Death of ex-chairman of Oldham RLFC

HARVEY ASHWORTH: Watersheddings stalwart.

HARVEY Ashworth, former chairman of Oldham RLFC, has died in Lymm, Cheshire, where he had lived for many years. He was 85.

Formerly a farmer and wholesale butcher, he had a lifelong interest in the Oldham club and became chairman in 1983 when he succeeded Ray Hatton. He stepped up from club president, which he had been since 1970, to take over as chairman. He resigned in September 1989, giving no reason.

Mr Ashworth first became an Oldham member on his 10th birthday — as a treat from his grandfather.

His association with the Oldham club went on to span much of his life.

Chris Hamilton, chairman of Oldham RL, said: “Although I did not know Harvey personally, I am aware of the hard work and dedication he put in to running the old club.

“He contributed a lot to Oldham rugby and was responsible in helping to keep the club moving forward for many years.”

Mr Ashworth started as a butcher’s boy at the age of 14 in Springhead. He was only 19 when he bought a small farm in Mossley, and later went on to head one of the biggest wholesale butchers in Greater Manchester.

The funeral will be on Friday at 10am in St Peter’s Church, Lymm, followed by committal at Altrincham Crematorium. Further details from the funeral directors on 0161 980 7010.




FORMER Oldham forward Arthur Tomlinson has died in hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, aged 86.

Born in Manchester in 1926 but brought up in Warrington, he signed for Oldham from Warrington

amateur side Bewsey Imps in December, 1947 for £75.

He added steel to the Watersheddings pack, appearing 176 times and scoring 12 tries before he retired in 1957.

He emigrated to New Zealand and signed for Ponsonby, for whom he played when they won the Fox Memorial Trophy in 1958.




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