Finance

Oldham buys back Boundary Park

Featured image credit: Narniauk

English National League football club Oldham Athletic has completed the purchase of its Boundary Park stadium.

The Rothwell family, which owns the club, reached an agreement to secure the ownership of Boundary Park back in August. The deal also included the stadium’s car park, the Little Wembley training grounds and surrounding land.

Oldham had been aiming to complete the purchase of the stadium before Christmas, but the club has now confirmed in a statement that the deal has been finalised. The stadium was formerly owned by the club’s ex-owner, Simon Blitz.

It is hoped the purchase of Boundary Park will consolidate the club and stadium under one ownership to ensure stability for the future. Frank Rothwell, a local businessman, completed his takeover of Oldham in July last year, ending Abdallah Lemsagam’s turbulent spell as owner.

In October, the club acquired Oldham Event Centre Limited, which handles hospitality services in the Joe Royle Stand at Boundary Park.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Boundary Park will host Oldham’s rugby league team from next year as part of plans to invest £1m (€1.1m/$1.2m) in the stadium’s pitch.

Funding for the high-specification pitch will be covered by Oldham Council and it is hoped the investment will enhance provision for Oldham RLFC players.

Oldham Athletic is the first football club that has played in the Premier League to be relegated from English football’s top four divisions.