More Oldham signings imminent

HEADING BACK NORTH . . . Scott Leatherbarrow has joined the ranks of the Roughyeds for 2017

WITH 16 players already under contract for next season, including new boys Ben Davies and Scott Leatherbarrow on two-year deals, Oldham RL Club hope to announce more signings this week as squad building for 2017 gathers momentum.

Hull KR, Toulouse Olympique and Rochdale Hornets replace Leigh Centurions, Workington and Whitehaven in the Kingstone Press Championship next year and Roughyeds expect their second season at that level to be even tougher than the first.

They will compete with Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Hull KR, London Broncos, Rochdale Hornets, Sheffield Eagles, SwintLions and Toulouse Olympique.

That's a division of real quality, with the added tit-bit of a return to derby rivalry with a Rochdale squad able to field several ex-Oldham players including David Cookson, Josh Crowley and Lewis Palfrey.

Half-back Palfrey, the latest Roughyed to defect to the other side of the A627M, turned down a new and improved one-year Oldham offer to sign a two-year deal at Spotland.

He said: "I had four great years at Oldham and it was tough to leave, but it was the right time.

"This is professional sport and things change, players move on, that's what it is.

"There are times when you can get a bit comfy, but now I'm going into a completely different set-up with a different coach, different structures and a different set of lads."

Tickets, priced £25, are still available for Thursday's 2016 awards dinner at Whitebank (7pm). Ring the club on 07904 898177.

To vote for the fans' player of the year (deadline 5pm today) go online at www.roughyeds.co.uk