Managing director Simon Corney blogs exclusively for oldhamathletic.co.uk...

To say it's been a fairly busy week at Boundary Park would be the understatement of the century.

It's been manic for myself and the board as the entire face of the football club changed within the space of just a single day.

Emotions were mixed following Shez's departure - myself and John are friends and the conversation we had was an extremely difficult one.

Of course, that process ultimately resulted in John leaving the club and he does so with our best wishes and the utmost respect.

He did a great job here but we felt a change was required if we are to have the best possible chance of promotion this time around.

I am sure we will see John back in football sooner rather than later and I don't think he will have any problem finding another job and moving his career onwards.

I'm not sure if you've heard of the guy we've brought in, but from what we can gather he seems to have done a fairly solid job in the past.

Seriously, what can I add about Joe Royle?!  From the minute we first spoke he was full of enthusiasm for our vision to move the club forward.

One thing quickly led to another and we ended up meeting in a Worsley hotel, along with Alan Hardy. 

I know Joe has been quoted in the press as saying the football talk took a lot longer than the chat about money, and I can second that.

Joe is one of this town's all-time best loved figures and I had a feeling beforehand that we would be able to get him if we got the approach right.

Is this a massive coup for this club?  You bet - managers and personalities like Joe don't come along very often; he is a true football man in every sense of the word.

Now all we have to do is get in those play-offs, for starters.  Of course, it won't be easy but Joe will have our full backing and the that of Latics fans everywhere.

The media attention surrounding the move was mind-blowing and I don't think I've ever done as many media interviews in one 24-hour period.

It was intense but a fantastic experience and this attention is what tends to come along when a personality like Joe joins your club.

His phone was going mad the minute the news was announced here on oldhamathletic.co.uk, but I have to say I think my phone ran him close - it was almost melting by Monday night!

Joe's second journey as Latics manager starts this Saturday; I hope fans across the borough and beyond will get down to Boundary Park to welcome him 'home'.

A big crowd and a fantastic atmosphere would be a fantastic help as we look to retake a spot in the top six. 

Get down to Boundary Park this weekend if you can - Joe needs you!

Simon