Roughyeds agree new sponsor deal

OLDHAM Roughyeds have announced a major kit sponsorship deal with Worthington’s Ale and the Molson Coors Brewing Company (UK) Ltd.

Newly-designed jerseys featuring the well-known Worthington’s branding were worn for the first time by the team in the 38-20 Co-operative Championship One win at Swinton at the weekend and the tie-up has been hailed by club chairman Chris Hamilton.

“This one-year deal provides the club with substantial financial backing for which we are very grateful,” he said.

“We are looking forward to our new association with Worthington’s and to adding such an eminent brand name to the club’s sponsorship portfolio.”

The same firm, whose ales have been brewed in Burton-on-Trent for more than 200 years, are already heavily involved in sport.

They are associated with world number one darts champion Phil Taylor and have recently announced a new kit sponsorship deal with Super League club Wigan Warriors.

“We are keen to start investing in rugby and to get Worthington’s Ales into the hands of rugby fans of both codes,” said Alisdair Hamilton, the Molson Coors Brewing Company’s regional sales director for the North-West and North Wales.

“We are proud of our community links and we like the way Chris (Hamilton) and everyone at the Oldham club are also keen to work with their local community as well.”

Roughyeds are to feature on the BBC’s Super League Show when they play South Wales amateur side Blackwood Bulldogs at Sedgley Park RUFC on Sunday (3pm kick-off) in round three of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The BBC are following the round-by-round fortunes of the Bulldogs as part of their Challenge Cup coverage, but in the event of an Oldham win on Sunday they will turn their spotlight on the Roughyeds until such time as they are knocked out of the competition.