Tributes paid to influential Arnold

Arnold Parker

WELL-KNOWN sportsman and long-serving secretary of the Oldham Referees' Association Arnold Parker has died at the age of 83.

Arnold's love of sport encompassed Werneth Cricket Club, Werneth Golf Club and of course as the leading light for Oldham's referees.

It was arguably as a wicketkeeper and opening batsman at Werneth that Arnold earned his reputation.

Former local footballer Steve Barrow said: "Arnold was a lovely chap and I remember him playing for Werneth Cricket Club in the 1950s, '60s and into the 70s when playing standards were higher.

"He was a highly-regarded sportsman and he famously always opened the innings for Werneth with another well-known cricketer Dennis Heywood. It was a long-standing partnership.

"I watched Arnold playing for Werneth when I was a schoolboy and he was someone I always looked up to."

A good friend of Arnold's was David Brierley, who said: "I played cricket with Arnold for a long, long time and I also remember him being a member at Werneth Golf Club, where he played until fairly recently. He was a very personable man and a good servant to sport."

Another former footballer, Howard Dronsfield, who it is fair to say was not shy of contesting officials' decisions and is president at Werneth CC, said: "When I finished playing football I contacted Arnold and he said to me: 'If you're thinking of becoming a referee, forget it!'

"I ended up going to the Rochdale Referees' Society and had a lengthy spell as a referee. Arnold attended Werneth's 150th celebration dinner."

A fully committed man, Arnold put his heart and soul into everything he did.

I first met Arnold in the late-1970s when I went in for a class three referee examination at the old Oldham Deaf Club in Glodwick and we kept in touch ever since. He even attended my wedding reception in 1990.

Local sport was a massive part of Arnold 's life and he embraced it. He will be sadly missed.