Suzanne Geldard

Blackburn

Sports Journalist and Assistant Sports Editor at Lancashire Telegraph

Oldham Athletic reporter for @TheOldhamTimes since 2020; Published author 2023 - Tony Parkes: The Authorised Biography; Proud wife & mum

Articles

Garner: I've played at a lot of big clubs but this club's special

5 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

The 37-year-old does not yet know what the future holds personally. He is out of contract this summer. But after playing a significant role in firing Latics back to the Football League, with a goal in each National League play-off round, he feels this can be the springboard to even more success for the club. "This club deserves to be in the EFL, and they can go again," said Garner. "It's a massive club. I've played at a lot of big clubs but this club's special. "It's a sleeping giant.
How final whistle at Wembley felt for Frank (and it's an answer you might not expect)

5 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

"I lost faith at one time when we were two one down. I thought, 'this is it'. We pulled back once, and then we've got to pull back again now. To win we've got to beat them 2-0," said the Latics chairman. "I thought 'that's a tall order', because there wasn't that much between us. I could see we were better in some areas, I could see, but I couldn't see us getting two so I thought 'It's going to penalties.
'I kept believing' says Mellon after Latics secure return to the Football League

6 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

Oldham Athletic secured promotion back to the Football League and manager Micky Mellon declared: 'I never stopped believing'. In a dramatic and breathless play-off final at Wembley Latics twice came back from behind against Southend United, before Kian Harratt scored the winner to seal promotion and send more than 21,000 Latics fans wild.
PLAY-OFF FINAL LIVE BLOG: Oldham Athletic v Southend United

6 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

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Ogle: We want to give the fans what they want at get back into Football League

6 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

"We rocked up at 9 o'clock the other day for training and were having breakfast, we looked out the window and the whole car park was full of fans," he explained. "It was like that for a couple of days. "You see how many tickets we've sold. I already knew we had great fans from just the home games - the first play-off game at Boundary Park... 10,000 is nuts, but then to see all that and then some for Wembley is crazy.
Wembley Warrior: Monthe eyes perfect record and promotion glory with Latics

6 days ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

While some of the squad have never set foot inside the national stadium - for any occasion be it sporting or music - Monthe is a veritable veteran of the arena. "I've been four times before, and played in three. It's three (wins) in three for me," said the towering defender, who after beating Tranmere Rovers with Forest Green at Wembley was snapped up by Micky Mellon the season after and won back-to-back play-off finals to take the Wirral club from non-league to League one.
Legend Ritchie hopes Latics are bringing the good times back

1 week ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

One of those will definitely change this weekend, but Andy Ritchie is hoping for a double. Club legend Ritchie was leading the line for Latics when they went up to the old First Division as Division Two champions in 1991, and went on to become founder members of the now Premier League (then Premiership).
Why Pett said 'I need a babysitter' after booking Wembley place

1 week ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

When the midfielder walks out at the national stadium with Latics on Sunday, it will be a fortnight since his wife, Hannah Blundell, was there to watch her Manchester United team-mates in the Women's FA Cup final. Defender Blundell is currently on maternity leave following the birth of the couple's first child, Romi, at the end of March, but teamed up with the squad for the final, which United lost 3-0 to Chelsea.
Family factor as manager Mellon plots another trip to Wembley

1 week ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

"I don't know," he said, when asked how many trips to Wembley this would be having booked Oldham Athletic's place there with a semi-final win at York City. "Genuinely. That's not me being arrogant." For the record, it's three previously as a manager in a play-off final. Two of his five promotions in that role have come via a Wembley play-off final, both with Tranmere Rovers. But the end of season promotion shake-up is not a situation that his family have relished repeating. The tension is too much.
'Commentating at Wembley? That's one off the bucket list', says Latics stalwart Roy

1 week ago | theoldhamtimes.co.uk | Suzanne Geldard

A Wembley win would top the lot. "It means we're back in the Football League if we win. It's as simple as that," smiled the club stalwart. "You haven't got a divine right really, that's been proved hasn't it, and if we can do it, it's taken us three years. "I didn't think it would take this long. "But it will be fantastic to see the players walk out at Wembley and be one game away from getting back there.