Boardroom send-off for Hardy

ALAN Hardy in the Latics boardroom, with Norman Holden (left, former director), John Slevin (ex-director), Ian Stott (former chairman), manager Paul Dickov, Alan Hardy, Ian Hill (director), Barry Owen (Trust Oldham chairman and club director), former manager Joe Royle, David Brierley (former chairman) and Neil Joy (chief executive).

ATHLETIC'S match at home to Preston marked the official retirement of chief executive Alan Hardy.

Mr Hardy spent almost 31 years at Boundary Park after first arriving at the club as commercial assistant in 1981.

He stepped down from the role of chief executive earlier in the season on health grounds.