Oldham 'back in the old routine'

Photo: Tim Bradley

NEW SIGNINGS . . . Nathan Chappell (left), Scott Leatherbarrow and Adam Neal met up for the first time at training last night.

CHAIRMAN and head coach sent out upbeat messages to fans last night as Oldham RL players reported back for pre-season training after a break of only two months.

Among the first to arrive at Oasis Academy Oldham, on Hollins Road, were new boys Scott Leatherbarrow, Nathan Chappell and Adam Neal.

Within minutes they were joined by more new signings in Ben Davies, George Tyson and David Hewitt.

"The countdown to the 2017 KP Championship season starts here," said chairman Chris Hamilton, before adding: "We're back in the old routine, but in a more professional environment.

"We've been working hard towards this since the end of last season, arranging training facilities, acquiring new equipment and new training kit and generally trying to raise the bar and make the club as professional as we possibly can.

ACHIEVE
"The three brand-new lads (Leatherbarrow, Chappell, Davies) and the three 'new-ish' boys (Neal, Tyson, Hewitt, who were at the club in 2015) will grow into what we are striving to achieve alongside their new team mates.

"These are exciting times for everyone at the club."

The session incorporated inside and outside work and, once it was over, coach Scott Naylor was quick to endorse his chairman's enthusiasm.

"It was the best 'first night' since I've been at the club," said the Roughyeds team boss. "Everyone fitted in and it ran smoothly from start to finish

"The hard work starts here."

Roughyeds will play pre-season warm-up games at Barrow (January 15) and against derby rivals Rochdale at Bower Fold (January 22) and they hope to announce a third run-out in the next few days.