Chairman Frank Rothwell made a hero’s return on Saturday at Boundary Park, where there was the largest Latics home league crowd since 2004.
After his incredible achievement of becoming the oldest person to row across any ocean solo and setting a new world record, Frank was given a special welcome home by the 11,881 spectators, who made up the fourth-highest National League attendance of all time.
Frank, the 73-year-old chairman of Latics, travelled solo across the Atlantic Ocean for 64 days. During that time, he faced many challenges, including capsizing four times and coming into serious trouble at sea.
Inside Boundary Park, where Oldham typically draws 6,900 spectators, there was a funfair vibe as Frank spoke to fans prior to the match against Kidderminster Harriers.
On February 15, he finished his epic row in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and as a result of this latest feat, he has raised over £320,000.
He finished the row in 2021 as well, and he has helped the charity raise almost £1.5 million in total.
This time, in an effort to support the ongoing efforts to combat dementia, he gave his boat the name “For A Cure.”
In his pregame speech, Frank remarked, “It feels fantastic to be back here at Boundary Park.”
“Coming home is the only thing on your mind when you are rowing across an ocean and away from land for an extended period of time.
Returning to Oldham Athletic and being reunited with my 53-year-wife, Judith, means the world to me.
“I finished the same row three years ago, but it was much harder this time around.”
“I had my first capsize a few days into the row while I was sleeping in my cabin.
“The boat capsized again as I went outside to lower the sea anchor that is fastened to it, and I got swept away.
It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with.
In the UK, one in two people will experience dementia at some point in their lives.
Dementia is the leading cause of death in this nation; in the last five years, five of my friends and family members have passed away from dementia.
“I sincerely appreciate all of the donations made in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK.”
“We can’t thank Frank enough for taking on such an epic challenge in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK,” said Lucy Squance, Director of Supporter-led Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
We cannot allow dementia to continue to be the leading cause of death in the UK.
“We are striving to transform the way dementia is diagnosed, treated, and prevented as the top dementia research charity in the UK.
“Our goal is to expedite the search for a cure, and we can only accomplish this with amazing people like Frank.”
Frank’s son Luke, who had followed his father’s journey from the beginning, later said in an interview with Oldham Community Radio 99.7fm: “You don’t realise how much it’s been on your mind every single day until it’s over.”
“We had a lot of concerns.
“It was the best feeling ever to see him cross the finish line.”
Donations to Frank’s amazing fundraising efforts can still be made online, where over £320,000 has already been raised.
On the pitch, Alex Penny gave the Harriers, who were having a hard time, the lead in the 22nd minute when he came charging forward from midfield and fired a long-range shot that went in the net.
Four minutes into the second half, Nathan Sheron tied the score with a finish from inside the area, but Kidderminster were back in front nine minutes later.
After Ashley Hemmings turned the corner, Reiss McNally went home.
And as the Harriers increased their hopes of survival, the hosts did not respond this time.
Micky Mellon, the manager of Latics, stated: “We had to wait until the second half to realise what the game was asking of us.”
Even though we got much better at competing, the game was still rough.
“I would have still wanted to get more control of the game, but either it wasn’t allowing us to do that or we weren’t showing the qualities to be able to do that.”
Tuesday night marks Latics’ return to action as they travel to Eastleigh in the south.
