‘Make a good run at it’ – Super League signing highlights huge ambition at Championship club

A former Super League man has outlined his new club’s lofty ambitions for the upcoming Championship season.

After winning League One and earning promotion to the Championship, Oldham are hoping to continue their upward trajectory and “make a good run at it” in the second tier.

That’s the ambition of new signing Matty Ashurst who has joined from last year’s Championship winners Wakefield Trinity, with Ashurst being just one of several former Super League talents to sign at Boundary Park.

Oldham had already built a squad with plenty of former Super League men for their League One campaign with the likes of Elijah Taylor, Jordan Turner and Kieran Dixon all starring for the Roughyeds in 2024.

They’ve since added Adam Milner, Gil Dudson, Josh Drinkwater and Matty Ashurst as just a few of their handful of signings – building one of the stronger squads in the second tier in doing so.

Coached by Sean Long, the Roughyeds have already been described as ‘dark horses’ by new Sheffield Eagles boss Craig Lingard but those at Oldham know full well how strong they are and what they’re building.

Ex-Super League man tips new club for success

Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, ex-Warrington Wolves man Josh Drinkwater spoke on the quality at the club when addressing how the pre-season had gone so far.

“A lot of the boys have played at the highest level, you look at someone like Elijah Taylor and he’s an ex-international,” Drinkwater noted.

“In terms of the quality of training and the personnel, it’s been great.

“There’s a lot of competition for places and no one is guaranteed a spot and it shows in training.”

Drinkwater will face competition from Danny Craven and former Warrington youngster Riley Dean for a starting spot whilst Matty Ashurst adds to a forward pack that already features a host of former Super League stars.

The ex-Wakefield captain explained: “There are players who are really experienced and that have been around the game a long time so we’ve definitely got the quality there to go and compete in the Championship.

“Obviously, there are a lot of new boys coming in so it’s about getting used to each other and building them combinations.

“Hopefully we can hit the ground running come February in the league and make a good run at it.”