Oldham player of the year Josh Crowley signs for Hornets

Rochdale Hornets has signed Josh Crowley from Oldham Roughyeds for the remainder of the 2016 season. Crowley, 24, was dubbed ‘Mr Consistent’ by the Oldham faithful having not missed a single game in three years at the club.

Coach Alan Kilshaw said: “First of all I would like to thank Ryan Bradley for his hard work behind the scenes to make this deal possible. I would also like to highlight the contribution from the Rochdale Hornets members, without them Josh Crowley would still be an Oldham player.”

Crowley joins the club for an undisclosed fee and will link up with the squad from next week.

Kilshaw added: “We welcome an outstanding player into the group and this shows our intent to compete with the sides around us who have also strengthened.

“No one predicted we would be in the position we are in at this stage of the season. We have strengthened our squad with Josh to continue our form and kick on in the Super 8s.”

The talented second rower can also play at loose, which will add power and aggression to an already powerful pack. He will link up with the first team from next week as he returns to rugby league after taking a break from the game in February.

Crowley said: “I needed the break so that I could fall in love with the game all over again. I've definitely got my hunger back and can't wait to get started.”

Crowley has come close to signing for Hornets in previous years but said it didn’t necessarily come at the right time in his career.

He added: “I've been in contact with Rochdale a few times in the past but it was never the right time to move on. The year before last we got beat in the promotion final and I felt like I still had a job to do in helping Oldham get promotion so decided to stay on, then last year we gained promotion and I wanted to have a crack at the Championship so decided once again to stay at Oldham.

“It feels great to have signed for Rochdale. From what I've already seen from coming to Rochdale as a visiting player and from what I've heard from past and present Rochdale players it's a great club with a great set up and I can't wait to get started. 

“Last year was a big year for me. It was my first promotion final win in my third consecutive attempt but I feel I've come on as a player a lot since the first time. I think I've got a much cooler head now and feel the occasion doesn't get the better of you when you've already been and done it.”