Staying put!

Boundary Park: not moving, improving

Council’s £5m Boundary Park pledge

LATICS fans could be staying put if a deal worth over £5 million to keep Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park is approved on Monday.

Oldham Council is set to complete the multi-million-pound deal which would see the Broadway Stand rebuilt and the ground redeveloped.

The League One club had been looking to sell up and move to a brand new 12,000 seater stadium in Failsworth.

That deal fell apart in February following local objections and issues over charitable status of the available land.

The new deal — which includes a £700,000 stadium redevelopment grant — will keep the club at its current home and prevent it from potentially being forced out of the borough.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “Since the election we’ve been in negotiation with Latics about securing their long-term future in the borough.

“It wasn’t particularly what Latics fans wanted.

“Fans want it to stay in Oldham and it’s the cheapest option and it’s the historic home for football in Oldham.”

Monday night’s Cabinet meeting could see approval granted for the council to acquire the Lancaster Club, off Broadway, and the lease of the Chapel Road playing fields.

It is proposed the council develop the land to boost the borough’s economy.

Plans could include a high-profile leisure based regeneration scheme.

Councillor McMahon added: “Following meetings with Simon Corney, I’ve every confidence in his passion to see this through.

“And I’ve every confidence in this deal, providing the club can get a development going.

“We’ve been decisive and sorted out a decade’s worth of nonsense within the first 100 days in power.”