OLDHAM RLFC hope progression off the field can bring further success on it after necessary improvements.
The Roughyeds are gearing up for life in rugby league’s Championship following promotion from League One.
Signings include Super League players Josh Drinkwater and Gil Dudson, while Matty Ashurst and Iain Thornley have signed up after helping Wakefield back to the top flight.
Talented teenager Marcus Geener has also signed a deal that will see him train with Roughyeds while continuing his development as a player with Waterhead,
But managing director Mike Ford highlighted work at their Melrose training ground, including the installation of a medical unit and an office for coach Sean Long.
Crucially, Roughyeds will share the shop at Boundary Park with Oldham Athletic, with an event on Saturday, December 21celebrating that.
And Ford hopes that can give players all the backing they need to succeed.
He said: “It’s looking good. It’s good to get everybody there – Josh, Matty and Iain were the last three to come, so it’s onwards and upwards from here.
“We did a good review seven days after we got the League One trophy, looking at every department and how to get better.
“A big part of that was our medical team. They’ve already revamped the protocols to make sure the players are getting the best possible treatment.
“Andrew Dixon – a Super League player last season at Salford – is also full-time as head of performance. He’s at every training session and a lot more.
“He’s very analytical and detailed and he’s pushing with the budgets in terms of GPS and nutrition. Things that will make us a better team.
“It looks like we’ve got better. Throw in what we’ve done with Melrose, every time they turn up we’re looking to keep improving – and we’re always looking to get better.”
Oldham chairman Bill Quinn backed up the vision while hoping Boundary Park’s stands will be fuller, despite a huge rise in season ticket sales.
He told the club: “We’re going to keep improving. Melrose is just the start for us. Everything that’ll be going on there, we’re trying to make sure we’ve covered every base.
“The year before we came in, it was about 47 season tickets. For this year it was 230-something, now we’re at about 700.
“It’s fantastic but we need bums on seats in the season.
“You can’t get to where we want to get without the support of the town. We want to be a force in the stands as well as on the pitch.
“There’s no reason why the people of Oldham can’t get down here.”
Oldham now know who they will be playing when after the Championship fixture list handed them a home opener against ambitious York on February 16.
However, January will see them face Rochdale for the Law Cup and quadruple winners Wigan in Friendlies before a Challenge Cup tie against amateurs Rochdale Mayfield or Telford Raiders.
And Ford cannot wait as big teams will come to town.
He added: “Every time they sent through a draft fixture list, it was so exciting to see the teams in there.
“Fans are going to have a ball at Boundary Par in the first part of the season.
“There are some really mouthwatering ties and we’re really looking forward to the competition.”
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