A new sports pitch is set to come to Boundary Park which will look to improve the future of sports in the Oldham.

On Thursday, Oldham Council announced at the Latics’s stadium that £1 million of funding will be provided for the new pitch.

According to Latics owner Frank Rothwell, the pitch will be a hybrid pitch, meaning it will be partly plastic and partly grass.

Rothwell said the surface will be durable and can therefore be used for other sports.

As well as Oldham Athletic using the pitch, it will also make it available for Oldham RLFC, with the Roughyeds set to play their home games there from 2024 onwards.

The investment will also look to unlock wider opportunities for further investment in community sports pitches, enhanced education provision, more health opportunities and new jobs.

Work will start as soon as Oldham Athletic’s season ends in May, according to Rothwell. 

Speaking at the announcement, leader of Oldham Council Amanda Chadderton said: "Oldham has a hugely successful sporting history - we know how important sport is to the residents.

"We wanted to ensure Oldham rugby comes back closer to the centre of the town, we know it's been a bone of contention being down in Hollinwood for a number of years now."

Chris Hamilton, chairman of Oldham RLFC, said the club being able to play at Boundary Park in the future is "massive" and will provide opportunities to the club.

CEO of Oldham Athletic, Darren Royle, said the new pitch will open the stadium up to be used for other sports and events, including an Oldham Athletic women's team, and for youngsters as well.

Oldham Council CEO added that these new sporting events taking place at Boundary Park would lead to the stadium being used most weeks of the year, allowing for more jobs and opportunities to be created.