Nield nails colours to Oldham mast

Latest to pen a new one-year deal with Oldham Roughyeds is full back Steven Nield, who joins Josh Crowley, Danny Langtree, Kenny Hughes, Steve Roper, David Cookson, new-boy Jarrod Ward and youngsters Jake Hughes, Tom Dempsey and Richard Joy on an ever-growing roster.

Several received other offers — not unexpected after two seasons of Roughyeds finishing second and third and the play-off final both times; but chairman Chris Hamilton and coach Scott Naylor are working hard to repel raids from rival clubs.

Talks with other players continue. On completion of his new deal, Nield predicted other members of last term’s squad will follow suit.

“From a players’ point of view, Oldham is a great club to be at,” said local lad Nield (23), who is now being rewarded for two seasons in the reserves and his patience at first-team level in 2013 when he played only seven times.

“The general feeling in the camp is that most of the lads want to stick together in the hope that we can make things happen next season. We all get on well and we have a happy dressing room and great team spirit.

“Even after our defeat in the Grand Final we still felt close as a group and I think that tells you a lot.

“Last year I was one of the last to re-sign, but this time I wanted to get it sorted as quickly as I could so that I could start planning for next year.”

Naylor admired Nield for the way he stuck at it when his senior opportunities were limited in the 2013 season. The Oldham coach said: “He often banged on my door asking for a chance at full-back, but Richard Lepori was difficult to shift. It was to Steven’s credit that he kept working hard on trying to do the things we asked of him.

“His big chance came along in the season just ended and he took it with both hands, all the time gaining in confidence and going from strength to strength. I’m confident next season he will get even better again.”