By STEVE MASCORD
ANY discussion of the substance or context of London Broncos’ hard-fought win over Oldham was blown out of the water by announcement made on X some 40 minutes after fulltime.
Roughyeds director of rugby, the former England and Great Britain international Mike Ford who had a successful rugby union coaching career, announced he would be standing down immediately.
The announcement follows a period of instability at the club, where chairman Bill Quinn is banned from home ground Boundary Park due to a dispute with co-tenants Oldham Athletic.
“Over the past few months it has become clear that the direction of travel of the club is not something that I feel I can be part of,” Ford wrote.
“This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but with immediate effect I am resigning from my position as director of rugby at Oldham Rugby League Football Club after advising the board on January 8th.
“Callum Irving, my assistant coach and lead of our pathway programme, has also stepped away from his role.
“I will be making no further comment other than to thank the players, staff and supporters for their incredible commitment and support over the past three years,and to wish the club every success in the future.”
Ford seemed to be posing before the game in the middle of Cherry Red Records Stadium for the pensive photo that accompanied his statement. Media was told that if anyone was to attend the post-match media conference from Oldham, it would be Ford.
Instead, Alan Kilshaw fronted journalists.
Kilshaw was philosophical and upbeat after 24-8 victory secured after his side led 2-0 early and trailed by just six with 14 minutes left.
It was Liam Tindall intercepting a Josh Drinkwater pass intended for Jake Bibby and scooting 90 metres that sealed the result in the 67th minute, with PNG hooker Finley Glare splitting tiring defence later and halfback Dean Hawkins booting a field goal for good measure.
Asked what pleased him most, Broncos coach Jason Demetriou said: “Oh, defence. I think we handled everything they threw at us.
“I do think at times we’re getting caught up in the niggle, which is a signature of what to expect in Championship footy.
“We’ve got to be better than that. We’ve got to make choices of what the team needs at the time because our discipline has to be better.”
The club reborn with the investment of former Australia captain Darren Lockyer and his business partner Grant Wechsel faces its toughest Test in newly promoted Super League side Bradford in the cup next Sunday.
LONDON 25Â (Max Campbell-Gillard Mathias Tindall Glare tries Voro Croft goals Hawkins field goal)Â beat OLDHAM 8Â (Geyer try Dixon 2 goal) at Cherry Red Records Stadium.
LONDON: Morea Morea; Liam Tindall, Alex Max, Robert Mathias, Elliot Wallis; Dean Hawkins, Gairo Voro; Reagan Campbell-Gillard ©, James Meadows, Epel Kapinias, Luke Smith, Jack Croft, Sadiq Adebiyi. Res: Finley Glare, Lewis Bienik, Connor O’Bierne, Emarley Bitungane.
OLDHAM: Kieran Dixon, Tom Nisbet, Ben O’Keefe, Ben Davies, Jake Bibby; Rileyt Dean, Josh Drinkwater; Jack Ormondroyd, Adam Milner, Owen Farnworth, Ryan Lannon, Matty Ashurst, Jaron Purcell. Res: Cole Geyer, Ted Chaplehow, Harvey Makin, Ewan Moore.
Referee:Â Mattt Lynn.