Excitement builds ahead of Awards Night

The supporters organisation ORSA (Oldham Roughyeds' Supporters Association) will again sponsor the fans' player-of-the-year award at the Roughyeds Awards Night in the Vestacare Stadium social club on Friday, November 8.

The Awards Night will double-up as a promotion celebration for fans and players alike.

Tackling-machine Liam Bent was voted player of the year by fans in 2018 on the strength of his unbelievable work in defence.

Anne Kearns, who stepped into the breach to guide the club through chairman Chris Hamilton's sick leave after major heart surgery, was named Unsung Hero 2018.

Three other awards --players' player of the year; club-man of the year; and coach's player of the year -- were all carried off by triple winner Danny Langtree, who scored 18 tries from second-row in a brilliant season.

It earned him a two-year contract at Hull but it's history now that he was back with Oldham by Easter and, despite missing the first few games of the season, he still finished with 18 tries, all but one of which was scored in Betfred League 1, making him the highest-scoring forward in the division.

You don't finish second and then clinch promotion via the play-offs if you're a one-man side, so 'Langers' could have several rivals this time, among them Ritchie Hawkyard, Zack McComb, Dave Hewitt, who had his best season yet in the Oldham jersey, Phil Joy, Scott Law, Liam Bent and Danny Bridge.

Three awards are still available for sponsorship. Anyone interested is asked to ring the club on 07904 898177.

The format will be similar to last year's, including stand-up bingo; raffle; the promotion season's highlights; the awards; and pie and mash supper with a vegetarian option.

Lots of fans have already voted online for their choice of player of the year.

You can also buy tickets, £15,online or pay by cheque or cash only at the Roughyeds office tomorrow (Fri) between 10am and 3pm or on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week between the same times. If you're leaving it until Friday you would be advised to ring first on the above number to make sure there are some tickets still left.

Anne Kearns, the event organiser, said: "We had a terrific Awards Night last year and given that we will have promotion to celebrate this time it should be even better,

"It's a chance for players and fans to celebrate together and to look back on a fabulous season. Let's not let this opportunity pass us by."

By Roger Halstead