Oldham’s faith in Thommo pays off

Oldham rugby boss Scott Naylor says a gamble on Liam Thompson a year ago has paid rich dividends.

The one-time England schoolboys' international arrived at Whitebank last autumn as a 20 year old, at the crossroads of a fledgling career and in need of a shoulder operation.

Twelve months later, the young back-row forward has signed a new contract, having produced enough stand-out performances in the second half of last season to become one of Naylor's hottest properties.

Thompson is the seventh and youngest forward from last year’s squad to pen a new deal.

Said Naylor: "We knew before we signed him that he had to have a shoulder repaired, but we were willing to take a chance. We knew he would spare nothing to regain full fitness.

"He did that and more. He went better and better and by the end of the season he was one of our best players.

“He is skilful and his work rate is up with the best. I see him gaining in experience and going on to become a top-class loose-forward.”

Thompson said: “We learned a lot from last season’s disappointments. We were a newly-assembled squad with new coaches and we started slowly. Next year we’ll be out of the blocks a lot quicker.”