MOMENTUM is building behind a new Oldham fans’ group which is planning a major protest next month.

Push the Boundary is the brainchild of four supporters but has now been backed by hundreds of fellow Latics.

The group - founded by Will Gough, Adam Keeley, Steve Shipman and Danny Taylor - sent a letter to owner Abdallah Lemsagam on November 6 outlining a number of concerns with 596 fan signatures supporting the statement having signed up to the cause within a week.

Push the Boundary say a response has been received from the Latics hierarchy, offering a meeting with financial director Shahed Alam and managing director Natalie Atkinson.

The new independent supporters’ group insist however they want Lemsagam to be part of any sit down, a request they say has been rejected.

The supporters involved believe the Moroccan former football agent has overseen a period of decline at the club since taking over in January 2018.

They point to the turnover of managers, player recruitment, the club’s financial situation and falling crowds as some of their main issues with his stewardship of the one-time Premier League Latics.

The next stage of the campaign involves a protest ahead of the game against Leyton Orient on Saturday, December 7.

“The reaction has been way more positive than we could have expected,” said Shipman, a lapsed season ticket holder. 

“People have really jumped on it. The offers of help we’ve had have been fantastic and it seems like something the fans can really get behind.

“We’re a bit overwhelmed to be honest.”

The protest ahead of the Orient game will see fans meet at the White Hart pub at 2pm and march to the ground.

The visiting supporters, no strangers to disputes with owners in the recent past, have committed their support.

“We’ve also engaged with their trust,” said Shipman, a lapsed season ticket holder. 

“They went through some financial problems and have agreed to march with us.

“They have agreed to say a few words to Oldham fans as well and then we can deliver a message in unison.”

Around 700 fans in total have registered their support on the group’s website with the protest also set to include the handing back of scarves given out free to fans by Lemsagam as part of a season ticket initiative ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Push the Boundary have also invited fans to fill in a survey to air their views on a number of issues at Boundary Park.

Oldham Athletic declined to comment on the group’s plans when contacted by the Oldham Times.