Latest News
3 April 2008
BOARD ELECTIONS & AGM 2008
Ian Wilson, the Trust Secretary, has asked that any member wishing to stand for election to the Board, gets their nomination papers (Form A) returned by 16 April 2008.
We would actively ask for any Trust member who feels able to give a little time and support, put themselves forward for election. New blood is always encouraged.
The final venue and date has still to be finalised and will be circulated in the very near future.
2 April 2008
OLDHAM RESERVES
Just a reminder to all our members that the new reserves team, which is being financially supported by the Trust, is in action tonight at Leigh.
For those who may not have seen it, we now have a dedicated section covering the events for the reserves, with news and match reports.
See here for more details
Oldham Reserves Pages
14 March 2008
RUGBY OLDHAM TRI-TEAM CHALLENGE UPDATE
ST ANNES v WATERHEAD
SATURDAY 15th MARCH 2008
2.30pm KICK-OFF, HIGGINSHAW ROAD, OLDHAM
Match preview, by courtesy of Matthew Chambers of the Oldham Evening Chronicle
ERIC Johnson is bearing down on the inaugural Tri-Team Challenge Man of Steel award.
The lively hooker or half-back, who turned 21 on Wednesday, stands to take home a £500 cheque should he be voted the outstanding Oldham St Anne's player in Saturday's Higginshaw Road derby clash against local rivals Waterhead.
So far this season Johnson, a Rochdale reserves player who had a season in the first team ranks at Keighley, has been rated by sponsors Joseph Parr (Alco) Ltd as the St Anne's man-of-the-match on two occasions.
And a hat-trick of top spots would see Johnson leapfrog the current joint leaders in the overall Man of Steel standings, Saddleworth Rangers pair Michael Coates and Chris Garforth.
"He's a quality lad, very sharp, and he stands out at this level," said Saints coach Mick Cashin of Johnson.
As for the game itself, the Tri-Team Challenge crown is beyond the reach of both sides taking to the field at the weekend.
But there is still an immense amount at stake.
Waterhead, four points adrift of safety in National Conference League division one, desperately need to pick up the points with only seven games remaining in their season.
Last week's 18-14 defeat away at Shaw Cross, who claimed an injury-time try to win the game, mirrored the encounter earlier in the season at Waterhead Park, in which Mick Slicker's side lost 14-12 to the Dewsbury side.
Results like these are costing the Peach Road side dearly at the moment. And a win of any sort on Saturday will certainly be greeted warmly.
Mid-table St Anne's are also up for the fight, though, in the battle to avoid the Tri-Team Challenge wooden spoon.
"We don't want to drop off and we have to keep our momentum going," added Cashin, who has seen his side win their last three matches.
"And we definitely don't want to finish bottom of the table. The league is one thing, but there is a lot of local pride at stake in these games."
3 March 2008
RUGBY OLDHAM / ROUGHYEDS PRESS RELEASE - FURTHER DETAILS
Full press release from club / Rugby Oldham:
Rugby Oldham, the Supporters' Trust, are putting significant financial clout the Roughyeds way in order to assist the club with the funding of its new reserves side.
The link-up of Club and Trust -- with the reserves team the common denominator -- was announced on Friday night when Oldham beat derby rivals Rochdale Hornets 38-8 at a gale-lashed Boundary Park.
Significantly, there were five Oldham-born players in the Rochdale side, but not one in the Roughyeds 17-man squad.
It is in the hope of arresting that sort of exodus that Roughyeds are assembling a reserves team to be coached by John Hough and Leo Casey.
And with similar beliefs about the ideal of keeping the "made in Oldham" trademark actually in Oldham, the Trust has announced that it will make an undisclosed, yet considerable, contribution towards the club'scost of running a second team in 2008.
Rugby Oldham's new association with Oldham RLFC (1997) Ltd was launched on the pitch on Friday when Roughyeds chairman Bill Quinn shook hands on it with two officials of the Trust, namely Ian Wilson (secretary) and Michael Ackroyd (treasurer).
Said Bill: "On behalf of the Roughyeds, we are delighted with Rugby Oldham's significant contribution to our funding of the new reserves team. It is good to know that our club is seen by others as one that is moving forward on a lot of fronts.
"Our reserves team will provide young players with opportunities and give them a chance to show what they can do in a new environment at a professional club.
"As far as Oldham boys are concerned it will also mean they don't need to leave town in order to advance up the rugby league ladder.
"We thank Rugby Oldham for their support and trust that the 2008 reserves season will be a successful one for the Roughyeds, for Rugby Oldham and for the young players and their coaches, John Hough and Leo Casey."
Rugby Oldham's press release said the board of Rugby Oldham was pleased to announce that the Trust was to invest heavily in helping to fund the reserves side in the coming season.
It went on: "We are delighted with the progress that has been made on the first-team playing front, and now fully endorse the club's structured approach to attracting young players into the fold.
"As has been well publicised, nine of the selected 17 players in this season's Reserves side are requred to be aged 21 or under.
"Most members of the local rugby league fraternity --- and all at the Roughyeds -- would share a concern that in recent years many talented local youngsters have had to turn to out-of-town professional clubs to progress their rugby league.
"We share with the club's directors a hope that in the not-too-distant future an Oldham first team could take to the field made up primarily of local born and bred talent.
"The launch of the Reserves side is the first step towards making that a reality."
A squad of around 20 to 24 young players has been meeting up twice a week for training over the past few weeks in readiness for the opening game of the season at Salford on Easter Monday, March 24.
Prior to that, friendlies have been arranged at Keighley and Featherstone on March 6 and March 13 respectively (both Thursdays).
3 March 2008
RUGBY OLDHAM BECOMES MAIN FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO THE NEW ROUGHYEDS' RESERVE TEAM
On behalf of its membership the Board of Rugby Oldham are pleased to announce that the Trust will become the main contributor to the running costs of the club’s Reserves for the forthcoming season.
We are delighted with the progress that has been made on the first team playing front and now fully endorse the club’s structured approach to attracting young players into the fold. As has been well publicised, nine of the selected 17 team players in this season’s Reserves side are required to be aged 21 or under.
Most members of the local rugby league fraternity - and all at the Roughyeds - would share a concern that in recent years many talented local youngsters have had to turn to out-of-town professional clubs to progress their rugby league.
We share with the club’s directors a hope that in the not too distant future an Oldham first team could take to the field made up primarily of local born-and-bred talent.
The launch of the Reserves side is the first step towards making that a reality
More information will follow later................
24 February 2008
TRI-TEAM CHALLENGE LATEST NEWS
The final match of the competition between Waterhead and St. Annes has now been re-arranged for Saturday 15th March at Waterhead Park. Although the inaugural tournament has been won by Saddleworth Rangers, all is still to play for, for the Man of Steel award, given to the overall outstanding player, sponsored by Joseph Parr.
The competition has been an outstanding success and has seen extra spice added to some traditional fixtures in the town. As a whole, there have some extremely healthy crowd approaching the thousand mark, and interest in the local teams has been well reinforced. In addition to extensive columns inches in the local press, the competition has attracted interest from television, and the Saddleworth v Waterhead match was the feature game on Channel M’s successful Code XIII programme. In addition to this Terry Flanagan was interviewed for the programme, and paid tribute to the success of the tournament and to Rugby Oldham’s contribution in driving it forward.
Why not get along on the 15th March and see the ultimate game in the competition and add your supply to the growing success of the amateur clubs in our region
December 2007
Rugby Oldham's Chairman Iain Taylor, proudly shows off the new TRI - TEAM CHALLENGE TROPHY, which the Trust has just taken delivery of (picture courtesy of The Oldham Evening Chronicle)
November 2007
RETRO SHIRTS – PURCHASE FOR CHRISTMAS!
The fondly remembered red and white hooped cotton shirt favoured by so many fans this season will be available in limited numbers again in the run up to Christmas this year.
Oldham’s trademark for over 100 years is offered for order.
It is of superb quality, embroidered with both the town crest and “Oldham FC Rugby League Champions 1956-57” and is available in all sizes, adult for £39.99 and children £29.99
Phone 0161 620 9583 or 01457 875084 to reserve
October 2007
UPDATE ON RUGBY OLDHAM TRI -TEAM CHALLENGE
The Challenge – as well as fostering the Trust’s relationship with the Oldham amateur League – aimed to bolster interest in this seasons 6 National Conference Div. One league fixtures between the town’s “big 3” amateur sides – St Annes, Saddleworth Rangers and Waterhead. The Trust, using part of its Oldham Evening Chronicle sponsored budget has taken out a series of punchy quarter-page adverts, promoting each of the 6 games and has also commissioned an impressive trophy which will be awarded to the challenge winner.
So far 3 games have been played. There were more spectators on the Park than for many years to take in the Waterhead v St Anne’s clash and the 2 matches that have been played at Greenfield both attracted crowds approaching 1000. Local builders merchants Joseph Parr (ALCO) Ltd. has pitched in by sponsoring a series of man-of-the-match awards.
It is also worth noting that the Trust has received excellent publicity as a result of the Tri-Team Sponsorship from TV, local and trade press. The well written OPINION column in the Saddleworth Rangers programme was extremely supportive of the Trust and its aims for example.
6 September 2007
Tri-Team Challenge Round 1 Preview
Saturday 8th September 2007, sees the first round of the new Tri-Team Challenge with Waterhead and St. Annes going head to head at Waterhead Park. With the weather promising a sunny and warm day, club officials are hoping for a very large turnout, on the back of some strong adverising by Rugby Oldham.
The Oldham Chronicles Matthews Chambers previews the match below.
Saints aiming to gain local pride
OLDHAM St Anne's have the task of bouncing back from an opening day hammering when they visit Waterhead in National Conference League division one on Saturday.
By the time the first match of the Rugby Oldham Tri-Team Challenge kicks off, Mick Cashin's men will have forgotten all about the 52-26 loss at home to York Acorn last week — much in the same way that Mick Slicker's Waterhead will have banished thoughts of how they allowed Wath Brow to escape late on to a 28-22 win in Cumbria.
At least this week, one of Oldham's three-strong contingent is guaranteed of picking up at least a point
29 August 2007
RUGBY OLDHAM IN ASSOCIATION WITH JOPSEPH PARR (ALCO) LTD PROUDLY LAUNCH THE TRI-TEAM CHALLANGE 2007 - 2008
Today sees the official launch of the new RUGBY OLDHAM Tri-Team Challenge, for which we have teamed up with JOSEPH PARR (ALCO) LTD Builders Merchants. The tournament sees the towns top three teams, now in Division One of the National Conference League, competing for a brand new trophy, together with a player of the series award, presented by Parr's. The home and way league matches between the teams will form the basis of the competition. The winners of the mini league will receive their award at the leagues annual end of season dinner.
Earlier this week, a round table event was held in Waterheads clubhouse, involving the three head coaches, the Oldham Chronicle's Matthew Chambers and Rugby Oldham Chairman, Iain Taylor.
See the Oldham Evening Chronicle article below.
Derbies spice up new campaign
(extract from Oldham Evening Chronicle - by Matthew Chambers)
THE CURTAIN goes up on the amateur rugby league season for Oldham’s representatives on Saturday, with the three National Conference sides all battling it out in division one.
Relegated Oldham St Anne’s face York Acorn at Higginshaw Road, promoted Saddleworth Rangers are also at home, to Thatto Heath of St Helens, while last year’s division two champions Waterhead travel to Cumbria to face Wath Brow (all 2.30pm).
A new trophy is on offer to the side which comes out with the best record in the inter-Oldham games. The ‘Rugby Oldham Tri-Team Challenge’ has already attracted positive attention in the trade press, while the Man of Stone award—handed to the top individual performer across the six games, and for which sponsors
Joseph Parr (Alco) is offering up a £500 prize — will certainly stimulate interest among the players involved.
The first of the six derbies arrives on Saturday week, when St Anne’s visit Waterhead.
In a season packed with local interest, the Chronicle’s rugby writer MATTHEW CHAMBERS sat in with Waterhead coach Mick Slicker, Saddleworth assistant Mick Swift and St Anne’s coach Mick Cashin to discuss the new campaign.
And here’s what they thought:
Swift: From Saddleworth’s point of view there isn’t a lot of difference in our squad from last season, really. We have got a couple of new faces, but it’s mainly the team from last season. The young lads have got another 12 months under their belts and I think that extra experience will pay dividends for us.
Cashin: We haven’t brought in a lot of new players, either. We have got back a lot of lads who, for one reason or another, didn’t play last year and we should have a stronger squad.
Slicker: Mine is a bit of an unknown quantity. I’m expecting a lot of young lads from last year to come back — at Rochdale, we have probably got seven lads in their academy side. I’m hoping they will come back but a couple could sign.
Cashin: We’ve got a couple of lads there as well and we don’t know what will happen there. It’s difficult — you would like them to come back but if they get signed it can be a good opportunity.
Slicker: And they will be better players for having done it. If you are playing with professionals you become better players and we can only benefit from that.
Swift: It is a catch-22. You want young players to develop and turn professional, but you also want a strong squad. It’s hard, especially with the three teams in the same division now.
Slicker: This year is more about consolidation for me than anyone else, as it’s my first season with them.
Mine’s a bit of a journey into the unknown, but we have got a bit of quality at the club. It isn’t a big playing staff — we’re a bit low on numbers — but though it isn’t big on quantity we have got quality. So I’m not complaining.
Swift: To be perfectly honest I think we’re also looking at consolidating and holding our own in the division. After struggling for a couple of seasons then getting promotion last year, that’s about right for us this year. Anything else would be a bonus.
Cashin: We are obviously disappointed to come down but we probably took the right step in bringing the young lads through. And it has given everyone at our club a kick up the backside, really, to get things in order.
We have recruited some lads back to the club and we will certainly be more competitive than we were last year, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a tough league — we’re not kidding ourselves — and especially with these three teams, everyone will be taking points off each other.
Swift: From our point of view, last season you might have had four or five easy games. I don’t think there will be any easy games this time.
Cashin: Someone mentioned to me at our place that we’d probably get a few easier games this time. Then when the fixtures came out, you look and realise there aren’t any. Wath Brow and Shaw Cross came down with us and they were very competitive last season. It’s going to be a tough competition.
Cashin: I think speaking on behalf of all of us, it is also very important to have a bit of luck with injuries. We had none last year, but we won’t go back over that.
Slicker: And as far as the derbies are concerned, it is great for the town. But I’m sure it is the same with all of us that we will prepare for them as we would any other
19 May 2007
Rugby Oldham 1957 Championship Dinner
Last night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, saw a sell out dinner for over 420 guests at a gala event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Oldham's famous Championship victory over Hull at Bradford's Odsal stadium. On a night to remember, the surviving players and their families from the era were joined by many other former players, together with players and officials from the present club and fans alike. It was fantastic to see the likes of Alan Davies, club captain Frank Stirrup, Sid Little, John Etty, Vinny Nestor, John Noon, Alan Jones, Ian Carruthers, & Des McKeown. They were joined by the relatives of the late Charlie Winslade, Don Vines, Jack Keith, Frank Pitchford & Ken Jackson. It was also a honour to have on display the four trophies won that season.
The evening was held together by MC Ian Cheeseman from BBC Radio Manchester. Events went at a great pace, and included a Charity Auction by Peter Young from Bury FC. Current Oldham Roughyeds Chairman Bill Quinn was a guest speaker, as was former Oldham RLFC and current Blackpool Panthers Chairman John Chadwick.
The evening also included a re-run of highlights of the game.
6 May 2007
Rugby Oldham
Notice of Annual General Meeting,
Sunday May 20, 2007
This meeting will be held at The Clayton Arms, commencing at 2.00 pm, immediately prior to the home game against Barrow, to conduct the following business :
AGENDA
1 Welcome and Introductions
2 Ratification of the board member elections
3 Financial / Membership Summary
4 Presentation and approval of audited accounts for the period ended 31 December 2006
5 Re-appointment of auditors
6 Any Other Business
3 April 2007
(extract from Oldham Evening Chronicle - by Matthew Chambers)
Rugby Oldham 1957 Championship Dinner -
Trust to hold 50th Celebration Event
Friday the 18th May marks a proud moment in the history of professional rugby league in Oldham. It is 50 years to the very day since Bernard Ganley lifted the Championship trophy in front of thousands of rapturous Roughyeds fans following a dramatic victory over Hull at Odsal Stadium.
This famous Oldham side had previously topped the league table with 33 wins (a competition record at the time), a massive points for total of 893 and a well earned reputation for stylish, open and entertaining rugby. They also won the Lancashire Cup, The Lancashire League Trophy and the A.J. Law Cup that season, the reason why the team is proudly known as the ‘four-cup winning side’.
During a hard fought final watched by a 62,217 crowd – double that of the previous season - an exciting climax saw Oldham hang on for a thrilling 15-14 win.
In order to celebrate this important milestone, Rugby Oldham will host a celebration dinner and social event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, May 18th from 7pm.
Legends in Oldham rugby league folklore such as Alan Davies, John Etty, Frank Stirrup, Sid Little, Johnny Noon, Vince Nestor and hopefully Bernard Ganley himself will be back in town for the event along with the four trophies they claimed. Therefore, Rugby Oldham would like to invite all rugby league fans to come along and help them celebrate in style.
The MC for the evening is the BBC’s, Ian Cheeseman which will include a three course meal and co
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