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AMEMBER OF IFA NETWORK LIMITED WHICH IS REGULATED BY THE PERSONAL INVESTMENT AUTHORITY i *THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE PERSONAL INVESTMENT AUTHORITY. YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON AMORTGAGE OR OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. WRITTEN DETAILS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. ... with Christopher Hamilton Football Club (1997) Limited A W A R M w e l c o m e t o 64 Union Street Boundary Park for this Oldham OL1 1DJ afternoon’s opening home Telephone: 0161 628 3677 NFP game against Choriey Fax: 0161 627 5700 Lynx. Henry Morris, their Club Shop: 0161 627 2141 Chairman, and everybody connected with the club CHAIRMAN Christopher Hamilton have had avery tough time DIRECTORS Christopher Hamiliton, Stewart over the last few months Hardacre, Sean Whitehead HEAD COACH culminating with the ASSISTANT COACH suspension of their Rugby John Henderson Football A L L I A N C E C O A C H League Haydn Walker Membership. ACADEMY COACH Mark Knight Iam delighted to say, however, that with the ACADEMY MANAGER Pete Beswick considerable support of their new backers, the FIRST TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST Lisa Sharratt Hemmings Family, the future now looks brighter and we alliance/academy PHYSIOTHERAPISTS wish them all the best this season. Jodie Whittle, Danni Turner

CONDITIONER We started the season well up at Barrow last week Tony O’Brien TIMEKEEPER where the support was tremendous and to all of you who John Barrett made the trip THANK YOU. C L U B D O C T O R Dr Ian Wilkinson Today we officially welcome to Oldham RLFC all our C L U B D E N T I S T Neil Gibbison close season recruits and wish them well with our club. STATISTICS Eddie Barton, Bruce Deadman We are also delighted to welcome our new club P R O G R A M M E E D I T O R Geoff Cooke sponsors, J. W. Lees &Co., Claims Network Limited and our associate club sponsors Prosport. We thank them C L U B H O N O U R S AJLaw Cup Winners 1998, for their support and hope that their partnership with us 1999/2000 Trans Pennine Cup Finalist 1998 will be along and mutually beneficial one. H A L L O F F A M E M E M B E R S (SPONSORED BY J. W. LeES, BrEWERS) Finally we hope that this season will be asuccessful Joe Ferguson 1899-23, Alan Davies 1950-62, Bernard Ganley one for the club and we wish Mike Ford, the coaching 1950-61, John Etty 1954-59, 1955-59, Bob Irving 1964-74, and support staff good luck in all their efforts. There has Martin Murphy 1966-82, been atremendous amount of work put in prior to the Andy Goodway 1979-85 &1993-94 start of the season and if hard work is anything to go by we are already top of the league. Enjoy the game and keep up your fantastic support. FRONT COVER C h r i s H a m i l t o n Shayne McMenemy

The views expressed in this matchday magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the ewnagement and staff of Oldham RLFC (1997) Ltd.

We Would Like To Thank The Oldham Evening Chronicle For The Use Of Photography

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4 WE ARE pleased to welcome our visitors from Chorley Lynx today. When it looked as though the ^club might be expelled from the League Oldham gave them our backing in their fight to continue, so ■we are happy that their struggle was successful. I «am especially pleased to welcome ^*4 with whom Iplayed at where he was club captain and an inspiring leader. Ihope he can bring some success to Chorley, though not, of course, at Oldham’s expense. The result at Barrow last week was an improvement on last year, having lost there narrowly 19-16. It is ameasure of the progress we have made that we were slightly disappointed with w our performance when we know how good Barrow are at home and how difficult it is to get awin anywhere in Cumbria. The victory was based on generally solid defence despite conceding four tries. Given that we saw so little of the ball in the second half we were pleased with the outcome. As in the South Sydney game our prop forwards worked tirelessly, although we showed tremendous enthusiasm and work rate right through from 1to 17. Our kicking game was much improved from the South Sydney match but we want to do even better in this department as we do in ball retention. When Italk about educating the players being on ongoing necessity Imean that we have to select the right options at the right time. We must not get too carried away when on top and, similarly, must not get too down when things go wrong. Given that the attitude and enthusiasm of the Oldham players is absolutely outstanding, Ifeel that we are getting there. Finally the tremendous vocal support we got at Barrow was of enormous benefit. Thanks for you commitment and keep it up today. As ever, enjoy today’s match. Mike

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6 i'.licitdil ... from the pen of Michael Turner ALTHOUGH the Roughyeds played the old Chorley Borough during the Watersheddings days, it is only since the new club was formed in 1997 that we have entertained the “Lynx.” Perhaps the most exciting game between the two clubs was the first encounter on May 31st 1998, which took place on the Preston Grasshoppers ground. The match ended in a draw, eighteen points each with Oldham coach, Paddy Kirwan and Lynx skipper, Andy Ruane both left to reflect on what might have been in the after match press interviews. Indeed both teams would have to admit that here was apoint lost, rather than apoint gained. From “Lynx” point of view the game looked secure when they led 18-6 going into the last quarter. This was achieved through tries from Steve Ashcroft, Neil Parsley and Phil Jones, who also tacked on three goals. Ruane was having afield day against his old club, dictating much of the play from acting half back when Lynx were in possession and putting in some bone crunching tackles in defence. On 58 minutes, Kirwan introduced veteran forward Paul Round as substitute. This proved to be an astute decision on the part of the Oldham coach as “Roundy” Andy Ruane the ex-Oldham favourite and Lynx turned back the clock with adisplay of captain in 1998 power running. An immediate return was minutes saw the Roughyeds camped on realised when he burst through the Lynx their opponents line, but it was not to be and defence to set up atry for Steve Wilde. Less the score-line remained 18 -18. than five minutes later Neil Flanagan had O n e c o n s o l a t i o n f o r O l d h a m w a s a n crossed the line again with both scores impressive debut from future captain Andy converted by Chris Wilkinson. This added to Proctor. an earlier try from Darren Robinson and a

Wilkinson goal brought the scores level and, O l d h a m t e a m : with still aquarter of an hour to go, Oldham were in full control and looked odds on to SWilde; AMead, RDarkes, SCooper, C Eckersley; CWilkinson, NFlanagan; A take the spoils. But try as they most Proctor, DRobinson, MEdwards, J certainly did the Roughyeds could not Nadiole, GShaw, MMartindale SUBS: I breach the “Lynx” defence again. As the Sinfield, NVarley, MPrescott, clock ticked on, no less than three attempts PRound. at drop goal by Wilkinson were off target, as Attendance Oldham pressed for the winning score. 1,351 Indeed the majority of the last fifteen

7 m

% / f n THE Roughyeds what is certain to be an even tougher and V can look more competitive campaign than last year forward to the h a s b e e n fi r s t c l a s s . new Northern On and off the field no stone has been Fordleft unturned in the search for the magic Premiership formula that separates winners from the season with rest. plenty of Ford has kept his coaching staff and his o p t i m i s m a n d players from last season and has with arealistic strengthened his squad with half adozen belief that they signings. will be strong enough to be involved in the He has taken on proven and experienced final shake up for NFP honours come next additional backroom staff in conditioner Tony July. O’Brien, physiotherapist Lisa Sharratt and Seven months of roller-coaster rugby chief scout John ’Jacko" Jackson. league lie ahead. And in Dr Ian Wilkinson and Dr Stuart And if last season’s surge into the top B a i l e y h e c o m p l e t e s a ‘ h a n d s o n ’ m e d i c a l six and then into the play-off semi-finals is team that will be represented at every match anything to go off, we can stand by for plenty and at every training session. of thrills and spills along the way. At board level, the acquisition of new kit The NFP is steadily building in strength, sponsorship deals featuring John Willie Lees increasing its credibility as ameaningful and Claims Network Ltd in aunique competition in its own right and creating ‘twinning’ arrangement -each worth afive within the sport’s fan base aperception that figure fee for one year only -demonstrates we now have alively and viable alternative to that the club’s recent achievements have . been recognised above and beyond regular The ‘Rugby League Raw’ television followers of the Roughyeds and of the NFP. series devised and presented across the The NFP as awhole is enjoying similar North of England by Yorkshire Television at recognition, as indicated when ahuge turn the end of last season worked wonders for out of media folk, involving writers, reporters, the public awareness of what the NFP has to aTV crew and radio men, attended the offer. League’s official launch of the 2000-2001 The Roughyeds played their part season at Spotland the other day. impressively, not least by their defeat of ’s Steve Wagner chose the Doncaster in that extra-time thriller at Belle perfect time to unveil his plan for providing a Vue, and earned recognition at the NFP structured promotion path from the NFP to a w a r d s n i g h t i n L e e d s w h e n t h e y w e r e Super League, about which much has been awarded the Club-of-the-Year Trophy. said and written already. Mike Ford was one of three nominees for We gained maximum exposure for a the Coach-of-the-Year award and Shayne scheme that, on the face of it, has much to McMenemy was named in the NFP team of commend it. The timing of the the year: aterrific achievement in the new announcement, unfortunately, killed off any club’s third season and in Ford’s first year chance of significant publicity for the actual with the Roughyeds. start of the new season. I t ’ s g o o d t o l o o k b a c k a n d r e m i n d Nevertheless, the NFP and Oldham ourselves of last season’s magic moments if Roughyeds have much to look forward to only to extract inspiration for the new through winter, spring and on into the hazy, challenges that lie just around the corner. lazy days of summer and beyond. From the outside looking in, one has to conclude that the preparation by Oldham for Roger Halstead

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10 I n Ye r F a c e

IMAKE no apologies for returning to the ever miss tackles. And aplayer guilty of subject of the World Cup, which, despite all the missing tackles is likely to find himself quickly criticism was NOT adisaster. Afew thousand replaced by the latest up-and-coming spectators at Reading, Gloucester, Belfast, youngster. Consider this: no British coach Watford etc. largely represents people not would have omitted Robbie Paul from his team normally followers of the game turning out in even if it meant re-jigging the formation and generally appaling conditions to watch Rugby playing people out of position. Yet Paul’s league, agame they are not supposed to be appearance as asubstitute in the World Cup interested in! final showed just why did not Perhaps someone at R.L. H.Q. might care rate him as afirst choice when acouple of to analyse the crowd figures. Barring the Final, handling errors and several missed fackles the biggest gate was in . More people revealed his weaknesses. Yet here is aplayer at Cardiff than the Reebok. Abetter gate at who is astar of Super League. How far off the Watford for aquarter-final than at or standard then are the likes of , . Encouraging attendances in , Tony Smith, Paul Anderson, France. Add to this the nationwide I.T.V. Darren Fleary etc. etc? And what sort of coach teletext poll in which 71% of respondents plays aman well short of mafch practice (Paui (against 29%) said Rugby League was a Sculthorpe) and drops atackling machine superior sport to Rugby union and we ought to hooker (Paul Rowley) in favour of ahalfback question whether the so called ‘M62 corridor’ with no number 9experience (Tony Smith) really is the game’s heartland any longer. If who couldn’t tackle abrown paper bag? o n l y w e c o u l d g e t a w a y f r o m a g a m e However the coach can only work with the administered by club chairmeni players he’s got. Wouldn’t it be better if more To any right thinking R.L. fan Super of the players in our premier competition were League should have 14 teams and 26 fixtures. available for home nation selection. (N.B. The newly announced 2001 fixture list is a soccer faces the same problem!) Ask this travesty. (Ask any Oldham fan who endured question: are there ANY overseas players in ’s 8team second division the Australian N.R.L. who are NOT out of the when we met London Crusaders six times in a top drawer? Then ask: how many overseas season), if we accept the current twelve clubs players in Britain are here because they are in Super League, the two newcomers should not good enough for first grade back home? be from Soufh Wales and the South of France. Speaks for itself doesn’t it? So could someone S.L.E. of course won’t have it because it tell Super League Chairmen that five overseas means spreading News Corp money more quota players plus any now off quota because thinly! But, excuse me, isn’t S.L.E. a they’ve been here five years (fathom that one MARKETING organisation! wouldn’t you think out!) doesn’t do the game any good. that attracting new corporate sponsors was a One final point. major part of its function, the successful Watching Castleford implementation of which would cover any at the end of last deficit involved in expanding the league by two season in aSuper clubs? League fixture on Meanwhile, we bemoan the lack of TV. Stevo made the success of the home nations in the World Cup. following observation Well, consider the following.... after the Tigers had After five years of Super League it is brought on a evident that Australian and New Zealand substitute: ‘since the players are stronger, fitter and faster than introduction of Barry British players. Why? If massive contracts and Eaton Castleford full time professionalism can't produce players have been com- who are competitive what is going on at Super plefely transformed’. Barry Eaton League clubs to justify their expenditure? BARRY EATON -an When you watch the Australians play they N.F.P. player on loan from Dewsbury! Makes don’t do anything out of the ordinary. BUT they you thinks, doesn’t it? do everything as ateam, play to aplan and make few mistakes. Most of all they hardly G.C.

11 Ifc®[N][F[P

AS Anew season dawns every club in the League Featherstone and Flull K.R. could be the two will be looking for improvement but, inevitably, not most vulnerable of last term's top sides. Neither every club will succeed. Last season’s top eight looks to have significantly strengthened their hand still look the strongest sides in the competition, and the Robins could rue the loss of Dave though the order they finish in will no doubt be Flarrison as coach. different. Those outside the eight will be hoping to Barrow came closest to abreakthrough last gatecrash the party, some making wholesale time, but Idon’t see any improvement and without changes to do so, others relying on abit of fine abig turnaround on their travels they won’t get tuning. If last season is anything to go by it enough points to make the eight. Cumbrian promises, once again, to be an enthralling year. neighbours Whitehaven and Workington will both Flere’s how Ienvisage things panning out. expect better results. Whitehaven will look to Paul Top of the tree -look no further than last Cullen’s coaching and Dave Watson’s on field year’s Grand Finalalists Dewsbury and Leigh. The savvy, while Town will want areturn on their Rams boast both stability and atop Coach. Their investment in such as Tane Manihera, Flitro new recruits, Andy Fisher (Wakefield), Richard Okesene, Lokeni Savelio and Fata Sini. Ifear they Pachniuk (Flunslet) and Paul Smith (Castleford) will be disappointed. can only strengthen their team. While Leigh have Meanwhile, Flunslet Flawks have off-loaded lost two quality hookers in Mick Higham and several out of contract players and coach David Anthony Murray to Barrow, re-placement Mark Plange will rely on acrop of talented young R o d e n f r o m W igan will still form part of a players to see him through. formidable front-row with Tim Street and Dave Jon Sharp has Whittle. Welsh international Chris Morley will rung the changes at replace Fleath Cruickshank in the second row with Batley. Popular other significant additions being John Flamilton scrum-half Glen and Jason Johnson from St. Flelens together with To m l i n s o n r e t u r n s t o John Duffy, Simon Svabic and Dave Bradbury Mount Pleasant via from Salford, the latter two both being ex-Oldham. and In addition, in Sean Richardson and Simon W a k e fi e l d a n d i s a Baldwin the top two possess the best running c l a s s a c t , a s i s second-row forwards in the league. Aussie prop Jeff Floping to topple these two will be Doncaster, Wittenberg from Keighley, Widnes and Oldham. The Dragons in my Sheffield. The view are on the plus side of the balance sheet, Bulldogs should at their recruits being better than those discarded. Ail the very least have experience, Paul Mansson the ex-Flunslet improve their results Glen Tomlinson and Widnes Kiwi being atop play-maker, Simon at home. Similar Irving ex- and York aquality centre, and the radical changes have taken place at Rochdale, widely travelled Brad Flepi, atough Kiwi loose- Sheffield, Swinton and York. On paper Flornets forward. Keighley have also added to their look better than ayear ago but much will depend strength, with Jim Leatham from Flull K.R. their top on Martin Hall’s coaching and establishing an acquisition. The Cougars problem, however, is immediate understanding. whether Steve Deakin can emulate Karl Flarrison Sheffield Eagles are in the same boat, as are in the coaching stakes. York Wasps who, inevitably, have several players Widnes and Oldham make for an interesting returning from Castleford including full-back Jamie contrast. The Vikings have gone for big name Benn. Meanwhile Swinton will miss the departing recruits. Although they could regret the loss of big Ian Watson, aquality scrum-half who played so prop Lee Flansen to Swinton, the list of well for Wales against Australia in the World Cup newcomers is impressive. Leading the way is Simi-final. Karle Flammond, but look at these: Jason So, finally to the unknown quantities, Demetriou, Chris McKinney, Scott Martin, Joe Gateshead and Chorley, who both have Faimalo, Mark Forster, Stephen Flolgate, Stuart outstanding coaches in Andy Kelly and Graeme Rhodes, Ian Watson, Phil Coussons. Now that’s West. The Thunder will be apopular addition to what Icall ‘muck or nettles’. But can they be the league and don’t be surprised if they turn over blended into aunit? afancied team or two. Hopefully, Chorley can also Oldham, by contrast, have alot of stability put together acompetitive side. It may take time, with all last year’s squad still on board and several but if Iknow Dennis Ramsdale and Graeme West young newcomers with apoint to prove, Chris they won’t accept second best. So, where last year Farrell, Daryl Lacey, Gareth Barber, Kevin Iforecast Lynx to finish bottom, this O’Loughlin, Paul Norton and Jason Roach give the season I’ll forecast that Chorley Lynx will not be Roughyeds more strength in depth. They should propping up the table come July. be serious challengers for honours. GC

12 In TownToday Lv'nx SINCE LAST season, when as Lancashire Lynx plenty of experience and is the right age for a the team finished bottom of the League, the club maturing front-rower. has undergone acomplete metamorphosis. No relation, STUART CONWAY comes from Transferred from the ownership of Preston North local amateur football and has shown up well in End F.C., the newly re-named Chorley Lynx are pre-season. So too have other amateurs now the rugby playing arm of the Chorley Sporting graduating to senior football in KEIRAN LACEY Club and will play all their home fixtures out of the and TONY SMITH. Meanwhile, for the moment, compact Victory Park Ground. PETER CAIN and LUKE MADEN will retain their The club made its most important amateur status as they are hoping to gain appointment in Graeme West, their new Coach, respentative honours with B.A.R.L.A. Chorley on a3year year contract. He is fresh from hope to sign both on professional forms when coaching Canada in the Emerging Nations World these ambitions have been fulfilled. Cup and will work alongside the highly respected Still with Lynx after the trials and tribulations team manager Dennis Ramsdale. Both men are of last season are anumber of good young ex-Wigan, Ramsdale aformer flying wingman. players. Best known to Oldhamers is prop or West aNew Zealand international second-row second-row MIKE PRESCOTT, who signed for who went on to coach at Wigan and Widnes. It will the Bears from Golborne and re-signed for the be no surprise, therefore, if the Wigan connection newly formed Roughyeds before seeking pastures figures large in the new Lynx set-up. new. Now the right age, with the size and One ex-Wiganer is STUART FISHER who experience to make an impact. was astar of the Warriors’ championship winning Young hooker CHRIS RAMSDALE, son of Alliance side. He brings distribution and Chorley general manager Dennis, has twice been organisational skills to the team which, it is hoped, the Lynx Academy’s player of the season. He put will bring out the best in his team mates. in anoteworthy effort at Boundary Park last term GRAHAM before retiring with abroken arm. He is now, TABERNER s happily, over the injury and raring to go again. a n o t h e r e x - W i g a n 21 year old fullback PAUL ROBERTS has a man, though he joins good kicking game and can be devastating when L y n x f r o m L e i g h fielding and returning opposition kicks. He proved where he had only the point with two tries in the friendly with limited opportunities. . Sound in both attack Like Roberts, LUKE VINCENT also stays at and defence. the club after last season’s difficulties. Abig, Hooker strong-running forward, Vincent toiled manfully TALBOT last term and could make an even bigger impact started at Wigan, but this. since then had Several players step up from the Academy spells at Wakefield side, notably WARREN HINDLE, DALE CHRISTY and Dewsbury. He is and GARETH POTTER, ail of whom now have the an ex-Great Britain chance to prove their worth at ahigher level. Academy Meanwhile GARY DOHERTY, an elusive runner international and who can score from anywhere on the pitch, is featured in the Rams expected to be amajor force in his second year at Grand Final winning the club. side. However the Graham Tabener Finally, Chorley have recruited some arrival of Richard experience to go with all the youth mentioned in Pachniuk at Ram Stadium sees Talbot transfer his utility back LEE BARGATE. Signed by Batley from 100% commitment to Victory Park where it is Middleton Amateurs (Leeds) in 1990. Bargate has expected he will be abig influence. had two spells at Mount Pleasant with time at Other newcomers to the side include DAVID Featherstone sandwiched in between. Obviously WADSLEY formerly of Salford. Apacey back with favoured by David Ward, who signed him for both plenty of stamina. the Rovers and the Bulldogs, Bargate did not 23 year old DEAN CONWAY comes to seem to fit new Batley coach Jon Sharp’s plans, Chorley from Leigh. Abig, rugged prop Dean has so hopes to make abig impression at the Lynx.

13 O r ^

...with Brian Walker A L L T H E W R O N G M O V E S man was Dennis. He did abetter job (as an autobiography by Terry Clawson physio) than anyone and was asmashing bioke too. Not oniy that he was very simiiar WATERSHEDDJNGS is littered with to me, in that he iiked agood iaugh. And examples of experienced players arriving at iooking back at my time at Watersheddings I the club for the first training session doubt he had many of those at bloody banknotes bulging out of their back pocket. Oldham!” The size of the bulge or the shine on that Isuspect club chairman Arthur Walker new club car determined their attitude to the wasn’t exactly splitting his sides either when new club and, in most cases, the length of Clawson disappeared up Ripponden Road the time the banknotes took to disappear or in that cloud of dust, already signed by York the shine on the new car to fade coincided (at the usual big loss) having played no neatly with the length of time those players more than twenty two games for the club, tended to stick around before disappearing and this time still in the car the club had in acloud of dust (usually in acar already provided! p r o v i d e d b y t h e i r n e x t c l u b ) a l o n g Ripponden Road. All The Wrong Moves Icould name ateam of such players, Terry Clawson taking his place at open side prop and probably as captain; but there would be more than one or two contenders f o r t h a t . Clawson has now published his autobiography ‘ALL THE WRONG MOVES' presumably to make afew more quid. Nothing wrong with that, but if you are an Oldham fan looking for agood Christmas morning read generating fond memories of the old club forget it! Don’t waste your £9.99p. On the other hand if you are looking for something perhaps unique in sporting autobiographies, in this case one not ghost written but straight from the pen of the man him self, and, from arugby league prop to boot, go for it! Clawson splits the book into twenty two chapters, most coinciding with his time at one club or another! The story is of arock hard rugby league mercenary who gave and expected no quarter, but who represented his country with pride both here and on tour. He didn’t enjoy his stay at Oldham, best The Autobiography ‘All The Wrong reflected by comments which include “You Moves’ is available by mail order from need to have eyes up your arse when you League Publications, Briggate, play for Oldham” (directed at whom Iam not Brighouse, HD6 1DN at £9.99p plus quite sure!) and when referring to then club £1.50p despatch or to use your credit and GB physio Dennis Wright “He was atop card phone 01484 401895.

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Pat Rich Dean Cross John Hough \ George Barlow Celebration Caterers B u l l ’ s H e a d & S o n s L t d Tel: 0161 624 3619 Heyside Tel: 0161 624 4301

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Lee Doran Wes Rogers Chris Holland Gaskell &Co Estage Agents Shayne McMenemy MacFarlane «5«1 Oldham SUppermill Merchanting Tel: 0161 6201427 Alpha Tec Limited o r 0 1 4 5 7 8 7 0 5 5 7 Stalybridg

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Phii Farreii Kevin Mannion /-N Ian Sinfield Moorside Electrical Contractors Joan Wild and John Barrett \/ Carol Stott (Time keeper) Tel: -01706 842416

15 Cook(e)ingupastorm ^ RUGBY LEAGUE against the World. If you those who worry about attendances at such thought ahundred years of outright hostility fixtures Iwould point out that, to the best of to our game had come to an end with the my knowledge, that other game actually professionalisation of that other code....think REQUIRES every affiliated club to again IThe reporting of the Rugby League purchased aset number of tickets thereby World Cup outside of the game’s own press ensuring good attendances at international has been an absolute and total disgrace. matches. Iwould suggest Rugby League do And some of those who earn their living as something similar leaving the clubs to so called journalists should be sacked from decided how to dispose of their allocation their positions as being incompetent to do whether by payment, part payment, free their jobi Once upon atime events were issue or any other method. Just athoughti covered by REPORTERS, but not any longer. Have you noticed how at all levels ANOTHER piece in Rugby league World for now, whether it be TV. news, radio or the December (yet another free advert, by jovel) press, we are subjected to the OPINIONS of caught my eye. In his always excellent commentators not reporters? Once you column (crawler!) Harry Edgar proposed a switched on the news to get the facts and rule change Ihave advocated ever since the turned to the likes of Newsnight for opinion, new rule was introduced, namely areduction comment and interpretation. Not any longer. from ten metres to five metres at play the All of which might not be so bad if most of ball. (You see they all come round to my way the pieces written about R.L. had anything to of thinking eventuallyl). Potential outcomes: do with the games being played and the 1) fewer runaway scores 2) less easy for people who play and watch them. But no, props and hookers to make “easy" yards half the World Cup pieces were written with (Sorry Houghy) (why, when we have a10 no reference to events on the pitch and most METRE rule do we talk about ‘hard seemed to have only one purpose, namely YARDS’?) 3) closer, more exciting games 4) to denigrate the ‘greatest game on earth’. more skilful ball handling by props (think Even R.L. friendly journalists such as Andy Mick Morgan) or loose-forwards (think Terry Wilson and Paul Wilson writing in the Flanagan). 5) Less chance of the Aussies Observer saw fit to condemn the sport. Yet, lo and behold, on reading Andy Wilson’s absolutely thrashing us (must be agood World Cup Diary in the December edition of thingl). Any takers? Rugby League World it transpires that the man actually enjoyed the World Cup. Would LAST WEEK’S opening fixtures in the new that he had transmitted this to the readers of N.F.P. season went pretty much to plan. the Observer, apaper which reaches a Barrow would have been disappointed with much wider audience. But, then, that ahome defeat by Oldham after making Craven Park such afortress last term. wouldn’t have served the purpose of the ‘kick and clap’ brigade whose game is so Similarly Gateshead would have liked an well organised it has to turn to R.L. coaches opening win but will have been encouraged and players to improve its standards, since by agate of 2332. Best win of the day was turning professional. Do journalists not see Sheffield’s 34-1 hammering of Batley. the irony of the situation? Like Isaid, Rugby Biggest game of today is Keighley league against the world. against Dewsbury. Not being faint-hearted I forecast Cougars to win. Otherwise Iexpect IAM all in favour of international Rugby home wins except for Widnes to overcome League and would like to see aregular five Rochdale at Spotland and -Idon’t believe nations tournament in our calendar. For I’m saying this -Gateshead to win at Batley

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.. .Gareth Barber I t i s g o o d t o t a l k s o m e o n e a s refreshingly enthusiastic about his rugby as Gareth Barber. Having started to play at the age of nine, and loving it from the start, he has been backed all the way by his parents and family. At Saddleworth School he was encouraged by Eddie Barton (ex- Oldham player and the stats man at Oldham now), where he played alongside his mate Kevin Sinfield. Outside school Gareth played at Waterhead Rugby club, where men like Mick Clough were very helpful as were his many friends in the game. Amongst his heroes he lists Gary Scholfield who Fortunately, Gareth really enjoys he watched many times when he was training, because it does take up agood growing up, whilst at present he few hours of his time, and when not in admires and Brad college he relaxes with his mates, plays Fittler. snooker, golf, play station games and As asigned on player for still enjoys agood run whether sprinting Warrington from leaving school he or cross country, learned alot from their procedures and Oldham’s supporters are great he drills in their programme for young says; they get behind you when things players and respects the likes of Paul don’t always go to plan and give the Collen for instilling confidence and lads areal lift when they make aload of application. However, being an noise. Icongratulated him on the try he ambitious player, he felt the time was scored against South Sydney and right to move on to face new wished him many more and all the best challenges, new changes, anew club, for the season to come. “It’s ateam his hometown club, Oldham, where he game and Iwant to be part of awinning hopes to establish himself in the side team. We are all confident, team spirit and also learn alot from coach Mike is high and we will do our best”, said Ford whom he respects as acoach who Gareth, “knows what he is doing”. ©

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21 OLDHAM RLFC INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION ART in sport is quite rare and art in our own sport, rugby ieague, is rare indeed but, once in awhile comes along something special! OLDHAMS own artist ANDY PEMBERTON commissioned with adifficult brief has produced one of the most spectacular of rugby watercolours. This superb painting has been commissioned by way of aTRIPLE celebration. To mark both the Millennium and the 125th Anniversary of the formation of the old Oldham club, and perhaps most important, to celebrate the achievements of Oldham Rugby Club, who, over those 125 years has not just produced many, many representative players, but has attracted famous players from each corner of the rugby playing world. But this painting is more, much morel Aspectacular image of the gathering of 43 Oldham players from many eras, from many countries, captains of Australia, New Zealand, Wales, England and Great Britain captured together in one frozen moment in time, ‘OLDHAM RLFC INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION' IS ASTRICTLY LIMITED EDITION COLOUR PAINTING OF 100 COPIES

EACH PERSONALLY SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST. THE PAINTING IS PRESENTED 60cm x42cm (APPROX 24” x17”) IN AQUALITY HAND MADE FRAME WITH ACHOICE OF GILT OR DARK OAK FINISH. SECURE YOUR COPY NOW BY PLACING AN ADVANCE ORDER!

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22 ... with Dave Roberts John Barratt -Time keeper suits etc. also Ispend 2days aweek collecting for the Saturday Yankee. Ibelieve you used to be areferee? / w a s t r e a s u r e r o f t h e O l d h a m Referees’ Society, Ieven did the line in amatch at Watersheddings, but one thing that comes to mind was Ionce awarded (by mistake) the Man of the Match to aplayer that Isent off after 3 minutes!

What are your favourite and least favourite grounds? My favourite Is Rochdale, because we always show them how to play rugby, my least favourite Is Bradford, where everything Is too far away. Tell us anything unusual that’s How did your job come about? happened? Jack Roscoe packed it in, and Iwas Last season at Swinton we were In asked to step in. Ithink my first game anarrow lead and the Swinton was against Whitehaven. I’m now In my timekeeper sounded the hooter and third season and Ireally enjoy the job. walked away but the referee had not I h a v e m a d e m a n y f r i e n d s a n d heard It and the game continued so I amongst them Is the Rochdale time had to get him back into the stand and keeper Ray Mayer who is very ill at the moment and Iwish him well. thankfully the referee heard It the second time and we won the game. What other job do you do for the A n o t h e r s t o r y I h e a r d w a s a t club? Headingley when the hooter would not Itake the kits to the laundry after work and the timekeeper had to make a every game and wash the towels, subs noise down the P.A. System. B L A I N E Y ’ S B A K E R S

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23 A m a t e u r A l b u m WITH Don Yates

THERE are many larger-than-life characters contract which took him to Huddersfield. involved in local amateur rugby but none U n f o r t u n a t e l y f o r To n y , s k i p p e r o f more so than Tony Finan, former star hooker Huddersfield at that time was hooker Don and goal kicker with Saddleworth Rangers, Close who was also skipper of Yorkshire and journeyman professional with Huddersfield, aplayer who gained test recognition. So Tony poacher turned gamekeeper when, spent most of his Fartown career playing ‘A’ amazingly, he enjoyed aspell refereeing, and team rugby. Nevertheless he considers his now supporter, sponsor and general advisor seven years stint at Huddersfield as the as licencee of the Weavers Arms, happiest period of his career, even better Huddersfield Road, headquarters of the than his time at Saddleworth. He recalls one Watersheddings Wanderers club. match against Hull KR during September 1964 which gave him particular pleasure. It was aYorkshire Cup quarter-final tie and with HKR having agreat team at that time, they ■%k were firm favourites to beat Huddersfield. ‘We were suffering from injuries so me and aload of other youngsters were shoved into the first team. Nobody gave us achance but we got stuck in and beat’em 6-5. It was brilliant’ When his playing days were over Finan had ashort spell as coach. He took Higginsahw to the Standard Cup Final but realised that coaching was not for him so he took up an even more surprising challenge: he began refereeing. Of course Tony knew all the tricks and skulduggery in the game so quickly raced through the grades and received some top appointments. In 1984 he 4 refereed the National Youth Inter-League j Final at Workington where Copeland beat Tony Finan pictured whilst on holiday during the early Wigan 14-8 and he has also refereed two 60s when he went to see the licensee of the Torbay inn, who was none other than Bob Stoman. Standard Cup Finals. He is rightly proud of his involvment with the Standard Cup Tony spent virtually all his amateur days competition, having appeared in three finals, with Saddleworth. When he joined them in two on the winning side, won the Ben Powell 1958 they were down on their luck, penniless Trophy, coached aside to the final and and not too successful on the pitch. But refereed in another two finals. Rangers did not struggle for long and during Nowadays Tony and his wife Ethel run the following five years they took off to the Weavers Arms which must have more become the strongest club in amateur rugby. sporting sections than any pub in the land. As Finan was an integral piece in Rangers’ well as being the headquarters of the meteoric rise that reached its peak in 1963. Watersheddings Wanderers, the pub runs That year Rangers won the Standard Cup, four soccer teams, acricket team, arounders beating St. Mary’s 20-0 in the final whcih saw team and, of course, the usual pub games Finan awarded the Ben Powell Trophy as and quiz teams. They even have an annual man-of-the-match. They then lifter the fishing competition, golf day and crown green Lancashire Cup with Finan as skipper. He bowling match. Tony also sponsors the regards that 13-0 victory as the highlight of Collettes dance troup, but is happiest when h i s c a r e e r a n d a f e w w e e k s l a t e r h e w a s talking rugby and reminiscing about the game handed the Oldham Amateur League’s he loves. If you ever have aspare afternoon, player-of-the-season award. call in and get him to talk rugby. You’ll have a He was also handed aprofessional great time.

24 CUJB €au.

M I i i I I MIXED DINNER I i REPLICA KIT I i n I i The club have organised a I The NEW Home and Away I season 2000-01 celebration I C h r i s t m a s D i n n e r . i I Replica Shirts are expected i i i i in time for Christmas. i Venue: i i i n Avant Hotel, I n i i Manchester Road, I i I Bookings taken on i Oldham I I i 0161 628 3677 I i i i i On: i i I I Thursday i I i Please Specify size required I 14th December i I i B - L B - S - M - L - X L - X X L M I 7pm for 7.30pm i I i I I Guest Speaker; I i i Prices to be notified i B R O D I E F R Y i i I (Not to be missed) I I i I Watch local press for in i Price: £22 per ticket inc vat details i i i I I All Welcome i I i I I 00

AWAY MATCH TRAVEL Saturday

WORKINGTON on 17th December, 2000 . Yankee Coaches depart Black Horse 10.00am Support the Club and join Depart Barlows, Unions Street West 10.15am Fare £10 Adult S a t u r d a y Ya n k e e . F o r £ 1 p e r w e e k y o u c a n w i n £7 Child £500 MINIMUM. Last rollover went to £3,500. ❖❖❖

ROCHDALE on 24th December, 2000 E L I T E C L U B Elite Club renewal forms will be Coaches depart Black Horse 12.00 Noon GOING out shortly. Depart Barlows, Union Street West 12.15pm Membership is £15 p.a. Fare £3.20 Adult Discount on Season Tickets, £2.00 Child Club Merchandise, Away Travel, Support Your ClubI Join Now.

25 WlNNARds web.site: COfVIIVIONSENSE.COIVI

... with Simon Winnard

LAST WEEK we saw the announcement that once again lead the way. Keighley, Leigh, asubstantial cash alternative to applying for Featherstone, Doncaster and of course our promotion to Super League would be offered beloved Roughyeds will all mount aserious to the NFP Grand Final winners. Some people challenge with the Viking Veterans also may be justified in viewing this as yet another somewhere in the picture. Oldham will of ploy to keep NFP clubs excluded from the course compete with amuch stronger squad closed shop of top flight RL in this country. than last season, full to brimming with However, in terms of practicality, the words talented, young and committed professionals ‘gift horse' and ‘mouth’ immediately spring to eager to make aname for themselves in the mind. If the powers that be see fit to pay hard game. cash for my team to stay out of their elitist Last season Iwas slated for saying that competition which Ihave no ambition to join in Super League was in danger of turning into its present form anyway, then who am Ito nothing more than an antipodean nursing argue? home league -alast big payout for has been After recently Aussies looking to ease into retirement. signing for his home However, those comments seem to have been town club, Karle somewhat vindicated as the rush of signing Hammond publicly announcements has, one year on, been stated that he had followed by asimilar number of retirements. In become disillusioned fact, rumour has it that amajor Australian with Super League, Zimmer frame manufacturer is being lined up calling it afour team as the next big Super League sponsor. Stepho competition. There may then be forced to change some of his are alimited number standard one liners from “he doesn't have to of Super League H get out of the way” when talking about a players that make ® possible obstruction to “he can’t actually get the grade. These out of the way.”. players are invariably E The influx of playing, coaching and snapped up by the Karle Hammond administrative personnel from down under has b i g f o u r a s t h e seen the likes of , and discarded remainder are left to do the rounds. now, possibly, follow to Those ex-Bears who were party to the former Rugby Union. Not so long ago these men club’s relegation (namely the likes of Faimaio, were trusted with the very future of our Rugby Maloney, Crompton, Bradbury, Atcheson, League in this country. Indeed it was Larder Davidson et al) are prime examples as they who penned the Rugby League Coaching continue their nomadic RL careers. If these Manual, whilst more recently Lydon was the players, along with the obligatory imports, man entrusted to undertake acomplete review offer the only alternative to compete with the of our game. As an exercise in crisis likes of \A/igan and Bradford is it really any management (as we continue to fumble from surprise that the Super League status quo has one crisis to the next), Lydon was expected to offered the same play-off and bottom teams in decide exactly which direction our game the last three seasons? Should the should take going into the new millennium. I Roughyeds emerge victorious from the NFP take it that this direction is southbound to Grand Final next summer, Iwill have only one T w i c k e r s ? thing to say, show me the money! Unfortunately, it appears that you have to Widnes, amongst others have stepped up have an Aussie accent to be heard in the their bid for promotion to SL with aplethora of corridors of power at Red Hall these days. top ex-Super League signings which has seen British Rugby League currently finds itself in them touted as this year’s favourites. Whilst I an increasingly precarious position and can ill acknowledge that they will be stronger this afford the drain of its most valuable resource - term. I’m looking no further than Dewsbury to its own people.

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O n T h i s D a y . . . Don Yates looks back to December loth yesteryear OLDHAM’S first home Championship Warrington line-up, Mike match of the NFP season sees Chorley Ford, who was substitute, Lynx visiting Boundary Park. With the and stand-off lestyn Harris, Roughyeds having put 48 points past who landed five goals. The Chorley at Victory Park last June, Oldham other three Oldham boys will be favourites to win, although in this who lined up for Warrington, game, and against these opponents, you each of whom scored tries, can never tell. In September 1995 Chorley were hooker John Hough, lost 74-0 against Bramley so were given winger Chris Eckersley and little hope in the return fixture which was second-row forward Paul played exactly five years ago today, on Sculthorpe. John Hough Sunday 10th December 1995. Bramley did It was on this day in 1938, Saturday look like winning early in the second-half 10th December, that Oldham travelled to popped Widnes where they lost aleague match 6- rarTd in w Making his first team debut in that match laterlandpH hiJ^nrS interception try and- was centre threequarter Billy Mitchell S12 intont Jn^ R arguably the best centre never to win bLk Wi h laM nnnf representative recognition. Mitchell nfn ^ ®controversial try and hadbeen signed from St Marv’s the Hn?Hen D previous September and went to to make RuSifp ° appearances for the Roughyeds during was at loose-forward for Chorley, the following 17 years. He was extremelv annthpr°fnrm popular with his teammates, areal ‘players^ Ray^Ash on w°ho^ wf^ half-back player, who went on to coach the ‘A’ team substitutes’ bpiSh ^ °i"M i t c h e l l fnr^rJrw f ^ addition, loose- died in June 1998, aged 76 years but the orme? WaSad ^t?r memorieshisofoutstanding Contribution to SlCTShSrlCv Sd programme.During the1902-03 season Lancashire w",aInvolSTrt si;cce?s°Sd

Churmscored a^h^?/^' ^^^hd-off Chfis Northumberland were beaten 10-5 at Broughton.Neither of that duo, however Cumbrian sljL'^dT^^' 0 \ Rangers,whoIctuaily times for Cumberland In in'^ 31 /. l.SM5),iraappeararcL'°&r.^'’i^,^ DateOpponent Result Alt DECEMBER F-A 3Barrow 28-16 1,294 10 CHORLEY H

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Best Wishes to Oldham Roughyeds

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Contact Goodwin Best for aquality assured, professional Goo dwiii review of your commercial risk insurances. Exclusive facilities for local businesses incorporating Risk Management and BEST j Health &Safety Audits. Commercial Insurance Brokers Cl jBUBAl Castle Hou se, Schofi el dStreet, Oldham,OL8 1QL O l d h a m C h a m s e k Tel: 0161 628 2200 Fax: 0161 628 7785

ALTOGETHER i 1 AGREAT I P L A C E T O I H y ES® Wi Altogether, agreat place to be 18 Yorkshire Street Oldham # Tel: 0161 620 7847 A

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proudly associated with Oldham R.L.F.C.

For information or aprospectus about our full and

part time courses starting this summer call us on IHK OLDHAM Freephone 0800 269 480. COLLEGE

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ProSport (tnd SupoThcrm ttre Ti O l d h a m - a leading player at the heart of the North West

Take alook around the Oldham of the 21st century and you won't fail to be impressed with what's been achieved. There are now huge efforts taking place to ensure that the Borough remains in its rightful place Oldham Broadway Business Park at the hub of the North West region.

Two hundred million pounds and more has been invested in turning the town centre into amodern and vibrant place to shop and work. Money has also been spent regenerating and renewing areas like Westwood, Glodwick, Fitton Flill and Flathershaw, and building 23 new schools in just 20 years. An exciting new town centre Cultural Quarter is taking shape; new industry, new investment and more RingRoad (S &W) tourists are coming to the Borough and astate- Oldham, (M67) A663 M60 of-the-art Business Management School is now M'cr city centre M'cr4*-Chester (M56) open. Chadderton Birmingham

Oldham is already at the heart of the motorway network and now also benefits from the new M60 orbital route. Metrolink is also coming to the town, and the brand new £3.4 million central bus station has opened this year. The M60 Motorway

There are many other reasons which make Oldham adesirable place to live, work and visit -its reputation for hard work, commitment and down to earth friendliness are Just some of them.

Put them all together and they make Oldham aleading player at the heart of the North West.

Enquiries about projects being undertaken by the Council, or any of its policies, to the Marketing and Communications Unit, PO Box 160, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham 0L1 lUG,

telephone 0161 911 4708, fax 0161 911 4936, [email protected] or visit our website at www.oldham.gov.uk OLDHAM oNjd r Town Centre Shopping Metropolitan Borough D .f> ft. NORTHERN % FORD I A rJO

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PREMIERSHIP PREMIERSHIP > T/, y. n';

\\U.’:V \vS^ 'V- OLDHAM CHORLEY LYNX Coach Mike FORD Coach Graeme West

M a r k S I B S O N :uPaul ROBERTS Dean CROSS :2i Paul COOKSON Anthony GIBBONS [3| Lee MAIDEN Pat RICH :4i G r a h a m T A B E R N E R Warren BARROW Gary DOHERTY David GIBBONS Gareth POTTER Neil RODEN 171 Staurt FISHER Andy PROCTOR [8| Dean CONWAY John HOUGH [91 Ian TALBOT Jason CLEGG Liol Mike PRESCOTT Phil FARRELL Luke VINCENT Shayne McMENEMY P e t e r C A I N Ian SINFIELD L13l Dale CHRISTY

Mike FORD ri4] Stuart CONWAY Leo CASEY ri5i Kieran LACEY Danny GUEST :i6i C h r i s R A M S D A L E C h r i s F A R R E L L [171 Dave WADSLEY TODAY’S OFFICIALS DAVE ANSELL REFEREE