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THE FA CUP: THE COMPETITION THAT MADE AND BROKE OLDHAM ATHLETIC:

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I have a rather large soft spot – that shows no sign of popping – for Oldham Athletic football club. Or any teams that were in the Premiership in the early to mid-90s for that matter hence why I look out for results involving Swindon Town despite living in East London (although seeing as West Ham United legend, Paulo Di Canio, is now manager of the Robins, I’m far from alone in doing so). But it is the aforementioned side from Greater Manchester that I cherish the most. I have a feeling that it has something to do with my fondness for owls, one of which happens to be on their crest. I preferred the one they had up until this season, but don’t get me started on the change. ‘‘Why don’t you feel this way about Sheffield Wednesday?’’

I think I heard you murmur, although that may be me going mad. ‘‘They were in the Premiership in the early to mid 90s (and beyond) and their nickname is The Owls.’’ ‘‘Yeah, what about it Ricky?’’ the people behind you say. Well, my fellow humans, it’s the outline of the feathers that matters to me, but I won’t go into that. Anyway, it was great to see the Latics reach the FA Cup third round for the first time in four years since they knocked out Everton. They had no such luck on Merseyside last Friday night in their 5-1 defeat to Liverpool despite taking the lead in a first half where Oldham pretty much equalled The Reds for everything apart from goals. They were 2-1 down at the break. The possession rate of 50/50 for both teams at the end of the match says it all.

The FA Cup has provided the Boundary Park outfit with some of its fondest memories: most notably, the cup runs that ended with two epic semi-finals against Manchester United in 1990 and 1994; both of which went into extra time and resulted in replays. But it was the latter one that has arguably defined their existence since those days.

The future could have been so different had Mark Hughes not thundered in one of his trademark volleys on the 119 minute mark that earned United another chance to book their place into a final against Chelsea.

They didn’t get the ball away, Oldham. And Manchester United have saved it in the last minute. Extraordinary stuff. And look at Mark Hughes, the volleying specialist. But he’s never left it as late as that

Those were the words of the commentator, John Motson, immediately after the Welshman’s equaliser. They are words that surely haunt Oldham fans to this day. Incidents such as this can make or break clubs in the form of team spirit and morale, belief and finance; all of which hugely affect matters on the pitch. They can also shatter players’ confidence and how they approach matches thereafter.

United were going through a slight sticky patch at this point with only two wins from their previous six league games, which contrasted with their early season form, not to mention a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa in the League Cup final in between those six games. But after this match, Alex Ferguson’s side went on to win five and draw one of their remaining seven fixtures of the campaign culminating in a league and cup Double. Oldham meanwhile fell apart.

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