Oldham sign Siddal star Joe Martin

Oldham have signed outside-back Joe Martin from Siddal on a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old’s decision to join the Roughyeds for 2018 follows similar moves from his former Siddal team-mates Zack McComb and Ben West.

All three players have trained with the League 1 side since the start of pre-season and Martin, who can play at full-back, centre or half-back, is the last of the trio to agree deals with the club.

Roughyeds coach, Scott Naylor, said: “Joe was the last of three Siddal lads to sign and we’re delighted he has.

“He can play in a few positions and he has a good understanding of everything we are trying to do. His skill levels are good too.

“He’s now got an opportunity to earn some game time and the rest is down to him.”

Martin said: “Coming from an amateur background we were a bit different to most of the other lads at Oldham and it would have been easy to dismiss us.

“From the day we arrived we were looked after and made to feel welcome and it was that, more than anything else, that convinced me that I wanted to sign if given that chance.

“I’m really enjoying life at Oldham and I’m hoping to get some game time pretty soon.

“When the time comes it will then be up to me to grab the opportunity with both hands and stake a claim to make a first team spot my own.”