Fogerty and new-look team raring to go

NEW ROLE: Mick Fogerty is relishing taking over as first-team coach at St Anne’s.

RUGBY:

OLDHAM St Anne’s are champing at the bit.

With fewer than 48 hours to go before the start of the new National Conference League season, coach Mick Fogerty says his side can’t wait for the first whistle at Leigh East on Saturday.

There are plenty of fresh faces at Higginshaw Road, with the class of 2014 including a trio of

well-known names from local rivals Waterhead, scrum-half Mick Diveney, full-back Alan Williamson and Craig Highton.

Saints have also snapped up prop Tom Hurdus and hooker Eric Johnson from Saddleworth Rangers, as Fogerty attempts to make his mark in his debut season in charge.

The 33 year old, who has replaced Chris Deakin, said: “Training started at the end of December, and the lads are looking well. They are itching to play.

“Michael Billington, the conditioner, has done a great job with the squad. He has used wrestling as part of the training and the lads have really enjoyed it. Hopefully it should benefit them in the tackle.”

Former coach Deakin is still part of the furniture at Saints and with his first-team coaching days seemingly over, his job is now to ensure everything runs smoothly on match days.

Fogerty went on: “The feeling in the camp is good. In the team meetings we’ve had, the lads have said they could go somewhere, so why not promotion?”