The OAFC HGT Team are delighted to introduce our very own Samantha Corry.
Sam is a longstanding, familiar face at BP and will be known to many for the amazing collection of hats - from beanies to bucket hats to the more recent Frank-inspired flat caps - that she has provided for fans of all ages.
We hope you enjoy finding out more about BP's Hat Lady.
How did you get into football?
I first started showing an interest in football whilst I was at secondary school. I actually supported Man United! 😮 And the first live game I saw was United versus Liverpool at Old Trafford, when you could just turn up at the turnstiles and get in easily.
I loved Bryan Robson at that time, both for United and England. I first showed an interest in Oldham Athletic after my brother started going to the games. I was extra lucky as I started following them at the start of one of our most successful years, which concluded with a visit to Wembley for the Littlewoods Cup final. From that season on I was hooked. I was very fortunate to experience some of the best times the club has had in its history.
Sam with family & friends at Wembley 1990
It has been a family affair, as I have attended games (home and many away ones) with my mum, dad, brother, nephew, and niece. I would love it if my nephew and niece had something to celebrate soon, as they are only 11 and 13, so have experienced too many lows in their time supporting the team. Reece has been attending games since he was 22 months old!
Family picture for Reece's first game at just 22 months old
Furthest you have travelled watching Oldham?
I have watched Oldham at Brighton's old ground when we were in Division 2, when we won 2-1. But another long-distance trip that really stands out is Southampton in the cup replay at The Dell, on a Tuesday night in 1990. Andy Ritchie scored the equaliser in the last seconds to make it 2 – 2, making the long coach journey home very worthwhile.
Sam with Andy Ritchie, Rick Holden & Frankie Bunn
Favourite memory as a fan?
The team from the early 90s gave us so many fantastic memories. The ‘pinch me’ years. The trip to Wembley was special, except the result. But the memory that will forever be in the minds of many fans old enough to have witnessed it, was the final game of the 1990 / 91 season when we beat Sheffield Wednesday to win the Second Division title.
Neil Redfearn's last minute penalty sent the crowd into raptures! I don’t know how he managed to keep so calm, knowing that the title could be won or lost with his one last kick of the ball. Unbelievable scenes. You couldn’t see any green on that pitch at the final whistle! I remember that the trophy was down South, and had West Ham's name engraved on it, as at the time we were losing. But they didn't realise that we were playing about 10 minutes of added time due to fans spilling onto the pitch during the game. In that time, we scored the winner. The trophy had to be quickly transported up to Boundary Park. Sorry Hammers! The whole town was absolutely buzzing that season. Nothing has really matched that since, unfortunately.
Worst memory as a fan?
It goes without saying, that the season just gone, being relegated from the Football League, is a bad memory. But when we were relegated from League One on the last day of the 2018 season at Northampton, is up there too. Hottest day of the year, and the air conditioning on the coach decided to pack in an hour before we arrived. We then had to sit for 90 minutes, directly in the blazing sun, watching our team go down with hardly a fight, which made the whole experience a whole lot worse. And we had to endure a 3 hour journey home again in an air conditionless (is that a word?) coach. I think I now have a phobia of coaches after that! ☹
All-time favourite player?
I could choose the whole of that team from 1990, but I have to pick Andy Ritchie. He was phenomenal. He just had that knack and made goal scoring look so easy. Plus, he is the loveliest guy too. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, and more recently he even modelled one of the hats I designed. PS…. I also adored Paul Warhurst, who was a real talent, in more ways than one! 😉 (See how smiley my face is on the photo I had taken with him)
Sam meeting legends Paul Warhurst, Neil Adams, Richard Jobson & Rick Holden
How did the hat business start?
At the time I was working in a school, but the pandemic hit, and all the schools closed. So, I went back to what I know, which was design. I have spent many years as a Textile Designer for Homeware companies. I started doing notebook designs in Oldham colours.
How it all started with this notebook
Then I designed one with a bobble hat on it, which I shared on social media. I had numerous fans asking if I could get the hat knitted. Then a contact of mine messaged me to say he works at Shepley Yarns in Saddleworth, and that he could get it sampled for me. I took a photo of it and was inundated with orders. I was amazed at the interest it generated.
I was then featured in the Manchester Evening News, The Oldham Chronicle, The Oldham Times, and Oldham Business Edge magazine, as well as being invited by Oldham Council to have my products in the Oldham Made pop-up shop in the Town Shopping Centre, along with other local up and coming businesses. It was a very proud moment for me.
Sam making the headlines
It has snowballed so quickly, and people have been requesting bobble hats, notebooks, and cushions in the colours of Man City, Man United, Stockport, Leeds, Burnley, Bradford, Mossley, Colwyn Bay, local children’s football teams, and even Maggie’s Cancer Centre. I have sold hundreds of my items in such a short space of time. My little venture has now evolved considerably, and I have added more products which, along with the bobble hats, cushions, and notebooks, includes scarves, t-shirts, bucket hats, caps, and mugs.
My more recent products have been embroidered bucket hats for the ‘Her Game Too’ initiative, and embroidered ‘Let’s be Frank’ flat caps as an ode to Oldham's new owner, Frank Rothwell. The man himself saw them and requested two for him and his wife. I was also invited to sell my caps in the club shop for a few hours before one of the home games. A fantastic experience, which I am extremely grateful for.
Sam getting to meet Frank after he requested one of her hats
It has been very surreal seeing lots of people at the games, and even in non-football settings, wearing my merchandise. I’d like to thank each and every one of those people who have bought from me, because it’s these people who have got me where I am today. Lots of people have bought every single item I have brought out to date, which is just fantastic.
What's next with the business?
The latest exciting development is that I have been approached by Oldham Athletic to work with them and Hummel, on future products to sell in the club shop. This is more than I could ever have dreamed of! One of those pinch me moments. Working with the club I have followed through thick and thin for 33 years. It doesn’t get much better than this! I am so appreciative of the opportunity that Frank and Darren Royle have given me. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get involved. I have already designed a few new products which I am so excited about.
Some of the products Sam has already done - we can't wait to see future products in the club shop!
Predictions for this season?
I would be very surprised if we got promotion at the first time of asking, as I think this season is about trying to get the club back on track after the recent goings on behind the scenes. Let's consolidate, get a feel for this new league, and have a little bit of patience. There is a lot to get excited about off the field now, which has been a big boost, and we cannot thank Frank and Co enough for saving us. We just need time to gel on the pitch, as we have a completely new team. Some of the bigger clubs in this league have proved that it is a tough one to get out of. But we must all…KTF!
What would you say to any girls & women who are thinking about getting into football supporting/playing/working?
There's no better time than now, for girls of all ages to become involved in football, be it watching the games, or getting out there playing.
What the England women's team have achieved recently, and the exemplary role models they have become, is absolutely fantastic. It proves that anyone can get involved in the sport, and hopefully it will give girls new aspirations, and a great insight in to what they can achieve.
I'm proud to have been asked to produce the new bucket hats for Her Game Too. I've had such a great response, so thank you for giving me this opportunity to work with you.
Sam meeting some of the Her Game Too Latics team with the new hats
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