Oh When the Blues Go Marching In

Oldham, a post industrial Northern English town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to lower league football team Oldham Athletic, or the 'Latics'.

Oldham, a post industrial Northern English town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to lower league football team Oldham Athletic, or the 'Latics'. A club with a long and eventful history and with a small but passionate support base. It's fans are local and will regularly battle through bitter weather to support their mighty 'Latics', despite the club's struggles on and off the pitch.There is a unique, exciting and sometimes moving atmosphere at every game due to the closeness of the supporters. This can be accounted for by the nature of Oldham and its history; a deprived ex industrial town where many of the residents survive in a low wage economy. Through this solidarity formed by their combined following of the club, a strong community bond has been formed. These images document the characters in this community and follow a young 'Ultras' supporters group called the Athleticos.

© David Shaw - Oldham fans at the local rivalry away - Rochdale.
i

Oldham fans at the local rivalry away - Rochdale.

© David Shaw - Hulk Hogan (Tony) is wrestled by Police and stewards at Rochdale away.
i

Hulk Hogan (Tony) is wrestled by Police and stewards at Rochdale away.

© David Shaw - Image from the Oh When the Blues Go Marching In photography project
i

A father and son share a pie before a match at Boundary Park. Oldham is a family club with generations coming through supporting the team.

© David Shaw - 'The Athleticos'; are a dedicated supporters group who go to all Oldham matches home and away.
i

'The Athleticos'; are a dedicated supporters group who go to all Oldham matches home and away.

© David Shaw - Image from the Oh When the Blues Go Marching In photography project
i

'The Athleticos' are made up of people of all ages with the goal of 'bringing back the atmosphere to Boundary Park.' They sing, chant and hold banners and flags through all Oldham matches and have even established with the club an area of the ground dedicated to their group.

© David Shaw - Football matches particularly in the North of England can get very cold for the un prepared football fan.
i

Football matches particularly in the North of England can get very cold for the un prepared football fan.

© David Shaw - Laurence, a life long fan awaits to enter the stadium to see Fleetwood v Oldham.
i

Laurence, a life long fan awaits to enter the stadium to see Fleetwood v Oldham.

© David Shaw - George, one of "The Athleticos' most passionate members watches Oldham loose 7-0 to MK Dons.
i

George, one of "The Athleticos' most passionate members watches Oldham loose 7-0 to MK Dons.

© David Shaw - Many supporters of Oldham including 'The Athleticos' travel across country despite what the possible score line will be.
i

Many supporters of Oldham including 'The Athleticos' travel across country despite what the possible score line will be.

© David Shaw - Image from the Oh When the Blues Go Marching In photography project
i

Keith Head, 49, from Chadderton in Oldham has been going to Latics since he was 11 years old which was “since I was allowed to go'. He travels to nearly every match and has done so for most of his life.

© David Shaw - Image from the Oh When the Blues Go Marching In photography project
i

Despite the recent troubles at the club the fans will loyally support the team regardless. Oldham Athletic is rooted in its community which is what creates the passionate involvement by their supporters. Oldham fans and players cheer on Oldham goal.

© David Shaw - Image from the Oh When the Blues Go Marching In photography project
i

Oldham's ground, much the same as Oldham itself is a place with a long and eventful history centred around the British industrial boom. Now with much of the industry gone much of Oldham town has gone through bouts of deprivation.

© David Shaw - Many Oldham fans make a full day of going to see the team play. They will often meet in the pub hours before the match.
i

Many Oldham fans make a full day of going to see the team play. They will often meet in the pub hours before the match.

© David Shaw - Boundary Park – Oldham Athletic's ground since 1904.
i

Boundary Park – Oldham Athletic's ground since 1904.

© David Shaw - Laurence watches on.
i

Laurence watches on.

Latest Projects

  • Project

    Like the Waves Appear and Disappear and Appear Again

  • Project

    Angle of Draw

  • Project

    You Are Everything to Me

  • Project

    Close to the ground, far from heaven

  • Project

    You Wouldn't Be So Depressed if You Really Believed in God

  • Project

    Strawberry blue

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.