Frank Rothwell has sailed around the world, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and last year became the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic, raising over £1million in the process for charity. He's founded and run a successful local business, featured on Bear Grylls' 'The Island' reality show, joined Winston Churchill as one of a handful of people to be named Freeman of the Borough of Oldham, and is planning two further solo trips across the Atlantic in the next year.
Now, though, he's signed up for his toughest challenge of his career so far: he's stepped in to save Oldham Athletic.
On Thursday, when Rothwell was announced as the new Latics owner and chairman, he was mobbed by fans and gave an unforgettable press conference in which he interrupted himself on multiple occasions, even breaking into song.
ALSO READ: New Oldham Athletic owner Frank Rothwell gets hero's welcome as takeover confirmed
He takes over from hugely unpopular chairman Abdallah Lemsagam, who ended Oldham's 22-year stay in the third tier in 2018 and then their 127-year stint in the Football League this year. But with the club's future in doubt, Rothwell, 72, says he had to be the one to step in and save his local club — even if it offers a more daunting task than rowing solo across the Atlantic.
"They're not difficult. I'm in charge of that," he says of his impressive collection of challenges.
"When I was climbing Kilimanjaro, what speed do you climb Kilimanjaro at? The speed of the slowest person in the group, and that's a pain when you're a go-getter. Going across the Atlantic, is it hard? Yes, but it's not very hard. It's not that difficult. I did it at 70. I plan to do it again in February and December... twice in one year and that's never been done before. Nobody will ever break that record."
"This is the biggest challenge I've faced because I’m not in control of everything. When I’m rowing across the Atlantic I’m in control of how far I’m going to go that day.
"It’s a bit rough today, am I going to continue rowing or go for safety and put the sea anchor out? I’m in control of that. Here, there are so many things I’m not in control of. But hopefully I can influence things, we’ll get good people on board and John [Sheridan, manager] seems to be up for it."
Rothwell has purchased the National League club from Lemsagam, made them debt free, and should soon complete a deal to buy Boundary Park and the surrounding land , bringing the club and stadium under one ownership for the first time in years. His total investment is thought to be around £12m.
After a turbulent four years of Lemsagam's ownership, marred by fan protests on and off the pitch, Rothwell's purchase was met with celebratory scenes outside Boundary Park as dozens of fans gathered and sung his name — even interrupting his press conference as he got up to wave to them from the window.
He later went to meet them in person, breaking into song and asking 'Does anybody know where Dorking is?' — in reference to Oldham's first National League opponents at Boundary Park in August. That comment hasn't gone down too well in Dorking, but there is a confidence in the new owner's vision for Oldham's on-field prospects, while Rothwell spoke of filling the ground for that Dorking game, with brass bands; and he also spent a good portion of his press conference discussing his passion of improving the women's bathrooms at the club.
His first words at the press conference set the tone for a man who says what is in his mind and lets the passion take his flow. "I apologise if I'm not fully politically correct," he began. "I don't understand political correctness but don't want to upset anyone."
When speaking to reporters in a hospitality suite in the Joe Royle Stand, he broke off, not for the first time, to welcome Cameron Whitworth, drummer for fan group the 'Athleticos', telling him: "You're the reason I'm here today." Rothwell praised the group, predominantly made up of youngsters and derided by the previous ownership, for persuading him to buy the club when he attended Latics' 2-0 League Two win over Leyton Orient in March with their impressive display of singing and chanting from the first minute to the last.
There's no doubting Rothwell's passion for Oldham — the town, and the club — and he insists he will put experienced 'football people' in key positions at the club to make up for his lack of knowledge in the industry. Rothwell made his money by founding Manchester Cabins, building portacabins on his drive in Royton, advertising them in the Manchester Evening News, and building up his portfolio from there.
Club legend Royle is on the new-look board, and his son Darren — who helped facilitate the takeover — is the new CEO. Rothwell's children Luke and Sue are also on the board, along with former FA lawyer Peter Norbury and ex-Saatchi and Saatchi chairman Kevin Roberts.
And Rothwell has big plans for the future, too, after a much-needed period of steadying the ship.
"By owning the stadium, we’ll have different incomes coming from different things. We’re going to be able to do more with this facility [Joe Royle Stand] and whether we can bring the rugby [Oldham Roughyeds] here who knows.
"There are going to be so many more things we can do once we own it all. Little Wembley [training pitch next to Boundary Park] — we might start work on that tomorrow so we can train there, the academy can train there. Can we put some pitches somewhere else.
"That valley at the top, can we fill that in? Can we put a pipe in it and training pitches up there so we’re totally enclosed which will sell the idea of an academy running from here? We want them to come here and only walk 100 yards, not going in a car up to Chapel Road, that’s unacceptable."
In other interviews, Rothwell has spoken of using his position as Oldham Council's Business Ambassador to attract more investors to take the club forward. Until then, though, he has more challenges to prepare for.
"I've bought a boat and as soon as I get this lot sorted I'm going training again on my new boat in Scotland to row again in February," he said.
"I've got two planned for next year. I plan on setting off on Valentine's Day, and then I'll finish that before April 1. And then I'll set off again on December 12 in the race again and I fancy my chances of being up with the forerunners in the race because of my experience and also my new boat."
And as for that first game against Dorking, Rothwell has those plans to fill Boundary Park, and he's already asked the Athleticos to come up with a new chant.
"Oh, by the way, idea for a new tune," he told drummer Cameron.
"Chumbawamba. Do you remember Chumbawamba. Try this: ‘We get knocked down, but we get up again, you’re never gonna keep us down’. Tell the lads and practice it! You’ll make a massive difference to us. We’re going to get this place full and you’re responsible for that! We’re going to get this place full for the Dorking match. We’re going to push as much as we can."
Speaking to Rothwell, there's no doubting his passion, as well as his sound business head. Maybe having that little bit of madness will resonate with fans, too, after four years of a boardroom with the shutters down. They sang 'he's one of our own' on Thursday, and that's absolutely clear from just a few entertaining moments in his company.
Joe Royle, speaking at the chaotic press conference, drew laughter when he said: "I've only met Frank tonight but feel I've known him a long time."
The Latics fanbase, and wider town of Oldham, will tend to agree wholeheartedly with their legendary manager if Rothwell's first days at Boundary Park are anything to go by.
At long last, Oldham Athletic feels in safe hands again — a club straight back in the heart of the community in an instant after four years fighting against the town. As a homemade sign read outside the ground on Thursday: "We've got our club back."
READ NEXT: MP Jim McMahon welcomes new Oldham Athletic owner following sale of club
