FALLEN GIANTS AIM TO REPAY ARDENT OWNERS

TWO fallen giants. Two play-off underdogs. Two shots at salvation. But who will reclaim their ancestral seat in the EFL?

- CHRIS DUNLAVY

Between them, Southend and Oldham have spent over two centuries in the top four tiers of English football.

The Latics, famously, were founder members of the Premier League, a gilded era under the management of Joe Royle that also saw them lose a League Cup final to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest and two FA Cup semi-final replays at the hands of Manchester United.

Southend never scaled such heights their big claim to fame is unleashing a young Stan Collymore - but the Shrimpers' unbroken 101-year stint in the EFL was rarely imperilled, and pockmarked by occasional forays into the second tier.

They even beat Man United, a Freddie Eastwood free-kick downing a team featuring Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo on a memorable night at Roots Hall in 2006.

Yet all that history and tradition and steadfastness provided no protection against the twin forces of nouveau-riche rivals and questionable governance. By 2022, both had tumbled into the National League, and neither looked equipped for a quick escape.

Oldham, relegated in 2022, were the quintessential omnishambles, a club driven to the brink of ruin by meddling owner Abdallah Lemsagam.

A former agent, the Moroccan wasted millions on substandard players dredged from the French lower leagues, and allegedly forced a succession of managers to play them. One such import, Queensy Menig, signed a two-year; £11,500-a-week contract, yet played just four times.

Occasionally, managers turned up at training to find a gaggle of teenage trialists sitting in reception with their suitcases, all far below the level required. Meanwhile, the Latics' Chapel Road training ground collapsed into disrepair.