Oldham Roughyeds are looking for a new ground for next season after being told by Athletic that they can no longer use Boundary Park as their home field. The club’s owner Chris Hamilton was broken the bad news by Athletic's managing director Simon Corney in a meeting on Wednesday. As there is no other ground in Oldham that meets the minimum Rugby League standards for professional rugby the Roughyeds will have to move outside the boundaries of the Borough.
Hamilton said, “It was confirmed at the meeting yesterday that the Athletic manager (Dave Penney) doesn’t want anything other than football played there. At the end of the day, it is their ground and their decision to make. There is no falling-out between myself and Simon Corney and our relationship remains good. While it was not the news we wanted to hear, it was not necessarily unexpected either. On the plus side, we have agreed with Simon that if we get any big games next year — for example, a Challenge Cup tie at home to a Super League club — then we will be allowed to use Boundary Park. But obviously, it is still a blow to us.”
“It highlights the predicament we have, which is unique. It goes back to 1998 and the Oldham Bears, when the Council bought Watersheddings and nothing was done to secure an alternative ground. We will certainly be making representations to the Council in the strongest possible terms, asking them to assist in finding a permanent solution to the problem. We also need to speak with the RFL and will today begin the process of finding an alternative home venue.”