New era beckons for Roughyeds

Tickets are available now via the Roughyeds' website.

OLDHAM Rugby League Club and its Community Trust are on the threshold of a "new era" as they prepare for joint occupancy of Melrose Playing Fields in Chadderton with Hollinwood ARLFC.

Roughyeds will use Melrose as a training base and, via their Community Trust, use the facility for community projects which have been denied them while they haven't had a place to call home.

Roughyeds and Hollinwood, who have played there for years, have signed a 15-year lease with the Rugby Football League for joint occupancy of Melrose, which is on Fields New Road in Chadderton.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: "This presents us with a new era and an opportunity, via the Community Trust, to develop off-the-field activities.

"Via the Trust, we have a great opportunity to significantly develop our off-field and community activities. We are really excited about all this.

"The Community Trust will be able to seek partners and access funding which is not available to the club -- and we will announce our first venture soon.

"This is a major step forward which puts us in a position to strengthen the club in the years ahead."

Tony Sutton, the RFL's chief operating officer, said: "We encourage all our clubs to invest in improving their facilities and to work closely with their community clubs.

"This development is a very positive move for both clubs and for Rugby League generally in the area.

"We are delighted to provide our full support."

Outside Super League, Roughyeds say they are now the only North West professional club with its own training facilities. 

Head coach Stuart Littler said: " I am absolutely thrilled by this. On the back of the excellent gym facilities we use at Glo Gym, and the staff we have in place, we are building systems that will fully support the team's ongoing development."

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