Where Are They Now? (A-J)

Player Profile

• Name
• Played from.............to...............
• Claim to fame
• Most memorable moment/incident
• Where are they now?

Martin Buchan (1983-84) arrived at Athletic with a great pedigree gained with Manchester United and Scotland. He was forced to retire due to a thigh injury but then went on to manage Burnley for a short spell. He now occupies his time by doing sports promotions in the North West.

Frankie Bunn (1987-90) was best remembered for scoring six goals against Scarborough at the start of their famous Littlewoods Cup trip to Wembley. When he signed from Hull City he had an immediate impact and helped turn the Latics into a goalscoring machine. Frank is now a member of Manchester City’s Youth Academy staff.

John Colquhoun (1961-65 & 1968-70) was a tricky little player who was an ever present in the 1962-63 promotion winning side. He died in 1996.

Billy Dearden (1963-66) the 5'-11" tall winger only scored two goals for Athletic but he went on to score 101 goals in all four divisions for other clubs. He also played local cricket for Crompton CC. Billy is now manager of Mansfield Town.

Willie Donachie (1984-94) made over 400 appearances for Manchester City before arriving at Oldham. He was appointed player-coach in 1985 and will be best remembered as Joe Royle’s right hand man in the clubs most successful seasons. He is still working with big Joe as first team coach at Manchester City.

Harry Dowd (1970-74) will be remembered as the goalkeeper who loved to dribble outside the box. He was a great favourite of the Latics fans and was first-choice until he lost his place to Chris Ogden in the championship year of 1974. He once scored a goal for Manchester City. Harry now works for John Willie Lees' brewery.

Steve Edwards (1974-83) gave stalwart service to the club. He broke through to the first team in the 1978-79 season and made 212 appearances mostly at full back having successfully made the transition from his earlier midfield role. Steve is now Company Director at New Earth Water Services.

David Fairclough (1985-86) made his name at Liverpool in the late Seventies, when he earned the nickname 'Supersub', after scoring many vital goals wearing the number 12 shirt. His season at Oldham was spent mainly in the reserves, for whom he scored 16 goals. He also helped the reserves to win the Central League Second Division title. He now lives in Formby on Merseyside and works as a partner in an independent investment company which advises players at all levels of the game on the best way of taking care of the money they earn. Fairclough also works for Meridian TV and covers games on ITV2.

Jimmy Frizzell (1960-82) was a great favourite of the Latics supporters. When he was sacked he had the distinction of being the second longest serving manager in the football league. He is now chief scout for Manchester City F.C.

Jimmy Fryatt (1970-71) was a fearless centre-forward and was best remembered as the player to score the fastest goal in a league game when it was recorded as four seconds from the kick-off in a match for Bradford against Tranmere in 1964. Jimmy played for Philadelphia in the NASL and was assistant manager at Las Vegas Quicksilver. He also worked a total of 13 years in casinos but now works on a golf course in Vegas as a mechanic, looking after the mowers and other machinery.

Paul Futcher (1980-83) will be remembered as one of the footballing twins who played for Athletic. He was a short-term acquisiton for the Latics but he averaged a goal every other game. The tall, blond striker cost Luton a record fee of £ 100,000 when he was signed as a seventeen year old from Chester. Paul was known as one of the best back four players in Division Two and was a creative defender with the ability to make attacking options available. Paul was player/manager of Southport in the Conference League, but gave up the playing side in 1999 at the age of 42.

Ron Futcher (1985-87) was a tall striker whose unorthodox style disguised the clever skill he possessed. A master of the ‘one touch’ he averaged a goal every two games for Athletic. His career took him to America and Holland and he now earns his living as Bradford City’s youth development officer.

John Gannon (1996-97) signed for the Latics after seven years at Sheffield United but was always dogged by bad luck. He now has his own soccer school in Sheffield

Mark Grew (1983) signed on loan during Joe Royle's early years and became known as the ‘lone ranger’. He only made five appearances in goal for Athletic and is now youth team coach at Port Vale.

Alan Groves (1974-77) was a firm favourite with the Latics fans. He was remembered mainly for his showmanship. Although he had signed for Blackpool, it came as a great shock to all when he died prematurely in 1978 at the age of 29.

Ray Haddington (1947-50) formed a perfect front partnership with the legendary Eric Gemmell. He was remembered for his spectacular goals from dead-ball situations and seemingly impossible angles. Ray recently passed away in Australia.

Vic Halom (1976-80) [King of all Geordies] won an FA Cup winners medal with Sunderland in 1973 and was a burly striker who caused trouble to most opposing defences. Halom completed his century of league goals in his first season at Boundary Park. Vic now works for AMEC Utilities, a move from the football field to the computer field!

Wayne Harrison (1983-85) was snapped up by Liverpool who shelled out £ 250,000 to make him the most expensive teenager at the time. He scored 35 goals for Athletic Reserves and Juniors before he had a chance to prove himself with the first team. It never seemed to work out at Liverpool and Wayne retired through injury in 1991. He tried a stint of management with Accrington Stanley but retired at the end of the 1998-99 season so that he could devote more time on his School of Excellence in Blackpool. Wayne is now working as a drayman for Robinsons Brewery in Stockport.

Rick Holden (1989-92 and 93-95) was a member of the Latics most successful team ever which went to Wembley for the first time. A great crosser of the ball (get it in early!) who provided skills, excitement and goals. He has a degree in 'Human Movement' and is now a physiotherapist on the Isle of Man. Rick was also player/coach for the IoM international side and recently hung up his boots from club football where he was playing for Peel.

John Hudson (1982-86) impressed as a full back when the Latics were looking for a replacement for John Ryan in 1984. Injuries however, forced John to retire. He is now working for the PFA.

Bobby Johnston (1960-65) was one of the great inside-forwards of post-war football. A Scottish international with instinctive ability and a knack for creating goals from nowhere. One of the few players with the distinction of having an era named after him! Since retirement his skills were for years observed gracing the bowling green at Hollinwood CC. Recent information tells us he has moved back to his native Edinburgh.

Walter Joyce (1967-73) gave great service to Athletic both as a player and a coach. He joined Burnley in their First Division days before joining Blackburn and then moving to Boundary Park. He was manager at Rochdale for three years although they were relegated from the Third Division (73-74) with only two league wins out of 46. Walter then went on to coach at Bolton and Preston. Another move took him scouting for Bury until he became recruitment officer for Manchester United. Walter unfortunately died in 1999, aged 62.

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