Championship head coach duo ink contract extensions as length of new deals confirmed

Oldham head coach Alan Kilshaw and Hunslet counterpart Kyle Trout have each penned new contracts for the 2027 campaign with their respective Championship clubs.

Kilshaw has been in charge of Oldham since February, having initially joined the club as a first-team coach before replacing former Director of Rugby Mike Ford at the helm following his exit from Boundary Park.

Trout meanwhile took the mantle at Hunslet on an interim basis midway through the 2025 campaign as he succeeded Dean Muir, before then being handed the reins with a permanent appointment.

Now, the pair have each put pen to paper on new deals, with Kilshaw’s extension including an option for a further 12 months until the end of the 2028 season.

‘It feels like everyone connected with the club is aligned and wanting the same thing: success’

43-year-old Kilshaw is a vastly experienced coach having headed up Rochdale Hornets, Hunslet, Swinton Lions and Keighley Cougars prior to Oldham.

As the end of the regular season approaches, he has guided the Roughyeds to third spot on the Championship ladder – and they will compete in the play-offs this term.

Putting pen to paper on his new deal, he said: “I’m delighted to have extended my stay at Oldham into 2027.

“I’ve been really enthused by the new leadership and the direction they want to take the club. I’ve already started building some really solid relationships, and it feels like everyone connected with the club is aligned and wanting the same thing: success.

“This club means a lot to me already, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve started to build together.”

Midway through this season, Oldham were taken over by a group including former Great Britain international Terry Flanagan MBE, who now acts as the Roughyeds’ chairman.

Flanagan added: “The board is delighted that Alan has extended his contract for another year, allowing us all to build next season on the hard work that has gone in this season so far.

“The club has had a few difficult moments, but Alan has kept the players and camp very focused on delivering top performances and we hope a few more still to come as we enter the play-offs stage of the season.”

‘We believe Kyle is the right person to take us forward. He is a young coach with imaginative ideas, enthusiasm and a passion for the club’

Hunslet currently sit 13th on the Championship ladder, and look likely to narrowly miss out on the play-offs: though were not in the mix at all until stringing a couple of wins together in recent weeks.

The Parksiders are the first club head coach Trout has led, and chairman Kenny Sykes said: “We have taken our time to properly assess the season.

“We recognise that Kyle has had to handle a difficult situation with players retiring, leaving to take opportunities in Australia and several long-term injuries, all of which has meant heavy reliance on the loan market.

“Despite that, we believe there have been improvements from last season and there is a clear direction of travel. The team is looking stronger, and while some players will be moving on in 2027, we will be retaining a good core which can only help in creating a greater sense of togetherness.

“We believe Kyle is the right person to take us forward. He is a young coach with imaginative ideas, enthusiasm and a passion for the club which is clear for all to see.

“Continuity gives us the opportunity to build rather than start again, and that is important as we prepare for 2027.”

Hunslet’s press release announcing the news of Trout’s extension also confirms Jimmy Watson will join Trout’s coaching staff for 2027, with the Parksiders legend set to retire at the end of this season.

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