Football’s Oldham Athletic have responded to the statement shared by Championship side Oldham RLFC this weekend, regarding the availability of the home ground.
Both Athletic and the Roughyeds play out of Boundary Park, and have shared the facility since the rugby club’s return to the stadia on a full-time basis ahead of 2025.
Like with any rugby league club who ground shares, fixture scheduling can provide some problems, particularly when the main tenants, in most cases the football club, take priority.
Over the weekend, Oldham had a home tie against Orrell St James in the second round of the Challenge Cup, but they believe they were forced to play it elsewhere due to the stadium being unavailable.
The Roughyeds released a statement on Saturday claiming that, due to a “contractual financial dispute”, they had to take the tie to Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic.
Oldham rugby believe that there are unresolved financial costs that the two owe each other, and a mediator between the two parties has been sought, with the football club allegedly refusing to enter mediation, per the Roughyeds.
Last year’s Championship play-off contenders have also confirmed that they will not be playing out of Boundary Park for the foreseeable, and will not return to the stadia until an agreement is met.
In response, Oldham Athletic’s statement reads in full:
“The Board of Oldham Athletic wishes to formally express its disappointment at the recent statement issued by Oldham RLFC (“ORLFC”) on 24 January 2026.”
“OAFC would like to make it absolutely clear that Boundary Park was available to ORLFC on Sunday 25 January, in line with the terms and conditions of the Ground Share Agreement that exists between the two clubs and is fully available and ready to host ORLFC’s next match, as required.”
“In relation to the matters raised in ORLFC’s statement, OAFC confirms that it has always acted in good faith and in accordance with its obligations to ORLFC.”
“OAFC will continue to engage with ORLFC constructively through the proper channels whilst respecting the duties of confidentiality required by the Ground Share Agreement. OAFC reserves its rights accordingly.”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
The club provides a response to the recent statement issued by Oldham RLFC. #oafc
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) January 26, 2026
