Despite professing otherwise on BBC’s Football Focus last season, RED does have two allegiances, and may soon have more. One of those is Oldham Athletic, in the Football League since 1907, and founder members of the Premier League in 1992.

RED is old enough to remember those heady days of the early 1990s, when two FA Cup Semi-Finals were reached (both against Manchester United, alas), and a League Cup Final. It was always a small club punching above its weight, and the time since has rather confirmed that. Twenty one years in League One from 1997 through to 2018 were unspectacular, and as of Saturday afternoon, Oldham have taken up residence at the bottom of the Football League. 92nd out of 92.

It’s not the first time Oldham have taken up this ignoble position – the last time was November 15 1960, and the team had another tricky spell in the 1969/70 season, occupying 22nd position in Division 4 for much of the season. Below is a time chart of Oldham’s ups and downs over the years (mainly downs since 1990).

RED plans at least two recurring team narratives in the coming season – posts that focus a little more than usual on one team. One will be Oldham as they plumb the depths of the Football League, and the other will be Reading, RED’s nearest current team.