In spite of the heavy defeat to London Broncos in the play-off match yesterday, the 2026 season is one that the club and supporters can be very proud of by the fact that the third place finish in the Championship is the best since the exit from Super League in 1997.
In this the 150th anniversary year, it has been a roller coaster of a campaign with much upheaval behind the scenes. However, the on-field performance including that 16 match winning run in the Championship league fixtures, highlights how the focus of the team and coaching staff were up to, and met, the many challenges put before them. The loss to a very talented and full-time London outfit yesterday should not take the gloss off a fantastic season for the Roughyeds.
Dave Murgatroyd
Also, it would be remiss of the Heritage Trust not to raise a glass to our friend Dave Murgatroyd who finished his tenure as the club photographer down in Wimbledon yesterday. As keen a ‘Yed’ as any other of our loyal supporters, Dave is to be thanked for all of the hours spent and miles travelled to bring us the superb images of Oldham RLFC and although he might be missed behind the lens, I’m sure he will be there to cheer on the lads for many seasons to come.
Just a section of the Oldham support in London (photo courtesy of Dave Murgatroyd)
Finally a word about the Oldham following in London. It was a great showing from the travelling support who never stopped encouraging the team from the start of the encounter to well after the final whistle.
The Heritage Trust were saddened to receive the news that former Roughyed, Bill Broomhead (Heritage Number 668) had died late last month.
Bill, a scrum-half, came north from Tenby RU Club for the start of the 1964-65 season and made his first team debut on October 24th 1964 at Warrington. He made 30 first-team appearances kicking 6 goals. He settled locally in Oldham and was for many years a member of the Oldham RL Players Association.
The condolences of the Oldham RL community are offered to all of Bill’s Family and friends.
Three generations of the Maders family received their Heritage Certificates at the match against Salford on August 23rd.
Dennis Maders made his Oldham debut on November 27th 1965 and went on to play 18 times for the Roughyeds including the Lancashire Cup final in 1968.
Martin was part of the resurgent club and featured in the emotionally charged Law Cup match on New Years Day 1998 at Spotland when Oldham defeated Rochdale 36 – 16. He went on to turn out 17 times for the “New” club.
Harry carried on the family tradition playing his first match on March 10th 2019 and scored 7 tries in his 10 appearances for Oldham.
Harry, Martin and Dennis with their Heritage Certificates. ( photo by Dave Murgatroyd).
The presentations were made by club chairman Terry Flanagan in the Broadway Suite before the Salford game.
A fascinating new book has just been published regarding the first ever Rugby League tour to this country. This was in 1907 when New Zealand visited Great Britain. The team was nicknamed the ‘All Golds’ because of their professionalism although they played in the same ‘All Black’ kit as their Rugby Union counterparts. Local interest comes in the form of the tour vice-captain George (G.W.) Smith, who signed for Oldham at the conclusion of the tour and also half-back Arthur Kelly who signed for St Helens but also settled in Oldham.
The Kiwis won the three match test series against Great Britain 2 – 1 but suffered defeat at Watersheddings to Oldham 8 – 7 and to England under the captaincy of Joe Ferguson 18 – 16.
Details of how to obtain the book below:
The All Golds is a gripping historical novel inspired by the true story of the men who changed rugby forever. In 1907, New Zealand rugby is ruled by powerful officials who demand loyalty, silence, and sacrifice. Players are expected to risk their bodies for honour alone, while administrators keep control of the game. But young Wellington clerk Albert Baskerville sees the injustice clearly — and dares to challenge it. His plan is audacious: assemble a team of the country’s finest players, defy the Rugby Union establishment, and sail across the world to play under professional rules for pay.
Branded traitors, banned from grounds, threatened with ruin, and mocked in the press as “The All Golds,” Baskerville and his men refuse to back down. Joined by stars such as George Smith, Lance Todd, Dally Messenger, and a band of working-class footballers hungry for fairness, they embark on a journey that will test their courage, loyalty, and belief in one another. From the wharves of Wellington to the stadiums of Australia and England, The All Golds is a powerful story of rebellion, sacrifice, friendship, and the birth of rugby league. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H62CJCX1
The 150th Anniversary Brochure, that was launched, at the celebration dinner on June 27th, is available and on sale in the 1895 bar at Boundary Park for the last two home matches against London on July 16th and Salford on July 23rd.
The Heritage Trust will be selling the 40 page brochures for £5 from 1.15 pm until 2.45pm and after the game until 5.30pm. There are just about 200 left now from an original print run of 500 so don’t miss out!
The brochure is available by post for £7.30 from: Oldham RL Heritage Trust, 9, Dumfries Drive, Denshaw, Oldham, OL3 5SG.
The Oldham RL Heritage Trust were saddened to learn of the death of former player Peter Mills. Peter signed for the Roughyeds in March 1961 from Shawside Juniors and was a mainstay of the “A” team forwards in the early 1960s.
A regular attendee at the meetings of the Players Association, Peter will be sadly missed by the Oldham RL community.
The condolences of the Oldham RL Heritage Trust are extended to all of his family and friends.
On Saturday June 27th 2026, over 250 people gathered for the gala dinner at the town-centre venue ‘The Loom’ to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Oldham RLFC. This proved to be a fantastic night as the Oldham Rugby League Community turned out in force to mark this milestone of our club.
The evening got underway with an address from new chairman, Terry Flanagan.
Six new members were inducted into the club’s ‘Hall of Fame’ with Mick Worrall and Neil Roden there on the night to accept the honour in person. Des Foy sent a video message over from Ireland and there were representatives from the families of Alf Wood and Bob Sloman. Joseph Platt was added in the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category and a message was sent in from his great grandson which included:
“I am delighted that my great grandpa’s contribution to Rugby League is being honoured in this way and that ‘The Cup and Cap’ have now found a home in perpetuity. They have found their rightful home. Thank you to all concerned.
Nick and Jonathan Whipp.
The cup and cap were items of memorabilia donated by the family to the Heritage Trust collection. Also on show on the night were caps and a trophy brought in by the Sloman family.
As well as ‘Flan’ other Hall of Famers in attendance were Mike Elliott and Roger Halstead.
The attendees at the 150th anniversary dinner being entertained by the players panel. (Photo courtesy of Dave Murgatroyd).
The atmosphere in the room was buzzing as supporters mingled with the many former players (more than 50) in attendance. A popular part of the evening was a section devoted to “Messages from Down Under” when eight stars of yesteryear took time out to send a video with their best wishes and congratulations for the 150th celebration.
There was a discussion panel with former players; Neil Flanagan, Adie Belle and Phil Joy along with current first team coach Alan Kilshaw. The evening was well managed by Michael ‘Braddy’ Bradshaw and the Trusts’ Kevin Fitzpatrick.
Can everyone who is attending the Oldham RLFC Gala dinner at The Loom on Saturday June 27th at 7pm please ensure that they have confirmed their menu choice via the club website or contacted the person who has organised their table. Please note that this has to be done by Saturday June 20th so that numbers can be confirmed with the venue.
Also could the people who have booked a table please supply the names of their guests if they have not already done so.
The Gala dinner is looking to be a great night with many former players in attendance going right back to the 1960s. There are just a few days left to book tickets via the club website.
Six more people are to be inducted into the Oldham RLFC ‘Hall of Fame’ at the gala dinner on June 27th at “The Loom” in Oldham Town Centre.
Five players will be added to the Players ‘Hall of Fame’ and the great administrator Joseph Platt will be added to the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category. Joe became a committee member in his early twenties in 1885 and by 1887 he was the club treasurer. He was one of the prime movers in the breakaway from the RFU and the setting up of the Northern Union in 1895 and was installed as honorary secretary a position he held until his retirement in 1920. Already in the Roll of Honour at the Rugby Football League, he is regarded as one of the greatest administrators ever to be associated with Rugby League.
Alf Wood (Heritage Number 119) was a fine defensive full back who played 248 games for Oldham in which he kicked 349 goals. He was selected for the 1914 tour to Australia and New Zealand when those qualities were seen in full in the famous ‘Rorke’s Drift Test, when an injury depleted Great Britain team held out against the Kangaroos with Alf providing a resolute last line of defence. He went on to tour again in 1920 aged 36, which makes him the oldest player ever to be selected for the trip.
Bob Sloman (Heritage Number 210) joined Oldham from the Plymouth Albion RU club in 1921 and went on to make 268 appearances scoring 40 tries and four goals. A forceful second-row forward, he was selected to tour ‘Down Under’ in 1924 and 1928 and twice captained the Roughyeds in the Challenge Cup final in the defeat to Swinton in 1926 and the victory over the same club in 1927. He therefore remains the last Oldham skipper to raise the Challenge Cup.
Mick Worrall (Heritage Number 843) came to Oldham from the Crossfields amateur club in Warrington in 1979. A towering second-row forward and useful goal kicker, Mick made his debut at the end of the 79-80 season and would go on to make 173 appearances for Oldham scoring 31 tries and 61 goals . Noted for crunching tackles, he could also cut through the tightest defences as witnessed when he broke the line of the mighty Australians in 1986 to lay on the first Oldham try. He was selected for the 1984 tour.
Des Foy (Heritage Number 869) , a local lad who started his professional career at Widnes, he was soon snapped up by Oldham and became an immediate fans favourite. A devastating runner in the centre position, his 197 appearances for the Roughyeds brought him 96 tries. He was selected for the 1984 tour and won man-of-the-match in the 1988 2nd Division Premiership final against Featherstone at Old Trafford after a fine two try performance.
Neil Roden (Heritage Number 1111) came to Oldham from Wigan in 2000 and was quickly installed into the first team being comfortable in either the scrum-half or stand-off position. He had a spell away from the club in 2005/6 before returning to play until 2013. Neil’s 295 appearances for the Roughyeds are the most of any player in the 21st Century and his 113 tries are the most by any half-back in the club’s history. He was also adept at knocking over drop goals and finished his career with 25 which is second on the all-time list for Oldham.
Tickets for the event cost £45 are available from the link below. Included will be a two course meal and a special 150th anniversary celebration brochure.
There is to be a gala dinner to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the club at the new Town Centre venue ‘The Loom’ on Saturday June 27th at 7pm.
The Heritage Trust in combination with ‘Rugby Oldham’, the Players Association and Oldham RLFC have got together to lay on what promises to be a spectacular occasion with new inductions to the club’s Hall of Fame along with contributions from many former players on an evening totally dedicated to Rugby League in Oldham.
Included will be a two course meal and a special 150th anniversary celebration brochure.
Tickets cost £45 are available from the link below.
