LATICS’ director Ian Hill has expressed “surprise and disappointment” at farmer John Blakeman’s shock decision not to sell Ferney Field Farm to the club’s owners.

Last week Mr Blakeman reacted angrily to reports elsewhere that the Latics were planning to redevelop Boundary Park instead of building a proposed £20m stadium development on his 67-acre site.

Those claims were refuted by Mr Hill and co-owner Simon Blitz in last week’s Advertiser, insisting the scheme was “100 per cent” their preferred option.

But Mr Blakeman – who says he has had interest from several other parties - has now quashed hopes of a reconciliation.

“As far as I’m concerned the deal is definitely off,” he said.

“Nobody has spoken to me since last week and the only way we seem to be able to speak is through newspapers. If I am supposed to be doing a business deal then I want to know what is going on.”

But Mr Hill – who says he spoke with Mr Blakeman to reassure him about the club’s intentions last Wednesday – insists Latics fully intended and expected to proceed with the deal before the farmer’s public rebuke.

Mr Hill said: “The statements from myself and Simon Blitz in last week’s Advertiser were correct. Ferney Field was our preferred option and we are saddened by what has since transpired.”

“We knew there would be difficulties but Mr Blakeman’s advisers said themselves that this process could take up to three years. Just six months in it is hardly a surprise we had difficulties to overcome, but I believe we would have done just that.

“The club and myself believe – and still do – that Ferney Field was the best place for a new stadium for Oldham Athletic and for the town.

“Plans to redevelop Boundary Park were drawn up several years ago and were a fallback option. Judging by Mr Blakeman’s comments he no longer wants to proceed. If he did, we would still be interested, but he has now made his decision clear and public.”

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