Roughyeds snap up Ellis ahead of promotion push

Roughyeds have snapped up half-back Jamie Ellis on a deal lasting until the end of the 2024 season.

The 33-year-old signs from Championship club York City Knights and has a wealth of experience having played for over a decade at Super League level.

“Once I found out Oldham was interested, and I heard the plans that the club have going forward, it was a no brainer,” said Ellis.

“I’m impressed with the ambitions of the club and, since the new owners have come in, it’s a club that has been going in the right direction.

“I know Stu (Littler) from when I used to play at Leigh back in 2011, he’s one of my mates, and playing under him is something that I have always wanted to do at some stage of my career.

“I will bring a lot of experience to the side and hopefully I can also pass on what I’ve learnt in my career to the lads that are coming through.

“I’ve had a pretty rough year with injuries, but I still feel like I’ve got a few more years left in me yet.”

He started out playing for hometown club St Helens before going on to play for the likes of Hull FC, Leigh, Huddersfield, Castleford and Hull KR.

Since starting his professional career in 2009, he has made 231 career appearances and scored 84 tries.

He was part of the Hull KR side in 2017 that won promotion back to Super League and before that, he reached the Challenge Cup Final with Castleford in 2014.

He is capable of guiding a team across the pitch having played across the stand-off, scrum-half and hooker positions throughout his career.

With 1,217 career points to his name, Ellis is an accomplished goal-kicker, too.

Most recently, he was on loan at Swinton and was instrumental in their win over Widnes, scoring a try and a drop goal, which was the Lions’ first win over the Vikings since 1998.

“He’s a big signing for us to get over the line,” said Roughyeds boss Littler.

“I know him very well having played with him as well as watching him playing in Super League for a number of years.

“He’s one we’re really excited to have on board with us for this final run-in of the season.

“He knows my systems, how I want to play and what we’re about. He’s trained with us already and he’s ready to hit the ground running.”

Ellis goes straight into contention for Sunday’s game against second-placed Hunslet at the South Leeds Stadium, 3pm kick off.

Admission prices are £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and free for under-16s.

You can purchase them on the Hunslet ticketing page here

Also going straight into Oldham’s 21-man squad for Sunday is winger Andy Gabriel, who has joined Oldham on loan.

The Dewsbury man arrives with the club’s leading try scorer, Pat Ah Van, unavailable for selection.

Squad in full: Baker, Blagbrough, Cameron, Carr, Ellis, Gabriel, Hartley, Hirst, Johnson, McNally, Meadows Moran, Morgan, Nelmes, Newton, Rawsthorne, Ridyard, Slater, Whittel, Wilkinson, Wilson.

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