Ground blow for RL club

OLDHAM Roughyeds have been told they will NOT be playing at Boundary Park next season — leaving the prospect of holding home games outside of the town’s boundaries once again.

The rugby club’s owner Chris Hamilton met with Athletic managing director Simon Corney yesterday and was officially told the news, which now leaves the club searching urgently for a new venue.

No current facility within the town meets minimum RFL standards for professional rugby league.

“It was confirmed at the meeting yesterday that the Athletic manager (Dave Penney) doesn’t want anything other than football played there,” said Hamilton, who is now seeking urgent talks with Council Leader Howard Sykes on the issue.

“At the end of the day, it is their ground and their decision to make. There is no falling-out between myself and Simon Corney and our relationship remains good.

“While it was not the news we wanted to hear, it was not necessarily unexpected either.

“On the plus side, we have agreed with Simon that if we get any big games next year — for example, a Challenge Cup tie at home to a Super League club — then we will be allowed to use Boundary Park.

“But obviously, it is still a blow to us.”

The Roughyeds have called Boundary Park ‘home’ for the past seven seasons, following a year spent playing out of Hurst Cross in Ashton.

Now, after a period of turmoil which recently saw Hamilton buy out Bill Quinn’s majority shareholding and hold off a winding up order for unpaid tax, Oldham — still without any senior professionals on the books ahead of the start of the 2010 season — face more uncertainty.

“It highlights the predicament we have, which is unique,” Hamilton added.

“It goes back to 1998 and the Oldham Bears, when the Council bought Watersheddings and nothing was done to secure an alternative ground.

“We will certainly be making representations to the Council in the strongest possible terms, asking them to assist in finding a permanent solution to the problem.

“We also need to speak with the RFL and will today begin the process of finding an alternative home venue.”