THIS is what our owner, club chairman, chief executive and day-to-day decision-maker had to say at the hugely-successful 25th Anniversary dinner.
In his written piece, published in the programme for everyone present:
“Little did I know what I was letting myself in for when we founded the new club following the demise of Oldham Bears.
To say it has been a roller-coaster of a journey would be a massive understatement. Although every sporting organisation goes through ups and downs, I have yet to know one which has had as many as ourselves.
The biggest part of that is, of course, down to never having had a ground of our own and that was something that we were only too aware of when we formed the new club.
What we didn’t realise was that a big chunk of the last 25 years would see the club having to play outside of the town we represent – criminal !
Despite all of this we have managed to keep going, to have some success and to have a club that many people are proud to be a part of.
Incredible amounts of hard work have gone in to get us through a quarter of a century, from everybody connected with the club – from myself, directors, staff, coaching and support staff, players, sponsors, volunteers and, of course, fans.
Everybody here tonight has played a part in the club’s journey to date and for that I personally want to thank you all.
Let’s make it a night to remember and here’s to the next 25 years.”
IN a prepared offering at the conclusion of the big event:
“1997: Diana, princess of Wales, was killed; Woolworths closed after more than 100 years; Google.com was registered as a domain name; Titanic was the most popular film, Wigan won the Grand Final, beating St Helens; Australia beat Great Britain in a Test series; Oldham Bears was liquidated . . . and later that year I was literally pushed on to the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in front of a packed audience. The rest, as they say, is history.
The early days were great. Back then, we had no perception of the trials and tribulations of running a club. The honeymoon period didn’t last long.
You lose the benefits of looking at a game and events through the eyes of a fan because everything has a consequence. Sport has a unique way of giving you incredible, unbeatable highs and devastating, demoralising lows.
Throughout the last 25 years we have experienced them all.
Missing out on promotion to Super League in 2001, losing more Grand Finals than any other team, playing more play-off matches than any other team, promotions, relegations.
The biggest challenge has undoubtedly been not having a base in Oldham.
We have played home games in Rochdale, Ashton, Stalybridge, Chorley, Blackpool and Oldham.
We are the only team that gets penalised by having to move out of town when we get promoted.
Did I think I would be here after 25 years. No!
Why do it ? Well, everybody in the room can answer that — it’s because we all love rugby league and, particularly, Oldham Rugby League.
It’s a constant battle. We have been fighting for 25 years. We don’t have the financial backers or the resources that other clubs have.
But there is the key.
There is nothing better than being an underdog and achieving something; nothing better than sticking up two fingers to those who doubt, criticise, back against you, don’t want you to succeed.
It wouldn’t have been possible without so many people who have helped and supported me over the years in so many different ways.
To the partners I have had, who have had to put up with my moods after a game when I get home.
But we are still here, still fighting and that will remain the case.
Thank-you to everyone who has been part of the journey this last 25 years . . . and look out because the Roughyeds are coming to get you in 2023!
