OLDHAM have re-signed Josh Simm for next season, and the winger reckons they have what it takes to win the Championship.
The Roughyeds are letting a lot of experience go, with Matty Ashurst, Jake Bibby, Sam Littler, Adam Milner, Ewan Moore, Morgan Smith, Emmanuel Waine and Jack Walker joining Cole Geyer, Josh Drinkwater and the retired Iain Thornley on their release list.
In turn they have so far announced three new additions in Sheffield Eagles hooker Reiss Butterworth, Keighley Cougars forward Lucas Green and most recently Rochdale Hornets fullback Max Flanagan.
Simm, the former St Helens and Castleford Tigers back who only joined in August from Catalans Dragons and made five appearances, scoring one try, has confidence Alan Kilshaw’s side will be at the top of the division.
It remains to be seen what the second tier will look like next season, not least with the future of champions London Broncos still to be resolved.
Oldham came home third in the regular season, then were beaten 74-8 at London in the play-off semi-finals, and 25-year-old Simm said: “I’ve signed to win the competition.
“I wouldn’t be here if we were just aiming to be a mediocre team.
“Alan has reiterated to me that we will be fighting for the top. With the players that we have signed and the ones we’ve got coming in, it’s something to be excited about and that’s why I’m on board.
“I’ve actually really enjoyed it at Oldham so far. I thought it would be quite hard going into a part-time environment, but I’ve actually thrived.
“I’ve still got a lot of rugby in me and I just want to keep building.
“The goal is to play 20-plus games this year (something Simm has only done once previously in his career) and stay fit, build on last season and hopefully win something.”
Boyhood Oldham fan Flanagan, also 25, has scored 25 tries in 50 games for Rochdale and said: “It’s every young lad’s dream to play for their hometown club.”
