IT is exactly 25 years ago today (today being Tuesday, October 4, 2022), that Oldham RLFC was formed, following the liquidation of Oldham Bears.
It is a special day for the club and particularly for its owner, chairman and chief executive Christopher Hamilton, the only one of the original gang of four who formed the club to still play an active role in running it.
In more recent times he has had the support and backing of vice-chairman John Roddy; a management committee; an active club ambassador, Adrian Alexander, and his wife Ginny, a former Mayor of the borough, but as sole owner, chairman and chief executive he is out on his own as the only person to have had a major role to play in the strenuous and stressful job of keeping the club afloat, without its own ground in Oldham, for most of those 25 years.
He and Batley boss Kevin Nicholas each received a special award from the RFL recently for the longevity of their service and professionalism on behalf of their respective clubs.
It’s been a tough quarter of a century for Chris, who has shouldered the main responsibility for the club’s welfare over all that time — and is still at the helm despite playing ‘home’ games out of town on numerous grounds and without ever enjoying the benefits associated with playing a home game at a stadium to call their own.
Indeed, he has often referred to his car as his office or even a motorway services coffee lounge where, over the years, he has signed lots of players.
His very first signing, that of hooker John Hough, took place in his car.
John went on to make 228 appearances for the Roughyeds before turning to coaching, taking charge of a Roughyeds reserve-team squad and helping to develop players like Danny Langtree, Michael Ward and Phil Joy.
There have been highs and lows, good times and bad, promotions, relegations, Grand Final heartbreaks, financial crises, derby-day joys and derby-day disasters.
Players come and go, coaches come and go, officials come and go, but Roughyeds battle on — and they will still be battling in 2023 after an exciting World Cup that will keep the rugby league pot boiling this autumn and thanks to the resolve and determination of people like Chris, the club’s loyal fans and all those folk who give of their time and energies to keep the flag flying.
Here’s to the next 25 years, Oldham RLFC!
