Door will remain open for Cookie

Date published: 24 February 2015


DAVID Cookson and Oldham RL Club have parted company because the centre wants to commit himself to his full-time job.

The 26-year-old centre, a first-team regular for three seasons, signed a new contract last autumn but has since told the club he can’t find time to meet the Roughyeds’ rigid training schedules.

His registration will be retained and he will be welcomed back if his situation changes.

His loss will be regarded as a setback for coach Scott Naylor, who said Cookson was “getting better and better, year on year.”

Said Naylor: “He has told us that work has had to become his priority and we fully understand. We would never want to stop any young fellow from trying to get on in life, but at the same time I must have every player available for training.

“We don’t have a single player now who doesn’t meet our schedules and that’s how it should be and how it will be. I would merely add that the door for ‘Cookie’ will always be open.”

One of the reasons for the club’s decision not to offer long-serving Jason Boults a new deal for this season was the 30 year old’s absence from some training sessions due to shift work.

Eighteen-year-old Jake Hughes has left the club for similar reasons.

The curtain goes up on Oldham’s 2015 season when newcomers Coventry Bears visit Whitebank on Sunday (3pm kick-off).



ROCHDALE Mayfield RLFC will stage the two Standard Cup semi-final ties.

The first, between Oldham St Anne’s and Saddleworth Rangers, takes place tomorrow night, kicking-off at 7.30pm. Admission is £2, and £1 for concessions.

Saturday sees Mayfield and Folly Lane go head-to-head (kick-off 2.30pm).