Finnigan named as Roughyeds assistant coach

Oldham are pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Finnigan as the club’s new assistant coach.

Finnigan joins on a deal until at least the end of the season and will focus on the Roughyeds’ defence, working alongside head coach Alan Kilshaw and fellow assistant Martin Elswood.

The 44-year-old was previously head coach of Widnes Vikings and Newcastle Thunder and also had spells as an assistant at Toronto Wolfpack and Leigh Centurions.

Finnigan left the Vikings in 2022, but is now back in rugby league as Oldham bid to improve on last year’s fourth placed finish.

“It is an exciting club with a very good squad – I have watched a few games and they are doing well so I am excited,” he said.

I got a random phone call a week or so ago, asking if I would be interested in coming here and it progressed from there.

When I sat down and discussed it with Alan (Kilshaw) and a few other people, I thought, ‘why not?’ – it’s exciting times.

I have been in the game a long time, so hopefully I can bring a bit of experience. I just like coaching people.

I have not been an assistant for a while, so I am looking forward to doing that again. I am going to be someone that is going to have a smile on their face, that is for sure.

I am excited to get going, get on the training pitch, and help as much as I can.”

While head coach of Newcastle, the former Ireland international guided Thunder to the League One play-off final, eventually losing out to Oldham.

He was part of the coaching set-up at Toronto when the club won the League One title in 2017 and lifted the League Leaders Shield, reaching the Million Pound Game in the Championship the year after.

As a player, Finnigan had a successful career, making 256 appearances across rugby league’s top two divisions.

On the appointment, head coach Alan Kilshaw said:

“We are really delighted to have him on board. He will be leading on the defensive side of things, but also collaborating with myself and Martin on the attack.

I feel we have a really strong coaching group now. Simon is very experienced and has been a head coach in his own right.

He understands the Championship, and the grind, but most importantly, he is a really good bloke.

We want hard-working people at the club and people who care. He fits all of those, so I am excited to be working with him.”