New Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell trolls Dorking Wanderers in a speech to fans with Thursday seeing the takeover complete.
Following the conclusion of negotiations with Abdallah Lemsagam and Simon Blitz, the sale of the National League side is confirmed.
Oldham say that they are also at an advanced stage to purchase Boundary Park stadium, hopefully within the course of the next week.
🤝 Introducing your new chairman, Frank Rothwell. #oafc pic.twitter.com/jYaBWMrq8J
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) July 28, 2022
STATEMENT CONTINUES:
Headed by our new chairman, Frank Rothwell, the Oldham-based owner and founder of Manchester Cabins which has long-standing local ties, the deal will ensure that the club and stadium will be consolidated under one ownership.
This is a significant and hugely exciting development in the proud history of Oldham Athletic and ensures the club can now approach the new season and beyond with a genuine sense of anticipation.
The necessary Owners and Directors Test has been passed and the sale will be ratified by the relevant football authorities.
The Rothwell family has this afternoon met with representatives from supporter groups and look forward to engaging further with fans to share their vision for the future.
The Rothwell family would like to place on record their thanks to their financial due diligence advisors RSM and legal due diligence advisors from Knights PLC.
The club and the Rothwell family would like to recognise the efforts of both of the selling parties in their co-operation throughout the process, and also thank supporters, community and Council and the other parties involved in the transactions for their patience and assistance.
New Oldham chairman Frank Rothwell with a message for newbies Dorking ahead of their first season in the National League.
— NonLeagueDaily — By Betting.co.uk (@NonLeagueNews) July 28, 2022
As you can see above, the new Oldham chairman trolls Dorking in a speech to fans with the takeover complete. This is how Twitter users reacted to it…
@sedlescombemike: Nice of him to give @DorkingWDRS team talk for them
@PinchTRFC: Watch this space 👀 @DorkingWDRS one for the bookmarks
@jane36london: …in the same league as you are…
@cbradshaw1984: Wow, they have no idea what is about too hit them.
@BenDJ91: 2-1 away win confirmed
@JossRT31: Not the smartest move. Odds on this coming back to haunt him? Daft cunt.
@Mike_Ellsmore: I’m glad that Oldham were saved… but christ they are woefully unprepared for the National League 😂 Takeover or not, expect the odd hammering from the likes of Eastleigh and Maidenhead
@kagey60: Straight from the Alan Hardy “How to be a bad Chairman” training course! 🤣
@LTFC_Dave: I’ve seen this story before and it never ends well
@dom_33: Oldham 0-1 Dorking written all over it 😆😆
@boundarymike: Wow, only slightly disrespectful 😳
@TRFCSWA78: All Dorking aren’t we
@Williams5mith: Oldham are obviously going to get turned over by Dorking now aren’t they
@AlresfordBear: Dorking being trolled by Oldham. For football reasons lol. And then beat them by the looks of it. Dorking is a lovely place. Gateway to the Surrey Hills. Box Hill watching over. Beautiful place. Teeming with wildlife, the North Downs Way and beauty. An oasis.
@WallySpire: This will bite them
@CazSCFC: Chuffed that Oldham got rid of those bloody awful owners, but….. 😬 Underestimate the National League at your peril. Dorking are there on merit 🤷♀️
@keast_rob: Breath if fresh air 🤣🤣👍🏻💙
@spuderz92: Nailed on Oldham 0-2 Dorking. Welcome to hell lads x
@Wrexhamisdname: I would put money on these becoming the next Wrexham and staying down here for about 15 years 😂
@mark_widdop: Mad as a box of frogs 😂💙 #oafc
During the press conference in the Joe Royle stand announcing the takeover deal, Rothwell said: “I want to fill place for the game against Dorking now.
“Let’s all get behind John and the team.
“Let’s have brass bands here, dancing girls, families, and we should create a fantastic atmosphere and celebrate.
“I’ve always had a strong love and passion for Oldham.
“Having a successful football club can make such a difference.
“It can impact the lives of so many loccal people.
“We’re here now, and this is the start of a new era – the only way is up from here.
“We want to attract Oldhamers back to this great club, and so they can all see it in a much different light now.
“Of course we need to steady things down, but why can’t we aim to get back to League One again, or even the Championship.
“It’ll be hard work, but we want to have fun too.
“Let’s get the people of Oldham proud of their football team again, whether they’re talking down at the chippy, in the works canteen, at school, wherever.
“Let’s get this club out of freefall and back on an even keel.
“It’s about leaving the past behind us now.”
Along with Rothwell, his daughter Su, Darren Royle and legal adviser Peter Norbury as board members spoke at the press conference, with Latics legend Joe Royle sat at the top table.
Royle snr said: “The National League is a hard division, and it won’t be easy to get out of.
“John knows his stuff, though. He’s been there and done it.
“With the backing of these great supporters he we can be up there challenging next season.”
Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said: “After years of understandable frustration and angst amongst Latics fans today should mark a turning point in the journey of our town’s football club.
“It’s been confirmed that Frank Rothwell is the new Chairman of Oldham Athletic, and remember after rowing solo across the Atlantic at 70 years old Frank is no stranger to a challenge!
“Frank and the rest of the Rothwell family are fantastic ambassadors for Oldham and I’m sure Latics fans are delighted that Joe and Darren Royle are back involved at the club.
“I look forward to sitting down with Frank in the next few weeks to discuss the plans for Latics and Boundary Park and what support I can add as the Member of Parliament.
“Maybe, just maybe, football really is coming home.”
A strong sentiment indeed then, but as for previous owner Lemsagam, his ‘dream’ of becoming ‘president’ of a club four-and-a-half years ago have undoubtedly turned into a nightmare.
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