Crusaders snap up centre Reid

Centre Matt Reid in full flow

North Wales Crusaders have confirmed the capture of Oldham centre Matt Reid, who scored 11 tries in 22 appearances last season in his first and only stint at the Vestacare Stadium.

Reid (26) returns to Wrexham where he spent two years before joining Coventry Bears midway through the 2015 campaign.

In 2017 he was an ever-present captain of the Bears before he returned north to sign for Roughyeds, which was much nearer his home and work, as a school PE teacher, in Warrington.

Crusaders boss Anthony Murray, a former Oldham half-back, said he was impressed by how much Reid's play had changed for the better during his time at Coventry and Oldham.

Said Murray: "Matt has matured as a player since he was with us last time. He has the added experience gained from captaining Coventry and then at Oldham he played under a very physical coach in Scott Naylor.

"You can see that Matt's approach to games has really come on and he has attributes which will really add to what we can offer."

Following Danny Langtree's move to Betfred Super League Club Hull FC on a two-year deal, Reid is the second Oldham player to depart Roughyeds.

Both are expected to be at the Players Awards Night on Friday, November 9 at the Vestacare Stadium when fans can wish them well and thank them for their services to Oldham.

Langtree has scored 70 tries in 148 senior games for Roughyeds after making his debut in 2012 -- a fantastic contribution to everything Roughyeds have achieved under Scott Naylor, headed by two Grand Finals, a promotion, a top-place finish in League 1 and that astonishing Challenge Cup win at Super League Club Hull KR, whose previous appearance in the competition was in the final at Wembley.

Naylor will be in his SEVENTH season in charge of Roughyeds next year and is now the longest-serving team boss since the club was re-formed in 1997.

Sponsored by Neil, Charlotte and Rosie Haigh, second-row man 'Langers' spent two seasons in the reserves before breaking into the first team, meaning he has given EIGHT years of sterling service to the club.

Players and their sponsors will be present at the Awards Night which will be an informal, casual evening, giving supporters the opportunity to mix and mingle with the players in a celebration of the 2018 season with all its ups and downs.  

Tickets cost £12.50, including pie and mash supper (vegetarian option), and these can be booked online at the Roughyeds website or by ringing Anne Kearns on 07811 988 426 to pay by cash or cheque.

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