By JOHN DAVIDSON
OLDHAM faced a travel nightmare on their return from France yesterday, after being stuck in Spain for more than 10 hours.
The Roughyeds flew in and out of Barcelona, travelling to Perpignan by bus for Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie against Catalans Dragons.
The Championship side then stayed overnight in Perpignan after the match, which was won 58-0 by the Dragons, but were hit by long delays on their return to the UK the following day.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands Oldham’s 6am bus that was supposed to take the team to the airport in Barcelona arrived more than an hour late to pick them up, and then dropped them at the wrong terminal in the Spanish airport.
This meant that, with the team split on two different flights, one half of the group missed their plane and was forced to wait for a later 5pm flight.
Half of the Oldham team didn’t arrive back in the UK until after 8.30pm.
It is believed club officials were also unhappy with the state of the accommodation they were given in Perpignan.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads understands the Roughyeds had no excuses for their performance and were beaten by the clearly better side in Catalans.
But their chaotic return journey for a part-time team has left the club displeased, with contact made with the RFL.
While traveling to southern France, to Perpignan and Toulouse, in summer is usually no problem from northern England, with several flights and carriers operational, but it is a much more difficult proposition in winter and spring
Castleford recently experienced a 13-hour each-way journey for their Super League match against Toulouse due to a lack of direct flights, relying on connecting flights via Germany.
Tigers coach Ryan Carr called for better logistical planning by the RFL.
Travel to and from France for matches for teams and referees is paid for by clubs Catalans and Toulouse.