Noel: Is he really a Latics fan?

Noel Gallagher

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OASIS: Oldham Athletic Supporters In the South

OASIS star Noel Gallagher has been given his comeuppance after labelling Oldham Athletic supporters as Manchester City fans in disguise.

Diane Mellor, a director of Oldham Athletic Supporters Trust, has suggested the Gallagher brothers Noel and Liam took the name for their band from Latics.

Diane, who described Noel’s pop at the Boundary Park club as a typical wind-up, said: “Oldham Athletic Supporters In the South, known as OASIS, was founded in the 1980s and as the band wasn’t formed until the nineties could it be they took the name from that organisation?

“In that case it could be that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So could Noel really be a Latics fan in disguise?”

Athletic managing director Simon Corney, labelling followers of Oasis as frustrated Beatles fans, said: “I didn’t take offence at the remark. In fact I quite like their music.”

Noel sparked a storm in an interview in Manchester City’s magazine when talking about his time as a roadie with the Oldham band Inspiral Carpets.

He said: “I think Graham Lambert was an Oldham fan as were most of the band.

“Clint Boon wasn’t that bothered as I recall, but I always think of Oldham fans as virtually City fans anyway.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met an Oldham fan who didn’t say ‘Well, I’m really a Blue anyway. I just live too far from the ground.”

Graham Lambert was also amused by Noel’s comments, referring to it as an off-the-cuff remark.

He said: “I find it funny and am certainly not offended by it. What annoys me most is the reference that he thinks I am a Latics fan because he knows I am one from our days on the road together.

“Latics are not the best supported club due to the close proximity to Manchester, but our small band of fans stick by the club through thick and thin, and there has been more thin.”

Graham, who is still involved in the music business helping promote bands, believes Noel’s beloved City are in danger of becoming disliked, even despised.

He explained: “City were often people’s second favourite team, but that could be about to change after becoming the world’s richest club.”