Oldham extend Forber’s loan stay

CARL FORBER: second loan extension starts on Sunday.

GOAL-KICKING half-back Carl Forber will stay on loan at Oldham RL Club for at least another month.

Roughyeds have negotiated a second extension of the player’s loan which will take in Sunday’s trip to Gateshead, the home game against Whitehaven on Sunday, July 3 and the trek south to London to go head-to-head with rejuvenated Skolars at The Stoop on Saturday, July 9.

Although he first arrived at the club in time to make his debut against Rochdale Hornets at Whitebank on Good Friday, April 22, Forber has made only six appearances for the Roughyeds — four times in his initial loan period and twice in his first one-month extension.

He couldn’t play at Hull in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tie in early May, because he was cup-tied; Roughyeds had no game on Sunday, May 22; he was prevented from playing at Swinton on May 27 under the terms of the loan agreement with the Lions.

As Tony Benson’s men were again without a game last weekend, the former Rochdale and Blackpool half-back will be playing only his fourth match in eight weeks if, as expected, he is selected in the side to take on the division’s basement boys on Tyneside this weekend.

His six outings in Oldham colours — three wins at Whitebank and three defeats away from home — have yielded 23 goals and two tries for a total of 54 points.

Several players will have injuries assessed at training tonight when preparations for the Gateshead game begin in earnest.

Neil Roden and Danny Whitmore, who both suffered head injuries at Doncaster on June 5, did not play in the home win against South Wales Scorpions last time out when prop Luke Sutton hobbled off near the end after taking a blow to a knee.

The casualty list also includes John Gillam, Chris Clarke, Liam Gilchrist, Matthew Fogarty, Lucas Onyango and Mick Fogerty, but of those only Gillam and Fogarty are looking good for the immediate future and for a possible return to action this week, either in the reserves who go to York on Thursday night or in the senior side on Sunday.

Scott Mansfield, Alex Thompson and Michael Ward are among the reserve team players who are battling for fitness, having missed Saturday’s 62-20 hammering of Sheffield Eagles at Whitebank.

The Roughyeds’ third team, the Scholarship under-18s, have a big day at Whitebank on Saturday (2.30pm) when coach Phil Costin leads them into battle in their first-ever game against Workington Town under-18s.

In conjunction with the Supporters’ Association (ORSA), Mark Corbett and Mike Nuttall of The Junction Inn, Ripponden Road are planning to lay on transport for fans going to Gateshead on Sunday. Ring (0161) 633 2759 or 07814617541 for more details.

The next meeting of ORSA is on Friday, July 1 at Whitebank (8pm start).




ROUGHYEDS are running a day trip to Wembley on Saturday, August 27, for the Carnegie Challenge Cup final. The coach will leave Oldham at 8am and return straight after the game.



Cost per person is £50, which includes coach travel and a match ticket valued at £26 for an area which will be reserved for Oldham fans.

To book ring Janet on (0161) 6283677.

A non-refundable £25 deposit is required, cheques made payable to Oldham RLFC.