The Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation has rebranded and relaunched.
Formerly known as 'Trust Oldham', that name has now been abandoned as members believed it was misleading.
The organisation was not a Trust with trustees and 'Trust Oldham' seemingly did not indicate any connection with Oldham Athletic and its fans.
A total 53% of members voting - 91 of whom have joined since April - chose OASF as its new short name.
Paul Hughes, the OASF Vice-Chair, is now also a Representative Director on the Latics Board.
OASF's overarching Mission Statement is now:
To ensure the existence of a successful, well-supported and inclusive professional football club based in Oldham MBC;
to act as the official and representative Supporters Group which holds shares in the Club;
to hold the Club accountable.
The Mission will be delivered through six LATICS objectives:
L = Longevity – Ensure continuation of League football in Oldham
A = Academy – Support growth of our home-grown talent
T = Town – Build strong links with Council and Community
I = Investment – Build contingency funds
C = Club – Engage with Club as shareholder and stakeholder
S = Supporters – Represent all aspects of the fanbase
OASF also have numerous more short and medium-term priorities, which include football fortune (namely appointing a competent and experienced Manager/Head Coach with a proven record at League One/Two level on a three-year contract, financial stability, engagement with fans, the stadium itself and the closure of the North Stand.
The current OASF membership is over 200 - more than 10% of season ticket holders - but they are seeking a much higher level of membership to enhance its leverage with the club.
Any Latics fan can apply for membership at: http://www.trustoldham.org/membership/
OASF plans to fund its running costs in the future from profits on a limited number of fan events each year, and is in process of a complete redesign of its website.
It will replace the Trust Oldham online site within three months.
