Roughyeds crisis as four players join Barrow

OLDHAM Roughyeds have been plunged into a fresh crisis with FOUR high-profile players leaving the club for Barrow.

Dave Allen, Danny Halliwell, James Coyle and Andy Ballard have all decamped to the Championship club – now coached by former Roughyeds boss Steve Deakin – who have effectively taken over their contracts. No transfer fees are believed to be involved and the deals are expected to be finalised today.

The shock exits come on the back of a period of turmoil behind the scenes, with former Roughyeds chairman Bill Quinn – who behaved erratically when interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester last night, attacking the Chronicle, Oldham Council and the fans – no longer prepared to fund the club.

The Chronicle understands that the players were personally offered to Barrow chairman Des Johnston by Quinn earlier this week and that the wheels were set in motion as early as Wednesday morning.

It leaves Roughyeds coach Tony Benson and chief executive Chris Hamilton desperately ringing round clubs today in order to simply get a squad of players on to the field for what is a crucial match against table-toppers Dewsbury on Sunday.

“At the moment we haven’t got a team to name and we are working to put one together,” said Benson.

A host of Super League clubs had been contacted with regard to possible loan signings even prior to the departure of the four crucial players due to the current injuries situation.

Marcus St Hilaire, Paul Reilly, Craig Littler and Luke Menzies are all ruled out of the trip to the Tetley’s Stadium and of the young reserves on professional contracts, only Ben Heaton is fit at the moment.

Meanwhile, half-back or hooker Thomas Coyle has been charged with making a dangerous tackle on Keighley’s Danny Jones in last week’s 24-22 home defeat.

The scrum-half was sent off for the offence, which is at Grade B and carries a punishment ranging between no further action and a two-match suspension.