Roden granted testimonial

Oldham legend Neil Roden, whose club records for tries and appearances are unlikely to be broken, has been granted a 12-month testimonial by the RFL.

It will run from January 1, 2014 and give the 33-year-old former club captain a calendar year in which to celebrate his 11 seasons at Oldham with a series of fund-raising events.

In his two spells at the club – from 2000 to 2004 and from 2007 to 2013 – he scored 113 tries in 296 appearances in cup and league.

Half-back Roden, who had previously announced his retirement, said he owed much to club chairman Chris Hamilton for acting as his testimonial advocate in talks with the sport’s governing body.

He added: “I’m proud of my club records. And given that these days players don’t seem to stay at one club for as long as I did I can’t see them being beaten.”

Hamilton and coach Scott Naylor have both hinted that Roden might be found a new role at the club next season as part of the backroom team.

The chairman added: “Neil has made a massive contribution over the years not only to the Oldham club but to rugby league in general.

“He was a model professional, never a minute’s trouble and a fantastic player.”