Memories are made of this - Latics to host special 50th anniversary reunion event to mark 1974 title glory
Date published: 12 March 2024

Latics' 1973/74 Third Division championship winning squad. Image courtesy of OAFC
Latics will be hosting a special reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of one of the club's finest achievements.
Players from Latics' 1973/74 Third Division championship win will return to Boundary Park on the evening of Friday, April 19 - and you can be there.
The event has been organised by Tony Bugby, the author of several books about the club and who also covered Latics for the Oldham Chronicle.
The reunion takes place the day before Latics’ league fixture against Wealdstone, which marks exactly half a century since Jimmy Frizzell’s side secured promotion with a 6-0 victory over Huddersfield.
They went on to secure the Third Division title on the final day of the regular season at Plymouth.
Of the 19 who played during that season, there are 14 surviving members, with all but two due to be in attendance.
Attending the night will be Latics' record appearance-holder Ian Wood, plus legends Ronnie Blair, Alan McNeill, Ian Robins, Tony Bailey, George McVitie, Paul Edwards, Keith Hicks, Mike Lester, George Jones, Chris Ogden and Colin Garwood.
Although they didn’t play during that campaign, Graham Bell and John Platt, who were in the squad that season and went on to play for Latics in future years, will also be in attendance.
Tickets are £40, which includes a delicious three-course meal.
Doors open at 7pm before a 7.30pm start, with Michael Bradshaw, the matchday compère in the Broadway Suite, taking up the same role for this event.
To book a place or table, email: eventsandhospitality@oldhamathletic.co.uk or call 0161 660 6085.
“The 1973/74 season is such an important one in Oldham Athletic’s history,” event organiser Tony said.
“The club has only won three league titles, so with the 50th anniversary of this one coming up it’s important we mark the occasion.
“It will be great to see some of the players back at Boundary Park, sharing their stories and anecdotes.”
Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1Council set to slash 120 jobs in £8m bid to balance budget
- 2Just FOUR-midable - the Fox and Pine pub does it again!
- 3Protestors attempt to ‘storm’ Burnham HQ to demand chat with mayor
- 4‘I barely see my little boy. It’s safer if he doesn’t live with me.’
- 5Failsworth bike theft - police are seeking this man