Roden calls time on career

Neil Roden: decided to end his playing career. Picture: Dave Murgatroyd.

ROUGHYEDS record breaker Neil Roden has officially announced his retirement as a player.

In his two spells at Oldham — 2000-2004 and 2007-2013 — he amassed a club record 296 league and cup appearances, scoring 113 tries — another club best unlikely to be surpassed.

Neil first joined as a 19 year old from Wigan Warriors, and would like to retain an official connection, possibly in a backroom role.

He said: “It was a tough decision, but I know myself it’s time to call it a day. I’m 33 and I’ve had a good run with relatively few injuries.

“My personal stats don’t look too bad; I’ve got great memories; I’ve made friends for life; and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my playing career, nearly all of it proudly wearing Oldham colours.

The son of Wigan’s chief scout, Neil and his pal Phil Farrell arrived at Oldham from the Warriors in 2000 when Mike Ford was player-coach.

He made his debut off the bench in a 61-26 defeat at Featherstone to launch a distinguished Roughyeds career.

Roden said: “I’ll never forget my first try for the club. It was at Batley in my third game, but the first time I had been in the starting line-up.

“The following season we had that amazing run to the play-off final. We were one game off Super League, but Widnes beat us in the final at Spotland.”

He added: “As for the present squad, nobody would have tipped us to finish one win off the championship when Scott Naylor and Lee Spencer assembled such a young squad.

“The coaches did a great job, but credit the lads too because they put in a phenomenal amount of work.”