Profile

Oldham signed Terry Flanagan amidst much competition from other professional clubs in the summer of 1979. He came from Saddleworth Rangers with a big reputation and was soon making his presence felt in the senior team at Watersheddings, his ball playing skills from the loose forward position opening up many a defence in the “Roughyeds” cause.

In his first season he made 24 appearances, helping the team to promotion and became the youngest ever club captain the following year when still only 19 years old. The team struggled and were relegated but the experience was not lost on Terry, who led the side to the second division championship in 1981-82, with only two league matches lost in the entire season. He represented Great Britain at Colts and Under 24 level before winning the first of four full caps in 1983. Considered unlucky to be left out of the original 1984 tour selection, he did receive a late call up to the squad, making a record five Oldham players on the trip. On the Australian leg of the tour he was troubled with injuries, but recovered to force his way into the team for the third New Zealand test and picked up the man of the match award in the game against Papua New Guinea.

Back on the domestic scene Terry was a major influence in the club consolidating its place in the first division in the mid-eighties. A major disappointment was the semi-final defeat by Castleford in the 1986 Challenge C up, when he was substituted at half-time. Oldham had taken the lead just before the break and with stand off Glen Liddiard having to come off with concussion, the decision to replace Terry at the same time was mystifying to say the least. In 1987-88, with the club back in the second division, Terry landed a vital drop goal in the 23 22 victory at Wakefield, which effectively settled the destination of the championship. Oldham then fought through to their first Old Trafford final, where “Flan” was amongst the try scorers in that memorable victory over Featherstone.