JOHN Sheridan hopes his players will rise to what promises to be a memorable occasion at Boundary Park tomorrow.

Oldham Athletic will announce the arrival of new owners the Rothwell family with a pre-match procession and on-pitch entertainment before the first home game of the season against fellow National League newcomers Dorking Wanderers.

But Sheridan’s focus is purely on football matters, and he is determined to add to the euphoria by securing their first win of the new season, in what is already an important stage of the campaign with three of the next four games at home.

“When you’re a player you want to play for big crowds and good atmospheres, but I can’t be concentrating on what’s going to happen (off the pitch), all I’m bothered about is the 90 minutes and getting the best out of my players, the best out of my team and going and winning,” said the Latics boss.

“That’s what will make me happier than anything.

“I’ve got to distance myself from what’s going on off the pitch and concentrate on getting the job done properly.

“I know the fans are brilliant and they show their support. It’s great for them that the club’s been sorted out, now my job is to give them a winning football team. That’s what I will be pushing for more than anything, to try to get the team out winning football matches.”

But while Dorking at the underdogs, Sheridan will not be taking them for granted.

“They’ve been used to winning, albeit it at a lower level but they’ve been used to winning and they’ve done very well over the years and been successful. I’m very wary of that. I’ll give them the utmost respect,” he continued.

“The manager is the owner as well and he’s done a brilliant job to get his team where they are. I’m very wary of the game and I’m expecting a very tough game.

“They had a good result, drawing after being 2-0 down against Chesterfield, so I’ve got to be very wary of them.

“We’re a big club for this division and they’re coming to a nice stadium. They’ll be coming with nothing to lose and trying to get a scalp. I expect a very tough game and we’re preparing the way we should prepare for a hard game and tricky opponent.

“But when we’re at home I expect us to win games, I’ll say that quite often this season.

“When I look at the next four games we’ve got three at home so it’s an important time to get points on board as early as we can and get ourselves into a position where it will build confidence into the team.”

Sheridan added: “I think everyone’s looking forward to a different direction with new owners.

“Personally, I’m trying to distract myself on what’s going on, I’ve got to concentrate on the team and going out and winning our first game at home.

“I’m expecting a big crowd, I’m hoping we get the same performance as we did at Torquay and if we do I think we’ve a good chance of winning the game. But it’s a home game and I think the fans are looking forward to it more than anyone and I’ll be trying my best to get them a win, which is what they’re coming to the game for."