Oldham Athletic back in the Football League after a dramatic Wembley win

For Oldham Athletic supporters, 1 June 2025 will be remembered for a very long time. At Wembley Stadium, the Latics beat Southend United 3-2 after extra time in the National League play-off final, winning promotion back to the English Football League after a three-year absence.

The club had dropped out of the Football League in 2022, a painful moment for one of Greater Manchester's best-known clubs. Getting back became the clear goal, and the 2024-25 season put them in position, with a fifth-place finish in the National League earning a place in the play-offs.

With the champions taking the automatic promotion place, the play-off final decided the second spot in League Two, and it proved to be a classic. Oldham had to come from behind twice to win the game.

Southend's Manny Monthe put the ball into his own net early on before Joe Garner equalised from the penalty spot. When Leon Chambers-Parillon put Southend back in front, Oldham needed a response, and it arrived in extra time.

Two substitutes made the difference. James Norwood and Kian Harratt scored within two minutes of each other to turn the final in Oldham's favour and spark huge celebrations at the Oldham end.

The occasion was a big one in more ways than one. The crowd of 52,115 set a record attendance for a National League match, a measure of how many people made the trip south to see their club's big day.

Back home the celebrations continued, with the club holding a promotion parade and pitch party the following day so the whole town could share the moment with the players.

The win took Oldham into League Two for the 2025-26 season, their first in the Football League since 2022, and gave the town a fresh sense of pride in its football club.

Fixtures, tickets, matchday information and club news are all available on Oldham Athletic's official website. A matchday at Boundary Park is a good way to experience the renewed buzz around the Latics.