The newly launched 'Latics Playershare' fund has received a £1,000 gift from lifelong fan Jack Gordon.

The 89-year-old from Royton, a main stand season-ticket, has lent his support to the Trust Oldham initiative aimed at providing a transfer kitty for Paul Dickov.

Jack, who used to have his own plastering business, said: "I think it is a great idea and let's hope the whole town gets behind the scheme and we can raise £100,000.

"We only need 100 people like myself to each contribute £1,000 and we would reach that target."

Trust Oldham has raised £5,000 in the first week of the venture and are recruiting members who can contribute a minimum of £1 per week.

There will be draws when membership reaches 100 for a football, 500 for a computer and 1,000 for a season ticket for 2011/12. There will also be a monthly prize draw.

It is not the first time Jack has contributed to the coffers at Boundary Park as in the post-war era he gave £5 to the Wilf Mannion Fund which was set up to try and bring the England international to Boundary Park, a move which never marterialised.

Jack reckons he has been following Latics for 83 years having attended his first match with his father aged six.

His father John was a fanatical fan who sacrificed his summer holidays to carry out work on the ground, much to the irritation of his family.

"He would do all sorts of jobs including pushing wheelbarrows of concrete to carry out repair to the terraces," he explained.

Jack, whose son John is the third generation of the family to follow Latics, was also one of the first box holders at Boundary Park when former chairman Ken Bates came up with the pioneeriong initiative in the 1960s.

Player-manager Paul Dickov, who met Jack on his visit to Boundary Park, said: "It is a fantastic gesture and much appreciated.

"It is very touching how Jack has contributed such a staggering amount towards buying a player. He is the epitomy of a true supporter."

Further details about signing up for 'Latics Playershare' are available at  http://trustoldham.co.uk/pages/news/latic-playershare-2010.aspx