Joe Warburton, secretary of the Players’ Association, a fully qualified coach and the man charged with leading Oldham Rugby League Club’s pathway programme for young hopefuls, has reminded all past and current Oldham players that the next meeting of the Players’ Association is this coming Monday evening (January 8) at Springhead Sports and Social Club, starting at 7.45pm.
Officials hope as many players as possible will attend as well as representatives of other Oldham Rugby stakeholders such as Rugby Oldham, the Oldham Amateur Rugby League, the Oldham RL Heritage Trust and the YEDS Supporters’ Group.
The next social event at which Oldham Players Association members can buy tickets at discounted prices is the traditional Saddleworth Rangers Burns Night at the White Hart, Lydgate on Thursday, January 25. Normal price for this high-class event is £5O but for paid-up members of the Players Assn it is only £25, including three-course meal, guest speaker and comedian. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to confirm to Joe by Monday night.
The Players Assn had solid representation at the Fox and Pine the other night when Mike Ford presented the Law Cup to fans, who had the opportunity to have a picture taken with it as part of the build-up to the pre-season derby clash at Rochdale on Sunday, January 21.
The season proper starts the following Sunday, January 28, when Roughyeds tackle holders Halifax at Boundary Park in the first round (group stage) of the 1895 Cup. The winners of the seven groups of three go through to the quarter-finals with the best second-placed club. Oldham are in a group with Halifax and Rochdale — another reason why this year’s Law Cup game is so heavily relevant.
