The heritage Trust were saddened to hear of the death of ex-Roughyed, Green Vigo (Heritage Number 868), aged 75.
He was born on 21 April 1950 in Saldanha Bay, Cape Province, South Africa and began his career in Rugby Union with Saldanha Tigers before coming to wider attention at representative level. In 1971–72, Green represented the Proteas, a South African representative side for black and coloured players, on their tour of the United Kingdom. A strong and powerful running winger, he was later snapped up by Wigan and made his first team debut in August 1973 and went on to have seven successful years at Central Park before moving on to Swinton in 1980.
A fans favourite at all his clubs, he moved to Watersheddings at the start of the 1982-83 season and went on to play 63 matches for Oldham scoring 20 tries with his last match coming against Castleford in February 1985.
The sincere condolences of the Oldham RL community go out to all of Green’s family and friends.
The re-formed Oldham Ladies team got off to a great start with a resounding win in their first game.
The Oldham Ladies squad and coaching staff after the match against Keighley.(Photo Dave Murgatroyd)
The friendly match against Keighley took place at the Netpar complex on Sunday February 8th with full-back Megan Hobin scoring a hat-trick of tries in the 58 – 0 victory.
It is with regret that the Heritage Trust learned that the death has been announced of the former Oldham player Vince Fawcett (Heritage Number 1048) at the age of 55. He signed for his home town, Leeds on his 17th birthday making his senior debut soon after. Before joining the Roughyeds Vince, a powerfully built centre who played three times for the Great Britain under 21 team, had a successful couple of seasons at Workington and a spell at Parramatta Eels in Australia.
He made nine appearances for the Oldham in the second Super League season of 1997 scoring three tries, all of which came in a hat-trick against St Helens but previously he had made his debut and scored a try in the friendly against Swinton in what was the last first team match at Watersheddings. After Oldham he had brief spells at Warrington and Wakefield before retiring in 1999.
The condolences of the Oldham RL community go out to all of Vince’s family and friends.
The Heritage Trust were deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Oldham player, Martin Murphy (Heritage Number 690).
A true legend of the club, Leigh born, Martin signed for Oldham on December 6th 1966 having played three trial games in the ‘A’ team. He made his debut a few weeks later against his hometown club in a 14 – 5 victory at Watersheddings. A full- back with immense courage, he went on to become the leading post war appearance maker for the club and played in every position in the back division. However, it is as a full-back that Martin will be best remembered, especially for copy book defence, taking down the heftiest forwards, tricky half backs or speedy threequarters with the same total thoroughness and efficiency. Surely one of the fastest full backs ever to wear the Oldham colours, he won the BBC try of the season award for a long-range effort against Leigh in the Floodlit trophy semi-final in 1972.
Capped by Lancashire, he also made one appearance for England, scoring a last gasp try to clinch an 11 – 9 victory against the French in Perpignan, on January 19th, 1975. Probably the last of the great clubmen of Oldham RLFC, Martin had the honour to captain the team in the centenary season of 1976-77. He made 462 appearances for the Roughyeds scoring 52 tries and is a member of the ‘Hall of Fame. Anyone who watched the club from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s could not help but have fondness for the ginger haired full-back who always gave one hundred percent.
The sincere condolences of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust are offered to all of Martin’s family and friends and what follows is an eloquent appreciation written by his daughter Martina.
Martin Murphy — The Last Great Club Man
Oldham is a town built on loyalty — to place, to people, to purpose. Few embodied that spirit more completely than Martin Murphy, an Oldham Rugby League legend whose life in the game stands as a testament to commitment, humility, and unwavering service. Martin, who has died aged 77, devoted 16 seasons (1966–1982) to Oldham Rugby League Football Club, making an extraordinary 462 first-team appearances. In an era defined by grit and loyalty, he became a constant — trusted, resilient, and deeply respected. A natural full-back, Murphy was known for his calm authority, fearless defence, and total reliability. He captained Oldham during the club’s centenary season in 1976–77, a role that reflected not just his ability, but his values. His excellence was recognised beyond the club. He represented Lancashire, and in 1975 earned international honours with England, memorably scoring a dramatic last-minute winning try against France in Perpignan — a moment cherished by rugby league supporters.
His contribution is part of the story of Oldham’s rugby heritage. Items linked to him and other greats of the Roughyeds feature in the 150 Years of Oldham Rugby League Football Club exhibition at Gallery Oldham, which celebrates the club’s remarkable history and preserves the legacy of players like Murphy for future generations.
Inducted into the Oldham Rugby League Hall of Fame, Martin Murphy is remembered not simply for records or accolades, but for something rarer: unwavering loyalty. He is widely regarded as the last great club man — a player whose life mirrored the steadfast spirit of the town he served. The family would like to thank friends, former teammates, and the wider Oldham rugby leaguecommunity for their kindness, respect, and messages of support at this time.
The Oldham RL Heritage Trust would like to thank everyone who have sent good wishes to Steve and his family.
Steve, one of the trustees, was taken ill during the match at Salford last night (Friday January 16th) in an incident that was so serious that the match was suspended for 30 minutes. Luckily there was medical assistance provided within seconds and the swift actions of those involved were a vital factor in Steve being able to pull through.
Steve Brown (left) with Kevin Fitzpatrick at the exhibition opening ceremony last Saturday.
The whole of the Salford staff, both medical and administrative, are to be commended for the way they responded to the emergency with personnel from the Oldham club and both sets of supporters all helping the Brown family through a very upsetting situation.
Today Steve has been in contact from hospital and seems to be in good spirits and can’t wait to be following the Roughyeds once more.
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.
