Ex-Latics ’keeper Ian dies, aged 48

IAN GREEN

AMATEUR goalkeeper Ian Green, who once had to take a day off work to play for Oldham Athletic against Sunderland, has died at the age of 48 following a long illness.

It was back in 1978 when Ian got his unexpected chance to appear for the Boundary Park side.

He came on as a substitute in the Anglo-Scottish Cup tie against Sheffield United after John Platt broke his leg in the 1-0 victory.

Three days later, and with Peter McDonnell also injured, Ian had to take a day’s leave from his job as a brewery storekeeper with John Willie Lees, to make his one and only start in the 2-1 victory against the Black Cats, also in the Anglo Scottish Cup.

Ian also had the distinction of playing for Athletic at Wembley in the final of the Sir Fred Pontin Gold Cup, a six-a-side tournament.

He kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win against Southampton in a game played before the Ipswich v Nottingham Forest Charity Shield match.

Ian was well known locally and was a member of the Church Inn side which was the last team to win the North West Champion of Champions Cup 30 years ago.

He also turned out for Royton amateur teams Halfway House, Junction and Railway.

Ian was also a talented cricketer, a wicketkeeper/batsman who played a number of first-team games for Crompton in the CLL. He also starred for Crompton Nomads in the Oldham Alliance.

Ian, who worked in the brewery trade until being struck down by ill health, leaves his wife Gezelle, son Craig, daughter Kelly and grand-daughter Chloe.

The funeral will be at St Paul’s Church, Royton, next Tuesday (1.30pm) following by committal at Rochdale Crematorium and a wake at the Haggate pub.