Oldham hopeful of green light
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 05 May 2010
OLDHAM Roughyeds remain hopeful that the curtain can be raised on their new Whitebank Stadium on Sunday.
The Rugby Football League visited the ground yesterday for an inspection and have informed club chairman Chris Hamilton exactly what needs to be done in order to get the green light for the Co-operative Championship One game against York City Knights (3pm kick-off) to go ahead.
A big effort will now be made towards coming up with the necessary improvements ahead of a second RFL visit.
“Given what happened at the inspection and what the RFL said, we are very hopeful,” said Hamilton.
“We knew before they came that work had still to be done, and they also knew that. They could see how much work had been done since they first looked at the ground some time ago.
“There are certain things we still have to do, like securing the pitch perimeter fence to effectively create a barrier between players and spectators.
“We must also complete work on a changing room for the away team.
“In general terms the RFL are happy with the progress we have made so far and they are expected to come back later in the week to make a final decision.
“We still have a couple of administrative matters to sort out with the club’s safety officer and when everything is in place the project will go before the RFL’s board of directors for ratification.”
In view of their optimism, the club have put tickets on sale for the York match at the Whitebank Stadium.
Tickets are on sale until 5pm today and from 9am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday from the Roughyeds offices on Lansdowne Road, Chadderton. Contact (0161) 6283677.
They are priced at £10 adults, £8 concessions and £3 under-16s and the club hopes lots of fans will take advantage.
By buying tickets in advance, fans will be sure of getting into the ground and they will ease congestion at the turnstiles.
Details regarding other matters relating to the game, such as what happens to season ticket holders and where fans park their cars, will be announced later in the week.
