Phil's Joy as he closes in on Oldham testimonial

Oldham favourite Phil Joy

Described by coach Matt Diskin as a "cornerstone of the club", long-serving prop Phil Joy (29) has signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at Oldham until the end of the 2022 season and earn him a ten-year testimonial.

Oldham-born Joy has played 160 senior games for Roughyeds but he could have been past 200 but for a shattered shoulder, which needed major surgery, in 2017 and this year's COVID-19 wipe-out after six games. 

Said Diskin: "He's an Oldham lad whose heart is at the club, and always will be.

"Before lockdown, he was our stand-out forward.

"We're going for a big, strong, robust pack in 2021 and Phil will be a massive part of that."

Forwards don't come much bigger than the former Waterhead prop, who stands 6ft 3" and weighs 111 kgs.

He's been at Oldham since he was 19, but he didn't make his senior debut until two days before his 21st birthday.

He said: "Not many players get testimonials these days.

"I've never wanted to play for anybody else and to achieve a benefit with my home-town club, where I've played all my pro career, will make it extra special. 

"I'm looking forward to two good years in the Championship, by which time I'll be 31.

"I've never regained full fitness since my shoulder operation in 2017, but I've used the lockdown to rectify that by doing a lot of specialist work with Adam Neal, a former team mate and friend who's a personal trainer.

"These are exciting times at Oldham -- and I'm looking forward to having another crack at the Championship in 2021."

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