With relegation to League Two confirmed, Oldham Athletic’s new owner Abdallah Lemsagam has released a statement of apology to the supporters but states his desire to be promoted back to League One as soon as possible.
Abdallah Lemsagam told Oldham’s club website: “Let me start by expressing my deep sadness to all of our fans for what turned out to be an unexpected final day of the season. I am so disappointed for our club to experience relegation. It was not what I thought would happen with the major investment I injected into the club and the playing squad we made available.”
He added: “I have to take a major part in the responsibility for what has happened since I took control of the club in late January 2018. When I came on board I had big ambitions and my priority was to focus our efforts in the sporting side and implement a strategy to push the club high up the ladder closer to safety. Unfortunately I was shocked with the amount of obstacles we have faced away from the pitch which consumed a lot of our time, energy and resources to fix the mess and stabilise the club.”
“I want to assure you that I am fully committed to getting the club back into League One as soon as possible, and carrying on upwards.”
The owner of the club then showed his appreciation of the fans: “The club must also get closer to our fans. I know you are the lifeblood of this club and I have been amazed at the numbers of you that have travelled to away games and created a great atmosphere. I want to do everything I can to help you create that same atmosphere at Boundary Park. As fans, players, staff and Directors, we can rely on our shared values to drive us forward.”
Here is how Oldham Athletic fans reacted to Abdallah Lemsagam statement:
A very positive statement from Abdullah he accepts relegation has happened. Took some responsibility & determined to get it right.
Fingers cross we now look onwards and upwards. #oafc
— Tom O (@Tommy_Oldham1) May 9, 2018
Reading the statement, let's hope all the off the pitch shit is sorted out fast. Draw a line under it, stabilize the club, build up the squad, confidence, feel good factor etc. It was never gonna be a magic wand scenario but lets hope good / better times are on the horizon #oafc
— Alan Brierley (@Norwood36_Alan) May 9, 2018
Admitted mistakes, explains that he wants to move us forward. Let’s give this guy a chance, hopefully we can look forward to a decent summer of signings and improvements instead of the usual shambolic mess #oafc https://t.co/KQtX9AQS69
— Danny Taylor (@dan_taylor12) May 9, 2018
Erm is this a mistake? Our club is actually making heartfelt and hopefully truthful statements. Great to see so much potentially positive moves by our club and owner #oafc
— Alex W (@Alex_Wr1ght) May 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/PrimadonnaLatic/status/994154968943915008
This club turns me into an emotional wreck, something in my bloody eye AGAIN #oafc https://t.co/KLg2jeVdNE
— Milly Lea Flanagan (@MillyFlanagan) May 9, 2018
This is the kind of the thing the club has missed for years. Actual communication with the fans goes a long way. #oafc https://t.co/VNlQF3Q1gC
— Joshua Jones (@joshuapsjones) May 9, 2018
