Oldham secure Roper’s services

RUGBY LEAGUE

OLDHAM have negotiated Steve Roper's release from Rochdale Hornets and tied him up on contract until the end of the season.

"He's our lad now," said a delighted Scott Naylor of the half-back who has become a key member of the Oldham side since arriving from Spotland on loan in early May.

He came initially for a month. The loan agreement was then extended to the end of the season, but it carried with it a recall clause which would have enabled Hornets to drag him back at any time.

At Whitebank there was a fear it might have happened at the business end of the season and with the top-five play-offs not far away.

Explained chairman Chris Hamilton: "We needed to be in charge of our own destiny, so we have been working on trying to get Steve's release for quite a while.

"It was completed late on Friday, so the Gloucester game was his first as a fully-fledged Oldham player.

"That removes our concerns as we look ahead to the big games that are coming up."

Roper (27) has played in Oldham's last seven games (six wins), taking up a pivotal role with responsibilities for ensuring the attack runs smoothly on the left-hand side of the field.
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