Oldham's scramble for a top nine place has taken a severe dent as coach coach John Harbin has become the second coach in five months to quit not only the Roughyeds, but also the game of Rugby League.

Hot on the heels of Mike Ford, who preferred Irish *nion to Hurst Cross, Harbin has switched allegiences to Oldham Athletic - and the management responsible for forcing Oldham out of Boundary Park.

Having undergone the loss of a venue in their home town, the resignation of two coaches, a player exodus, a fall in crowds of around 800 - and currently languishing in 12th place, three points adrift of the top nine - Chairman Chris Hamilton said, "It's another setback part-way through what is an important season for the club."

Reaching for a nearby onion, Latics manager Iain Dowie said of the appointment “We (Athletic) don’t relish doing this to the rugby club, but I have to think what’s right for the football club."

Harbin is reported as saying: “Some people might be bitter about this... At my age career opportunities like this don’t come along very often. I would have been a fool not to take it. Some may think I was selfish. Perhaps I was."

Hamilton stated that he is aiming to appoint Harbin's replacement within 48 hours. Favourites for the post are reported to be assistant coach Mark Knight and captain Steve Molloy who said, “We were just starting to respond to John as a coach. It’s back to the drawing board now."