The 73-year-old finally stepped foot back on dry land on Thursday, 64 days after hopping in his boat from the Canary Islands to Antigua.
It's all been in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK with his mission to raise money for the charity Find A Cure - also the name of his boat.
And while it was a gruelling expedition, the Boundary Park chief at least had the form of his Latics to keep him going.
Rothwell exuberantly cheered from the middle of the Atlantic upon learning that Micky Mellon's men had staged a second-half comeback to beat Boreham Wood 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Now he can't wait to return home and get behind his club as they chase promotion back to the Football League.
Off course "Our manager says that promotion is our target and it has been all along," he told The NLP from Antigua.
"Oldham was a failing business, you need to go through a few cycles, you need to survive the situation, then you consolidate, then you grow again and that growth for us now is promotion, so we need promotion.
"It was a brilliant win against Boreham Wood.
Micky sussed the situation out and changed tactics at half-time, I've just spoken to Micky and now we're all excited for the Maidenhead game. I'll be watching the game on TV here in Antigua.
Denne historien er fra February 18, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 18, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.