The decision to suspend all competition was a difficult one for
everybody, but the correct decision was made.
For
many, there will be far greater concerns than the club at this time, but we
know how strong our bond is with supporters.
The
local community and family are at the core of our values as a club, but they
feel more important than ever at this moment.
A
plan is being implemented to protect both playing and non-playing staff from
the virus, to attempt to ensure the club survives the uncertainty, but
uncertainty is the only answer that we currently have and it will test our
resolve to the limit. Our loyal fan base will be vital during this period.
Season ticket holders and lottery members, I cannot thank you enough.
Your
continued support will be critical throughout this period devoid of game-day
income and we urge you to continue showing your support whilst we are not
playing.
Fans
willing to support the club during this period can do so by joining our
lottery. There are numerous ways to join the lottery. We have introduced new
payment pathways for those willing to support the club in any way they can.
Everybody
associated with the club are going to carry on doing the best we can. Whether
you’re social distancing, in self-isolation or just trying to act more
conscientiously, continue to be your best self. Act with kindness, stay
connected to those vulnerable or lonely and stay responsible.
Although our photo archive is quite impressive there are some images of the players of Oldham RLFC that are missing or very poor in quality.
If you could fill in any of the gaps or provide a better quality photograph we would be glad to hear from you. Please contact the Trust via our email address: oldhamrl1895@gmail.com
Any addition to our collection is always greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The Heritage
Trust was sad to learn of the death of ex player Kevin Taylor. A member of the
club’s ‘Hall of Fame’ with over 400 appearances for the Roughyeds.
Kevin Taylor
Indeed, Kevin was one of only seven Oldham players in over 125 years of Rugby League in Oldham to top the 400 games mark with 429 senior games for the Roughyeds.
Born and brought up in the
St Mary’s district of the town — an area that has produced numerous rugby
league players of repute over the years — Kevin signed for Oldham
shortly after his 16th birthday from the then Werneth club.
Originally understudy to Len McIntyre, he made his
senior debut at Castleford in the harsh winter season of 1962-63. The next
couple of years were spent mostly in the “A” team, but once Kevin got
an extended run in the senior side, he would hold down the Oldham
hooking position for the next decade. He was also a good player in the loose
especially his support play, which twice led to him being top try scorer in
1966-67 & 67-68. In all he scored 60 tries for Oldham
and kicked five goals.
Kevin was selected for the England Under 24 team against France in the match that was the first played under the new Watersheddings floodlights in October 1965 and went on to play for Lancashire and England. The full Great Britain international call up eluded him, yet week in and week out Kevin would rake out the ball on the Oldham side of the scrum against all his so-called peers. A model of consistency, Kevin played his last game at Salford on January 2nd, 1977 before moving on to Leigh. A great servant of the club and definitely one of the best hookers never to play for Great Britain!
The condolences of everyone
at the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust go to all of Kevin’s family and
friends.
It is with
great sadness that we learned of the death of our former player Frank Foster.
Born in West
Cumbria, he played his early rugby with the junior side Grasslot, where he soon
made his mark and represented Great
Britain at under-19 level.
Workington
soon snapped him and he had successful spells with Hull K.R., Bradford and
Barrow before ending up at Watersheddings.
He
came to Oldham when the club were struggling,
having won only six and drawn one of the 21 league matches played in the
1971-72 season. After Frank arrived, the club lost just one more league game
out of thirteen and that was in the very last minute at Warrington.
A
ball playing prop forward, who had won Cumberland
county and full international honours, he had the knack of committing several
defenders to the tackle and then releasing the ball from almost impossible
situations. Also possessing a tremendous field kicking game, he was an awesome
all- round talent who led from the front with never a backward step. Frank was
that strange enigma of being as tricky and skilful as any half back, while
remaining the toughest and most uncompromising of prop forwards and a good goal
kicker to boot. More the pity that the club only had a year and a half of
service out of Frank before he retired at the end of the 1972-73 season having
made 47 appearances with two tries and
25 goals.
A
true Rugby League legend, in my experience, never has a player made such an
immediate and positive impression on the club as did Frank Foster.
The Heritage
Trust was sad to learn of the death of ex player Jim Reynolds.
Jimmy,
as he was known, was a hard-working, tough tackling, loose-forward who always
played well above his weight, He joined Oldham
from the amateur game in Leigh and made his debut against Dewsbury on September
29th 1970 with Martin Murphy, Phil Larder, Mike Elliott and Kevin
Taylor amongst his team-mates.
Jimmy
scored 22 tries for Oldham in 137 senior games
between 1970 and 1978. The condolences of
everyone at the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust go to the Reynolds family.
It was with much sadness
that the Oldham RL Heritage Trust learned of the passing away of former player
Hugh Waddell.
A most unlikely rugby league
hero, Hugh Waddell walked into Blackpool Borough and asked for a trial as the
result of a bet. He was an instant hit at Borough and wore their tangerine
colours with distinction for three seasons which won him an England cap against Wales. After a devastating
‘hat-tick’ display at Watersheddings in September 1984 which sent the Roughyeds
crashing out of the Lancashire Cup, Oldham duly
took note and he signed in January 1987. He became a favourite with the fans as
a tough straight running prop forward and soon showed his mettle to the Oldham
public in the first round Challenge Cup win over Wigan, when he had a storming
game. The following season he played 36 out of a possible 38 games to help the
club take the second division Championship and Premiership titles, the latter
after that famous encounter with Featherstone Rovers at Old Trafford.
Consistent form throughout the season earned him a Great Britain call up, but there
were a few raised eyebrows when he was selected for the 1988 tour.
“Hughie” went on to prove all the doubters wrong, especially when he
turned in another stunning performance in the last test victory, the first
against the Aussies for ten years.
Always
popular with the Oldham fans, he joined Leeds
in September 1988 after making 54 appearances for the Roughyeds scoring seven
tries. He later went on to Sheffield, where he
helped the Eagles to defeat his former team in the 1990 Divisional Premiership
final.
The Heritage Trust were saddened to hear of
the death of Colin Smith.
A prop forward or hooker, Colin signed from Swinton
in the autumn of 1967 after previously having played for Blackpool Borough. He
made just 19 appearances for the Roughyeds but will be ever remembered for a
try saving cover tackle on the Hunslet winger Tommy Thompson in a first round
tie at Parkside in February 1968. That effort effectively won the match for
Oldham who went on to beat Bradford after a replay before going down to Leeds in the quarter final with each of the three matches
attended by crowds in excess of 18,000.
He went on to join the coaching staff at
Saddlewoth Rangers and represented the local league on the Lancashire County
committee.
A true sportsman Colin will be remembered by
many both on and off the field.
