Frank Rothwell OBE

Oldham Athletic are extremely proud and honoured to announce that chairman Frank Rothwell has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Frank, 74, who has been Latics chairman since July 2022, receives the honour in recognition of his work as a "philanthropist and fundraiser", for charitable services to dementia research.

Last year, Frank undertook the amazing feat of rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean for a second time, overcoming the most difficult of conditions to complete the accomplishment.

In doing so, he set a new world record in becoming the oldest person to row across any ocean solo, taking his total fundraising for the charity to £1.5m.

Frank showed great fortitude to complete his row in 64 days, rowing from San Sebastián de La Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyards, Antigua, despite capsizing four times. He first completed a solo row across the Atlantic in 2020.

Frank and his family took over ownership of Latics three years ago, rescuing the club and transforming it before overseeing promotion back to the EFL after victory in the National League play-offs earlier this month.

Over the years, Frank has supported many local organisations and initiatives, becoming Oldham’s first Ambassador for Business and an Honorary Freemen of the Borough

Frank’s first job was as an apprentice farm tractor mechanic but, at 19, after achieving a City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering, he became a bulldozer mechanic on the M62 construction project.

He moved on to working as a mechanic in the copper mines in Zambia and also as a foreman on the Dubai Dry Dock project.

Frank established Manchester Cabins in 1979, aged 28, before retiring from the family business in 2021. He continues to play a prominent role in local business, charity activity and is a wonderful champion for the town of Oldham.

As a club, we are so proud to call Frank our chairman. Congratulations, Frank!