The Latics fan's representative on the board, Barry Owen, has sent an open letter to all Oldham fans in an attempt to clarify the position at Boundary Park after the recent resignation of two of the owners. The letter is reproduced below:
Open letter to all fans
After the resignation of my fellow directors Simon Blitz and Danny Gazal, I decided to let the dust settle a while before addressing the short and long-term future of the club. I have also been requested by many people to make comment on the future of the club we all hold close to our hearts.
I am writing to you all in my capacity as the Trust Chairman and the fans representative on the Board of Directors. The views I express are not necessarily those shared by my colleagues on the Board.
The statements I make are probably the most important I have ever had to address to fans during my seven years with the Trust.
There is little point in discussing past issues affecting the club, but there can be little doubt that a combination of factors gives very little encouragement for Oldham Athletic to be seen as a worthwhile investment.
Simon Blitz remains the owner of the club together with all the land. The Trust still holds three per cent of “B” shares in the club. Simon has had tremendous financial input but pockets only reach so deep. The new ground delays and decreasing gates have not helped along the way. It is not unreasonable to suggest that as businessmen they expected to be further down the line after seven years, certainly when losing money each and ever week. I have spoken to Simon Blitz this week and irrespective of future success or otherwise he will not be returning to the football club.
I am not attaching any blame culture to our predicament because fans will only attend if they can get value for money or can afford to attend. As a Board of Directors we have acknowledged the mistakes we have made and made efforts to rectify these. For the coming season many money saving initiatives have been introduced and I make no apology, if for example you have been managing to get on club car parks or over turnstiles without paying. There is a zero tolerance policy at the club and everyone from Chairman downward is affected.
I have been criticised in many quarters about the policy towards money raised by the Trust and how it is used. I make no apology for the view that originated from the Trust from day one, that we would always help the club financially when we could.
Trust members in the main have been happy with that policy but I am aware that some fans (not always Trust members) have disapproved of that position believing that money should be set aside for a rainy day.
I would address that issue by saying that I hope we never reach the position of such a rainy day and if we did the sums we are likely to raise would have little bearing on our survival.
We work as a team at the club and what message does it give to the owners or investors if the Trust is seen to not want to participate in helping the club in very difficult times.
Even now, when compared to other Trusts around the country, our input to the club is low from a financial point of view.
I am currently receiving correspondence from fans asking for my opinion about the future of the club. In that respect for this season nothing has changed in that we have budgeted with certain contingencies in mind.
Thereafter I have to be absolutely honest with you all and tell you that it is pointless looking for guarantees. The new ground is still a target and new investment is being sought for the club. We could have a tremendous season financially and that could create interest from a buyer. On the other hand we might have no luck in cup competitions and our gates will be significant as we address our weekly income.
What I can say is that the club is far better off than many others around the country and our owners have been prudent in paying many bills when necessary. This remains a debt to them as opposed to many other creditors who could halt the club.
I have tried in the past to introduce moneymaking schemes and perhaps understandably so, people have believed that the owners would find the money in any event and have not bothered to reply to our initiatives.
The resignation of our Chairman has not given us that buffer any longer and I intend to appeal once again to all those Latics fans to rally around and help us if you can.
An appeal will shortly be launched along the lines of the previous playershare scheme and proceeds will go to Paul Dickov to assist with his squad. Further details will be given in due course.
I appreciate that I am again appealing to those many ardent fans in a reducing number, but your help is crucial in helping our club and showing the current owners that we are prepared to help.
Keep the Faith
Barry
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