Fond farewell for Hull FC-bound Langtree

Scott Naylor has hailed Oldham star man Danny Langtree's move to Betfred Super League club Hull FC as "brilliant news for a brilliant lad".

Langtree (27), a pacy second-row forward with the knack of scoring tries, has signed a two-year Hull FC contract to cover the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The Oldham boss said: "I'm pleased for him. It's great news.

"He's going playing for a mate of mine (Lee Radford). I know what 'Radders' is all about and I think  the two of them will get on really well.

"Langers has played consistently well for us for the past six years and in all that time I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of training sessions he has missed.

"It's great that Super League clubs should be noticing the talent that's around at our level  and hopefully he won't be the last player to go (to Super League) because it's a great thing for this club when our lads are given a chance to prove themselves at such a high level.

"It would have been a tougher decision for him if it had been a Championship club that was chasing him, but this is a terrific opportunity for him.

"He's of the right age, he's got a two-year deal, I've no doubt he will get his chance and I've no doubt he will take that chance.

"I'm made up for him; it's brilliant."

Meanwhile, Paul Crook will be looking to play in his 250th career game when Oldham go to Bradford Bulls on Sunday in the Betfred League 1 play-off semi-final.

The goal-kicking half-back made 164 appearances for Rochdale Hornets, either side of spells with Widnes Vikings (13 games), Doncaster (10), Swinton (8) and Whitehaven (27).

He has played 27 times for Roughyeds this year, putting him within one game of his major milestone.

A year ago he was in a third-tier play-off series with Whitehaven, who narrowly beat York in a golden-point thriller at the Recreation Ground only to go down to Barrow Raiders in an equally-exciting final at Craven Park.

On Sunday, Oldham will be without the suspended Ben Davies, Luke Nelmes and Luke Hooley, but coach Scott Naylor insists that all the pressure and weight of expectation is on the Bulls.

Of the side with whom he won every honour in the game as a strong centre, the Roughyeds boss said: "They've beaten us twice this season and the pressure is on them, not just this weekend but to gain promotion.

"I hope there will be a lot of Oldham fans there to cheer us on.

"Everybody expects things to go to plan (for Bradford), but if they don't it could be very interesting."

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