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Lions await in Latics opener

18/ 6/2008

OLDHAM Athletic will face Millwall in the first match of the 2008/2009 season.

John Sheridan’s men will host the Lions at Boundary Park on Saturday, August 9 and will then travel to sleeping giants Leeds United the following Saturday.

Between the two league fixtures is the opening game of Latics’ Carling Cup campaign, a hotly-anticipated first-round tie at Rochdale.

The local rivals haven’t faced each other in a competitive match since 1974 when Oldham won 3-1 at Spotland.

Among the Dale squad, who narrowly missed out on a historic promotion to League One last month, will be former Oldham players Kallum Higginbotham and Marcus Holness.

Latics have a new derby fixture to look forward to, as Stockport County have returned to the third tier of English football.

The first clash is at Edgeley Park on October 4, with the return fixture taking place on January 24.

The planned visit to Huddersfield Town in the first game of 2009 will be re-scheduled if Latics reach the third round of the FA Cup.

Other significant dates for the season include the visit of Leicester City on 18 October, with a the visit to the Walkers Stadium scheduled for February 7.

Latics wrap up their campaign on May 2 at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.

TOP LATICS stars of the past will descend on the Manchester Evening News Arena next week for the north west heat of the Masters. Boundary Park assistant manager Tommy Wright will captain his side, which includes Andy Ritchie, Rick Holden, Jon Hallworth, Tony Philliskirk, Lee Duxbury, Darren Sheridan, Mike Milligan and David Eyres. Denis Irwin has had to drop out, leaving one place yet to be filled.