OLDHAM Rugby League Club will still be celebrating when they meet-up with Workington Town on Monday.

The club has a new permanent home at the Whitebank Stadium, Limeside (pictured left) in Oldham, although Town will meet-up with the Roughyeds at Sedgeley Park.

The decision, made at last night’s Oldham Council Cabinet meeting, will see an end to a nomadic 12 years which saw the club playing in and out of town after its Watersheddings base was demolished.

The current owners of the Whitebank Stadium, Oldham Borough Football Club will relocate and share grounds and facilities with Chadderton Town Football Club.

The announcement was met with joy by Roughyeds bosses who faced a tense wait for the decision following long and protracted negotiations with council officials and other parties.

Chris Hamilton, Roughyeds chairman, said it was an historic day both for the club and rugby league in Oldham.

He said: “Throughout the 12 years since I was involved in the launch of Oldham Rugby League Club Ltd, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that something like this would ever happen.

“For the first time in 12 years the club will be able to control its own destiny and that is all we have ever wanted.

“The support of Oldham Council, through its members and officers, has clearly been instrumental and we are extremely grateful for its backing and support.

“We now look forward to the start of what can only be described as a very exciting time for the club, its fans and everyone associated with it.”

Council leader Howard Sykes added: “This site is greenbelt land so the rent is easily affordable and manageable, and it will enable the Roughyeds to look forward with new confidence.

“This borough has long been a hotbed for rugby league with the achievements of the former Oldham club being the stuff of legend, and our local amateur clubs continuing to help produce a conveyor belt of some of the game’s most respected players.

“We hope this agreement marks a new dawn that will now empower the Roughyeds.”

A series of road safety and associated questions were put in writing to the meeting from a resident concerning the effects of extra traffic in Limeside on match-days.

The club pledged to meet with local residents.
 

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