Rochdale AFC and Oldham Athletic Release Joint Statement

Micky Mellon, the manager of Oldham Athletic, has hailed the upcoming derby against Rochdale as a ‘cracking’ fixture, reflecting on the intense rivalry between the two neighbouring clubs. Mellon made these remarks ahead of the latest clash, which will see approximately 2,000 Oldham supporters travelling to support their team.

This match marks the fifth encounter between the two sides during Mellon’s tenure, with their first meeting occurring on October 21, 2023, which ended in a thrilling seven-goal match that Oldham won. Mellon expressed that this initial experience gave him a clear understanding of the significance of the derby to both clubs and their fans.

In his comments, Mellon admitted that he was not fully aware of the derby's importance prior to his arrival at Oldham. However, he quickly realised its significance during the lead-up to his first game as manager. He described the atmosphere as having a 'lovely bit of spice' and emphasised that he looks forward to the competitive nature of the fixture, which he believes is special.

As the teams prepare to face each other again, fans are eager to see if Oldham can extend their unbeaten league run against Rochdale, adding further excitement to this local rivalry.