Local lad Fletcher returns home and signs for Oldham!
OLDHAM have added another local star to their squad for 2020 – die-hard Roughyeds fan Matthew Fletcher.
The 19-year-old forward was a Waterhead amateur and had a spell at the Bradford Bulls Academy before spending a year in Australia, where he has been playing for Valleys Diehards and Norths Devils in Brisbane.
“I loved it there, absolutely loved it,” said Fletcher.
“But I had to come home when my visa expired and I told my agent in Australia that Oldham would be the club for me if I had a choice.
“I’ve supported Roughyeds since I was a boy.
“I know Gareth Owen and Danny Bridge, I know Matt Diskin from our Bradford days and I’m back living in Oldham, so it made sense to sign for my hometown club if I got the opportunity.”
Fletcher trained with the club for the first time on Tuesday evening and is hoping to make his debut in Saturday’s friendly against Super League Champions St Helens at the Vestacare Stadium – though it is unsure as yet whether international clearance will be granted in time for the fixture.
“Matthew is a real talent,” said
Roughyeds coach Matt Diskin.
“As a boy he played as a halfback, but in more recent years, as he’s got bigger, he plays as a forward through the middle channels, but he’s still got his ball-handling skills and he has a good off-load. He’s a lad with a great
Matthew Fletcher attitude, he works very hard and he’s keen to do the best he can and progress up the ladder.”
Oldham are hopeful Jack Spencer and John Hutchings will be fit to feature against Saints, after both picked up injuries in the Law Cup defeat to Rochdale.
They will each be assessed at training this evening and given every chance to prove their fitness.