Oldham, a post industrial Northern English town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to lower league football team Oldham Athletic, or the 'Latics'. A club with a long and eventful history and with a small but passionate support base. It's fans are local and will regularly battle through bitter weather to support their mighty 'Latics', despite the club's struggles on and off the pitch.There is a unique, exciting and sometimes moving atmosphere at every game due to the closeness of the supporters. This can be accounted for by the nature of Oldham and its history; a deprived ex industrial town where many of the residents survive in a low wage economy. Through this solidarity formed by their combined following of the club, a strong community bond has been formed.
I decided to photograph the Oldham Athletic community after I attended an Oldham home match in 2014 against Scunthorpe. I was pleasantly surprised to find a group of fans both passionate about the club and sport but also very friendly. I started photographing shortly after and was swiftly invited to more games, people's homes and of course, the pub. Since then I have made as many of the games home and away as I can and feel as though I myself, am also a fan. These pictures document the community though its highs and lows particularly focusing on the many characters and supporters groups involved. This is an on going project which I hope to turn into a book so please watch this space. I am hoping to continue creating football related reportage such as this.