Roughyeds head back to Mayfield

MAYFIELD Sports Centre in Castleton, Rochdale, should be confirmed as the Roughyeds’ temporary base for Sunday’s ‘home’ Northern Rail Cup tie against Hornets RL.

The club hopes to tie up the deal by lunchtime to play out the derby clash at the same venue that staged the Law Cup clash between the same teams last week.

The move is necessary because the club are not yet able to use their proposed new home in the borough.

Roughyeds officials asked the RFL to postpone the fixture as a result of this but the request was turned down by the governing body, who now need to be satisfied as to a couple of ground safety matters before the Mayfield fixture can be confirmed.

“We’ve a couple of boxes to tick on matters such as stewarding but, hopefully, everything will be tied up by lunchtime today,” said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton.

“We are not in a position we wanted to be in, but we are getting on with it.

“This is an important game and we hope fans will turn up in numbers and show their support for the club.

“Over the course of the next few days we feel sure supporters will take the view that all this has been well worth while.”

The club hopes to be in a position to play at a new permanent home within the borough — believed to be the Whitebank Stadium in Limeside — by the time Sheffield Eagles are due to travel to face the Roughyeds on Sunday, February 21.

From lunchtime today, fans can call the Roughyeds office on (0161) 6283677 for information on this Sunday’s match.

Season ticket holders who have yet to collect tickets can do so from the club offices on Lansdowne Road, Chadderton, up to 5pm on Friday or before the game on Sunday.

More specific information for fans will be issued once the venue is confirmed.

Season ticket holders have so far paid for standing only but as a gesture of goodwill from the club they will be guaranteed a seat on Sunday, free of charge, up until 2.45pm.

The club points out that there will be seats available for non-season ticket holders as well.