Hornets men not for Roughyeds

OLDHAM Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton has said the club is more than satisfied with the squad in place for the upcoming season, nipping in the bud speculation that players from troubled Rochdale could be joining.

With a winding-up order over an unpaid £55,000 tax bill due to be heard in the High Court a week tomorrow, Hornets — whose chairman Norman Halsall stepped down last week after only three weeks in charge — are currently in talks with Rochdale FC over a possible merger.

Soccer club chairman Chris Dunphy has confirmed that discussions are also going ahead with the RFL in order to keep the beleaguered Championship One club alive, with the Spotland Stadium Company believed to be keen on having year-round sport at the ground.

Most Hornets players are believed to be on deals structured so that they receive pay only during the playing season, which could be a factor in Darren Shaw’s squad remaining relatively intact up to now.

Only former Higginshaw and Waterhead player Mick Fogerty, who has played two trial games for Championship side Halifax in a bid to earn a contract there, has departed Rochdale since the problems emerged, though speculation understandably surrounds the future of a host of other players.

As far as Oldham are concerned, though, Tony Benson’s current 32-strong roster won’t be added to any further.

“We are where we want to be squad-wise,” confirmed Mr Hamilton.

Oldham are due to host Rochdale in the first competitive game of the season, a Northern Rail Cup pool game at Boundary Park on Sunday, February 8.

Meanwhile, the club reminds supporters that discounts on season tickets are still available, with the price deadline arriving on Friday, January 16.