Latics eye cash tonic

Trust Oldham chairman Barry Owen

ATHLETIC aim to stay in contention for a possible bumper double pay-day over the next week.

Defeating Southend in the FA Cup tie at Roots Hall on Saturday will add a guaranteed £27,000 to club coffers in prize money, while a plum draw away to Premier League opposition in the third round could guarantee a significant six-figure sum in receipts from a shared gate.

Athletic’s board are also aware of the financial implications of a run past Bradford City next Tuesday, and then either Chesterfield or Preston in a two-legged clash, in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Last season, League One rivals Carlisle estimated their second successive Trophy final appearance at Wembley netted the club a combined £250,000 in prize money, gate receipts and additional merchandise sales.

“There is no point in beating around the bush,” said Athletic director and Trust Oldham

chairman Barry Owen. “The financial implications are that if we win against Southend, we are through to the next round of the FA Cup with prize money in the bank and the possibility of landing a big tie in the third round.

“In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, we are close to getting to Wembley. That would help our finances massively through prize money and ticket sales. These games could make the difference between us suffering a loss and breaking even for the year.”

Owen is hopeful that Athletic fans will turn out in force not only for the trip to Southend, a game visiting fans can attend for as little as £5, but for the Bradford test at Boundary Park three days later at which admission is only £10.

“The two games we have coming up are important not only for the players but for the club as well,” Owen added. “Southend are riding high and that one certainly won’t be an easy game for us. But I have every confidence we can go there and put on a good performance. I know a lot of fans will be travelling down for it.

“The prices for the Bradford game are also very reasonable and I hope our supporters turn out in big numbers. We are anticipating they will bring up to 2,000 across with them, so it is important that we get our own support to push the team on. From a personal point of view, these are exciting times. There is a cup fever around the place.”



Athletic have moved up a position to 12th in npower League One without kicking a ball. Hartlepool drop a place to 13th, due to their 1-0 home defeat to Preston in the division’s sole fixture last night.