Latest news with #DarrenRoyle
Scottish Sun
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Premier League side back in EFL after scoring twice in two minutes in dramatic National League play-off final
A dramatic extra time saw Oldham score two goals in as many minutes OLD SCHOOL Former Premier League side back in EFL after scoring twice in two minutes in dramatic National League play-off final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OLDHAM are back from the brink - fired to the Football League by a wonder goal and a huge blunder. An extraordinary extra time escape act sent Micky Mellon's men back to League Two in front of chief executive Darren Royle - son of legendary ex-manager Joe. 8 Oldham are back in the Football League after beating Southend 3-2 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 8 A dramatic National League final saw the Lactics go behind twice before winning in extra time Credit: Getty Four years after coffins were carried outside Boundary Park to mark the death of the club and three years since owner Frank Rothwell stepped in as the saviour, they are alive and kicking again. All thanks to two goals in two staggering extra-time minutes. The Latics were behind five minutes after kick-off, then behind again 39 seconds into extra time. But a Premier League quality finish from James Norwood and Kian Harratt's bizarre winner helped down Southend. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CHAMPING AT THE BIT Fergie arrives at CL final as his £2m-a-year Man Utd role ends Oldham finished five points clear of Southend in the table and had sailed through the play-offs without conceding a single goal. Their opponents, however, had scraped into the play-off places and needed extra time and then penalties to reach this final. But it was Mellon's side who made a frantic start under the arch. Having been so water-tight in the two games to reach Wembley, it was a surprise to see Oldham so ragged inside five minutes. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Southend's Charley Kendall raced onto a clipped ball over the top, unsettling Monthe to the extent he swung a leg and lifted the ball over his own goalkeeper. Oldham responded well to the nightmare start and should have been level just over 10 minutes later, when Vimal Yoganathan headed inexplicably wide from two yards at the far post. Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponents 8 Southend took the lead after just FIVE minutes Credit: Reuters 8 Oldham eventually pegged them back through Joe Garner's 48th minute penalty Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Striker Mike Fondop erupted at his teammate for taking the chance away from him and wasting it, but was just as guilty later in the half. Fondop, who should have been awarded a penalty earlier in the half, raced through one-on-one and decided to dink over the keeper but placed the ball just wide. Oldham had scored seven goals in two play-off games before the final, but were so wasteful across a frustrating first half. That was swiftly corrected after the break. 8 Southend regained the lead in extra time through Leon Chambers-Parillon Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 8 James Norwood's top strike pulled Oldham back into the game in the 110th minute Credit: PA Monthe, making amends for his own-goal, was hauled to the ground by Ben Goodliffe inside the six-yard box within a minute of the restart. Referee Elliot Bell immediately pointed to the spot and veteran Garner slotted home from the spot to make it three goals in three play-off games. Having endured nine minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second half, Southend struck just 39 seconds into extra time. Keeper Mathew Hudson flapped at a deflected cross from Gus Scott-Morriss, palming it straight to substitute Parillon to nod home. 8 Kian Harratt then put Oldham ahead for the first time just two minutes later Credit: PA 8 It proved to be the winning goal as Oldham cemented their spot back in League Two Credit: Getty That looked to have started a Southend party, though they wasted chances to extend their lead before the Latics struck. Substitute Norwood collected a hopeful punt before showing off some staggering footwork, lifting the ball over advancing keeper Hayes and finishing into an empty net. The winner was even more surprising as Harratt cut in on the right and swung in a low cross which evaded everyone in red and rolled in. A galling way for Southend's own redemption story to hit the buffers, but the most ridiculous route back to League Two for Oldham.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oldham Athletic march to playoff final on Royle road back from oblivion
Darren Royle was at Wembley when Mark Hughes broke Oldham Athletic hearts in 1994, scoring a 120th-minute equaliser in an FA Cup semi-final. That day Royle's legendary father, Joe, was in the dugout with the club at their peak in the Premier League but within weeks they had their Cup dreams dashed in the replay and were relegated. That started a first steady and recently drastic decline for the club but 31 years later they are back at Wembley, where on Sunday they face Southend, another club that have come back from the brink, with a return to the Football League at stake and Royle watching on as the club's chief executive. The past three decades have seen Oldham drop down the divisions, culminating in relegation to non-league in 2022, against a backdrop of financial problems and protests against the then owner, the deeply unpopular Abdallah Lemsagam. Advertisement Coffins were carried outside Boundary Park to mark the death of the club, tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch and invasions stopped matches. Many feared the club would cease to exist. Heading to the National League felt like oblivion, but in stepped Royle Jr and the local businessman Frank Rothwell, who bought Oldham and Boundary Park in separate deals and plotted a course back. 'It's mad, isn't it?' says Royle. 'We're in the fifth division and in '94 we were playing Man United at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. It's hard to say what's the most important day in the club's history. This does feel like that because getting into the EFL, it's an exclusive club of 72.' Royle Sr's reign began in 1982 – and Darren's association has lasted equally long – and he was at the helm when they were founding members of the Premier League. The recent rises up the pyramid of Stockport and Wrexham gives hope that momentum and careful investment can continue the upward trajectory. Most importantly, the town has a team it can again be proud of and will be in existence regardless of the result at Wembley. 'The club means a massive amount to us, which probably spurred me on when it was in trouble,' Royle says. 'Its culture, spirit and infrastructure were broken. There was a desperation by everybody to try and change things and change the direction of travel and us coming in and Frank being such a great guy, he's the local business ambassador, a successful self-made businessman, we were really well received. I think what everybody wants, ourselves included, is success as quickly as possible. Sometimes disappointment does turn into frustration but on the whole, we were really welcomed and it was a celebration as much as a relief.' Advertisement When Royle and Rothwell arrived they struggled to find a replacement for the manager, John Sheridan, who decided to depart early in their first season in charge. Few were interested in the manager's role at a club that had seemed to be spiralling. David Unsworth steadied the ship and Micky Mellon has taken it forward over the past 19 months. There is a wider picture beyond Sunday, as plans are in place for the Sportstown development around Boundary Park that will mean a sport campus, 3G pitch and netball stadium constructed as part of a £70m investment. 'It's very important to point out it's Oldham, not Oldham Athletic,' Royle says. 'We're bigger than a club. We've got an effect and an impact on the local community and you can see that now with the sense of civic pride with Oldham Athletic reaching Wembley. We're aware of our responsibility, but it's a wonderful opportunity and tool to change the direction of travel for the town as well.' After finishing 12th and 10th in the past two seasons, Oldham finished fifth this year, before brushing aside Halifax and York, the latter who finished second with 96 points, by a combined score of 7-0 in the playoffs. There is plenty of Football League experience within the squad, led by the captain, Charlie Raglan, and confidence is high. Advertisement One upset for Oldham is the limit on tickets available at Wembley, capped originally at 17,500 for each club because engineering works are closing Wembley Park underground station. Demand has been severely underestimated, as no one involved in the discussions of attendance has understood Southend and Oldham have the two biggest fanbases and average attendances in the division, leaving the Latics hierarchy deeply frustrated. Eventually the authorities, after much lobbying, relented slightly, increasing the availability by 4,000 per club. 'If you're out and about, in shops and stuff, people are buzzing, there's smiles on faces, there's excitement. And it's nearly 20 years since we were in the playoffs. And it's 30 years since we were at Wembley, so that's how long people have had to put up with stuff. You could say there's clubs with other sets of supporters that haven't had anything for similar periods of time. 'I think in terms of underachievement rankings, we head that up from where we were to where we are now after three years of progress and rebuilding. It's like the analogy is a big ship, you turn the wheel and eventually it starts turning. It's not something that's instant.' The Royles will, health dependent, be sat together at Wembley. What does Dad think of his son and the Rothwells bringing Oldham back from the brink? 'Very proud,' Royle Jr responds. 'The thought of his legacy [being lost] … the club could be liquidated was the worst case scenario, and it was close to that, very close. 'I'm absolutely delighted for the Rothwell family. They're a wonderful, close-knit family who really care about the football club and the community, which is such a huge thing to get owners like that. So to be there in the first place is amazing. It's going to be a really tough game. If we get the victory, it will be a very emotional time for the family.' Royle means his own but it feels like Oldham is a united family once more, too.
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Oldham Athletic march to playoff final on Royle road back from oblivion
Darren Royle was at Wembley when Mark Hughes broke Oldham Athletic hearts in 1994, scoring a 120th-minute equaliser in an FA Cup semi-final. That day Royle's legendary father, Joe, was in the dugout with the club at their peak in the Premier League but within weeks they had their Cup dreams dashed in the replay and were relegated. That started a first steady and recently drastic decline for the club but 31 years later they are back at Wembley, where on Sunday they face Southend, another club that have come back from the brink, with a return to the Football League at stake and Royle watching on as the club's chief executive. The past three decades have seen Oldham drop down the divisions, culminating in relegation to non-league in 2022, against a backdrop of financial problems and protests against the then owner, the deeply unpopular Abdallah Lemsagam. Coffins were carried outside Boundary Park to mark the death of the club, tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch and invasions stopped matches. Many feared the club would cease to exist. Heading to the National League felt like oblivion, but in stepped Royle Jr and the local businessman Frank Rothwell, who bought Oldham and Boundary Park in separate deals and plotted a course back. 'It's mad, isn't it?' says Royle. 'We're in the fifth division and in '94 we were playing Man United at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. It's hard to say what's the most important day in the club's history. This does feel like that because getting into the EFL, it's an exclusive club of 72.' Royle Sr's reign began in 1982 – and Darren's association has lasted equally long – and he was at the helm when they were founding members of the Premier League. The recent rises up the pyramid of Stockport and Wrexham gives hope that momentum and careful investment can continue the upward trajectory. Most importantly, the town has a team it can again be proud of and will be in existence regardless of the result at Wembley. 'The club means a massive amount to us, which probably spurred me on when it was in trouble,' Royle says. 'Its culture, spirit and infrastructure were broken. There was a desperation by everybody to try and change things and change the direction of travel and us coming in and Frank being such a great guy, he's the local business ambassador, a successful self-made businessman, we were really well received. I think what everybody wants, ourselves included, is success as quickly as possible. Sometimes disappointment does turn into frustration but on the whole, we were really welcomed and it was a celebration as much as a relief.' When Royle and Rothwell arrived they struggled to find a replacement for the manager, John Sheridan, who decided to depart early in their first season in charge. Few were interested in the manager's role at a club that had seemed to be spiralling. David Unsworth steadied the ship and Micky Mellon has taken it forward over the past 19 months. There is a wider picture beyond Sunday, as plans are in place for the Sportstown development around Boundary Park that will mean a sport campus, 3G pitch and netball stadium constructed as part of a £70m investment. 'It's very important to point out it's Oldham, not Oldham Athletic,' Royle says. 'We're bigger than a club. We've got an effect and an impact on the local community and you can see that now with the sense of civic pride with Oldham Athletic reaching Wembley. We're aware of our responsibility, but it's a wonderful opportunity and tool to change the direction of travel for the town as well.' After finishing 12th and 10th in the past two seasons, Oldham finished fifth this year, before brushing aside Halifax and York, the latter who finished second with 96 points, by a combined score of 7-0 in the playoffs. There is plenty of Football League experience within the squad, led by the captain, Charlie Raglan, and confidence is high. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion One upset for Oldham is the limit on tickets available at Wembley, capped originally at 17,500 for each club because engineering works are closing Wembley Park underground station. Demand has been severely underestimated, as no one involved in the discussions of attendance has understood Southend and Oldham have the two biggest fanbases and average attendances in the division, leaving the Latics hierarchy deeply frustrated. Eventually the authorities, after much lobbying, relented slightly, increasing the availability by 4,000 per club. 'If you're out and about, in shops and stuff, people are buzzing, there's smiles on faces, there's excitement. And it's nearly 20 years since we were in the playoffs. And it's 30 years since we were at Wembley, so that's how long people have had to put up with stuff. You could say there's clubs with other sets of supporters that haven't had anything for similar periods of time. 'I think in terms of underachievement rankings, we head that up from where we were to where we are now after three years of progress and rebuilding. It's like the analogy is a big ship, you turn the wheel and eventually it starts turning. It's not something that's instant.' The Royles will, health dependent, be sat together at Wembley. What does Dad think of his son and the Rothwells bringing Oldham back from the brink? 'Very proud,' Royle Jr responds. 'The thought of his legacy [being lost] … the club could be liquidated was the worst case scenario, and it was close to that, very close. 'I'm absolutely delighted for the Rothwell family. They're a wonderful, close-knit family who really care about the football club and the community, which is such a huge thing to get owners like that. So to be there in the first place is amazing. It's going to be a really tough game. If we get the victory, it will be a very emotional time for the family.' Royle means his own but it feels like Oldham is a united family once more, too.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Oldham ready to 'finish job at Wembley'
Oldham Athletic will head to the National League promotion final at Wembley ready to "finish the job", boss Micky Mellon has Latics finished in fifth place during the regular season and set up Tuesday's play-off semi-final against third-placed York City by beating Halifax 4-0 in the qualifying round earlier this stunned their hosts 3-0 to reach the final on 1 June, despite finishing 23 points behind the Minstermen this term."What I will say, and I mean this, every single player that I went to said to me 'let's go to Wembley and finish the job'," Mellon told the club website., external"We'll go there and play very well and try to seal the deal." Goals from Joe Garner, Vimal Yoganathan and Joe Pritchard wrapped up an emphatic win for Mellon's side at will face the winner of Wednesday's second semi-final between Forest Green and Southend is the first time in 35 years that Oldham Athletic have reached a Wembley final and Mellon paid tribute to owner Frank Rothwell and his family, as well as chief executive Darren Royle and his family."I'm so pleased for the family that we can take them to Wembley, they've done so much for the football club," Mellon added."We'll give them that now but we'll be going there to try to get Oldham back into the Football League."We know whoever we play against will be a difficult game but we'll be ready to go."
