Oldham in call to fans

ROUGHYEDS have issued a rallying call to the town’s rugby league supporters at the start of a week which could prove to be the most momentous in the 13-year-history of Oldham RLFC (1997) Ltd.

Proposals for the club to move into their own ground at the Whitebank Stadium, Limeside go before an Oldham Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

By Thursday, Roughyeds hope to hold a news conference at the ground followed by a ‘getting to know you’ meeting with local residents.

Friday sees Tony Benson’s boys aim for their fourth win in a row — and their third consecutive away victory in the league — when they take their unbeaten Co-operative Championship One record to Rochdale for the traditional Easter derby clash with Hornets RL at Spotland (3pm kick-off).

And next Monday, the Roughyeds entertain Workington Town in their first home league game of the season at Sedgley Park (3pm kick-off).

Despite having to play a home game out of town by necessity for the fourth time this year, Roughyeds hope fans will turn up in force to kick-start the home league programme, having been buoyed by recent events on and off the field.

Said chairman Chris Hamilton: “Given the likelihood of an imminent announcement about the ground and the way things are generally moving forward at the club, we believe fans will be in an upbeat mood and ready to demonstrate their support by getting behind the team this Easter.”

Having lost money on each of the three previous occasions they have played at Sedgley Park this year — two of them on Monday nights — Roughyeds are looking for a significantly-increased attendance on the last day of the Easter weekend break.