Friday night fever for Rangers

FORWARD THINKING: Saddleworth Rangers secretary Peter Townsend hopes to bring Friday-night fixtures to the local rugby league scene.

FRIDAY night is all right for Saddleworth Rangers.

The Shaw Hall Bank Road club is in the process of switching some fixtures to an evening kick-off in an attempt to boost income.

Rangers secretary Peter Townsend says two matches for the new season have already been selected.

“We are due to play Eccles away first on the opening day of the season (March 14), so the idea is to reverse that fixture and play it on the Friday before.

“Elland have agreed as well, in principle and seem enthusiastic. It’s a great chance to bring in extra revenue and, as we all know, matches under lights have an atmosphere of their own.”

Rangers have picked the Eccles and Elland games because of their closeness to Saddleworth.

Townsend added: “We’ve got the challenge of the M62, which is always impossible for teams from West Lancashire or West Yorkshire.

“But with Eccles and Elland now in the division, they can still get to us quite easily.

“There are lots of positives, one being it brings the rugby league community closer together.

“On occasions, two, sometimes all three, of the NCL clubs in Oldham have been at home on the same afternoon.

“This way, local rugby league watchers have the option of going to a couple of games. It also frees

weekends for players.”