
A former Super League stalwart has been confirmed as captain of one Championship contender with a six-man leadership group named.
After storming League One in 2024 with a strong squad, Oldham RLFC have built on those foundations by signing a number of Super League stars to their side.
Sean Long’s team are now considered one of the Championship’s dark horses in 2025, a label assigned to the club by Sheffield Eagles head coach Craig Lingard.
Already boasting the likes of Jordan Turner, Elijah Taylor and Hull KR loanee Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Oldham have added Super League stars Josh Drinkwater, Matty Ashurst, Gil Dudson and Adam Milner for 2025 with all four of those players helping to form a six-man leadership group.
They will serve alongside club captain Jordan Turner, who retains his role from the 2024 season, whilst hooker Matty Wildie will serve as his vice-captain to form one of the most experienced leadership rooms in British rugby league.
Oldham-born Turner played for Salford, Hull FC, St Helens, Huddersfield Giants with his last Super League club being Castleford Tigers whom he left at the end of 2023 to join his hometown club.
Five former Super League stars make up Oldham’s leadership group

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Confirmation that Turner would retain his role and Wildie would step into the vice-captain gig vacated by the retiring Joe Wardle, who has since become Sean Long’s assistant, came via a club statement.
It read: “Head coach Sean Long has confirmed that experienced hooker Matty Wildie will be Oldham’s vice-captain this season, supporting hometown hero Jordan Turner who continues as the club captain.
“Wildie steps up following the retirement of last season’s vice-captain Joe Wardle, who is now Long’s assistant coach.
“The Roughyeds boss has revealed that Turner and Wildie will be part of a six-man leadership group for the 2025 campaign, including new signings Josh Drinkwater, Matty Ashurst, Gil Dudson and Adam Milner.”
Speaking on his decisions, Sean Long said: “JT as captain as outstanding last year and Matty Wildie will be vice-captain.
“I also have some good leaders that we have brought in from other clubs in Adam Milner, Matty Ashurst, Gil Dudson and Josh Drinkwater so you can’t really go wrong with our leadership group who speak really well and drive the standards.
“JT being Oldham born and bred is massive for the club and he wants to finish off on a high. I don’t know if this will be his last year but I know he will be putting everything in to try to bring some silverware back to the club.
“Wildie leads by example and gives 100% in training and in games. He has high standards and that is the sign of a true leader. He doesn’t point the blame at anyone else and he just gets better. It is a good fit.
“The boys have a meeting every Tuesday and anything they want to improve on I always listen to. They come with ideas on what we need to fix, on-field and also if there are any issues off-field too. There ideas are fantastic and I lean on them quite a bit.”
Oldham have already faced off against Super League opposition when they took on Wigan Warriors earlier in pre-season but they’ll now take on Barrow Raiders in the Challenge Cup as they bid to progress and potentially meet another Super League side.
