Bloomfield swaps Rochdale for Oldham

Oldham have signed a second newcomer in free-scoring winger Dale Bloomfield from derby rivals Rochdale Hornets.

He accepted the Roughyeds’ one-year offer after rejecting a chance to stay at Spotland for a fourth year and also turning down an approach by Championship club Hunslet Hawks.

“I chose Oldham because I like the direction in which the club is moving. I’m sure we’ll be challenging for promotion,” said 24-year-old Bloomfield, who scored 32 tries for Hornets across the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

He was named in the mythical 2011 Championship One team of the year after a 19-try haul that season.

Moreover, he played in each of Rochdale’s 38 league games over the same two seasons.

“We jumped at the chance of getting him when we learned he was available,” said the Roughyeds’ new coach Scott Naylor.

“I’ve seen a lot of footage of Dale’s displays for Hornets and I liked what I saw. To back that up, I’ve had good information about him.”

Chairman Chris Hamilton added: “He’s a tough competitor and a proven try-scorer as well as a strong defender.”

A native of Widnes, Bloomfield played for amateurs St Maries as a junior before becoming a Widnes Vikings scholar and later spending two years at St Helens.

He joined Rochdale for the start of the 2010 campaign.

Bloomfield added: “I’m looking forward to making a fresh start at a different club and working for a coach whom I have never worked for before.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Scott Naylor and I imagine he’ll bring a new approach.”

The new boy’s personal target for 2013 in a revamped Championship One is to play in each of Oldham’s 16 league games and to score 20 tries.

Though signed primarily as a winger, he has also played for Rochdale at full-back and centre.

The other new capture is 21-year-old second-row forward Josh Crowley from Widnes Vikings === and more are expected this week.