Peter is making his mark as Latics continue to make off-field progress

As the new owners of Oldham Athletic celebrated 100 days since the takeover was announced in July this year, nothing epitomises the quality of the Latics team at board level more than one man. 

An unsung hero who has been very active behind the scenes over the past few months ensuring that Latics continue to build a solid foundation for the future - step forward Peter Norbury. 

A solicitor who has lived in Oldham since the mid-1980s, Norbury has been instrumental in working with the Rothwell family from the very beginning of the takeover discussions, and was appointed to the board. 

Everything Norbury has done has been at the highest level.  

A student at Manchester Grammar School, he studied law at Sheffield University, qualified as a solicitor and went on to practice.  

His reputation as a top lawyer grew, and he was a partner in Eversheds Sutherland Manchester office for over 30 years. 

His football knowledge is beyond question.  

Through his role at Eversheds as a renowned expert of employment law in particular, he started working for The Football Association in 2000, emerging as a calming trouble shooter if issues arouse and forming working relationship with FA chiefs. 

He rose to national prominence for his pivotal role in the notorious “Svengate” episode which engulfed the FA in 2004.  

The scandal involved the then England manager Sven Goran Ericsson, Faria Alam, a woman who worked for The FA, and Mark Palios, the Chief Executive.  

It fell to Norbury to accumulate a dossier of interviews with the key personnel involved and present his findings to FA bosses. 

In bringing everything to a timely conclusion, considerable praise was heaped on Norbury for his major contribution and sensitive yet firm handling of the situation. 

His sporting administrative expertise goes beyond football - as Chairman of Wigan Warriors from 1998-2000 he played a major role in the club’s move from Central Park to the JJB Stadium.  

He also was a member of the board of Rugby Super League. 

He began his support at Latics in the 1960s when he was living in Thornham and sharing his time between watching matches at Manchester City, Oldham and Rochdale. 

“The 409 bus route was very handy for games at Boundary Park and Rochdale!” he laughs. 

His enthusiasm for Boundary Park intensified when he moved to Saddleworth in the 1980s, and he also became one of the club’s commercial sponsors. 

This, of course, coincided with the start of the Joe Royle era and the club’s meteoric rise to the apex of football. 

“It was clear from the start,” he says, “that Joe didn’t just care about Oldham Athletic, he also cared about the town and the Oldham people.  

"Joe’s enthusiasm was infectious.” 

He got to know new Latics Chairman Frank Rothwell when he moved to Grotton and they became neighbours.  

Norbury said: “Though I was never his lawyer, we and our families socialised and we often went on holiday together. 

“Fast forward to May this year and, out of the blue, Frank told me that he and his family were interested in buying Oldham Athletic and asked if I would be prepared to help.  

“I told Frank that of course I was more than willing to help.” 

When asked what the biggest challenges were during the takeover talks, he added: “The club was disorganised and there was no real clarity particularly in terms of the financial position. 

“It was the product of neglect and living hand to mouth – we couldn’t get an accurate picture of the state of the club.” 

Amongst the people involved in making the deal happen, he singles out Frank’s son Luke Rothwell for special praise.  

“He knew how to establish good relationships with the people we were buying from which made some of the very difficult conversations that we had in the course of the negotiations that bit easier – Luke demonstrated considerable people handling skills,” said Norbury. 

Now, after the first 100 days, Norbury has had chance to reflect on their biggest accomplishment. 

He added: “It was managing to get all four stands under the control of the club, which we finally made happen on October 25 of this year.  

“This will help the club financially in the short term, but the key thing is that it gives the club the opportunity to increase revenues and secure it’s long-term future.” 

But he is equally realistic about what really will drive the club forward. 

He said: “We are only as good as our results.  

“When I was Chairman at Wigan Warriors, as a board we got some things right.  

“I am particularly proud of how we dealt with the successful move from Central Park to the JJB Stadium in the 1999 season, but we lost the first game at the new stadium to Castleford in the play offs. 

“All that the fans remember about the 1999 season is the loss in the play-off match.  

“Thankfully for me, the fans could also remember that we did win the Grand Final in the 1998 season.

“It is our hope and belief at Oldham Athletic that what we are all doing off the pitch to improve the infrastructure of the club is part of creating a proper club that the supporters and the town can be proud of. 

“The purpose that underpins everything that we do is achieving success by helping the team to win football matches.” 

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