End of the road for Benson

BEST OF FRIENDS . . . Chris Hamilton (left) and Tony Benson.

Oldham coach pays price for woeful season

MARTIN Roden will take sole charge of Oldham RL for the final three games of the season following last night’s sacking of Tony Benson.

Affable Kiwi Benson (45), who was on a one-year contract, has paid the price for a season that started well but quickly deteriorated as a result of injuries and a wholesale loss of form.

After the 42-16 loss at Barrow on Sunday, Oldham dropped out of the Co-operative Championship One’s top six for the first time — below the likes of London Skolars and out of the play-off positions.

With four teams gaining automatic promotion this term, it means Roughyeds remain marooned for another season in a geographically widespread third tier.

Former Halifax coach Matt Calland, currently with Rochdale Mayfield, is an early contender for the coach’s job.

For now, Benson’s former assistant Roden prepares the side for upcoming matches against Doncaster, Workington and bottom-of-the-table Gateshead.

“It was, as it always is, a hard decision to tell somebody you are having to dispense with their services,” said Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton.

“Tony earned the right to be given the opportunity to try to improve things when the injury situation eased, but coaches are ultimately judged on results.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Tony for all his hard work. He has become a friend and hopefully will remain so, and he will always be welcome at the club.”










READ the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions



Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle