𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝟯 – 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝟮!

Today at Wembley in a dramatic match, Latics secured their place back in the Football League and with it, reignited the spirit of a proud footballing town.

This victory isn’t just about what happened on the pitch, as thrilling as it was. It’s about what this club means to the people of Oldham. Through years of struggle, uncertainty, and change, Latics have been a source of identity, unity and pride.

I know from speaking with fans, from generations of families who’ve followed the club home and away, just how much today means. The last time we had a Wembley final was 35 years ago and today a new generation got to experience that special feeling.

To the players, staff, Frank, Judith & the whole Rothwell family and CEO Darren Royle: thank you for giving fans hope again. You’ve built something that reflects the best of who we are: determined, hardworking, and resilient in the face of challenge.

The Rothwell family have created a new era by giving the club a boost and renewed focus. After years of uncertainty, where fans have been worried about the future of Oldham Athletic, the future is now looking up – from the new ownership, to the football on the pitch!

To the record-breaking thousands of Oldhamers who travelled down, sang their hearts out and carried the club with them – you did us proud.

This is more than a football result. It’s a signal that Oldham is back.

With the promotion final just days away the club has secured further ticket allocations.

Originally, Wembley announced an allocation of 17,500 for each club, which fell far short of the expected number of fans due to buy tickets.

The club have been working around the clock and exploring every avenue to have this allocation increased, including arranging coaches for thousands of fans.

I know the importance of the match for the club and the town, and was eager to help when asked by the club.

Over the past few days there has been positive exchanges with the Mayor of London and TfL who have engaged with Wembley/the FA and Brent Council to look at options to increase the ticket allocation, with early success increasing both clubs allocation by 4,000 to 21,500. When taken with the FA allocation of 5,000 (early bird sales etc) it takes it to 48,000.

It is envisaged this will accommodate the vast majority of Oldham fans wishing to travel, with further headroom possible through coach packages.

As of this morning, Latics report 20,628 tickets have been sold, with tickets still available to be bought by fans ahead of Sunday.

Without these representations and the actions of the club to secure 2,400 fans on coach packages, it was possible that thousands of loyal fans would have been denied the chance to witness this historic match.

The club has done everything possible to lobby the FA and others to increase ticket allocations and the additional tickets show it was worth the effort.

Transport arrangements now in place include:

Increased Bakerloo line frequency serving Wembley Central

Two extra Chiltern Railways services per hour to Wembley Stadium station

London Overground’s Lioness line operating as normal to Wembley Central

Expanded coach and car parking agreed by Brent Council and Wembley Stadium

I’m told that the highest attendance at this fixture in the past has been around 47,000, I think it can be broken on Sunday given the extra allocation is allowed!

This weekend is about more than just football. It’s about civic pride, history, and a club determined to rise again. Let’s back the team and make it a day to remember.

Next stop Wembley. Good luck!

Thanks Jim

Earlier this month, the Admin Team from the Oldham Armed Forces Breakfast Club attended this year’s Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. I hope you all had an amazing day.

At the event, they met Andrew Spence and Maria Hanley who received an invite from the Lord Lieutenant of Manchester as a thank you for their hard work in bring back a World War One memorial to Royton which had been sold. This now hangs in Royton Library along with an history folder detailing all those on the memorial.

The dedicated work you do in the breakfast clubs to foster connections, offer support and provide a welcoming & safe space is commendable. We thank you and the Royton Branch of the Royal British Legion for all the work you do to support those who have given so much for our country to defend peace, democracy and freedom. We owe a debt to all of you.

Great to see that local councillors Junaid Hussain and Umar Nasheen, along with the newly-elected Mayor of Oldham Eddie Moores, were at the opening of the refurbished facilities at Fitton Hill Bulldogs.

After visiting the site in June last year, you can see the hard work that has been put in over many years for the club to be in the position it is in now, with a brand new hub which will serve the surrounding community well.

So much progress has been made, from re-establishing the sports club in 2000, to acquiring a 25-year lease for the playing fields from Oldham Council, and then teaming up with local organisations to get the funding to revitalise the facilities.

Now it provides a host of regular community drop-in and sports events including junior football; activities to support adults with learning disabilities and autism; social events for the over-60s; and free Yoga classes.

Grassroots action rooted in the community has always driven me, and giving local people opportunities to build institutions like this is what politics is all about.

It was a pleasure to join with Cllr Eddie Moores the new Mayor of Oldham for the annual Mayoral Sunday procession through the town centre accompanied by a church service at the Parish Church.

It was a wonderful service led by Revd Canon Daniel Burton, and Revd Hannah Currin.

The service reminded political leaders, local and national, of the need to put service before self, build peace and not conflict, and keep grounded in the lives of those we represent.

Wise words. Perhaps some of that was informed by the vicars attendance at the annual meeting of Oldham Council last week. Or, to the fair the numerous examples often seen in Parliament itself.

In my experience Eddie has always been grounded, starting working life as an apprentice engineer in the rail industry, and he is rooted in family and community. He has served faithfully as a local councillor and I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside him many times.

Can I wish Eddie and Kath a wonderful year and say that I know with confidence that they will get a lot from it. There is nothing more inspiring and humbling than seeing the richness of charity, volunteering, and neighbourliness which exists throughout our borough and its many towns and villages.

Best wishes,

Jim

It was a privilege to meet with the Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister, Oleksii Kuleba, this week where we reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s unwavering support and solidarity with Ukraine in these challenging times.

Our discussions focused on the ongoing efforts to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, as well as the devastating humanitarian impact of Russia’s illegal invasion. The bravery and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people continue to inspire us all, and it is clear that the international community must remain united in providing the necessary support to Ukraine.

Our shared values of democracy, freedom, and human rights will always guide us in standing by Ukraine.

It was great to join ministers from across the world at the OECD Ministerial on Regional Development in Warsaw . We had thoughtful discussions on how local approaches are vital to tackling the big challenges we face – from climate to growth. Grateful to the OECD as a leading institution for evidence-based policy.

The evidence is clear: the UK is one of the most centralised countries in the OECD. I set out how our English Devolution agenda is changing that – empowering communities to drive growth, invest in what matters locally, and shape their own future.

Then went to Leeds on Thursday to speak at the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum. We are working alongside so many local leaders and mayors, who are driving forward our ambitions to boost regional growth, unlock jobs and build the homes and communities people across the country deserve.

Ended the week back in London at the largest Mayoral Council yet, where we met with the Deputy Prime Minister and combined authority Mayors of all political stripes from across England to discuss our ongoing work to boost growth by taking power out of Westminster and putting it in the hands of local people in the places where they live.

Now the House has risen for the Whitsun recess, I am able to be back in Oldham for the bank holiday weekend.