LEGEND JOE TIPS HIS HAT TO MELLON

LEGENDARY former manager Joe Royle has saluted current boss Micky Mellon for transforming the fortunes of Oldham Athletic.

- Tony Bugby

“Micky has done more than well to take the club to the brink of promotion,” explained Royle, who managed the Latics from 1982-94 and who is now a director of the club.

“He had a good track record when he came to the club, and I can see why. I have been especially impressed with his man management.”

Royle, 76, was the Latics’ manager when they won their last silverware in 1991 — promotion to the First Division — and the following year they became founder members of the Premier League.

It has been a long downward spiral from those lofty heights to Non-League with the club on the brink of extinction.

It was Royle’s son Darren, the club’s CEO, who helped broker the deal for local businessman Frank Rothwell to invest £13m to buy the club, the stadium and its surrounding land.

“Every time I see Frank and his family I say ‘thank you’ because without them the club would have gone under,” Royle continued.

“It would be lovely for Oldham to get back into the EFL and a great reward for the owner and his family”