Former Oldham prop dies at 78

Alf Mumberson in his playing days

ALF Mumberson, Oldham RL Club's popular prop of the early 1960s, has died in Cumbria of a heart attack at the age of 78.

Mumberson lived in Maryport, but died while visiting his daughter Lynn and family at their home in nearby Workington. He was taken ill suddenly and died in the ambulance on his way to hospital.

He played rugby union for Aspatria and rugby league for Broughton Moor before turning pro for Oldham during the 1959-60 season.

In a Watersheddings career spanning seven years, he made 92 first-team appearances, scoring ten tries, before transferring to Whitehaven in 1967 in a player-swop deal that brought his fellow Cumbrian Charlie McCourt in the opposite direction.

Mumberson's best season at Oldham was in 1962-63 when he played 39 times, second only to hooker Len McIntyre on 40.

A member of Oldham's Players' Association, he leaves his wife Isobel, daughter Lynn, son Austin and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are not yet known.