other board members. He also feels that his role is being treated with caution by certain officials even though Trust Oldham, whom he represents, have invested a £200,000 stake in Athletic.
It's tough being a Latics Director
other board members. He also feels that his role is being treated with caution by certain officials even though Trust Oldham, whom he represents, have invested a £200,000 stake in Athletic.
Owen stresses that the new owners (The Three Amigos), Simon Blitz, Simon Corney and Danny Gazal have been keen to involve fans at all levels but went on, “Danny and the two Simons have given the Trust a very warm welcome,
which is also true in the majority of cases. But tradition at Oldham Athletic is deep and entrenched, so it’s understandable that some people will take a while to accept my appointment. Any new organisation which comes along is bound to attract a degree of caution about its role. That will always be the case, and I’ve got to accept that not everyone in football is sold on the idea of Trust involvement.”
“At the same time, people should understand that fans put a great deal of money into the club and, as such, they are shareholders. Supporters have a right for their voices to be heard – that’s what myself and the Trust are trying to
achieve and it would be unfortunate if people took a narrow-minded view or didn’t accept it.”
The £200,000 investment bought three per cent of Athletic and earned a directorship alongside the owners, Chairman Barry Chaytow, Chief Executive Alan Hardy and estate agent Ian Hill. Owen went on, “I knew football was a costly business, but I didn’t realise the day-to-day expenditure was quite so high. It’s enormously expensive to run the club because something new is always cropping up to drain more money. I’ve been a season-ticket holder for many years and I can reassure people that the board are doing their best to provide good facilities for everyone.”
“That’s one of the areas where it can be difficult – as a Trust director I want to push for lots of improvements, and as a club director I appreciate the financial pressures. I’m honoured to have this position and very conscious of the need to
communicate with Trust members, making sure their voice is taken seriously. Certain things will happen which aren’t universally popular, such as increasing season-ticket prices, but there are times when it’s either accept the decision or
give the club even more problems.”
Supporters may become complacent in the short term by thinking that the club is now secure for ever but Trust Oldham still has a key role to play in Athletic’s future prospects and must continue to raise valuable funds for the Boundary Park coffers. Owen added, “People might think there’s no need for a Supporters’ Trust now that Latics look a bit safer, but we have to consider the long term. We’ve got to keep working for future generations so that they never
have to suffer what we all went through last year. Instead of being complacent, we should push on and make the Oldham Athletic Trust as successful as possible. We need a close relationship with Latics, and being given an unconditional place on the board was a massive step forward. At the end of the day, the Trust and the club are chasing very similar goals.”
The Trust Oldham money has helped Athletic to fund improvements in the youth team facilities and also continues to make everyday life at home matches a better experience for the fans. Long may they reign and prosper. To support the Trust follow this link