Time running out for Oldham

CHRIS HAMILTON

OLDHAM Roughyeds had until lunchtime today to finally seal the deal that would see Bill Quinn’s sell his shares to Chris Hamilton — or face the prospect of the club being wound up on Wednesday morning.

The long-running saga appeared to have reached a conclusion when the pair agreed to a deal in the middle of last week which would see Quinn’s 75-per-cent share in the club transferred to Hamilton, who currently has the other 25-per-cent.

Paperwork from solicitors which would transfer ownership has not yet arrived with Hamilton to be signed off, though.

And the club has been informed by HM Customs and Revenue that it must provide proof today that the overdue tax bill of £47,000 has left the club’s account in order to stave off a winding-up petition in the High Court — money Hamilton isn’t happy about paying without certainty that the entirety of the club’s shares are in his possession.

“Today is D-Day, or else there is no more time to sort this out,” said club chief executive Hamilton this morning.

Log on to the Chronicle website at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk  for any further developments.

Meanwhile, Roughyeds centre Marcus St Hilaire and prop forward Wayne Kerr played for Ireland in a 42-12 defeat against Wales in the European Cup at Pontypridd.

St Hilaire, like the rest of Oldham’s current squad without a contract in place yet for next season, was a try scorer after eight minutes while Kerr came on for two spells for Andy Kelly’s side.

Wales now qualify to play Scotland in Sunday’s final.