No take over of Oldham Roughyeds

Last updated : 01 April 2005 By The Chairman

Latics director Ian Hill has poured cold water on the speculation that the Latics are considering a take over of Oldham Roughyeds. He does not want the rugby fans living with any false hopes of any buy-out and subsequent rescue. Mr. Hill told the Chronicle, “It is totally unrealistic to think about anything like that in the foreseeable future. It would be great for the town to have Athletic in the championship and Roughyeds in Super League - and to that end we hope that Chris Hamilton and the Roughyeds can battle their way through this crisis. In many ways this is a rugby league town, but the people of the town need to back the Roughyeds and get behind the club’s efforts to beat the current crisis.”

“We at Latics are working hard to keep the team in the first division and then to move forward. We are already planning for next year. In so doing we are going to lose hundreds of thousands of pounds this year. To take over a loss-making business with significant debts and little income stream for the rest of the year would be totally unrealistic. How could the two Simons and Danny look at that and think it’s a good idea? On top of the financial issue, we know nothing about rugby league and then there is the question of manpower and the staffing of a rugby club. In short, the town can’t rely on Athletic for the future of rugby league in Oldham. Rugby people need to act on that and galvanise their fight to keep the Roughyeds in business.”

“When the owners at Latics were thinking about coming here they were encouraged by the extent of the support for the club locally. They knew the town was behind the survival fight. There was a passion to keep the club afloat and if the Roughyeds are to have similar success the people of the town will have to show a similar passion. The crowd of 1,500 for the Rochdale game must have been a bitter disappointment to Chris. His passion for the club, and for the fight, can’t be questioned. But attendances at the next three home games, starting on Sunday, will be critical if the club is to have a future. In rugby terms, it’s time for the town to stand up and be counted.”

The Roughyeds are currently facing a winding up order and owe the Inland Revenue £180,000 in tax. Their major creditors are considering proposals to go into a creditors’ voluntary arrangement.