Field of dreams

London will become the first city to stage the Olympics for a third time when it takes place between July 27 and August 12, 2012.

It’s expected to inspire Oldham youngsters into playing sport and keeping fit.

It may even uncover some sporting superstars of the future. For encouragement, they need look no further than a trio of Oldhamers who have reached the pinnacle in their chosen fields.

Oldham boasts three sportsmen who have captained their country.

The stories of how Mike Atherton, David Platt and Paul Sculthorpe soared from the playing fields of Oldham to stadiums across the globe will be an inspiration to youngsters dreaming of emulating their success. There can be few towns which have given their country such sporting pedigree and prestige.

Born in Chadderton, Platt attended Werneth Junior School and South Chadderton Secondary School. He played for Oldham Town between 1979 and 1981 and Chadderton, in a friendly against Manchester United that led to him signing for the Old Trafford giants in 1982 as an apprentice.

Transfers between Crewe, Aston Villa and Italian clubs Bari, Juventus and Sampdoria, led to him becoming the world’s most expensive footballer before he returned to England with Arsenal, then Nottingham Forest.

Platt made 62 appearances for England, scoring 27 goals between 1989 and 1996 and went on to captain the side.

Platt has also tried his hand in management, taking the top job at Sampdoria, Nottingham Forest and England Under-21s. He was recently handed a coaching role with Manchester City.

Born in Failsworth, England cricket legend Mike Atherton attended Briscoe Lane Primary School and Manchester Grammar School and began his glistening career at Woodhouses Cricket Club.

He represented Lancashire Schools from 1982 to 1986 and captained England Under-19s before representing Cambridge University. He played for Lancashire between 1987 and 2001 and captained England in a record 54 Test matches.

While cricket is not an Olympic sport, Atherton believes it may well become so in the next few years now that twenty20 cricket is so popular. He says sport was a guiding light for him throughout his growing years and his dream came true when his hero David Gower presented him with his first England cap.

Former St Helens and Great Britain rugby league star Paul Sculthorpe attended Counthill School after moving from Burnley to Oldham as a one-year-old.

He played football as a youngster with Failsworth Tigers but then switched to rugby with Royton Tigers and was hooked from the first training session.

He joined St Helens from Warrington as a 20-year-old for a record £370,000 and captained Great Britain before retiring in 2008.

Sculthorpe combines a full-time role at St Helens as business development manager with organising rugby summer camps and working in schools across Lancashire and Yorkshire.

He believes sport is hugely important for children — not least because of the healthy lifestyle and discipline it promotes.