chocolate. On the other hand, five fingers. If you are a central defender you will probably continue your diet throughout 1997, but although you'll look better you are unlikely to get any faster. Leo football fans may feel taken for granted this year and season ticket holders will probably find themselves considerably worse off during the summer. Generally, this is a good sign for Millwall FC and Club Chairmen, who never stop lion. If you are a football club manager there's a good chance you won't be much longer.

VIRGO - (24 August - 23 September)
The Virgin. The autumnal equinox will definitely take place this year and it will probably be in or very close to the cusp of your sign. Watch out for aurora boreollocks. If you are a right back, and you probably are, you might consider getting someone to help you work on your tackle. Virgo football fans are notoriously perfectionist, expecting their team to keep a clean sheet at home, hence they are rarer than rocking horse droppings at Boundary Park. If you are a football club manager, people will probably be asking you why. Don't let them get you down, just go.

LIBRA - (24 September - 23 October)
The Scales. Libra has been the dominant sign in the house of the star and crescent for much of 1996, with almost every player losing weight. If you are a centre forward, you have almost certainly moved north and gained a few pounds in the last few months. You may find yourself on the move again soon. Libran fans are well balanced and considerate with a ready wit and a kind word for the match officials. If you are a Chairman, you probably feel comfortable and relaxed. Think again.

SCORPIO - (24 October - 22 November)
The Scorpion. An unpleasant creature, whichever way you look at it, but that's enough about Eric Cantona, back to the horoscope. If you are a tricky winger, you will probably find yourself playing out of position for much of 1997. You may even be expected to score a large number of goals. Don't worry about this and whatever you do, do not take up smoking. Scorpio football fans are hard done by, being overcharged for poor performances in dismal grounds, but that's enough about Utd. if you are a football club manager the writing is on the wall, - you should invest a few moments in reading it.

SAGITTARIUS - (23 November - 21 December)
The Archer. Tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-turn, tum-te-tum-te-tum-tum. Now you feel at home, we'll begin. If you are an Irish midfielder, your backside must be as flat as a pancake by now. This could be the year you tell big Jack's successor to get lost. Sagittarian fans have more than one string to their bow and sometimes as many as two. And they can count, so are seldom taken in by the astromaths of certain club chairmen. If you are a football club manager there is a tremendous future for you this year, in the Vauxhall Conference.

Dear Dr. Roof,

My partner and I have been together for four years. He is a wonderful person and we have a great relationship. The problem is that I cannot trust him. I know he loves Oldham totally, but I go through hell when he goes out for a night with friends especially if United are playing at home. I try so hard to tell myself that he won't betray me but I can't stop myself. He has never given me the slightest reason to doubt him, but I always imagine the worst. He even bought red pyjamas! I also know that unless I get a grip of myself and this insane jealousy it will break us up.

Concerned in Cloverdale.

Dear Concerned,

Knowing you're behaving like a fool isn't going to stop you doing it - at least on your own. You need help from football guidance who help couples, married or otherwise. It might take a bit of time for them to fit you in with all the recent cup games, but it's worth hanging on until they can.

Doctor Roof