Forward Briscoe opts for Oldham

Scott Naylor: the Oldham coach has welcomed his second new signing Craig Briscoe.

Oldham have signed a young forward who has already played more than 50 games at the Roughyeds’ new Championship level.

Barrow and former Leigh back-row man Craig Briscoe (22) has signed a one-year deal for newly-promoted Roughyeds, to become Scott Naylor’s second new capture after winger Jamel Chisholm.

Briscoe had a new offer on the table at Barrow, but chose to join Odham after talks with chairman Chris Hamilton and Naylor.

“The prospect of returning to the Championship appealed to me, but apart from that Oldham have clearly got things going for them,” said Briscoe, who played 52 senior games for Leigh before going to Barrow on loan for 2014.

He added: “It was tough to leave my mates at Barrow, but after a lot of thought I opted for a new start with a club that’s going up a division.”

Born in Hindley, near Wigan, where he still lives, Briscoe signed for Leigh when he was 16 from Wigan St Jude’s. He made his Centurions’ debut as an 18-year-old, but his best season at LSV was in 2012 when he made 30 appearances in a side that finished second to Featherstone Rovers in the Championship.

Hamilton said: “Scott tells me Craig will fit easily into our style of play. Several of our players have said he is a quality opponent after playing against him this season.”

Naylor said: “I’ve had one eye on Craig for the past couple of seasons. He’s predominately a back-row forward so we are going to be very strong in that department. He’ll also give us more depth in the squad.”



OLDHAM’S end-of-season awards night, celebrating a fantastic year, will be in the Whitebank club on Friday week, October 2, 7pm for 7.30pm.

Tickets (£30) on 624 9630, ext 70552.