OLDHAM host holders Halifax today (Sunday) at Boundary Park (3pm) n the group stage of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, a competition specifically designed to give Betfred Championship and Betfred League One clubs a realistic chance of playing at Wembley.
It began in 2019, but there was no competition in 2020 because of Covid, so we have four different winners – Sheffield Eagles inaugurally in 2019, Featherstone Rovers in 2021, Leigh Centurions, as they were then, in 2022 at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium in North London and, last year, Halifax Panthers, back at Wembley.
For anyone just gearing up for the Oldham game today, or anyone whose interest only now starts to build-up, might we repeat what most people will already know. This year the competition has a new format with 21 clubs split inti seven seeded and regionalised groups of three, The winners of each group, plus the team with the highest-ranked second place, will go through to the quarter-final, which will be the subject of an open draw.
The final will be at Wembley on Saturday, June 8.
Oldham are grouped with Halifax and derby rivals Rochdale Hornets and with a fine January day forecast, Oldham officials are confident in their prediction of an entertaining clash with the trophy holders, one that should attract a sizeable crowd.
If you don’ have a ticket already you can pay at the cash-only turnstiles so don’t let anything put you off. As chairman Bill Quinn says in his new-season message to fans: “This is the start of something exciting.”
