Oldham Athletic Stadium Redevelopment

heatonparkincakes said:

I love stadium architecture. Partly inspired by being bought a copy of Simon Inglis's original book on football grounds decades ago.

Now that new stand has a real smell of the stand I will be watching from in a few hours time at Barton to see Salford v Huddersfield.

I won't dwell on the arguably challenging aspect of the ownership of another sporting entity in the borough, but I could see rugby league being played here as an ideal venue for say a Challenge Cup semi final or even a stage for a RL World Cup match in 2019.

So good to see this emerge. I think once it's completed I might make my way for a game.

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M.E.N. Sport understands Latics are set to sign a groundbreaking deal with Sports Direct
Boundary Park, home of Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic are on the verge of signing a significant sponsorship deal that could see Boundary Park renamed.

M.E.N. Sport understands Latics officials are in advanced talks with sportswear giants Sports Direct over a five-year agreement.

If signed off it would see the company, owned by Newcastle United supremo Mike Ashley, take over the running of the club shop - which will be moved to the new stand currently under construction at the ground.

It would also see Sondico, a subsidiary of Sports Direct, manufacture Oldham’s shirts - and those shirts would be sponsored by Sports Direct.

Latics officials declined to comment but it is understood lengthy talks are close to a conclusion however, any announcement could not be made until the existing deal with JD Sports comes to an end on May 31.

The move may also see Alan Pardew’s Magpies head to League One Latics for a pre-season friendly and could no doubt open the door for a relationship between the clubs that may see some of the Toon’s younger players lent out to gain valuable experience.

No sums have been disclosed although the proposed deal is thought to be the biggest commercial agreement in Oldham’s history and may approach seven figures over the duration of the contract.

Latics have played at Boundary Park since 1904.

They are currently building a 2,500-seat stand set to open on the Broadway side of the ground at the start of the new season.

It is understood if the deal goes through the club shop, which will be run by Sports Direct with the club taking a percentage of profits, would be based there.

Another deal with a company that will run a gym in the stand is close to completion.

Meanwhile manager Lee Johnson takes his men to Carlisle United on Saturday believing that a point or better will secure their safety.

Oldham are currently on 51 points, five points above the drop zone with three games to play compared to most of their rivals who have two matches left.

“We are going to need a point to be sure,” he said.

“We’d be very very unlucky if we did go down on this points tally but it’s still a possibility so we need to continue our run. We will go to Carlisle and be right up for what is going to be a big battle.”

Johnson, whose side picked up four points over Easter and are unbeaten in seven, added: “Our destiny is in our own hands. We are moving forward and there are still things to fight for. There are players looking for a new contract who can impress me.”

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