Coyle agrees to Roughyeds deal

JAMES COYLE: An ever-present for the Roughyeds last season.

JAMES COYLE, the only ever-present for Oldham last season, has signed a new one-year deal.

The talented half-back follows in the footsteps of captain Rob Roberts and new faces Luke Sutton and Andy Ballard on the Roughyeds’ first-team roster for 2009.

Club chief executive Chris Hamilton said: “James had a very disappointing end to the season, both in a club and personal perspective. But we’re are delighted he has agreed to stay on and he was keen to sign.

“In fairness, he is still a young man and he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders in the Grand Final as the only recognised half-back.

“He has many attributes and he is a lad who just doesn’t turn up and play. He thinks about the game and is a very influential player for us.

“James puts the needs of the team first, which has sometimes meant he hasn’t always been 100-per-cent fit when he’s played.”

Coyle has struck up a keen understanding with Neil Roden in his two years at the club and is rated among the most gifted scrum-halves in the National Leagues.

A product of the Wigan academy, Coyle originally joined Oldham in 2007 after rejecting a full-time contract at Widnes.

He wanted part-time rugby after landing a job with BNFL, and that is when the Roughyeds, under then coach Steve Deakin, stepped in.

He soon made a name for himself and last season, in helping the club to their second consecutive Grand Final, he played in all 37 league and cup matches, scoring 21 tries.

Even though Oldham are without a coach — officials are currently sifting through applications after it was advertised in the trade press for the first time yesterday — club officials want to avoid being left behind when building a squad for a third term in NL2.