Ridyard wins first Brian Walker Award, while Roughyeds also donate £5k to MND Association

Pictured left to right: Mike Kivlin (chairman, Rugby Oldham); Martyn Ridyard (first winner of the Brian Walker Awards Scheme); John Chadwick (Oldham RLFC vice-president); Brian’s son Adrian; Brian’s grandson Oscar; Simon Winnard (club director and a man who, with Brian, helped to establish Rugby Oldham). Image courtesy of ORLFC

Oldham captain Martyn Ridyard, ace goalkicker, stand-off and chief decision-maker, was the first winner of the newly-initiated Brian Walker Award.

The award is sponsored by Rugby Oldham and is to go each month to the coaches’ choice of the player who has contributed most, both in matches and on the training field, during the preceding period under review.

Ridyard was presented with his award before Oldham's home game against Hunslet and then went on to land eight goals from eight attempts in their 40-20 win to follow up the 22 points he scored from two tries and seven goals in a 50-16 win at Midlands Hurricanes down in Birmingham.

Brian Walker was a very committed lifelong fan, who died in late 2021.

He was involved in the planning which resulted in the re-founding of the club in 1997 and also in the founding of Rugby Oldham, the Supporters’ Trust, in 2005.

The presentation, last Saturday, was made by Brian’s long-standing colleague John Chadwick, a former club chairman and now vice-president, in the presence of Brian’s son Adrian, his grandson Oscar and Rugby Oldham chairman Mike Kivlin.

Meanwhile, the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a one that’s close to the heart of people connected to the sport of Rugby League; and particularly to those connected to Oldham.

People watching the recent Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon witnessed RL Legend and Oldhamer Kevin Sinfield carrying his mate Rob over the finishing line and undoubtedly will have been touched by the scenes.

Also taking part in the marathon that day was Bev Winnard, wife of Oldham RLFC director Simon and a member of the Oldham and Royton Harriers Athletic Club.

Bev completed the race, raising £1,076 in the process.

In a show of community support, Oldham RLFC decided to make an additional donation of £5,000 to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

A presentation of the cheque to the charity was made during half-time of the Hunslet game.

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