O’Connor on awards shortlist

OVERLOOKED . . . Roughyeds coach Tony Benson (left).

PAUL O’CONNOR has received more recognition for his sparkling season by being named among the nominees for the Co-operative Championship player of the season award.

With all categories voted on by the head coaches in the division, Oldham’s outstanding full-back is joined on the shortlist by Hunslet brothers Paul and David March.

The news gives a boost to the club ahead of Sunday’s crucial qualifying play-off tie against York City Knights at the Whitebank Stadium.

Tony Benson, though, has received a surprising snub in the coach of the year category.

Given the money spent on the playing budget by the likes of Blackpool — whose coach Martin Crompton appears on the three-man list — and Hunslet, the Roughyeds coach can count himself very unfortunate to miss out on at least being put forward.

Benson led Oldham to second place in the division, going the full Championship One season unbeaten away from home for the first time in the club’s 134-year history.

Meanwhile, as expected, Oldham Roughyeds won an adjournment to the winding-up petition brought against the club by HM Revenue and Customs yesterday.

A judge at London’s High Court gave the club 56 days’ breathing space in order to pay off their tax debts.

Mrs Registrar Derrett granted the adjournment at the request of lawyers for HMRC after being told that a settlement was being sought between them and the club.

The petition has now been adjourned until November 3, 2010.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton: “Lots of clubs and businesses are grappling with financial problems, and not just those in rugby league. We are not on our own, that’s for sure.

“Fans can rest assured, however, that we are totally focused as a club on the job in hand —that is to build a secure future at the Whitebank Stadium in the long term and, in the short term, to do our very best to beat York in Sunday’s play-off and thus qualify for our fourth successive Grand Final appearance.”


Co-operative Championship awards shortlists:

Player of the year — Kyle Briggs (Featherstone Rovers), Stuart Dickens (Featherstone Rovers), Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers).

Young player of the year — Zak Hardaker (Featherstone Rovers), Gareth Moore (Batley Bulldogs), Sam Smeaton (Featherstone Rovers).

Coach of the year — Karl Harrison (Batley Bulldogs), Warren Jowitt (Dewsbury Rams), Daryl Powell (Featherstone Rovers).

Co-operative Championship One awards shortlists:

Player of the year — David March (Hunslet Hawks), Paul March (Hunslet Hawks), Paul O’Connor (Oldham).

Young player of the year — Tom Lineham (York City Knights), Steve Parry (South Wales Scorpions), Jarrad Stack (Workington Town).

Coach of the year — Gary Charlton and Martin Oglanby (Workington Town), Martin Crompton (Blackpool Panthers), Anthony Seibold (South Wales Scorpions).