Chadderton’s late bid for home rule

END OF AN ERA? Chadderton’s ground is facing closure unless Oldham Council performs a U-turn.

CHADDERTON Football Club is appealing to Oldham Council for help in their darkest hour as they battle for survival.

Club officials have asked to be granted a temporary 12-month licence to continue playing at their Broadway ground, which would ensure their short-term future.

Local businessman Jim Royle believes that if their move is rejected it could spell the end of Chadderton FC, who have played at Broadway since 1946.

Mr Royle, who is on the committee of Chadderton Community Club, said: “We will soon have to give assurances to the North-West Counties League and the Football Association that we have a ground to play at for next season.

“How can that happen when we have been told by Oldham Council officials that the club will be mothballed at the end of the season and, after May 11, Chadderton Football Club technically ceases to exist.

“We have been told the licence is being put out to tender and there is absolutely no chance that the matter will be resolved before the start of next season.

“That is why we have made a plea to Oldham Council to grant us a licence for the 2009/10 season until the matter is resolved.”

That would provide some breathing space in which to find an alternative ground in the event of Chadderton losing their home of the past 63 years.

Mr Royle’s consortium failed in a bid to win the licence and Oldham Council favour a groundshare between Oldham Roughyeds – who want it as a training base in the town – and the football club.

But after negotiations between the two parties stalled, it is looking increasingly likely the licence will be put out to tender.

Oldham Council are still trying to broker a deal between the rugby and football clubs and Mr Royle praised the work of council officers Simon Shuttleworth, Malcolm Simister and Graham Dixon in trying to reach an agreement.

Councillor Colin McLaren, who represents Chadderton Central, is also mediating in the discussions.

Mr Royle, general manager of Oldham Letting Centre, heads a three-man consortium which wants to take control of the football club.

They recently became a community club after establishing a link with Chadderton Juniors which has gained FA Charter Standard Development Club status.

Juniors run 13 teams from under-sevens to under-16s as well as operating soccer schools for youngsters aged four years and over.

The intention is for Chadderton Juniors, who also have links with Radclyffe School and five local primaries, to eventually become a feeder club to the Vodkat North-West Counties League team.

And, having FA Charter status, they ought to be able to attract funding to improve facilities at the Broadway ground.

The future of Chadderton has been under threat since last season when businessmen Tony Bhatti and Craig Halliwell, who had taken over the licence and formed a new company Chadderton (2006) Ltd, withdrew their financial support when their firm Hillstone Developments became a victim of the downturn in the property market.

The two businessmen made a high-profile takeover, vowing to make Chadderton one of the top non-league clubs in the area, but left the club with large debts.

Simon Shuttleworth, Oldham Council’s neighbourhood manager for Chadderton, said: “We are working with Chadderton FC and Oldham Roughyeds and exploring the potential for a groundshare arrangement at Andrew Street.

“As yet no agreement has been reached, but the Council is continuing to work with both clubs to find a solution.”



Chadderton defeated AFC Blackpool 3-0 on an emotional night at Broadway.

It was Chadderton’s final home game in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League - and possibly their last-ever game at their home for the last 63 years.

With Chadderton facing losing their ground as Oldham Council are refusing to offer them a new licence, manager Paul Buckley admitted tears were shed.

But if this is to be their last-ever home game, they went out in style.

Left-back Chris Pauley fired Chadderton ahead late in the opening half with a 25-yard screamer which went in off the underside of the bar.

Chadderton sealed victory with two goals in the final seven minutes from Ben Greenidge, his first of the season, and Chris Crothers.