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ELLEN at Boundary Park Mon 29th May 2000 Kick-off 3.00pm / a c c i d e n t X * Associate Match Sponsor: ALPHATEC LABELLING SYSTEM LTD ASSISTANCEX : A S M A I N S P O N S O R S O F T H E U K ’ S //T H E R O U G H Y E D S // W E A R E O F F E R I N G SUPPORTERS... PREMIER

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MEMBERSHIP TO COMPANY ELLEN ACCIDENT ASSISTANCE. TOCLAIM YOUR membership call ELLEN 0161 345 5544 rACCIDENT! ASSISTANCE With Christopher Hamilton THIS afternoon promises to be another stern test of our capabilities as atop side in the Northern Ford Premiership. Doncaster, our guests this afternoon, have spent big to assemble aside that has performed well this season and we will have to be “tuned in” for 80 minutes to get the win we want. It is ironic to see ourselves and Doncaster so near the top of the table after last season when we finished in the bottom two positions in the league. Ihave said, on may occasions, since we started the club that our position as aclub would be strengthened considerably once the News Corporation distributions were evened up and the 2000 season has seen that happen. The remaining games for the players this season include some real toughies but the beauty of the situation is, after today’s visitors Doncaster, we still have to play Leigh, Widnes and Featherstone all at home, and Dewsbury away, out of the top eight and therefore we can control our own destiny. It would be remiss of me not to mention the achievements of last weekend at the club when we fielded 3teams at Academy, Alliance and first team level. The icing on the cake was the fact that all 3teams won, 2away from home and particular mention should go to the Alliance and Academy teams who both won tough games against bigger and intimidating opponents. Congratulations must go to the players and staff of all three sides. Finally it was interesting to see that certain clubs were complaining about the number of games in May. Why didn’t they do this before the fixture format was voted in? (unamimously Ithink). The great game of is alaughing stock at times, and outbursts like these only serve to highlight why. Time and energy would be better spent trying to come up with ways for clubs to survive when the Sky money runs out, instead of all the negative comments. Come to think of it Ipropose to surest this at the APC meeting next Friday but then again responsible management and forward planning are not things that sit well in Rugby League Boardrooms are they? Oh well, it was anice thought while it lasted. Enjoy the game. C h r i s H a m i l t o n

Oldham Rugby League Football Club (1997) Limited 64 Union Street, Oidham OLl IDJ Teiephone: 0161 628 3677 Fax: 0161 627 5700 Ciub Shop: 0161 627 2141 CHAIRMAN Christopher HamiKon STATISTICS Eddie Barton DIRECTORS Christopher Hamiliton, Stewart Hardacre, PROGRAMME EDITOR Geoff Cooke Sean Whitehead JUNIOR ROUGHYEDS Debra Rafferty COMMERCIAL MANAGER Scott Claher CLUB HONOURS AJLaw Cup Winners 1998, 1999/2000 HEAD COACH Mike Ford Trans Pennine Cup Finaiist 1998 ASSISTANT COACH John Henderson H A L L O F F A M E M E M B E R S ALLIANCE COACH Haydn Walker (SPONSORED BY J. W. LEES, BrEWERS) FIRST TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST Debbie Ciough Joe Ferguson 1899-23, KiTMAN Mike Toothiii Alan Davies 1950-62, Bernard Ganiey 1950-61, TIMEKEEPER John Barrett John Etty 1954-59, 1955-59, CLUB DOCTOR Dr Phii Kershaw Bob Irving 1964-74, Martin Murphy 1966-82, CLUB DENTIST Neii Gibbison Andy Goodway 1979-85 &1993-94

The views expressed in this MATCHDAY magazine do not necessarily reflect those of THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF RLFC (1997) Ltd.

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

CD F C m F O C U S With Mike Ford Waiker^s Alliance First Division Round Up

AFTER the setbacks Cumbria in avery positive frame of mind, the a g a i n s t K e i g h l e y a n d players having made abig commitment to Whitehaven we were training and playing in the last week to 10 pleased to get back to days. winning ways against Today’s game against Doncaster is areal Barrow. Ithought the 4pointer and we will be trying to avenge our p l a y e r s s h o w e d g r e a t defeat earlier in the season at Belle Vue. My character and old Castleford team mate St. John Ellis has commitment, although done areally good job in his first season as we were sometimes Coach and has produced areally competitive naive on the last team. Ialso played with Craig Weston at South tackle when we should Queensland and know what atalented have been applying footballer the Dragons’ leading scorer is. The more pressure. dub’s management are desperate for success Barrow’s defeat means there is abit of agap t h i s y e a r a n d t h e i r r e c e n t s i g n i n g s o f N e i i opening up between the top 8and those A l e x a n d e r f r o m L a n c a s h i r e Ly n x a n d J a m i e challenging in 9th and 10th positions and our Leighton from Hunslet testify to their ambition. attitude now is to look for apush into the top So, it;s another tough game in prospect, but four rather than be looking over our shoulder our destiny is in our own hands and, with your at those below us. support, we can pull it off. These notes were written before Friday’s Enjoy the game. game at Workington but we travelled to Mike

TRIPS to Cumbria are never easy A L L I A N C E S C O R E B O A R D :and although our opponents last Top Tries :iweek, Barrow, were bottom of the 14 Chris Spurr (Featherstone); 13 Shane IIleague we realised itwas going to Irabor (Barrow) &Simon Lewis(Wigan); 11 need atop performance to get Mike Briggs (Widnes); 10 Shelton Davis iMthe two points. (Hunslet), Stuart Dickinson (Leigh), Gavin Dodd (Oldham), Phil Jones (Wigan), Matt Injuries to the first team Turner (Featherstone) &Alex Wilkinson j m e a n t o u r p a c k w a s s o m e w h a t (Bradford); 9Jim Forshaw (Salford), Chris .lightweight, with young Warren Chapman &Paul Sterling (Leeds) HDruggitt filling in in the second Top Goals Hrow and sixteen year old Anthony 46 Kevin Fitzpatrick (Oldham) &Steve Whitehead on the bench. We Stoddart (Whitehaven); 42 P. Jones; 40 Liam Jones (Widnes); 32 Craig Wingfield achieved agreat win 23-18, and although that may (Leigh); 31 Paul Sykes (Bradford); 30 Craig look close we did always have control to the game. Fisher (Workington) Wes Rogers, Alex Peet and Welshman Jonno Jones all had big games in the pack, Kevin Alliance First Division Fitzpatrick, Adie Meade and Dave Harris in the PW DLFADPTS Widnes Vikings 1510 05508 246 262 20 backs standing out. Best on the day however was Hunslet Hawks 14100 4319 306 13 2 0 Joe McNicholas who time after time went looking Featherstone Rovers 149 05389 314 75 18 Oldham 159 06320 279 41 18 for work bringing the ball out of our twenty metre 168 17397 375 22 17 zone. Whitehaven Warriors 128 04327 261 66 16 167 1 8 279 319 -40 15 The top five is still tight but we now have 136 0 7 258 337 -79 12 games at home to Workington, Whitehaven, Batley 144 0 10315 331 -16 8 144 0 10298 383 -85 8 and Widnes; with just one away trip to Leigh. Barrow BRaiders 153 012271 530-259 6

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RUGBY has always had one big problem which we expect some action, because to abandon soccer does not have: what happens when the the play-the-bali to mayhem is to undermine progress of aman in possession is stopped? the spectacle we have paid to see. And to In soccer the opposing team gains possession. apply the rules of the game intermittently or But in rugby one code opted for aplayer whimsically is the worst case scenario releasing the ball, and the other code opted for because nothing frustrates spectators and the tackled player retaining possession (albeit players more than not knowing when areferee now for only alimited number of tackles). And will take action and when he won’t. Iknow the neither solution has ever been entirely problem is as old as the game itself, but when satisfactory. In Rugby Union the loose-scrum, Iwatch Bradford Bulls ruck or maul -call it what you will -is an untidy p u l l e v e r y t r i c k i n t h e shambles all too often leading to offences, book and James Lowes, some of which the spectators neither see nor in particular exploit understand. And, worse still, those penalties e v e r y w e a k n e s s o r are badly overvalued at three points and are indecision of the referee regularly the determining factors in agame’s Iget really wound up. outcome. It is precisely this which leads the A n d w h a t i s w o r s e I average Rugby League fan to shake his head in know full well that B r a d f o r d B u l l s a r e amazement at games which finish 27-18 with J a m e s L o w e s not atry scored. But, is the Rugby League ‘solution’ any currently the best team better? Iknow that R.U. fans who find R.L. in by a boring (yes they do, believe it or not) always mile and are going to cite the play-the-ball as the aspect of the game win without the need to which spoils the fluidity of the play. Now you resort to such tactics and imay not agree with this view, but Iam anyway. So, Mr increasingly frustrated, especially with Super McCullum, how about a League, by the constant interference at play- clean-up? And this time the-ball (I hate the term ruck) by the defending let’s mean it and keep it side. Under the ten metre rule players will do going all the time, in Greg McCullum anything, and in this they are actively e v e r y g a m e . encouraged by their coaches, to delay the play- the-ball in order to get their defensive line set. In the N.F.P., it has to be said, virtually So turning aman on his back gains vital every team that has come to Boundary Bark fractions of asecond. Getting two, three or four has tried to play football, and most have used men tangled up achieves the same object. So the width of the pitch to great advantage. too lying on or holding down. And, worst of all, Dewsbury and Keighley did so with outstanding asly hand on the ball causing atackled player success. But even York and Barrow in defeat to lose possession in his efforts to execute a gave it their best shot. Ithought it was quick play-the-ball is aspoiling tactic now heartwarming the way the fans in the Main getting out of hand (no pun intended). Stand applauded the Barrow players from the Of course we do not want referees field after their effort to pull back the deficit. awarding astream of penalties thereby ruining And what cracking displays from stand off the continuity of the game, but some stamping TANE MANIHERA and second-row GEOFF of authority on this area of the game is LUXON -you know, the one that cracked Ian definitely needed. When you and i, from the Sinfield. stands and terraces, can see what is going on G.C. CD r

AS aRochdalian who has spent nearly 40 years Spotland housed the W>- working for the Oldham Chronicle -37 of them on Student international match , the Sports Desk and 36 of them covering rugby last season between Great league in the town -Inever thought Iwould see Britain and Australia and the the day when, in asporting sense, Rochdale would forthcoming final of the l e a v e O l d h a m b e h i n d . Emerging Nations Is it happening? You bet it is. What else can Championship, to be run j ' y you think when you look at what Rochdale has alongside the Lincoln Financial done, and Is still doing, to redevelop Spotland and Group World Cup in the autumn, will compare that with what hasn't been done in also take place on the same ground. Oldham to give the town ahalf-decent stadium by B o u n d a r y P a r k h a s b e e n m e n t i o n e d i n modern standards. despatches as apossibility for staging aNorthern We now hear that, as aresult of the changes Ford Premiership Grand Final or even aSilk Cut on the local political scene, there will never be a semi-final. at Bury falls new stadium on Clayton Playing Fields and there into asimilar category. won’t be one anywhere else either, unless Quite clearly, the RFL views the Oldham - somebody comes up with the money. Rochdale -Bury area as astrategic one in terms Iwas brought up to believe passionately in of catering for fans coming from opposite that old saying: where there’s awill, there's away. directions to acentral venue. Towns all over the country have had that will and What would the demand be, therefore, if have got new or redeveloped stadia to prove that Oldham could offer asimilar, if perhaps somewhat they also found away. smaller, version of the JJB or the McAlpine? And what of Oldham? If this town had the will. The opportunities are endless. But what if the I’m not so sure It has It now, so while Oldham town continues to pay lip service only to the dream talks ...and talks ...and talks ...about anew of anew home for the Roughyeds and for Oldham stadium, or even the demolition and rebuilding of Athletic? What will happen then? Boundary Park, the rest of the country builds ... Leading Oldham Athletic people have already and builds ...and builds ...and builds. stated publicly that anew stadium is essential to As asimple geographical exercise let’s for a future plans. The same can be said of the moment or two go on atour of the North-West and Roughyeds. look at what other towns are doing, or have done, The worrying part of all this is that not enough to improve and modernise their sporting facilities. people in high places in this town seem to Deepdale, at Preston, and , at appreciate the value to the town’s future status of Burnley, have been redeveloped and modernised, the continued existence of Oldham Rugby and so has at Blackburn. O l d h a m A t h l e t i c . We have the new Reebok Stadium near Bolton More and more Oldhamers are heading in and the JJB Stadium in Wigan. ever-increasing numbers to big-city Manchester for Widnes can boast the Autoquest Stadium -a their sporting and other leisure pursuits. revamped version of the old Naughton Park with is arguably the best stadium in three super new stands and afourth to follow - the country. City will soon be moving to abrand- and St Helens are moving out of to new home not amillion miles from here -can go into anew stadium on the south side of the be all that bad? -and Manchester town close to the M62. S t o r m a n d M a n c h e s t e r G i a n t s c a n a t t r a c t f a n s t o Over the Pennines in , we have the well-equipped MEN Arena. the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield and major Poor old Oldham. It was once so proud of its development work taking place at The New Shay in past and its present, of its heritage, of its sporting Halifax. prowess, of its sons and daughters who made an Even in Rochdale, the town to which Ipay impact on the national and international scenes, council tax, we have aSpotland stadium which of its Oldham Athletic and its Oldham RL Club, boasts two new stands, while work will start soon Are we to sit idly by and do nothing as on the major development of the popular side. Manchester swallows us up because it can’t get a Rugby League is crying out for amodern foothold in Bolton, Rochdale or Wigan? stadium in this locality, due to the close proximity This town is fast losing its identity. Oldhamers beware! of the M62 and it’s half-way house situation between and Yorkshire. R o g e r H a l s t e a d IVeVe Cured Adamsons Headaches for CRASH REPAIR CENTRE THE ROUGHYEDS MOTOR BODY ACCIDENT Manufacturers REPAIR SPECIALISTS of upholstery fillings for over Approved repairers to all acentury, Platt leading insurance companies &Hill make foam and fibre Telephone fillings of the highest quality 0161 627 4001 right here in 0161 624 1904 Oldham. C r o s s S t r e e t B o t t o m o ’ t h M o o r O l d h a m O L 4 1 J G Platt &Hill PLATT &HILL Belgrave Mill i pjimwo miH I'lu.imi Fitton Hill Road 24 HOUR RECOVERY SERVICE Oldham 0L8 2LZ !QUALITY WORKMANSHIP ALWAYS !

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Locally manufactured hydraulic equipment for the Power and Marine industries Worldwide ENGINEERING THE FUTURE www.pilgrim-international.co.uk Tel: 0161 624 8005 Fax: 0161 626 4945 li IHIITORY From the Pen of Michael Turner RUGBY LEAGUE MILESTONES -Asummary of important Events 1960 -1965 THE 1960 Championship Final was won by Wigan at Station Road. who defeated Wakefield at Odsal. The crowd of over The 1963-64 season will long be remembered 83,000 reversed the current trend, as by this time for the extraordinary amount of draws in the Rugby League attendances were in rapid deciine. Challenge Cup competition. Widnes, the eventual For Trinity there was the consolation of winning the winners drew twice with Leigh in the first round, Challenge Cup, before Her Majesty the Queen, when twice with Swinton in the third round and once with an injury ravaged Hull side were hammered by a Castieford in the semi finai. However, iocai then record score of 38-5. Under the dynamic supporters are more than likeiy to recaii the epic leadership of skipper Derek Turner, Trinity would battie between Oidham and Huii K.R. in the other also take the trophy in 1962 and 1963. semi finai which also went to two replays before the The RL authorities experimented with atwo “Robins" progressed to the twin towers. division system in 1962-3 and 1963-4. On both 1964-65 saw the two division system scrapped occasions Swinton, who could boast star players of and the introduction, for the first time, of the calibre of Blan, Buckley, Gowers, Stopford etc, substitutes, although the original rules meant that were crowned champions finishing well clear of the rest in the first division. As aresult the Lions replacements could only be sent on for injured players and only up to half time. The end of season enjoyed their best post war spell, although in the play off was extended to the top 16 with the result Lancashire Cup they finished runners up four times in five years, each time to St. Helens. The two that Halifax, who finished in seventh position in the division system was supplemented by adivisional league table, were unlikely champions after competition which in effect amounted to an extra defeating table toppers St. Helens in the final. The Lancashire and Yorkshire championship. Challenge Cup final of the same year was aclassic. The 1962 Great Britain tourists beat the Wigan beat Hunslet 20-16 at Wembley in what many Aussies two tests to one but lost both matches people regard as the best Rugby League match ever against the Kiwis. However, there would be ample to grace the national stadium. Apeculiarity of the revenge for the Kangaroos who blitzed the Brits in occasion was the sharing of the Lance Todd Trophy the first two tests of the 1963 series, inflicting a with Ray Ashby of Wigan and Hunslet’s Brian record defeat of 50 points to 12 in the second test Gabbitas the co-winners.

I

Ex Roughyeds favourite, Derek Turner receives the Challenge Cup from Her Majesty the Queen after Wakefield's victory over Hull in 1960. (S) AC” Ui=IV! ■ X,

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THESE programme notes were written before Widnes defeated abadly disciplined last Friday evening’s full list of fixtures, Rochdale side 38-10. Hooker Phil Cantillon several of which had acrucial bearing on the equalled aclub record five tries in amatch scramble for top eight placings. Doncaster for the second time. But Hornets were their Dragons come to us today, for example, on own worst enemies with Darren Robinson the back of avisit from Dewsbury Rams, a and Lee Maher dismissed and Dane Dorahy match Iwould forecast as ahairsbreadth and Martin Bunce sin-binned. A15-5 penalty Dewsbury win. If Iam right and Oldham count against the Hornets tells its own story. managed awin at Workington -always atall Leigh Centurions had acomfortable order -today’s match would give the outing against Whitehaven Warriors, 34-8. Roughyeds the chance to overtake the Centre Paul Anderson scored atry for the Dragons in the league table. Similarly, if seventh consecutive match, while Paul Featherstone failed at Whitehaven and Wingfield landed 7goals. Penalty count here 18-6 to Centurions. Cldham beat both Workington and Doncaster the Roughyeds could break into the top four Cldham consolidated their position with irrespective of Featherstone’s game today a3C-16 defeat of Barrow, Kevin Mannion against Sheffield, and Anthony Gibbons were on top form for the Roughyeds as was the irrepressible John ether top games on Friday involved Leigh at Barrow, which Iwould expect the Hough who scored atrademark solo try from 20 yards. For Barrow Glen Hutton scored a Centurions to have won if only because of Barrow’s injury list. Keighley will have spectacular 67th minute try. Dewsbury slaughtered Lancashire Lynx to maintain stayed top of the their challenge, but will Widnes have league by winning at managed awin at Gigg Lane? Somehow I D e r w e n t P a r k 5 8 - 6 . doubt it as the Lions mount aserious top 8 Shayne Williams and bid. Sean Richardson did Of today’s games Oldham vDoncaster is t h e s p a d e w o r k f o r undoubtedly agem, but Hull K.R. may return B a r r y E a t o n a n d to winning ways at home to Workington, Daniel Frame to Widnes should account for Whitehaven at the inflict the damage. Autoquest, and Rochdale could pull off a Adrian Flynn Wingman Adrian derby victory at home to Swinton. However Flynn finished with four tries and Eaton with pick of the day, assuming Dewsbury dispose 9goals. of Hunslet, is the clash at Hilton Park of Keighley retained second place with an Leigh and Keighley, third and second in the expected win against Hull K.R. (30-8) and set league respectively. And my money goes on anew record of consecutive wins which had the Cougars who Ithink are abetter stood for 97 years. disciplined and more organised side. And finally 15th placed Sheffield Eagles M e a n w h i l e b a c k o n S u n d a y M a y 2 1 s t overcame 16th placed Batley 21-14 at the big result was Featherstone’s defeat of Mount Pleasant, Gavin Brown grabbing two Doncaster, which Inot so much tipped as tries and two goals, while 14th placed hinted at. Last gasp it may have been with a Hunslet Hawks defeated 17th placed York Matt Bramald 75th minute try, but Jamie Wasps 22-18 at Huntington Stadium, with R o o n e y a g a i n d o m i n a t e d f o r R o v e r s a n d Chris Ross scoring atry and five goals for scored 12 of the 16 points. the Hawks. h Tow^n V.

...Doncaster Dragons Tern FOLLOWING Doncaster (Dragons or otherwise) is millennium season. Tawhai has also played for abit like aride on the Big One -all ups and Keighley and represented New Zealand in the downs (probably with more downs than ups). World Nines competition in 1996. Also in Currently the Dragons are very much in an up contention today at halfback is COLIN CARTER a phase which gives all those of us with the Hull born and bred former BARLA international. interests of the wider Rugby League scene at Apowerful front-row heart agreat deal of pleasure (except, of course, features ASA AMONE, aTongan when they are Oldham's opponents). international at both League Coached by St. John Ellis, an and Union. He played in the uncompromising three-quarter with Castleford and Union World Cup in 1987 and Great Britain, the Dragons reflect their Coach’s the League World Cup in 1995. go-forward style. Possessed of anon-nonsense Amone played for Mount Albert pack of forwards who like to dominate their i n N . Z . , f o r B l a n e y i n N e w opponents and lay the platform for aprolific back South Wales and then for division, the Dragons boast amean defence and Halifax in Super League and afree-scoring attack. Rest assured they will test Featherstone in the N.F.P. the Roughyeds to the limit today. Together with BASIL RICHARDS Full-back STEVE BOOTH is apacy former and JOE BERRY, Amone gains Asa Amone Huddersfield Giants player currently on loan from the Dragons plenty of hard Hunslet Hawks. yards. RICHARDS started with Queensbury in the The three- Pennine League and then joined Warrington and quarters feature Huddersfield before going to Belle Vue. BERRY, LYNTON STOTT, a meanwhile, signed for Keighley, playing three W/ff free-scoring former seasons at Cougar Park before transferring to ^Wakefield and McAlpine Stadium where he featured in the \ 4' |b| Sheffield wingman; Giants' Premiership Final team. CARL HALL, in a H o o k e r P E T E R E D W A R D S i s w e l l - k n o w n t o second spell with O l d h a m f o l l o w e r s a s a t r o u b l e s o m e f o r m e r Y o r k L Doncaster after Wasp. AKiwi tourist in 1993 who played with T J c o n s i d e r a b l e Auckland Warriors, Edwards arrived in to 1experience With play for Salford before signing for the Wasps and B r a d f o r d B u l l s a n d now the Dragons. mholder of a‘tries in a In the back-row is CARL GILLESPIE, a Hmatch’ record, with workaholic tackier formerly with Halifax Blue Sox ^five against Mysons who was on the fringes of GB selection in 1997. P a r t n e r R O B W I L S O N i s a n o t h e r e x - H u n s l e t G r a n d Lynton Stott in the Challenge Cup; J A M E S B U N Y A N , a Finalist who also has experience at Hull KR. And centre who started with Milford ARLFC, signed for loose-forward TONY MILLER is Doncaster’s Huddersfield in 1995, scored atry in the 1997 longest serving player. Now also Assistant Coach, Premiership Final at Old Trafford, and joined the Miller appeared with the Dons in Super League Dragons at the start of this season; FATA SINI, a and has now completed ten seasons since 1995 World Cup representative with Western arriving from Featherstone. Samoa and an ex-Salford and York three-quarter Other players who might appear from the who has given Oldham plenty of headaches in the bench include MICK COULT, in asecond spell with last two seasons; and NEIL BENNETT awingman Doncaster after playing as athree-quarter with signed from Castleford Lock Lane. Rochdale and Hunslet; WAYNE PARKER the crafty At stand-off Doncaster boast CRAIG play-making ex-Hull K.R. and Halifax scrum-half WESTON, aprolific marksman and try-scorer. cum loose-forward; PAUL LISTER aproduct of Weston played three seasons with Gold Coast Eastmoor ARLFC in Wakefield from where he first Chargers, one with Sydney City Roosters and two signed for Trinity; utility player JAMES WALKER; with South Queensland Crushers before coming Academy product and ex-Toll Bar forward GAVIN to England to sign for Huddersfield in 1997. His MORGAN; ex-Huddersfield hooker GUY ADAMS; partner at scrum-half is the 1999 N.F.P. Grand ex-York centre CRAIG MOORE; and finally ex- Final man-of-the-match LATHAM TAWHAI who left Wakefield hooker or half-back, the elusive BILLY Hunslet Hawks to join the Dragons for the CONWAY.

O) With Brian Watker e m

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S I D L I T T L E Q B E h a s not, so 1benefited from the loose r e c e n t l y u n d e r g o n e interpretation of the licensing laws that applied heart surgery and is in Oldham at that time. c u r r e n t l y r e c o v e r i n g The generous hospitality of the people of a t h i s W e s t M i d l a n d s Oldham impressed me on that first night and h o m e . T h e e x R A F during my 10 years living, working and playing pilot (Sid was in the town that generosity never changed. 1 a w a r d e d h i s Q B E f o r made many good friends. My welcome from the s e r v i c e s t o t h e A i r O l d h a m C h r o n ’ s c o r r e s p o n d e n t w a s l e s s Training Corp), generous, and simply pointed out to its readers Hariequins and that now Oldham FC has signed aFlarlequin Cumberiand union that would complete the circus! But as many s t a r s i g n e d f o r will recall the team of the 50’s was no circus, O i d h a m i n 1 9 5 2 t o although the tricks, moves and dummy options f o r m a t r e m e n d o u s devised, practiced and perfected contributed to back row partnership with Welshman Charlie t h e t e a m ’ s s u c c e s s . E v e r y b o d y h a s t h e i r Winsiade winning 10 Great Britain caps opinions as to what makes agood successful during his stay with the ciub. team that is entertaining to watch. My personal We wish Sid ail the best during his period view is that it owed its success to only three of recuperation and Imake no apoiogy for factors, afit squad with balanced repeating his article featured in ‘The End of complimentary talents, encouragement, and An Era' published to mark the closure of good coaching. We had acommittee who . This was, in my opinion, one gathered together such agroup of talented of the best short reviews ever written for an players who blended and benefited from each Oidham rugby pubiication. o t h e r ’ s s k i l l s . Bryn Goldswain was atalented player and It was asurprise, albeit apleasant one, to a v e r y g o o d c a p t a i n . F i e w a s a t e a c h e r b y be asked to write afew notes on my memories profession and Isuspect avery good one. Fils of the period when Iplayed for Oldham. Sadly communication skills laid many of the many of the older players who could have written abetter recollection have permanently transferred to another higher league. Afew, of Continued on page 21 course may be playing in that hotter lower division but my first thought must be of them. They were all very good team mates. My time w i t h O l d h a m w a s i n t h e 5 0 ’ s w h e n , a s a n o t h e r old player said “We played rugby Sid when the game was positiveiy dangerous, but sex was s a f e ! ” I t i s n e a r l y 5 0 y e a r s a g o b u t I w e l l remember arriving in Oldham in February 1952. It must have been 10 below freezing that night and at Mumps’ Bridge when Igot off that No. 98 bus visibility was nil. Ihad never been to Oldham before and it looked as if I would not see much of it on this trip! You will perhaps understand my relief when Ieventually found the Red Lion. Ihad been apilot in the RAF not anavigator. But I did speak the language and several helpful directions got me to my home for the next few

days. The bar was heated my bedroom was Sid Little

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What remaining games are most important? All of them. To be honest Idon’t look too far ahead and just take one game at atime, obviously some of the games we have left are four- pointers and will give us achance to move up the table. Hopefully we will start arun again but as Isay Ionly look at one game at atime. We need to stop giving points away. We need to stop doing it. It could come down to points difference in the table so we would not want to miss out in that way. We need to concentrate more.

How about today’s game? It would be nice to put one over on Doncaster after losing to them at Belle Vue earlier on this season. It is going to be avery tough game and It was nice to get back to winning the dangerman must be top try ways against Barrow. scorer Craig Weston, who must be watched. Yes, it was agood win and it was abig match for both teams. It was a N o w i t s y o u r t u r n t o e m b a r r a s s welcome two points for us as Barrow someone. are ninth in the Table and it gave us Iwas listening to Fordy who was abit of breathing space. We knew it commentating on the Radio on Cup was agame we should win as Final day, and after adecision by the Barrow are poor away from home. On video ref, Mike said, “It’s half one the whole we played better and had and six adozen of the other. ’’! more belief in ourselves. D A V E R O B E R T S i-

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THE STANDARD, FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 14,1936 second consecutive season following acampaign in which they frequently had trouble actually putting a Higginshaw Epic team onto the meadow. In May 1999 Higginshaw announced an amalgamation with Heyside Eagles m, mvMns UmrnsHm !fHCm SfMioiiS riu urru playing under the new name Higginshaw Eagles. The vp///’ 1999/2000 season opened optimistically when the Vfffrt-RSHcvDm's To mihi Eagles reached the final of the Oldham League t c,'/iujinfs Do'boTric:n/- CflujHw; 'I’i Championship only to lose to St. Annes despite full¬ * r i- back Michael Fogarty crossing for ahattrick of tries. However, it proved another difficult season with player recruitment once again proving amajor problem. In mid-January Higginshaw Eagles played their final lA match, a42-0 away defeat against Albert Park. Within amonth the Club had withdrawn from the North West SHOBT-LiVED, TJb'Bwso/v -BuT THi^ Counties League. ^CHVi: MSpUnV/T> eXHiB/TioN nnH \ot^'TeicKLiN(i,Sffio/*<{ MCN ' S w s m ' V J t t fi O Higginshaw hope to relaunch their open age aifiiHiN<^ To EfinTH LiKc clout: Too t'"X. .-lir ^ % r K i c f < £ A f team next season but are having difficulty recruiting a S6

'R. <^nvoN% high profile coach able to draw fresh blood to the Club /t ^irt't'iW’ ifffo 'pPRfNCfiHtp and lead them, hopefully, to its former glory. The youth section, nevertheless, continues to

TiF.HOU'i'lOfJ thrive with five teams between Under-9s and Under- cc. Ms all enjoying successful campaigns. The Club has also maintained the tremendous support of its two Oldham vHigginshaw 1936 main sponsors, Grimwood &Dix, Electrical ARGUABLY the most successful amateur club in the Contractors of Wellington Road, Ashton and Derek h i s t o r y o f t h e O l d h a m j u n i o r r u g b y l e a g u e a r e Anthony Ltd, the Sheet Metal Fabricators of Darker Higginshaw and so it was most disappointing when Street, Oldham. With their support and the Club's open age team were unable to fulfil their encouragement, and the inspiration of the talented fixtures earlier this year. youth section, surely Higginshaw will soon be back as The Higginshaw Club has been in existence for amajor force in the local amateur rugby league over 100 years and enjoyed unparalleled success scene. during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. During the Don Yates 1930s Higginshaw reached the first round of the ALLIANCE FIRST DIVISION FIXTURES 2000 Challenge Cup on no fewer than four occasions. No doubt the Club enjoyed financial satisfaction from JANUARY visits to Hull, Widnes and Swinton but the biggest day 8th Whitehaven Warriors AW18-16 HW42-2 i n t h e C l u b ' s h i s t o r y w a s p r o b a b l y t h e i r v i s i t t o 15th BARROW B.R. AL26-4 Watersheddings in 1936 when they took on the 22nd Workington Town Roughyeds. Season 1931-32 was atypical campaign 27th Rochdale Hornets AL16-4 during their domination of the local amateur game. FEBRUARY That season Higginshaw won 14 and drew one of their 3rd FEATHERSTONE ROVERS HW34 -6 1 6 m a t c h e s i n t h e i r O l d h a m A m a t e u r L e a g u e 26th Batley Bulldogs A W 1 8 - 1 1 campaign before going on to beat Heyside 13-2 in the MARCH semi-final of the Championship play-off and 8th Widnes Vikings AL40-6 Roundthorn 16-0 in the final. The Standard Cup 14th KEIGHLEY COUGARS HW34-12 competition at that time was contested between the 23rd ROCHDALE HORNETS HW43-18 winners of two mini-leagues of five clubs. Higginshaw 30th Featherstone Rovers AL32-6 were undefeated in their division, winning seven and APRIL drawing one of their eight matches. They then beat 5th Hunslet Hawks AL10-24 Saddleworth Rangers 16-0 in the final. That match 13th BATLEY BULLDOGS H P against Saddleworth was one of acompetition record 20th LEIGH CENTURIONS HL14-36 eight consecutive appearances in the Standard Cup 27th HUNSLET HAWKS HW26-8 Final between 1929 and 1936. Higginshaw have MAY appeared in 24 Standard Cup Finals and have lifted AW38-14 the trophy thirteen times. 3rd Keighley Cougars 13th WHITEHAVEN W. H P Their last appearance in the Standard Cup Final 20th Barrow B. R. AW23-18 came as recently as 1998 when Higginshaw were 27th WORKINGTON TOWN H2.30 playing in the Premier Division of the North West 31.St Leigh Centurions A7.30 Counties League. Unfortunately, by the time St Annes JUNE beat them in that final, Hi^inshaw had already been 15th W I D N E S V I K I N G S H7.30 relegated. Indeed their first league victory of that JULY 1997/98 season was not achieved until February. 1st T O P F I V E P L A Y O F F Twelve months later Higginshaw were relegated for a 22nd GRAND FINAL PLAY OFF FINAL Continued from page 14

foundations on which the 50’s team We had good coaching in depth and Iwell subsequently blossomed. Bryn Day an ex¬ remember the on-going constructive part paratrooper, played his rugby as he said he played by the Leigh mafia! And Ishould had fought the war. Bryn unquestionably mention Alec Givvons who explained to me believed in the practice of getting his some of the game's harder but often clinically retaliation in first. At his best his ball executed features considered particularly distribution was as outstanding as his left appropriate for Rugby Union players! Frank hook but he was acharacter and we had many Pitchford another regular match winner was arguments on what rugby was about. Idid not perhaps the outstanding scrum half in the win the argument but, while not accepting his League in the 50's. At his peak Frank's eye for pragmatic practices Iliked the man, as did an opening and his ability to go through it in many others and he certainly played arole in the blink of an eye was devastating to the the 50’s team development. opposition, that is when we could keep up with Frank Daley was perhaps the most under him. Bernard Ganley whose goalkicking not rated played of my time and an example to o n l y b r o k e r e c o r d s p o s s i b l y w o n u s m o r e prove that point was made when Wigan played m a t c h e s t h a n a n y o t h e r p l a y e r w h i l e the great Billy Boston at stand off opposite confirming week in and week out that the first Frank in aLancashire Cup Final at Swinton. All man you pick for your rugby team is aman that needs saying is that Billy never played at who never misses his goal kicks. (Current stand off again. Frank was akey player and it coaches take note!) is sad that he too died ashort while ago. D e r e k T u r n e r w a s s u r e l y o n e o f t h e Billy Mitchell, Johnny Noon and Denis game's best loose forwards and it was areal Ayres were local lads and they too all played a pleasure for me to meet him again at aLion's part. Dick Cracknell’s arrival acknowledged the re-union at Fleadingley. In the 50's with Derek importance of side step and pace in any team calling the shots we had astrong mobile pack a n d D i c k ' s s k i l l w a s c o m p l i m e n t e d b y t h e including keep fit fanatic Don Vine astrong strength and perfectly timed crash tackling of ball handling prop, and in Jack Keith our John Etty. Alan Davies “a centre exceptional” hooker, we had aremarkable player who could had everything on and off the field. Acharming always win the ball that is if he decided to vociferous character, everyone liked Alan, and strike for it! For good measure Jack could and his performance on the field was outstanding did score many tries. Charlie Winslade from Frank Stirrup was our ‘‘football brain” and had Maesteg and Oldham's own Ken Jackson were much influence in devising and refining set Internationals and very good players. Indeed if moves. Older supporters may remember the Don, Jack, Ken and Charlie are all packing team's No 10 set piece which suited Terry down in that team in heaven they have the O'Grady's style so well and its 10 dummies basis for avery good pack. Derek and Imiss were effective in confusing the opposition! p l a y i n g b u t n e i t h e r o f u s f e e l s r e a d y t o complete the six just yet. Ienjoyed playing at Watersheddings. Ihad great team mates. There was much humour, there was much success and some disappointment but that is how it should be although we did not think so at the time. Ienjoyed playing rugby league which is such asplendid game, Iam pleased to have been associated with such afine club, and with so many of its players and supporters. I am also delighted to have had this opportunity of thanking the club and its supporters for the kindness shown to me over the years. We are now in aperiod of change, and it is awhole new ball game for others to write about. Iwish the club growth and success in Bryn Goldswain introduces fellow Welshmen Bryn Day and the future which surely can be and must be Les Anthony to the recently arrived Sid Little in February bright and successful. 1952. Left to right: Bryn Goldswain, Bryn Day, Les Anthony and Sid Little. Sid

<® T: commoiisense.com With Simon Winnard

AS WE fast approach the climax to what has due to submit their bid in just two days time. been an excellent season in the Northern Ford Both clubs have attempted to keep ahigh Premiership, thoughts are already starting to profile throughout this season and have turn to next season. Fordy will have the benefit received fantastic encouragement from true of an unrushed pre-season build up with the Rugby League folk everywhere. Indeed, Ihave majority of his squad already in place and, been reliably informed that vocal support for unlike the farcical events leading up to this Bramley was evident from both Featherstone season, the NFP can now also utilise this and Dewsbury fans during their recent clash at break to plan well ahead. t h e R a m S t a d i u m . M a n y t r u e R L f a n s h a v e The instability of last year’s closed season also bought shares in Bramley -real evidence was farcical and quite frankly we simply cannot that the RL community can look after its own afford to repeat it. Having established a when needs be. With business plans successful partial change of season to formulated, marketing strategies poised and accommodate alittle traditional Winter RL, it is major sponsors at the ready, let’s hope that interesting to consider which teams will be we are soon welcoming both of these clubs competing next season. back into the family. It gives me great satisfaction that At the other end of the spectrum is the Sheffield have survived the wielded axe of prospect of promotion to Super League (he Super League and, despite adistinct lack of said with tongue firmly in cheek). Keighley resources, have competed extremely well this coach, Karl Harrison has recently stated that season. Their win at Hilton Park will surely be the Cougars would not apply for aSuper regarded as one of the truly remarkable League place should they eventually win the results of the year. Icannot praise highly NFP Grand Final this year. He feels that the enough the effort put in by everybody at Don finances need to be sorted before the club can Valley and wish them every continued success. commit to what could prove to be avery costly However, the nightmare at Chorley seems venture. Its arefreshing change to hear a to go from bad to worse for Lancashire Lynx. coach talk so realistically but raises the Having conceded more than athousand points question of what Oldham would do in asimilar already this season, serious questions have situation. Its not unfeasible that, one on one been raised as to whether they will be with us in the play offs, we could go all the way this for much longer. Somewhat surprisingly, year and if that happens is it really in our however, there are positive noises emanating interests at such an early stage in the clubs from the ironically named Victory Park. Well d e v e l o p m e n t t o a p p l y f o r S u p e r L e a g u e ? let’s look on the bright side, it couldn't get Indeed, would Boundary Park or any of the top much worse. So, happily, it appears that we eight grounds now meet Super League’s aren't about to lose any clubs from the bottom minimum ground criteria? Widnes of course, of the NFP ladder and, all being well, should with the AutoQuest Stadium, are the exception actually add to our numbers next season. but are by no means the strongest side in the T h i s w e e k h a s s e e n b o t h B r a m l e y a n d NFP this year and in my opinion are unlikely to Gateshead visiting the Houses of Parliament go all the way. following an invite from the All Parliamentary So the promotion verdict -the Anfield Group of RLMPs. Both clubs have been Giants to be sheltered behind the firmly closed working extremely hard since their untimely trap door of Super League yet again and whilst exclusion from the professional ranks last the exclusive world of Super League seems to term. Indeed, Gateshead have already get more distant by the minute, the Northern submitted their application for entry to the Ford Premiership gets bigger and stronger Premiership and Iunderstand that Bramley are -now thats true expansion for you ! Contact Goodwin Best for aquality assured, professional G o o d I V i n review of your commercial risk insurances. Exclusive facilities for local businesses incorporating Risk Management and B B S T i Health &Safety Audits. Commercial Insurance Brokers O WIBA Castle H0use, Schof ieIdStreet, Oldham,0L8 1QL O l O H A M C h a m b e r Tel: 0161 628 2200 Fax: 0161 628 7785

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Fancy anight away from the ladies and the chance to enjoy some top class entertainment? Then read on. We are holding aSportsman’s Dinner on R O U G H Y E D S “ T W I C K E R S ” T R I P Thursday 15th June 2000 at the Avant Hotel, We are organising aweekend trip to the opening Oldham. game in the 2000 Lincoln Financial Group World Guest Speaker is Hull F.C.’s Australian Cup between England and Australia at Coach Shaun McRae. He inspired Hull to knock Twickenham on Saturday 28th October 2000. the mighty Wigan out of this seasons Challenge We will be departing for on the day of Cup and will lead Scotland into the World Cup the game and arriving at the 4star Sheraton this Autumn. So he will certainly have plenty to Heathrow Hotel to check in and have arefreshment say! break. From here we will go into central London for Comedian will be the highly rated AIbi sight seeing and shopping. The game kicks off at Senior and the MC for the evening will be GMR 6..30pm and the trip includes your match ticket. Sports very own Jack Dearden. Asuperb 3 course meal will be served in the excellent Sunday will begin with breakfast and then into function room at the Avant. London again before returning to Oldham at 8.00pm (approx). The price of this superb trip is only £70 for Tables for 10 people cost £225 (vat Elite members and £75 for non members! We inclusive) or £25 per person. Please phone Scott have already had agood response so for further on 0161 628 3677 to book your place. We expect details, or to book. demand to be high for what promises to be a Please contact Paul 0161 628 3677. great night out with the Roughyeds!

H e y D i g g l e D i g g l e ! Before the game, and during half time, we will be entertained by Diggle Brass Band. In March 2000 the band entered its first contest under National Contesting Council rules, at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. From an entry of twenty six bands they were successful in winning through to the National Finals to be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October. Obviously there will be a great deal of expense involved during the weekend. With this in mind there will be abucket collection at today’s game to help raise funds for the band. PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY.

J u n i o r R o u g h y e d s will be arriving this week, Please sponsored by complete the Junior Reddish S' Roughyeds Player of the Season form Demolition and return it at the V\ next meeting on the Limited 16th June.

The next HI to all you Junior Roughyeds. meeting will be at Castleton Gabriels We welcome to Boundary Park today the Juniors, Players and Directors of Doncaster Ground, Castleton, Today’s Mascot Callum Dragons. where we will be <^ssey holding the mascot draws for the remaining The Mascot for today’s match is Callum games of the season. C a s e y . C a l l u m i s 1 0 y e a r s o l d a n d h i s favourite player is his dad Leo Casey. Callum Let's hope it’s anice evening as we will p l a y s r u g b y f o r S t . A n n e s u n d e r 1 0 s a n d be having aB.B.Q. with the players after below. training.

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TEL 0161 6 2 4 6 8 1 1

A R E P L E A S E D T O B E P A R T O F T H E T E A M A Q U A U T V S e K V i C I eg) T H E D O N ’

On this Day Wednesday 29th May 1991. That day they Don Yates looks back to May 29th yesteryear. defeated Wigan St. Patricks 38-18 at Shaw IT WAS on this day in 1965, Saturday 29th Hall Bank Road. They scored seven tries May, that the Roughyeds paid tribute to Vin through Tony Hurst (2), Gary Dobbs, John Nestor, atalented inside back who made 232 Fleming, Paul Garrett, Alan Dalton and Andy a p p e a r a n c e s f o r O l d h a m b e t w e e n 1 9 5 5 a n d McKeown. Graham Schofield landed five goals. 1965. His benefit match that day saw Oldham Two years ago Rangers entered two take on ateam of former Oldham players with teams in the Oldham Championships, their Oldham Present beating Oldham Past by 47 fi r s t t e a m a n d t h e i r u n d e r 1 8 s . I t i s a n points to 32. indication of the strength in depth at Aplayer who had amuch shorter spell at Saddleworth that both teams reached the final Oldham was back-row forward Doug Phillips and on Friday 29th May 1998 Rangers first who was signed from Swansea RUFC. He team won the trophy with a36-8 victory over made just 18 appearances for the Roughyeds t h e u n d e r 1 8 s . between February 1945 and December 1946. The 1977 World Championship D e s p i t e h i s i n e x ¬ competition was staged in Australia and New perience in the league Zealand with the opening match, on Sunday code, Phillips toured 29th May, involving those two nations who met Australasia with the in Auckland. Eventual Champions Australia British Lions in 1946 won that opening fixture, beating New Zealand and during that tour, on 27-12. Wednesday 29th May, In late May 1949, aBritish Empire XIII he appeared at loose- travelled to France where they met the French forward in the Great national team and then aPyrenees outfit on B r i t a i n t e a m w h i c h Sunday 29th May. The Empire team, full of defeated the Canberra Antipodean stars, lost to France but then d i s t r i c t t e a m 4 5 - 1 2 . proved too strong for the Pyrenees selection Phillips, who later whom they beat 38-12. Australian centre Pat moved to Belle Vue Devery (Huddersfield) crossed for ahattrick of R a n g e r s a n d t o u r e d t r i e s i n t h a t m a t c h . again in 1950, died In 1965 Rochdale Hornets made ashort

Douglas Phillips earlier this month aged tour of France, unfortunately losing all three 80 years. matches. The tour opened in Carcassonne on In 1985, Premiership winners St. Helens Saturday 29th May when the home side undertook afour match tour of New Zealand. defeated Hornets by 30 points to ten. On Wednesday 29th May 1985 they met Finally it was on Friday 29th May 1998 Waikato at Huntly where Saints were beaten that Bramley met York in avital Second 34-24. The fifth minute dismissal of Roy Division match at Headingley. Dave Gibbons Haggarty for ahigh tackle

<3D IHhfyiriejb m Date Opponent Result Att

DECEMBER F-A 12 ROCHDALE H(LAW CUP) W30-18 1,204 27 ROCHDALE HORNETS W23-20 3,562 Associate Match JANUARY 2Swinton Lions W23-18 2,567 Alphatec Labelling Systems Ltd 9WHITEHAVEN W W26-22 2,446 Alpha House, 16 Barrow B.R. L19-16 1,618 23 WORKINGTON T W30-17 2,222 Peel Street, FEBRUARY Denton, 6Doncaster Dragons L16-26 2,130 Manchester 8 Wigan St. J(SCCC R3) W44-0 1,376 M34 3JY 13 Rochdale H(SCCC R4)14-302,168 L 20 Leigh Centurions L10-28 2,410 0161 337 8954 MARCH

5LANCASHIRE LYNX W50-8 1,522 12 Widnes Vikings W20-31 3,300 19 DEWSBURYRAMS L12-14 2,115 Man Of The Match 26 FeatherstoneRovers L26-61 2,071 APRIL Saddleworth Sports 2Sheffield Eagles W28-6 1,220 9HUNSLET HAWKS W44-18 1544 And School Uniform 16 Batley Bulldogs W28-16 805 93 Chew Valley Road 21 RochdaleHornets W13-12 2288 Greenfield 24 SWINTONLIONS W34-28 1908 Oldham 0L3 7JJ MAY 01457 872 515 1 YORKWASPS W40-18 1852

7HullKingston Rovers W32-12 2005 10 KEIGHLEYCOUGARS L14-24 2528

14 WhitehavenWarriors LI 8-26 808

21 BARROWB.R. W30-16 1604 26 WorkingtonTown A7.30 Matchball 29 DONCASTER DRAGONS H3.00 JUNE Doughty’s Gym 4LEIGHCENTURIONS H3.00 Princess Road 11 LancashireLynx A3.00 Shaw 18 WIDNESVIKINGS H3.00

25 DewsburyRams A3.00 Oldham JULY 01706 846 762 2FEATHERSTONE ROVERS H3.00

Oldham RLFC fully support the let’s tackle racism in rugby league Important Notice campaign and welcomes all players Boundary Park is fitted with an emergency alert system (Local FIigh Pitch, Two and spectators irrespective of their Tone Signal). If you should hear the signal please pay attention to the ethnic or raciai origins. Racism has no instructions given, atest of the alert system will be made prior to each game, piace in our game and racist chants are twenty minutes prior to the kick-off time, followed by the words: totaiiy unacceptabie. Allow everyone to “ 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 ” enjoy the game. Oldham -Well placed for the challenges of the New Millennium

The Council’s forward thinking approach, commitment and activities have resulted in a massive regeneration and revitalisation programme of the Borough throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

This endeavour has led to an expanding, improving town centre which has benefited from £100 million investment, 20 new schools in as many years, a national award-winning multi million pound regeneration scheme, development of anew cultural quarter, anew business management school, a town centre based leisure scheme including multiplex cinema, Britain’s newest Sixth Form College, adiversity of industry, the planned extension of the Metrolink tram system and much more.

All this, together with Oldham’s reputation for innovation, hard work and friendliness means that the Borough finds itself well placed to meet the challenges of the New Millennium.

The Council is committed to continuing to serve the local community and in helping Oldham maintain its significant status in the North West Region.

Enquiries about the Council’s policies and activities, O L D H A M D D D D including its regeneration programmes and policies Metropolitan Borough O to the Chief Executive’s Department, PO Box 160, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UG. NORTHERN NORTHERN FORD M 4

folKOl PREMIERSHIP 5^* PREMIERSHIP !i

OLDHAM DONCASTER DRAGONS Coach Mike FORD Coach St John ELLIS

M a r k S I B S O N 11 Steve BOOTH Joey HAYES l2l Lynton STOTT Anthony GIBBONS Cari HALL Pat RICH L4jJ a n i e s B U N Y A N Warren BARROW L5 Fata SINI David GIBBONS L6] Craig WESTON Neil RODEN niL a t h a m T A W H A I Andy PROCTOR LSI Asa AMONE John HOUGH L9| P e t e r E D W A R D S Jason CLEGG Lio; Basil RICHARDS Phil FARRELL Rob WILSON

M a r k C A M P B E L L ri2i J a m e s W A L K E R Kevin MANNION t:i3i Wayne PARKER DannyGUEST ^ Neil ALEXANDER Leo CASEY (15 Tony MILLER IanSINFIELD ^ Jamie LEIGHTON ShayneMcMENEMY ^ Paul LISTER

T O D A Y ’ S O F F I C I A L S

REFEREE D. BLOOD RICHARD SILVERWOOD IM. J.ASHCROFT B. THALER