Ward backed to prosper by Oldham boss

HAVING signed a new one-year deal, Michael Ward is gearing up for his sixth season with Oldham RL in 2013 . . . and he's still only 21.

He was 16 when he first played for the reserves on the wing.

Five years on, Ward has proved himself at first-team level with 19 senior appearances last season at centre and second-row. He is a player for whom new head coach Scott Naylor has high hopes.

Naylor has seen him play only on DVD, but it was sufficient for the new coach to recognise the young Oldhamer’s potential.

Said the Roughyeds' boss: "I had identified Wardy as one of the players I wanted to keep, so I am delighted he has signed a new contract. He is a good, young prospect I expect to learn more under the new coaching regime at the club and to fulfil his true potential."

Ward's signing takes the squad to 17, the fifth of last season's first-team regulars signed.

The other 12 are either new to the club or promoted from the reserves on senior contracts for the first time.

Ward, a trainee maths teacher at Cardinal Langley, Middleton, was never in any doubt about signing, he says.

He said: "My aspiration is to play in the next division higher up in 2014 and I would love it to be with Oldham. "The club is moving in the right direction and I am pleased to be part of it.”





OUR website carries heavily edited versions of stories only available in full in our print and eChron editions



Follow us on Twitter: @OldhamChronicle