A SUPPORTERS’ Club is there to SUPPORT and that’s exactly why our relatively new fans’ group, the YEDS, are organising a trip to the Micky Edwards bar at Great Harwood, near Blackburn, on Sunday evening, October 30.
Well done YEDS, not only thoughtful, but determined to do the right thing.
Michael, to give him his Sunday name, would be the first to admit he was no Alex Murphy, but the fact that he came as a scrum-half and finished up as a prop is indicative of his determination, his burning desire and his willingness to give his all in every minute of every game.
He is still emotional when talking of his rugby days in Oldham — this from a man who raises lots of money for charity and is soon to swim the English Channel with other ex-rugby league men.
Lifelong supporter Dave Thomas, who has joined the YEDS leadership team to help Jamie Hollingworth and Pete Dawson, drove over to Micky’s place and fixed up the roughyeds’ visit at the end of October.
Said Dave:
“It will be a great night in a smart venue and Micky will be thrilled to bits to receive us and to spend a few hours in the company of Roughyeds’ fans.
“He loved his time at Oldham and he has a lot of fond memories which he would love to share with us.”
YEDS are running a coach to Great Harwood and seats will be booked on a first-come basis.
Dave Thomas and The YEDS are currently working with several ex-players who are keen to meet up with Micky again and to join us on the bus to Great Harwood on October 30.
The night is billed as one with cheese, drink, a scrum-half turned prop and a tipsy cow . . what could possibly go wrong?
You will know from that a fun night is in prospect and one which mixed company will enjoy.
Added Dave Thomas:
“It’s a night for everyone and we hope to see a lot of wives, partners, girl friends and the like as we meet up in the close season but, more importantly, give something back to a former player who was genuinely thrilled just to hear from us.”
The coach will leave the town-centre Fox and Pine at 4.30pm, or soon after, and YEDS hope it will cost no more than £15 to £20, including entrance, supper and travel.
Seats are going fast so don’t delay, contact Jamie Hollingworth, Pete Dawson or Dave Thomas.
In the meantime fans might be interested in familiarising themselves again with the following story, written by ROGER HALSTEAD in 2019 when the Invincibles (A team) had a reunion in Uppermill. There’s a list of many of the lads who attended plus a pic which includes Micky on the front-row.
He scored 30 tries for the A team that year when, coached by Shane Tupaea, the Oldham second-team lads won every game bar one, which they drew., hence the tag ‘The Invincibles’.
Here is Roger’s story:
They came from all over the North-West, from Yorkshire — and even from Australia — for a reunion of The Invincibles, the Oldham Rugby League Club’s ‘A’ team (second team) which was unbeaten in a fantastic 1993-94 season and picked up four trophies along the way.
First-team stars from that era also turned up at a venue in Uppermill to join a reunion bash that started at 1.30pm and went on into the night.
It was organised by Invincibles coach and ex-first-team player Shane Tupaea and his wife Karen (Scott), who was club secretary back then – the club’s youngest when appointed at the age of 21.
Shane’s team topped the Youngers Alliance second division with 21 wins and a draw from 22 games, scoring 844 points and conceding only 287.
They also went unbeaten in the Alliance Challenge Cup, the Alliance second division Cup and the Lancashire Shield, picking up four trophies in total.
And the man who lifted those trophies 25 years ago, Aussie captain Ben Olsen, flew all the way from The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, to meet up with his old mates and share a few yarns of past times – and former glories.
“They were fantastic times at Oldham – the best of my career,” said the former London Broncos forward.
Added coach Tupaea:
“We were all mates on and off the field. That was one of the secrets. We’d work hard, get the job done and then go and have a beer.”
The big reunion was attended by team members, others who started their careers in it that season and went on to the first team and some who didn’t play in it but who were there to meet up with old friends, many of whom they hadn’t seen for two decades.
Those present included Aidie Bell, David Bradbury, Craig Booth, David Chrimes, Micky Edwards, who scored 30 tries in that dazzling Invincibles season, Alfi Gouldborne, Joe Graziano, Martin Holden, David Jones, Paddy Mitchell, Barrie McDermott, Paul Norman, Ben Olsen, Craig Richards, Ian Sherratt, David Stephenson, Geoff Munro, Damian Munro, Paul Round, Mark Meadows, Ian Bates, Richard Pachniuk, Richard Russell, Chris Joynt, Sean Tyrer, Craig Mort, Hugh Gumbs and John Watkins.
Some went on to become club legends, like Paul Round, or even legends within the sport, like ex-St Helens captain Chris Joynt and Barrie McDermott, who is now famous nationally as a top Sky Sports pundit.
Said Barrie, who went on to star for Wigan, Leeds and Great Britain:
“I’ll never forget my early days at Oldham. When I was a kid at Waterhead all I wanted to do was play for my senior home-town club and I made it. Nobody can ever take away the great memories I have of those early days.”
Added Tupaea:
“I’m blown away by the turn-out. What a day! And what memories!”
In the front row of the picture (left to right) are David Stephenson, Craig Mort, Ian Sherratt, Mickey Edwards.
Seated (left to right): Richard Pachniuk, Barrie McDermott, Ian Bates, Paddy Mitchell, Sean Tyrer, David Bradbury and, far right, David Jones.
Former club secretary Karen Tupaea, who organised the bash with her husband Shane, is third row far left; Shane is back row (left) and captain Ben Olsen back row (fourth left).
See if you can identify the others, most of whom are named in the story.
