Oldham Athletic Owner Frank Rothwell Honoured with OBE and Reveals Bold Vision for Town

A Historic Honour for Oldham Athletic’s Philanthropist Owner

In a moment of pride for Oldham Athletic and the wider community, club owner Frank Rothwell was honoured on 14 January after rowing solo across the Atlantic twice while he was in his 70s to raise more than £1.4 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK. The 74-year-old businessman received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Prince William at Windsor Castle, but the ceremony proved to be about far more than just recognition of past achievements.

Why This Matters for Oldham Athletic and the Town

The 2025–26 season is the 131st season in the history of Oldham Athletic Football Club and their first season back in EFL League Two since the 2021–22 season following their promotion via the 2024–25 National League play-offs. Under Rothwell’s ownership, the club has experienced a remarkable renaissance, returning from the brink of extinction to reclaim their place in the English Football League. Mr Rothwell, from the town, owned Oldham Athletic when it made it back into the EFL in June, marking a triumphant chapter for the historic club.

Bold Plans for Oldham’s Future

The philanthropist said he discussed his plans for a 20 metre-wide embryo-shaped statue with the Prince of Wales as the royal formally made him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The proposed monument would honour Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, who was born in Oldham in 1978. Rothwell also handed Prince William a letter requesting a royal garden party in Alexandra Park to celebrate the NHS’s 80th anniversary and this historic medical achievement.

The proposed artwork is part of Frank Rothwell’s mission to make the Greater Manchester town – one of the most deprived in the UK – a “better place”. The businessman explained that the statue would be positioned alongside the M60 motorway, ensuring visibility to the millions of vehicles passing through annually.

Significance for Football and Community

Rothwell’s investiture ceremony, where he famously wore his signature leather cap, has generated widespread celebration among Oldham Athletic supporters and residents. Several said that there was ‘never a more worthy recipient’ and that the award, which recognised Frank’s philanthropic work and fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK, was ‘well deserved’.

For Oldham Athletic, currently competing in League Two following their promotion, Rothwell’s vision extends beyond the football pitch. His commitment to regenerating the town demonstrates how football club ownership can become a catalyst for broader community transformation. As the club continues its League Two campaign, supporters can take pride not only in their team’s return to the Football League but also in an owner determined to elevate Oldham’s profile on both regional and national stages.