Council bids to clarify Latics stadium deal

OLDHAM Council has published a public clarification over its proposed deal with Oldham Athletic Football Club.

The council says there have been many misconceptions over the agreement — designed to keep the League One club in the borough — and has answered a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the proposals on its website.

The deal includes the council purchasing the Lancaster Club site at Failsworth from the club, plus plans to regenerate that site and also stimulate the redevelopment of Athletic’s Boundary Park stadium.

Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “Our potential deal with Oldham Athletic is subject to contract and, obviously, many of the details must remain commercially confidential at this stage.

“However, we are committed to being open and transparent about what is being done during this process and for that reason we are now publishing this list of FAQs.

“We have received many emails from residents, the vast majority of which have welcomed the announcement, but some aspects of the proposed agreement have regrettably been the subject of speculation or misinformation.

“We have strived to address those matters in this document and hope people will find this helpful.

“Further details about the agreement will, of course, be issued by both parties when contracts have been signed and we feel ready to outline the next steps.”

The FAQs can be read in full on the Oldham Council website at www.oldham.gov.uk/oafcfaqs.