Pleasing progress in Roughyeds’ ground search

OLDHAM Roughyeds are confident that the search for a new ground within the borough is moving in the right direction.

Chairman and owner Chris Hamilton has lined up another meeting with Oldham Council today, having previously kept in contact through telephone calls and email.

A potential site has already been identified, though its whereabouts have not yet been made public due to commercial sensitivity.

“Things are progressing,” said Hamilton, “and we will do all we can to make sure people are informed as soon as we can tell them something.

“I can say, though, that from the club’s perspective we are pleased at how things are going.”

The squad-building process for the 2010 season continues with the signing of 21-year-old second-row forward Kashley Watkins, elder brother by three years of Leeds Rhinos star Kallum Watkins.

Hailing from Stretford, Watkins spent three years with Warrington before switching to Leeds. But he still lives in Manchester and doesn’t drive, a situation which led to a request to be released.

“He’s a real athletic lad with good skills and he has learned his job in good company, first at Warrington and then in his two years at Leeds,” Hamilton said.

“He was very keen to come on board with us. He is thoroughly enjoying being at our club and he will provide youthful enthusiasm and a keen willingness to work to set alongside the experience of the older forwards.

“He is highly rated by a lot of judges.”

Watkins is the Roughyeds’ fifth new boy for 2010 and the third new youngster alongside Danny Whitmore from Salford City Reds and Ben Mellor from Warrington Wolves.

The other two newcomers are the more experienced Valu Bentley from France and Dave Ellison from London Skolars.




THE CLUB has confirmed that season tickets bought for 2010 will now cover 13 games instead of 12, following the admission of South Wales RLFC to Co-operative Championship One.