The annual dinner of the Oldham Players Association took place at the usual venue of St Herbert’s Parish Hall in Chadderton on Friday November 7th.
The evening proved to be a great success with over 170 diners entertained by guest speaker, ex-referee Ben Thaler and comedian, the former Halifax scum-half, Lea Roberts.
The Oldham club was represented by chairman Bill Quinn and John Chadwick who read out a tribute to the former players who had died in the last twelve months. Roger Halstead was also in attendance and Ben Thaler was joined on the top table by former refereeing colleagues Ian Smith and Robert Hicks.
John Fieldhouse and Kevin Fitzpatrick with their Heritage Certificates. (Photo Dave Murgatroyd)
The whole event was skilfully co-ordinated by MC Peter Young who presented Heritage Certificates to ex-players John Fieldhouse and the Trust’s very own Kevin Fitzpatrick.
Any former players interested in joining the association can obtain details from: Ray Hicks 07526 948443 – Joe Warburton 07882 848340 – John Watkins 07974 612038.
The Oldham RL Heritage Trust were saddened to learn of the death of former player Colin North.
A centre or stand-off half signed from Batley, Colin made six appearances for the Roughyeds all of them in 1978 in which he kicked eight goals and one drop goal.
He went on to play at Keighley before changing codes to become player-coach at Ossett Rugby Union club.
The sincere condolences of the Oldham RL community go out to all of Colin’s family and friends.
As the Roughyeds prepare for the new season, chairman Bill Quinn in a statement regarding the “Super League” situation has said:
“While disappointed that our own bid has come up just short this time, we feel confident in being as ready as any other club to make the step up and will not stop until Oldham are back amongst the sport’s elite”.
This also brought to mind an occasion when Bill was at the club in June 2008 and literally donned the gloves to take on Rugby League hardman Brad Hepi in a boxing match at the Reebok Stadium boxing arena in Bolton.
Brad Hepi and Bill after the boxing bout at the Reebok in Bolton in June 2008.
It is probably fair to say that the chairman went into the match as second favourite but after three torrid two-minute rounds Bill was voted the unanimous victor by the three ringside judges.
The event came under under the banner of the Steve Prescott Foundation with the proceeds going to the Christie Hospital and Rugby League Benevolent Fund.
Roger Halstead has been inducted into the Oldham RLFC ‘Hall of Fame’.
On Friday October 17th at the Mahdlo centre in Oldham town centre Roger became the first inductee to the new category of Outstanding Contribution.
The award recognises his over sixty years of involvement with the Roughyeds. Of course, most of this time was as the Oldham Chronicle Rugby League reporter, a position which he occupied from 1964 until 2005. However, that was far from the end of Roger’s involvement with Oldham RLFC and to this day one can still read “Roger’s Round Up” on the club website. Proof if it were needed that RH is still a much-respected figure within the Oldham Rugby League Community.
When the award was announced and presented by Terry Flanagan, Roger received a standing Ovation from all of the 250-sell-out attendance.
Kevin Fitzpatrick of the Heritage Trust and Terry Flanagan preside over the presentation to Roger.
A review of Roger’s career is included with his ‘Hall of Fame’ entry profile.
The Mahdlo event billed as ‘Tales from the Locker Room – A Rugby Legends Event’ was a great success with all proceeds going to the local charity which is geared to helping the youth of the Oldham area.
As well as Terry, Mick Worrall, Mike Ford, Barrie McDermott, Iestyn Harris, Tom Burgess and Paul Scholes were contributors with Steve Molloy, Neil Flanagan, Geoff Munro and Mark Flanagan also in attendance for what was a most entertaining evening.
It was a case of “as you were – at the double”, as following on from his July success, Adam Milner picked up the August Brian Walker Award and also the ‘Play of the Year’ at the clubs end of season dinner. Once again Adam passed on his £250 to the Katie Synnott Brain Tumour Fight.
Adam Milner receives his cheque from ‘Mike Kivlin of Rugby Oldham’ and the club commercial manager David Bottomley. ( photo by Dave Murgatroyd)
Loose forward Milner had a strong end to the season which saw him get coach Sean Long’s vote for the 2025 campaign ‘Player of the Year’ accolade.
The fourth place finish in this year’s Championship table represents the best placing for Oldham RLFC since 2004.
In what was then known as National League One, the Roughyeds came in fourth behind Leigh, Whitehaven and Hull KR. Sadly Oldham were defeated in the play-offs by Featherstone Rovers.
Three star players of the 2025 campaign: Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Josh Drinkwater and George Hirst.
The only other time this century that Oldham have finished so high in the table was in 2001 when, after play-off victories away at Leigh and Rochdale, the Roughyeds lost to Widnes in the final at Spotland.
The ORL Heritage Trust have recently received a 1970s club blazer from the family of Brian Churm which has been kindly donated for inclusion in the 150th anniversary exhibition in 2026.
Michael Turner of the Heritage Trust receives the blazer from Dave Whittaker.
Brian was a leading amateur player with the Royton club and part of the team that won the Standard Cup three years running in 1957-58-59. In 1959 Brian won the ‘Ben Powell Trophy’ as man-of-the-match in the final. He then went on to coach the Oldham A and B teams in the 1970s.
The blazer has come to the Trust from Brian’s family via Dave (Crazy Horse) Whittaker.
The exhibition will be at “Gallery Oldham” running from January 10th to March 7th 2026.
Loose forward, Adam Milner became the latest recipient of the “Brian Walker Award” when he picked up the accolade for the month of July. A consistent performer all season, Adam has played in 24 out of the 26 senior matches in this campaign.
Adam Milner receives the cheque from club chairman Bill Quinn and Mike Kivlin of ‘Rugby Oldham’.
Adam’s £250 award is being donated to the Castleford based ‘Katie Synott Brain Tumour Fight’. A well-deserved award recognising a deserving cause.
Following on from his success in March, Josh Drinkwater was once more the recipient of the Brian Walker award for May 2025, his £250 donation was again given to the “Rainbow Trust Childrens Charity”. The cheque presentation at the Netpar (Melrose) training facility was made by Mike Kivlin of Rugby Oldham and club MD, Mike Ford.
The June award was presented at Boundary Park at half-time in the recent Sheffield match to George Hirst with club chairman, Bill Quinn doing the honours in company with Brian’s son, Adrian Walker and Tim Hughes of Rugby Oldham. The “Buddies Breast Charity” being the beneficiary of the £250 donation.
Congratulations to Josh and George for their well-deserved recognition.
The latest event organised by the Oldham RL Heritage Trust was held last night (July 10th 2025) at Boundary Park and proved to be another great success.
The guests on the evening were John Donovan, Mick Worrall and Neil Flanagan who reflected on their careers with the Roughyeds in the 1960s, 80s and 90s respectively.
There was a good vibe in the room as John, Mick and Neil entertained the ensemble with with some enlightening stories and anecdotes about their time at the club.
The Players Association were well represented with club MD Mike Ford and Chris Chamberlain the ORLFC Foundation CEO also in attendance.
Special thanks to Joe Warburton of the the Players Association for helping with the screen and sound set-up on the night and the hospitality team at the Boundary Park Events Centre for their help and cooperation.
