Success Stories

James Tarkowski joined Oldham Athletic in May 2009 on a two-year scholarship, making his reserve-team debut that October.

A promising centre-back, he earned his first-team call-up in January 2011 for a league match against Plymouth Argyle.

He made his first start in March 2011 against Leyton Orient and was rewarded with a two-year professional contract that May.

By the start of the 2012–13 season, Tarkowski had become a first-choice centre-back, starting the club’s opening six games.

His strong performances earned him a contract extension through to the end of the 2016–17 season, but just nine days later he departed for Brentford. That move brought his time at Boundary Park to a close, ending a steady rise from youth scholar to key member of Oldham’s defence.

George Edmundson joined Oldham Athletic on a two-year scholarship in July 2013 at the age of 15, before signing a one-year professional deal in May 2015. 

He was first named in a senior matchday squad that August in a League One draw with Shrewsbury Town, and made his debut nine days later in a Football League Trophy tie against the same opposition.

By the 2018–19 season, Edmundson had become a regular starter, and earn a two-year contract extension later that August. He netted his first goal of the campaign in a 3–1 away win at Cambridge United in November and developed a strong central defensive partnership with veteran Peter Clarke.

His performances attracted interest from higher up the football pyramid, and in June 2019 he signed for Rangers.

The club is very proud of Will Sutton’s development as a player who has progressed from the academy into a regular member of the first team squad.

Will has now registered more than 75 senior appearances for Latics showing a mark of the maturity and professionalism that belies his 22 years.

He joined the youth set-up at Boundary Park in 2018, earning a scholarship and thriving as captain of the youth team before being rewarded with professional terms.

He starts the current season as the longest-serving member of the first team squad, deservedly signing a contract extension in 2023 as his burgeoning career continues to develop.

Jamie, an Oldham Athletic academy graduate since the age of nine, enjoyed multiple loan spells at non-league clubs in the North West, including two stints at Stockport County where he twice won Young Player of the Season.

After helping Stockport win the league in 2019, he aimed to cement a first-team place in 2019/20, later joining AFC Fylde on loan for the 2021/22 season.

Following Stockport’s promotion to the Football League, Stott was released in 2022 and signed for FC Halifax Town.

He later joined Morecambe in July 2024 as one of 15 free agents after the club’s transfer embargo was lifted, before moving to League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City on an 18-month deal in July 2025.

Vaughan made his first-team debut for Oldham Athletic on 23 February 2021, coming on for the closing stages of a 1–0 defeat to Barrow at Boundary Park.

On 14 December 2022, he moved to Northern Premier League side Radcliffe on a one-month youth loan.

On 31 January 2023, Vaughan signed an 18-month contract with Hull City, making his debut in a 0–0 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 15 April 2023.

The following season, on 1 February 2024, he joined League One side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the campaign, making his first appearance two days later as a late substitute in a 1–0 win over Exeter City.