Excitement building at Oldham

As the start of Oldham Rugby League Club’s exciting new 2024 season gets ever nearer - even the RFL say the Roughyeds are favourites to win Betfred League One - the club's management believe all the signs indicate that that the club is heading out of the doldrums and back into the sport’s limelight.

This follows the signing of Sean Long as coach, the capture of so many class players and the return to Boundary Park.

The squad made a statement with a 46-10 win at Keighley on Boxing Day - a polished performance which Tony Finan, for one such impartial observer, described as “a breath of fresh air”, but Long and his lads know there is no room for complacency when looking at the enticing challenges that stretch ahead of them in League One, the 1895 Cup (with Wembley awaiting the finalists) and the world-renowned Rugby League Challenge Cup.

The 2024 campaign could be the season Oldham becomes a household name again.

The indications are, to say the least, positive and hugely encouraging, as are the vibes perpetuated by the men at the top, such as chairman Bill Quinn and managing director Mike Ford.

A true legend of the Oldham club, 57-year-old Ford is delighted to push the “#Stronger Together” theme and is more than happy to report that, as an example of this “togetherness”, no fewer than 17 of the club’s 28 players have already been sponsored for 2024 and that season tickets are going well.

Said Ford: “Our fans are getting behind us and we can’t thank them enough.

"Season-ticket sales so far have been very encouraging, but there is still time for more supporters to take advantage of the offers.

"We like to think season tickets offer excellent value for money, given the facilities at Boundary Park and the quality of the players who will wear our colours with pride.

“We still have 11 players available for sponsorship, ranging from Jamie Ellis, one of the most experienced players at the club and a veteran with naturally talented hands and vision, to quality youngsters like Jumah Sambou, Mackenzie Turner, George Hirst and the Tyrer boys.”

Jamie Ellis isn’t the only big-name personality whom you can still sponsor.

Coach Long is up for it too, meaning there are still 12 available.

STILL AVAILABLE are: Sean Long (head coach), Jumah Sambou, Mackenzie Turner, Ted Chapelhow, Jamie Ellis, Kieran Tyrer, Jack Johnson, Brad Gallagher, Adam Lawton, George Hirst, Emmerson Whittel, Cian Tyrer.

Sponsors pay £850 per player but for that they will be invited to the club’s media day on Saturday, January 20 (10am to 1pm); have breakfast; meet players and coaches; have a picture taken with team and/or with the player they are sponsoring.

Other benefits: Free entry for two people to all home league games plus two in the 1895 Cup group games (12 in all); an advert on the club website; your name/company name announced at all home games; player photo session; invited to media day on January 20; opportunity for a signed pic with the player you are sponsoring.

The 17 players already sponsored, and by whom, are: Logan Astley (Andy and Paul Cooper); Nick Rawsthorne (Iain Taylor); Matty Wildie (Chris Wildie); Jordan Turner (Rugby Oldham); Pat Moran (Amari Plastics); Kian Morgan (Heritage Trust); Joe Wardle (Elvis Eckardt); Danny Craven (Low Meadows Property); Elijah Taylor (YEDS); Josh Johnson (Players’ Association); Jordan Paga (Orion Travel)(; Owen Farnworth (KL Transport); Jay Chapelhow (Personal Tyres); Ben O’Keefe (Kobe Coffee); Bailey Aldridge (Failsworth and Hollinwood Mortgages Ltd); Craig Kopczak (Jones and Brooks, Printers); Mo Agoro (Diggle Hotel).

To sponsor one of the 11 - or 12 with Sean Long - please email: mike.ford@roughyeds.co.uk

---

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.