Fans plan Penney protest march

ALAN HARDY . . . we need to stick together

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DISGRUNTLED Latics fans are set to march through Oldham tomorrow in a bid to force out beleaguered manager Dave Penney.
A protest group has been set up on social networking website Facebook to organise the demonstration before the crunch relegation match against Gillingham and hundreds could attend.

They plan to set off from the Queen Elizabeth Hall at noon to Boundary Park for the 3pm kick-off, where protests will continue outside the ground by fans refusing to attend the game.

It follows Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat by Brentford, which was watched by the worst home attendance for 25 years of 2,833 and leaves Latics 19th in League One and fighting to stay up.

Mr Penney, from Castleford, signed a two-year contract last May after quitting Darlington. The former bricklayer had previously guided Doncaster to back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One and stated his intentions of building a team capable for challenging for promotion.

But Oldham Athletic’s miserable season has seen fans turn against Mr Penney in recent weeks with chants attacking the manager’s Yorkshire roots and a flood of letters sent to the Chronicle demanding that he quits.

The internet page, created by Michael Drew, makes clear its aim of forcing the manager out and yesterday had 143 people confirmed as attending the protest with another 99 down as maybe attending.

It states: “Do you want to see our club drop into League 2? If Penney ain’t gone before too long, we will be playing teams like Bradford, Torquay and the rest next season. He needs to go and this is the only way to get him out.”

The march will be similar to the 2007 protest fans held against Oldham Council’s decision to turn down £80 million plans to transform Boundary Park — which saw the decision overturned before the plans stalled during the recession.

Dozens of fans have left messages on the website backing the protest, while there are other Facebook sites with titles such as “We want Penney out.”

Barry Owen, chairman of supporters’ group Trust Oldham, said: “Everybody else at the club is just as concerned as the fans. We are all upset and angry. We are feeling the same disappointment.

“I’m prepared on Saturday, or before, to meet any group of fans and to listen to what they have to say and I will take their concerns before the board.

“I understand why they feel they need to do it and would ask them to protest peacefully and maturely. The immediate problem is to get out of the mess we are in and that’s the main objective.”

Latics chief executive Alan Hardy said he was not aware of the march. He added: “I can understand fans being frustrated with results at the moment but it’s a time when everyone needs to stick together and be united. Then we will get the necessary points needed to maintain our League One status.”



YOUR VIEWS — in letters and online Chronicle comments

WHY is Dave Penney still in a job? Ronnie Moore got sacked for poor season-ticket sales.

Shez got sacked with nine games to go because of the battle of Belle Vue (with our team still in the promotion mix).

So why, after persistent low crowds which are getting lower and a team devoid of fight, passion and desire (unless we go two goals or 3-1 down) is Mr Penney still in charge?

TITANIC LATICS FAN

“IF we have the same work ethic and commitment the players gave here, then we will be OK.”

I'm not sure which game you were watching, David, but apart from the first 20 minutes and the last 10, we certainly didn't have a strong work ethic.

This is something that’s been missing all season.

It is a sad reflection on Oldham Athletic when the manager of the opposing team – who had clearly set out his stall not to concede – changes tactics because we don't look like scoring.

MAD4IT

A CRISIS is something unforeseen which strikes suddenly. The problems at Latics have been ongoing for months as nearly all fans will testify.

OLD MANCUNIAN

"If we have the same work ethic and commitment the players gave here, then we will be OK” – Penney’s assessment.

Mine . . . “then we'll have the same result - another defeat."

Talk about head in the sand.

MATTSGRANDAD

ANOTHER 90 minutes stood on the sidelines with your hands in your pockers keeping quiet. Time to drop Taylor.

CHADDYENDER

PENNEY, you annoy the supporters because you have no passion or drive.

How can you expect your players to perform when they look to you for guidance and you stand there with hands in pockets and no ideas?

As fans, we are pig sick of you not giving a damn. Leave now and let’s get someone in with some passion and drive.

OAFC

DAVID! How many times do I have to tell you? Take your hands out of your pockets!

" . . . we didnt really believe we could win the game." I'm afraid that's down to you Mr Penney.

Negativity breeds negativity. It really is as simple as that.

SPIKE

I REALLY hope there are less people there on Saturday and we get a right thumping. Maybe TTA will have to act then. This a joke.

FUNKSTER 37

PROBABLY the worst team we've had in my 30 years attending BP.

League Two beckons, a new stadium is as far away as ever and we are down to the hardcore support for the first time in 25 years.

I don't blame Penney. Jose couldn't fashion a decent side on Latics money.

This club is in severe crisis and the silence from TTA is deafening.

I would love to know where they are planning to go from here.

YARDDOG

IT looks like we are going down. Only half the team showed up against Brentford, and there was no passion or fighting spirit.

The TTA must know it’s going to be hard to get out of the bottom division.

Season-ticket sales will be half of last year at best, so what will that mean to an already-poor squad?

The only remedy is for TTA to bite the bullet, admit the appointment of Penney was a mistake, sack him and get Jim Gannon in sharpish.

SPDIJ

THE only reaction we want is to see Penney go – and quickly.

OWDHAM FAN

I HAVE given up all hope of us staying in League One and stopped going.

I kept my eye on Ceefax on Tuesday night and where once I used to get a thumping heartbeat worrying about the result, it just didn't happen.

I couldn't care less anymore. RIP my Latics.

After over 50 years of loyal support, it’s all over for me while this man is in charge

TODDY

WHAT we need is a symbol of our dislike for Penney and the TTA, like United have scarves for the Glazers.

It’s okay us moaning about the way things are, but it ain’t working so maybe we need a different way to get the board’s attention.

What about orange scarves, tangerine away kit, anything orange?

LATICSFANATIC

NO-ONE is turning up because we've been let down too many times and we feel that nothing is being done about it.

MAKE HOTTE

THEY all seem to be decent sides when we play them. When are we going to be decent?

EYE SEE IT

ONLY 2,833 — the fans have had enough. I saw a fan throw his season ticket on to the pitch last night.

Time's up Penney. Not a must win game last night?

Then this Saturday must be!

OAFC LEES

ENOUGH is enough now — that should be the end of the man.

LATICS OBSERVER



FOLLOWING the disappointing defeat by Brentford on Tuesday night, I would dispense with Dave Penney immediately and appoint Sean Gregan as player manager.

A total lack of enthusiasm was evident as Mr Penney strutted the touchline with his hands in his pocket.

Some enthusiasm is required if we are to play Rochdale in League One next season.

SEAN GREGAN IS MY MAN

I HAVE stuck up for the manager before because I honestly thought the team would splutter into life at some stage of the season.

With a full squad, Tuesday night’s result was appalling. Thank god I'm a thousand miles away from Boundary Park.

I feel sorry for Penney, but it's just not working, is it?

MENTAL MICKEY

AARRGGHH! What can anyone say after this latest debacle from this man.

LATICS OBSERVER

DECENT debut from Millar but he was kept on too long - Smalley should have had half-an-hour.

Pity about Greegs’ slip, he has been Mr Dependable all season.

It’s typical of our luck that it should cost us a goal at that particular time in that particular game.

The use of wingers made a difference (12/13 shots last night against five versus Brighton).

The writing is on the wall — just go for it.

YORKSHIRE LATIC

JUST 2,833 - I wonder how many on Saturday if this man is still in charge?

MAINSTANDER

WE’RE going down with the County. I can’t see us getting the nine or 10 points needed.

There is more atmosphere in a funeral parlour. I couldn’t be bothered getting out of my seat for Pav’s second goal.

FK

DAVE Penney, I have been an Oldham fan for over 40 years and my pride, passion and enthusiasm for the club has never waned.

Yet in a few short months, you have ripped the heart, soul and life out of the team

MAD4IT

MADNESS seem to have some relevance to our management team.

But the Specials’' 'Ghost Town' could be more appropriate if things don't get better soon.

OWDHAM FAN

WELL that’s it. After 45 years of watching Oldham this is my last season.

I am not throwing away any more money watching rubbish.

The board won’t listen to the fans. If Penney stays, then I go. Signing off forever.

MASON

I DIDN’T want to go on Tuesday, but forced myself to do so hoping things would be different.

It is plain to see they Latics going down unless they get rid of Penney now.

LITESPAN

I REALLY enjoyed the game. Two good goals, one by Abbott and Brentford’s first.

We are in real danger of going down now. Pity Gregan had a bad game as he has been really good all year.

I know that the owners are successful businessmen so I am bewildered as to why they have kept Penney and Gray on.

ROCHDALE LATIC

LOOKS like the fans are speaking by staying away.

The only problem is how many are going to games who won't renew next season?

The directors surely cannot afford NOT to sack Penney? No fans = no club.

LATICS69

I actually enjoyed the game against Brentford which is rare these days.

It’s a pity it takes a lost cause before any attacking intent is employed by Penney.

DARTH

I HAVE been a season-ticket holder since the 1970s, but last night was the final straw.

I will not be going to BP or renewing until the manager is sacked.

I cannot remember seeing such rubbish over such a prolonged period in my 37 years of support.

100mph PLUS

If Latics have a Trust then I suggest that this is the time for them to come out of the woodwork, speak to the fans, galvanise support and organise urgent meetings to raise money with which to pay legal fees to prevent administration again.

AC

I have been a supporter for 23 years and have never complained until now.

Penney, you are clueless and have managed to rip the heart out of this club inside eight months.

The TTA, you are too quiet. What was it? Championship football within five years of you taking over! The club is a mess. RIP OAFC, although I hope I am wrong.

DAMO

LOWEST crowd for 25 years and still we have Penny in charge. Why?

Nine months after taking the job he still hasn't got a clue what his best side is!

Have the owners not seen that Jim Gannon at Peterborough has turned down a four-year contract because he wants to move back to the North-West? An experienced lower league manager whose sides play football!!

Penney has drained the club, the fans have no enthusiasm left and I won't be there on Saturday.

I can't take any more and I'm a season ticket holder.

BLUEBOY