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well as you the paying CHAIRMAN customer and the ﬁxture Christopher Hamilton format has to be looked at DIRECTORS Christopher Hamiliton, Stewart in respect of the problems it Hardacre, Sean Whitehead HEAD COACH brings. Mike Ford

ASSISTANT COACH i'.( ’ To d a y w e w e l c o m e Whitehaven, who are aclub John Henderson A L L I A N C E C O A C H t h a t h a s e x p e r i e n c e d Haydn Walker problems over the last few ACADEMY COACH Mark Knight months and despite apoor start to the season are now ACADEMY MANAGER starting to show some form. Playing against them is never Pete Beswick FIRST TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST easy but Mike will have the players well prepared you can Lisa Sharratt be assured. This week has seen around of NFP fixtures ALLIANCE/ACADEMY and the division is beginning to take shape. The beauty of PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Jodie Whittle, Danni Turner the competition is that with having atop eight play-off CONDITIONER there is much more to play for long into the season for Tony O’Brien TIMEKEEPER more of the teams. John Barrett The Alliance team is also well into its season and it is C L U B D O C T O R Dr Ian Wilkinson great to see them in fourth place at the moment. What is C L U B D E N T I S T particularly pleasing for all of us is the fact that this is being Neil Gibbison STATISTICS done with ateam that is comprised mainly of players who Eddie Barton, Bruce Deadman are under 24. This is areflection of the hard work which P R O G R A M M E E D I T O R Geoff Cooke has gone on at the club to encourage good, young talent B O A R D R O O M S U P E R V I S O R and in the last game against Workington of the 17 players Lewis Laverty on duty 15 were under the age of 24, 13 were under the C L U B H O N O U R S age of 21 and 10 were playing in the Academy team last AJLaw Cup Winners 1998, season -that is great progress for afledgling club like 1999/2000 Trans Pennine Cup Finalist 1998 ours and if you couple that with the recent signings of H A L L O F F A M E M E M B E R S youngsters of the quality of James Wilkinson, Paul (SPONSORED BY J. IV. LeES, BrEWERS) Joe Ferguson 1899-23, Herman Hilton Bennett and James Kirkland we have to be pleased with 1913-26, Alan Davies 1950-62, the way the youth policy is progressing. Our Chief Scout, Frank Stirrup 1950-62, Bernard Ganley 1950-61, John Etty 1954-59, John Jackson, has already put in alot of work with the Derek Turner 1955-59, Bob Irving local Amateur clubs and we obviously intend to carry this 1964-74, Martin Murphy 1966-82, on. “Jacko” has awealth of experience in recruiting talent Andy Goodway 1979-85 &1993-94. and is this Club’s future. Enjoy the game. FRONT COVER C h r i s H a m i l t o n Oldham RLFC 2000/2001

The views expressed in this matchdat 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 FOCUS^with Mike Ford

IN welcoming today’s visitors we are looking forward to amuch harder game than of late. As yet Whitehaven have not enjoyed the best of results with just two home wins against Chorley and Rochdale. I know it takes time for anew coach to get across his ideas but Paul Cullen is an excellent prospect and I am certain that with time he will turn Whitehaven into aformidable side, though hopefully not too much so before today. The Queensbury Cup tie and the Chorley Lynx League game had both plusses and minuses. On the plus side we continued to show disciplined defence and to concede only two points overall was very satisfying. We were able to run in plenty of tries with many of these the result of outstanding teamwork. In addition the young players we introduced like Gareth Barber, Gavin Dodd and Lee Doran all did themselves proud emphasising to me that we now have much greater strength in depth and that these players can handle first team football. As a consequence the team is full of confidence and we hope to kick on from here with good results in both League and Cup. On the minus side Ithought we got abit over-adventurous at times, trying to force passes that weren’t really there and as aresult our ball control wasn’t as good as I would like. Relatively easy games like the last two put you in a‘no win’ situation because people get frustrated that every attack doesn’t put points on the board. Expectations are high and it is not always possible to live up to them. Ihope we scored enough points, however, to keep you happy. The Cup draw is atough one but we can’t ask for more than ahome game. The rest is up to us. Hull KR will bring adecent following with them so it should be agood atmosphere. And if we should win there is every prospect of acrack at one of the top sides in the next round. However, first up there is the little matter of Whitehaven today. As ever, enjoy the game. Mike

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6 I’.Ulcil 4 .. .from the pen of Michael Turner The second leg was played just two days later at Watersheddings on Monday evening September 7th and after the close encounter up at Whitehaven abumper attendance of 10,142 turned out for the return match, no doubt anticipating another close struggle. But what adifference.! The Roughyeds coasted to a45-6 victory Oldham scored seven tries from; Frank Stirrup (2), Johnny Feather (2), Alan Davies, Lionel Emmitt and Bryn Goldswain but like many times before and since it was Ganley ‘the boot’ who stole the show. Bernard being successful with no less than adozen kicks at goal. T h e d u b i o u s r e w a r d f o r t h e i r endeavours was atrip to Wilderspool to play Warrington in the next round. Again Oldham lost out by asolitary point 12-11 but this time the match was one leg only, and so the Roughyeds were out of the competition.

Bernard Ganley -twelve goals In the Lancashire Cup victory over Whitehaven in 1953.

TODAY we extend awarm welcome to the players, officials and supporters from the Whitehaven club. When ‘Haven joined the league for the 1949-50 season, they immediately became something of abogy club for the ‘Roughyeds’ whenever they visited Cumbria (or Cumberland as it was then). Indeed it wasn't until their ninth trip to the Recreation Ground on January 19th 1957, that victory was finally secured. On the previous eight excursions five matches were lost and three were drawn. The team that played against In and amongst those defeats was a Whitehaven on Monday September 13th narrow 13-12 reverse in the 1st round, 1st w a s a s f o l l o w s ; leg of the Lancashire Cup on Saturday, Bernard Ganley, Lionel Emmitt, Billy September 15th 1953. Acrowd of 5,900 Mitchell, Alan Davies, Terry O’Grady, people were at the game when the Oldham Johnny Feather, Frank Stirrup; Harry scorers were three goals from Bernard Ogden, Jimmy Mundy, Ken Jackson, Sid Ganley and atry each for Frank Pitchford Little, Charlie Winslade, Bryn Goldswain. and Lionel Emmitt.

7 \ m e-

\ Mi m I T ’ s S i l k C u t ' -that's why 1think we can look forward to a i’ Challenge Cup pulsating cup-tie next Sunday. time again -and The rewards for the winners are substantiai. O l d h a m f a n s c a n Five clubs outside Super League are guaranteed l o o k f o r w a r d t o places in the last 16 thanks to the following acracking tie fourth-round ties: Oldham vHull KR, Gateshead v

'N.. against Hull KR Whitehaven, York vVilleneuve, Rochdale v at Boundary Hunslet and Doncaster vSheffield. Park next And what price, at least one shock from / Sunday. Leigh vSalford at Hilton Park and Keighley vHull / On the face at Cougar Park? of it, avisit by Fifth-round losers are guaranteed £10,000 the Robins isn’t the best tie available, but if the in Silk Cut prize money, plus ashare of what object of the exercise is to go as far as possible would probably be alucrative gate -and the in acompetition that invariably attracts media Roughyeds have already sampled life in the last attention and stirs up interest, then Hull KR at 16 when they lost 18-2 at Whitehaven acouple home will do nicely. of years ago. That isn’t to underestimate the men from In the new club’s first season, the east of the River Hull, who will come fired up to Roughyeds beat Heworth of York 36-14 in round cause an upset after the mighty scare they three and lost 48-8 at Widnes in the fourth inflicted on the Roughyeds in the play-off match round. at Spotland last July. So to 1999 and a26-7 defeat of Eccles in Mike Ford’s gang won through 22-14 in the the third round, followed by amemorable 18-10 end, but they let slip a17-0 lead midway through win against Dewsbury in round four and then the the second half and the Rovers scored three fifth-round defeat up in Cumbria. tries in 12 minutes to close the deficit to 18-14 Ford’s first season at the club produced a with four scary minutes still to endure. 44-0 win against Wigan St. Jude’s in the third Anthony Gibbons scored deep into injury round and then a30-14 loss at Rochdale time to enable the Roughyeds' camp to breath a Hornets in round four in. one of the club’s worst huge sigh of relief, but the tie provided abig performances of the season. Ford is keen to lesson for Oldham’s young coach, who admitted take the club further along the road to afterwards that he had made amistake when he T w i c k e n h a m t h i s y e a r , b u t h e n e e d s n o withdrew himself, Shayne McMenemy, Andy reminding that the Robins can be expected to be Proctor and Steve Molloy with his team well in formidable opponents next week. the lead. They have won three and drawn one of their "I was already thinking ahead towards next eight NFP games, but an indication of what type week," said Ford. of team they are is provided by their for-and- Ford’s willingness to acknowledge his against figures: 100 scored and 122 conceded. mistakes and to resolve to learn from them is They are averaging only 12 points per game one of his strong points and aquality that will in the NFP and 15 against, compared with stand him in good stead as his career unfolds. Oldham’s 20 and 17 (figures taken before last Nevertheless, Rovers might just have Tuesday’s rearranged home game against sneaked it at Spotland if Mark Hewitt, one of the Chorley). best goalkickers in the NFP, had not bottled it To win at Boundary Park would be quite a when his accurate marksmanship was needed scalp for Rovers' new boss Gary Wilkinson, who most. was given the job at the start of the season after Hewitt fluffed each of his three kicks at goal his predecessor, Dave Harrison, was sacked before he was replaced by Chris Charles who, after publicly criticising the Rovers’ board. incidentally, kicked eight goals as the Rovers Wilkinson was delighted with his team’s big walloped French club Toulouse 44-0 at New win against Toulouse, which was atimely tonic Craven Park last Sunday. for the Rovers ahead of their trip to Boundary You can never write off Hull Kingston Rovers Park.

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10 Alliance Action I ... with Haydn Walker

THE ALLIANCE had an excellent home A L L I A N C E T E A M F I X T U R E S win over Workington last week by 20-4. Dec 6Keighley A 7.30 LI 6-36 It was agreat performance, not in the 21 Rochdale H 7.30 W 2 4 - 0 quality of our play but in the fact that Jan such ayoung squad could do so well. 3Hunslet A 7.30 W26-10 A 7.30 L 3 6 - 1 8 We had thirteen 10 Leigh 18 Widnes HP u n d e r 2 1 s i n t h e 20 Workington H2.30 W 2 4 - 0 team, twelve of Feb 3Whitehaven H2.30 w h o m p l a y e d 15 Hunslet H7.30 A c a d e m y r u g b y 22 Batley H7.30 last summer. Two March / 17 Whitehaven A2.30 o f o u r v e t e r a n s a r e 22 Featherstone H7.30 still only twenty-two 29 Doncaster A7.30 and it must be the April youngest team the 4Batley A7.30 19 Doncaster H7.30 c l u b h a s e v e r Lee Doran May fielded at this level. 3Featherstone A7.30 On the day Matty Williams who is 10 Keighley H7.30 19 Workington A2.30 just seventeen was our stand out 24 Rochdale A7.30 performer with an amazing forty tackles. 31 Leigh H7.30 Young centre Danny Naylor managed June 7Widnes A7.30 twenty-eight with some fantastic marker 13 Top Five Play Offs defence work. Lee 14 First Division Grand Final Doran, who was selected to play the this game (I think) was the club’s first following day for the time fielding aTurkish born player in fi r s t t e a m w a s h i s nineteen year old Sellohalladin usual dynamic self, Aglamaz. Sello played for me in the w h i l e A l e x P e e t , Hemel Hempstead Academy and is now Dave Newton and at Huddersfield University. He is very To n y S w i f t a g a i n keen and although he struggled alittle showed up well. with his match fitness, made a A l e x P e e t A n o t h e r fi r s t i n promising debut.

11 LAST week’s Silk Cut Challenge Cup produced tally with eight goals just the one victory by amateurs against and ahattrick of tries. professionals when, as Isuggested might Hull K.R. loose happen, Woolston Rovers overcame Chorley forward Chris Charles Lynx. Darren Geritas, Shaun Geritas and man scored eight goals of the match Lee Westwood are all former Lynx and atry. Another players and needed little motivating to pull out p r o l i fi c s c o r e r i s all the stops for John Fieldhouse’s side to Martin Wood of dominate the second half for a22-8 victory. K e i g h l e y C o u g a r s My other potential winners in the amateur who had nine goals ranks did themselves proud. Wigan St. Jude’s and atry to his name put up agreat fight before going down 34-20 at against Rochdale Gateshead. Steve Hall with ahattrick of tries Mayfield while second and five goals did the damage for the Thunder, row Matt Walker Martin Wood while hooker Shaun Hilton was outstanding for n o t c h e d f o u r t r i e s . St. Jude’s. Meanwhile at Widnes Ian Watson booted nine Meanwhile Oulton Rangers gave agood goals and, finally, for Swinton Mick Nanyn account of themselves at York Wasps. scored two tries and four goals. Halfbacks Gareth Stephens and Paddy Midweek NFP action saw Batley pull off an Handley were the inspiration for the Wasps, excellent win over Hull K.R. at Mount Pleasant. after Oulton had abrilliant first half hour before It was Jon Sharp’s last game as the Bulldogs the professionals’ fitness told for a24-12 win. coach and the players responded by turning on As Ialso suggested Oldham St. Anne’s the style for ahard fought 18-16 victory. made life difficult for out visitors today, Sheffield turned over bottom club Whitehaven. With Anne’s leading 16-12 at half Gateshead 38-12 with loose forward Richard time amajor upset was on the cards, but the Goddard in scoring mood to the tune of atry Cumbrians then introduced Leroy Joe from the and seven goals. bench. This, and the sin-binning of Steve Mills, Meanwhile at the Autoquest Swinton had adecisive influence on the outcome as the surprised Widnes to lead 6-2 at half time Cumbrians scored 22 unanswered second half before succumbing, 16-8, victims of ex-Lions points. Despite this the whole St. Anne’s team scrum half Ian Watson and a6-2 penalty count can take credit for an outstanding performance. to the Vikings. Apart from the above there were no great As these notes went to print before shocks except perhaps the margin of victory at Tuesday this week’s results are unknown. Hull K.R. where the French visitors Toulouse Oldham, Featherstone and Leigh should all Spacers might have been expected to do have won, and Iwould expect Dewsbury to b e t t e r t h a n 4 4 - 0 . come out on top at Sheffield. Whitehaven were However, with several big soores racked due to play Hornets at the Recre agame up one or two players went on scoring sprees. almost too close to call. But the big game of At Oldham Mark Sibson had four tries, Dave the week was Doncaster vKeighley and Gibbons three and Pat Rich eight goals. whoever dropped points will be fine by B a r r o w ’ s G l e n H u t t o n Oldham. n o t c h e d f o u r t r i e s i n As for today, Doncaster have another big t h e d e r b y a g a i n s t game at home to Dewsbury Rams and the A s k a m w h e r e t h e r e visitors might just pull off arare victory in the was agood crowd of ‘House of Pain’ after the Dragons midweek over 2,000. At Batley exertions. Widnes could also have atough task Richard Price had at Sheffield. Iwould tip Gateshead to score nine goals and atry their first league victory at home to Hunslet, and Craig Lingard while Featherstone should have no trouble at s c o r e d f o u r t r i e s . York. Keighley (v Batley), Leigh (v Rochdale) D e w s b u r y ’s B a r r y ) and Oldham (v Whitehaven) will all secure Eaton is always one V home wins, which leaves Swinton vWorkington to take advantage as the poser: expect the inconsistent Lions to and the scrum-half win but, in all honesty, with Swinton you can boosted his points BarryEaton never tell.

12 In TownToday W H I T E H A V E N AT THE time of writing country in the 2000 World Cup, but had aseason these notes Whitehaven away from the Recre. at Hull K.R. last year. In 1997 had just one League he featured with North Queensland Cowboys and he victory to their name, will undoubtedly be at the hub of every Whitehaven although ahome fixture attack. Atop class player Joe should provide alot of with Rochdale Hornets on the guidance ‘Haven have lacked in early season. Wednesday may have Joe’s return would see STEVE KIRKBRIDE out of the added to their points tally. reckoning, but the young scrum-half, an Operating now without the accomplished goalkicker, will still get plenty of Warriors tag and under the outings as the season progresses. Meanwhile, at stewardship of the highly il number 6LEE KIDDIE will be kicking Oldham back respected Paul Cullen and probing for openings. An electrician by trade I ‘Haven are hoping to turn will refrain from comments about sparking attacks, around adisappointing Paul Cullen electric pace and lightning breaks. 2000. In the pack big prop MARK COX is starting to Whether in fact the club should be named make aname for himself after representing G.B. Whitehaven, however, is open to debate: on alist of Academy against France in 1997. He complements 27 pen pictures the club provided, no fewer than 12 the hard-working, block busting New Zealander had played for local amateur side Kells, I’m only DAVID FATIALOFA. Aformer junior Kiwi, Fatialofa has joking of course, because when you add three experience in France and his go-forward style has players from Wath Brow Hornets and three more made him abig crowd favourite. Alternatives to these from Egremont it serves to underline the fantastic two are GEORGE SUAFOA who, despite the South conveyor belt of talent provided by Cumbrian Seas name, is aformer Egremont Ranger; and DEAN amateur clubs, which is acredit to everyone VAUGHAN atough young gun who has previously concerned with rugby league football in that much skippered Whitehaven’s Academy. neglected county by the powers that be. At hooker will be AARON LESTER aplayer With agame in midweek it could be that ‘Haven Oldham were keen to acquire. LESTER is aNew will not turn out as per programme as they say but, Zealander who has played for Auckland Warriors. hopefully, the following run down will not be too inaccurate. Regarded as one of the best players outside Super At fullback the highly rated WESLEY WILSON League, Lester has always given the Roughyeds has fortunately recovered from serious injury and is problems when previously in opposition to us. Second-row HOWARD HILL is already well once again able to display the talent that brought him BARLA international honours. Quick and safe, Wilson known to Oldhamers where he was afrequent has real promise. When Wilson was injured last occupant of acentre berth with the Bears. He season DAVID SEEDS stood in for him and was a subsequently appeared with Swinton and Hull KR great success. However, it is more likely that today before returning to his native Cumbria. Seeds, aBARLA tourist to Australia in 1993 and a Hill’s partner GRAEME MORTON is an county representative against Australia in 1994, will experienced campaigner. He once represented BARLA U19 VAustralia and France. Like Hill and be in the centre. Astrong runner with aliking for scoring tries. Miller he was on the scoresheet against St. Anne’s last week. The said Miller is loose-forward SPENCER The other threequarters are likely to come from CRAIG WALSH, agraduate of Kells and the ‘Haven MILLER, ex-Kells of course, and one carrying the Academy also with agood scoring record; RYAN Cullen seal of approval. CAMPBELL, aCumbria County Academy Other players who could feature include the representative; IAN DEVLIN apromising, raw-boned PURDHAM brothers, ROBERT and GARRY, members centre; ANDREW NELSON, aprolific scorer in the of the Egremont National Conference winning side of amateur ranks, again with BARLA rep honours; and 1998, Robert agoalkicking stand-off, Garry atough MARK WALLACE, apacy winger who has featured back-rower; then there’s young second-row MARC with the jam-eaters at Workington. JACKSON; and finally the versatile ex-Workington At halfback Iwould expect LEROY JOE to be man WAYNE KITCHEN, aquality player with good back in harness. The Cook islander represented his ball-handling and kicking skills.

13 ...with Brian Walker T h £ O l d h a m R u g b y L e a g u e

T H I S y e a r O l d h a m We currently have two f RLFC will celebrate wmg displays within the Civic the 125th anniversary Centre, both of which are I of the formation of the changed periodically. old club, which played Lif i When items are not/L its ﬁrst match against j displayed they areZ/j Stalybridge on deposited with the bank, //| G l o d w i c k L o w s o n t h e but of course, when 21st October, 1876. B o u n d a r y P a r k \ s i Over the years the club upgraded hopefully//'^ h a s w o n m a n y i t e m s w i l l b e many trophies. permanently exhibited provided the sport there. with over80 We would like to internationals, and take this opportunity to brought to the club make an appeal to ll players from all over anyone that has any — ^ ' 1the rugby playing r u g b y m e m o r a b i l i a , Iworld. relating particularly to In recognition of t h e O l d h a m c l u b , o r t o i t s a c h i e v e m e n t s rugby in the town which andmembers t h e y w o u l d c o n s i d e r supporters of the club donating to the Trust to have gathered together one of the best please contact either Brian memorabilia collections in the rugby world. Walker on 01457 875084 Medals, caps, jerseys, rugby balls, o r M i c h a e l T u r n e r o n photographs and many other mementoes. 0161 620 6005. What With the help of Oldham fan and w e d o n ’ t w a n t i s f o r rT j N' U. h solicitor, Tim Hughes of Norcross Lees and any rugby memento ; N r'l Riches Solicitors, Oldham, THE OLDHAM to be destroyed or RUGBY LEAGUE HERITAGE TRUST has disposed of, so please, now been formed. however insigniﬁcant you Trustees are Tim Hughes, might think the item is, get in touchl Michael Turner, Dave Brian Walker Whitehead and myself w i t h M i c k H a r r o p To emphasise \Chairman. The trust will \own, maintain, and the importance of \\ protect the collection our task just turn making it available to to page 22 and a the people of Oldham briltiant article by for years to come. The the one and only collection can never Stevo... ! be sold or broken up.

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15 Cook(e)ingupastorm ^ LIKE thousands of others Isat and watched have won just about every honour open to the ‘comeback kings’ St. Helens power their them in the game of Rugby League. And the way to amemorable victory in the World Club reason for this is quite obvious because, if you Championship against Australia’s finest, the are like me, these two will forever be ‘our’ Brisbane Broncos. The self-belief which players. If only Oldham ten years ago had had characterises St. Helens under Ian Millward is anything like acompetent administration able outstanding and is precisely the quality Mike to judge the quality of aplayer and manage Ford is trying to inculcate in his players here at the finances with amodicum of efficiency, just Oldham. Every Saints player was ahero on think where we might be now. Aren’t they just the night, but special mention goes to skipper the saddest words in the language: if only ? Chris Joynt and stand-off Tommy Martyn who

❖❖ ❖ ❖❖❖❖

Featherstone Rover’s programme of January reason or another -be it afranchise set up 21st contained an outstanding piece of writing by designed to exclude any club )or franchisee, to PAUL COX of the Featherstone Rovers use the silly jargon) from atown that still has the Independent Supporters Association. Ithought whiff of coal dust and racing pigeons about it, or you might like to know that Oldham and its be It Murdoch’s sudden withdrawal from Super Chairman have friends in places you might not League, or whatever -semi-professional clubs expect and so reproduce the piece in full below. like Oldham, Dewsbury and Featherstone etc will \’m excited about the election of Chris Hamilton have to stand alone. to the post of Chairman of the Association of He doesn’t despair of this. For under his Premiership clubs. Idon’t know the man, and he leadership, at least, our clubs will not stand hasn’t done anything Chairmanlike yet -he alone, alone, they will stand alone together. Each doesn't officially take over the post until next NFP club’s News Corp money will diminish from Friday, at the first APC meeting he’ll chair. But the £100,000 they receive this year, to the w h a t i m p r e s s e s m e I s t h e m a n ’s m a n i f e s t £50,000 they’ll get next year, to zilch the season eagerness for the job, which comes despite his after that. We can either continue lemming-like full awareness of the mountainous challenges towards the cliff edge, or we can turn around as a faced by NFP clubs approaching the cliff edge, body and start working to our strengths. Hamilton and despite the poor quality of those who will be is aforceful and convincing advocate of the latter, sitting around that APC table with him. collective, option. Gone will be the ‘my club first’ What also bodes well Is where he’s coming philosophy of yesterday (and of today at other from. For here’s aman, apassionate Oldham fan levels of the game). What has been done and is all his life, who couldn’t bear to watch from the being done at Oldham, he believes, we can do terraces what was happening to his beloved club together for the future of our clubs and for our as it faced extinction after ejection from Super competition. League in 1997. Rather than stand by and cry For the NFP is where ‘genuine rugby’ is played, he says. The game played at places like about it he jacked in his accountancy practice Boundary Park and Post Office Road is honest, and set about reforming the club. They’re now open, skilful, passionate, and above all well and truly reformed. Strong and vibrant competitive. Unlike in other leagues, and indeed administratively, merchandising like mad, in other sports, no one in the NFP knows who is excellent ground and facilities, rapidly growing going to win in the majority of matches. No one support, aloud buzz around the town, and above knows who is going to finish in the top half of the all aforce on the field to be reckoned with - league, never mind who the Grand Finalists are Rovers felt the blast full in the face in our final likely to be. That is attractive to spectators, both league game of the season, and Oldham this live and on tv. Regional television’s foot in the time will once again be among the serious water towards the end of last season -Rugby contenders for aplace in Super League. League Raw -was agreat success. The tv Hamilton, as Oldham supremo, wants the producers loved it (not least because it drew in place in the top flight for his club. And as higher than anticipated audiences) and the fans, Chairman of the APC, representing all 19 NFP old and new, loved it. Ibelieve Hamilton is the clubs, he has stated loud and clear that ‘no one man to build on that, to push for fuller, national will fight the case for apath to Super League coverage; to pull in the big sponsors; to bring the stronger than me’. But he’s also alert to the benefits of that to all our clubs. But he can’t do it possibility that it may not happen, that for one alone.

16 ﬂ

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Personal Injury Specialists Keep On File A c c i d e n t s D o H a p p e n ! Q. What happened then? Isigned acontract with Rochdale and was looking forward to starting my professional career. After maybe 2-2Va years Ibecame abit unsettled and finally decided to go to college and concentrate on getting adegree. It was whilst at college Iwas given the opportunity as astudent to represent Great Britain and play In France, in astudent test match. This was atremendous opportunity and really kick-started my rugby again. From France Iwas chosen to be part of the Great Britain Kevin Mannion students tour of Australia, where Iplayed in games against New South Wales and in two test matches in Brisbane. Ifinished my degree which is B.Science (Sports &Exercise Sciences) and am now here at Oldham where the team spirit is high and we are all very focussed. Q. Where do you see your future? Itry not to look or plan too far ahead; my aim now is to help Oldham get to the Grand Final and win. As aplayer ifind Iam constantly learning. Ifind self motivation can mean extra work in the gym or going early to training which has its own rewards in the games we play, and if it helps the team that’s great, because rugby league is avery hard game to simulate and you sometimes have to find away around problems. Q. Any past and present players you admire? Brett Kenny without adoubt. Fie has been one of the greats and he’s agood commentator as well as he reports on games on Channel 9in Australia. One of the toughest opponents Ithink I've played against is Peter Edwards the hooker who plays for Doncaster; he is very hard, very Q. How did you start piaying Rugby League? tough and he gives as good as he takes. Istarted playing rugby at St. James in Q. Is Oldham agood club to be at? Wigan when Iwas about 7years old, and Definitely. We have agreat squad with stayed playing with them until Iwas about 16. terrific spirit and belief. Our coach is always When Iwas about fifteen Iwent to Australia with prepared and Haydn Walker is aguy you can agroup of North West Counties Schoolboys to rely on. But most of all we love the supporters; play rugby against some of the schoolboy club even up at places like Hull they are there for us, sides: it was areal education and Ithoroughly i t ’ s w o n d e r f u l . enjoyed the experience. ©

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DEALERS NEW on the market this week is the Alexei As Rory Beane went to shoot, his wage Fairperson’s Book of Excuses, asnip at only packet fell on his toe rendering him £24.99 for 52 pages of mind-boggling incapable of kicking the ball. reasons why Melchester Unigate should not have lost asingle match in the last twelve Fabian Berty saw an Air France jet ﬂying years. Written by the soft spoken, calm and over Old Scaffold and stopped to wave at unﬂappable referee’s friend Sir Alexei, this his mother-in-law who was arriving from pocket-sized tome can be carried at all times St. Tropez. for easy reference and can be whipped out for ready reference whenever confronted by The referee added on too much overtime: the probing microphone or questions from the ball never goes out of play when foul inquisitors such as Barry Davies, that evil Melchester are on the park. genius famous for unearthing the truth behind sporting double dealing. The socialist The referee added on too little overtime multi-millionaire, who famously discovered because East Pork Scratchings invited North Sea Oil single-handedly thereby members of the crowd to take it in turns reviving the fortunes of that eastern Scottish to take their goalkicks after goalkeeper shangri-la Aberdeen before setting out to Shakin’ Dunlop pulled aHamstring. rescue the fortunes of afootball club previously run by acartoon budgerigar on The referee tripped over his white stick behalf of BT (Buzby, geddit?), has promised and missed the incident.. to donate all his takings from the sale of the book equally to the Peter Mandelson Centre The referee was so out of condition he for Psychotic Politicians and the Research didn’t have enough puff to blow his Institute for Indian Brothers Passport whistle for afoul. Control. So, to whet your appetite, here are afew Kevin Keegan’s comments upset us. little gems from which we can all learn:

The referee blew his whistle to start the It rained match ten seconds early during which time the visitors established a5-0 lead. It was windy.

The linesman was attacked by aswarm of The sun was in our eyes. bees and the ﬂapping of his ﬂag indicated his state of panic, not that Benny The shirts were the wrong colour. Sherryburn was offside. The prawn sandwiches were off. The Groundsman walked across the pitch two months ago ruining the surface such The rail strike meant our supporters that it became impossible to play good couldn’t get here from Portsmouth, football. Dover, Truro, etc. etc.

21 F o r m e r G r e a t B r i t a i n B o o t s ' A t ' A l l Worid Cup hookerMIKE STEPHENSON now atop broadcaster with BSkyB, The first time Iheard the word in London four years ago, -two memorabilia Iwas nine years good condition sepia postcards recounts the pain and old...and it proved to be a of the first Australian tour in pieasure of coiiecting painful incident in more ways 1908. Seek and ye shall find, Rugby League history..... than one! One of my mates that’s my motto! proudly informed me that his Ishudder to think of the Uncle in the next street had a amount of hours I’ve spent revel at the blazer badge of fhe rugby ball perched proudly on, wading through cobwebs and firsf ever All Golds touring side of all things, aside-board in the dust in my quest for remnants of that created international history front room. Rugby League’s past glory but, by crossing the world ayear earlier. “Funny place for a there is no better feeling than to ball...balls are for passing and unearth some relic, be absorbed And what joy I’ve kicking," Isaid...his nod of by its character and to dream of experienced in holding the NSW approval giving us the green bygone adventure. State and Sydney light to borrow the article. After It’s amazing where representative jumpers worn by several hours of sheer delighf in memorabilia crops up. Whilst Reg Gasnier, who to many fans was the best centre ever to kicking the living daylights out of visiting friends in Jakarta, this superb leather specimen we Indonesia, Inoticed one ex¬ tread aRugby League pitch. Or were suddenly clipped round the patriot guest at aparty wearing the smug feeling Iget when ear and booted fair and square aBritish jumper. After much holding the jumper and telling up the backside by Uncie debate and research it turned the story of that famous red and George who rushed away out to be ajumper from fhe white hooped jersey worn at the ranting and raving. “Bloody 1979 tour Down Under. Several SCGin 1962 by the great St. ruined...don’t they realise it’s beers later and an exchange of George side who took on the memorabilia!!!’’ local currency, the prize was touring British Lions. The Saints Ignorance is often bliss...in mine. were classed as unbeatable, but this case it was hurting like Dubbo, in the outback of our boys, with the likes of hell...and not even the Australia produced aLancashire Ashton, Murphy, Bolton and Fox realisation that each kick and cup medal of 1927, kindly on tour, hammered them off the bounce of his memorabilia was offered by alittle old lady who park. There is still blood on the slowly removing the immortal didn’t want the memory of that collar to prove it! signatures of Jim Sullivan, Gus occasion to be ever lost. Ionce Like myself, there are many collectors who can boast Risman and the rest of Britain’s raced after ayoung kid on a heroes of the day, helped ease bicycle who was wearing what 1 thousands of programmes and the pain in the backside. Today, thought was arare shirt -and so photographs from yesteryear of course, thaf ball would be it proved. His grandfather, and I’m sure they feel the same priceless ,adream item for any evidently, proved to have been a excitement such memorabilia Rugby League collection. close friend of the great St. evokes. The Sadly, such incidents have Helens winger, Alf Ellaby, who glory...sadness...tears...conques robbed us of many jewels of our had kindly presented him with ts...battles...will always be game’s history. Little did iknow his Great Britain jumper from the remembered when you have that several years later Iwould 1928 Lions tour. memorabilia freaks tracking become an avid collector of It is hard to describe the down our past. League memorabilia. Having emotion of touching aGreat Ishudder to think of the amassed probably one of the Britain cap, especially one worn hours wading through cobwebs world’s largest private by the great Billy Boston, surely collections, Ican speak with the most loved League authority about the hazards and character ever. Mick Sullivan’s hassles that collectors endure. blazer from the first ever World Iwas fortunate enough to Cup in France in 1954 sends unearth an old scrapbook -in a you dreaming away of the great bookshop in Oxford of all places deeds from yet another great -which contained the signature winger. Joe Egan’s touring on anewspaper photo of the badge when he was vice- great Albert Goidthorpe,a captain of the 1950 Tour to legend for Hunslet at the turn of Australia is another item that the century. evokes the feeling of pasf Few players have had as success and achievement. much impact on our game and One wonders whilst looking he was treated like agod by the at the great Dally Messenger’s Hunslet fans of the day. cap of the tribulations he and his Another find came whilsf fellow inaugural 1908 Kangaroo rummaging through amarket tourists had to endure before bookstall close to Tower Bridge reaching these climes. And to

22 ... with Dave Roberts Stephanie Gregory How long have you worked for the club? I’m in my second spell, Iwas h e r e f o r f o u r m o n t h s i n 1 9 9 8 / 1 9 9 9 and have just oome back, hopefully to stay People think we do nothing all day but it is areally busy ofﬁce, I start at 7.00 in the morning. What is your rugby background? My Grandad Ernest Foote played for Oldham in the 1926 Challenge Cup Final (Chris Hamilton presented the medals) so Ihave always had an interest. What are your interests? Keeping ﬁt What is your favourite Sport? Athletics

What is your favourite drink? Tea

What is your favourite holiday destination? Crete

What do you hope for OLDHAM RLFC? To get into Super League when we are ready for it.

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

T H E O l d h a m A m a t e u r ways. In the meantime Ray was spending Rugby League fraternity more and more time in his other hobby, sub¬ c o n t a i n s a n u m b e r o f aqua diving. He has travelled the world in talented and successful pursuit of that hobby and, in so doing, has had C’ personalities from many to join three different navies, the Merchant m walks of life who meet Navy, Royal Navy and Polish Navy. He joined u p a t m a t c h e s a n d the Polish Navy whilst surveying for the social events to talk shipwrecked Wilhelm Guslaff, torpedoed in the about the game and Baltic Sea in 1944 with the loss of 8,700 lives. about life both now and Ray now makes over 20 diving trips each year in years gone by. One all over the world which leaves little time for such personality is Ray rugby. However, he gets along to as many Ray Broadbent Broadbent, outstanding Roughyeds games as possible and he is a s c h o o l b o y p r o d i g y, regular at local amateur fund raising functions. successful businessman and respected ‘I’m sure I’ve bought Barrie McDermott’s exponent of his other hobby, sub-aqua diving. Wembley shirt three times over.’, he says about Ray sprung to fame during his schooldays his generous financial contribution to amateur at Clarksfield when he was skipper of the rugby. school side which dominated local rugby league throughout the 1950s. Broadbent also skippered the Oldham town team which reached the Lancashire Cup Final only to lose narrowly to St. Helens. Apowerful centre, he also made acouple of appearances for the Lancashire County side during abusy sporting adolescence which also brought success in local swimming circles. Despite this success at schoolboy level, Broadbent was unable to continue that success when he moved into local junior rugby. He played briefly with Greenacres, Oldham Technical College and Saddleworth Rangers but most of his amateur rugby was played with Ferranti. They weren’t avery good side, in fact we had some poor seasons, but they were a good set of lads, Kevin Tucker, Ray Navesey and others, so Istuck with ‘em.’ Anyone who saw Ray play as aschoolboy would be surprised to learn that he never played professionally. He was invited to train up at Watersheddings with the ‘A team but had the misfortune to suffer an ankle injury. That p u t h i m o u t f o r s i x m o n t h s a n d h e n e v e r returned to Watersheddings as aplayer although in later life he was afrequent visitor as spectator and businessman-supporter. With his brother, the late Keith Broadbent, aformer Watersheddings committeeman, he set up Ray maintains his affinity with rugby Geometric Furniture Ltd which specialised in league, following on from when he was first the the manufacture of pub and restaurant soft star schoolboy, then the reliable team mate and furnishings. He refurbished the upper lounge at now the enthusiastic spectator who is still the old pavilion at Watersheddings as well as determined to enjoy and play his part in local helping out the Roughyeds in many other rugby league.

24 Club CaUj

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37 Orchard Close Leigh Saturday WN71NY Yankee Chairman and Oirectors of Oldham RLFC ❖ Agents wanted in all areas Iwould like to thank you and everyone else including the ex players for Contact Haydn Walker on making my Sunday at Boundary Park 0161 -628 -3677 such amomentous occasion. AND EARN GOOD COMMISSION Ihave to admit that the presentation of the framed photograph of the Hall of Not yet amember oe the Yankee? Fame brought alump to my throat. It is an Why not join NOW at £2 per honour Iwill always cherish. WEEK. Iwish you every success in the Current Jackpot is £3,500! coming seasons, you deserve it for keeping the name of Cldham RLFC alive. YOU COULD BE the NEXT WINNER. Frank Stirrup

25 WlNNARds WEb.siTE: COIVIIVIONSENSE.COIVI

... with Simon Winnard

With the recent NFP fixture programme disruption to Workington at the start of their decimated by severe weather conditions, the NFP campaign. whole debate of winter versus summer rugby Apre-occupation with the weather, which league has been revisited. The Northern Ford is atypically unhealthy British trait, Ifeel has Premiership clubs, headed by APC and somewhat clouded the issue here. Games Oldham Chairman Chris Flamilton, have can be postponed and re-arranged and, whilst formed aworking party to discuss the options this undoubtedly causes cash flow problems for the game outside Super League in the for olubs, we have coped successfully with next few days. this for over ahundred years.so why is this One thing is for sure, the matter is far suddenly an insurmountable problem now ? from cut and dried and there are likely to be The real issue is the survival of the olubs n o e a s y a n s w e r s . N F P c l u b s l o o k t o b e outside the top flight. With News Corporation exercising sensible caution in thoroughly backing withdrawn and the Northern Ford investigating all the options before making Premiership in the summer failing to compete any rash decision which they may later regret. with the media exposure of SL, emergency We can ill afford any mistakes if the NFP is to action simply had to be taken. continue its recent progress in the right It was ahasty decision but happily a direction. Whilst we have established a correct one. Apartial return to winter, re¬ vibrant, competitive and expanding establishing agrass roots return to many RL competition it is vital that this positive communities, has undoubtedly proven areal m o m e n t u m i s c o n t i n u e d . success. Crowds are up, particularly for the Alively debate is certainly on the cards traditional holiday fixture dates. Oldham for with many different opinions already instance have now really started to entice a expressed by key NFP figures. Workington solid base of support back through the coach, Gary Murdock believes areturn to turnstiles. Crowds so far this season are summer rugby is amust as his side have only better than the former club saw in its brief and been able to play four games so far this term. ill fated flirtation with Super League. However, Fie was recently quoted as stating, “Its an statistics for last season show that crowds absolute nightmare and financial suicide .. significantly dropped off following the start of bring back summer rugby.” Indeed his Super League. Can the NFP compete with SL Cumbrian neighbour, today’s visiting coach during the summer months or does its survival Paul Cullen, supported his stance by depend largely on the ability to attract paying remarking, “The sequence of events from late customers desperate for some quality RL December until mid-January is agreat advert action during the SL closed season ? for summer rugby.” With aguaranteed captive RL audience, Flowever, of the pro-winter lobby, former afull return to winter RL would logically seem Oldham coach and current Swinton chief on the cards. However, clubs aspiring to SL executive Tony Barrow has publicly stated his then face the problem of this timetable belief that afull return to Winter RL is amust accommodating promotion to the top flight. for survival, “I am speaking about money, and As the season stands, all seem to agree winter rugby is where we can make more that there is far too long aclosed season at money. If we don't get our act together we are present. As opposed to acomplete switch going to have clubs going out of this league.in b a c k t o a w i n t e r s e a s o n , i s t h e l i k e l y summer we can’t compete with Super compromise an earlier start and afull 38 League.” Barrow is firm in his belief despite game league programme ?All will become his Swinton side suffering similar early season clearer in the next few weeks.

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28 O n T h i s D a y . . . Don Yates looks back to February 4th yesteryear

IT WAS on the is day in 1911, Saturday 4th second period, as was substitute Mike Ford, February, that Oldham visited Salford in avital whilst also included in the visiting line up were League Championship match. Adding further two more local youngsters, stand off lestyn spice to the occasion was the appearance in Harris and second row forward Ian Knott. the Oldham line up of international centre At noon on the day of that Warrington J a m e s ‘ J u m b o ’ L o m a s , cup-tie, Sunday 4th February 1996 the BARLA transferred from Salford young Lions, under 18s, entertained France the previous month and across at Dewsbury. France, not for the first making his debut after time, fielded amature looking side which b e i n g s i g n e d f o r a proved to be just alittle too powerful for the World record transfer home nation. Loose forward Jerome Guisset, fee of £300. Although who is currently with Warrington in Super L o m a s w a s t i g h t l y League, was the French star, scoring acouple marked by his former of tries in their 26-14 victory. Included in the colleagues, who British line-up were acouple of young p r e v e n t e d h i m f r o m Cumbrians who have since joined s c o r i n g , i t w a s t h e Whitehaven. They are scrum half Tony J a m e s L o m a s Roughyeds who came Dimotrowski, then with Wath Brow Hornets, out on top, winning the and substitute forward Dean Vaughan (Kells). match 16-11. Oldham won the Championship One of the most during that 1910-11 season when the f a m o u s a n d e m o t i o n a l contribution of Lomas in the second half of the n i g h t s i n t h e r e c e n t campaign was immense. He went on to make h i s t o r y o f t h e 80 appearances for Oldham and scored 38 Roughyeds occurred on tries and 37 goals before moving on to York Wednesday 4th during the summer of 1913. F e b r u a r y 1 9 8 7 , t h e Seventy-nine years later, on Sunday 4th night when mighty February 1990, another local rugby league Wigan were beaten at character made his debut when Chorley Watersheddings in that entertained Workington Town in aSecond e p i c fi r s t r o u n d Division match. That character was hooker Challenge Cup-tie. The Gary Ainsworth who had joined Workington a l l s t a r W i g a n t e a m from Swinton. Town won the match 17-14 and Paddy Kirwan w e r e a r g u a b l y t h e Ainsworth went on to make 30 appearances better side on the night for the Cumbrians, scoring nine tries, before and just about deserved their 8-4 lead as the moving on to Trafford Borough in August match moved into stoppage time. At that point 1991. scrum half Paddy Kirwan dived over from On Sunday, 4th February 1996, Oldham acting half back and full back Mick Burke, cool entertained Warrington in afourth round as acucumber, slotted over the conversion Challenge Cup tie which was staged at a unaffected by the pandemonium which was snow covered Watersheddings. At half-time going on all around him. Oldham won 10-8. the teams were level 4apiece after former The defeat was the kick up the backside which Waterhead junior Paul Sculthorpe had opened Wigan needed to enable them to reorganise the scoring for Warrington. The star of the and record eight consecutive Challenge Cup match, however, was another local boy, victories in the following years. For Oldham it hooker John Hough, who played superbly for had the reverse effect. They won only four Warrington as they pulled away in the second- more matches that season and tumbled down half to win 26-4. Hough was atry scorer in that into the Second Division.

29 tjj} Date Opponent Result Att

DECEMBER F-A 3Barrow 28-16 1,294 17 Workington 22- 61,295 24 Rochdale 10- 63,402 Assaciate Match JANUARY Sponsors 1WIDNES 20 -12 3,471 7 G . B A R L O W & S O N S L T D . 14 LEIGH 18 -44 4,747

21 Swinton AP

28 Queensbury (SCCC R3) 64 -01,559 30 CHORLEY 56-2 1,210 FEBRUARY Matchbali Sponsors 4WHITEHAVEN H 11 Silk Cut Challenge Cup RICBRAD ROOFING 18 GATESHEAD H & 25 Silk Cut Challenge Cup MARCH TANDY COACHES 4HUNSLET H

11 Dewsbury A 18 SHEFFIELD H NORTHERN FORD PREMIERSHIP 25 Featherstone A (as at 29.01.01 midweek results results not included) APRIL

1York A P W D L For Agst Diff PTS 76102747819613 8BATLEY H Keighley Cougars 66002206215812 13 ROCHDALE H Leigh Centurions Doncaster Dragons 7 601 164768812 16 Widnes A Dewsbury Rams 6501167709710 22 Batley A Featherstone Rovers 7 322 191801118 29 KEIGHLEY H Widnes Vikings 640212097238 MAY Oldham 54019884148 6BARROW H Batley Bulldogs 8404102142-408 13 Chorley A 1 4 100 122 -22 7 20 WORKINGTON H Hull Kingston Rovers 8 3 0 3 105 113 -8 6 27 OONCASTER H Shefﬁeld Eagles 6 3 Swinton Lions 6 3 0 3 80 110 -30 6 JUNE Rochdale Hornets 5 2 038868204 3Gateshead A Workington Town 4 2 02716654 10 SWINTON H Barrow Border Raiders 5 2 0 3 91 101 -10 4 17 Whitehaven A Hunsiet Hawks 7 1 1 5 72 187 -115 3

24 Keighley A Whitehaven 61 0 5 68 100 -32 2 York 601 5 48 158 -110 1 JULY 5 0 0 5 56 204 -148 0 1Hull KR A Chorley Lynx Gateshead Thunder 6 0 0 6 30 227 -197 0

Oldham RLFC fully support the let's TACKLE RACISM IN RUGBY LEAGUE CAMPAIGN Important Notice AND WELCOMES ALL PLAYERS AND SPECTATORS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR ETHNIC OR RACIAL Boundary Park is ﬁtted with an emergency alert system (Local High Pitch, Two Tone Signal). If you should hear the signal please pay ahention 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. “This is atest of the Boundary Park Alert System” Allow everyone to enjoy the game.

30 NEIL If you^re not satisﬁed with your GIBBISON bank^ convert -B.D.S., V.U. Mane WThe Royal Bank Dental of Scotland

For more information on the range of Surgeon Business Services available from The Royal Bank of Scotland please contact 36 Oldham Road Paul Heath, Business Manager Uppermill on 0161 633 8460 Oldham OL3 6HY The Royal Bank of Scotland pic Registered Ofﬁce: 36 St. Andrew Square, Tel 01457 872108 Edinburgh EH2 2VB Registered in ScotlandNo. 90312

Saddleworth Sports AND School Uniform Moorside

Suppliers of Sports Equipment, Metal Products Footwear and Clothing for all Major Sports Limited 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: [email protected] 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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Best Wishes to Oldham Roughyeds

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Contact Goodwin Best for aquality assured, professional Goodwin review of your commercial risk insurances. Exclusive facilities for local businesses incorporating Risk Management and ■■J B E S T Health &Safety Audits. Commercial Insurance Brokers J JBliBA Castle House,Schoﬁeld Street, Oldham.OLS 1QL O l d h a m C h a m b e r Tel: 0161 628 2200 Fax: 0161 628 7785

! ALTOGETHER i AGREAT ATE P L A C E T O I m Altogether, agreat place to be If- 18 Yorkshire Street Oldham f EATI Tel: 0161 620 7847 ■ M

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For information or aprospectus about our full and

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

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lupalhcrm oic liDdc Marks oi ihc $Sl group. CoolMax is aTrade Mark of DuPont. From oil good sports shops ond phormaci including: qli:sp( B, First Sport, Inlersport, Bools, Lloyds &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 Hill 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) A663 M60 of-the-art Business Management School is now M'cr city centre M'cr4*. Chester (M56) open. Chadderton Birmingham

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

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

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

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

telephone 0161 911 4708, fax 0161 911 4936, [email protected] 4 or visit our website at www.oldham.gov.uk

O L D H A M D O D O Town Centre Shopping Metropolitan Borough O >. NOffmiERN NORTHERN roRt> FORI>

Coach: Mike FORD Coach: Paul CULLEN

Mark SIBSON W e s l e y W I L S O N Danny ARNOLD 21 CRAIG WALSH David GIBBONS L3| David SEEDS PatRICH € l>Ian DEVLIN Dean CROSS 5lC h r i s C A M P B E L L Gareth BARBER :6i Lee KIDDIE Neil RODEN 71 Steve KIRKBRIDE Jason CLEGG 81 M a r k C O X John HOUGH [9| Aaron LESTER Danny GUEST David FATIALOFA Phil FARRELL 111 Howard HILL r Ian SINFIELD 121 Graeme MORTON C h r i s F A R R E L L Spencer MILLER

Gavin DODD 14J Leroy JOE Kevin MANNION 15 M a r c J A C K S O N Lee DORAN 16J Garry PURDHAM Paul NORTON L17J Dean VAUGHAN TODAY’S OFFICIALS R. STEPHENSON REFEREE:

P. MCLAUGHLIN RICHARD

SILVERW