Clubs target Oldham lads

RIVAL clubs are talking to a number of Oldham players as the uncertainty continues over the ownership of the Roughyeds.

Captain Tommy Goulden, Thomas Coyle and Luke Menzies have already got fixed up elsewhere for next season, and the fear is that more will follow if the situation isn’t resolved soon.

Contracts run out at the end of November, but clubs are allowed to speak to players from September 1.

Bill Quinn, who owns 75-per-cent of the shares, and chief executive Chris Hamilton, who has the other 25, have been in talks since the Roughyeds lost the Co-op Championship One play-off final, but no agreement has yet been reached.

Meanwhile, Oldham are arranging for Jamie I’Anson, Craig Lawton and Paul Highton to see specialists before pre-season training resumes next month.

Lawton and l’Anson are suffering from wrist injuries, while Highton is hoping to clear up a knee problem.

Mr Hamilton will meet with Athletic managing director Simon Corney in a bid to sort out 2010 ground arrangements.