Oldham Athletic have been praised for coming up with brilliant initiative this Christmas which has left fans with tears in their eyes.
The Latics are to open its doors on Christmas Day (1pm until 3.30pm) at the FSW Bar 1895 to combat loneliness, offering a warm, welcoming space with free food, drinks, conversation, and a replay of the 2025 play-off final win over Southend.
Chairman Frank Rothwell and club staff will also be in attendance, with the initiative, driven by new Chief Operating Officer Craig Dootson, helping those struggling, on their own, in need of company or missing loved ones.
No-one should feel alone at Christmas.
We’re pleased to confirm the club will open its doors to the local community on Christmas Day. #oafc
Full details: pic.twitter.com/cGkI8xpQj2
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) December 4, 2025
Oldham chief operating officer Craig Dootson said: “You get this illusion that everyone who comes to a football match come with groups of men or women, however it might work. But it’s when you stand after a game and watch people leaving, how many people are leaving on their own? And that started a bit of a conversation off and it’s something that I’ve then carried on.
“The doors are going to be open. There’ll be food out. The bar will be open. People don’t need to bring any money with them. This is something that the club would for. I’m not doing Christmas dinners. My cooking ability is zero. But there will be food available for people. Like I said, the bar will be open as well.
“I will be showing the playoff final on the TV. I think that’s there. Because I’ve not watched the whole game. I’ve watched the goals, but I’ve not watched the whole game. So I think we’ll have that on anyway so we can you know, people can enjoy watching the game.
“This is my fifth week I think. And it’s a real family orientated club. You walk through the door, everybody that’s here is all in, they’re all in it together. And we’re run by a fantastic family. The family that have a fiercely passionate about Oldham to a level that I’ve never seen before. And they want to do what’s right for Oldham, not just through Christmas Day.
“There’s studies that show just in the UK alone there’s eight million people saying that they’ll feel lonely between Christmas and New Year and having been there and woke up on a Christmas Day morning thinking, well this is not a good place to be, you know, it’s tough and I think with Christmas, not just Christmas Day, Christmas Day is just one particular day. It’s about giving them something, giving people something to look forward to because what we all do is football, Boxing Day is only footballs here and it’s fantastic and there’s another game and it’s New Year’s Day. The way that our club is set up and the way that we’re focused is this is just going to be the kick-on of something a lot bigger.
“I’m lucky enough I’ve got really supportive owners that have said, yeah, brilliant, open the doors, fantastic, thinks it’s a great thing. And Frank will be here on Christmas Day, which is great.
“If one person turns up, job done. That’s it. It makes a difference to one person, that’s all that matters. Because that one person, you don’t know their situation on Christmas Day. I do think there’ll be more than one. I think because the way the club is, the way the supporters are, I think people know that this club care. And I think that people want to reach out, can reach out and they don’t have to wait until Christmas Day if someone’s out there you know are feeling the pain, there’s always someone on the end of the phone at the football.”
Social media users reacted with Oldham praised for this brilliant initiative for Christmas Day which has left fans with tears in their eyes…
@Tommy_Oldham1: Brilliant idea this another great incentive from the club especially for people who are lonely or don’t have much family and a extra chance for those wanting to relive the epic Play Off Final moment. #oafc
@PaulPtoafc83: So proud of the club & hope this can help anyone feeling alone and/or unhappy 💙
@emmafc87: This is wonderful 🥹💙🧡 #oafc
@DonkeyDelph: Brilliant initiative from our club yet again. I am fortunate that I won’t be alone on Christmas Day but many people will and I hope they take advantage of this opportunity to spend some time with others and watch again the wonderful day we had at Wembley #oafc
@olivercrumwell: Great work by the club again
@ChrisJStott19: Pure class 💙
@Jordanator83: Beautiful that. So proud of #OAFC here. Well done to all involved, and thank you for making Christmas Day more enjoyable for those that attend 💙
@ashtonsd: Wonderful gesture, wonderful Club!!!! 💙🧡 #oafc
@AndyBebbington: Proper club who just get it. Well done #oafc
@TheJonnoHolt: Superb. I’m filling up just thinking about how much I love my club and how much it cares again. Well done to all concerned this is just such a brilliant thing to do. Thank you.
@granny_flanny: This has obviously been a prideful year for our club. This gesture though, has made me more proud than ever. An amazing initiative; such a thoughtful gesture. Craig, welcome to our Latics family – if this is a symbol of who you are, you are a very welcome addition. 💙
@LaurenHughes85: Heartwarming and just so kind! 🥰 Well done Latics! I will share this a my work. Im sure some of the families we support will be greatful of this! 🧡💙
@HMFVETERANSOAFC: A huge well done Craig. 👏🏻👏🏻 and the Rothwell family 💙
Fantastic from Oldham Athletic 👏🏻
I do have fears that we’re moving into something of an isolationist society, so football simply has to stand for causes like tackling loneliness.
Ensuring every Latic has a community they can go to on Christmas Day is brilliant.#OAFC 🔵🟠🦉
— Gabriel Sutton (@GabSutton) December 4, 2025