Power surge in new stand

THE saga of Athletic’s new North Stand has taken a positive twist, with the revelation that a power supply was finally due to be connected today.

Electricity North West issued a statement to the Chronicle explaining that the delay in getting electricity to the £6.5million stand was not of their doing.

But with the benefit of power, Athletic’s stand contractors now face a race in order to fit the interior and get it signed off ready for use.

Two ramp-up events at a reduced capacity — the options for which are being explored by the club, be it regular fixtures or other solutions — will be necessary before it is fully open to supporters.

“We have been liaising with Oldham Athletic Football Club’s consultants throughout the process of connecting a new supply of electricity to the new building and we will be completing our work (on Thursday),” said an Electricity North West spokesperson.

“As the region’s power network operator we pride ourselves on delivering the best for our customers, but unfortunately the project was delayed due to matters outside of our control.

“We put forward a solution to provide the connection via alternative means and we have been working to enable those works are completed at the earliest possible date.”

Athletic, who have apologised to supporters over the delays, have already ruled out the chance of opening the North Stand up in time for upcoming home matches against Bradford and Peterborough.

The next home fixture after that is Wigan on Saturday, September 26.