Saddleworth Rangers will play Waterhead Warriors in what promises to be a classic Standard Cup Final at Oldham RU Club’s Manor Park ground at Bardsley on Good Friday, April 15, kick-off 11.45am.
Saddleworth Rangers are in division one of the National Conference, while Waterhead Warriors operate in division three. Having strengthened their squad this year with the recruitment from Roughyeds of Gareth Owen, Phil Joy and Danny Bridge, Waterhead old boys returning to where it all began, they are fancied to win promotion from division 3.
They have underlined their billing by winning through to the final of the BARLA National Cup.
As a curtain-raiser to the Final, the under-11s from both clubs will go head to head in the Johnny Blair Memorial game, kicking off at 10.30am.
Linda, the late Johnny’s wife, will present the boys with commemorative medals after the game.
Admission to both games will be £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and children. The Oldham Amateur League will give out free tickets to the under-11s at all member clubs which run youth and junior teams.
Said league secretary Phil Bradbury: “Former winners of the Ben Powell man-of-the-match trophy in the Final also get free tickets. “The Final is THE highlight of the local rugby league grassroots scene and, as such, is well supported. This year, with the attendances currently being generated by both the Warriors and the Rangers, we are hoping for, and expect to get, a cracking crowd.”
It is with deep sorrow and regret that we pass on the sad news that Oldham’s former wing or full-back, Geoff Sims died on Christmas Day.
The record book shows that Geoff Sims, a neat and tidy utility back, arrived at Watersheddings from Leigh Colts making his debut on the left wing at Wakefield on August 23rd 1958. Lots of the big-name stars of that famous fifties side were still at the club, but despite the level of competition Geoff made a first-team spot his own, appearing in 204 senior games between 1958 and 1966, mainly at full-back or on the wing but occasionally at centre too.
Also an accomplished goal-kicker Geoff kicked 211 goals for Oldham, including 119 in the 1961-62 season, to go with his 59 tries.
He is well remembered for a touchdown in that never-to-be-forgotten Challenge Cup semi-final of 1964 against Hull KR, which went to three games. Playing on the wing outside John Donovan, he scored a late try in the first replay at Station Road which, with Frank Dyson’s conversion and a last minute penalty, put the Roughyeds level at 14-14 before extra-time was abandoned by referee Dennis Davies due to bad light with Oldham 17-14 ahead.
However, in the quarter final at Hunslet in the previous round it was Geoff who secured Oldham’s place in the last four. On an absolute quagmire of a pitch at Parkside, Geoff demonstrated a superb piece of skill in kicking ahead and winning the race to touchdown. It was the turning point of the match that Oldham went on to win 7 – 5 and a brave thing to do in those days of unlimited possession (no tackle count).
Geoff continued to feature regularly in the first team before leaving to join Salford at the conclusion of the 1965-66 season.
The sincere condolences of the Heritage Trust and all at the club are extended to Geoff’s, family and friends.
Gallery Oldham has just refreshed their “Oldham Stories” exhibition which now includes a cabinet dedicated to the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust. There is also some film footage to accompany the display.
The cabinet has been organised by Karen Heatley who has joined the Gallery’s heritage team and the display is most impressive, as is the whole of the exhibition, and is well worth a visit.
The exhibition, which opened on December 14th, is situated in Gallery One and will run for approximately six months.
Following on just over a year from the honour given to Joseph Platt, who was inducted in August 2020, Tony Martin has been similarly honoured by the RFL.
Tony’s now also flies the flag for Oldham in this esteemed category of the Rugby League order of merit. He is rewarded with this recognition for his three decades of outstanding service to the game as a match official.
In the first 25 Super League seasons from 1996 to 2020, he was one of that competition’s top touch judges as well as doing an enormous amount of work for the community game, especially in his native Oldham.
His major match appearances included ten Super League Grand Finals, five Challenge Cup finals and the 2000 World Cup Final.
He becomes the 44th member of the Roll of Honour which was launched in 2003 to recognise people who have made outstanding contributions to the game, both on and off the field.
The induction of Tony to the RFL’s Roll of Honour is not only richly deserved and a great honour for himself and his family, but another reminder of the Oldham Borough’s massive contribution to Rugby League.
A meeting was held at the OEC centre at Boundary Park on Tuesday December 7th as part of the initiative by the new vice- chairman of Oldham RLFC, John Roddy to bring all parts of the local Rugby League community together.
The view is that, as a collective, Oldham RLFC, Rugby Oldham (Supporters Trust), YEDS (the new Roughyeds Supporters Group), the (Past) Players Assn, the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust, the Oldham Amateur League and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council would potentially achieve much more by working together and providing a united front.
All the different groups supported that basic principle, including Oldham Council, whose top official, chief executive Harry Catherall, was present at the meeting. The unanimous opinion was that this initial meeting was a positive development for Rugby League in the town.
Standing (left to right): Roger Halstead, Adrian Alexander, Ginny Alexander, John Roddy, Harry Catherall (chief executive, Oldham Council), Chris Hamilton, Ian Wilson, Mike Turner, Mike Kivlin. Seated: Joe Warburton, Phil Bradbury, Jamie Hollingworth.
Roughyeds were represented by chairman Chris Hamilton and vice-chairman John Roddy, who said Roughyeds now had a “unique” opportunity to bring the local rugby league community together for mutual benefit. Also present were Mike Kivlin (chairman) and Ian Wilson (secretary) of Rugby Oldham; Phil Bradbury of the Oldham Amateur League; Mike Turner of the Oldham RL Heritage Trust, Jamie Hollingworth of YEDS, the new supporters’ group, Joe Warburton of the (Past) Players’ Assn, former player Adrian Alexander (a club ambassador), his wife Ginny (former Mayor of Oldham and current Oldham Councillor) and Roger Halstead, the Roughyeds media manager and a writer and reporter on rugby league at all levels in Oldham for 57 years
Chris Hamilton said he was thrilled by the appearance of the Council’s chief executive which, in itself, was an indication of the local authority’s interest in playing an active role in the future of the sport in Oldham. We were delighted to host the first meeting of the ‘Partners’ Group. The common denominator is we all want to see Oldham Rugby prosper.
It was decided to meet on a regular basis in working together for the benefit of Rugby League at all levels in Oldham, the general view being that here was an opportunity to show pride in the sport, pride in the town and pride in the town’s rugby league heritage and history.
Following on from their recent successful ‘sell-out’ annual dinner the Oldham Players Association are to hold a Social evening at the Springhead Liberal club on Friday December 3rd at 8pm.
There will be entertainment from comedian, Lea Roberts and a disco with music provided by Bing Findlater.
Tickets, which include a potatoe pie supper, are priced at £10 and are available from behind the bar at the club or contact Joe Warburton at : joewarby9@aol.com
The Heritage Trust has arranged, at the request of ‘Gallery Oldham’, to present an on-line zoom talk regarding the content of the ORLHT collection and subsequent donation to the Gallery. Details below:
Join Karen Heatley from the ‘Gallery Oldham’ collections team and Michael Turner from the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust as we take a look at the fascinating objects in this recently donated rugby collection.
Brought together by the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust over many years, it is recognised as being one of the most important rugby club memorabilia collections in the world. Objects include an array of caps, shirts and medals some of which date way back to the Victorian era along with a variety of documents and photographs.
There is something for everyone with a passion for Rugby.
Book your ticket via eventbrite and login details for the talk will be emailed to you a few days before the session.
The Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust is pleased to announce that their website has been added to the prestigious ‘Sporting Heritage Collections’.
Sporting Heritage CIC is a not-for-profit community interest company working specifically to support the collection, preservation, access, and research of sporting heritage in the UK and wider. They have extensive experience in delivering programmes and projects at strategic and delivery level in the heritage, media and sports sectors.
They are associated with collections from many sports including; Football, Cricket, Athletics and of course Rugby League. Please find a link below to the Sporting Heritage website.
The funeral for Brian was duly held on Wednesday October 6th with a service at Holy Trinity Church, Woods Lane, Dobcross, Oldham at 11.30am.
The service was followed by the committal at Oldham Crematorium, Hollinwood at 1pm with an assembly of the mourners back at The White Hart, Lydgate from 1.30pm.
Of course many of Brian’s family and friends were in attendance with the Rugby League community well represented. At the church all of the Heritage Trust trustees were in attendance (Mick Harrop, Tim Hughes, Steve Brown and Michael Turner). “Rugby Oldham” was also well represented with secretary, Ian Wilson giving a thoughtful and sometimes humorous reading bringing to mind Brian’s dealings with the RO organisation.
The Oldham Rugby League club was represented by Roger Halstead who gave the main eulogy on behalf of the Walker family. Roger delivered the piece with style and empathy recalling Brian’s early life and long time association with all things Rugby League in Oldham.
Ray Hicks and John Watkins were there to represent the Oldham ex-players association and Peter Townsend of Saddleworth Rangers was also present with Phil Bradbury representing the Oldham amateur RL at the crematorium.
As would be expected, part of the floral tribute was rugby themed.
I am sure that the thoughts and condolences of everyone associated with Rugby League in Oldham are with Adrian, Charlotte and Oscar at this sad time.
It is with sorrow and regret that the news has been received that our friend and colleague Brian Walker has died after a long illness aged 75. A true Roughyed through and through, his presence in and around all things connected with Oldham RLFC will be sadly missed.
Brian with the Rugby League World Cup at the Mahdlo Youth centre in 2013.
Brian was a founder member and trustee of the Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust and a true ‘tour de force’ in his aspirations and accomplishments to help the ORLHT become a leader in the world of sporting heritage organisations. Of course most of this concerned his beloved Oldham RLFC and his enthusiasm and passion to help protect and preserve the collection was boundless and second to none. He would, at the drop of a hat, journey right across the country, north to south and east to west to acquire a cap, shirt, medal or anything else that would add to trust’s impressive collection.
When it was time to bring out one of the Heritage Trust books, it was Brian who would charm, cajole and quite often pursue the sponsors until we had sufficient funds to make them happen. Without his input on this front it is unlikely that many of the publications would have seen the light of day and none of these were better received than Brian’s own “Roughyeds – The Story” which quickly sold out after it was published in 2004.
He was a prime mover in setting up the Heritage Trust Trophy which is presented to the Oldham ‘Player of the Match’ in the Law cup fixture against Rochdale Hornets and indeed Brian presented the trophy to the first recipient Ian Watson, again in 2004.
At the weekend he would, more often than not, be seen at Saddleworth Rangers on Saturday and where ever the Roughyeds were playing on Sunday, almost always accompanied by his wife Anne until she passed away a few years ago.
When it came to Oldham Rugby League, Brian was there. A meeting with the Heritage Trust or Rugby Oldham, or the Oldham council, Brian was there. He was there at the championship victory against Hull at Odsal in 1957 and the heartbreaking challenge cup semi-final defeat to Hull KR in 1964. Pre-season friendlies at Barrow and Whitehaven, World Club Challenge matches in Adelaide and Townsville, Brian was there. From Headingley to Hemel and from Paris to Parkside. Brian was there. Freezing nights at Watersheddings, scorching afternoons at Whitebank. St Helens, Leeds, Wigan, Warrington. Brian was there. Keighley, Rochdale, Workington, Batley. Brian was there. Carlisle, Oxford, London Skolars, North Wales. Brian was there.
May I return to the beginning, a true Roughyed – through and through!
