Roughyeds stay focused on a bright future

Roughyeds and Hollinwood ARLFC have jointly signed a 15-year lease with the Rugby Football League for shared use of Melrose Playing Fields on Fields New Road in Chadderton

While Oldham Rugby League Club is not exactly making people sit up with results on the field, this month of May is proving a very merry few weeks for the club in its ambitious efforts to put down roots of growth and to create a solid foundation on which to build a successful future.

First up was the announcement that Roughyeds and Hollinwood ARLFC have jointly signed a 15-year lease with the Rugby Football League for shared use of Melrose Playing Fields on Fields New Road in Chadderton.

Amateur club Hollinwood have been based there for years, but Oldham will now have a share in its usage and will use Melrose for training and for other projects built around local residents and with the heavy involvement of the club's Community Trust.

In terms of driving the club forward, this is seen as a massive step in the right direction, as evidenced  when it was then announced that, on the back of acquiring shared use of Melrose, Roughyeds will soon be launching a women's team.

Hitherto, they have not had the facilities for this kind of community adventure, but use of Melrose will open up all kinds of opportunities for a club that recognises the potential of community involvement.

To this end, a public meeting has been called on Thursday, May 26 in the upper room at the Fox and Pine, Greaves St, Oldham, starting at 7pm.

Women's rugby league is spreading like wildfire and Roughyeds intend to join the crusade.

Anyone wanting more information ahead of the meeting can ring the Roughyeds office on O7904 898177.

They might also wish to inquire about the club's new partnership with North Hertfordshire Crusaders, a twhriving amateur club in the Southern Conference.

The latest match result was a 30-16 defeat by unbeaten league leaders North Wales Crusaders in Colwyn Bay.

The club is in a transitional period on the playing side, but more positive results will surely be just around the corner if all the hard work behind the scenes continues to set the bar.

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