Oldham are first Premier League club to drop into non-League
The Premier League celebrates its 30th anniversary this year but there will not be much to cheer for OLDHAM, who have claimed the unwanted record of being the first former member to drop into non-League.
A miserable season, which has turned increasingly toxic, hit new depths as angry fans invaded the pitch 14 minutes before the end of the 2-1 defeat at home by SALFORD CITY.
Their jeers were aimed at owner Abdallah Lemsagam and they ignored pleas from boss John Sheridan to leave the playing field and return to the stands.
Referee Bobby Madley took the players off and when the pitch was eventually cleared, the teams returned to finish the match. The result confirmed relegation for a club who reached the final of the League Cup and semi-finals of the FA Cup during glory years under manager Joe Royle and who had been members of the Football League for 115 years.
Owner and supporters have been at each other’s throats with Lemsagam promising to sell the club, having initially said the opposite.
Fans have been banned, players paid late, and there was a dangerous flirtation with administration. In January, Sheridan — adored by supporters at Boundary Park — arrived at the club for the sixth time, hoping to pull off a miracle. he was also quick to insist there was no owner interference.
early signs were good and Oldham moved out of the bottom two. Sadly the Sheridan bounce did not last and 10 defeats in 12 matches signalled the end of an era.
Sheridan and most of the players’ contracts expire at the end of this season and it remains to be seen whether the squad will remain full-time professionals.
Saturday’s opponents Salford, meanwhile, remain one point off the play-offs.
There was another issue settled on the weekend and that was FOREST GREEN’S promotion to League One following their goalless draw at BRISTOL ROVERS. Rovers are fifth and on course for the play-offs.