An award-winning pub has started selling flat caps for a fiver in tribute to the new Latics 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, had arranged to stock Flat Cap Bitter beer on a permanent basis in tribute to the Latics owner.
Now the pub is selling the iconic headwear too for anyone who wishes to emulate the look.
The flat caps are on display
Tom Palmer, who works at the pub, said of the pub’s foray into fashion: “It’s a symbol, almost – people have been talking a lot about it.
“As we started selling the Flat Cap and people started going on about it, we decided to get some flat caps in as well.”
Flat Cap bitter
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 £12 million 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.
Frank Rothwell
The troubled four-year reign of Abdallah Lemsagam resulted in two relegations, missed payments, debts believed to total £2 million, 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.
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