Oldham RLFC Director of Rugby Mike Ford has departed Boundary Park, citing the club’s “direction of travel” as the reason for his exit.
The news came less than an hour after the club’s defeat to London Broncos on Sunday afternoon, and it comes as a shock given how the season has only just begun.
Ford has been part of the club since him and Chairman Bill Quinn took over in 2023.
Since then, he has seen the club go from strength to strength, and after earning promotion to League One in 2024, they finished fourth in the second tier last season, making the play-offs at the first time of asking.
The club applied to be a part of Super League, but were refused, and Toulouse Olympique and York Knights were accepted instead.
Since that decision, the club have gone through some big changes – the main one being the exit of head coach Sean Long.
Following the St Helens legend’s departure, Ford took over the coaching role as well as continuing his job as Director of Rugby.
They appointed Alan Kilshaw as a coach on January 6, two days before Ford told the board he would be leaving the club.
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Ford’s statement, which revealed news of his exit, was released on social media, and it reads in full:
“When we launched a new era for Oldham Rugby League Football Club in March 2023, our aim was to make the town proud of it’s team again. Oldham was to be at the centre of everything we wanted to achieve.”
“Over the past three years, an enormous amount of work and commitment has gone into that vision, and I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved both on and off the field.”
“From where the club was then to where it is now – with a youth pathway and a women’s team, our own training facility, and young people in the town wearing Roughyeds shirts again – this represents an extraordinary achievement built on the efforts of many people. Our could has been reborn.”
“While we narrowly missed out on a return to Super League, I remain convinced that we were on the right track to bring rugby league at the highest level back to Oldham and to embark on the next chapter.”
“However, over the past few months, it has become clear that the direction of travel at the club is not something that I feel I can be part of.”
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but with immediate effect I am resigning from my position as Director of Rugby at Oldham Rugby League Football Club after advising the board on January 8th.”
“Callum Irving, my assistant coach and lead of our pathway programme, has also stepped away from his role.”
“I will be making no further comment other than to thank the players, staff and supporters for their incredible commitment and support over the past three years, and to wish the club every success in the future.”
— Mike Ford (@Mike7Ford) February 1, 2026
