Mike Ford says potential is huge as he leads Oldham takeover

Oldham legend Mike Ford and local businessman Mick Harrington are leading a group that have successfully purchased the League 1 club.

The recently-announced return of Oldham to Boundary Park was a key part of the acquisition strategy.

And following detailed discussions, the club have now announced a secure long-term agreement, allowing the Roughyeds to lay down roots as well as allowing access to revenue streams as it looks to build a steady and sustainable long-term future.

Today marks the culmination of a year’s worth of discussions and planning, and the beginning of the club’s next chapter.

Ford, who made almost 200 appearances for Oldham in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, said: “We are really excited about the future of the Roughyeds.

“It’s close to all our hearts and we know the importance of a vibrant, thriving Oldham rugby to the town and its people.

“We certainly don’t take our responsibility as club custodians lightly and it’s our vision to give the people of Oldham a rugby league club they can be proud of.

“A club that they are excited and inspired by and one that they can identify with. We cannot wait to get started.”

Harrington, a lifelong Oldham Rugby fan from Delph whose grandfather played for the club
in the 1960s, said: “This is a historic day for a historic club. We do not want to get ahead of ourselves and we know there is a lot of hard work ahead – but we feel that we can do something special here.

“Oldham remains a rugby league hotbed and we believe the potential, especially with Boundary Park now as our home, is huge.”

“I just want to help get Oldham Rugby back to where it should be”

Gary Kershaw, a lifelong Oldham fan from Denshaw, will now join the club’s board.

He said: “I think this is absolutely brilliant for the town.

“I just want to help to get Oldham Rugby back to where it should be.

“If all the kids from Oldham who have played in Super League had played for Oldham we’d have won three Grand Finals.

“You support the team where you’re from – it has a place in you heart and I want to give something back.”

Chris Hamilton on parting ways with Oldham

Oldham’s announce comes at a time when British rugby league is going through a period of change, with media giants IMG partnering the Rugby Football League.

The club say the new board are fully supportive of the current coaching staff and playing squad; and are looking forward to working with the club’s volunteers.

Oldham paid tribute to owner Chris Hamilton for his co-operation through the acquisition process and for his efforts over the last 25 years.

Hamilton said: “So, my time as owner of Oldham Rugby League Football Club has come to an end. That is probably a sentence I never envisaged I would write given how long I have been involved with the club.

“When I started on this journey 25-and-a-half years ago, little did I know that it would take over my life and that everything I did would revolve around this club. 

“Everybody knows that this has not been a journey full of glory, or of continued success but it has certainly been an eventful one for sure. 

“In 1997 I was one of four people who wanted to make sure that professional rugby league in Oldham carried on. Of course, for quite a long time now I have been the only one of those four who was still in place.  

“As I think about my time at the club there has been an incredible amount of hard work by a number of people to ensure we still have a club today.

“I wish to thank everybody who has helped to keep the club going”

“In addition, it would be wrong not to thank all those people and clubs who have helped us by providing grounds for the club to play at since 1997, particularly Stalybridge Celtic when we have been in the Championship and, our current hosts AVRO FC. 

“Of course, we have achieved much more than simply maintaining a club. Our promotions to the Championship, the number of Grand Finals we have played in, being one match away from Super League. The list could go on and on. 

“However this is a time for looking forward also”

“With the new owners coming in, the recently announced move back to Boundary Park, the potential for major development at Melrose Playing Fields, then it is not too hard to think that the club is gaining some traction in moving forward. 

“I sincerely wish my successors all the very best in their efforts with the club and hope that all of this positivity currently surrounding the club is rewarded with increased numbers at games to back Stuart Littler, Brendan Sheridan and all the squad as they strive to gain promotion back to the Championship this year. Now wouldn’t that be fantastic – first game back at Boundary Park being a game in the Championship! 

“I could go on for a long time in this final statement, but it has all been a bit of a whirlwind and the focus must remain on the team and the upcoming match at North Wales Crusaders this Sunday. 

“As for me, I hope to be there, cheering the lads on. I will do whatever I can to help the new owner in the transition at the club and will be looking for a new job too – now that will be strange!”

Oldham are currently fourth in the League 1 table, having won one from one so far this season.

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