Retired forward Adam Neal joins Oldham’s backroom staff

Adam Neal might have retired, but he will still be at Oldham in 2019 after joining the club’s strength and conditioning team.

The former Salford Red Devils front-rower, who is a personal trainer in his full-time role outside of rugby league, doubled up at the Roughyeds last season as a player and strength and conditioning coach.

But he has now hung up his boots and has signed a new one-year agreement with the League 1 club to cover strength and conditioning only.

On his new role, Neal said: “I’m exceptionally busy at work and it just seems the right time to call it a day.

“It’s the right time to put my Oldham shirt on the peg and concentrate on the strength and conditioning job.

“In my new role, I’ll still be heavily involved at the club and with a lot of responsibility.

“A lot of the lads are good, personal friends and I really enjoy working with them and seeing them do well.”

Oldham coach Scott Naylor commented: “Adam’s life outside rugby has become extremely busy and we totally understand and appreciate why he is retiring as a player.

“A bad concussion last season forced him to have a lot of time off and he’s now decided he wants to concentrate on his full-time work while still playing a key role at the club.

“That’s hugely important to us because he did a great job last season. I’m delighted he’s staying with us. He’ll certainly have the lads fit and ready to go.”