OLDHAM ATHLETIC owner Frank Rothwell and his wife Judith saw Oldham Rugby League Club beat North Wales Crusaders 37-24 at the Vestacare Stadium today to enhance their play-off expectations in Betfred League One.
It was a goodwill visit by the Latics chief ahead of the Roughyeds’ move to Boundary Park next season to play its home games at the home of Frank’s hometown football club on a long-term agreement no matter whether Mike Ford’s team is still in League One or promoted to the RFL’s second tier, the Championship.
Said Frank:
“It was great to be there and to talk generally about the two Oldham clubs, among others, to people like Roughyeds chairman Bill Quinn and managing director Mike Ford. When Roughyeds come to Boundary Park next season it will be the start of a new era for both clubs and for sport generally in Oldham.
“As far as the rugby club is concerned it’s a great move and we will welcome fans to the new Joe Royle stand where they can enjoy great facilities in comfort while watching their heroes on a new £1M pitch installed and funded by Oldham Council. The Council takes a lot of criticism but, with this, they’ve done a great job for the town and for us and they deserve all the plaudits they get.”
Stand-off and captain Martin Ridyard was Oldham’s star man with six goals from six shots, a crucial drop goal and two 40/20s.Try scorers were Nick Rawsthorne (2), Emmerson Whittel, Connor Carr, Kian Morgan and Kieran Tyrer.
