Signing session proves a big hit

MEET THE FANS: Roughyeds players at a signing session for supporters at the Spindles Town Square shopping centre.

OLDHAM players and coaching staff signed between 200 and 300 poster-size 2009 team pictures during their two-hour meet-the-fans promotion in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.

Shoppers, casual passers-by and keen fans, including lots of children in Roughyeds’ replica jerseys, met and mingled with the players.

“The visit went down a treat,” said Spindles manager Mike Flanagan.

“This was the squad’s third visit and it has gone down bigger and better each year.

“The players were kept busy signing autographs for the full two hours, and the number of posters they signed compared very favourably with the numbers the Athletic footballers get through when they are here, and that’s some going.”

It was new coach Tony Benson’s first Spindles visit with his squad and he was delighted at the interest shown by the public.

He said: “It was a real pleasure for the boys and the coaching staff to be there and to meet the supporters.

“It was particularly pleasing to see so many young children there, many of them of an age when they are just starting to play the game.”