Council out in force to support the Roughyeds

Pictured at the Vestacare Stadium are (left to right): Andy Wilde, Pete Davis (the Mayor’s consort), Councillor Elaine Garry (Mayor of Oldham), Martin Murphy, Joe Warburton and Steve McCormack

A large deputation from Oldham Council, headed by the Mayor, Councillor Elaine Garry, and deputy leader, Councillor Elaine Taylor, was at the Vestacare Stadium for the Oldham versus North Wales Betfred League One clash.

The Players’ Association was also there in force, represented by Martin Murphy, John Watkins, Mike Elliott, Ray Hicks, Joe Warburton (secretary) and Andy Wilde.

Their party also included Andy Wilde’s wife, Beverley, and well-known Rugby League personality Steve McCormack, who was there to receive his late father Jim’s Oldham Heritage certificate.

Jim, a classy centre, joined Roughyeds from his home-town club Wigan in 1964 and was a Watersheddings favourite for several years, scoring 32 tries in 165 games.

Steve, formerly a top coach and then Player Welfare Manager at Wigan Warriors, is now a top official at Rugby League Cares.

He has coached several clubs and he was coach of the Scotland national side until 2017, the longest-serving team boss in Scotland’s history.

“My Dad loved his time at Oldham. This is a really special time for me and for the family,” said Steve.

Also receiving their Heritage certificates on the pitch at half-time were Wilde and the Roughyeds legend Murphy, who made a post-war club record 462 appearances as a speedy full-back between 1966 and 1982.

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