Profile

Billy Longworth was a local man who first played with Central Rangers and Glodwick J uniors before joining the Chadderton (formerly Werneth) club. He came to the notice of the Oldham officials and signed for the club in 1905, making his senior debut at Wigan on April 15th of that year.

A tall forward, he became a first team regular in the 1906-07 season. This was the first after the reduction of players to thirteen-a-side and suited the style of the strong, straight running, Longworth.

He was selected for Lancashire county and won a call up for the full international side to represent his country in the first ever series against the Australians in 1908-09. Along with Oldham team mates Arthur Smith and George Tyson, he helped the “Lions” to success, playing in all three tests. The “Ashes” were secured by way of two wins and a draw. Billy further punished the Aussies by scoring a try in the 11 5 defeat suffered by the first “Kangaroos” in the game against Oldham.

Billy left to join Halifax in August 1913, but returned to play along with many of his old colleagues for Oldham “Past” against the “Present” team in a special charity match on January 3rd 1916.