BARLA unsung hero honour for Garforth

ALL YOURS . . . Chris Garforth is flanked by BARLA members Anita Halliwell (left) and Sue Taylor (right)

RUGBY: CHRIS Garforth got quite a surprise at the latest Saddleworth Rangers committee meeting.

The Rangers committee man and former player was presented with the British Amateur Rugby League Association unsung hero award for 2015. BARLA board member Anita Halliwell and chairperson Sue Taylor handed over the honour at the Shaw Hall Road Bank Club.

Also in attendance was Oldham Amateur League secretary and BARLA official Phil Bradbury.

Garforth (42) was rewarded for his outstanding work in promoting rugby league.masters

Alongside Ian Ogden, they put together Oldham’s over-35s Masters team, who have played prior to the Standard Challenge Cup final for the last three years. They also organised an Oldham Masters side to play Hunslet Hawks in a game which commemorated 125 years of rugby league.

“The award was definitely unexpected,” said Garforth, who has been at the Rangers club since he was 10.

“The Masters is something I enjoy. It’s nice to get the ‘old folk’ together — we have a good laugh and enjoy the rugby in our advanced years.”