PETER Carey, an assistant coach to Scott Naylor for the past four seasons, has announced his retirement from the sport.
Having worked previously for both Salford and Swinton, he joined Roughyeds for the start of the 2016 Championship season to work alongside the head coach and his then No 2, Lee Spencer.
The thinking at that time was that, having just won promotion to the higher division, three heads were better than two and that a third member of the coaching panel would be beneficial.
Under Naylor, Spencer and Carey, Oldham achieved their first-year goal of, at the very least, Championship survival only to be relegated a year later after suffering an horrendous run of injuries in the second part of the season.
When ‘Spanner’ (Spencer) ultimately retired from the sport to have more time for business and family commitments, Carey became Naylor’s only assistant and together they saw Roughyeds back into the Championship after two seasons back in League 1.
Carey’s decision to retire from the sport coincides with Naylor’s departure after seven seasons in the job.
Roughyeds have since appointed former Leeds and Bradford hooker and Batley Bulldogs coach Matt Diskin as head coach on a two-year deal.
Asked about backroom staff at last week’s media gathering to announce his arrival, Diskin said no decision had been made at that stage.
In announcing his retirement, Carey said:
“I’ve been involved in the sport in one capacity or another for most of my life and it’s the right time now for me to step down and enjoy more time to do other things.”
Club chairman Chris Hamilton said:
“A big thank-you to Peter for all his services to the club. He worked diligently for us for a long time and it goes without saying that we wish him well for the future and success in whatever else he undertakes.”
