Well, another season ends! It has not been a memorable one either on the field or at the meetings. Our numbers have dwindled and as a consequence some new rules will be brought into effect immediately next season gets under way. Our ‘Stop The Rot’ petition was sent to JWL’s brewery but we have yet to receive a reply. We also have an ‘electronic petition’ set up on the web page which currently has 31 signatures from around the world. It will be sent early/mid July so if you missed the original one please log on and sign it as we need as much weight as possible to try to get the sponsors to invest in the club.

The good news is that an exciting season is in prospect with Andy Ritchie being appointed as manager, and we can also look forward to a bevvy of local derbies with many of the longer trips being omitted due to teams moving out of the second division. What a shame about Manchester City though! The Maine Road club has dropped into the third level of football for the first time in their history and it should be a sell out when Joe Royle brings his ‘blue and white army’ to Boundary Park for the first time at this level. Poor Glen Payne - He’ll never be the same.

All that is left is to wish you all a good summer from Dan and I and we’ll see you all next season when we get under way at our first meeting on 11th. September. Please try to encourage some of our supporters who have dropped off recently to return to the fold and let’s also pull out the stops to enrol some new members.

This programme was printed before the final qualifying game in the world cup was played today so let’s hope England did it in style. I always had confidence in them anyway, and if things didn’t go right to plan it is a bonus for Scotland, Germany, France and Italy as they need something to cheer for in the world cup.

Enjoy your summer reading.

The Chairman

Changes need to be made! Our last season of supporting the Latics was our worst ever. Numbers dwindled and it can’t all be attributed to lack of performance on the field. We used to average 40 members per. week and that average has been halved. I am making changes.

The leagues will be re-structured to more represent the Football League. This means that the Premier League will be reduced to 18 members. The other leagues will also be restructured to correspond in numbers to the First/Second/Third Divisions. Gone will be the ‘old pals act’ whereby members can come ‘cap in hand’ to gain re-election or to maintain their position with the odd attendance. Changes are as follows:

1. Members who do not contribute to the club on a reasonably regular basis will be relegated to the Privvy Division for a warning period. If the member does not heed the warning they will be plummeted into non-league obscurity.

2. New members will be required to attend two meetings before recognition to the league. They will become members of the new Conference league which will be introduced as an interim position until full membership to the league is recognised.

3. The Premier League members will continue to sponsor the weekly draw (on a voluntary basis) and Ernie will re-draw the numbers until the draw is won/lost by a recognised number (ie. if there are only 66 members of the club the draw will be re-drawn until the number 66 or higher seniority is achieved.)

4. Honourary members will also be able to climb the ladder with attendance and a ‘special’ beermat will be introduced for the sole use of honourary members.

5. Any member named Roger will be expected to make an appearance at the meeting as close to 6:30pm as possible so that The Chairman will at least have the opportunity to discuss the fall of Tranmere for 30 minutes.

The above new rules will come into effect at the first meeting of the 1998-99 season. The Chairman will, of course, change the rules as and when he sees fit.

What were you doing twelve months ago? Below is a nostalgic look into the past. Listed are the seniority positions on 27th. June 1997 with this years position in brackets. The attendance for the previous week was 38 and J. Gill was the winner of four units.

6 B. Deren (8)
7 T. Wright (9)
8. R. Macgregor (12)
9. W. McQuillan (6)
10. G. Payne (22)
11. B. Piercy (17)
13. H. Buhl (7)
15. M. Prohl (23)
16. B. Jupp (10)
17. T. Hu (24)
18. L. MacMillan (14)
20. P. Herdman (25)
24. D. Car (46)
25. D. Hillier (15)
29. T. Hastie (18)
32. B. Barnes (19)
34. K. Shier (21)
52 Z. Szlivka (27)
Nowhere M. Glenister (16)

1. You can count on getting a go every Saturday.
2. Balls are always checked for firmness.
3. You can invite your parents to watch you.
4. If you miss something, the commentator explains it again all at the end.
5. When you score, the whole nation cheers.
6. A period only lasts 45 minutes.
7. Fewer groin strains.
8. There’s usually an instant replay.
9. If something’s going wrong, the manager sorts it out at half-time.
10. Even someone who looks like Peter Beardsley can score.

Latics fans will have more razzamatazz on match-days next season. It follows changes introduced in recent seasons to spice up proceedings and, after a complaint from a supporter about musical interludes, the club decided to hold its own poll. The result was music to the ears of officials who found they have been vindicated in their actions. 87% of those questioned said they liked to hear music when the teams come out onto the field, while 12% were not bothered and only 1% was opposed to the whole idea. Fans were also asked if they liked music played when a goal was scored. Again, they came out in favour. 69% liked the music, 20% were not bothered and only 11% disliked it. Fans were also asked if they liked music being played as the players were about to kick-off. Here, 47% liked the idea, 20% were not bothered and another 20% didn't like it.

Chief Executive Alan Hardy explained: "We are competing against other sports, especially ice hockey where there is a lot of razzamatazz. "It also helps to attract youngsters which we need to do because they are the next generation of supporters."

So Paul Scholes is an Oldham Athletic fan is he? England's goal hero says he was mad for a bit of Frankie Bunn, Andy Ritchie, Roger Palmer, Rick Holden and Earl Barrett in the Latics' golden years eight years ago. He even stood behind the goal watching them come from behind to draw 3-3 with Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final in 1990 at Maine Road, only to lose the replay in another classic.

Although he does not come from their exact catchment area, his dad supported them and took Paul along, rather than let him join the United bandwagon. That Scholes, from Middleton in north Manchester, is a Latics fan is not that surprising, though. He shows all the class, hard work, speed , exciting play and modesty that Joe Royle’s superb side did. And he’s spent the last few years playing in the same side as his former hero, Dennis Irwin. Just a quick reminder what they achieved before the dream crumbled:

1989-90: Got to Littlewoods Cup Final only to lose to Forest, had awesome FA Cup semi marathon with mighty United, eventually losing replay;

1990-91: Won Second Division title;

1991-92: Survived in Premier League for three seasons, reaching FA Cup semi again in 1994 only to lose to United again after Wembley thriller.

Then they dropped like a stone through Division One to mid-table in Division Two this season. But that man Ritchie is back in charge to put a smile on Scholesy's face again!

F is for Oldham’s first football league game which was played at Stoke City on 9th. September 1907. The Latics won 1-3 and went on to finish third in the Second Division.

F is for the first ever official English football game played on a Sunday between Cambridge U. and Oldham on 3rd. Jan. 74. The score was 2-2 and Lochhead and Simmons (og) were the scorers for Athletic. The Chairman was at the game.

Guess what? Dan had some of those people round at his house and they tried to convert him. He was quoted as saying, “My only religion is Oldham Athletic”. Try as they may, the Jehovah’s Witnesses were unsuccessful so they left.

We thought it might be fun to envisage what Dan would look like of another faith, so we put together this cut-out doll to keep you amused throughout the summer months. You can carefully cut it out (using rounded-ended scissors) and then try to guess where the articles of clothing fit. Glue Dan to a piece of cardboard and you can stand him up before you dress him. Colour the model when it is finished and bring them to the next meeting where a prize will be awarded for the most interesting design.

Due to inconsistent attendance this season the list of summer school recommendations is rather longer than usual. The following members are recommended to attend for extra coaching in the finer art of football supporting and boozing (but not necessarily in that order):

T. Wright, R. Macgregor, B. Piercy, G. Payne (needs double credit course), M. Prohl, T. Hu, P. Herdman, M. Andriessen, The Administrative team, D. Jackson, G. Dignan, S. Elliott, C. Roderman, C. Gerhardt, all the 2nd. Div. (except W. Morris, P. Bonell) and all the 3rd. Div.

What exactly are those footballers singing when they line up before the match and the band strikes up with their national anthem? Amaze your mates by joining in with those bombastic Nigerians, dramatic Romanians and frankly fearful Colombians with the aid of our World Cup anthems special, complete with the official Oldham translation…

ARGENTINA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Mortals! Hear the sacred cry Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Hear the noise of broken chains. See noble Equality enthroned'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Mortals! Hear the sacred cry Diving! Rolling! Cheating! Hear the noise of Shilton's bleating. See Diego's mighty girth enthroned'

AUSTRIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Land of fields, land of spires. Land of hammers, with a rich future
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Land of fields, land of spires. Land of hammers, which one's the Fuhrer

BELGIUM
WHAT THEY SING: 'Trust in the word that, undaunted, you can speak. For King, for Freedom and for Law'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Trust us to have no decent players since Enzo Scifo. For King, for Freedom and thank God for the Eurostar extension to Brussels - oh and Plastic Bertrand too'

BRAZIL
WHAT THEY SING: 'The resounding cry of a heroic people. Was heard from Ypiranga's placid banks'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'The resounding cry of airport security. Was heard as we kicked that bloody ball from Stansted to Gatwick and back and all for a free pair of Nike boots, as worn by Gordon 'placid' Banks'

BULGARIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'The sun shines over Thrace. Pirin looms in purple glow'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'The sun hasn't shone over Group D. Paraguay loom in their purple Gola tracksuits’

CAMEROON
WHAT THEY SING: 'May all your offspring follow the command From East and West to give their heart'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'David May, all your offspring under your command couldn't help us beat Italy or Chile. Have a heart'

CHILE
WHAT THEY SING: And your field, embroidered with Flowers. Is a happy copy of Eden
WHAT THEY MEAN: Did you see 'Dangerfield' when he employed Flowers to photocopy his rear end’

COLOMBIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'The fearful night came to an end. Sublime freedom is spreading the dawns of its invincible light'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'When the night we play England comes to an end, the centre of Lens will be trashed before dawn but the sentences will be light’

CROATIA
WHAT THEY SING: ‘Danube do not lose your vigour. Deep blue sea go tell the whole world that a Croat loves his homeland’
WHAT THEY MEAN: ‘Dan Petrescu do not lose your wig. Deep blue CFC go tell the whole world, that a goat will eat almost anything’

DENMARK
WHAT THEY SING: ‘And noble women, comely girls and men and lads of mettle’
WHAT THEY MEAN: ‘And no bald women accompany girls when the lads listen to heavy metal’

ENGLAND
WHAT THEY SING: ‘Confound their politics. Frustrate their knavish tricks’
WHAT THEY MEAN: ‘The Conservatives found that politics was first rate for their knavish tricks’

FRANCE
WHAT THEY SING: ‘The banner of tyranny is raised. Hear in the fields, the roar of her fierce soldiers’
WHAT THEY MEAN: ‘The back legs of the Tyrannosaurus, when raised, could be heard along with the roar from its fierce shoulders’

GERMANY
WHAT THEY SING: 'Flourish, German Fatherland'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'You lot may as well not bother turning up'

HOLLAND
WHAT THEY SING: 'O leave me not ungirt. That I may stay a pious servant of Thine for aye'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Oh leave it out Gullit and what about these pies, served by some French bird with a black eye'

IRAN
WHAT THEY SING: ‘Bahman - the brilliance of our faith. Your message O Imam, of independence and freedom’
WHAT THEY MEAN: ‘Barman - you should have seen your face when that message from your mam appeared for readers of the Province’

ITALY
WHAT THEY SING: 'She has wreathed her head. With the helmet of Scipio'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Maldini senior has wreathed his head with a helmet of, frankly, poor quality hair dye'

JAMAICA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Where are we again? Lovely 'ere innit?'

JAPAN
WHAT THEY SING: 'Until this tiny stone will grow into a massive rock'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'The Stone Roses should never go with such a mess of rock'

MEXICO
WHAT THEY SING: 'But should a foreign foe, dare to defile your soil with his step...'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Butt, you foreign fool, daring to wear a red shirt with ginger hair'

MOROCCO
WHAT THEY SING: 'In my mouth, and in my blood, your breezes have stirred, both fire and light'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'In my mouth, and in my blood, Oh!, that David Beckham could be worth a fortune in Marakesh'

NIGERIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Guide our leaders right. Help our youth the truth to know'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Oh! that bloke from Leeds was right, Youth should have produced the Truth's first album you know

NORWAY
WHAT THEY SING: 'And old tales which night in falling, brings as dreams as dreams (sic) to earth'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'And tell us the one about Stig Inge Bjornebye falling bringing down his own team mate to shatter our World Cup dream’

PARAGUAY
WHAT THEY SING: 'Paraguayans, Republic or death! It was our strength that gave us our final liberty’
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'The Paras are great guys, in the pub til the death. Drinking strong lager that makes them uppity’

ROMANIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Arise, Romanian, from your fatal slumber'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Come on Petrescu, get your backside in gear'

SAUDI ARABIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Repeat - God I greatest'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Altogether now - I am Weasel'

SCOTLAND
WHAT THEY SING: 'O Flower of Scotland, When will we see your like again'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Honfleur isn't in Scotland, so when you go, take a bike or train'

SOUTH AFRICA
WHAT THEY SING: 'God bless Africa. Lift her horn on high'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'God bless a fast car,driven by Barry Horne, oh my'

SOUTH KOREA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Tong-Hai Sea and Pakdoo Mountain, so long as they remain....'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'I see Pete Tong and Michael Parkinson, haven't known each other so long’

SPAIN
WHAT THEY SING: Nothing at all - they've never written any lyrics for their anthem
WHAT THEY MEAN: If it's good enough for the Crash Test Dummies....

TUNISIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'Holding aloft our proud flag flying, we boast of it, it boasts of us'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Hold on I've lost my bag, no I'm lying. Make the most of it, this toast's for us’

USA
WHAT THEY SING: 'O'er land of the free and the home of the brave?'
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'Ooer, we've left Bierhoff free, back home then, be brave'

YUGOSLAVIA
WHAT THEY SING: 'The rock cracks, the oak breaks. Let the ground shake, we stand defiantly like cliffs
WHAT THEY MEAN: 'The rock cakes, the oat cakes. Let'drink milk shake, we shall die like Cliff.