Roughyeds agree 10-year Boundary Park deal, while Dean signs for two years

Oldham RLFC 1876 have announced a new 10-year deal that will see the Roughyeds play their rugby at Boundary Park until at least 2034.

Chairman Bill Quinn confirmed the news alongside Latics chief executive Darren Royle in a major boost for the club as it seeks promotion to the Championship.

"It took a long time to put this agreement together as we really had to think about the future," said Quinn.

"We are trying to connect as a rugby club to the town and bring the kids into the sport again.

"We had to look at stability and to the future.

"The rugby club has been in a nomadic existence and with this agreement we want to see the fans and the businesses of Oldham see that there is a future and it is getting better.

"We are trying to put Oldham on the map in our small way, and if we can do that through the rugby, football and businesses then it makes for a fantastic future.

"We are very grateful to the football club and the town and hope that we can all progress and move forward. 

Royle added that the agreement means both Oldham's football and rugby teams will play at the stadium for the next 10 years and will allow the clubs to strategically plan their finances long-term to build for a sustainable community.

Managing director Mike Ford said: "We want to try and make ours the best matchday experience for fans and we have a fantastic chairman in Bill who has been unwavering in his support. 

"Whenever someone watches rugby league for the first time it is always a positive experience.

"But we still feel like rugby is a bit unheard of in this town and that people don't know we are back at Boundary Park.

"We still have a lot of work to do but it is working well at the moment."

Oldham lead Keighley Cougards by a point at the top of this season's Betfred League 1, ahead of Sunday's showdown between the rivals at Boundary Park.

Meanwhile, Roughyeds have snapped up half-back Riley Dean from Australian side Mackay Cutters with immediate effect, on a contract until the end of 2026.

The 22-year-old signs after landing from Down Under this week, and is in contention to make his debut for Sean Long's side in Sunday's clash against Keighley.

"I can't wait to get going and this is a good opportunity for me to hopefully cement myself in this Oldham team for an exciting journey to be part of," Dean told Roughyeds TV.

"It was a great experience and a new way of life in Australia, learning some life lessons and that was an opportunity I wanted to take.

"This now is an opportunity that I did not want to let go and I'm glad I have taken it.

"I get on with Longy, he is a really good bloke outside of rugby and he doesn't really put the ball down that often.

"He is one of the big reasons I have come back, with the depth and bank of knowledge he has got - if I can take five per cent of that it is good enough for me. 

"He and (managing director) Mike Ford laid out the vision of this club and I hope I can play my part to get it to where it deserves to be."

Dean made his Super League debut for Warrington Wolves in 2019 and enjoyed loan spells with York, Dewsbury, Newcastle, Featherstone - where Long was head coach - and Castleford, before his move to join the Cutters in the Queensland Cup. 

Head coach Sean Long added: "I have kept in touch with Riley for a long time and coached him at Fev.

"He was talking about coming home so we worked it out, he knows how I play and how we defend and it is great to get it over the line now for the last few games of this season.

"He controls the game and has been learning his craft in Australia tackling those big lads out there.

"He will bring calmness and clarity and will slot right in  - if selected!"

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