Experienced Blagbrough joins more penning deals with ambitious Roughyeds

Hugely experienced and much-travelled prop Jack Blagbrough, known to hundreds of local youngsters as a former pastoral worker at Failsworth Academy, has signed a one-year contract to play for Roughyeds in 2023.

At the age of 28 and having worn the shirts of Newsome Panthers, Huddersfield Giants (from Academy upwards), Sheffield Eagles, York City Knights, Leigh Centurions (as they were then) and Batley Bulldogs, Blagbrough is more than qualified to do for Oldham's forwards what Martyn Ridyard and Gregg McNally will do for the backs.

A lot of Oldham fans will also recall that, six years ago, when he was still a forward in the making, he had a loan spell with the Roughyeds and scored two tries in seven games,

Blagbrough said: “This year I wanted to take on a new challenge and hopefully lead the pack to a promotion.

“Championship has to be the aim this year and there’s no reason why we can’t do it.

“I’m experienced, I’ve been around enough years and enough clubs and I want to bring that experience of winning and being at the top end of the league to Oldham.

“From all the coaches I’ve played under, they’ve always been big on mentality and building a team that has a good environment and that’s what I think Oldham are building this year.”

Roughyeds have also announced the re-signing of Welshman Calvin Wellington, whom head coach Stu Littler says is one of the best centres in Betfred League One.

Two more players, meanwhile, have opted to stay with Oldham for another season.

Ethan Ferry has signed a new one-year deal.

The second-row forward joined Oldham fresh from amateur club Dewsbury Celtic and made 13 appearances in Betfred League One last year.

For Ferry, it was a straightforward decision to extend his stay by another year.

The 24-year-old said: “Oldham gave me my professional debut and I didn’t really have anywhere else in mind.

“I enjoyed last year to the point where I really wanted to do it again, and I was lucky enough to get an offer.”

Dom Newton has also signed a new one-year deal ahead of next season.

Newton, who joined Oldham from Underbank Rangers, made ten appearances in red and white colours last year and scored one try.

The 29-year-old spent three years in the Huddersfield Giants academy and also captained amateur club Newsome Panthers.

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