AFTER a season away, Danny Grimshaw has turned back the clock to return to Oldham where he was a regular at centre in the two Championship years of 2016 and 2017.
In those two tough campaigns at Bower Fold he made 39 appearances in total (20 in 2016 and 19 in 2017) before heading off back to Yorkshire to re-sign for his former club Hunslet.
He played only four times for the South Leeds outfit in the season just ended and he is now looking for a fresh start among familiar faces, including those of his new boss Scott Naylor and assistant coach Peter Carey.
Aged 32, he is an experienced utility back, who can play centre, half-back or even loose-forward. He is back on a one-year deal and will provide Naylor with selection options.
“It’s great to have him back,” said the Roughyeds’ team boss. “He’s a good guy to have around the place, both on and off the field, and I know the other lads who were here when he was will be chuffed to know he is coming back.
“Those two years in the Championship were tough, difficult seasons for us, both physically and mentally.
“The boys put their bodies through hell week in and week out, often going head to head with full-time professionals, but ‘Grimmer’ played it tough and did all that was asked of him.
“He still has good speed and agility and he’s a tough, experienced campaigner who will make a big contribution within the squad.
“He chose to leave us and go back to Hunslet after our 2017 relegation season, but he’s keen to come back to us and it’s great to welcome him ‘home’.
“He’s the latest of a few players over the last few seasons who have wanted to come back to us and that in itself shows that players are happy here and that we must be doing something right at Oldham.”
Roughyeds have now announced three signings for next year — Dave Hewitt, Luke Nelmes, Danny Grimshaw — and more are expected next week as recruitment gathers pace.
