Limeside home for Roughyeds

THE Whitebank Stadium - likely new home for Oldham Roughyeds.

OLDHAM Roughyeds have confirmed their intention to move into a new home at the Whitebank Stadium, in Limeside, this season.

Speculation has circulated for months that the ground — the current home of Oldham Boro FC — was earmarked as the new permanent base for the town’s professional rugby club.

The Northern Rail Cup competition is well underway and with the first home game in the Co-operative Championship One season on Sunday, March 14, against Hunslet, Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton has issued a statement to assure fans that the quest to finally secure a permanent base in the borough is still progressing.

“Complex and delicate discussions” are currently taking place with Oldham Council and other parties to finally reach an agreement allowing the club to set up at the Whitebank Stadium.

While those talks continue, Roughyeds’ adult and OAP season ticket holders have been invited along to the venue for a meeting this Friday, (6.30pm). Further meetings are in the offing for pay-at-the-turnstile fans and local residents.

“We have been trying for a number of weeks to bring to an early conclusion our attempts to find a suitable ground within the borough,” said Hamilton.

“This has not yet been possible, and that underlines the unique problems we face at the club.

“We are very aware of the need to let our fans know what is happening. We thought we would have been able to do so before now, but the fact that we haven’t does not mean anyone is to blame — it is simply a reflection of the complex and delicate process of discussions that have been ongoing since late last year.

“It is an open secret that we wish to play our matches at Whitebank Stadium, home of Oldham Boro Football Club, and that is the position we are working towards finalising.

“We are advised that this will hopefully be confirmed within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime we continue to be patient in working with Oldham Council and other partners in this scheme to deliver a long- term solution to the club’s problems in not having a base within the town.

“Ultimately, that is what everybody connected with the club — fans, staff, coaches, players and sponsors — wants to see and we believe that is what will happen.

“A little bit more short-term pain will bring long-term gain and I again stress my appreciation of the fans’ support and patience in allowing us to deal with this matter.”

Those season ticket holders wishing to attend Friday’s meeting must first call the Roughyeds office on (0161) 628 3677 to book their place.




OLDHAM’S home game with Sheffield Eagles in the Northern Rail Cup has been confirmed for next Monday night, February 22 at Sedgley Park (8pm kick-off).