ALMOST 3,000 Latics fans have backed a petition asking for owner Abdallah Lemsagam to sell the club.

Supporters group Push The Boundary launched the petition a fortnight ago in protest at another season of turmoil, during which Keith Curle became the club's ninth managerial appointment in three years under the Moroccan businessman.

In addition, Latics have slipped down to the bottom half of the basement division and experienced a number of off-field issues including player disputes and sponsorship withdrawals that have impacted on club finances.

Fans were urged to add their signatures before June 1 in a bid to send the strongest possible indication that it is time for change at Boundary Park, and offer evidence that it is not just a minority that have that opinion, as previous suggested by Lemsagam.

More than 1,500 signed the petition within the first 24 hours, and the total had reached 2,976 by the deadline.

Now Push The Boundary representatives have sent it, along with an accompanying letter, to Lemsagam with the warning: "We do not want another Bury, Wigan or Bolton on our hands."

They have given the Latics owner until June 9 to respond.

The letter, a copy of which has been sent to The Oldham Times, reads: "Following the petition reaching its conclusion on 1 June 2021, we wanted to thank each and every one of you for your amazing response which resulted in 2,976 signatures being sent on the letter to the owner.

"This will help deliver a strong, clear and concise message for Mr Abdallah Lemsagam to place Oldham Athletic Football Club up for sale.

"It really does show the passion we have as a collective and that we want a positive future for the club.

"As with any letter/correspondence provided to the club, we will out of courtesy give Abdallah until end of play on Wednesday 9 June 2021 to respond to the petition signed by so many.

"We do not expect a response from the owner but we would hope that a response would be forthcoming to the lifelong and loyal Latics supporters, who deserve so much better than what the current ownership.

"No matter who the owner of Oldham Athletic is, they will come and go but the determination of supporters wanting change will only continue to grow.

"It’s only a matter of time before that faith is reclaimed."