Blow as Joseph joins Swinton

PHIL Joseph has departed Oldham for Co-operative Championship One rivals Swinton Lions.

The powerful utility forward, a big figure in the Roughyeds’ line-up for the past two seasons, rejoins a club he played for in the 2005 season after the Roughyeds were unable to match the contract offer put to the Huddersfield-based player.

“It is a blow, but we knew a week ago that he wouldn’t be staying with us,” said Oldham owner Chris Hamilton, who will continue contract talks with prospective new players ahead of pre-season training beginning next Monday.

Of the Roughyeds squad which ended last season, Joseph follows Luke Menzies (Dewsbury), Lee Greenwood (Batley), Tommy Goulden (Leigh), Chris Baines (Keighley) and Thomas Coyle (Widnes) out of the exit door. The club hopes to be in a position to announce new signings later this week.

Hamilton is set to hold talks with Oldham Council tomorrow afternoon regarding the situation which has left the club without a home.