ORSA was again mentioned in dispatches from the front line after agreeing to pay for a players’ bonding session in Manchester this Saturday night.
“They do a great job for us and I can’t stress that too much, while expressing our appreciation,” said head coach Scott Naylor.
“All the money they raise goes to the players or the coaching staff for things that will help us to be as strong as we can be.
“This isn’t the first time this season that we’ve done some ‘bonding’ thanks to ORSA and the players want it to be known that thy are very appreciative.”
Ahead of the Final Push, that starts with the first of five remaining league games at London Skolars next Saturday, August 3 at 3pm, Naylor will take his squad for some ten-pin bowling at the Dog Bowl in Manchester.
“These things count for a lot; more than anyone would ever realise,”
added the Roughyeds’ boss.
ORSA is Oldham’s Roughyeds Supporters Association, which non-playing squad members are now helping to raise funds at home games.
After 11 days off the players were back in training last night (Thursday) on one of the hottest days ever in the North of England.
While the country enjoyed its day in the sun, Oldham players were in work during the day and then sweating buckets in a tough training session in the evening.
Said Scott:
“After a period of time off it was always going to be a toughie, one the lads won’t forget in a hurry.”
He said everyone was fit and ready to go at Skolars apart from Aaron Jones-Bishop, Ben Davies and Anthony Bowman.
Bowman trained last night, however, and if he doesn’t suffer an adverse reaction to a knee injury he might be available for the London game.
Chris Hamilton, meanwhile, was a Radio Manchester studio guest, taking part in a programme fronted by Jack Dearden and Trevor Hunt and also including St Helens forward Kyle Amor.
Asked about League 1 this season, the Roughyeds chairman said:
“It’s tougher than its ever been.
“Seven teams are capable of beating each other.
“Whitehaven have had a great season and fair play to them.
“Workington, on the other hand, have invested heavily yet have lost as many games as they have won and are only just inside the play-off group as things stand currently.
“We are third behind Whitehaven and Newcastle, who come to the Vestacare Stadium on August 11.
“We’ve a lot of work to do and we feel its in our own hands as we strive to finish in the top two.”
He confirmed that two clubs would go up — the team that finishes top and the winner of the play-offs — and the bottom two from the Championship will come down.
On another topic, he said:
“There is a definite realisation among clubs at all levels that we have to smarten ourselves up. The next TV deal is going to be vital.”
After next week’s trip to London, Roughyeds have two crucial games on successive Sundays at the Vestacare Stadium.
Newcastle are here on August 11 and Doncaster on August 18; two games that should be the best two of the season and not to be missed by the Roughyeds faithful.
