New deal for Ward

Date published: 08 October 2015


MICHAEL Ward, Oldham’s longest-serving player and still only 24, is the latest Roughyeds man to throw his cap into the ring for 2016.

His brightly-coloured scrum-cap will again be a beacon for powerful, tackle-busting running in the Championship next season, as it has been in 70 of the 77 Oldham games Oldham have played since Scott Naylor took over the side in early 2013.

The impact prop has signed a new one-year contract for the only pro outfit he has ever played for. He has made more senior appearances in Oldham colours — 94 since 2011 — than any other player currently at the club.

Naylor quickly saw his potential as a prop with power and pace and it was in that role that he starred in last season’s promotion-winning side, in his best campaign by far, according to the coach.

“In the Championship he’ll be playing with and against better players, but I see no reason at all why he can’t embrace the higher standard of play and be just as effective as he was last season.”

Ward, who has been at the club since he was a 16-year-old winger in the reserves, said: “We enjoyed a fantastic season which made up for all our earlier disappointments. We’re all looking forward to having a go at he higher level.”