Oldham waiting on RFL ground approval

CHRIS HAMILTON

SUBJECT to Rugby Football League approval, Oldham's upcoming home game against Batley Bulldogs will be staged at the Manchester Regional Arena, which is part of Sportcity and the Etihad Complex.

The important Kingstone Press Championship clash between seventh-placed Batley and eighth-placed Roughyeds, one point behind the Bulldogs with a game in hand, will be played on Sunday week, May 21 (3pm kick-off).

It would normally be held at Bower Fold, Stalybridge, where Oldham have played home fixtures for the past season and a half, but Roughyeds agreed to find an alternative venue to give Stalybridge Celtic FC more time to do essential work on their pitch.

Oldham RLFC chairman Chris Hamilton said: "Everything is in place for us to play at the Regional Arena, but I must stress that we are still waiting for the RFL board of directors' go-ahead.

"As neither Batley nor ourselves have a game this weekend, we are counting down to the Bulldogs' visit so we felt it was important to let supporters know what was happening about the venue.

"We can't confirm it yet, but we hope to be in a position to do so soon."

The Regional Arena is an all-seat stadium with a capacity of 6,500. Manchester Rangers, an amateur rugby league club, play there on a regular basis and the venue has also staged National Conference Rugby League finals and a pre-season friendly last January between Rochdale Hornets and Warrington Wolves.

Normal admission prices will be charged; season tickets will be valid when produced at the turnstiles; and more information for fans, like car parking arrangements, will be forthcoming when details are finalised.

Fans can get to the stadium by tram to Manchester and then out to the Etihad on the Ashton-under-Lyne line.

West Stand Summer Bash tickets for Saturday, May 27, when there are four games at Blackpool including Oldham versus derby rivals Rochdale Hornets, are still available from the Oldham club.

Season-ticket holders who have still to collect their free tickets should do so as soon as possible.

Oldham's limited-edition replica shirts for Summer Bash, sponsored by TLH Auctioneers of Chadderton, are available on line (£45) at www.roughyeds.co.uk

Fans can contact the club on 07904898177 from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 9.30am to 3pm on Fridays.