Profile

Wigan born, Frank Daley was a true Rugby League “character”. His working class, mining town, up-bringing contrasted with his reputation of being a proficient classical pianist. He came to Oldham from Leigh in January 1949 as a centre and it was in that position that he started his career with the club for which he would also turn out at loose forward and in the second row. However, it would be some years later and as a stand off half that Frank would build his Oldham reputation.

Mention Daley to supporters of the 1950’s team and you also have to mention Stirrup.

The two “Franks” formed a half back partnership of sheer quality, both of them tricky performers who would often leave their opponents, team mates and spectators wondering just who had the ball. Both of them were capped by Lancashire, evoking memories of the Lees / Lawton partnership some fifty years earlier.
Daley was also to partner the other Frank (Pitchford) to great effect in the Championship Final of 1957, but it was in the Lancashire Cup Final later the same year that “Dancing Dan” would have his finest hour. Wigan were the opponents and wing sensation Billy Boston had been switched to stand off and up until the final, had been successful in the new position, but on this day Daley put in an awesome defensive display to completely blot out the threat of the Welsh legend and Billy was to return to greater glories, back on the wing.

A quiet man off the field, his considerable talents did not go un-noticed and a testimonial brochure of his career issued in 1959 contained glowing accounts of his career by many of the top RL writers of the day including Phil King, Eddie Waring and Jack McNamara. Frank was never seen as being one of the stars of the fifties team but still commanded the respect of team mates and opponents alike and is fondly remembered by the supporters.