Profile

Mike Ford signed for his home town club in January 1988 from Leigh, after having first had a successful spell with Wigan, tasting Wembley glory in the 1985 victory over Hull. This was his second game in the famous stadium, his first being for the Oldham under-11’s schoolboy side in the curtain-raiser to the 1977 final.

A scrum half of real pace, Mike played with the local St Anne’s club before his move to Central Park, toured New Zealand with the BARLA Under 18’s and won Great Britain Colts honours. His first season with Oldham ended in promotion and that thrilling win over Featherstone at Old Trafford. This was supplemented by being selected for the 1988 tour “down under”, with Mike acting as Great Britain captain in some of the club matches.

1989-90 saw Oldham in the semi final of the Challenge Cup, Mike was in inspired form in the match and who could forget that last gasp kick for the corner that he placed to perfection, for Paul Lord to score, only for referee Holdsworth to rule the wingman offside denying Oldham at least a replay and sending Warrington on their way to the final.

In the same season he also played a vital part in the Lancashire Cup semi final victory over Wigan, but here again the “Wire” would prove a stumbling block at the last hurdle. There was however some consolation for Mike when he picked up the man of the match in the Second Division Premiership Final after skippering the team in that remarkable come back against Hull K.R. in 1990.