Nathan Murgatroyd, new head of mascot management at Oldham Rugby League Club and the man who wore the Roary costume for 15 years until his recent switch of roles, is working tirelessly to expand the work of our popular mascot and, indeed, that of the mascot operation as a whole.
At the age of 27, he now has full responsibility for Roary and operates as head of the mascot team, which also includes his dad, David Murgatroyd, the club’s official photographer and a man who knows more than most about mascots, given that he is a lifelong Roughyeds fan, a long-term volunteer worker for the club, an employee of club sponsors Amari and the man who has mentored his son’s mascot activities since Nathan was a 12-year-old.
On behalf of the club and his mascot team, Nathan recently handed over his old Roary costume to Gallery Oldham for posterity and safe-keeping, rather than see it go in the bin. He had worked with it, and in it, for 15 years after all and he always took the view that the Roary of old was just as much a part of thanks, praise and tributes as he was, writes ROGER HALSTEAD.
He has always worked closely with his dad, too, and over the past five years, father and son have launched Roary’s Kids Club and have built a fantastic relationship with Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.
Now, Nathan is looking for new and additional commercial and financial partners to invest into Roary and has recently been in contact with McDonald’s through Darren Price, who holds the franchise for the McDonald’s stores at Elk Mill and in Oldham town centre.
Conversations have been going on for more than a year and Darren, who has given away hundreds of vouchers to be redeemed at his stores, says he is excited at the prospect of getting involved with Oldham RLFC.
Nathan is now looking to take the new Roary and, hopefully, the Oldham players to McDonald’s on a regular basis and to create a new “Lions Den” at the Elk Mill store.
He said:
“I’m very excited about my talks with Darren and about the prospects of getting McDonald’s on board. We have fantastic new owners at the club who have a plan for clear progression on and off the field and I’ve personally got plans to expand Roary and all he stands for. I always wanted to do something for the club beyond doing my bit in the costume, but this is the direction in which I’m most familiar so it would seem to be the way to go.
“I used to work for McDonald’s and thus I know all about their vision for child welfare and for healthy eating. This resonates with the club’s own vision for the future and for the future of children within Oldham. This proposed agreement is a very exciting time for children, especially those who follow Oldham Rugby and are fans of Roary.
“Finally, might I add that members of our team are very close to Amari Plastics and Nicola and this can only benefit the club. Up the Roughyeds, — and long may Roary reign supreme.”
