Craig Dootson Appointed Chief Operating Officer

Oldham Athletic are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Dootson as the club’s new Chief Operating Officer.

The appointment of Dootson is key addition to the senior leadership team as the club continues an exciting period of growth following promotion back to the EFL and the announcement of the SportsTown project.

As COO, Dootson will be responsible for overseeing the club’s day-to-day operations and staff, working across all operational areas of the business to ensure continued progress on and off the pitch.

Dootson joins the club’s senior leadership team alongside Chief Executive Officer Darren Royle and Chief Financial Officer Donna Worthington, forming a strong executive structure designed to support the club’s continued development and long-term sustainability.

Bringing a wealth of experience both inside and outside football, Dootson has previously held COO roles at AFC Fylde and Chorley, where he played an integral part in driving operational improvements and supporting ambitious club projects.

His background also includes a successful semi-professional playing career as a goalkeeper, turning out for clubs such as Hyde United, Bamber Bridge, Stalybridge Celtic and Fleetwood Town, having started his football journey as a trainee at Preston North End.

Beyond football, Dootson has built a varied and accomplished professional career. He has worked extensively in youth work and probation, contributing to community development and rehabilitation programmes, before moving into adult education, where he helped design and deliver learning initiatives for individuals from all walks of life. More recently, he has served as an Associate Director, further broadening his leadership experience across multiple sectors.

Dootson said: “I’m ecstatic to be joining the club. It’s a huge club and I’m really excited to be part of the plans going forward.

“I’m taking over the management of some excellent staff on the non-football side of the business. On a day-to-day basis, I’ll be managing everything from retail to ticketing, safety and HR, covering a lot of the things that people might not see from the outside.

“When the opportunity came up, I was interested straight away, but it’s not until you come through the door that you fully appreciate where the club is heading and how much potential it has got.

“The club is obviously on the up after promotion back to the EFL and every element of the business is moving forward. The world is the oyster for this football club and with the fanbase it has, there is every reason to believe we can really kick on to the next level.

“I’ve had some great projects at my last couple of clubs which have been very different and they will stand me in good stead for this great opportunity.”

Latics CEO Darren Royle said: “Craig’s appointment is an important part of our strategic growth as we continue to strengthen the club’s operational and commercial structure following our return to the EFL. His experience, both in football and across other professional sectors, brings great value to our organisation.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to build a club that operates to the highest standards and supports our ambitions on and off the pitch. Craig’s leadership qualities and understanding of what it takes to deliver excellence behind the scenes will be vital as we develop our infrastructure.

“His arrival reflects our commitment to assembling a skilled, forward-thinking team that can help drive sustainable progress and success for Oldham Athletic in the years ahead.”