Archive: Aug 2020

Joseph Platt inducted into the Rugby League Roll of Honour

Jos Platt Copy

It is perhaps appropriate that on August 29th 2020, exactly 125 years since the formation of the Northern Union / Rugby League at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, Joseph Platt the first secretary of the then new sporting body was inducted into the Rugby League – Roll of Honour. He is the first person to be posthumously so honoured.

Joe served as secretary of the league for 25 years and was an official / vice president at Oldham for over forty years having first being elected to the committee in 1885

The Oldham Chairman Chris Hamilton was there to receive the award from the CEO of the Rugby Football League, Ralph Rimmer at the special 125th anniversary event at the George Hotel.

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Chris Hamilton with RFL CEO Ralph Rimmer at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

History tells us that Joseph Platt was a tireless worker on behalf of Oldham F.C. and all things Rugby League and the award is long overdue.


100th anniversary of the Law Cup – 2021

Trophy

The Infirmary Cup (Law Cup) was first contested between Oldham and Rochdale Hornets in May 1921. The trophy was donated by the Rochdale MP, the Right Hon A. J. Law with the proceeds of the match being given over to the infirmaries in the two towns.

After a 0 – 0 draw at the Athletic Grounds on May 7th, Oldham became the first recipients by winning the replay 12 – 2 at Watersheddings on May 13th with Joe Ferguson the first winning captain to hold the cup aloft.

The competition would subsequently become a pre or early season event and when, as in 1954 and 1976, the match ended in a draw the cup was retained by the current holders.

Watch this space for further updates and Law Cup facts.


Tommy Parker RIP

16th August 2020

The Heritage Trust were saddened to learn of the death of former Roughyed Tommy Parker.

Parker Tommy 1

Tommy was signed from the Lock Lane amateur club in Castleford during the 1959-60 season and made his senior debut on April 18th 1960 in a 36 – 8 home victory over Whitehaven, playing at loose forward. Most of Tommy’s 21 first team games for Oldham saw him at the back of the pack with a few in the second row. His final first team match was in the 8 – 15 home defeat to Swinton on April 28th 1962. Tommy left to join Bramley later that year and made 75 appearances during four seasons with the Villagers.

Strangely enough we had three “Parkers” on the books in the early 1960s: Dave, Peter and Tommy none of them related.

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