A SQUAD that includes new boys James Worthington, Lewis Charnock, John Hutchings and Jode Sheriffe, not to mention players who were on loan last season but are now fully contracted to Oldham, like Declan Kay, Harry Aaronson and Adam Brook, reported for pre-season training this week.

With 18 players currently joined up. there are more signings to come.

These are fascinating times in the Roughyeds camp with former Leeds Rhinos star Diskin – backed up by new assistant Brendan Sheridan – relishing the prospect of going head-to-head in the Championship with some of the biggest clubs outside Super League.

Visiting Bower Fold in the Championship will be London Broncos, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings, Bradford Bulls, Leigh Centurions, Featherstone Rovers, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax, Dewsbury, Batley, York, Swinton and Whitehaven.

Off the pitch Oldham have new kit suppliers in 1895 Sports and new main sponsors in the Warrington-based security firm CDX.

Promotion means Roughyeds are to once again call Bower Fold home. Stalybridge Celtic’s base is a neat, compact little ground with ample seats, terracing and covered on all four sides.

Many die-hard supporters may feel it is a pity they are not playing in Oldham but, as had already been said, success comes with a price and, in any event, the Stalybridge venue is only a few miles down the road.

Early Bird season tickets offer fans fantastic value for money and are available online until 11.59pm on Saturday, November 30 and in the office (cash or cheque only) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 10am and 3pm, up to Friday, November 29.

Before those deadlines you can get adult seating for £190 and adult standing for £170 – those work out at £15 and £13 a game over 13 home league games or, looking at it a different way, you watch 13 home games for the price of 10 across the season.

There are discounts, too, after November 30 and up to the week before Christmas but to get the best deals and make the biggest savings you cannot beat Early Bird.