Joseph boost for Roughyeds

POWERFUL Phil Joseph turned down TWO offers from Super League in order to pen a new deal with Oldham, the club have revealed.

The strong-running former Hull KR and Halifax utility forward has signed a new two-year deal to stay with the Roughyeds — the second term being conditional on the team gaining promotion to National League One — in a move which further increases the quality available to new coach Tony Benson.

Joseph, a 23-year-old native of Huddersfield who began his professional career with the Giants, has been full-time before in his career before but felt that the deals on the table with unnamed top flight clubs weren’t right for him.

With that in mind, he was more than happy to commit himself to a further stint at Oldham, meaning that fans will get the chance to once again witness his trademark bullocking runs.

“Phil proved what a valuable player he was for us last year and was one of the strongest players in the division,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“He did for us last season what he has done against us many times in the past and he was another player we were very keen to hold on to. We are very pleased he has signed.

“He likes the club and wants to be a part of what we are trying to do here. Hopefully he will be even more influential this season.

“Phil has a couple of offers from Super League teams to go full-time but those deals weren’t right for him.

“We are glad to have him back on board and I’m sure the fans are as well.”

Other clubs in the National Leagues were also believed to be chasing Joseph’s signature. He now becomes the only player in the 19-strong first team squad to have a conditional deal extending into 2010, a move explained by Hamilton.

“It was something Phil was looking for in terms of security and we were happy to look at it too,” he said.