Roary ready for big day at Spindles

HAPPY DAYS . . . Roary with fan Ray Fletcher after the Challenge Cup win at Hull KR last season

ROARY, Oldham RL Club's popular mascot, will again be at the centre of the club's continued partnership with Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in the coming season.

The Roughyeds squad will meet and greet shoppers at a signing session in the Centre's upper mall between 11.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday week, February 4, the day before they kick off their Kingstone Press Championship campaign against Sheffield Eagles at Bower Fold, Stalybridge.

SUPPORT

"We are delighted to renew one of our longest partnerships," said club chairman Chris Hamilton.

"By sponsoring Roary, Spindles Town Square Shopping continue to support the club in a way that is beneficial to both parties.

"This year we hope to do even more with Spindles, in terms of player appearances, than we have in the past."

Mike Flanagan, manager of the Shopping Centre, said: "We've been partners with Oldham RL Club for about ten years and we are happy to continue our sponsorship.

"By working with the club again we are striving to extend our links with the community we both serve."

Roary, or 20-year-old Nathan Murgatroyd, is recognised by club officials as a great ambassador for the Roughyeds and for rugby league.

He's been club mascot for five years and he loves the job, especially when interacting with supporters.

Said Nathan: "I'll be proud to wear the Spindles logo again - and I'm hopeful we'll have a good season.

"You can't read much into pre-season results.

"We've had injuries and that's going to change.

"I know a lot of fans personally and I love interacting with them.

"Loads of them want to be photographed with Roary. Children love him.

"We have to comply with Rugby Football League regulations which are designed to bring both sets of fans together.

"I work hard on that aspect of the job."

DANCING

At half-time at Bradford last season, he was seen dancing with the Bulls cheer leaders - and he missed the match-clinching try at Hull KR, when Oldham pulled off one of the biggest Challenge Cup shocks of all time, because he was busy entertaining a young, wheelchair-bound Rovers fan, who was more interested in Roary than in the game.