Roughyeds in talks to ground share with Oldham Athletic

Oldham RLFC are in talks with Oldham Athletic FC about a possible ground share arrangement for the 2016 season.

The Roughyeds could play their home matches at SportsDirect.com if talks progress well.

Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton is keen to discuss the possibilities with the soccer club’s chairman Simon Corney.

“I’ve always had a good working relationship with Simon (Corney) and we are going to meet to discuss the possibilities for next season,” he said.

Oldham won promotion to the Championship by winning the League 1 final this season, but their Whitebank ground does not meet minimum Championship criteria.

While the Roughyeds see their future at an improved Whitebank, in the short term, a new temporary home is required.

Hamilton has also had two meetings with Oldham Council, at which he stressed that his long-term hope was to see Whitebank developed so that the club can play Championship fixtures there.

The club have also confirmed that he has had a further meeting with the advisory and technical team that was previously involved with plans to upgrade Whitebank.

This team is headed by Phil Mayall, a property developer, who has been involved with the proposed project at Whitebank since it began.