The OAFC HGT team are delighted to feature Judith, who started going to Latics as a child in the 1940s.
Judith at BP (bottom right of pic)
Judith was born in 1939 at the Boundary Park Hospital so it seems she was always destined to be a Latics fan.
She now lives in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire.
After leaving school Judith worked in a bank in Moss Side and then as a secretary at Royton & Crompton School.
She worked for many years in the office of a company that specialised in anodising aluminium for use in double glazing, shower units etc.
After she retired, she volunteered at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, a National Trust property.
We spoke to Judith’s son Dale to find out a bit more about her.
Tell me a bit about your mum's love of Latics, how it started, her early memories, her recent experiences etc:
My mum was first taken to the Latics by her dad (my granddad) who incidentally worked as one of the electricians who fitted the first floodlights at Boundary Park.
As she grew older, she started going on her own and this is when she met my dad who, according to family legend, pushed her down the terraces at the Rochdale Road End!
Judith at BP (bottom left of pic)
They were both very active in the supporters' club and knew many of the players and their wives. They were also very friendly with the City and Utd squads in the 60s and used to socialise with all the greats from that period.
My mum's best friend was Rita Dowd - Harry's wife. And her big claim to fame is that she convinced Jimmy Frizzell (another close friend) to sign Dowd.
Joe Corrigan had taken over as no.1 at Maine Road and Harry was loaned out to Stoke, with a view to the move becoming a permanent one but Rita didn't want him to go (as she didn't want to move from Sale) so my mum had a word in Frizz's ear.
Thankfully, it worked out for all parties and the full-time plumber - who played football on Saturdays - is a true Oldham Athletic legend.
As a lifelong Latics fan she has experienced the whole range of ups and downs. Seeing her face when we walked out at Wembley is something I'll never forget. She kept scrapbooks and programmes (many of which I have inherited) and used to travel all over the country to watch her team. Often with my late father Brian (and me, when I came onto the scene) but it never bothered her if she had to go alone or with her mate, Linda.
Judith at Wembley for the League Cup Final
Another story she enjoyed telling was the time she told someone off for using "industrial language" in the Broadway Paddock at Boundary Park.
One Saturday, she had been standing in her usual spot when the bloke behind her started effing and jeffing. After a few minutes she turned round to ask him to stop swearing or move out of her earshot. After she'd said her bit, the man looked at her and said, "Hello, Judith". My mum then recognised him as someone she had grown up with. She told him she thought he'd moved away to become a priest and he replied: “I did. I work in Bolton, but come back here as often as I can because this is the only place where no-one knows me and I can let off steam." He then pulled down his scarf to reveal his dog collar!
Her favourite Latics player of all time is Bobby Johnstone, closely followed by Alan Groves.
I vividly remember her 'It's Hell With Groves' sticker that she proudly displayed in the rear window of our family car.
In 2000 she was honoured by the club - along with my dad - as someone who had been a fan for more than 50 years. She was the only female in the group, but this was to her advantage as Carlo Corrazin made a bee line for her and spent most of the time taking to her. She was extremely flattered!
Judith's certificate for her 50 years of loyal service to Latics
Sadly, she now has Alzheimer's and her failing health means she hasn't been to a match for a number of years and has very little recollection of her time supporting Oldham ("Lucky bugger!" says her younger sister, who prefers cricket to football).
I did take her to Boundary Park last summer and the lady in the ticket office very kindly let us go into the stadium. Even though it had changed a bit since her previous visit, she knew straightaway where she was.
We had a lovely, poignant half an hour sitting in the main stand and looking out over a deserted ground. I would love to know what was going through her mind that day. I'd like to think it was good thoughts and happy memories.
Judith on her emotional return to BP in 2021
What do you think your mum would think about Her Game Too and the Lionesses winning the Euros?
She'd be absolutely delighted. I always recall her telling me how she resented not being allowed to play football at school - hockey or athletics being the only options open to her - and she would be so pleased to see how the women's game is now being afforded such respect and given more coverage.
My mum would also love the fact that more females - and young girls especially - are now following the sport that she has spent a lifetime watching. She would have enjoyed seeing the team play and the sheer pleasure they all seemed to get from being out on the pitch. She was (is!) a firm believer that football is entertainment and those playing it should enjoy and express themselves.
Is there anything else you want people to know about your mum?
She never made a big deal of being a woman in a "man's world", but I am so proud of her and like to think - along with many others of her generation and background - that she is something of a pioneer. Although she would absolutely hate me for saying that!
Judith at BP last year
The following websites may be useful to anyone needing help and support with Dementia and Alzheimer's
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