
WIGAN coach Matt Peet believes the resurgence of Oldham is good for the whole of Rugby League.
Peet continued to crank up preparations for the new campaign by taking a team largely of reserves to Boundary Park on Sunday to face Sean Long’s side in a pre-season match, winning 28-16.
While Wigan aim to carry on from where they left off in 2024, when they memorably claimed all four available trophies (World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League title), Oldham are out to make a mark in the Championship after promotion as League One champions.
The club has been revitalised since a takeover by a consortium fronted by former Wigan, Oldham and Great Britain halfback Mike Ford.
And Peet, who has signed Oldham second rower George Hirst, is pleased, telling the Roughyeds’ own television channel: “There has been a bit of a void in that area for a while.
“There are strong junior clubs with Waterhead and St Annes, but there wasn’t that optimism at first-team level.
“It seemed like it was bad press for a few years, with some difficulties.
“But since the new regime has come in, led by Mike, I think there has been optimism.
“It’s not just the on-field results, you are hearing more about the club’s work in the local community, the sponsors, the partners.
“There are really positive stories coming out of Oldham, which is fantastic because it is an area we were in danger of losing and there are too many good players who have come from there for that.
“It is one of the key areas, where the club sit geographically, their history and the quality of players who have come out of that part of the world.”
Peet reckons both he and former Wigan, St Helens and Great Britain halfback and ex-Featherstone coach Long are “rugby nerds”.
“Sean is probably a level above me in those terms,” he added.
“I learn a lot from talking to him about the game so we have plenty in common, rugby probably being the main thing, and a lot of common friends who play the game, so we are always chatting.”