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Leigh Centurions A Boundary ParM Sun 14th January 2001 KOm3.00PM KEEP ATIGHT GRIP ON YOUR FINANCES

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AMEMBER OF IFA NETWORK LIMITED WHICH IS REGULATED BY THE PERSONAL INVESTMENT AUTHORITY, ‘THESEPRODUCTS 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 WRIHEN DETAILS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. ... with Christopher Hamilton Oldham Football Club (1997) Limited W E L C O M E b a c k t o 64 Union Street Boundary Park for this Oldham 0L1 1DJ mouthwatering clash Telephone: 0161 628 3677 against . Fax: 0161 627 5700 B o t h t e a m s a r e s t i l l Club Shop: 0161 627 2141 unbeaten and today’s contest will be amassive game for both teams even CHAIRMAN Christopher Hamilton at this early stage of the DIRECTORS season. Christopher Hamiiiton, Stewart Hardacre, Sean Whitehead We are also expecting a HEAD COACH record attendance for the ASSISTANT COACH new Club at today’s game John Henderson S' A L L I A N C E C O A C H to beat the 3,796 who Haydn Walker attended the first home ACADEMY COACH Mark Knight game of last season against Rochdale. We hope that lots ACADEMY MANAGER of you who are reading this programme will be attending Pete Beswick FIRST TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST for the first time and like what you see enough to return Lisa Sharratt ALLIANCE/ACADEMY again. PHYSIOTHERAPISTS There has been some confusion this week over the half Jodie Whittle, Danni Turner CONDITIONER price ticket offer we have made to Season Tony O'Brien Ticket holders. Imust stress that this offer has been made TIMEKEEPER John Barrett to Season Ticket holders of ALL Super League Clubs and C L U B D O C T O R Dr Ian Wilkinson it was who maximised their public relations C L U B D E N T I S T expertise in getting the offer to look like it applied to their Neil Gibbison STATISTICS members only. The idea behind this scheme is obviously Eddie Barton, Bruce Deadman to increase our crowds but we are not naive enough to P R O G R A M M E E D I T O R Geoff Cooke think that we musn’t look after our own fans. B O A R D R O O M S U P E R V I S O R With this in mind we are hoping to announce soon that Lewis Laverty

Oldham Season Ticket holders will be able to get the C L U B H O N O U R S AJLaw Cup Winners 1998, same half price deal to Super League games. Timing 1999/2000 meant we had to announce our offer first but we are Trans Pennine Cup Finalist 1998 H A L L O F F A M E M E M B E R S always looking at marketing opportunities and we will (SPONSORED BY J. W. LEES, BREWERS) shortly be announcing other incentives to attract more Joe Ferguson 1899-23, Herman Hilton 1913-26, Alan Davies 1950-62, people to see the great games that Oldham provide in the Frank Stirrup 1950-62, Bernard NFP. Ganley 1950-61, John Etty 1954-59, 1955-59, Bob Irving To those of you watching us for the first time enjoy the 1964-74, Martin Murphy 1966-82, experience and to our loyal supporters please keep up Andy Goodway 1979-85 &1993-94. your very vocal support for the team. FRONT COVER Best wishes. Paul Norton surrounded by C h r i s H a m i l t o n t h e W i d n e s d e f e n c e

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

We Would Like To Thank The Oldham Evening Chronicle &Rugby League Express For The Use Of Photography

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4 RD FOCUS... with Mike Ford

ABIG WELCOME to everyone who has chosen to watch today’s game. Given Leigh’s terrific form and their enthusiastic and vocal following, plus various initiatives on ticketing, today we are hoping to break the new Roughyed’s crowd record. We hope everyone enjoys what should be an absolute humdinger of amatch because, with both sides unbeaten, today something has to give. We hope our own fans will stay with us and show patience because whatever else happens Oldham will be going all out to grab the points. But it is important to remember that Leigh are the form side in the competition and their fans will be equally anxious for awin. Like ourselves Leigh are awell structured, well organised and well balanced side with good players right across the park and aparticularly dangerous and incisive full back in . That said the foundation of Oldham’s success to date had been our ability to ‘tough it out’ against strong opposition, as our victories against Rochdale and Widnes showed. Even though we did not control the football as well as we might in these games we displayed great discipline in defence and great mental toughness which makes us avery hard side to beat. Aside which can ride adodgy spell has a lot going for it and this is exactly what we did when Widnes got on top in the third quarter of the game on New Year’s Day. We realise that we have not shown as much variety in attack as we would like so far but we are working on that. Besides when all your opponents study your match videos it is as well to have one or two moves up your sleeve. Let’s hope we can produce something abit special today. Thanks for your support and stick with us. Mike

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6 i'ilicitdars ulalcii. ... from the pen of Michael Turner J TODAY, as we welcome to Boundary Park all our It always seems to me that every happy friends connected with Leigh RLFC, we also memory of that stirring championship win over celebrate the induction of two new members into Hull at Odsal is always counter balanced by the the Oldham RLFC “Hall of Fame”. As fate would recollection of that infamous defeat at Hilton have it the two players were born in each of Park. However, for the record, Oldham played today’s opposing towns. Herman Hilton was Leigh on three other occasions in 1956-57. the Oldham born and bred. Regarded as one of the first league encounter was at Watersheddings in finest forwards ever to grace the Oldham colours, August where Oldham recorded a20 -0victory. he rose to become captain of the club, had a The return match in the following April produced successful tour of Australia and New Zealand in an even more convincing win for the 1920 and remains one of only three Oldham "Roughyeds” by 40 -13. The semi final of the skippers to raise the after the cup at Leigh on September 19th was 1925 victory over at the other fixture. Again Oldham were triumphant. Headingley. This time the score was eighteen points to nine, The second inductee, anative of Leigh, is with all the Oldham tries scored courtesy of the the renowned Frank Stirrup. As talented a “Leigh connection”, with Alan Davies (2), Frank footballer as ever played for the “Roughyeds”, Pitchford and Frank Stirrup himself, crossing the Frank was amember of the great 1950s team, whitewash for the Roughyeds. Ironically usually employed in one of the half back positions Oldham’s other most famous import from the but who also provided useful cover for full back or opposition, Bernard Ganley, did not play in the the wing positions when required. Frank was club game leaving Jack Rogers (2) and Dick Cracknell captain in the championship winning campaign of to kick the goals. 1956-57. That was of course the season when Oldham won every trophy except the Challenge The Oldham team that day was: cup and the older supporters of the club will need no reminding that the Wembley dream ended in a JRogers, RCracknell, DAyres, ADavies, five points to nil defeat on asnow covered, mud JEtty, FStirrup, FPitchford, KJackson, heap of apitch at Leigh in the third round of the JKeith, DVines, SLittle, CWinslade, famous competition. DTurner

In keeping with the joint Oldham /Leigh and “Hall of fame” theme, here is arare team photo of the Oldham team featuring Herman Hilton in the match at Leigh on October 28th 1922. The match was the 2nd round of the Lancashire cup with Leigh securing victory by thirteen points to eight. Back Row: Jack Collins, Sid Rix, Jack Kendall, Bob Sloman, Herman Hilton, Rod Marlor, Ernie Knapman. Front Row: Ned Thomas Bob Beynon, Jim Finnerty, Evan Davies, Maurice Tighe, Alt Tomkins.

7 TO

H T O D A Y ’ S g a m e a r m s a l m o s t i m m e d i a t e l y s e t t o w o r k o n mhas the building abrand new club and only three years Spotential to be a down the track we can all marvel at what has HtruIy been achieved so far, accelerated to no small amagnificent degree since the appointment as player-coach aadvertisement of Mike Ford at the start of last season. ™for the Northern Oldham and Leigh are fighting back, ■ Fordregaining the support of loyal fans, growing in Premiership. stature by the day, establishing firm roots to Those who sustain long term development and, above all, doubt the value cocking asnook at those in our sport who —^ of pulling power believed that long established clubs in of rugby league outside Super League should traditional areas alongside the M62 were hardly be here today to soak up the atmosphere and worth asecond glance when they fell on hard experience the intensity of amatch which will times. keep agood crowd entertained from start to finish. ❖❖❖❖ Leigh have already played in front of a record NFP attendance this season when the PAST glories will be recalled by many today Flilton Park faithful turned up in force at the when Herman Hilton and Frank Stirrup are Auto Quest Stadium to help their team to an installed into the Oldham club’s J. W. Lees Hali impressive win against Widnes, watched by of Fame. nearly 7,000 paying customers. Like so many Oidham players down the As for Oidham, each of their holiday games years, Frank ‘Mr Football’ Stirrup came from against at Spotland on Leigh where he still lives to this day, close to Christmas Eve and Widnes at Boundary Park on . New Year ’s Day attracted nearly 3,500 Appropriately, many of Oldham’s ‘Leigh supporters and the kick off each time was put Lads’ of the fifties and early sixties will be back ten minutes because of congestion at the turnstiles. among the ex-Watersheddings contingent here The Roughyeds management is optimistic today to share with Frank Stirrup and with the representatives of the late Herman Hilton their that, given anything like adecent day, the clash of the two hitherto unbeaten teams this season big occasion. will beat the crowd of 3,796 that watched the Alan Davies, Vinny Nestor, Geoff Sims, Oldham-Rochdale game on December 27, 1999 Bernard Ganley, Bob Pugsley, Martin Murphy and thus establish an attendance record for the and Brian Matherhall will be among the ex¬ new club. players who, weather permitting, will be The public won’t be fooled. They are introduced to the crowd. starting to back both clubs in numbers because They possess atreasure trove of memories they like what they see and they recognise the from days when rugby league was, shall we say, enormous strides taken in recent years to full of characters, full of entertainers and revive the sport in what were once hot-beds of flowing over with naturaliy-gifted stars who were the game. like magicians when arugby ball was places in Leigh were down and out when t h e i r h a n d s . took over three years ago, but look at them now Frank Stirrup was one such talent, but you under the stewardship of afellow Aussie who can’t recall what Stirrup did for Oldham without shares Millward's meticulous attention to remembering in the same flashback the detail, Paul Terzis. contribution of his fellow half-backs and fellow Round about the time that Millward began ‘Leigh Lads’ Frank Daley and Frank Pitchford, his rescue act in Leigh, rugby league at pro both of them, sadly, no longer with us to share level in Oldham had been laid to rest with the this special day. liquidation of the Bears. What memories. What aglorious chunk of Chris Hamilton and his fellow comrades-in- Oldham sporting history.

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10 Alliance Action ... with Haydn Walker

SINCE my last programme notes we have A L L I A N C E T E A M F I X T U R E S had two games, at home to Rochdale and Dec away to Hunslet. Both games resulted in 6Keighley A 7.30 L 1 6 - 3 6 excellent wins with several of our younger 16 Workington H 2.30 P players really showing up well. 21 Rochdale H7.30 W 2 4 - 0 H o r n e t s i s Jan a l w a y s a t o u g h 3Hunslet A 7.30 W26-10 game and our 10 Leigh A 7.30 f r i e n d s f r o m t h e 18 Widnes H 7.30 o t h e r s i d e o f t h e Feb M62 came with 3 Whitehaven H 2 . 3 0 t h e i r u s u a l i n t e n t . m% 15 H u n s l e t H 7.30 Our boys simply 22 Batley H 7.30 brushed Hornets March aside in the first 17 Whitehaven A 2 . 3 0 t w e n t y m i n u t e s 22 Featherstone H 7 . 3 0 racing to a24-0 29 DoncasterA 7 . 3 0 l e a d . I t w a s a c a s e of slick handling April A 7.30 and excellent 4Batley 19 Doncaster H 7 . 3 0 support play / throughout the May 'let t e a m a n d H o r n e t s 3 Featherstone A 7 . 3 0 H7.30 could not live with M 10 Keighley us. Some sloppy Gareth Barber 19 Workington A 2.30 defence on the last 24 R o c h d a l e A 7.30 tackle allowed 31 Leigh H7.30 H o r n e t s b a c k i n June the game but they 7Widnes A 7.30 never really 13 Top Five Play Offs t h r e a t e n e d a s t h e 14 First Division Grand Final game went on. G a r e t h B a r b e r w a s Alliance side since the club’s formation, no outstanding at fewer than nine of the side having played stand off, while Academy football last season. The Academy Kevin Mannion, connection didn't end here, though, with a returning after cameo performance from coach Mark Knight injury, was equally being very popular with the boys. Indeed impressive. Mark got on the scoresheet with afifteen Youngsters Dave metre burst, this burst having miraculously Newton, Alex Peet lengthened to thirty metres by the time we and Matty Williams arrived back in Oldham. also showed up The 26-10 win was pleasing in the fact well. that we came back from a10-6 half time The trip to deficit. Keith Brennan, Gareth Barber, Lee Hunslet saw us Doran and Gavin Johnson all had big games Kevin Mannion field the youngest on the night.

11 [pQr®[b]mD7[fL)(S NOT HAVING afixture last week cost looking to mount achallenge for the top Oldham one place in the league table as eight, Swinton and Rochdale are among the Doncaster’s victory at Gateshead moved the hopefuls but on the evidence of last week’s Dragons up to 4th and dropped the dismal game between the two (Hornets Roughyeds to 5th. However, Oldham do winning 8-4 thanks to an Ayres try and two have two games in hand and one of the goals by Wood) neither looks strong enough highlights (or lowlights if you’re aDoncaster to mount aserious threat. Hunslet’s young fan) of the holiday period was Featherstone’s side Is probably too inexperienced as yet, so thumping home win by 34-4 against the to me the realistic sides with potential are Dragons (after I’d tipped the visitors to win, Barrow (particularly difficult to handle on of course). Evidence again that Doncaster home soil), Batley, also with the potential to don’t travel well beyond their well publicised be extremely difficult opponents on their ‘House of Pain’. awkward little pitch, Workington and Today’s visitors had aterrific Boxing Day Sheffield, two sides with sufficient muscle to win at Widnes (25-20) followed by two make life hard for anyone not prepared to comfortable outings against Swinton and show 100% commitment. Chorley. This leaves the Centurions, like Meanwhile one or two players have Oldham, unbeaten at this stage, so once been on the move lately. The return of again today’s game promises to be an halfback Leroy Joe from Hull K.R. to absolute cracker as was the New Year’s Day Whitehaven will be awelcome boost for the fixture with Widnes which the Roughyeds hard pressed Cumbrians. Utility man Jimmy came back to win in the last quarter. Walker left Doncaster for Hull K.R. and will Their two defeats by Leigh and Oldham give the Robins some much had relegated the Vikings from the top eight needed selection options. but last Sunday’s 26-16 defeat of Workington And today’s visitors Leigh combined with Hornets defeat of Swinton to (now have Willie Swann lift the Vikings into eighth spot at the Lions Si available for selection after expense. This meant that at this early stage .recovering from an injury the top eight was the same as finished last sustained in the World Cup. season, albeit not in the same order. ^ signed The other undefeated sides at this stage 4 / p e r m a n e n t l y f o r W i d n e s , are Keighley who defeated Gateshead, Hull Sheffield have recruited Scott K.R. and Sheffield to give themselves atwo Wes Rogers R h o d e s f r o m L e e d s a n d point lead before today. Hornets took Wes Rogers Dewsbury again stand high in the table from Oldham plus B.A.R.L.A wingman with wins against Batley, Hunslet and York. Wayne McHugh from RedhIII. Meanwhile Featherstone and Hull K.R. As for today, Oldham vLeigh is too close occupy 7th and 8th with seven points each to call, an odd error on one side or the other and could not be separated on Boxing Day perhaps enough to settle It. Other top games when they fought out ahard earned 6-6 draw are Hull K.R. vDoncaster and Keighley v at Craven Park. Featherstone but Iwill be bold here and go At the opposite end of the table with two home wins. There are intriguing, Whitehaven, Chorley and Gateshead have evenly balanced contests as well at Hunslet yet to register apoint and with Whitehaven (v Batley) and Rochdale (v Barrow), Iexpect the team without agame today, Gateshead one away win and one at home. In the other at home to Dewsbury and Chorley visiting games Widnes will turn over Swinton, Workington that state of affairs Is unlikely to Workington will dispose of Chorley and alter. Sheffield will win at York, Now how’s that for Given that York Wasps are no great sticking your neck out? shakes, it looks like there are seven sides GC

12 In TownTODAY Leigh Centurions OUR VISITORS today are one of the most last season and is an astute successful sides outside Super League and playmaker with asound kicking harbour ambitions to step up to that level. Beaten game. Grand Finalists last season was aset back but Up front the Centurions despite the loss of , Mick Higham and feature no fewer than three ex- Heath Cruckshank the Centurions remain Oldham prop forwards. The formidable opposition. The club has agreat deal of redoubtable TIM STREET has stability and although Ian Millward departed for St. been acrowd pleaser wherever Helens, his replacement Paul Terzis has been able he had played which includes to continue the run of success and has added David Bradbury Wigan, Swinton and Hull. Now in significantly to one of the strongest and largest his third spell at Hilton Park playing staffs in the N.F.P. Street is never less than ahandful. DAVID At full back this term in Donlan’s place is NEIL BRADBURY has added abit of weight since his TURLEY the son of Leigh's assistant coach the Oldham Bears days and has moved into the engine widely travelled Norman Turley. Aproduct of room of the pack. From Leigh East Bradbury Wigan’s Academy Turley junior was out of the moved to Oldham, Salford and Huddersfield and game injured for nearly ayear before being was on the 1996 Great Britain tour to New Zealand snapped up by the Centurions. and P.N.G. Then there is PAUL NORMAN aformer In the threequarters Leigh Wigan St. Jude’s and Golborne Parkside player boast an embarrassment of with 29 appearances to his name last term. In riches. ALAN HADCROFT is a addition to the ex-Oldham men Leigh boast the former Leigh East wing or centre formidable DAVE WHITTLE once on Wigan’s with ten tries to his name last books and astar performer in the N.F.P. last term term. Big centre PAUL as well as for Wales in the recent World Cup. .if- \ANDERSON was good enough to At hooker following the departure of Higham ibe chosen in the N.F.P. Team of and Anthony Murray to Barrow, the Centurions can mT the Season last year. Formerly choose from two newcomers. 21 year old JOHN Phil Kendrick with St. Helens and Sheffield HAMILTON arrives after 3seasons as understudy Eagles he scored 16 tries and 17 to at St. Helens. Meanwhile goals in 1999-2000 and is definitely one to watch NEIL RODEN’S brother MARTIN has moved from out for. PHIL KENDRICK signed for Widnes from Wigan in search of first team opportunities. Rose Bridge in Wigan and is another solid In the back row SIMON BALDWIN is one of performer with good hands. He is also areliable the best known running forwards in the league. He stand by goal-kicker. ANDY FAIRCLOUGH is a first played under Steve Sims at Leigh who took versatile player able to fill several positions. He him with him when Sims went to coach Halifax. An began with Wigan St. Patrick’s ,signed as apro England international Baldwin has also played at with St. Helens and arrived at Leigh via Salford. Sheffield. He gave Oldham no end of trouble last DAVID JONES is well known to Oldham followers year at Hilton Park. having played with the Bears. Ano-nonsense wing CHRIS MORLEY represented Wales in the Jones has also appeared, since leaving Wigan St. World Cup. The 27 year old had six seasons at St. Pat’s, with Wakefield, Rochdale and Lancashire Helens where he won Challenge Cup Final and Lynx. medals before moving At halfback Leigh have awealth of choice. to Warrington, Salford and Sheffield. He is an New signing SIMON SVABIC could be out injured outstanding addition to Leigh’s today but the former Oldham Bears Academy squad. player has already made abig impact since his A D A M B R I S T O W i s t h e t r a n s f e r f r o m S a l f o r d . L a s t w e e k f o r m e r S a l f o r d Centurions Australian quota half-back partner JOHN DUFFY played stand-off. A player formerly with Western Scottish international Duffy first signed pro in 1996 Suburbs. He appeared in all 34 of for Warrington. Last season LIAM BRETHERTON Leigh’s fixtures last season and is quickly became popular as aloan signing from n o t e d f o r h i s p h e n o m e n a l Wigan before making his move more permanent. workrate. 45 points, in 5games was certainly going some. Finally RADNEY BOWKER Adam Bristow Bretherton has also done service at Warrington and is a21 year old ex-Leigh East ball Whitehaven. Also sidelined at present is club player with great natural talent. One who could captain KEIRON PURTILL who played 30 matches come on to scheme and opening if the play is tight.

13 ... with Brian Walker Oldham’s Hall of Fame Sponsored By J. W. Lees Joe Ferguson 1899-23, Herman Hilton 1913-26, Alan Davies 1950-62, Frank Stirrup 1950-62, Bernard Ganley 1950-61, John Etty 1954-59, Derek Turner 1955-59, Bob Irving 1964-74, Martin Murphy 1966-82, Andy Goodway 1979-85 &1993-94 Stirrup AND Hilton Join The Elite! THERE has already been afair amount of publicity in respect of mercuriai Leigh born half back Frank Stirrup, and former international forward, Herman Hilton being inducted into our Hali Of Fame. So, straight away, abig Oldham welcome to today’s game to Frank and his family, along with many of Frank’s playing colleagues from those halcyon days of the 50’s. Unfortunately there are no known relatives of the Oldham born Hilton, the last Oldham captain to hold aloft the Challenge Cup, or indeed of any players surviving from that most successful period in Oldham rugby history. Weather permitting, Frank and his colleagues will be Herman Hilton with the introduced to the Challenge Cup in 1925. crowd either just prior to kick off or during the half time interval. After the match the guests will be officially welcomed by club Chairman, Chris

.A Hamilton, before making their way to the Hall of Fame display at the Clayton Arms. Why not join them?

stirrup the Oldham player with 224 1st team appearances between 1950-1960.

The last player to Join the elite was full back Martin L_A Murphy, pictured here with Fellow Hail of Fame Frank Stirrup and Gus Risman, Oldham coaches Members, (left to right), Bernard Ganley, Alan Davies, 1959-62. Bob Irving and John Etty.

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15 Cook(e)ingupastorm ^ WILDCATS Coach (London), David Kidwell (Warrington), Ben John Harbin has called for areduction in the Kusto (Huddersfield), Mitch Heals number of overseas players in the British (Castleford), Shane Rigon (Bradford). That’s game. And no wonder. After his club’s sixteen Australian players occupying spots experience last season it does make sense. that could be taken by British players. And I Naturally the N.F.P. has already tackled this haven’t included absolutely top quality problem by limiting the recruitment of gplayers like Adrian overseas players to one. Except, of course, 9Lam and Matthew this can be circumvented -ala Workington 9Johns whose signings Town -because of the five years domicile ^can be least be rule. This means that most Super League justified on a‘nofhing clubs actually have more than the allowable HI but the best is good five overseas recruits because some players Henough’ basis. Not are off quota and others, for reasons Ido not 9only is it 16 squad immediately understand, qualify for British, spots, but it’s also 16 I r i s h o r v a r i o u s o t h e r E . C . C o u n t r i e s Hair fares, 16 housing passports. As John Harbin says ‘If aSuper *bills, 16sponsored League club has ten, eleven or twelve c a r s a n d , i f I k n o w players who don’t qualify to play for Great rugby players, 16 gas Britain, then we can hardly blame acoach ^and elecfricity bills e t c . e t c . I s i t m e o r i s like John Kear in the World Cup if we are not Daniel Gartner strong enough to take on Australia and New all this really worth it? Zealand’. In this country we can produce {Since Iwrote this Iam pleased to note that young stars when we give them the Swinton Chairman and current R.F.L. opportunity, but too often we don’t’. Icouldn’t President Malcolm White agrees. His agree more. And just to add support to the proposal is two overseas players per club in argument let me pose the following Super League and none in the N.F.P.) question: ‘Is it any coincidence that the England cricket team is once again ❖❖❖ beginning to look capable of competing with the best in the world now that each county AND NOW AQUIZ is limited to one overseas player and that county academies are starting to bring on When is acontract not acontract? quality young players? Is it time for R.L. to Apparently whenever St. Helens say so. learn the lesson?

When is winter rugby summer rugby? ❖ »:♦ ❖ According to Super League on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Apropos the above just look at some of the names coming to Super League this year:- Michael Hancock (Salford) Kevin Walters When is Wigan ‘A’ vSt. Helens ‘A’ NOT a (Warrington), Brandon Costin (Halifax), r e s e r v e t e a m fi x t u r e ? David Furner (Wigan), Brett Mullins (Leeds), Again, on Boxing Day. Tony Martin (London), Peter Shiels (St. Helens), Robert Mears (Leeds), Andrew When did 24 of Huddersfield take on 22 Frew (Huddersfield), Daniel Gartner of Halifax? (Bradford), Nigel Roy (London), Jim Dymock NO, not 1878, but New Year’s Day 2001.

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Personal Iniury Specialists Keep On File A c c i d e n t s D o H a p p e n ! found how much Ienjoyed it, especially playing the position of prop, Iwas told that good prop forwards mature physically and mentally from their mid to late twenties and even into their thirties, so Itook the decision to turn professional when asked. Q. As aprofessional, how has your career gone so far? Ifirst signed on for Keighley, where Ilearned so much about Just being a‘pro’ player. Ihave also played at Lancashire Lynx, The Oldham Bears and now am asigned on player for Oldham Roughyeds. i- Ifeel Istill have much to learn and with acoach like Mike Ford Iam making the right sort of progress. There is abrilliant team spirit here at Oldham, Danny Guest we have good training sessions, we are all encouraged individually, and Ireally want to achieve full fitness so Ican play afull game in an effort to further my long term ambition of playing at Super League level. During the close season the squad had training on the army assault course where the Green Berret's train. It was hard but brilliant for confidence building: it was really good for the squad and gave us so much self belief. Q. Do you admire any other rugby league players? Ithink my favourite players of all time must be Paul Sironen and . These men showed their skills, stamina, speed and athleticism every time they played. Ihave also watched and greatly admire him. One of the biggest games in my experience so far was against Leeds. It was tremendous, lestyn Harris was a formidable opponent, as were many of the players from Leigh who we played last season in the semi final. However, my personal ambitions remain: full fitness, full games and, who knows, maybe Super League with Oldham. Q. How do you relax? Well, after working, college and training my Q. When did you first start playing rugby time is precious, Ilike to watch motor cross racing league? on the telly, and spend time with my wife. We had Istarted playing as akid with my mates at our our honeymoon in Turkey awhile ago and we hope local rugby club; Iwas probably about 10 years old to return there sometime. We also fancy planning a at the time. Ireally enjoyed it for afew years, but holiday in fhe Caribbean, but, that’s in the future. then Igot into motorbike scrambling and started Meanwhile with plenty of encouragement from my racing and my rugby was put on the back burner for parents and the great support Iget from the fans at awhile. Afew years on and at college Istarted Oldham, Ihope we ail have abrilliant season. playing rugby again. Encouraged by my parents and family Istarted to take it seriously, and soon ©

F o r t h e b e s Ford Prei NCMrriii:HN tcoverage of the Northern ||| niership...Every Monday. ^

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DEALERS THEY SAID WHAT?

“We did better in the second halt when we executed our options.” Steve Deakin (Guillotine or noose?)

“Mike Ford ... coached BURNLEY to mid-tabie respectability in 1999 ... “(Workington programme 17.12.00). He’s aversatile chap that Mike Ford: he’ll want Sven Goran Erikson’s job next!

“Mark Sibson ... An EXCLUSIVE attacker...” (Workington programme 17.12.00). Presumably he doesn’t like tackling then? Or was he signed from Harvey Nicholls?

“Warren Barrow ... signed REGULARLY from St. Helens’ Alliance side ... “(Workington programme 17.12.00). Isuppose he’s after the signing-on fees!

“... but we have some hig game performers who will perform in the higger games.” (St John Ellis). Er, well, yes! And just how do they perform in the lesser games?

Martyn Sadler’s “very inference that the Bulls were asuperior side to all others had anegative effect on the way Bradford try to promote themselves.” (Letter writer to League Express). Come again? So, presumably if you say Bradford are crap that wil have apositive effect? Now that should keep Chris Caisley happy!

“We gave the Lions too much of the ball in the first half” was Lions’ coach ’s assessment. Ah ha! that’s the secret of success at Swinton, don’t have too much ball.

“Effort is synonymous with the player and you can’t knock it” (Lee Crooks). Come again? Did Lee get that Reader’s Digest dictionary for Christmas?

“I’ve never used injuries as an excuse, but...” (Lee Crooks). You know what follows, don’t you?

“We should not have to put up with officials like this. His handling of the game around the play the hall was poor and in short this was just not good enough” (HKR Coach Gary Wilkinson). Guess who’d just lost (by 24-8 at that)! Mind you the referee was Steve Nicholson!

“They were for personal use only, your Honour. Honest.” (Bruiser Clark). Alright then. I’ve made that one up.

“Seating is one of the areas where we don’t meet the standard (of Framing the Future).” (Castleford Chief Exec. Richard Wright). Now there’s abold admission from someone in Super League ... I’ll bet you at least ten of the NFP clubs meet the standard though [it’s 2,500 seats for information purposes].

“Some players can be 33 but tbeir bodies might only he 28 or 29.” (). Give me some of what he’s on will you?

“It has made me realise that playing in winter is like arelationship with girls when you were younger; you can only remember the good bits.” (Alan Hunte). Perspicacious chap that Alan Hunte! Mind you Ionly wish Ihad some good bits to remember!

AND TO FINISH WITH AFEW LITTLE GEMS: “I think we all agree, the past is over.” “If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure” (Both George Bush, shortly to be the most powerful politician on earth)

“The unthinkable is not something we are thinking about at the moment.” (Peter Kenyon, Chief Exec. MUFC-\NeW he would be, wouldn’t he?)

21 RLFC

Guest Interview,., John Holdsworth

NOW Iknow that Mr Holdsworth’s second function is to John Holdsworth is oversee the appointment of match officials, not exactly top of the whether in Super League, the N.F.P. or the pops with Oldham National Conference. Igathered he had f a n s , e v e r s i n c e h e little time for officials who cried off matches ■J f disallowed Paul without due cause (the dog’s died, the Lord’s ‘try’ against wife’s sister ’s cousin has twisted her ankle Warrington in the etc.). And 1also gathered that the R.F.L. 1990 semi-final at like to grade their appointments so the top Wigan which might have taken Oldham to games -at whichever level -get the best Wembley. But for commitment to the game officials. So, you see, it’s not entirely a of Rugby League you’d have to go along lottery who’s in charge each week. way to find anyone more dedicated or However, Mr Holdsworth seemed keen to enthusiastic. The last time Isaw John he ‘fast track’ promising young officials. had retired from refereeing, but there he Richard Silverwood was agood example at was running the touchline at an ‘A’ team 23 years old, but even he had bags of game at Fartown and still coping with the experience having started officiating at 13. verbal abuse with asmile on his face! That Another example he quoted was Oldham’s was some time ago now, so it was a Ian Smith who has gone through the ranks pleasure to see him again at the Oldham v in the space of three years to become one Widnes match on New Year’s Day where of Super League’s top officials, “and rightly he was acting as assessor of that day’s so”, said John. match officials for the R.F.L. Icommented that the standard of As keen as ever, John now 54, told me refereeing was much improved and, he still referees amateur fixtures every though he seemed to agree with this, it Saturday. “After all, what else would Ido... was plain that John Holdsworth was intent go shopping? No thanks, that’s not for me.’’ on raising the standards even further. I Clearly he still prefers being out in the middle giving as good as he gets. His other know we all like to have ago at the men in the middle and that referees, like players, current functions are twofold. Obviously one of those is to observe, assist and can make mistakes, but Ithought the assess, the current crop of referees. He World Cup, when we saw referees from rated Richard Silverwood, who controlled other countries, showed that our top men the Widnes-Oldham fixture, highly and on were the best. If Bill Harrigan is Australia’s his performance that day one could see finest I’m glad we don’t have him over why. Ithought Silverwood was excellent: here! Give me Russell Smith any time. he kept the game flowing and was always And on that day’s game John on top of things. Give or take acouple of Holdsworth gave avery favourable verdict marginal forward pass decisions, where he -“two quality sides with lots of skill, good looked at his two touch judges and organisation and sound fitness levels”. It received no response, you would have could have been averdict on his own been hard pressed to fault him. And that performance as areferee, ajob he started was on apitch with ‘tram lines’ that made at 19 and carried out at the highest level of seeing the ground markings clearly very play from 1979 to 1996. difficult! Thank goodness he got Oldham’s two first half 40/20 kicks right! GC

22 .. .with Dave Roberts Lisa Sherratt -Physiotherapist How have we done on the injury front so far? We have done very well, Kevin Mannion’s Injury was causing afew problems, but we've sorted him out and after some re-hab have got him ready again. What exactly is re-hab? As well as Mike’s training Igive them separate sessions, like sIt-ups, press ups, and, running drills. Imake It hard work for them, so they don’t want t o c o m e b a c k f o r m o r e .

How long have you been in the job? Seven years, Iwas working for Rochdale, then during the Student World Cup Igot talking with Haydn Walker and then Mike Ford, and here I am. We had some highs and lows at Rochdale, but It Is great to be at Oldham

What are your favourite and least favourite grounds? My favourite has to be Oldham because there Is plenty of space to work in. My least favourite has to be Batley’s Mount Pleasant, or Barrow’s Craven Park where it is always freezing cold. What is your most embarrassing moment? When Iwas working for Rochdale Ihad to run on the pitch with the stretcher and unfortunately Ifell over it and hurt my pride more than anything else. To make it more embarrassing it was against Oldham. 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

YOU WOULD have to go along way to find debut at Halifax, one against arch enemies aplayer who enjoys his rugby league as Wigan in the Premiership semi-final and one much as prop Gary in the Elland Road Final when Saints beat Champions Hull KR 36-16. Ainsworth then accompanied Saints to New Zealand where he played in all four matches of their mini¬ tour. On his return to Britain Gary learned that St. Helens would not pay the excessive transfer fee demanded by Leigh so he returned to Hilton Park. ‘It was disappointing but there’s nowt you can do about it. Ijust went back to Leigh and carried on playing.' Twelve months later Ainsworth did move from Hilton Part and this time the transfer was permanent. He moved to Swinton where Gary met up with the best coach he has ever played under, Peter Smethurst. ‘The training was always varied and he never told us to do something he couldn’t do himself’, he said. Ainsworth enjoyed tremendous success whilst at Swinton. He appeared at Old Trafford in two Second Division Premiership Finals, the first in 1987 giving him particular satisfaction. ‘It was the highlight of my career’, he says about the Gary Ainsworth 27-10 victory over Champions Hunslet. Ainsworth. After asuccessful professional Ainsworth won the scrums 11-4 in that final, career which began twenty years ago, Gary when they were proper scrums too. He still has no thoughts of retirement. ‘When the score one try and made amajor contribution bumps and bruises cause me trouble going to the other four. Little wonder he became to work on Mondays, then I’ll pack it in’, he the first holder of the Tom Bergin Trophy as said. Ainsworth began his career as a man-of-the-match. Two years later Swinton hooker with Saddleworth and turned lost to Sheffield Eagles at Old Trafford as professional with Leigh in October 1981. In Ainsworth’s spell at Station Road drew to a those early days at Hilton Park, Gary close. He later had aseason and ahalf at received agreat deal of encouragement Workington and twelve months with Trafford from John Woods, aplayer Ainsworth Borough, the second six months as player- regards as the best he has ever played with. coach. Ainsworth then returned to play ‘He was very skilful on the pitch,’ said Gary, amateur rugby firstly as player-coach with ‘but even better off it, helping the kids, like Fitton Hill, then St. Anne’s, before moving me, at the club.’ back to his original club, Saddleworth During spring 1985 Ainsworth left Leigh, Rangers. moving on loan to St.Helens. His stay at The legs may be alittle slower and St.Helens was brief, playing only the closing Gary’s added weight dictates that he has 12 matches of the season. But they were moved across the front-row to prop, but the twelve sensational games. He scored eight enthusiasm and enjoyment remain and, it is tries in those matches including one on his hoped, will do so for another few seasons.

24 CliUB €aUj

25 WlNNARds web.siTE: coiviivionsense.coivi ... with Simon Winnard

THE LETTERS page of Rugby Leaguer using minimum ground criteria to exclude usually offers some Monday morning talking teams whilst being apathetic to the various points. The first issue of the year offered more existing SL clubs which clearly still fall short of than most with an amusing contribution from a those standards and are blatantly doing Widnes supporter written before their visit to nothing about it. This is adouble standard - Boundary Park. Whilst Icould only admire his pure and simple and its killing the game. undoubted devotion to his ciub, Ismugly read What Rugby League needs is alevel on and couldn't help giggling away to myself playing field and afeasible free flow of at the content. The author grandly stated that relegation and promotion similar to that of his side were superior to any other ciub in the football’s pyramid structure. Without this our NFP competition and that Ipredict that we will present elite competition will remain the not taste defeat again following their home laughing stock of the sporting world. For three loss at the hands of Leigh the week earlier, consecutive seasons we have seen the same described as only ablip. What particularly five play-off teams and the same club tickled me was the thought that this person propping up the rest. Sadly, Ican see nothing was possibly one of the so-called Vikings but the same outcome this time around which supporters who were seen to throw their f a r f r o m e n t h u s e s m e . scarves in disgust at their team as they Let me ask you asimple question. Will huddled in defeat following Danny Arnold’s you see aSuper League game which doesn't second try. Pride usually comes before afall. involve Wigan, Bradford, St Helens or Leeds The Oldham club has recently come attract asimilar attendance to the recent forward and publicly stated its ambition to Widnes versus Leigh game? Iseriously doubt achieve Super League status. My feelings on it, but how on earth can this happen if the the matter are well documented but I standard of the product is so much better at understand and acknowledge the desire to Super League level ?The answer, in my play at the pinnacle of your own sport. Ialso opinion, is simply that the NFP offers a understand that there is astrong possibility meaningful competition in which no fewer that Mike Ford, who is widely predicted to one than half the league can force their way into day become GB Coach, may be forced to look the play-off picture. elsewhere to fulfil his ambitions in the game If the club were to achieve its goal, I should Oldham not progress. Don't get me would of course be proud to support them wrong. Id love nothing more than to see the every step of the way. However, not without a Roughyeds enjoy success at the very highest peculiar envious look over my shoulder, level in the game. However, the lack of particularly as the traditional holiday fixture competitiveness in the top flight concerns me lists unfold in the good old winter league. when compared to the vibrant competition on Today we see the visit of our old rivals offer in the Northern Ford Premiership. Leigh who ran out deserving winners of last Relegation from Super League is season’s epic play-off semi-final clash at currently scrapped, make no mistake about Hilton Park. Expect another bumper crowd that. Holding back aspirant clubs like and magnificent battle between two quality Dewsbury from progressing through the ranks u n b e a t e n t e a m s a s t h e N F P c o n t i n u e s t o in astructured and financially stable manner produce the type of grass roots Rugby is bad enough. However, what's even worse is League which never flatters to deceive.

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28 O n T h i s D a y . . . Don Yates loob back to January 14th yesteryear

T H I S A F T E R N O O N ’ S Egremont were, they could not match the vital NFP match falls ‘S'**'. professionals and the Hilton Park boys ran out exactly 81 years after winners 58-6. Chris Wilkinson, later to play for t h e s e t w o f a m o u s o l d Oldham, scored atry and seven goals in that c l u b s m e t o n t h e o l d tie. Mather Lane ground in F o r m a n y y e a r s t h e O l d h a m J u n i o r aNorthern Rugby League Champions were granted afixture League Championship against the Oldham ‘A’ team during the m a t c h . O l d h a m h a d following season as areward for lifting the defeated Leigh 25-0 at title. Those challenge matches created great home eleven days interest in the town and provided the amateurs before they travelled - with some lucrative income from the collection down the East Joe Ferguson taken at that game. On Saturday 14th January Lancashire Road on 1939, reigning Champions Ferranti provided Wednesday 14th January 1920. The the opposition for the Oldham reserve team Roughyeds were able to complete aleague but the professionals proved much too strong double by winning at Leigh 10-2. Both Oldham that particular year and ran in ten tries as they tries that day were scored by winger Jim won by 40 points to five. Finnerty whilst full-back Alf Wood and hooker It was on this day in 1979, Sunday 14th Joe Ferguson each landed agoal. The Leigh January, that the Great Britain under-24 side points came trom apenalty converted by full¬ met France at Limoux. Included in the British back Tommy Clarkson. line-up was full-back John Woods, regarded During the early as the most naturally gitted player ever to years of our game there represent the Leigh club. He landed four goals w e r e t w o c l u b s f r o m t h e that afternoon as the Young Lions defeated Leigh area involved in their French counterparts 15-3. s e n i o r c o m p e t i t i o n . Fifty-seven years previously, on Saturday T y i d e s l e y w e r e t h e 14th January 1922, the senior Great Britain other club playing at outfit met Australia in the decisive third test this level between 1895 match of that 1921-22 tour. That test was and 1901. On Saturday staged at Salford on amuddy pitch, in freezing 1 4 t h J a n u a r y 1 8 9 9 conditions and with snow and straw, which O l d h a m v i s i t e d t h e i r had protected the pitch from frost, piled up all Well Street ground, now around the playing area. The conditions did

S a m W i l l i a m s the site of the Tyidesley not suit the Kangaroos and were most RUFC headquarters, for certainly the decisive feature of the match aLancashire Senior which Britain won 6-0, scoring atry in each Competition match which they won half. The first try came midway through the comfortably 33-2. The Roughyeds ran in nine opening half and was scored by Oldham tries that afternoon, three scored by winger second-row forward Herman Hilton, aformer S a m W i l l i a m s . local junior who was one of the greatest Oldham's next home match, in acouple ot forwards ever to play for the Roughyeds. Also weeks time, is against the Queensbury junior included in the British pack for that test was club in the Challenge Cup. Five years ago, on hooker Joe Cartwright, another outstanding Sunday 14th January 1996, Oldham were a forward who was aregular with his home town Super League club and so were exempt from club, Leigh, for no fewer than 16 seasons. In this early stage of the competition but Leigh direct contrast to the current international met , then riding high in the situation, Britain held on to the Ashes for the National Conference League. As good as following 28 years.

29 Date Opponent Result Att

DECEMBER F-A 3Barrow 28 -16 1,294

10 CHORLEY HP

17 Workington 22 -61,295 Match 24 Rochdale 10 -63,402 JANUARY C L A I M S N E T W O R K L T D 1WIDNES 20 -12 3,471 7

14 LEIGH H

21 Swinton A

28 Queensbury (SCCC R3) H FEBRUARY 4WHITEHAVEN H Associato 11 Silk Cut Challenge Cup 18 GATESHEAD H H. MULLANEY AND SON 25 Silk Cut Challenge Cup MARCH KEN WINSTANLEY AND SONS 4HUNSLET H

11 Dewsbury A THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND 18 H

25 Featherstone A

APRIL

1York

8BATLEY H 13 ROCHDALE H MatchbaU 16 Widnes A 22 Batley A PILGRIM INTERNATIONAL 29 KEIGHLEY H

MAY

0BARROW H

13 Chorley A 20 WORKINGTON H

27 DONCASTER H

JUNE 3Gateshead A Man of the Match 10 SWINTON H 17 Whitehaven A L A W R E N C E P E R R I N S A N D 24 Keighley A JULY AUDREY PERRINS 1Hull KR A

Oldham RLFC fully support the let’s TACKLE RACISM IN RUGBY LEAGUE CAMPAIGN Important Notice AND WELCOMES ALL PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS Boundary Park is fihed with an emergency alert system (Local High Pitch, Two IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR ETHNIC OR RACIAL Tone Signal). If you should hear the signal please pay attention to the ORIGINS. Racism has no place in our game instructions given, atest of the alert system will be made prior to each game, A N D R A C I S T C H A N T S A R E T O T A L L Y twenty minutes prior to the kick-off time, followed by the words: UNACCEPTABLE. “ T h i s i s a t e s t o f t h e B o u n d a r y P a r k A l e r t S y s t e m ” Allow everyone to enjoy the game.

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Specialist Suppliers of School Uniform at best Prices STEEL FABRICATORS Personal Service Guaranteed ENGINEERS Mail Order &Delivery Service Available Highfield Street Oldham, OL9 6DT Proprietors: Geoff &Marjorie Cooke 93 Chew Valley Road, Greenfield, Oldham, Lancashire. OL3 7JJ Telephone 0161 624 3303 Phone or Fax: 01457 872515 Telefax 0161 627 3101 2 4 H r A n s w e r p h o n e e.mail: marj.cooke(g)tesco.net An ISO 9002 Approved Company e.mail: [email protected] Specialists in the oil, gas and water industries. Manufacturers E a . s y P a r k i n g ■ Visa ■ Mastercard ■ Switch Delta Solo ■ Amex of all types of process plants

31 Increase your performance to an all time best

No matter what position you play, supplements can play akey role in your quest for increasing your performance, whether it is endurance, stamina, energy or increased power &strength. Every time you train hard, you place your body under immense stress, break down precious muscle tissue and use up valuable energy and nutrient stores. If these vital nutrients are not replaced quickly, your body will become more susceptible to over training, burn-out, injuries, colds and flu, not forgetting general fatigue, loss of motivation and performance.

By replacing these lost nutrients your body uses during intense training and supporting your body's recovery process, you can avoid many of the problems players take for granted, such as over training and injuries. More importantly you can expect adramatic increase in performance, well being, health and reduced stress at home and work.

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maximuscle.c MAXIMUSCLE S p o r t s n u t r i t i o n a t i t s b e s t Contact Maximuscle today for your FREE 96 page colour catalogue... ‘IOC allowed’ guarantee (fS) Maximuscle Limited; All Maximuscle ‘IOC allowed’ 40 Caxton Way, Watford Business Park supplements are tested to ensure they Watford do not contain any banned substances. WD18 8JZ Using Maximuscle supplements correctly Tel: 01923 650600 Fax; 01923 229339 and as instructed, will not result in a Visit the best nutrition site on the web: positive reading. Proof can be provided for all athletes, coaches, etc... www.maximuscle.com HAYNESWOOD Engineering Sales Limited

Best Wishes to Oldham Roughyeds

UK Office: USA Office: St John’s Mill Hayneswood Engineering USA LLc, 113 St John Street, Lees, 1658 Sequel Drive, Unit 6, Oldham 0L4 3DJ, England. Santa Cruz,California 95065 Phone: +44(0)161 620 5337 Phone: +1 831 462 2680 Fax: +44(0)161 627 4367 Fax: +1 831 462 3583 E-Mail: [email protected] 1-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.hayneswood.com

Contact Goodwin Best for aquali^ assured, professional G o o d j v i n review of your commercial risk insurances. Exclusive facilities for local businesses incorporating Risk Management and BEST\ Health

ALTOGETHER 71 I AGREAT S P L A C E T O ■■ W^: s ■ Altogether, agreat place to be + S A 18 Yorkshire Street Oldham t Tel: 0161 620 7847

U[flJ 0 proudly associated with Oldham R.LF.C.

For information or aprospectus about our full and

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

33 W h a t e v e r y e a r s p e n t

prefects

Sporl ciin bo toiiyh. Injuries hoppcn. So trust

PioSporl lo help prevent and treat sprairrs, strains,

iJamaoed mi '.les, tendon nd ligaments.

nary new ProSport Max gives optimi

support with the added comfort of CoolMax'“ to

keep you dry ai omfottable when the heat

To g e l h e r w i t h arming ProSport SupaTherm and

original ProSport Elasticated, there's acomplete

Lhoice of supports to n jt all your sporting needs.

l/Vhatever your sport, ProSport protects.

rioSpoK and Supaltiriir I. CooIMq)! is aTroda Mark ol DuPont. Fiom all good sports shops and phr ties including: a!i:spoi1s, First Sport, Intersport, Soots, Uoyds &Moss. 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 Hathershaw, 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. (M 67) M60 of-the-art Business Management School is now A663 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 1UG,

telephone 0161 911 4708, fax 0161 911 4936, [email protected] or visit our website at www.oldham.gov.uk

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JSL ^OLDHAIVI LEIGH CENTURIONS Coach Mike FORD Coach Paul TERZIS

MarkSIBSON € P Neil TURLEY Danny ARNOLD Alan HADCROFT Anthony GIBBONS Phil KENDRICK Pat RICH Andy FAIRCLOUGH Daryl LACEY David JONES David GIBBONS John DUFFY Neil RODEN L i a m B R E T H E R T O N

Leo CASEY T i m S T R E E T

John HOUGH John HAMILTON Paul NORTON Andy LEATHEM Phil FARRELL Simon BALDWIN

Ian SINFIELD C h r i s M O R L E Y

Kevin MANNION A d a m B R I S T O W

Mike FORD Paul ANDERSON

Jason CLEGG Martin RODEN Danny GUEST Radney BOWKER C h r i s F A R R E L L Dave WHITTLE

TODAY'S OFFICIALS STEVE WRIGHT REFEREE:

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