ATHLETIC ARE SAFE!

Simon Blitz, who will spend one week per month at the club said, “The takeover of the Club has been very difficult due to the involvement of a number of different parties. However we are very pleased today to start a new era at Boundary Park. I would however like to pay tribute to those involved in the negotiations including The Football Association and the Football League and of course the Administrators PKF. I would also like to mention Latics supporters and the Supporters Trust who have been very patient with us in the negotiations and have demonstrated fantastic support. Ryder and Dutton, in particular Latics supporter Ian Hill, have worked tirelessly in land negations. Finally I would also like to express our gratitude for the encouragement and support offered By Oldham Council who have also been involved with these negotiations.”

“We do have a clear vision for the future. But with the difficulties the club has gone through over the past 12 months we have a period of consolidation and the implementation of a rebuilding strategy. We will of course work steadily to develop the club both on and off the field and build the right foundations for us to move forward.”

Chairman Barry Chaytow said, "I'm absolutely delighted that Simon, Simon and Danny have come in to save the club. This is a day that many people thought would never happen. I also want to thank those who helped the club in the dark days of the summer when things really went wrong, especially Neil Joy, Alan, Sean, the playing staff and all the staff, many of whom went without wages for 6 weeks which was very difficult. They all stood by the club and that's why we are her today."

Ian Hill, a resident of Oldham and a season ticket holder, has been introduced as a member of the new board. Mr. Hill said, “I was asked by the solicitor representing Simon, Simon and Danny to assist in acquiring the ground back and in the last 3 or 4 months I have been quite heavily involved with those negotiations with both the council and OPP. Today is just a great day, that we can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Simon Corney (pictured), who will be based at Boundary Park said, “Ian from day one has been outstanding, not just Ian but the whole company Ryder and Dutton, and pretty much put the deal together with the council with the land and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if Ian had not been involved then we certainly wouldn't have been here as early as we are and may possibly not have got the deal done.”

“The Supporters Trust have been outstanding. They've done a fantastic job raising funds for the club. I think they've received in excess of a quarter of a million pounds and that shows you where their heart lies. They really have been very good. We felt it was the right thing to do to include them in everything we can. They will have a place on the board and they will be very involved in what goes on with their club.”

Simon Blitz, talking about Sunday said, “We are looking forward to it. We've got a few people coming from the office in America. There's people coming from London and we are looking forward to it a lot. To hopefully see the stadium packed would be a good start. Here at the club they've been working very hard on it and hopefully it will be a great day. We hope to try lots of different ways to bring people in here and this is one of the first ways and we're talking about some other ideas going forward to try and increase the crowd, off the field activity is good but we need to have people here watching."

At a Press Conference on Tuesday the new owners were asked for an update on the managers position and the plans for new players. Simon Corney said, “There have been some interviews but John Sheridan is doing a great job. He came into a very difficult situation with limited experience. We gave John another five games about two weeks ago and we will probably re-evaluate after the Tranmere game. It could well be that he gets it until the end of the season. We are sitting back and seeing what goes on but we are taking our time about it.”

“There's always going to be some funds available for players. The game's changed a lot, certainly for the lower leagues. It's become more about the loan system and it's about using your contacts but if we find there's a prospect or a potential recruit where we think it's worth taking a chance, there will be funds available.”

Sunday is now certainly a day to celebrate for all associated with Oldham Athletic (2004) Association Football Club Limited.