Shez 'privileged' to land new deal

Roughyeds assistant coach Brendan Sheridan has signed a new one-year deal to continue his good work behind the scenes for at least another season.

Shez, who plays a key role in player development, signing players and game-day preparation, says it was a no-brainer to re-sign for the club.

Like his immediate boss, Stuart Littler, who is starting year two of a two-year agreement, he is looking forward to 2023.

Said Sheridan: “I love the place, I love the club.

"It fits everything about my character in terms of who we sign and the people we bring on board.

“It was a no-brainer for me.

"I love being around the boys and the club.

"It’s got a big place in my heart and I’m really looking forward to working with the group that’s been announced."

Sheridan has been with Oldham since signing from Dewsbury Celtic, where he had been head coach, in 2019.

The relationship he has with head coach Littler is ‘class’, he says, and believes the partnership will pay dividends come the end of next season.

“It’s class. First and foremost, he’s a great bloke. He’s somebody I go to privately as well as professionally. We often have good chats about all sorts of things," added Sheridan.

“The good thing about Stu is he trusts me with everything.

“He has pedigree, not only as a coach, but also from his playing career and as assistant coach, you learn from him every day.

“I’m just privileged to be working under him and working for the club, so hopefully we can keep the rapport and the relationship going to bring the best out of the boys for 2023.”

Keeping Sheridan on for next year was a key priority for Littler, who said: “I’m delighted to keep Shez on board.

"He’s a great friend and a great person.

“He puts the club first, makes sacrifices and often goes over and above what anybody could realistically ask of him.

"I bounce things off him and we challenge each other.

“He’s somebody we worked quickly to get tied down and I’m overjoyed that he’s decided to stay on with us.

“He’s developing into a first-class coach and he’s good with the boys.

"He is the link between me and the boys and he knows how to read situations.”

In his younger days Sheridan was a hooker at pro level in Yorkshire.

He is the brother of Ryan Sheridan, once an international-class half-back and now a leading figure in the glitzy world of Super League coaching and management.

Meanwhile, Gregg McNally, one of the best and most talented players outside Super League over the last decade, will make a sentimental return to Oldham in 2023, having played for the Roughyeds on dual registration from Huddersfield Giants in 2010.

The Marra, born and brought up in rugby-league-mad Whitehaven, is 31 now but still has lots to offer as an elder statesman of the game.

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