Memorial day for Latics favourite Ernie

Date published: 05/05/2009

LATICS stars past and present mingled with fans at a fundraising event in tribute to former player Ernie Cooksey.

Ernie, who won the hearts of Latics fans when he played for the club in 2003/4, died from skin cancer last year, aged 28.

The Rifle Range Inn, Chadderton, held an Ernie Cooksey Memorial Day on Sunday to raise funds for the Christie Hospital.

It included a question and answer session with Athletic managing director Simon Corney, raffles, auctions, a barbecue and a bouncy castle and Ernie’s family also attended. Last summer the Rifle Range raised £5,000 for the Ernie Cooksey Treatment Fund.

Ernie’s partner Louise Newlove and nine-month-old daughter Isabella Georgia are pictured, centre, with friends family and supporters.