Memorial tribute for rugby favourite

Jimmy Marshall

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A MEMORIAL garden is to be created to honour a popular local rugby league youth coach who died suddenly at the age of 49.

The shock death of James Marshall stunned Higginshaw ARLFC in July, last year, and ever since they have been thinking of different ways to honour the man who nurtured the club's young players.

Along with Higginshaw Community Project, the club is now creating a memorial garden to remember him.

Located at the rear of Higginshaw ARLFC, the memorial garden will have a veg plot, shrubs and a water feature for wildlife.

John Mellor, secretary of Higginshaw ARLFC, said: "Jimmy was involved with us for about 10 years with the youth teams. He kept the coaching going and was always there to build our teams. He's an important part of this club's history. He's left a real legacy."

To keep this project safe and secure, the club needs to erect a fence around the perimeter of the garden.

The club took down an existing wooden fence which they planned to spruce up and re-instate but it was stolen.

They are now waiting for planning permission to put up a black railing around the perimeter of the garden.

James' death was caused by a brain haemorrhage he suffered after refereeing a Higginshaw ARLFC under-10s rugby match. He was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, then transferred to Salford Royal where he underwent emergency surgery.

However, he failed to recover and his life support machine was switched off.

His partner of 15 years, Pauline Cooper, and step daughter Emma Lees were away on Emma's hen party in Benidorm when they received the news that James, a manager for Oldham Social Services, had collapsed at the rugby club house after beginning to feel unwell during the match on July 5, 2015.

They faced a heartbreaking flight back to Manchester to be at his side landing just hours after getting the news, joining the rest of the family, including his children Erin and Liam at the hospital.

More than 300 mourners attended the funeral at SS Aiden and Oswald RC Church in Royton.

Along with his friends and family, there were representatives from his former colleagues at Oldham Council's social services, the Rugby Football League, the North-West Counties under-eights to under-12s league, Oldham RL, Waterhead ARLFC, Oldham St Anne's ARLFC and Higginshaw ARLFC.

There was also a special guard of honour from Jimmy's Higginshaw under-10s and under-15s teams, kitted out in club colours.

Funding for the memorial garden has come from The Green Dividend Fund, which has invested £5,000 in the project.

Green Dividend is a one-off fund to spark and support community action and initiatives to make places greener across the borough through gardening and/or landscaping projects that benefit streets and neighbourhoods for both residents and visitors.

Provided by Oldham Council, the funding is allocated over four funding rounds and is for Oldham residents, community groups and third sector organisations based or working in Oldham to help them deliver ideas and projects which make a real difference now and will be maintained in the future.

However, additional funds are still needed by the club to complete the project. Anyone who can help is asked to call Mr Mellor on 07970-100 606.