Onyango stays loyal to Oldham

LUCAS Onyango

LUCAS Onyango put friends before finance when opting to sign a new contract with Oldham, boss Tony Benson revealed today.

The 29-year-old Kenyan-born winger will be with the Roughyeds for a fifth season in 2011.

And Benson paid tribute to the player's loyalty, saying: "He's sticking with us for less money than he could have got elsewhere.

“He's very loyal. His heart is here, and he's made a lot of friends at the club.

"I'm excited because I believe we will have two of the best wingers in the competition next season in Lucas and John Gillam. Each is a big part of the team."

Onyango has scored 62 tries in 87 games in his four seasons at Oldham, since arriving from Widnes in 2007.

His outstanding seasons were his

first in 2007 (18 tries in 23 games, playing outside Adam Hughes) and his fourth this year when he ran in 19 tries in 28 games.

He was lean and fast in his early days at Oldham. Now, he is bigger, stronger and meaner.

“Now I’m older, strength is a bigger part of my game,” he said.

“I’m doing two weights sessions a day so I can put in big hits and make good ground on kick returns. That’s my game now; try-scoring is a bonus.”

A mature student, Onyango is in his final year of a three-year degree course on coaching and sports development, studying full-time at Crewe.

He added: “Other clubs were interested, but there were many reasons why I signed for Oldham again.

“I wanted as little disruption as possible in my final year at university but, more than that, I like playing for the Roughyeds and I’m happy here.

“The fans are brilliant with me. They make me feel like I’m a local lad.

“Another five years and I’ll be in for a testimonial. Seriously, if we miss out on promotion again next season I’ll be thinking about hanging up my boots.

“I’ll be 30 then and losing in a Grand Final is not a good feeling. I don’t want to go through it again.

“As for 2011, we’ve been around long enough at the top end of this division to know what to expect.”