Players group is growing

FORMER Watersheddings favourites Mal Graham and John Cogger have joined the Oldham Players’ Association, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Living in their native Australia, they have joined several other new down-under members, including ex-pats Brian Anglin and Clive Hunter.

Bernard Halford was elected as vice-chairman at the association’s first annual meeting, while Martin Murphy (chairman), Dave Walker (secretary) and Bob Henthorn (treasurer) were re-elected en bloc.

On Monday, February 16, at the St Anne’s club (7.30pm), the association will stage a questions-and-answers night featuring Oldham Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton, coach Tony Benson and referee Robert Hicks. Admission is £3 including supper.

The association has donated £100 to a benefit fund for former Waterhead, Lancashire and Great Britain amateur forward Mick Hough, who is battling illness.

Looking to extend its social activities, the association is also planning summer events which include a trip to Belle Vue greyhounds and a crown-green bowling competition.

The next meeting is on February 4 at the Waterhead club.

THE final function in Paul Highton’s testimonial year will be a sportspersons’ dinner — both ladies and gents — at The Willows on Thursday, Feb 5 (7pm for a 7.30pm start).

It will comprise of a three-course meal with comedian, speaker and auction and tickets are available at £35 a head.

After 11 seasons at Salford, Paul is bringing down the curtain on his career with his hometown club and was recently named as the Roughyeds’ vice-captain and second in command to skipper Robert Roberts.

Tickets can be obtained by ringing the Salford club shop on (0161) 7366564 or by emailing Paul through is testimonial address at: paulhightontestimonial@hotmail.co.uk  

FORMER Bears man Francis Maloney was present for Oldham’s 28-12 win over a young Huddersfield side at Boundary Park on Friday night, having been appointed late last week as Paul Cook’s assistant within the Giants’ academy set-up.