DESCRIBED by coach Stu Littler as a centre with the potential to be a match for anyone in Betfred League One, local lad Joe Hartley has re-signed for 2023 on a new one-year deal.
Aged 24, the former Oldham St Anne’s and England Colleges centre made 17 starts from a possible 22 last season and of the outside backs only Owen Restall returned a higher appearance record than that.
Said Joe:
“I know it wasn’t a brilliant season overall, but on a personal note I enjoyed it. I got a lot of game time and every player wants that.
“I played a few games on the wing because I’m happy to play anywhere for Stu and for my home-town club, but centre is my preferred position and the one in which I feel most at home.
“I’m proud to play for my home-town club and I honestly think we’ll do a lot better next season. Apart from anything else, we won’t be starting from scratch, as it were,
“At most of the clubs that did well last season, the players had generally been together for a while, whereas we were very much a ’new’ squad and that makes a big difference,
“There were at least four or five games on which we could look back and realise we hadn’t done as well as we could and should have done.
“On a personal note, I felt I grew into the season and did better the longer it went on. I was chuffed to be offered a new deal and from then on it was pretty plain sailing because I was never going anywhere else if I had a chance to stay.”
Added Littler:
“Joe certainly went from strength to strength as the season progressed, be it at centre or on the wing. As an Oldham boy he is very proud to play for Roughyeds and that shows in how he plays. The pride extends to his family as well.
“Shez and I realise the importance of local involvement and Joe is a perfect example of that. On top of everything else, I know he will always play to the best of his ability and as a player and as a person he is only going to get better the longer we have him at the club.
“Joe is probably looking forward to a break in the next few weeks, but I can’t wait to get cracking with him again. With ball in hand, he has the potential to be as good as anyone in the league on his day,
“We are delighted to have him on board again.”
Stand by for another re-signing at the same time tomorrow.
League One’s worst-kept secret is out. Dewsbury Rams have reported on their website that they have signed Owen Restall. Roughyeds thank him for last season and wish him well in his new venture.
