Oldham duo re-sign

Correspondent

Kenny Hughes and Liam Thompson have re-signed with Oldham for 2017.

Hughes has been with the Roughyeds since he arrived to play in the reserves in 2011.

“I don’t know where the years have gone,” he said.

“But a lot of us in the team have all grown up together with Scott as the boss and I think that counts for a lot, especially when the going gets tough.

“This season was a massive leap from League 1, in skill levels, toughness and physicality, and to get through it we had to come together more as a team.

“We are bonding better all the time and it’s good to know that the bulk of this year’s squad will be here again next year, no doubt to be topped-up by one or two newcomers.

“On a personal note I think I’ve matured as a player this season in a tough environment.

“It’s going to be even tougher next year with a Super League club coming down and the likelihood that Toulouse Olympique will be coming up.

“If we learn from this season’s mistakes and we improve on game management there’s no reason why we can’t go up the ladder a few notches.”

Oldham coach Scott Naylor is delighted the hooker is staying with the club.

“Now he’s got a season under his belt at this level he’ll go better and better, as will the other lads we’ve re-signed. Continuity is important.

“Kenny is a very professional lad. We can rely on him to be the best he can possibly be in every game and that’s without exception.”

Thompson, who has also re-signed, had a pain-killing injection before the Whitehaven game to enable him to play with a sore shoulder.

“It’s been a season of ups and downs, but in the end we got to where we needed to be and all the hard work paid off,” Thompson said.

“A lot of the boys celebrated on the field when we beat Whitehaven, but my only emotion was one of sheer relief, perhaps because there were times when I thought my shoulder was dropping off.

“A close game with such a lot riding on it isn’t good for the heart or for the well-being of Scott, ‘Spanner’ and Pete (coaching staff).”