Bernard Ganley

Profile

William Bernard Ganley signed for Oldham originally as an amateur in August 1950, turning professional one year later. His father Bert had played for Leigh, Huddersfield and Leeds. Bernard was, of course, a full back, but had played at half back in his amateur days with the Leigh Spinners club.

His debut came in the match against Liverpool Stanley on March 3rd, 1951, his contribution being two goals in a 16 – 3 victory over the Merseysiders. A humble beginning to a truly remarkable career. The following 1951-52 season saw Bernard become the first Oldham player to land over 100 goals, finishing with a total of 106.

This was only the tip of the iceberg as records tumbled to the Ganley boot. He would surpass the 100 mark on another six occasions and in 1957-58 became the first player in history to kick 200 goals, in club matches only. 1958-59 brought him another record that of goals in a match, splitting the uprights fourteen times with Liverpool again being on the receiving end on April 4th, 1959.

Bernard played in all the cup-final wins in the 1950’s and not surprisingly scored in each one, with his kicking expertise being supplemented by a rare try in the 1957 Lancashire Cup Final victory over Wigan. He gained county honours and three full Great Britain caps, all against the French. His debut yielded him five goals and another try ! The second appearance saw Bernard again creating records, with ten goals as the French were demolished to the tune of 44 – 15 at Wigan.

There have been many great goal kickers in Rugby League, but for the Oldham fans there has never been anyone to compare with “The Maestro”. Bernard was the most lethal of marksmen and broke many the heart of opposing teams and their supporters, with his deadly accuracy, whether it was part of a runaway win or tipping the balance for a single point victory.

Career Games

Opposition Venue Date Competition
Oldham v Liverpool Stanley Home March 3, 1951 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away March 10, 1951 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away March 23, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home March 24, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home September 10, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home September 15, 1951 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away September 22, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home September 24, 1951 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v New Zealand Home September 29, 1951 Tour Match
Oldham v Warrington Home October 6, 1951 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away October 13, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home October 16, 1951 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Leigh Home October 20, 1951 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away October 27, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Bramley Home November 3, 1951 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away November 10, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home November 17, 1951 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away November 24, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home December 1, 1951 League Championship
Halifax v Oldham Away December 8, 1951 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away December 15, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Keighley Home December 22, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home December 26, 1951 League Championship
Bradford Northern v Oldham Away December 29, 1951 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home January 3, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home January 5, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home January 12, 1952 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away February 2, 1952 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Away February 9, 1952 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Hull FC Home February 16, 1952 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Hull Kingston Rovers Home February 23, 1952 League Championship
Leeds v Oldham Away March 1, 1952 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Bramley v Oldham Away March 8, 1952 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Away March 22, 1952 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away March 29, 1952 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away April 1, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Belle Vue Rangers Home April 5, 1952 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away April 11, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home April 12, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Halifax Home April 14, 1952 League Championship
Hull Kingston Rovers v Oldham Away April 26, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home August 16, 1952 Law Cup
Oldham v Featherstone Rovers Home August 23, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home August 30, 1952 Lancashire Cup
Swinton v Oldham Away September 3, 1952 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Leeds Home September 6, 1952 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away September 10, 1952 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away September 13, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Australia Home September 15, 1952 Tour Match
Workington Town v Oldham Away September 24, 1952 Lancashire Cup
Leeds v Oldham Away September 27, 1952 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away October 4, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home October 11, 1952 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away October 18, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home October 25, 1952 League Championship
Bramley v Oldham Away November 1, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home November 8, 1952 League Championship
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away November 15, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home November 22, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Belle Vue Rangers Home December 6, 1952 League Championship
Bradford Northern v Oldham Away December 20, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1952 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home December 27, 1952 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away January 10, 1953 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away January 17, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home January 24, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Bramley Home January 31, 1953 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away February 7, 1953 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v St Helens Home February 14, 1953 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away February 21, 1953 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away February 28, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Bradford Northern Home March 7, 1953 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away March 14, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home March 21, 1953 League Championship
Featherstone Rovers v Oldham Away March 28, 1953 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away April 3, 1953 League Championship
Belle Vue Rangers v Oldham Away April 4, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home April 6, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Liverpool City Home April 11, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home April 18, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Huddersfield Home May 16, 1953 Benefit Match
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 8, 1953 Law Cup
Oldham v Wigan Home August 15, 1953 League Championship
Huddersfield v Oldham Away August 22, 1953 League Championship
Bramley v Oldham Away August 26, 1953 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away September 5, 1953 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Whitehaven Home September 7, 1953 Lancashire Cup
Leigh v Oldham Away September 12, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Liverpool City Home September 19, 1953 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away September 24, 1953 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Widnes Home October 3, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Dewsbury Home October 10, 1953 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away October 17, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home October 24, 1953 League Championship
Belle Vue Rangers v Oldham Away November 28, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home December 5, 1953 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away December 12, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home December 19, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1953 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away December 26, 1953 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home January 9, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Huddersfield Home January 16, 1954 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away January 23, 1954 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away February 6, 1954 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Liverpool City Home February 13, 1954 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Warrington v Oldham Away February 20, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home February 27, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home March 6, 1954 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Barrow v Oldham Away March 13, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home March 20, 1954 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Neutral April 3, 1954 Exhibition Match
Oldham v Warrington Home April 8, 1954 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away April 10, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home April 12, 1954 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away April 16, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Belle Vue Rangers Home April 17, 1954 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away April 19, 1954 League Championship
Halifax v Oldham Away May 15, 1954 Benefit Match
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home August 7, 1954 Law Cup
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away August 14, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Batley Home August 21, 1954 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away August 25, 1954 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away August 28, 1954 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away September 4, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Lancs County Amateurs Home September 11, 1954 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Liverpool City Home September 14, 1954 League Championship
Batley v Oldham Away September 18, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home September 20, 1954 Lancashire Cup
Workington Town v Oldham Away September 30, 1954 Lancashire Cup
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away October 2, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home October 9, 1954 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Neutral October 23, 1954 Lancashire Cup
Liverpool City v Oldham Away October 30, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Blackpool Borough Home November 6, 1954 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away November 13, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home November 20, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home December 28, 1954 League Championship
Oldham v Belle Vue Rangers Home January 1, 1955 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Away January 8, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home January 15, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home April 18, 1955 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 13, 1955 Law Cup
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 30, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Hunslet Home September 3, 1955 League Championship
York v Oldham Away September 24, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Featherstone Rovers Home October 1, 1955 League Championship
Hunslet v Oldham Away October 8, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home October 15, 1955 League Championship
Featherstone Rovers v Oldham Neutral November 2, 1955 Independent Television Floodlit Trophy
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away December 27, 1955 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home January 28, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Dewsbury Home February 11, 1956 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Wigan Home February 18, 1956 League Championship
Featherstone Rovers v Oldham Away February 25, 1956 League Championship
Leeds v Oldham Away March 3, 1956 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v York Home March 10, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Blackpool Borough Home March 17, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home March 24, 1956 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away March 30, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Leeds Home March 31, 1956 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away April 2, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home April 14, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home April 21, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home August 11, 1956 Law Cup
Oldham v Bramley Home August 18, 1956 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 25, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home August 28, 1956 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away September 1, 1956 Lancashire Cup
St Helens v Oldham Away September 8, 1956 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away September 11, 1956 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Wakefield Trinity Home September 15, 1956 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away October 6, 1956 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Neutral October 8, 1956 Rules trial game
Oldham v Halifax Home October 13, 1956 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Neutral October 20, 1956 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Keighley Home October 27, 1956 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away November 3, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v Australia Home November 7, 1956 Tour Match
Oldham v Workington Town Home November 10, 1956 League Championship
Keighley v Oldham Away November 17, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v York Home December 1, 1956 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home December 8, 1956 League Championship
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away December 15, 1956 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away December 22, 1956 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away December 29, 1956 League Championship
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away January 1, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Hunslet Home January 5, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home January 12, 1957 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away January 19, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home January 26, 1957 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away February 2, 1957 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away February 9, 1957 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Widnes Home February 16, 1957 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Away February 23, 1957 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Liverpool City Home March 2, 1957 League Championship
York v Oldham Away March 9, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home March 16, 1957 League Championship
Bramley v Oldham Away March 23, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home March 30, 1957 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Away April 4, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home April 15, 1957 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away April 19, 1957 League Championship
Hunslet v Oldham Away April 20, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home April 22, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Leeds Home May 4, 1957 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Neutral May 18, 1957 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 10, 1957 Law Cup
Oldham v Halifax Home August 17, 1957 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away August 22, 1957 League Championship
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away August 24, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home August 26, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home August 31, 1957 Lancashire Cup
Huddersfield v Oldham Away September 2, 1957 League Championship
Halifax v Oldham Away September 7, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home September 10, 1957 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Warrington Home September 14, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home September 21, 1957 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away September 28, 1957 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away October 2, 1957 Lancashire Cup
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away October 12, 1957 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Neutral October 19, 1957 Lancashire Cup
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away October 26, 1957 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away November 9, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Liverpool City Home November 16, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home November 30, 1957 League Championship
Hunslet v Oldham Away December 7, 1957 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away December 14, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home December 21, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1957 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Away December 26, 1957 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away December 28, 1957 League Championship
Oldham v Leeds Home January 4, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home January 11, 1958 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away January 18, 1958 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away February 1, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Hull Kingston Rovers Home February 8, 1958 Rugby League Challenge Cup
St Helens v Oldham Away February 15, 1958 League Championship
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away February 22, 1958 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Wigan Home March 8, 1958 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Whitehaven v Oldham Away March 15, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home March 22, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home March 25, 1958 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away April 4, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home April 5, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Huddersfield Home April 7, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Hunslet Home April 12, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home April 16, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home April 26, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home May 3, 1958 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away August 9, 1958 Law Cup
Oldham v Halifax Home August 16, 1958 League Championship
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away August 19, 1958 League Championship
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away August 23, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home August 30, 1958 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Workington Town Home September 2, 1958 League Championship
Halifax v Oldham Away September 6, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Wakefield Trinity Home September 13, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home September 16, 1958 Lancashire Cup
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away September 20, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home September 30, 1958 Lancashire Cup
Warrington v Oldham Away October 4, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home October 11, 1958 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away October 18, 1958 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Neutral October 25, 1958 Lancashire Cup
Featherstone Rovers v Oldham Away November 1, 1958 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away November 15, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Leeds Home November 22, 1958 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away November 29, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home December 6, 1958 League Championship
Workington Town v Oldham Away December 13, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home December 20, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1958 League Championship
Hunslet v Oldham Away December 26, 1958 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away December 27, 1958 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home January 3, 1959 League Championship
Leeds v Oldham Away January 31, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home February 7, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home February 21, 1959 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Whitehaven v Oldham Away February 28, 1959 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Away March 14, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home March 21, 1959 League Championship
Swinton v Oldham Away March 27, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home March 30, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Liverpool City Home April 4, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home April 7, 1959 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away April 11, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Hunslet Home April 14, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Whitehaven Home April 18, 1959 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away April 20, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v St Helens Home April 27, 1959 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away May 2, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home August 8, 1959 Law Cup
Oldham v Leeds Home August 15, 1959 League Championship
Dewsbury v Oldham Away August 18, 1959 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away August 22, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Warrington Home August 25, 1959 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away August 29, 1959 Lancashire Cup
Halifax v Oldham Away September 5, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Halifax Home September 8, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home September 19, 1959 League Championship
Blackpool Borough v Oldham Away September 26, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Australia Home October 3, 1959 Tour Match
Barrow v Oldham Away October 10, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Workington Town Home October 17, 1959 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away October 24, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Barrow Home October 31, 1959 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away November 7, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Blackpool Borough Home November 14, 1959 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away November 21, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Rochdale Hornets Home November 28, 1959 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away December 5, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Dewsbury Home December 19, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 25, 1959 League Championship
Oldham v Hull FC Home December 28, 1959 League Championship
Liverpool City v Oldham Away January 2, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Wakefield Trinity Home January 9, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Leigh Home January 16, 1960 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away January 30, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home February 6, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Huddersfield Home February 13, 1960 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Wakefield Trinity v Oldham Away February 20, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Walney Central Home February 27, 1960 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Leeds v Oldham Away March 5, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Wigan Home March 12, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Bramley Home March 19, 1960 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Hunslet v Oldham Away March 26, 1960 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Neutral April 9, 1960 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v St Helens Home August 13, 1960 League Championship
Warrington v Oldham Away August 17, 1960 League Championship
Leeds v Oldham Away August 20, 1960 League Championship
Wigan v Oldham Away August 27, 1960 Lancashire Cup
Oldham v Leigh Home August 30, 1960 League Championship
Featherstone Rovers v Oldham Away September 3, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Halifax Home September 10, 1960 League Championship
St Helens v Oldham Away September 17, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Featherstone Rovers Home September 20, 1960 League Championship
Hull Kingston Rovers v Oldham Away October 15, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Widnes Home October 22, 1960 League Championship
Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Away October 29, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Liverpool City Home November 5, 1960 League Championship
Keighley v Oldham Away November 12, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Salford Home November 19, 1960 League Championship
Whitehaven v Oldham Away November 26, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Leeds Home December 3, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Blackpool Borough Home December 17, 1960 League Championship
Leigh v Oldham Away December 24, 1960 League Championship
Oldham v Swinton Home December 26, 1960 League Championship
Barrow v Oldham Away December 31, 1960 League Championship
Hull FC v Oldham Away February 11, 1961 Rugby League Challenge Cup
Oldham v Hull Kingston Rovers Home February 18, 1961 League Championship
Salford v Oldham Away March 4, 1961 League Championship
Widnes v Oldham Away March 11, 1961 League Championship