Heaton is tipped for big future

Ben Heaton

BEN Heaton, Oldham’s first-choice full-back in 2011, could go right to the top, according to his new coach.

Championship side Halifax have swooped for the highly-promising 21-year-old after enjoying an impressive season with the Roughyeds.

He links-up with Karl Harrison, who excited at the prospect of working with the youngster at the Shay.

“I am sure a lot of people won’t be familiar with Ben’s name,” admitted Harrison.

“He’s been the subject of quite a lot of Super League interest this year, but I sat down and had a talk with him and I’m delighted he's agreed to join us.

“His favoured position is full-back, but he’s also played second row, centre and wing.

“He’s a big kid, strong, fast and he knows where the line is.

“Every so often you find a player who ends up being a superstar almost out of nothing and, without wanting to put too much pressure on him, Ben could be one of those.”

Heaton, the former Rochdale Mayfield amateur, played for Oldham’s newly-revived reserves side under John Hough in 2008 and did well enough to earn himself a professional contract for the 2009 season along with Scott Mansfield, Chris Clarke, Mark Smith and Anthony Bingham.

Heaton showed glimpses of his major potential in 2009, scoring a superb fifth-minute try against York in the play-offs towards the end of the season after being handed his first start.

He figured in all but one of Oldham’s 28 games in cup and league in the 2010 season, scoring six tries and playing in several different roles.

The apprentice joiner made 14 starts, at loose-forward, second-row and right-centre, and 13 appearances off the bench, which included spells also at full-back and on the wing.

Following the departure of Paul O’Connor, Heaton then became first-choice full-back for 2011, and was named Rugby League World’s Championship One player of the month for July.