Eagles swoop for duo

George Tyson.

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ADAM Neal and George Tyson, key men in Oldham RL Club’s League One promotion season, have signed full-time professional contracts for Sheffield Eagles.

Eagles boss Mark Aston liked the look of Neal and Tyson when Oldham put up a brave show in losing 44-20 against Sheffield last March in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup - and watched them at least twice more at Whitebank.

They were offered new part-time deals with Oldham but opted instead to go full time with a Sheffield outfit that has finished in the top four of the Championship four times in the last five seasons and reached the Grand Final in 2012 and 2013.

Despite Oldham’s disappointment, they left with handshakes from chairman Chris Hamilton and coach Scott Naylor.

Naylor said: “Adam and George played a big part in our promotion, but sometimes when players opt to move elsewhere you have to understand they are moving for career reasons and wish them all the best.

“We offered good contracts and tried to compete, but Sheffield are going full time; they have a much bigger budget than we have; and they will be perceived as being one of the top clubs in the Championship. We couldn’t compete.

“We have to be happy for them. They came to Oldham, enjoyed themselves here and did everything they possibly could to help us to win promotion.”

Oldham chairman Hamilton said: “This is a reflection of what life is all about in the Championship, where we are competing with clubs who can offer full-time livelihoods.

“Both players wanted to take the opportunity that was presented to them and we fully understand the reasons for that. They worked hard for us and they were good for us, but I like to think we were good for them too.”