Twelve out-of-contract players to leave in Roughyeds clear-out

Twelve players will leave the club when their contracts come to an end with Roughyeds.

In addition, on-loan centre Connor Carr will also not be returning to Boundary Park having ended his season-long stay from Huddersfield Giants.

Patrick Ah Van, Sam Bardsley, Jack Blagbrough, Liam Copland, Joe Hartley, Gregg McNally, Deane Meadows, Luke Nelmes, Dom Newton, Lewis Sheridan, Sean Slater, Martyn Ridyard and James Thornton will all leave Oldham when their contracts expire on November 30.

Former NRL star Ah Van was the club’s top try scorer in 2023 after scoring 15 tries in 19 appearances.

After signing from North Wales, he surpassed 150 career tries when he got a hat-trick in the 36-16 victory over Cornwall and went on to score over 1000 career points in the 40-20 win over Hunslet.

Bardsley signed from Salford Red Devils and did not make an appearance for the club but played a key-role in training and the dressing room, to the extent where he was awarded the club’s Unsung Hero.

Former Batley prop Blagbrough made nine appearances for Roughyeds and scored a try in the 62-18 win over London Skolars at the Vestacare Stadium back in March.

Copland, who has been overcoming an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury incurred in the off-season, scored seven tries in 12 appearances since his arrival in 2022.

Oldham-born Hartley, after signing from amateur club St Annes, made 35 appearances for the club and scored 11 tries in 2023, ending a three-year term.

Full-back McNally reached 300 career appearances during his second spell at the club and scored eight tries in 16 appearances in 2023.

Prop Meadows, who featured in all but two of Roughyeds’ games in 2023, reached 50 career appearances while playing for the club after signing from Swinton and scored a try in the 50-16 win over Midlands.

Nelmes - who has been an ever-present name on the Roughyeds team sheet for the last three years - scored 13 tries in 85 appearances in his five seasons with the club across two stints (2018-2019 and 2021-2023).

Newton, a big presence in the Roughyeds dressing room, made 22 appearances and scored twice in his two-year period with the club.

Half-back Sheridan departs after a tough season, which was brought to an end during pre-season when he sustained an ACL injury in the Law Cup.

Hooker Slater, who made 27 appearances and scored five tries for his hometown club, ends his two-year stay since signing from Huddersfield Giants.

Captain Ridyard, Oldham’s goal-kicker, also brings his tenure with the club to an end.

He kicked 165 goals since signing from Swinton in 2022, as well as numerous 40/20s, and scored three tries in 39 appearances.

Yorkshireman Thornton, during his spell with Oldham, scored six tries and made 22 appearances.

Carr, who has had two back-to-back loan spells, returns to Huddersfield Giants after scoring 14 tries in 31 appearances.

Managing director Mike Ford, said: “I would like to place on record our thanks to all the players for their efforts and commitment during their time with the club and wish them every success in the next stage of their respective careers.

“I know how hard they have worked this season to try to make it a success.

“It has been a pleasure to get to know and work with each and every one of the players, since we took over.

“Recruitment for next year is well underway and announcements will be released over the coming weeks.”

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