Two arrested over Latics death threat

POLICE have arrested two men after death threats were sent to Oldham Athletic.

Men aged 27 and 42 were arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill. They have been bailed until June 15.

This is the second time this year Latics has received threats. In January, a director was sent a letter threatening the safety of his daughter if the club signed former Sheffield United striker Ched Evans, who was released half way through a five-year prison sentence for rape.

A Facebook group — Sack IRA Supporting Darren Kelly as Oldham Athletic’s Manager — was set up following Mr Kelly’s appointment last Monday and currently has 40 members.

The creator of the private group - potential members must ask to join and see content — says: “As a lifelong Oldham Athletic fan I want to show my disgust at Latics chairman Simon Corney appointing IRA supporter scumbag Darren Kelly as our manager. When we are not trying to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans on the cheap, we go one step further and sign IRA supporting, poppy-hating, Darren Kelly. Sack Darren Kelly, no surrender.”

Officers executed warrants in Oldham and Radcliffe.

Det Insp Jason Byrne said: “The letter sent to the club made some extremely serious threats to a number of individuals and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are also aware of equally vitriolic comments on social media, and this too forms part of our investigation.

“We have made two arrests and anticipate more. Another man knows we are keen to speak to him. I would also ask anyone with information about the letter or those behind it to contact us.”