Oldham Athletic A.F.C.

Founded in 1895, Oldham Athletic entered the Football League Second Division just one year later. The club climbed to the First Division for the first time in the 1905–06 season and reached its highest league finish with a third-place spot during the 1913–14 campaign. They remained a top-flight fixture until the late 1980s before facing a series of relegations that eventually led to their inclusion as one of the twelve founder members of the Premier League in 1992.

Financial mismanagement in the early 2000s sent the club tumbling into non-League football, forcing them to rebuild from the bottom tiers. Supporters rallied around the team through these dark years, helping secure promotions back into the EFL pyramid. After spending time in the National League, the club earned promotion back to League Two for the 2024–25 season, ending a period of instability with a renewed focus on stability. [edit]

The club began play in 1895 and joined the Football League Second Division in 1896. They spent much of the early 20th century establishing themselves in the top tier, peaking with a third-place finish in the First Division during the 1913–14 season. Following World War I, they continued to compete at the highest level until the 1950s, when they faced repeated struggles against relegation.

A golden era arrived under manager Joe Royle in the 1980s, leading the team to the FA Cup final in 1990. This success coincided with their status as a founding member of the Premier League in 1992. However, financial troubles mounted in the late 1990s and early 2000s, resulting in administration and a drop to the Conference National (now the National League) in 2004. The club spent several seasons rebuilding before regaining their place in the Football League.

In recent years, the team has focused on returning to consistency. After finishing high in the National League table, they secured promotion back to League Two for the 2024–25 season. Current head coach David Unsworth aims to stabilize the squad following this return to the fourth tier. [edit]