Club have high hopes for Scott

Chris Hamilton with new signing Scott Mansfield

ALL action teenager Scott Mansfield has become the first reserve team player to sign a professional deal with Oldham, after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.

The Springhead-based 17-year-old put in stints at hooker, half-back, second row and loose forward last season under the guidance of coaching team John Hough and Leo Casey.

While it is not yet certain in which position the former Saddleworth Rangers starlet will end up, the club is happy to have on board a player they regard as having plenty of potential to make it in the pro ranks.

“His commitment in terms of both training and matches was first-class,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“It is fair to say that he is absolutely delighted to be signing for us, as a local lad and a keen supporter of the club.

“Scott is a non-stop player who has good skill levels and good technique in defence. But we are really talking about potential here and we need to hone it as best we can.”

More meetings are set to take place in the coming weeks with other members of last season’s reserves side.

The club’s annual end of season awards night, for both the first team and the reserves, takes place this evening.

But Oldham have missed out in the nominations for next Tuesday’s annual Co-operative National League Awards.

The player of the year for National League Two will be chosen from an antipodean trio, Barrow’s now departed loose forward Dave Armitstead, Doncaster hooker Corey Lawrie and Gateshead scrum-half Dan Russell.