Oldham Rugby Club's shirts for the National League First Division campaign are to bear the name of the Oldham Chronicle.

The evening paper has signed up for a five-figure one-season deal to back the "Roughyeds" in a deal that will include advertising, promotions and initiatives on its pages.

There will also be a major promotion for a key game against Leigh Centurions on May 2.

Club chairman Christopher Hamilton said: "We are delighted that the Chronicle is backing us and we are particularly proud that, with us, they have entered into shirt sponsorship for the first time."

Chronicle circulation manager Steve Duthie said his 150-year-old newspaper had carried the ups and downs of the club since it was formed in 1876.

He said: "It seems appropriate that when the newspaper is reaching such a milestone, it should support the Roughyeds to a level that represents a significant increase on anything we have done previously with the rugby club."

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