Latics fall to disappointing defeat after hero Frank’s big welcome home
Latics’ biggest home league crowd since 2004 was inside a packed-out Boundary Park on Saturday to give chairman Frank Rothwell a hero’s return.
The crowd of 11,881 – the fourth-highest National League attendance of all time – ensured Frank received a special welcome home after his phenomenal feat in setting a new world record by becoming the oldest person to row across any ocean solo.
Latics’ 73-year-old chairman Frank spent 64 days crossing the Atlantic Ocean on his own – during which time he encountered the toughest of circumstances, capsizing four times and facing extreme difficulties at sea.
There was a carnival atmosphere inside Boundary Park – where Oldham usually attract crowds of 6,900 – as Frank addressed supporters ahead of the fixture against Kidderminster Harriers.
He completed his epic row on February 15 in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK and has now rasied more than £320,000 through his latest accomplishment.
He also completed the row in 2021 and has raised a cumulative total approaching £1.5m for the charity.
This time, he named his boat ‘For A Cure,’ in support of the ongoing work in the fight against dementia.
“To be back here, at Boundary Park, feels fantastic,” Frank said in his pre-match address.
“When you are rowing across an ocean and away for such a long period, all you think about is coming home.
“Being reunited with Judith, my wife of 53 years, and coming back to Oldham Athletic means everything to me.
“I completed the same row three years ago but this time was much more difficult.
“A few days into the row, I capsized for the first time while I was asleep in my cabin.
“I went outside to put down the sea-anchor, which is attached to the boat, and I was washed overboard as the boat went over again.
“It was the toughest thing I have ever faced.
“One in two of us in the UK will be directly affected by dementia during out lifetime.
