It is with great sorrow that the Heritage Trust has learned of the death of the ex-Roughyed, Fred Hall (Heritage Number 759) on January 14th.
Oldham born Fred signed for Oldham from Blackpool Borough making his debut on January 14th 1973 in a 16 – 10 victory over York at Watersheddings. Although at Blackpool he often played at centre, he is best known as a dynamic, strong running, second row forward who soon became a big favourite with the Oldham fans. He played 191 games for Oldham scoring 13 tries, 5 goals and 4 drop goals. He moved into the front row in the latter stages of his Oldham career but was still a threat with ball-in-hand and fearsome in defence.
After playing his last first team match for the Roughyeds against Whitehaven in March 1980, he returned to the amateur game in the town playing for Salem Hornets and Waterhead.
The condolences of the Oldham Rugby League community are extended to all of Fred’s family and friends.
On Saturday January 10th, the 150th anniversary year of the formation of Oldham RLFC got off to a great start with the opening of an exhibition of memorabilia at Gallery 4 in the ‘Gallery Oldham’ building in the Town Centre.
The exhibition was formally opened by the Mayor, councillor Eddie Moores in company with the Mayoress, Kath Moores. The club was well represented with chairman, Bill Quinn, Mike Ford, Callum Irving and David Bottomley all in attendance as was the Leader of the Council, Councillor Arooj Shah. There was also a significant presence from the Players Association and many local Rugby League luminaries including Ray Hicks, Joe Warburton, Mick Worrall, Alan Burke and Chris and Michelle from the ‘Fox and Pine’ who continue to be major supporters of the club. The ‘Rugby Oldham’ organisation was also represented by Mike and Sue Kivlin, Ian Wilson and David Blackburn.
The Mayor and Mayoress, Eddie and Kath Moores, in company with Bill Quinn and Mike Ford at the exhibition opening on January 10th.
Along with Mike Ford, Terry Flanagan and Mike Elliott made up a trio of Oldham RL ‘Hall-of-Fame’ members who were there to witness the opening. The Trust were truly amazed by the substantial turnout of the public on the opening day, many of whom said they would return for a further visit. We hope many more people will view the exhibits before the exhibition ends on March 7th.
Oldham Community Radio were on site to record interviews from various attendees at the event.
The Heritage Trust was saddened to learn of the recent death of Alice Collinge.
She was chair of the Supporters club in the Watersheddings days and was active in the canteens on a match day. Alice was always a lively figure on the Supporters club coaches on the way to away matches organising the ‘first-to-score’ and name cards.
Alice Collinge on the extreme left of the back row with the Oldham ladies team in 1981.
In the early 1980s she was involved with the Oldham ladies team.
A Roughyed through and through, the condolences of the ORL Heritage Trust go out to all of Alice’s family and friends.
If anyone would like to pay their respects to Alice the funeral details are as follows: 1.00pm on Tuesday, 30th December 2025 Hollinwood Crematorium, Roman Road, Hollinwood Oldham, OL8 3LU.
The Oldham RL Heritage Trust was saddened to learn via the Rugby League Journal that two former Roughyeds have recently passed away.
September 2025
The Heritage Trust were saddened to learn of the death of former Roughyed, Ged Smith. Heritage Number 706.
Originally having turned professional with his home town club Widnes in 1962, Ged came to Oldham from Barrow making his debut in a 26 – 10 victory at Doncaster on September 28th 1968.
A diminutive scrum-half standing just 5ft 1 inch tall, Ged had the heart of a lion and in defence would never flinch from taking on any opponent. He played in the 1967 Challenge Cup final for Barrow and a total of 65 games for Oldham scoring five tries.
The sincere condolences of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust are offered to Ged’s family and friends.
November 2025
The Heritage Trust were saddened to learn of the death of former Roughyed, Neil Goodwin. Heritage Number 767.
A second-row forward, Neil came to Oldham from Leeds in September 1973 having started his rugby career at Normanton. He played just six games for the Roughyeds before moving on to Wakefield and later to Halifax.
The sincere condolences of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust go out to all of Neil’s family and friends.
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.
