Benson raring to get going

OLDHAM return to pre-season training on November 16 — and coach Tony Benson can’t wait.

Despite the on-going issue over the ownership of the club — majority shareholder Bill Quinn and chief executive Chris Hamilton will talk again today — the Kiwi is putting systems in place for next season.

Benson, who is set to take a break in New Zealand, has sorted out training venues and has spoken to team conditioner Martin Roden with regard to fitness components for when the squad come back in.

He said: “Everything is coming along nicely and we are as good as we can be in the current situation.

“The players who are left are keen to stay and work hard for the club and try to build on what what we’ve got here already.

“I’m already missing them, not only through the training aspect but also because they are a good bunch of blokes. It also seem strange to have a lie-in on Saturday mornings for the first time this year!”

Benson has looked at player targets to improve the squad, but can do little more than that until the ownership of Oldham is resolved.

Mr Quinn, who owns 75-per-cent of the shares, and Mr Hamilton, who has the remaining 25-per-cent, will talk again today over the telephone in an attempt to move things forward.

Only when the matter is sorted out can the Roughyeds make concrete plans for the 2010 Co-op Championship One season.

Benson added: “I would like to leave for New Zealand knowing that things are being put in place.

“I will be in touch with the people in Oldham when I go back home via email and ’phone, so I won’t be completely detached from it all.

“I still want to be the coach of this club — that has never changed — and the sooner we can get things stabilised the better for everyone concerned.”