Death of former Oldham RL prop

Ken Payne

OLDHAM rugby league player Ken Payne, who played for clubs in Oldham, Blackpool and Rochdale during the 1960s, has died.

Mr Payne (75), from Uppermill, was a prop forward and played for Blackpool Borough Rugby Football Club and Rochdale Hornets.

He also made 15 first team appearances for Oldham from 1968-70, where he ended his playing career.

He died following a short illness.

Born in Oldham and originally from Waterhead, Mr Payne was a talented sportsman and enjoyed playing both rugby and cricket.

He met his wife Marilyn on the Isle of Man in 1961; they married two years later. The couple have two daughters, Nicola and Krista and five grandchildren, including grandson Josh Johnson (21), who is currently playing prop forward for the Huddersfield Giants.

In 1993, Mr Payne bought and ran the former Birch Hall Hotel in Lees, before retiring with his wife to Trelawnyd, North Wales, in 1999. They returned to Saddleworth nine years ago to be closer to their family.

The funeral service is tomorrow at St Chad’s Church, Uppermill, at 2pm.