Oldham RLFC have shared a club statement responding to allegations made against chairman Bill Quinn, confirming that the matter is in the hands of solicitors.
It was reported by Love Rugby League that Quinn was banned from Boundary Park, the stadium where Oldham play their home games. That ground is owned by Oldham Athletic Football Club and the recent reports alleged a disagreement between the football club and rugby chair led to his banning from the ground.
In response, Oldham have confirmed the fact that Quinn is currently subject to a 12-month ban in relation to allegations made against him by the board of Oldham Athletic. It is unclear what the nature of those allegations are but Quinn refutes them.
Oldham RLFC stated: “Bill vehemently denies these allegations and as such has put this very serious matter in hands of his solicitors. Bill has the complete backing of Oldham RLFC.”
Also within Love Rugby League’s report, it was noted that there had been unpaid medical bills, something Oldham have strongly refuted.
Oldham RLFC in dispute with football club
In relation to that report, Oldham responded: “The club would also like to reassure supporters by totally refuting any claim of unpaid bills or of any financial difficulty. The club have no idea as to the source of these claims, which it believes to be disingenuous at best.”
There are however issues between the football and rugby club with each believing the other owes them money, with the Championship side alleging the League Two football club have refused to go into mediation thus far.
Explaining the situation, the Roughyeds’ statement read: “The club can also confirm that there is a contractual financial dispute with Oldham Athletic with regards to its use of Boundary Park, with both parties believing to be owed revenues by the other. Oldham RLFC has requested that the matter goes to mediation, as per the dispute resolution terms and conditions of the contract in place. Any decision made by an independent mediator would be legally binding and Oldham RLFC are more than happy to abide by a mediator’s decision.
“However, to date, the football club have refused to go to mediation. In addition to refusing to allow this matter to go to mediation, sadly the football club then stated that Boundary Park will remain unavailable until the financial dispute is resolved.”
That led to the Roughyeds’ Challenge Cup tie being moved, though the football club have since made Boundary Park available but “only under certain conditions”, conditions that the rugby club deem to be unacceptable.
They said: “The club deem these conditions to be unacceptable and, as such, feel unable to do so at this moment in time.
“Like its supporters, Oldham RLFC are extremely disappointed at having to move out of the borough for this fixture but remain hopeful that the matter can be resolved. However, it would like to put on record its thanks to Stalybridge Celtic who have stepped in to assist us at very short notice.”
It’s unclear where Oldham will play their home games going forward or if this dispute will be resolved before that next home game, which comes on February 20th against Widnes Vikings.
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Club Statement
— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) January 24, 2026
