Roughyeds seek new match date

OLDHAM Roughyeds have asked the Rugby Football League for permission to hold back their home game against Sheffield Eagles to next Monday night.

The plan is to play the Northern Rail Cup tie at Sedgley Park on Monday, February 22 (8pm kick-off) in a similar arrangement to that implemented for the derby clash against Hornets RL last week.

The proposed move comes about as a result of the club STILL not being in position to move into their proposed new base, believed to be the Whitebank Stadium in Limeside.

Roughyeds owner-chairman Chris Hamilton had an urgent meeting with Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes on Saturday and is set to issue a statement to fans tomorrow explaining the situation.

“I fully understand and appreciate the overall scenario and the council’s position in all this, but I need to say something to our supporters and to that end a statement will be issued by the club tomorrow,” Hamilton stated.

“Once again we will lose money by playing Sheffield on a Monday night out of town. It will be inconvenient for a number of reasons and for a lot of people, both fans and club, but hopefully the situation will become a lot clearer to everyone when we say what we have to say tomorrow.”

As was the case with the previous home game against Hornets, Oldham have requested a switch from Sunday afternoon to Monday night because a rugby union game is taking place at Sedgley Park on the Saturday, while Swinton Lions play at the same venue the following day.

Friday night is also out because it would not be practical in the logistical sense for the ground staff to change the pitch markings twice in the space of three days.

Admission prices will be the same as those for the Rochdale game — £12 adults, £8 concessions and £5 for under-16s — while there will also be a £2 transfer to a seat in the stand.

Also like last time, the club is trying to organise free transport to the game, details of which will be given later.