Pic: Stalybridge Celtic FC
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have announced that Rugby League side Oldham Roughyeds will share their Bower Fold ground from February.
Oldham, who have been promoted to Rugby League's second tier, needed to find a ground capable of hosting their games and that search led them to Stalybridge.
The Vanarama National League North club, currently 11th in the league under Liam Watson, previously allowed FC United of Manchester to play at their Bower Fold home.
Celtic chairman Rob Gorski has outlined the advantages of the deal, and says boss Watson is supportive of the decision.
He said: “I have long said to the board that we need to “sweat the asset” that is Stalybridge Celtic, much more. In simple terms, we cannot simply use the place once every two weeks.
“We need to have a new social club that, ideally, will be 2 stories high where we can rent it out several days a week, we need to utilise the lounge more often and so on. Similarly, we need to look at optimising the pitch itself.
“With that in mind, I am delighted to announce that 2016 will see us have a ground share – with a difference! Commencing Sunday 7th February, we shall be hosting the home games for Oldham Rugby League Club. This will continue until the end of the rugby league season, which is September.
“I have discussed the whole concept with Liam and, being a very commercially astute guy, he sees the bigger picture and is right behind the new partnership.
“Rugby league does not have contested scrums where union player did deep in to the surface and they use tees now for conversions too. Moreover, we play on the Saturday, then Oldham on the Sunday and so Pete Owens, our brilliant groundsman, will actually have 12 days to get the pitch ready for our next home game.
“Financially, it is much needed revenue and we cannot turn away this opportunity. I think that it is great for the club and for local fans, it's also an opportunity to watch Championship level rugby league with teams like the Bradford Bulls coming to visit.”
