Wendy to fulfil dream as Oldham’s oldest mascot

Wendy Kelly will fulfil a lifetime ambition on Sunday when she walks out with Oldham as Roughyeds mascot at the age of 79.

The passionate Oldham fan says she will be striking one off her bucket list when she leads the team out with Josh Drinkwater against Halifax Panthers, as Sean Long's men look to get back to winning ways after last week's semi-final disappointment.

"I just thought am I too old to be a mascot at nearly 79? A few people said 'no you're not' and then I got a message asking if I wanted to do it," Wendy told Roughyeds TV.

Of course I do, it is on my bucket list and now I can strike it off!

I am quite excited about what the club is doing now. I think they have a bit of a way to go yet but are heading in the right direction, week by week.

I know we have had a lot of injuries but I would love to get back into Super League, that would be my dream."

Wendy and her husband Terry were invited to the Netpar Training Centre this week by the media team to watch the squad train and meet head coach Sean Long and managing director Mike Ford.

Wendy even brought with her a selection of fantastic old photos - including a youthful Ford - from her time supporting the team home and away.

"My affinity with Oldham goes back a lot of years with a lot of memories a lot of ups and a lot of downs.

I am always looking at old photos, I remember a trip to Blackpool once for a Cup matches, we went to Paris and watched them there in Super League too. Those times were really good.

My first game would be over 50 years ago at Watersheddings, we used to always go in the pub first with all the family who are rugby league mad. We would go into the pub, have some banter and then up to the match.

My favourite memory so far as an Oldham fan? Being a mascot on Sunday. My family will be there, I am getting old now but you can still do things - you don't have to start saying no to things!

My message to Oldham fans this year is to keep turning up as that is what we need. The more the better - give it some welly and some shouting! Turn up and shout for the lads!"