Roughyeds lads set for call-up

MARK SMITH and Chris Clarke could be set for a taste of the action in Oldham colours this weekend, with both young guns placed on stand-by for the Northern Rail Nines squad.

Injuries to Phil Joseph (hip) and Neil Roden (knee and shoulder) will be examined in training tonight but if neither man can prove their fitness to take their places in coach Tony Benson’s squad for the Blackpool event, the back row pair embarking on their first season with professional contracts should get a chance to shine.

Another young player, Scott Mansfield, could also be called up should further injuries between now and the weekend further deplete the playing resources.

The 15-man squad, which can be submitted as late as Saturday morning, isn’t likely to feature any prop forwards with Jamie I’Anson — the only front row man in consideration for a shortened version of the game which relies heavily on speed — a major doubt with an arm injury.

Few risks will be taken by Benson in with a game of big significance against promotion rivals Keighley taking place the following weekend at Boundary Park.

Tickets are still available from the club for the Nines event, with Oldham’s first game in the tournament kicking off at 12.30pm at the home of Fylde RUFC.

A host of former Oldham men were in attendance at the funeral of goal-kicking great Bernard Ganley at St Vincent’s RC Church in Knutsford.

Players’ Association members Lou Laverty, John Blair, Bob Henthorn, Bernard Walker, Brian Lord, Vinny Nestor, Jack Buckley and John Etty — Ganley’s former team-mate in the all-conquering Oldham team of the 1950s — paid tribute to the former Great Britain player who was the first man ever to kick more than 200 goals in a single season in 1958.

A personal tribute was delivered by former Oldham Bears chairman John Chadwick, who grew up watching the legendary full-back, while BBC commentator Stuart Hall, a lifelong friend of Ganley, also spoke at the requiem mass.