Oldham Athletic's Amazing Wembley Win!
Wrexham's April promotion celebrations might have been huge, but Oldham Athletic stole the spotlight in June. Weeks after Wrexham's party in Vegas, courtesy of their owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, Oldham secured their own promotion, and the scenes at Wembley were electric.
A Dramatic Comeback
Sunday's National League play-off final was a rollercoaster. Southend United took an early lead, and even went ahead again in extra time. But Oldham, with some late-game heroics, fought back with two goals in two minutes! Kian Harratt's cross-shot – honestly, it was more like a lucky bounce – found the back of the net, securing a 3-2 victory and a return to League Two after a three-year absence.
James Norwood's equaliser, moments earlier, was a thing of beauty. What a turnaround!
Familiar Faces, New League
This promotion means a League Two reunion for two former Wrexham strikers: Mike Fondop, who had a stellar season with Oldham, and Billy Waters (though he was injured and couldn't play in the final).
- Fondop's 18 goals and 8 assists were instrumental in Oldham's success.
- Waters will be hoping to make an impact next season.
A Classy Message from Rob McElhenney
And here's where things get interesting. Remember Oldham owner Frank Rothwell's pre-FA Cup comments about Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds in 2022? He famously said he didn't know who they were! Well, McElhenney responded to Oldham's win with a congratulatory message: "So well deserved," he said, adding a playful jab about Rothwell's earlier remarks. It's all good fun now, though. McElhenney and Reynolds even donated to Rothwell’s charity event for Alzheimer’s Research UK. A classy move!
The Aftermath: Joy in Oldham, Disappointment in Southend
The atmosphere in Oldham was pure jubilation. The fans were ecstatic, the players were overjoyed – and I don't think I've ever heard a more satisfying final whistle in my years of covering football. Even Micky Mellon, Oldham's manager, was clearly speechless after the match. He talked about the 'unbelievable achievement' and how much this means for the club and the town.
But it was a heartbreaking loss for Southend. You could feel the disappointment radiating from their supporters. Their manager, Kevin Maher, spoke about the "cruel way to lose", acknowledging Oldham's deserved victory.
What's Next for Oldham?
Oldham's back in the EFL, and the celebrations have already begun! There are plans for a massive promotion parade and party at Boundary Park, and the town is buzzing. I’m really curious to see how they’ll do in League Two next season. Based on this Wembley performance, they could be real contenders!
One thing's for sure: Oldham Athletic's dramatic Wembley win will be a story told for years to come.
