2023–24 Oldham Athletic A.F.C. season explained

Club:Oldham Athletic
Season:2023–24
Manager:David Unsworth
(until 17 September)[1]
Steve Thompson
(interim, from 17 September to 12 October) [2]
Micky Mellon
(from 13 October)[3]
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Chairman:Frank Rothwell
Stadium:Boundary Park
League:National League
League Result:10th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:First Round
Cup2:FA Trophy
Cup2 Result:Fourth Round
League Topscorer:
James Norwood (17)
Season Topscorer:
James Norwood (18)
Highest Attendance:11,881
Lowest Attendance:5,538
Average Attendance:6,962
Prevseason:2022–23
Nextseason:2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 129th in Oldham Athletic's history,[4] and the club's second season since dropping out of the Football League. The club will compete in the National League,[5] the FA Cup[6] and the FA Trophy.

Season summary

Pre-season

Immediately following the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, Oldham announced that 18 of the players contracted for the previous season remained in contract but that nine players would be released and four players who had ended the 2022–23 season on loan would return to their parent clubs. The club also confirmed that negotiations were ongoing to extend the contracts of Devarn Green, Mathew Hudson, Junior Luamba and Josef Yarney.[7]

A new hybrid pitch was laid at Boundary Park, with work commmencing on 8 May 2023[8] and extending over the summer period, meaning that all but the final pre-season friendly would be played away from Boundary Park.[9]

On 8 June 2023, Paul Murray returned to the club as Academy Manager, resuming a job he had left in 2021.[10]

End of the Unsworth era

The season began with two weeks of contrasting fortunes: a 4–0 defeat away at Southend United[11] being followed by a comprehensive 5–1 win at home to Aldershot Town.[12]

Following this was a run of seven games without a win in which Oldham scored only four goals. The club's board initially stood behind manager David Unsworth, with chairman Frank Rothwell addressing a group of travelling supporters before a 2–2 draw at Gateshead to demonstrate his support for Unsworth.[13] However, discontent amongst the club's supporters continued to grow following a 0–0 draw at home to Dorking Wanderers[14] and Unsworth was dismissed following a 3–0 defeat away at Bromley.[15]

Interim management

Steve Thompson, the club's Head of Recruitment, was appointed as manager on an interim basis following Unsworth's departure, with the club's board confirming that a number of applications for the role of first team manager had been received and that a recruitment process would be followed before an appointment was made.[16]

In the meantime, Thompson appointed Neil Redfearn as his assistant manager,[17] Redfearn returning to Boundary Park where, 32 years earlier, he had scored the most famous goal in the club's history, securing the Second Division title with a last minute penalty kick.[18]

Thompson and Redfearn left the club on 12 October 2023[19] two days before an FA Cup tie with Altrincham with academy manager Paul Murray taking charge of that match. Then, they won the match 1–0 with Harrison McGahey scoring.

Micky Mellon

Micky Mellon was announced on 13 October 2023 as the club's new first team manager.[20] Mellon sat in the stands for the following day's FA Cup match against Altrincham[21] and took charge of his first match against the team's bitter rivals Rochdale the following week, a match which Oldham would go on to win 4–3.

Mellon led Oldham on a strong run, taking them from 12th in the table into play-off positions for most of January and February. However, a run of one win in fourteen games at the end of the season resulted in a disappointing 10th place finish and to Mellon lamenting that his squad needed "major surgery" for it to challenge for promotion in the following season.[22]

Players

Squad at the end of the season

NoPosNatNameAgeDebutAppStartSubNotes
1GK2748480020
2DF19660010Loan from Sheffield Utd
3DF28807912140
4DF35827932201Captain
5DF2538353040
6MF2735305261
7FW2617512100Loan at Ayr Utd
8MF2529254040
9FW307539362594
10FW2737352880Loan at Cheltenham Town
11MF26862000
13GK2551510010
14DF26979169180
15FW2743349660
16DF3034331030
17DF28656142100
18MF29463412960Loan at Chester
19MF34123107168291
20FW308460241260
21DF2158571381
22MF3118144540Loan at Hartlepool Utd
24FW3614113440
25FW28341915930
26MF211183000
27DF20402515120Loan at Ashton Utd
28FW21422000Loan from Blackburn
29FW241477010Loan from Barnsley
30FW334437718110
31MF19101000
32MF2818153030
99GK23n/a000000Loan at Blyth Spartans
-DF24101000Loan at Darlington

Left the club during the season

NoPosNatNameAgeDebutAppsStartsSubsNotes
-MF3336288260Released 31 August[23]
23DF3210100010
24FW20440310

Pre-season fixtures

On 17 May 2023 Oldham Athletic announced six pre-season friendlies to be played before the start of the National League season.[9] Pitch renovation work at Boundary Park meant that the first five fixtures would all be played away from home, with only the sixth and final game able to be played at Boundary Park.

Competitions

Oldham Athletic will play in the National League in the 2023–24 season. It will join the FA Cup at the Fourth Qualifying Round and the FA Trophy at the Third Round.

National League

See main article: 2023–24 National League.

Matches

Oldham's fixtures were announced on 5 July 2023.[24]

FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Cup.

Oldham will join the 2023-24 FA Cup at the Fourth Qualifying Round. Fixtures will take place on the weekend of 14 October 2023, with the draw being made following conclusion of the Third Qualifying Round on the weekend of 30 September 2023.[25]

FA Trophy

See main article: 2023–24 FA Trophy.

Oldham will join the 2023-24 FA Trophy at the Third Round. Fixtures will take place on the weekend of 9 December 2023, with the draw being made following conclusion of the Second Round on the weekend of 18 November 2023[26]

Squad statistics

Appearances

Players with no appearances are not included on the list.

No.Pos.Nat.PlayerNational LeagueFA CupFA TrophyTotal
AppsStartsSubsAppsStartsSubsAppsStartsSubsAppsStartsSubs
13GK4444022011047470
3DF4343022021147461
14MF4438622011047416
4DF4240221122046433
30FW4034622021144377
5DF3533222010138353
16DF3231100022034331
9FW311516101110331617
17DF2523222022029272
8MF2622422011029254
15MF2620611011028226
19MF2518710122028208
21DF2525011011027270
20FW179811022020127
32MF1715200010118153
22MF1512322010118144
7FW1541100021117512
6MF1510500000015105
24FW1411300000014113
29FW14770000001477
25FW12572020001459
10FW1210211000013112
26MF11830000001183
23DF99011000010100
11MF752000110862
2DF660000000660
18MF523101000624
24FW440000000440
28FW312000110422
1GK220000110330
31MF101000000101
Total462250

Goals

No.Pos.Nat.PlayerLeagueFA CupFA TrophyTotal
30FW170118
9FW90110
14MF6006
22MF5005
25FW5005
24FW4004
19MF4004
20FW3014
15MF3003
24FW3003
4DF1001
6MF1001
10FW1001
18MF1001
17DF0101
7FW0011
Total631468

Disciplinary record

No.Pos.Nat.PlayerNational LeagueFA CupFA TrophyTotal
9FW611000000611
21DF401000000401
4DF12100000001210
6MF310000000310
3DF11001000001200
30FW11000000001100
14MF700200000900
15MF500000000500
19MF500000000500
24FW500000000500
10FW400000000400
22MF400000000400
8MF400000000400
5DF400000000400
17DF400000000400
16DF300000000300
32DF300000000300
18MF100000000100
25FW100000000100
23DF100000000100
24FW100000000100
1GK100000000100
19MF100000000100
2DF100000000100
13GK100000000100
29FW100000000100
Total1043230000010732

Transfers

Transfers in

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
Pre-season MF Undisclosed fee [27]
Pre-season FW Free transfer [28]
Pre-season MF Dan Ward Free transfer [29]
Pre-season DF Free transfer [30]
Pre-season DF Free transfer [31]
Pre-season MF - Free transfer [32]
Pre-season FW Undisclosed fee [33]
11 August 2023 DF - Free transfer [34]
3 November 2023 GK - Free transfer [35]
9 January 2024 MF Undisclosed [36]
19 January 2024 MF Undisclosed [37]
31 January 2024 FW Undisclosed [38]

Transfers out

DatePositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
Pre-season GK Free transfer [39]
Pre-season MF - Released [40]
31 August 2023 MF - Released
2 January 2024 DF - End of contract [41]

Loans in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromDate untilRef.
15 December 2023 FW Wigan Athletic F.C. 2 January 2024 [42]
2 January 2024 FW Blackburn Rovers F.C. End of season [43]
15 January 2024 DF Sheffield United F.C. End of season [44]
22 January 2024 FW Barnsley F.C. End of season [45]

Loans out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToDate untilRef.
7 July 2023 DF Jordan Windass End of season [46]
11 July 2023 MF Kofi Moore 7 January 2024 [47]
15 July 2023 FW Jake Forshaw September 2023 [48]
19 July 2023 DF Frazer Cookson January 2024 [49]
15 August 2023 DF September 2023 [50]
24 August 2023 DF Llyton Chapman October 2023 [51]
2 September 2023 MF Ollie Havens November 2023 [52]
5 September 2023 FW Jake Forshaw November 2023
23 September 2023 DF End of season [53]
6 October 2023 DF Llyton Chapman TBC
7 November 2023 MF January 2024 [54]
17 November 2023 FW Jake Forshaw 21 December 2023 [55]
17 November 2023 MF Kofi Moore 15 December 2023
12 December 2023 GK Dan Langley End of season [56]
1 January 2024 MF Kofi Moore End of season [57]
11 January 2024 DF Oliver Kilner End of season [58]
1 February 2024 FW End of season [59]
1 February 2024 FW End of season [60]
2 February 2024 MF End of season [61]
9 February 2024 MF End of season [62]

Notes and References

  1. News: David Unsworth: Oldham Athletic sack boss after seven-game winless run . BBC Sport . 17 September 2023 . 18 September 2023.
  2. News: Oldham Athletic: Interim boss Steve Thompson and assistant Neil Redfearn leave club . BBC Sport . 12 October 2023 . 14 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Mellon Appointed Latics Manager . Oldham Athletic . 13 October 2023 . 14 October 2023.
  4. Web site: Club History . Oldham Athletic A.F.C. . 11 June 2023.
  5. Web site: Clubs . Oldham Athletic A.F.C. . 11 June 2023.
  6. Web site: Online applications open for the 2023-24 FA Cup, FA Trophy, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup . The FA . 11 June 2023.
  7. Web site: 2023 Retained & Released List . Oldham Athletic AFC . 10 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Oldham Athletic: works on new pitch at Boundary Park begin . The Oldham Times . 11 June 2023.
  9. Web site: Pre-Season Schedule 2023 . Oldham Athletic A.F.C. . 11 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Murray Appointed Academy Manager . Oldham Athletic AFC . 11 June 2023.
  11. Web site: Southend United 4-0 Oldham Athletic . BBC Sport . 26 September 2023.
  12. Web site: Oldham Athletic 5-2 Aldershot Town . BBC Sport . 26 September 2023.
  13. Web site: Frank Rothwell bids to raise morale as well as money . The Oldham Times . 26 September 2023.
  14. Web site: Oldham Athletic boss determined to overcome rough start . The Oldham Times . 26 September 2023.
  15. Web site: David Unsworth. Oldham Athletic AFC . 26 September 2023.
  16. Web site: Update From The Board . Oldham Athletic AFC . 26 September 2023.
  17. Web site: Redfearn Added To Coaching Staff . Oldham Athletic AFC . 26 September 2023.
  18. Web site: Caught in Time: Oldham Athletic win the Second Division in 1991 . The Times . 26 September 2023.
  19. Web site: Steve Thompson & Neil Redfearn . Oldham Athletic AFC . 12 October 2023.
  20. Web site: Mellon Appointed Latics Manager . Oldham Athletic AFC . 13 October 2023.
  21. Web site: GALLERY: Altrincham 0-1 Latics . Oldham Athletic AFC . 12 November 2023.
  22. Web site: Manager Micky Mellon highlights problems at Oldham Athletic . Oldham Times . 21 June 2024.
  23. Web site: John Rooney Departs . Oldham Athletic AFC . 3 September 2023.
  24. Web site: 2023/24 Fixtures Released! . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  25. Web site: The Emirates FA Cup Round Dates For The 2023-24 Season . The Football Association . 5 August 2023.
  26. Web site: The Isuzu FA Trophy Round Dates For The 2023-24 Campaign . The Football Association . 5 August 2023.
  27. Web site: Lundstram Joins Latics . Oldham Athletic AFC . 10 June 2023.
  28. Web site: Willoughby Arrives At Boundary Park . Oldham Athletic AFC . 10 June 2023.
  29. Web site: Ward Strengthens Midfield Options . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  30. Web site: Latics Complete Hobson Signing . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  31. Web site: Latics Add Raglan To Back Line . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  32. Web site: Latics Sign Versatile Midfielder . Oldham Athletic AFC . 5 August 2023.
  33. Web site: Norwood Added To Attack . Oldham Athletic AFC . 5 August 2023.
  34. Web site: Latics Sign Right-Back Freeman . Oldham Athletic AFC . 13 August 2023.
  35. Web site: Latics Sign Keeper Langley . Oldham Athletic AFC . 12 November 2023.
  36. Web site: Conlon Strenghtens Midfield . Oldham Athletic AFC . 13 January 2024.
  37. Web site: Latics Sign Midfielder Hammond . Oldham Athletic AFC . 21 January 2024.
  38. Web site: Striker Garner Signs For Latics . Oldham Athletic AFC . 31 January 2024.
  39. Web site: Jayson Leutwiler . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  40. Web site: Luke Burgess . Oldham Athletic AFC . 20 July 2023.
  41. Web site: Kieron Freeman . Oldham Athletic AFC . 3 January 2024.
  42. Web site: Latics Add Striker Stones On Loan. Oldham Athletic AFC . 15 December 2023.
  43. Web site: Winger Walker Joins On Loan. Oldham Athletic AFC . 3 January 2024.
  44. Web site: Mellon Adds Sachdev As Right Back. Oldham Athletic AFC . 21 January 2024.
  45. Web site: Loanee Dallas Strengthens Latics Attack. Oldham Athletic AFC . 23 January 2024.
  46. Web site: Windass Joins Darlington On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 July 2023.
  47. Web site: Moore Heads Out On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 12 July 2023.
  48. Web site: Forshaw Heads Out On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 23 July 2023.
  49. Web site: Cookson Leaves On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 19 July 2023.
  50. Web site: Couto Joins TNS On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 19 August 2023.
  51. Web site: Loan Watch 2023/24 . Oldham Athletic AFC . 5 December 2023.
  52. Web site: Ollie Havens . The North West Counties Football League Limited . 5 December 2023.
  53. Web site: Couto Joins Ashton United On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 26 September 2023.
  54. Web site: Tollitt Joins Kidderminster Until January . Oldham Athletic AFC . 12 November 2023.
  55. Web site: Forshaw and Moore Join Guiseley On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 5 December 2023.
  56. Web site: Langley Makes Loan Switch . Oldham Athletic AFC . 15 December 2023.
  57. Web site: Moore Resumes Guiseley Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 3 January 2024.
  58. Web site: Kilner Joins Bury On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 13 January 2024.
  59. Web site: Nuttall Joins Cheltenham On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 1 February 2024.
  60. Web site: Willoughby Makes Ayr Loan Switch . Oldham Athletic AFC . 1 February 2024.
  61. Web site: Dickenson Joins Hartlepool On Loan . Oldham Athletic AFC . 2 February 2024.
  62. Web site: Tollitt Makes Loan Move To Chester . Oldham Athletic AFC . 9 February 2024.