Skipper Goulden moves to Liegh

Tommy Goulden

TOMMY GOULDEN has followed Thomas Coyle through the Oldham exit door.

The 28-year-old, who was made Roughyeds captain in the latter part of the season, has signed a 12-month deal with hometown club Leigh Centurions.

A relative newcomer to the paid ranks — he only turned professional in 2005 after a successful amateur career which saw him named skipper of the BARLA Great Britain team — Goulden has forged a reputation as a player team-mates can rely on to get on with the job whatever the circumstances.

Leigh coach Ian Millward is delighted to have someone of Goulden’s calibre on board as they bid to win promotion back to the Co-op Championship at the first attempt.

Millward said: “Tommy comes highly-recommended and is a tough player. We were looking for a person who was both strong and hard working.

“He wanted to come and play for Leigh after earlier playing amateur rugby in the town and he ticked all the right boxes.

“Tommy is a local boy, a back-rower, but I think the biggest thing with him is his enthusiasm. He wants to be involved.”

Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton saluted Goulden’s impact in his two years in a Roughyeds jersey.

The second-rower scored 15 tries in 2008 and followed up with 11 more last season in 23 starts.

Mr Hamilton said: “Tommy is a no-nonsense player, who gives 100-per-cent every time he plays.

“He never said a great deal, but was highly-rated at Oldham and led by example. It’s a big disappointment that he has gone but not unexpected.”

Meanwhile, Chris Baines has been named Co-op Championship One player of the month after helping Oldham reach the play-off final.

The former Warrington academy star, who equalled the club’s all-time points in a game record of 34 in the play-off win over Hunslet, was also one of seven Oldham players in the team of the month.

The other six were Paul Reilly, Lucas Onyango, Coyle, Martin Roden, Goulden and Phil Joseph.