DESPITE trying all sorts of options, Roughyeds have had to reluctantly accept that there is no alternative but to play the home game against Hunslet next Saturday with a 3pm kick-off and thus clash with the televised all-Manchester FA Cup Final. The board apologises to fans for any inconvenience this might have caused.
Just to recap on this difficult situation, over which Oldham RFLFC has no control, Avro told the club that the Vestacare Stadium was unavailable on the Sunday. The club then looked to play on the Saturday, starting at 1pm to avoid a direct clash with the big Manchester derby.
Avro are understandably concerned, however, that their home football game on Saturday, which they are hosting early for the same reasons we were hoping to go for a 1pm kick-off, could run too close to our game if it goes into extra time or even penalties. So Sunday is OUT and Saturday at 1pm is OUT.
Roughyeds tried other options, like Friday night and Saturday at 5pm, but these were unacceptable to either Hunslet, AVRO or both, thus leaving Roughyeds with no other option but to agree to a 3pm kick-off on the Saturday..
Said director Simon Winnard:
“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we’ve been forced to change the kick-off time back to 3pm on Saturday, June 3. We’ve left no stone unturned in trying to find a solution that would avoid a direct clash with the FA Cup Final, but we’ve been left with no choice but to go back to 3pm Saturday. We apologise to supporters for any inconvenience caused.”
