ONLY a week after it was announced that Oldham RLFC had new owners, Chris Hamilton, the Roughyeds’ former owner, chairman and chief executive, has landed a top managerial job at Widnes Vikings.
According to the Vikings website, 60-year-old Chris, who has run Oldham on a day-to-day basis for the past 25 years, has been appointed from a strong list of candidates to head-up the club’s integrated operations with more than a hint that the role will be closely associated with aligning Vikings with the expectations of the RFL and its new partners IMG.
Describing Chris as “the stand-out” candidate, a Widnes statement read:
“We were hugely impressed with the amount of interest in the role and we held discussions with an exciting range of candidates from a variety of organisations, including individuals from within Rugby League, the FA and other sports. Chris Hamilton was the stand-out candidate.”
Vikings chairman Chris Price said the Oldham man had a wealth of experience in club management and in RFL operational knowledge.
He added:
“As rugby league enters a period of change, due to the exciting partnership with IMG, we want to ensure that Widnes Vikings receive the highest possible grading when gradings are announced this year.
“We consider that Chris will be a major advantage to Widnes Vikings in achieving such a grading and that he will address areas where improvements are needed.
“He knows the sport, understands it as a business and is well respected within rugby league. He’ll be a great asset to us.”
Chris Hamilton said:
“I am very grateful for the opportunity Chris Price and the board have given me at Widnes Vikings.
“Over the last 25 years I have gained an incredible amount of experience in many different areas relating to rugby league, including matters on and off the field, and I am really looking forward to bringing that to the Vikings.
“I am excited by the role that has been described to me and I am very enthusiastic about getting started.
“This is a new challenge, a new chapter in my career with different responsibilities, and I want to see John Kear, the squad and the club build on the solid start they have made to the Championship season.
“I have made many friends in rugby league over the past 25 years and I am looking forward to making even more as I throw myself into this role with Widnes Vikings.
“There are obviously a lot of things the club wants me to organise and get my teeth into, including the IMG proposals, and I’m excited to get started, meet the staff and hopefully make a difference.”
