A dramatic National League play-off final victory on the opening day of June saw Oldham claim promotion for the first time in 34 years, regaining their Football League status after three years in the non-league wilderness.
A sun-drenched Wembley crowd of 52,115 saw The Latics twice come from behind, with extra-time strikes from substitutes James Norwood and Kian Harratt capitalising on Joe Garner’s 48th-minute penalty equaliser, which had taken the tie beyond ninety minutes.
The early 1990s witnessed Athletic’s golden era, and it’s hard to believe anyone could have envisaged the heartache and tumultuous times they would face over the next three decades.
Under long-serving manager Joe Royle, Oldham had signalled their drive towards the big time by reaching the 1990 Littlewoods League Cup final, only to lose 1–0 to Nottingham Forest. The following season, The Latics lifted the Division Two title, earning top-flight status for the first time in 68 years. A seventeenth-place finish ensured survival and a place in the inaugural
Premier League.
Oldham survived the 1992/93 season on goal difference, with players like Andy Ritchie, Ian Marshall and Gunnar Halle becoming household names. However, as quickly as they had risen, the fall from grace proved equally dramatic. The following season brought relegation and, within three years, Boundary Park was again hosting third-tier football.
Oldham narrowly avoided insolvency in 2004/05, but the following 15 seasons brought just one playoff appearance. In 2018, the club dropped into League Two, where three bottom-half finishes signalled decline. The slide continued, and by the end of 2021/22, Oldham lost their Football League status.A twelfthplace finish at the first attempt and just four wins from fifteen matches the following season saw Mickey Mellon take
up the reins in October 2023. Results improved and the play-offs were a viable target, until a lateseason collapse led to a disappointing tenth-place finish. However, at the third time of asking, the club reached the play-offs last term, defeating Halifax 4–0 and York City 3–0 (despite finishing a colossal 23 points behind them in the league) before that unforgettable afternoon at Wembley.
The Men In BLUE GOALKEEPERS
MATTHEW HUDSON – The 26-year-old first-choice goalkeeper signed a threeyear contract extension last month after keeping fourteen clean sheets last season.
TOM DONAGHY – Recently signed a two-year deal with The Latics after going on loan to Boundary Park last February. The 22-year-old came through the Bradford City youth system before joining Fleetwood Town. Made ten appearances for Oldham last term and has previously had loan spells with half a dozen other clubs.
DEFENDERS
REAGAN OGLE – The versatile Aussie usually operates at right-back, where his pace and strong tackling endear him to Latics fans. The 26-yearold also possesses a dangerous long throw-in. Signed for Oldham on a two-year contract, having spent recent seasons in League Two and the National League with Hartlepool United and
Scunthorpe respectively.
JAKE CAPRICE – A Crystal Palace youth product, the 32-year-old full-back is another who played under Mellon at Tranmere and also featured briefly on loan for St Mirren in 2013.
DONERVON DANIELS – An experienced centre-half who stands at 6’1”. The 31-year-old scored against United for Aberdeen in the 2014/15 League Cup but ended up on the losing side.
WILL SUTTON – The Academy graduate is the squad’s longest-serving player despite being only 22. He penned a two-year deal in the summer after making 16 appearances last term.
MANNY MONTHE – The giant Cameroonian defender gained promotion twice with Mellon at Tranmere and teamed up with his boss again in 2024. The 30-year-old spent last season in League One with Northampton Town, following successful spells at Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere, playing key roles in earning promotion with both clubs.
MIDFIELDERS
JACK STEVENS – The 24-year-old is a summer signing from Solihull Moors on a two-year deal. After an initial loan spell at Chippenham, he made his mark at Banbury United, emerging as a key figure in their record-breaking promotion from the Southern League Central Division and continued his fine form into the National League North, earning a move to Solihull Moors towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
LUKE HANNANT – Signed this summer from Gateshead. He has also played for Port Vale, Cambridge United, and Colchester, before making 14 appearances for Dundee and helping them earn promotion back to the Premiership, after which he began a second spell at Gateshead.
MATTHEW WORTHINGTON – A mainstay in the Yeovil side for six years, the 27-year-old Bournemouth academy product joined Oldham in January on a free transfer.
TOM CONLON – The club captain is an aggressive midfielder who can unlock defences with his exceptional vision. Peterborough and Stevenage were on his CV before making over 175 appearances for Port Vale. He has made just over 50 appearances for Oldham since his move in January 2024.
JOSH HAWKES – Another new signing, the 26-yearold winger penned a two-year deal earlier this month after scoring 27 goals in 153 games for Tranmere Rovers. He began his career at Hartlepool United.
RYAN WOODS – The 31-year-old recently joined on a two-year contract from Exeter City, having made over 450 career appearances and played in the Championship for five different clubs.
TOM PETT – Began his senior career at hometown club Potters Bar Town before featuring for Wealdstone, Stevenage, Lincoln City, and Port Vale. The holding midfielder was reunited with his former Port Vale teammate Tom Conlon in January 2024. He signed a permanent two-year deal with Oldham last month.
KIERON MORRIS – The experienced midfielder, who has featured for Walsall and Tranmere, joined on a one-year deal this summer.
JOSH KAY – The former Barrow midfielder featured predominantly from the bench last term.
HARRY CHARSLEY – Played for Everton in the Europa League after progressing through the academy. The 28-year-old midfielder was capped at U21 level by the Republic of Ireland.
OLI HAMMOND – First joined Latics in January 2024 on a short-term deal and signed a two-year extension in the summer. Composed in possession, the 22-year-old midfielder picked up thirteen Welsh U21 caps. He was originally with Nottingham Forest and had a loan spell at Cheltenham.
KAI PAYNE – A combative midfielder with excellent technique, who turned professional at Wigan in November 2022 before joining Mossley on loan. Made his Wigan debut in November 2023 and signed a new three-
year contract with the club shortly afterwards. Last October, he joined Oldham Athletic on loan for a month and has now returned to Boundary Park on a season-long loan following their promotion.
FORWARDS
JOE GARNER – A striker with previous experience playing for Rangers in Scotland, he scored in last season’s play-off final. He has made almost 600 career appearances, scoring over 150 goals for a host of clubs in England, as well as APOEL in Cyprus.
KANE DRUMMOND –
After coming through Liverpool’s youth system, the 24-year-old played non-league football for Warrington Rylands and Macclesfield, winning the FA Vase with the former. He signed for Chesterfield in summer 2024, but following his release, joined Oldham Athletic permanently in summer 2025 after a loan spell at Boundary Park.
MIKE FONDOP – The imposing 31-year-old Cameroonian is a vastly experienced striker who has made close to 350 appearances, serving 11 clubs before his move to Oldham in 2022. He has 44 goals to his credit from his 120 appearances for Latics.
BILLY WATERS – Another experienced striker who scored two vital league goals following his January arrival last term
from Doncaster Rovers. In over 350 appearances, he has scored 76 goals.
KIAN HARRATT – An intelligent striker with a strong physical presence and good movement. The 23-year-old scored the Wembley winner that clinched promotion last term.
‘Latics
TARTAN TILTS
Oldham Athletic was originally founded in 1895 as Pine Villa Football Club. In 1899, after nearby Oldham County folded, Pine Villa took over their ground and rebranded as Oldham Athletic. While the two clubs didn’t coexist or collaborate, Oldham Athletic effectively rose from the ashes of Oldham County, inheriting their place in the town’s footballing landscape.
It was during County’s short-lived existence that a side from Oldham first faced Scottish opposition, with Clyde crossing the border to earn a 2–1 win in November 1896.
Over half a century would pass before the newly named Latics took on a team from north of the border. In 1949, they travelled to Ayr United for a testimonial, the game ending in a 2–2 draw. From that point, a steady trickle of cross-border clashes followed — from friendlies and charity matches to competitive fixtures in the Texaco and Anglo-Scottish Cups.
Scots on the Schedule: Notable Encounters
Latics’ first competitive involvement with Scottish opposition came in the 1974–75 Texaco Cup — and what a run it was!
1974-75 TEXACO CUP
Group Stage
W Sheffield United 4–0
W Blackpool 2–1
L Manchester City 1–2
Quarter-Final
W Hearts (1–0 home, 1–1 away)
Semi-Final
L Southampton (1–3 home, 1–2 away)
Oldham made it to the semi-final before bowing out to the eventual runners-up.
1978-79 ANGLO SCOTTISH CUP
Their chances looked all but over after a heavy firstleg defeat in Greenock: Second Round
First leg (away): Morton 3–0 Oldham
Second leg (home): Oldham 4–0 Morton
A stunning comeback saw them advance to the semifinals, where they faced St Mirren:
Semi-Final
First leg (home): Oldham 1–1 St Mirren
Second leg (away): St Mirren 1–1 Oldham Won 4–3 on penalties
Oldham progressed to the final, only to be beaten by Burnley.
Thursday, 5 May 1949
Saturday, 10 May 1952
23 September 1953
Saturday, 2 August 1969
Monday, 4 August 1969
Saturday, 2 May 1970
Saturday, 1 August 1970
Tuesday, 27 April 1971
Tuesday, 17 September 1974
Monday, 30 September 1974
Wednesday, 13 September 1978
Wednesday, 6 September 1978
Tuesday, 17 October 1978
Tuesday, 31 October 1978
Tuesday, 28 July 1987
Saturday, 6 August 1988
Saturday, 29 July 1995
Saturday, 3 August 1996
Previous
ENGLISH VISITORS
Tannadice has welcomed a host of English opposition over the decades. From glamour fixtures against FA Cup winners to memorable Texaco Cup clashes and unforgettable European nights, these encounters have offered Dundee United fans a taste of cross-border rivalry and top-quality football. Here’s a look back through the programme covers at some of the most notable English visitors to have graced the Tannadice turf.
The first side from south of the border visited Tannadice as part of the deal that saw United’s Frank McKee sign for Birmingham City.
Unfortunately, the English Second Division outfit— who went on to finish champions at the end of the 1947–48 season— proved too strong for the Terrors.
Five years later, the Club hosted FA Cup winners Blackpool. Even without Stanley Matthews, the
Tangerines (Blackpool!) proved a class above, running out 5–2 winners.
In a friendly fixture arranged to fill a blank Saturday due to early cup exits, the Club recorded a first win over a top English
side. Trailing to a Barrie Bett penalty, United came from behind with secondhalf goals from Wattie Carlyle and Dennis Gillespie.
The first-ever competitive fixture against an English side was, appropriately, against Newcastle United—and unusually, it was played on a Monday evening. Though Jerry Kerr’s men put in a decent performance against the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup holders, they trailed to two Wyn Davies headers and could only pull one back through Ian Scott.
The first of two competitive visits by Leicester City came in the Texaco Cup. After a second draw—this time following extra time—it was all square. Ironically, a
Kenny Cameron penalty deep into extra time forced a penalty shoot-out, in which Peter Shilton remained unbeaten as the Foxes progressed. United gained revenge a year later, ousting the Filbert Street side in their second-round clash of the same competition.
The first of four visits by Everton ended in a 1–1 draw, underlining the huge strides made by the Club under Jim McLean, as United more than matched the powerful Goodison outfit of the 1980s. However, it took a cracking Eamonn Bannon strike four minutes from time to cancel out Kevin Sheedy’s opener on 76 minutes.
The two Uniteds met in the winter of 1984 in the UEFA Cup third round. Both matches were high-scoring affairs. Dundee United followed up a 2–2 draw at Old Trafford with a narrow 3–2 defeat at home, which sent them tumbling out of the tournament. That remains the last competitive meeting with an English side.
United later prepared for an early start to a European campaign with a friendly against a Wolves side featuring Mark McGhee. On a hot afternoon, the Black Country visitors snatched victory with the only goal of the game, four minutes from time.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
As Dundee United prepare to welcome Oldham Athletic to Tannadice, we take a look at two men whose careers have bridged the divide between the two clubs. From the modern-day managerial exploits of Mickey Mellon to the storied journey of George Edgar Smollett Sievewright, both have worn the colours and made their mark on either side of the border. In this special feature, we delve into the history books and revisit their contributions— past and present—to the tangerine and the blue.
MICKY MELLON
The Paisley-born 53-year-old brings his Oldham Athletic side to Tannadice having recently led them back into the Football League at the second time of asking. That should come as no surprise given the former midfielder has guided his sides to promotion on no fewer than six occasions.
Mellon made his senior debut for Bristol City under Joe Jordan before spells at Cork City (loan) and West Brom. He made his name at Blackpool, playing over 100 times, then spent two seasons each with Tranmere and Burnley. He returned to Prenton Park, becoming a fans’ favourite with over 200 appearances.
After winding down his playing days at non-league level, Mellon moved into management—beginning a remarkable coaching journey.
THE FLEETWOOD REVOLUTION
Fleetwood Town, then in Conference North, were the first club transformed under Mellon. After finishing eighth in 2008/09, they won the play-offs the following season. A fifth-place finish in their first Conference campaign set the stage for a record-breaking 2011/12, as Jamie Vardy’s 31 goals fired them to 103 points and Football League promotion. Despite this success, Mellon was bizarrely
dismissed the following December, even though the club were sitting fourth in League Two.
MORE SUCCESS FOLLOWS
After a short stint as Barnsley assistant, Mellon took charge at relegated Shrewsbury Town in summer 2014. He rebuilt the squad and secured immediate promotion back to League One.
Returning to Tranmere in 2016, he led the team to the National League playoff final, where they lost to Forest Green Rovers. A year later, redemption came as Tranmere beat Boreham Wood at Wembley. Even more impressively, they made it back-to-back promotions the next season, defeating Newport County to reach League One.
Unfortunately, the early end to the 2019/20 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic relegated Tranmere on pointsper-game—a twist of fate that led to Mellon arriving at Tannadice.
TIME AT TANNADICE
Replacing Robbie Neilson at Dundee United, Mellon’s side took seven points from their first four games, but only managed one league win in the next eight. A further slump around Christmas left the team just five points above the relegation play-off zone.
However, an impressive turnaround in early 2021 saw United secure a ninthplace finish. The highlight was a stunning 3-0 Scottish Cup quarter-final win at Aberdeen, though hopes of a final were dashed by Hibernian at an empty Hampden.
After just one season—all played behind closed doors—Mellon returned to Tranmere for two more years, before taking charge at Oldham, where he’s already delivered his latest promotion success.
