The Oldham RL Heritage Trust has confirmed that Roughyeds Heritage Certificates continue to go out across the world with John Cogger, Glen Liddiard and Joe McNicholas the latest ex-Oldham trio Down Under to receive documents that revive golden memories of playing for Oldham.
Many thanks to Dave Walker of the ‘Players Association’ for his assistance with the distribution of these certificates.
Loose-forward Cogger, he of the flowing, golden locks and his exciting running style, scored 31 tries in 62 games for Oldham between 1988-89 and 1990-91. He came to England as an unknown, made a name for himself at Runcorn and came to Oldham with an all-action style the Watersheddings faithful admired, respected and relished. He was one of our best signings of the era and a firm favourite of the crowd. Heritage No; 947.
Young utility back Glen Liddiard, another Aussie, was sweet 16 when he arrived here with elder brother David and Mum and Dad. While full-back David was scoring a length-of-the-field try at Boundary Park straight from the kick-off against Carlisle, the younger Liddiard was displaying the X factor at Saddleworth Rangers. Oldham boss Frank Myler got wind of it, went to watch him, invited him to train at ‘Sheddings, played this 16-year-old wonder kid on the wing and had no hesitation in throwing him in at stand-off in a Challenge Cup semi-final against Castleford when David Topliss was injured in a car crash.
Those were the days, writes ROGER HALSTEAD, and it’s good to know that Glen has now got a lasting memento of his big day in the limelight when both he and elder brother David played in the same Oldham team, both striving in vain to get us to Wembley for the first time. Glen had two spells here and in total he played 32 times, scoring eight tries, four goals and one drop goal. Heritage No: 910.
Unlike John Cogger and Glen Liddiard, jolly Joe McNicholas was one of our own. Well, he was a Rochdalian really but he gave his heart and soul to Roughyeds despite being from the other side of Thornham. He had five years at the club, either side of the big restructure in 1997, scoring 34 tries in 104 appearances on the wing. Heritage No: 1053.
What it meant to play for Oldham in that era is summed up perfectly by Aussie stand-off Brett Clark, who couldn’t come to the recent Awards Dinner, but sent this message to the assembled fans, supporters, sponsors.
He wrote:
“Sorry I couldn’t read out a message on video-link, but after suffering three strokes I find it hard to talk at time and at the moment my voice is very dodgy.
“I’m so happy you lot are catching up. To be honest, it was an honour to play rugby league with you lot. It was probably the best team I’ve played in. To beat First Division sides and to get to finals and semi-finals was an amazing achievement. Then to win the Second Division Premiership at Old Trafford against Hull KR the way we did, from 23 points down, was unbelievable.
“Everyone who played in that team is a true legend. I just wish I could be with you all to celebrate. Enjoy yourselves and thanks for the great memories. I still watch the game, but even I can’t believe what happened. Have fun. Enjoy – Regards to all, BRETT CLARK.
