Jimmy Frizzell has died at the age of 79. Jimmy, or 'Sir Jimmy' as his devoted fans used to call him, was at Boundary Park for 22 years as player, caretaker manager and finally manager. His great success was getting the Latics promoted as champions to the Second Division in 1973/74. This was achieved in the final away match at Plymouth Argyle and followed after previously gaining promotion to the Third Division some four years earlier.
Frizzell signed for Athletic from Greenock Morton in 1970 and totalled 318 appearances, with 56 goals to his tally. He succeeded Jack Rowley's second stint in the Latics hot-seat and helped to stabilised the club after former chairman Ken Bates left the club. He also guided the club to a run of 10 straight victories which is still a club record and was responsible for bringing in players of the calibre of Alan Groves and Roger Palmer.
It came as a massive shock when Frizz was sacked in 1982 and was succeeded by Joe Royle. Royle, who went on to unbelievable achievements, lived in the shadow of Frizzell for quite some time until established himself. Frizzell went on to manage Manchester City and then remained at Maine Road in the capacity of chief scout from 1994.
Former secretary, Bernard Halford, praised Frizzell when he said, “He was a diamond of a man. Honest with it, too, and a hard player on the field. We shared an absolutely fantastic friendship and, for 20 years, lived in each other's pockets with our homes together on Broadway. He did so much to build Oldham Athletic up and had such respect within the dressing room. I have terrific memories of Jimmy, having shared some of the best days of my life with him. I can't put him on a pedestal high enough.”
Former CEO, Alan Hardy, also added praise by saying, “He was a true great, a wonderful player and then manager, whose achievements are etched in the history of Oldham Athletic. He was one of the main figures in the whole of the town, having brought so much success.”
As the author of this article lived through the Frizzell period, saw all the 10 consecutive wins, was at Plymouth to witness the championship win and recently got to know Jimmy personally, I can only add my profound sorrow at the loss and offer condolences to Jimmy's family.
Jimmy Frizzell will be remembered as a true Oldham legend.