Cameron Leeming signed for Oldham in June with two objectives . . . to help Roughyeds to win promotion and, in so doing, to rekindle his love of a sport with which he had become disillusioned.
He achieved both, so much so that he had no hesitation in signing a new one-year deal when opportunity knocked.
"I was at Dewsbury Rams for a spell in the early part of last season, but I was in and out of the team and, to be honest, I fell out with the game a bit," said the 24-year-old utility back who quickly made the left-centre berth his own at Oldham, scoring five tries and playing in ten of the last 11 games, including the Promotion Final.
The one game he missed was the hard-fought win at Hunslet in the final game of the regular Betfred League 1 season, a win which clinched a second-place finish.
He pulled a hamstring in the previous game at Coventry Bears and failed a fitness test only a short time before kick-off at the South Leeds Stadium seven days later.
The race was then on to get him back in action for the play-off clash with Doncaster two weeks later.
He played, kept his place in the final and the rest, as they say, is history.
Added Leeming: "I struggled a bit with the hamstring in the last two games, but I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of my time in my first season at Oldham .
"It was fantastic to finish on such a high with promotion as the prize. That was the intention from the day I signed and I can honestly say Oldham have given me back the buzz I used to have about rugby league.
"I've played in the Championship and it is a big step up, but I'm sure we'll be fine."
Head coach Matt Diskin said: " Cam is a good, strong three-quarter. He's consistent and reliable and a player I'm looking forward to working with."
Leeming' signing takes to seven the number now contracted to Oldham for 2020 ---- Danny Langtree, Dave Hewitt, Kyran Johnson, Declan Kay, James Worthington, Danny Bridge and Leeming.
By Roger Halstead