Back your club - fans’ chief

Chairman of Oldham Roughyeds’ Supporters’ Association Nigel Marland has issued a rallying call to fans ahead of the club’s assault on the Kingstone Press Championship One play-offs.

Barring a massive upset in Sunday’s North Wales Crusaders/South Wales Scorpions game, Oldham will finish second, best-placed of the five play-off clubs.

To get to the final by the quickest route, Scott Naylor’s men must win at Whitebank on September 15, most likely against London Skolars or Rochdale Hornets, to go straight through.

Defeat wouldn’t be the end — finishing second would get them another chance, also at home, on September 22.

“The next few weeks will clearly be very important for the club,” said supporters’ chief Marland.

“Coaching staff and players have provided us with a fabulous season so far and as fans we owe it to them to back them in the play-offs like we’ve never backed them before.”

The last two games at Whitebank and the derby at Rochdale on August 15 were watched by four-figure crowds – up 50 per cent and significantly bigger than four of the seven attendances in the last round of Championship (tier two) games.

Added Marland: “Those gates showed a marked improvement, but as supporters we need to make sure that backing for club and team continues to spiral upwards, and not just on match days.”

He urged fans to be at Whitebank on Saturday (3pm) for the friendly against a mixed Leigh Centurions side.