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Oldham Athletic Football Club were founded by John and Fred Garland in 1895.

The club was originally called Pine Villa FC, changing its name to the current form in 1898.

The Latics played their first season in the Manchester Alliance League in 1899, graduating to the Manchester League the following year.

Elected to the Football League

In 1904 they became members of the Lancashire Combination B Division, winning promotion at the first attempt.

A campaign was then begun to gain membership of the Football League and, after missing out in 1906, Oldham's application was accepted in 1907.

Division One Runners-Up

Unlike many of their contemporaries Oldham thrived at the higher level and, in 1910, they won promotion to Division One. They finished as runners-up in 1915, just one point behind Everton.

When competition resumed after the war, Oldham struggled, and in 1923 they were relegated to Division Two.

In 1935, they dropped into Division Three (North), where they would remain until promotion in 1953.

Relegated to Division Four

The following season they went straight back down and, in 1959 and 1960, suffered the humiliation of having to apply for re-election twice in succession.

Promoted to the Third Division in 1963, they were relegated again in 1969, only to bounce back as Division Four champions in 1971.

In 1972, under the management of Joe Royle, the Latics were Third Division champions and returned to Division Two.

Then in 1990 they reached the semi-finals of FA Cup and were League Cup finalists.

Back in the Top Flight

The following year they won the Second Division title to return to the top flight for the first time in 64 years.

The club did well to survive in the top division for three seasons but inevitably they were relegated in 1994.

In 1997, they were relegated again, dropping into Division Two (old Third Division).

Administration

Oldham entered administration in 2003 and were literally hours away from going out of business before they were rescued by an American consortium.

In 2007 they qualified for the promotion playoffs, falling at the semi-final stage.

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