‘I’m going to build a big f***-off wheel’ a businessman’s bold plan to ‘put Oldham on the map’

A ‘notorious’ local businessman wants to erect a 50 metre high cogwheel at the side of the M60 in Oldham.

Frank Rothwell, owner of Oldham Athletic FC, sent a letter to all 60 councillors to garner support for the new landmark that will be ‘twice the size of the Angel of the North’. 

Having built a smaller scale edition ‘in his shed’ for the Latics’ Boundary Park home, the 74-year-old Guinness World Record holder has now set his sights on commissioning a £2m plus-sized version for the side of the road in Hollinwood. 

In his letter, which was shared by some councillors on social media, Rothwell wrote: “I intend to use my newfound notoriety to help make Oldham a better place for us all. I want to inform people from outside Oldham that Oldham exists and all Oldhamers are working together to make Oldham a better place. …

“I intend to site a ‘work of art’ on the embankment of the M60 motorway at Hollinwood. 

“A giant steel gear wheel … will demonstrate our proud history of engineering and making things. This will put Oldham on the map and we will be noted as a major town in the North West of England and not just a town near Manchester.”

His six-page letter includes details of the ‘unmissable’ structure, including a diagram and descriptions of how to assemble it using three cranes over nine to 12 months. Rothwell also requested the council ‘provide a site at the side of the M60’ and asks them to ‘adopt it once it’s built’. “My kids will not want to inherit this,” he added 

When contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Rothwell added: “There’s nothing I want to do in life except make Oldham a better place. I’m going to build a big f***-off wheel. And everyday 100,000 cars will drive past it, and they’ll recognise they’re in Oldham.” 

He described details of the wheel, which include 20 indentations in the cog to represent each of the 20 council wards, and a centre-piece representing an embryo to reference Oldham’s crucial role in the development of IVF technology. 

“I want people to look up at that wheel and think ‘I’m a part of that, I’m what makes the Wheel of Oldham turn,” Rothwell added. He also hopes the wheel will attract investors to the borough by making it more memorable. 

Asked how the wheel would be funded, Rothwell said he ‘hadn’t thought of that yet’. 

The council has not yet commented on his proposal. Councillor Lewis Quigg, who shared the letter on Facebook, appeared to be bemused by the letter, asking his residents ‘What do you think I should reply with?’