Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust

Heritage Fund

The Brian Walker Awards

Oldham RLFC have instigated a player-of-the-month award. The scheme started in May, with the winner each month to be chosen by the coaches, based on match performances and commitment to training.

They will be sponsored by Rugby Oldham in conjunction with the club and the Walker family. The award is named in honour of the late Brian Walker — a lifetime Roughyeds fan who was involved when Chris Hamilton and his three fellow directors re-formed the club in 1997 and who was also a founder member of Rugby Oldham, the Supporters’ Trust, in 2005. He was a member of the Trust’s board until his death in 2021. He was also, of course, a founding trustee of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust

The winner of each monthly award will receive £250, to be donated to the chosen player’s amateur club or to the charity of his choice.

Bw Awards
Left to right: Mike Kivlin (chairman, Rugby Oldham); Martyn Ridyard (first winner of the Brian Walker Awards Scheme); John Chadwick (Oldham RLFC vice-president); Brian’s son Adrian; Brian’s grandson Oscar; Simon Winnard (club director and a man who, with Brian, helped to establish Rugby Oldham.)

The first winner for May was Martyn Ridyard with Pat Moran being the recipient for June.

There will also be an end-of-season award for the Brian Walker Trophy.