Roughyeds boss wants to excite fans with signings

CHRIS HAMILTON

WITH 18 players already contracted for 2017 or beyond, including new boys Ben Davies, Scott Leatherbarrow, Nathan Chappell and David Hewitt, Oldham are well ahead of schedule, so says club chairman Chris Hamilton.

Likening this time of year for rugby league clubs to New Year's Eve, he said it is time for taking stock, looking back and preparing for new challenges to come.

Referring to Scott Naylor's target for a seventh or eighth-place finish next year, Hamilton told guests at the Roughyeds dinner: "With the money we're spending and the squad we're building I'd hope to finish a little bit higher than that."

Wry smile Hamilton, wry smile Naylor, whispers of 'no pressure then'­ - and clearly plenty of chemistry between chairman and coach.

Hamilton added: "We hope fans will be excited by our new signings.

"We are not the biggest club in the division, but what we do we do well ­- and that's because we all pull together in our quest to make our club bigger and better.

"We are a special group and we have some commendable things going on in the background.

"Inevitably some players will leave us. One of them is Lewis Palfrey who, over the last four years, has been an outstanding player, person and club captain.

"We all wish Lewis, and others who are leaving us, the very best, except for the occasions they're playing against us.

"This year has been a massive learning curve for everyone at the club, but since Scott (Naylor) first walked through the door (four years ago) everyone has given everything for this club."

GREAT CREDIT

Looking ahead to next year and the new club's 20th season of existence, he said everyone connected with Roughyeds should take great credit for what had been achieved in that time.

He went on: "There will be lots of different ways we can recognise this anniversary.

"Big challenges and opportunities lie ahead and we will definitely be up for those.

"Kieran Gill, who is now with us on long-term loan from Castleford, encapsulates what this club is all about.

"I have never known anyone (on loan) embrace our club like Kieran has done. He has been 'one of us' since his very first game when he scored a try and immediately ran over to the fans behind the posts and gave them the thumbs-up."