An award-winning pub is selling Flat Cap Bitter as a permanent beer for the rest of the season to celebrate the new Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell.

The Fox and Pine on Greaves Street, which was named CAMRA’s Rochdale, Oldham and Bury Branch Pub of the Year in March, has arranged to stock the beer on a permanent basis in tribute to the Latics owner.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page reads: “We are so happy that Frank Rothwell has bought Latics, we have had a word with our friends at Bank Top Brewery who have agreed to supply us Flat Cap Bitter as a permanent beer for the rest of the season by way of celebration.” 

Oldham-based Rothwell, who founded successful local business Manchester Cabins, has cleared the debts of the one-time crisis club in what is understood to be a £12million deal for the club, stadium and land.

It is a family venture, with the 72-year-old's wife, Judith, daughter Sue Schofield and son Luke all behind the takeover, which has brought legendary former manager Joe Royle back to his beloved Boundary Park as director alongside his son, Darren, who brokered the deal and has been named the club's chief executive.

The troubled four-year reign of Abdallah Lemsagam resulted in two relegations, missed payments, debts believed to total £2million, fan protests and Boundary Park boycotts.

But Rothwell is determined to put all that behind Latics and restore the pride and passion in the club and get Boundary Park bouncing again.

Speaking at a press conference, held in the OEC in the Joe Royle (North) Stand earlier this week, Rothwell said: “Everyone who lives in Oldham is proud of Oldham. I'm passionate about Oldham.

“We can't promise Premier League, it’s happened before but that’s a long way off, although I am always up for a challenge.”

"Let’s get people being proud of Oldham again, talking about the club in the chippy, at school, I want people to feel like they own the football club.

"We want to taste success and broaden the appeal to a wider audience,” he added.