Scott Naylor leaves Oldham with “head held high”

Departing Oldham coach Scott Naylor went out with a bang as he led the Roughyeds back to the Championship.

Naylor, 47, had a distinguished playing career in Super League, part of an all-conquering Bradford side and also representing Salford.

He has been in charge of Oldham since 2013 and announced recently he was to depart after seven years in charge, a spell that has seen two promotions.

Naylor said: “Seven years is a long time, but I was keen to get the team back where it belongs and I think I can leave with my head held high.”

A crowd of 1,204 watched Oldham beat Newcastle 18-14 in the League 1 Grand Final at the Vestacare Stadium.

As was the case last time they earned promotion to the Championship, Oldham are set to move out of town, some six miles away to Stalybridge and Bower Fold, home of non-league football team Stalybridge Celtic.

The Roughyeds previously played there in 2016 and 2017, their last spell in the second tier, and hosted a Challenge Cup tie with Widnes there earlier this year.

The limited facilities at Vestacare Stadium, previously called Whitebank Stadium, don’t meet the grading requirements for the Championship.