The Oldham Players’ Association, keen to foster its links with Oldham Rugby League Club, will welcome a visit to one of its meetings by Wigan-based Haydn Walker, a club director who will now go full-time at the club, working on administration, the club’s IMG grading and its Foundation.
The next meeting will be on Monday night, January 8, at Springhead Sports and Social Club and thereafter on the first Monday of each month, but the Players will welcome Haydn on any of those nights which are convenient to him.
“There’s no hurry, but it would be good to listen to what Haydn has to say,”
said Players’ Assn official Ray Hicks.
One of four club directors, Haydn was Mike Ford’s assistant coach when Ford, now its managing director, was player-coach in 2000 and 2001, guiding Oldham to within one win of promotion to Super League.
A copy of the Roughyeds’ 2024 fixtures was handed out to members at the last meeting and it was reported that Ford had handed out Players’ Assn membership forms to all the many new players and that Mo Agoro, McKenzie Turner and one of the Chapelhow twins had already signed up and paid their annual membership fee of £10.
The Assn made a profit of £3,420 from its annual dinner at St Herbert’s and this Friday, December 8, it will stage another public social event at Springhead Sports and Social Club. The is only £10, including potato pie supper, and tickets can be bought over the bar on the night.
Added Hicks: “It promises to be another great night. We have a comedian, music by Bing Findlater, and potato pie. That’s good value for money and we will welcome everyone.”
Before the meeting everyone present stood for a minute’s silence in memory of its former secretary Bob Henthorn, whose funeral was at Oldham Crem and then afterwards at the Fox and Pine. Representing the Assn were Mike Elliott (chairman), John Watkins (treasurer) and Ray Hicks (leading official) plus members Dave Walker and Roger Halstead. Club fans were also there.
The club has received notice of the Rochdale Hornets and Bradford Ex-Players’ dinners. Both are on the same might, March 1 next year, but the Assn hopes to be represented at both.
Hopefully, there will also be an Assn table at the traditional Saddleworth Rangers Burns Night at the White Hart, Lydgate on Thursday, January 25, 2004.
It was reported that the Assn will sponsor Oldham forward Josh Johnson, grandson of Kenny Payne, in the coming season and that the Heritage Trust will sponsor Kian Morgan.
