In a season of struggles, arguments, ups and downs and big-name signings, Oldham Athletic staying in League One was a success. With the famous FA Cup run and the appointment of Lee Johnson to replace Paul Dickov, the 2012/13 season will live long in the memory.
Pre-season
After suffering the disappointment of losing popular players Kieran Lee and Chris Taylor, Oldham made their first summer signing with full back Connor Brown. He arrived from Sheffield United despite never making a first team appearance at Bramall Lane. Former Scunthorpe United captain Cliff Byrne was also signed before pre-season began with a win over non-league Mossley.
In Latics’ fourth pre-season game Premier League Champions Manchester City arrived at Boundary Park boasting England trio Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott and James Milner plus French pair Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy. Oldham won 2-1 to finish pre-season unbeaten.
August
As the campaign began the Sky cameras rolled into town to broadcast Oldham’s Capital One Cup tie against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. Latics crashed out despite having a 2-0 first-half lead. Jordan Slew, who signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers, scored on his full debut.
Athletic’s first league game also ended in defeat at MK Dons as new signing Cristian Montano, from West Ham, made his debut. Former Latics loanee Lee Croft returned to bolster Dickov’s squad seven years after his first spell.
September
Four games into the new season and Oldham were without a win. It was 15 years after their last trip to Fratton Park and Oldham beat Portsmouth 1-0 thanks to a deflected goal from new-signing Jonathan Grounds – their only win in September. Another cup exit followed, this time in the at the hands of Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy – Latics’ conquerors last season one game away from the final. The Spireites came from behind with Matt Smith scoring at both ends. Captain Dean Furman received his first cap for South Africa against Brazil. Former Everton wonder-kid Jose Baxter signed after a successful trial along with Matt Derbyshire and Reece Wabara on loan.
Slew picked up a back stress fracture so he returned to Ewood Park. Eight league games into the season and Oldham were sat in the relegation zone, putting pressure on Dickov given he told fans to judge him after ten games.
October
Despite the poor start to the season Latics’ fans were in fine voice as their side travelled to the Alexandra Stadium to face Crewe for the first time in four years. Newly-promoted Alex were beaten while the chant of ‘Jose Baxter baby’ to the tune of Human League’s Don’t You Want Me? was born. Latics once again blunted the Blades at Bramall Lane when Smith equalised in the 96th minute, despite Furman being called up for international duty.
The result was soured when Lee Croft was accused of racially abusing a ball boy.
A four match unbeaten run came to an end as Oldham lost 2-1 to Carlisle United. City defender Wabara extended his loan spell after impressing. Both Dickov and Baxter were nominated for awards.
November
Non-league Kidderminster Harriers awaited Oldham in the first round of the cup providing a tricky fixture between Halloween and Bonfire Night. This gave fans the opportunity to sample the famous Aggborourgh pies. While the supporters were tucking into their food, Latics progressed into the next round by winning 2-0. A defeat to local rivals Bury followed and started a three game winless run, which included one to unpopular former manager Ronnie Moore at Boundary Park – who wound up the faithful in celebrating. The run ended with unconvincing victories over Hartlepool United, due to a last minute Baxter penalty, and Shrewsbury Town. The first of a league/FA Cup double header against Doncaster Rovers ended the month as the original game was postponed due to international call-ups. Donny won as Dean Bouzanis was sent-off in the final minutes for violent conduct.
December
Boundary Park was the venue for the second match against Doncaster in the space of four days.
Oldham came from behind to gain revenge for their league defeat and booked an FA Cup third round place. Buoyed by their reward of a trip to play Nottingham Forest, Latics travelled to Colchester United searching for their first win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. They returned from Essex with three points for the first time since 2002. Oldham ended the year with four consecutive losses against Swindon Town, Yeovil Town, Donny and Crewe.
Matt Derbyshire ended his loan spell having scored six goals in 20 appearances. The year ended with three members of Dickov’s backroom staff being placed on gardening leave.
January
After the surprise end to 2012, Latics opened the year with a New Year’s Day fixture against Scunthorpe United. Having spent a decade at Glandford Park, Scunny legend Cliff Byrne marked his first return by scoring his maiden Oldham goal in a 2-2 draw. Furman was selected for South Africa as they attempted to win the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Nearly 3,000 fans travelled to the City Ground for the FA Cup third round tie against Forest despite both on and off-the- pitch struggles. After an abject first half display Athletic produced a crazy eight minute spell with cup specialist Robbie Simpson scoring twice along with Baxter to win 3-2, giving fans much to cheer in Hooters. With one eye on a televised fourth round tie against Liverpool, Latics suffered a hat-trick of league defeats.
With more than 10,000 supporters crammed into Boundary Park, Oldham conjured up one of the greatest FA Cup shocks to defeat the seven-time winners. After a nomadic career Smith announced himself in the footballing world by terrorising the Reds defence and scoring two goals in the 3-2 win. Wabara completed his loan spell with a looping header for Oldham’s third as they held on despite late pressure.
February
Walsall brought Oldham back down to earth a week later by winning at the Bescot Stadium despite the acquisitions of Paul Murray, Chris Iwelumo, Jordan Obita and Lee Barnard before January’s transfer deadline.
Despite masterminding of one of the club’s best results, Dickov resigned his post at the relegation-threatened Latics the next day.
Youth coach Tony Philliskirk took over in a caretaker capacity and was assisted by Murray, Byrne and goalkeeping coach Paul Gerrard. The change made an instant impact as Oldham stayed unbeaten for four games. This included another televised FA Cup tie, this time in the fifth round against Premier League Everton. Smith once again grabbed the headlines with a remarkable last-gasp equaliser to stun everyone and send the Latics fans into delirium.
The fairy-tale ended with a 3-1 reverse at Goodison Park despite a valiant effort from the away side with Smith scoring his fourth goal against top-flight opposition.
March
With the distraction of the FA Cup gone Oldham were left facing a relegation battle, sitting four points clear of the drop zone.
This worsened as they suffered three defeats to promotion-chasing Sheffield United, Tranmere Rovers – allowing Moore to complete a personal double – and Bournemouth. Oldham needed some inspiration to save them and found it with the left-field appointment of unknown Johnson as manager. The 31-year-old became the Football League’s youngest manager with the task of preserving Latics’ League One status.
He opened with victory over relegation rivals Hartlepool and a point against Swindon Town, who had recently lost manager Paulo Di Canio. Oldham beat the Football League transfer deadline to sign midfielders Bobby Reid and Korey Smith on loan and Federico Bessone.
April
It may have been April Fools but it was no joke for Oldham as they started the final month of the campaign in the relegation zone. Furthermore, they faced eight games in April, three more than some clubs, because of the winter weather and the magical cup run. The first was an Easter Monday showdown with relegation rivals Colchester United but Latics had to come from behind to secure a point after Bouzanis’ error.
Two defeats followed against Carlisle United and Preston North End with only goal difference keeping them above the dreaded dotted line. They received a boost off-the-field by receiving planning permission for a new stand at Boundary Park.
Oldham travelled to Gigg Lane for a crucial local derby against relegation-threatened Bury who need £1million to survive. Despite hundreds being locked out, Matt Smith scored the only goal of the game to grab a valuable three points in front of a large, vocal away following. Johnson then had to face his father Gary as Yeovil came to Boundary Park in a re-arranged fixture.
The pupil beat the master as Oldham won 1-0 with another Matt Smith goal in only the second father-son duel in football. League One safety was secured when Jean-Yves M’voto headed an injury time winner against Crawley Town. This allowed Johnson to experiment in his final two games against Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient.
The re-arranged away game against the Shrews was the first since 1988 and due to a kit clash Oldham wore a specially commissioned white shirt. Youngsters Joe Cooper, Danny Gosset, Jack Truelove and Glenn Belezika all made their Latics debut in April while Kirk Millar scored his first senior goal.
Athletic finished a roller-coaster season in 19th place with 51 points, three clear of the drop zone. Despite a record-equalling 11 home defeats they still beat Liverpool, Forest and Everton with 15 European trophies combined. They could also still reach Wembley after being nominated for the Ronnie Radford Award.
Picture courtesy of thefacup, via YouTube, with thanks.
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