The clown show that’s purporting to be a professional rugby league club over in Oldham has enjoyed another week of rumours, statements, cat-calling and goodness knows what else.
Bill Quinn—the club chairman—is still banned from Boundary Park, the home of Oldham Athletic (Latics). There appears to be no abatement in the rift that’s appeared between the rugby and soccer clubs. Moreover, Oldham’s next home game is the Challenge Cup tie against Dewsbury and it’s already been announced that the tie will take place at Bower Fold in Stalybridge.
The Oldham website has published a post offering hospitality at Bower Fold and to my eyes it appears that they’re meaning not just the next home game.
They write:
Whether you’re hosting clients, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a day out, our hospitality offerings provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable matchday experience.
Almost an acceptance that Oldham fans will be travelling up Mottram Rise for the foreseeable future.
Ford Sayonara? #
A rumour appeared early in the week that Sam Burgess’s pet snake Mike Ford will quit after this Sunday’s game. The source could be a thread on the Oldham Athletic forum so take from that what you will, but with all the smoke drifting around at the moment, there must be some fire somewhere.
Ford was interviewed on Roughyeds TV regarding the upcoming Broncos game and his demeanour wasn’t that of a man about to throw in the towel. So who knows?
Latics issued a statement claiming that Boundary Park would have been available for last weekend’s Orrell game but with conditions. I’m guessing that would include Bill not turning up but the invitation was declined and the stalemate continues.
My theory is that the situation between the Latics and Roughyeds has reached an impasse where neither side will back down. The expenditure of the rugby club must far outweigh the income and having experienced hosting a home tie in Stalybridge, why not continue doing that if it’s cheaper? The Oldham public hasn’t exactly flocked to Boundary Park in vast numbers so let’s save some cash and play outside of the town.
Ford made big statements when the change of ownership occurred almost three years ago. A massive part of the takeover was the fact that home games would take place at the football ground. If that situation has now ended, it could be a step too far for him to accept playing away from Oldham. So he bails.
He goes, Alan Kilshaw takes full charge of the team and Bill remains chairman of Stalybridge Roughyeds. It could be a plan.
Anyhoot, on to the Broncos game.
The Squads #
Both Broncos and Oldham announced their 21-man squads on social media. Ryan Lannon is looking towards the squad list in the image, which is cool. The Yeds are most likely playing in their home strip this week and so red is the dominant colour of the graphic. Broncos are pretty much on brand but they’re showing a previous iteration of the shit Oldham shield.
I spy Oldham heritage players Sadiq Adebiyi and Jack Croft in the Broncos squad, both of whom played on loan for the Roughyeds. Ex Leeds Rhinos winger Liam Tindall also features.
The Game #
No Jack Walker for Oldham this week though since he’s still building toward full match fitness. So Dixon to full-back, Bibby out on the wing and Ben Davies returning at centre.
Broncos played Widnes in round one and up until half-time the Chemics were still very much in the game. The second half was a different matter and the Broncos pulled away to win 44-12.
In all honesty I think the scoreline won’t be too different for Sunday’s game. Oldham are probably a better side than Widnes but not by too much. Broncos could be restricted to a lower score but I still think they’ll win by 20 points.
The big question will be what happens after the game with Mr Ford. Will he slither away into oblivion.
Anyway, here’s a pic by me of Jack Croft from 2021. Playing centre for Oldham in a rare win against Halifax at Bower Fold.
Header Photo by Janusz Mitura
The game finished Broncos 25 Oldham 8. So a 17 point win; I was out by 3!.
Also, Ford did indeed quit shortly after the game. Lol.