Oldham make training return to Whitebank Stadium

James Gordon

Oldham have started training at their former Whitebank Stadium home.

The Roughyeds played at the stadium for five years until the end of 2015, but when it failed to meet the minimum ground standards required for the Championship, they were forced to move to Bower Fold in Stalybridge.

They will at least now be able to train at Whitebank, which was the first ground the club had played at in the Oldham borough since 1997.

Coach Scott Naylor told the club’s official website: “It’s an opportunity to give the lads a different environment and freshen some things up whilst still using the gym facilities at Oasis Academy.

“Previously the ground had only been used for the “Captains Run” – the last session before game day but from now on all training sessions will be held there.”

Oldham get their Championship Shield campaign underway against Sheffield this weekend, but will be without centre George Tyson, who was handed a two-match ban by the RFL Disciplinary earlier this week.