Roughyeds snap up Spartans duo

Oldham Roughyeds have signed Josh Willcock and Bob Morgan from Almondbury Spartans.

The pair impressed head coach Stuart Littler during the opposed session against Roughyeds several weeks back.

Willcock is a 22-year-old hooker from Huddersfield - the brother of Kian Morgan - and signs on a deal until the end of the season.

He has played for various West Yorkshire-based amateur clubs including Moldgreen, Brighouse and most recently Almondbury.

“I’m buzzing to sign for Oldham who are pushing for promotion this year,” Willcock said.

“It’s a big difference going from amateur to professional, but I think I’m capable of pushing on to the next step - I know quite a few of the lads already, so I think I’ll fit in quite well.”

Morgan, a 23-year-old prop from Leeds, started his rugby career at East Leeds.

He has represented Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers at youth level and had a stint at Halifax Reserves - much like Kian Morgan.

As a teenager, he represented England Colleges against Australia.

Morgan signs with the club on amateur forms, meaning he is dual-registered with Oldham and Almondbury.

He said: “I was buzzing when I was given the opportunity.

"I’m training well and fitting in with the lads, and I can already see my fitness getting better after being here a short time.

“I feel very privileged to be coached by Shez (Brendan Sheridan, assistant coach) and Stu (Littler) - I think they’re two brilliant coaches.

“I want to thank Craig Morgan who has given me this opportunity.

"He put a good word in for me with Chris (Hamilton, chairman) and Stu, after that opposed session.

"If it wasn’t for Craig at Spartans, I wouldn’t have got the opportunity.”

The club now has a squad of 27, with the additions of Willcock and Morgan, which is complemented by the dual-registration partnership with Wigan Warriors.

Said head coach Littler: “They both played against us in the opposed session a couple of weeks back and they have good attributes.

“Josh is lively out of nine, he’s sharp and he can engage markers and he knows when to run and when to not.

“Bob is a middle/forward who played with Kian in the Wakefield academy set-up and comes to us looking for an opportunity.

“He doesn’t think he’s put his best foot forward in the professional game and thinks he was released too soon - that happens.

“Both of them caused us some problems in that opposed session, so I’m delighted they agreed to come on board with us.”

The club has strong links with Almondbury Spartans which is run by Craig Morgan - the dad of Kian who was the club’s Rising Star and Fans Player of the Year in 2022.

The pair are the latest additions from Spartans and follow in the footsteps of Jordan Paga, George Hirst, as well as Kian, who have all spent time playing for the amateur club.

Commenting on the link, Littler added: “Massive thanks to Craig for supporting boys and developing future players.

"We’ve got a good link now between the clubs and there are opportunities for lads out there.

“There are gems in the amateur game, and we have to dig them out and nurture them to make sure we help them develop.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.