Local rugby backs fundraiser for the family of popular former player Ben

Ben Heaton in action for Oldham. Image courtesy of ORLFC

Roughyeds and the wider rugby community in Oldham are offering as much support as they can to the family of the late Ben Heaton.

Ben recently died at the tragically young age of 33 after starting and finishing his pro career in rugby league as a proud Roughyed.

His last game, back in amateur rugby, was with Higginshaw ARLFC.

People can now visit this Go Fund Me page to find out all you need to know about Higgy’s fund-raiser and to discover if there’s anything YOU can do to help Ben's family and friends give him the best possible send-off - one he so richly deserves.

Ben's stature in rugby league was evident this week when news of his passing was featured on page 2 of Monday’s League Express with picture and appropriate headline plus seven or eight pars in which the journalist concerned, Stephen Ibbetson, paid tribute to his 13-year professional career with Oldham, Halifax, Hunslet and then, at the end, Oldham again.

He was best known popularly as a Halifax utility back who could play equally well at full-back, centre or wing.

He was tough, reliable, honest and determined and after seven years in the first team at The Shay, he was regarded as part of the furniture, having helped to get Fax to the Super 8s Qualifiers on three separate occasions.

After two seasons at Hunslet he was back to where it all began and although it wasn’t long before he said farewell to the pro game it was typical of him that he should want the opportunity to bow out on his ‘home’ ground and in front of fans who had regarded him as “one of our own”.

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