A regional daily’s first ‘Green Final’ sports edition in more than 40 years rolled off the presses within minutes of the final whistle at a key FA Cup game.

The independently-owned Oldham Evening Chronicle brought back its sports edition as a one-off special to mark Oldham Athletic’s FA Cup exploits in reaching a fifth-round replay with Everton at Goodison Park.

Oldham lost the tie 3-1 but put up a brave fight against the Premier League high flyers and the nostalgic throw-back edition was said to be well received by fans.

The 16-page edition was printed on green paper specially sourced by printers Trinity Mirror for their Hollinwood presses and it was off stone within two minutes of the final whistle.

Editor David Whaley said: “Oldham had over 4,000 supporters at Everton and many more watching on TV and it felt right to do something different to mark the occasion.

“It was a real team effort, from the reporters, photographers and technicians at the ground getting us the words and pictures, the subs back in Oldham and those from other departments who helped with distribution.”

More than 5,000 copies were produced and papers were on sale in selected 24-hour supermarkets and petrol stations as well as at a sales operation back at Oldham’s Boundary Park ground when 1,000 of the fans arrived back by coach.

As well as covering the game and spotlighting the fans, the edition also carried stories from current and former staff of their Green Final memories, along with those of former readers.

The Chronicle plans to leave the Green Final on sale for around a week for its novelty value.