Roughyeds agree 10-year Boundary Park deal

Oldham RLFC 1876 have announced a new 10-year deal that will see the Roughyeds play their rugby at Boundary Park until at least 2034.

In a joint press conference held at Boundary Park this morning, chairman Bill Quinn confirmed the news alongside Latics chief executive Darren Royle in a major boost for the club as it seeks promotion to the Championship.

"It took a long time to put this agreement together as we really had to think about the future," said Quinn.

"We are trying to connect as a rugby club to the town and bring the kids into the sport again. We had to look at stability and to the future. The rugby club has been in a nomadic existence and with this agreement we want to see the fans and the businesses of Oldham see that there is a future and it is getting better.

"We are trying to put Oldham on the map in our small way, and if we can do that through the rugby, football and businesses then it makes for a fantastic future. We are very grateful to the football club and the town and hope that we can all progress and move forward.

Royle added that the agreement means both Oldham's football and rugby teams will play at the stadium for the next 10 years and will allow the clubs to strategically plan their finances long-term to build for a sustainable community.

Managing director Mike Ford said:
"We want to try and make ours the best matchday experience for fans and we have a fantastic chairman in Bill who has been unwavering in his support.

"Whenever someone watches rugby league for the first time it is always a positive experience. But we still feel like rugby is a bit unheard of in this town and that people don't know we are back at Boundary Park. We still have a lot of work to do but it is working well at the moment."

Oldham lead Keighley Cougars by a point at the top of this season's Betfred League 1, ahead of Sunday's showdown between the rivals at Boundary Park.