Spencer Jr signs for Oldham

Oldham have signed 24-year-old former Salford, Barrow and Halifax forward Jack Spencer - son of Oldham’s assistant coach Lee Spencer - for next year’s Championship campaign.

Having also played in Australia and France, Spencer comes on a one-year contract with an option for a second.

Said coach Scott Naylor: “Jack has had the last two years at Halifax and that alone gives an indication of his quality. I’ve known him since he was in his early teens and I know what he can do and what he can bring to our squad.

“He’s a good pro who lives and breathes the game, and he will see this as an opportunity for him to become one of our team leaders. He will certainly be one of our most experienced forwards, having already had a lot of games in the Championship and overseas.”

The 6ft 1in, near-16st prop or loose-forward passed through the youth system at Salford and went on to make seven Super League appearances before he was 21. He then went to Sydney for a year, playing for Balmain, the main feeder club for NRL outfit West Tigers.

On his return to England he made 16 Championship appearances for Barrow in 2013 before heading to France where he played in the Elite League with Villeneuve Leopards.

Said Spencer jnr: “I worked with Scott and my dad at Salford. They are quality coaches and I’m looking forward to being part of what they’ve got going at Oldham and part of the squad’s challenge to be competitive in the higher division.

“Another thing that attracted me to Oldham was the prospect of playing with many of the lads I was with at Salford. Lewis Palfrey is one of my best friends and I was in the under-18s at Salford with him, Adam Clay, Richard Lepori, Gareth Owen and Adam Files.”