Support stands the test of time
Reporter: Dawn Marsden
Date published: 06 December 2013
DURING his 40-plus years supporting Latics, Paul Whitehead has missed fewer than a dozen games, been to all but one of the league grounds, volunteers in the ticket office every weekend and even lives just behind the Chaddy End.
So it’s fitting that Paul’s company Holroy Developments has been picked to build the club’s new North Stand.
The news was announced on the pitch during Latics 1-1 clash with Bradford City on Sunday and Paul is hopeful the stand will be complete for the start of the 2014/15, season which begins in August.
“It’s a great privilege to be able to build a new stand at the club I have followed all my life,” he said. “We are a local, family firm and we’re grateful the club and owner Simon Corney gave us the opportunity to bid.
“I have been involved with the club for so many years and people think I’m mad for volunteering in the ticket office but in my eyes, it’s heaven. I would be at Boundary Park anyway; volunteering gives me great relief from my day job.”
Paul’s dad Fred Whitehead, who died last month, was a Latics director from 1972-1982 and was delighted when he heard the family business - which includes Paul’s brother Peter and his 26-year-old son James - would be building the stand
Paul said: “As soon as my dad found out we were thinking of bidding he pushed us really hard and kept telling us we could do it. He was made up when we got the contract. I am really grateful he found out before he died.
“My dad brought me into the company when I wanted a career change from Kirklees Council. It was the best decision I ever made.”
As well as a new bar, executive suites, retail and office space, the North Stand will feature the names of 10 Latics legends on the exterior brickwork. Paul said there will soon be an announcement on ways for fans to get involved with the project.
Latics owner Simon Corney said: “This is a real step forward for us as a club. The new stand is vital to our future and it will be a superb facility for the town. I’m delighted the construction contract could be awarded to an Oldham-based company. This is a very exciting time for us, on and off the pitch.”
