| Club: | Oldham Athletic |
| Season: | 1997–98 |
| Manager: | Neil Warnock |
| Chairman: | Ian Stott |
| Stadium: | Boundary Park |
| League: | Second Division |
| League Result: | 13th |
| Cup2: | FA Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Third round |
| Cup3: | League Cup |
| Cup3 Result: | First round |
| Cup4: | Auto Windscreens Shield |
| Cup4 Result: | First round |
| League Topscorer: | Barlow (12) |
| Season Topscorer: | Barlow (13) |
| Highest Attendance: | 9,781 vs. Burnley |
| Lowest Attendance: | 4,244 vs. Plymouth Argyle |
| Average Attendance: | 5,586 |
| Pattern La1: | _red_hoops |
| Pattern B1: | _redhoops |
| Pattern Ra1: | _red_hoops |
| Pattern Sh1: | _bluesides |
| Pattern So1: | _hoops_blue |
| Leftarm1: | 0000ff |
| Body1: | 0000ff |
| Rightarm1: | 0000ff |
| Shorts1: | ffffff |
| Socks1: | ff0000 |
| Pattern B2: | _dkredshoulders |
| Pattern La2: | _dkredshoulders |
| Leftarm2: | ffffff |
| Body2: | ffffff |
| Pattern Ra2: | _dkredshoulders |
| Rightarm2: | ffffff |
| Pattern Sh2: | _blue stripes |
| Shorts2: | 800020 |
| Pattern So2: | _2_stripes_white |
| Socks2: | 800020 |
| Prevseason: | 1996–97 |
| Nextseason: | 1998–99 |
During the 1997–98 English football season, Oldham Athletic A.F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.
In the 1997–98 season, Warnock was unable to achieve promotion with Oldham during the Division Two campaign and left after one disappointing year in charge, despite Oldham being in the play-off places until early March.
See main article: 1997–98 Football League.
Oldham Athletic's score comes first[1]
| Win | Draw | Loss |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 August 1997 | York City | H | 3–1 | 6,474 | Garnett, Barlow, Reid | |
| 16 August 1997 | Wrexham | A | 1–3 | 4,429 | McCarthy | |
| 23 August 1997 | Bournemouth | H | 2–1 | 4,986 | McCarthy (2) | |
| 30 August 1997 | Luton Town | A | 1–1 | 5,404 | Barlow | |
| 2 September 1997 | Burnley | A | 0–0 | 11,189 | ||
| 9 September 1997 | Preston North End | H | 1–0 | 8,732 | Wright | |
| 13 September 1997 | Northampton Town | H | 2–2 | 5,588 | Graham, S McNiven | |
| 20 September 1997 | Blackpool | A | 2–2 | 7,174 | Barlow (2) | |
| 27 September 1997 | Bristol Rovers | H | 4–4 | 5,990 | Barlow (2), McCarthy, Garnett | |
| 4 October 1997 | Fulham | A | 1–3 | 8,805 | Hodgson | |
| 11 October 1997 | Millwall | A | 1–2 | 7,906 | Hodgson | |
| 18 October 1997 | Chesterfield | H | 2–0 | 5,777 | Ritchie, Barlow | |
| 21 October 1997 | Grimsby Town | H | 2–0 | 4,520 | Wright, Duxbury | |
| 25 October 1997 | Southend United | A | 1–1 | 3,595 | Barlow | |
| 1 November 1997 | Bristol City | A | 0–1 | 10,221 | ||
| 4 November 1997 | Wigan Athletic | H | 3–1 | 5,446 | McCarthy (2), Graham | |
| 7 November 1997 | Gillingham | H | 3–1 | 5,338 | Reid (2, 1 pen), Barlow | |
| 18 November 1997 | Watford | A | 1–2 | 8,397 | Duxbury | |
| 22 November 1997 | Brentford | H | 1–1 | 5,012 | McCarthy | |
| 29 November 1997 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 2–0 | 5,452 | Mauge (own goal), Rickers | |
| 2 December 1997 | Carlisle United | H | 3–1 | 4,449 | Rickers, Barlow, Duxbury | |
| 13 December 1997 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 1–2 | 5,327 | Barlow | |
| 19 December 1997 | Walsall | H | 0–0 | 4,677 | ||
| 26 December 1997 | Preston North End | A | 1–1 | 13,441 | Hodgson | |
| 10 January 1998 | York City | A | 0–0 | 4,454 | ||
| 17 January 1998 | Luton Town | H | 2–1 | 6,057 | Graham (2) | |
| 24 January 1998 | Bournemouth | A | 0–0 | 4,079 | ||
| 27 January 1998 | Wrexham | H | 3–0 | 4,680 | Rickers, Duxbury, Ritchie | |
| 31 January 1998 | Northampton Town | A | 0–0 | 6,559 | ||
| 7 February 1998 | Blackpool | H | 0–1 | 6,576 | ||
| 14 February 1998 | Fulham | H | 1–0 | 6,063 | Duxbury | |
| 21 February 1998 | Bristol Rovers | A | 1–3 | 5,789 | Starbuck (pen) | |
| 24 February 1998 | Chesterfield | A | 1–2 | 4,077 | Garnett | |
| 28 February 1998 | Millwall | H | 1–1 | 4,805 | Barlow | |
| 3 March 1998 | Gillingham | A | 1–2 | 5,254 | Holt | |
| 14 March 1998 | Wigan Athletic | A | 0–1 | 4,277 | ||
| 21 March 1998 | Watford | H | 2–2 | 5,744 | Littlejohn, Allott | |
| 28 March 1998 | Brentford | A | 1–2 | 4,547 | Reid (pen) | |
| 31 March 1998 | Bristol City | H | 1–2 | 4,543 | Rush | |
| 4 April 1998 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 2–0 | 4,244 | Littlejohn (2) | |
| 11 April 1998 | Carlisle United | A | 1–3 | 4,594 | Hodgson | |
| 13 April 1998 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 0–1 | 4,305 | ||
| 18 April 1998 | Walsall | A | 0–0 | 3,562 | ||
| 25 April 1998 | Southend United | H | 2–0 | 4,485 | Jepson, D McNiven | |
| 28 April 1998 | Burnley | H | 3–3 | 9,781 | Jepson, Rickers, Allott | |
| 2 May 1998 | Grimsby Town | A | 2–0 | 8,054 | Jepson (2) |
See main article: 1997–98 FA Cup.
| R1 | 15 November 1997 | Mansfield Town | H | 1–1 | 5,253 | McCarthy | |
| R1R | 25 November 1997 | Mansfield Town | A | 1–0 | 4,097 | Serrant | |
| R2 | 6 December 1997 | Blackpool | H | 2–1 | 6,590 | Graham, Barlow | |
| R3 | 3 January 1998 | Cardiff City | A | 0–1 | 6,635 |
See main article: 1997–98 Football League Cup.
| R1 1st Leg | 12 August 1997 | Grimsby Town | H | 1–0 | 5,656 | Ritchie | |
| R1 2nd Leg | 26 August 1997 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–5 (lost 1–5 on agg) | 5,078 |
See main article: 1997–98 Football League Trophy.
| NR1 | 9 December 1997 | Carlisle United | A | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | 1,518 |
Squad at end of season[2]
Players with no appearances are not included on the list.
| Pos. | Nat. | Player | Second Division | FA Cup | Coca Cola Cup | Auto Windscreens Shield | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Starts | Subs | Apps | Starts | Subs | Apps | Starts | Subs | Apps | Starts | Subs | Apps | Starts | Subs | ||||
| MF | 44 | 44 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 0 | |||
| MF | 41 | 35 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 40 | 6 | |||
| MF | 38 | 37 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 44 | 1 | |||
| DF | 34 | 34 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 39 | 0 | |||
| DF | 34 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 37 | 2 | |||
| DF | 34 | 32 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 37 | 2 | |||
| DF | 32 | 25 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 30 | 9 | |||
| FW | 32 | 31 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 36 | 2 | |||
| DF | 30 | 30 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 0 | |||
| GK | 26 | 26 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 0 | |||
| DF | 27 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 25 | 7 | |||
| FW | 25 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 21 | 9 | |||
| FW | 22 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 13 | 15 | |||
| FW | 16 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 11 | 9 | |||
| DF | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 0 | |||
| FW | 15 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 12 | 6 | |||
| GK | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 0 | |||
| DF | 14 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 7 | |||
| DF | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 2 | |||
| FW | 12 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11 | 2 | |||
| MF | 10 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 10 | |||
| MF | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 3 | |||
| FW | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | |||
| FW | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 2 | |||
| DF | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | |||
| FW | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 6 | |||
| FW | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |||
| DF | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |||
| GK | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |||
| FW | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | |||
| FW | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |||
| MF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||
| DF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| FW | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
| Total | 46 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 53 | |||||||||||||
| Pos. | Nat. | Player | League | FA Cup | Lge Cup | EFL Trophy | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | |||
| FW | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |||
| MF | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||
| DF | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||
| DF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| FW | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| MF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||
| DF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| FW | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| MF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||
| FW | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |||
| FW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| FW | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||
| DF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| FW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| DF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| FW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| FW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| DF | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||
| Total | 60 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 65 | |||
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 August 1997 | DF | Lee Sinnott | Huddersfield Town | £50,000 | |
| 11 November 1997 | GK | Jonathan Scargill | Hyde United | Non-contract | |
| 15 January 1998 | FW | Ronnie Jepson | Bury | £400,000 | |
| 20 March 1998 | FW | Adrian Littlejohn | Plymouth Argyle | Signed |
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 July 1997 | GK | Jon Hallworth | Cardiff City | Free transfer | |
| 1 August 1997 | DF | Craig Fleming | Norwich City | £600,000 | |
| 5 September 1997 | FW | Ian Ormondroyd | Scunthorpe United | £25,000 | |
| 23 October 1997 | MF | Lee Richardson | Huddersfield Town | £65,000 | |
| 20 March 1998 | FW | Phil Starbuck | Plymouth Argyle | Signed | |
| 23 March 1998 | MF | Andrew Hughes | Notts County | Transfer | |
| 26 March 1998 | FW | Stuart Barlow | Wigan Athletic | £45,000 |
Transfers in: £450,000
Transfers out: £735,000
Total spending: £285,000