Roughyeds role for Davenport

OLDHAM RL have added to their backroom staff with the appointment of local man Mark Davenport as under-20s coach Phil Costin’s assistant.

Davenport (33), the former Saddleworth Rangers, Oldham St Anne’s and Shaw Rhinos prop, starts working for Roughyeds immediately and will be alongside Costin when the Roughyeds’ youngsters play their first league game at Leigh on Friday night.

Costin said of his new number two: “He brings many attributes which will help us to take the players forward. I’ve known him a long time and I think that's important. He is keen and enthusiastic.”

Davenport played prop in Costin’s Shaw Rhinos team of 2004 which caused an upset by beating Waterhead in the Standard Cup final at Boundary Park.

Later, he became Costin’s right-hand man at Saddleworth when Costin was in charge of the Rangers’ under-18s squad.

“I’ve been out of the game for three years, but I am genuinely honoured to be given the chance to help to take the club forward,” Mark said.

“Head coach Scott Naylor is very ambitious for the club and he has loads of good ideas.”