Sneyd earns his billing among Oldham-born ‘greats’

WE have talked often enough about Kevin Sinfield, the Sculthorpe's, Iestyn Harris and Barrie Mac, but isn’t it time we added Marc Sneyd to the list of Oldham-born ‘greats’ in this fantastic sport of ours?

I don’t pretend to know ALL the Oldham lads who have done well – and are doing well – in Super League, but there are loads of them, as their usually have been over the last few years, and my thoughts for several reasons  are drawn today to  the lads for whom Oldham Edge, Tommyfield,  Alexandra Park and Watersheddings are household names.

First, there is Mike Ford’s promise that his motivation for everything he is doing as Roughyeds managing director is governed by the need to get local boys and girls interested again in Oldham RLFC.

He’s right, of course. The interesting bit is HOW in a world these days that seems to be football-mad. It CAN happen in a town like Oldham if people like Ford continue to beat the drum. It won’t be easy, but Fordy is getting there and I know he will stick to his guns in order to fight the good fight.

Bill Quinn, Fordy, John Chadwick, Jim Minton, on the one hand, and previous owner Chris Hamilton on the other would hardly claim to be bed fellows, but there is one quality common to them all --- a resolve to do their best for  the club and all it stands for.

They might have different ways of going about it, but money (whether you have it, what you do with it, how you handle it) is key to everything you do. Money makes the world go round and a rugby league club is very much part of that world.

The club’s future will clearly depend on how much money is forthcoming and how much financial support arrives one way or another from the fans, that coupled with Fordy’s rugby expertise and the success or otherwise of his campaign to win over the youth of the town.

Every time you see a fresh-faced young lad, or young lass, showing an interest in this great game of ours, Fordy can take a bow --- and that’s why what local lads like Sinny, Paul and Danny Sculthorpe, Iestyn and Barrie Mac have accomplished is important to us all as are the accomplishments of all those Oldhamers who are flying the flag, or have done in years gone by,

How interesting is the fact that in the RFL’s recent circulation of the top ten Super League points scorers, THREE come from Oldham (Sinfield, Salford’s Sneyd and Harris, who starred for Leeds and Bradford) as well as Sean Long, our head coach, and Wigan lad Paul Deacon, who played for us.

THAT’S FIVE OUT OF TEN WITH OLDHAM CONNECTIONS – A SURE SIGN THAT THIS TOWN AND THIS CLUB ARE WORTHY OF FAR MORE THAN THEIR CURRENT STATUS.

Furthermore, Sneyd can now be elevated to join our list of Oldham ‘greats’.  Twice, a Lance Todd winner as man of the match in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, he is architect of all that is good about Salford and, as a brilliant left-foot marksman, he is the top goalkicker in Super League and near the top in the points column.

He is ALWAYS Salford’s danger man – a classic half-back as well as an outstanding kicker of a ball.

Turning pro from Waterhead, and having spent much of his early life in Shaw, Sneyd is yet one more example of the “made in Oldham” trademark of which the local game, which includes Oldham RLFC, can be so proud.

Joe Greenwood, another Oldham lad, is on the verge of reaching 250 career appearances while Matty Lees at Helens, born in Rochdale of parents who are members of our Oldham club lottery, also looks forward to a personal milestone.

Wherever you look in Rugby League, there are Oldham connections – yet more ammunition for those arguing the rugby league case for this town and for this club.