Archive: Apr 2020

Peter Astbury RIP

24th April 2020

The Heritage Trust were saddened to learn via the Rugby League Journal of the death of Peter Astbury.

Astbury PeterPeter played four matches for the Roughyeds on loan from Bramley in the 1973-74 season, all of them at scrum-half, including the game against the Australian touring team.

After playing for Normanton and Castleford under 19s, Peter began his professional career at Leeds before moving on to Bramley where he amassed 130 first team appearances before moving on to Bradford Northern. He moved back to help the coaching staff at Bramley and also had spells behind the scenes at Keighley, Doncaster and York.

The sincere condolences of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust are offered to Peter’s family and friends.


Frank Myler RIP

27th March  2020

The Heritage Trust and the whole of the Rugby League fraternity will be sad to learn of the death of the Widnes and Great Britain legend, Frank Myler.

Myler Frank

A World Cup winner with Great Britain in 1960, he remains the last person to captain the Lions to Ashes success over Australia back in 1970.

Truly one of the ‘greats’ of the game, Frank captained both Widnes and Great Britain and enjoyed a successful spell at St Helens and briefly with Rochdale Hornets. Originally a super quick stand off, he later became equally at home as a centre. He also coached at Rochdale as well as at Swinton and his home town of Widnes. However, for the fans of the Roughyeds it will be Frank’s tenure at Watersheddings that will be best remembered.

He arrived at Oldham for the start of the 1981-82 season when Roughyeds were in the Second Division, having been relegated the previous season.

Promotion was secured and the club reached the semi-final of the John Player trophy, only losing out to the crack Hull F.C. outfit. In the following years the club went on to have its most successful spell since the heady days of the late 1950s. Frank was appointed coach for the 1984 tour to Australia  and New Zealand and duly selected five Oldham players; Des Foy, Andy Goodway, Terry Flanagan, Mick Worrall and Ray Ashton, a record for the club.

The condolences of everyone at the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust go out to Frank’s friends and family.