FORMER Halifax coach John Pendlebury is back in rugby league after being appointed coaching successor to Gary Mercer at LHF National League One club Oldham.

The 44-year-old, a loose forward in his playing days with Wigan, Salford, Bradford, Leigh and Halifax, was Super League coach of the year in 1998 after guiding Halifax to third place in the table.

He recently left his job in the construction industry but will work on a part-time basis with the Roughyeds after being handed a two-year contract.