Oldham's big Law Cup clash

Oldham fans will see their new-look squad, a group of 28 with 20 new signings, for the first time in the opening pre-season game at Keighley on Boxing Day

New-look Oldham will play derby rivals Rochdale Hornets for the pre-season Law Cup at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena on Sunday, January 21 (kick-off 3pm).

Oldham hold the trophy, and new head coach Sean Long said: “This isn’t a friendly.

"We are playing for a trophy and we want to win as much silverware as possible in 2024.

"We’ve got a good group of lads together and we’ll be going into the game with a very strong squad.”

Hornets could have as many as eight former Oldham players on duty, all wanting to prove a point against a former club – namely Joe Hartley, Luke Nelmes, Deane Meadows, Jordan Andrade, Tommy Brierley, Gregg McNally, Matty Wilkinson and last season’s Roughyeds’ captain and goalkicker Martyn Ridyard.

Oldham fans will see their new-look squad, a group of 28 with 20 new signings, for the first time in the opening pre-season game at Keighley on Boxing Day, kick-off 1pm.

The season proper will start on Sunday, January 28, with the first group game in the 1895 Cup.

Oldham will be in a group of three, but the groups have not yet been announced.

There will be seven groups of three and the winners of each group, plus the best second-placed club, will go into the quarter-finals.

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.