Latest on Whitebank plans

FOLLOWING new coach Scott Naylor’s appeal for Oldham RL fans to back the club’s push on season-ticket sales, Roughyeds have released an update on ground-development plans at Whitebank.
The club had hoped to submit plans to the October meeting of Oldham Council’s planning committee, but that didn’t happen because of delays caused by circumstances which were outside the club’s control.
Despite those delays, Roughyeds are continuing to work closely with the club’s team of professional experts in the hope of making progress as soon as possible. 

Phil Mayall, development surveyor and a key member of that team, said: “The club has exciting plans to upgrade the stadium but Chris Hamilton (chairman) has given the team clear instructions that the plans must be fully deliverable, to make sure that supporters’ hopes and aspirations are not raised without good reason.

“We have, therefore, taken the difficult decision to delay the submission of our planning application to the Council, so that we can continue to develop the plans in more detail.

“This should ensure there is no further delay in implementing them once planning consent is secured.”

Club chairman Hamilton said: “We have also been working with third-party organisations which have a big part to play in what we are trying to achieve. Things have happened, outside our control, to adversely affect the situation.

“We remain committed, however, and we are continuing to work with the third parties to ensure the development continues to move forward.

“We have had an enormous amount of help from our professional team, for which I and the club are extremely grateful.

“It is this backing that will enable us to continue to make progress.”

Letters have gone out to existing season-ticket holders inviting renewal applications, details of which will be released this weekend and published in the Chronicle on Monday.

The French national team, based in Rochdale, has trained at Whitebank as part of their preparations for Sunday’s Autumn International Series final against England at Salford’s new stadium close to the Trafford Centre.