Roughyeds in Salford link-up

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton: great opportunities

OLDHAM RL is to have an official link with one of new coach Scott Naylor’s former Super League clubs, Salford City Reds.

Roughyeds and Reds say the partnership will provide mutual benefits - including Oldham’s use of Salford's younger players as part of their development.

“We are looking forward to working with Salford as we move into a new era,” said Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton.

While Naylor spent most of his playing career with Bradford Bulls, he started and finished at Salford, where he then remained on the coaching staff. His No 2, Lee Spencer, was also on the coaching staff at The Willows.

The Oldham chairman said the partnership — the latest of many similar agreements involving other clubs — was a “hugely positive” move for Roughyeds.

He added: “It will provide us with new opportunities, and not only in terms of players. We will be able to tap into the full-time club’s strength and conditioning programmes, their medical expertise and their sales, marketing and commercial initiatives. We can also look at how we can offer incentives for both sets of fans.”

The clubs had been talking about the deal since RFL changes at Super League clubs changed the landscape at Championship One level.

He added: “Salford, like us, are keen to see their players coming to Oldham on a relatively long-term basis, rather than on short-term agreements, as this will assist both clubs in their planning.”

Reds’ director of football Steve Simms was equally upbeat.

He said: “Oldham is a forward-looking club, based in a strong rugby league area. Both clubs will be able to look at players who might ordinarily not have forced their way to the front so quickly.”