OLDHAM Rugby League Club have named former Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls star Matt Diskin as new head coach to succeed Scott Naylor, who has left after seven years in charge.

Diskin, aged 37, has been head coach at BetFred Championship club Batley Bulldogs for the past three seasons after a spell previously as assistant boss at Bradford Bulls. He will lead Roughyeds on their return to the second tier next season, Naylor’s final game in charge being victory in the League 1 play-off final against Newcastle Thunder at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday.

Born in Dewsbury, Diskin spent 10 years as a hooker with Leeds Rhinos before ending his playing career, and starting out in coaching, at Bradford Bulls.

At Leeds he was a member of four Grand Final teams in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.He made in total 312 Super League appearances, 232 for Leeds between 2001 and 2010 and another 80 for Bradford where he retired as a player in 2014. In addition he played many times for Yorkshire and he has also represented Great Britain.

He has signed a two-year deal as Oldham’s new boss after his three years at Batley in what was his first appointment as a head coach.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “Matt was hugely successful as a player and in coaching he cut his teeth at Bradford before spending the last three seasons at Batley in the Championship where we will be next season. He has learned a lot about the Championship in those three years and he is looking forward to coming to Oldham with the challenges it will bring as we move up to a higher division.

“On his own admission his first head coach’s job was a learning curve and a challenge in itself.

“But he is really looking forward to working at Oldham and we are looking forward to working with him as well.”