Roy Butterworth has travelled the length and breadth of the country watching Latics - with more miles put on the clock this season than ever before.

But even at the age of 84 he has no plans on slowing down, or hanging up his press lanyard.

The Latics stalwart has been a volunteer at the club for 60 years this summer - an achievement recognised by a special award from Manchester FA with a presentation made to Oldham's matchday press officer on the pitch before the end of the season.

"If I join something I stick with it," said Butterworth of his milestone.

"I was a school governor for 35 years and chairman for 30 years. Latics is the last of my 'commitments' but it's my football team, and where else would I be on a Saturday? Marks and Spencer?

"That was actually where I used to go as a child with my mum when my dad and grandad went to watch Latics, until I started going myself in 1946.

"I used to get money for my season ticket on March 7 for the following year from my grandad."

Butterworth began volunteering at Boundary Park in 1964, predominantly doing media work, following the club home and away 20 years ago with the advent of the club website.

"It's changed a lot over the years - football, but also the role. But I've always been with the press," he explained.

"We did 9,000 miles on away trips this year - that's more in a season than I've ever done before.

"I've had some great times. The Jimmy Frizzell era was something, then the Joe Royle era - promotions and cup runs - and we had some great times with Paul Dickov.

"Things have changed. Owners have come and gone. We've done administration once and got pretty close again a couple of times.

"But I'm always optimistic and I expect us to win whether we are bottom of the league or top."

He added: "When I started I never expected to still be there after 60 years, but it's 60 years and counting."