Deakin hopes for more stayers

Said Tamghart: hoping he'll stay another year

STEVE Deakin is hopeful of holding on to plenty of squad members for next season, should Oldham claim Grand Final glory at the second time of asking.

The Roughyeds coach — who is himself approaching the end of a one-year contract — has already lost the services of the departed Mick Nanyn for 2009.

With it now being the end of the season for the majority of National League clubs, speculation is rife as to further movement in and out of Oldham.

The club confirmed earlier this week that they are trying to persuade Said Tamghart (pictured, left) to stick around for another year, while captain Rob Roberts has confirmed he is staying, whatever division the club ends up in.

Of the rest of the current squad, at least 12 are in the middle of conditional two year deals, the second year of which only kicks in if the club reaches its National League One goal.

Should that be achieved, Deakin is hopeful he can prevent heads being turned elsewhere.

"The exact wordings of the (two-year) contracts, while similar in substance, are individual," said Deakin.

"Circumstances can change for players and that can affect things, as it did for Mick, who had a clause to the effect that if a Super League club came in for him, he was entitled to go.

"I would like to think that if we win the Grand Final, we would have shown willing to the players. And everyone here knows how well the club looks after them."

Deakin sought to clarify the situation regarding Tamghart, a former protégé of his at the UTC club in Perpignan.

While he may sign up for at least some of the Elite league season — which starts in October — on his post-season return to France, Oldham are aiming to keep hold of the ever-improving high-impact forward.

"Said has only ever committed himself to 12-month deals throughout his career," added Deakin.

"We know he is going back to France short-term.

"But nothing is cast in stone with regard to a move to play for Carpentras. It isn't a done deal.

"He is going back to France primarily for family reasons and if he re-signs with us we will have some say as to what he does with regard to playing over there."