A reminder about this Thursday evening’s Fans Forum with a special reference to this quote from new vice-chairman John Roddy:
“We are looking to have fully transparent discussion with supporters in regard to the club’s immediate and long-term planning.”
Having brought John on board as vice-chairman, signed Stuart Littler as head coach, re-appointed Brendan Sheridan as his No 2 and, up to now, having announced that we have signed 14 players on contract for 2022, we genuinely feel supporters will take the view that we are positive, active and raring to go for life in League One next year.
Eight of the 14 signings are brand-new to the club with a nice blend of experience and youth.
Veteran stand-off Martyn Ridyard, with his career-long experience at all levels of the game, will fill a key role as Stuart’s “voice on the pitch”.
Other new boys are youngsters Brad Jinks (we can call him ’new’ because he only joined us in August and played three games for us before the end of the season), Callum Cameron, Tom Grierson and David Mills and the older Will Cooke, Jack Coventry, Calvin Wellington and Owen Restall.
If all goes according to plan, three more signings will be announced this week, including that of another young Oldham lad, who will become our fifth “local” out of 17 signed.
By then we will have a pretty even split – eight backs and nine forwards.
BACKS: Joe Hartley, Ben Holcroft, Tommy Brierley, Martyn Ridyard, David Hewitt, Will Cooke, Calvin Wellington, Owen Restall.
FORWARDS: Brad Jinks, Luke Nelmes, Callum Cameron, Jack Coventry, Tom Grierson, David Mills and three more to be announced this week.
One big issue still to be announced is that of where we will play home games in 2022 and the question is bound to be asked — again — at the Forum.
Chairman Chris Hamilton and vice-chairman John Roddy will be anticipating it (no doubt about that) and, quite naturally, supporters will be hanging on every word in reply.
Also with the mic and ready to field questions will be our new head coach Stuart Littler, who is no stranger to this sort of thing and is known to be one of the most enthusiastic and passionate coaches in the business.
He has already made no secret of his great desire to build associations with the local community clubs and to encourage Oldham lads to consider a future with their home-town senior (part-time pro) club.
Assistant coach Brendan Sheridan, set to start his third season with the club (although 2020 was curtailed in its infancy), will also form part of the platform party.
The club promised in its original announcement about the Forum that its plans for 2022 and beyond would be outlined. It also said that fans would have an opportunity to discuss all matters and that findings from a recent supporters’ survey will also be revealed
Chairman Chris Hamilton said:
“We hope lots of fans will attend. We are entering a time when the club needs everybody to pull together in the same direction and to do what they can to help to move the club forward.”
Vice-chairman John Roddy added:
“With the current uncertainty regarding both funding and league structure for the 2022 season, it is vital that together we identify how we can improve awareness of Oldham RLFC within the community.
“That will hopefully improve fan engagement, attract additional support and entice former supporters back to the club.
“We are looking to have fully transparent discussion with supporters in regard to the club’s immediate and long-term planning.
“Following the presentation, and the feedback it produces, we will then hold a meeting with key partners who are associated to the club to ensure that we are all working in the same direction and with one goal.”
It will be a big and an important evening for the club and all fans are urged to attend if at all possible.
It will take place this Thursday, November 4, at the Oldham Event Centre, Boundary Park, starting at 7.30pm.
All welcome, admission free, bar open and loads of parking space. Access the car park off Broadway, drive towards the big stand and the entrance to the Event Centre is directly ahead of you and named in lights.
See you there !
