2001-2003: Chris Moore's Dream Turns Into A Nightmare
During the 2001 close season, local businessman Chris Moore purchased Oldham Athletic, with the promise of providing Premiership football within the next five years.
After a whirlwind start to the 2001–02 season, the Latics lost three consecutive matches, and manager Andy Ritchie was surprisingly sacked after guiding the Latics to 1st in the League. The way in which the hugely popular Ritchie was treated upset many fans at the time. Ritchie's replacement was Mick Wadsworth, a nomadic manager, and several Chris Moore funded big money signings followed. The result was a disappointing ninth placed finish at the end of the season, although there were high hopes for the following campaign. Wadsworth was also sacked however, and was replaced by his assistant Iain Dowie.
Dowie's expensive side began the 2002–03 season with a narrow home defeat to Cardiff City but recovered well to lose only seven more games for the rest of the season, just two of them away games. The Latics narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, gaining 82 points from their 46 league games to gain entry into the end of season play-offs. The play-off campaign ended in heartbreaking disappointment for Oldham, with Queens Park Rangers winning a tense battle with a late goal at their Loftus Road ground.
Worse was to come for the club, with chairman Chris Moore deciding to end his interest in the club – leaving behind large debts and a decimated playing squad, much to the anger of fans.
Read more about this topic: History Of Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
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