New Roughyeds deal for Roden

NEIL RODEN: Key role for the Roughyeds.

NEIL RODEN has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal to play for the Roughyeds in 2010.

The 29-year-old is the new club’s record try scorer with 93 in a total of 217 competitive appearances — including one in last season’s Co-operative Championship One play-off final defeat to Keighley —and he joins existing senior squad players Matty Ashe, Danny Whitmore, Martin Roden, Craig Littler and Gary Sykes in coach Tony Benson’s squad for next season.

“Neil is not only a key member of last season’s team and a senior player in an important position, but also someone who has been with the club for two spells now,” said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton.

“He is aware of what we are trying to do here and we are delighted he has committed himself for another season.

“In the position he plays, there is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

“In fairness though, he thrives on it. If you look at the combinations now with Neil, Matty Ashe and Danny Whitmore who can all play both at hooker and half-back then you see there is plenty of competition there.”

Also on Oldham’s books are four young professionals — Ben Heaton, Scott Mansfield, Mark Smith and Chris Clarke — now entering the second year of their two-season contracts.

More signings are set to be announced over the coming days, with Oldham about to enter into a second week of pre-season training.

The situation regarding a new base for next season is ongoing, with Oldham Council stating this week that they are locked in negotiations with a suitable site within the borough.