Chairman Chris puts things into perspective

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton has praised the Rugby Football League for their proactive stance amid the Coronavirus outbreak.

Like all sports up and down the country - and the world for that matter - rugby league has been suspended with only a few games of the season chalked off.

Oldham had played five fixtures in the BetFred Championship before the league’s decision to suspend activity until further notice.

It’s been a baptism of fire for new coach Matt Diskin, with his side picking up just the one win at Whitehaven and then losing the rest - which also includes a defeat in the Coral Challenge Cup at Widnes Vikings.

Results aside, Hamilton is happy to have seen his side competing in the Championship for the first time in three years but feels there should be no rush to return to action as the health and wellbeing of the population takes priority. Speaking to Reporter Sport, Chris said: “I have to say that the RFL have been quite proactive and in fairness the Government in terms of the job protection scheme could be a massive help to us.

“It’s come as a shock to all of us, but one of our key focuses at the minute is making sure the players stay healthy and as fit as they can. With it being a contact sport the physical condition of the players is absolutely vital and with all the gyms closed it’s very difficult for them to do the kind of work they would normally be doing during the season.

“We’re also conscious of the mental health and wellbeing side of things, as a lot of the players thrive on the regime and discpline they have. For the vast majority, unless they have gym equipment at home, that has now been taken away from them. We’ve been in touch with them on a regular basis and they’ve been given programmes to do, and they have to send in videos to prove that they’re completing them.

“At times like this the funding from the RFL through the broadcast deal is even more important, and that’s something that’s been discussed. That’s helping without a doubt. Things like the lottery become even more important during this period as well.”

Questioned on the contractual agreement with Stalybridge Celtic Football Club chairman Rob Gorksi, who is renting out Bower Fold stadium to Oldham this season, Chris said: “The contract is pretty water tight in fairness, and I’ve spoken to Rob as their season has just come to an end prematurely. 

“We have a really good relationship with Stalybridge and I think people generally see at the moment that the situation we’re in goes beyond the normal terms and conditions of contacts. This is where working partnerships with people really come to the fore.

“We’re in a slightly different situation to the likes of football and rugby union because we had only played five games prior to the season being suspended, so even if this goes on for two or three months further, we’ve still got time to play the rest of the season and I think that’s the hope of what will happen.”

If the season does resume, Chris said there will potentially be two games a week to make up for lost time. However, he stressed the importance of not rushing into anything decisions and believes there’s a bigger picture to be considered. “We have to make sure that the health and wellbeing of everyone in the country, and particularly our own staff and players is looked after” he said.

“This season has been a bit of a struggle but not unexpected. There are some tough games in this division. I think from our perspective the disappointment comes from the last two games against Bradford and Dewsbury. 

“Had we been a bit smarter they could have been potential wins and had we been looking at two or three wins out of the five in the league, there would have been a lot more optimism amongst fans, but it’s a big move up and this year  is even harder because the Super League has brought back the reserve competition which means there’s already a shortage of players. “Players who we would previously have loaned from Super League clubs are now reluctant to join because they have to fulfil their obligation to that competition.”

With the prospect of no action for the foreseeable future, Chris had a message for the club’s supporters during these difficult times. “All I would say is that people have to stick with us, not get frustrated or angry with the way things are going when we don’t win.

 “The lads are confident that they can get the results needed to stay in the competition and that’s the kind of positivity needed at this moment in time.”

You can listen to a full interview with Chris on our website, www.questmedianetwork.co.uk