Big turnout as Oldham’s departed are remembered

OLDHAM'S rugby league community turned out in force on Friday at the funeral of well known former amateur international prop forward Mick Hough.

Mick, who died of cancer at the age of 54, played at amateur level for Waterhead, Lancashire and Great Britain and at pro level for Mansfield Marksmen. In later life he coached many up-and-coming young players in Oldham and also acted as a talent scout for Wigan Warriors.

Hundreds paid their last respects at Christ Church, Chadderton, including many well-known people from the wider rugby league community — including BARLA's Maurice Oldroyd, John Pendlebury and chief scout Jack Roden from Wigan, Warrington Wolves scout John 'Jacko' Jackson, Oldham Roughyeds assistant coach Mark Cass and ex-Oldham forward and 'A' team coach, New Zealander Shane Tupaea.

There was also a huge number of born-and-bred Oldhamers, from well-known faces on the amateur scene like Wally Walker and the Hollinwood club's Fred Halliwell to past and present players who proudly wear the "made in Oldham" trademark such as Leo Casey, Barrie McDermott, Kevin Sinfield, Terry Flanagan, Keith Brennan, Danny Sculthorpe and Paul Sculthorpe.

Two hours later, up in Darwen, there was another Oldham presence at the memorial service for the legendary centre star of the great 1950s Watersheddings side, Alan Davies, which took place at the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Alan, who died in a Blackburn hospital four days short of his 76th birthday, had survived most of his team mates in the Oldham side that won the Lancashire Cup in 1956, 57 and 58 and lifted the Rugby League championship trophy at Odsal, with a win against Hull, in 1957.

Two fellow members of the great Oldham side were there — winger John Etty, who had travelled from Fleetwood, and second-row star Sid Little, who had driven up from the West Midlands.

Other ex-players at the service included former Oldham men Jack Buckley, Brian Lord, Lou Laverty and Kevin Flanagan as well as former Leigh and Great Britain second-row man Mick Martyn.

A eulogy was delivered by current Blackpool Panthers chief John Chadwick, a lifelong Oldham supporter and once the chairman of the former Oldham Bears club. John wore a red-and-white Oldham scarf to deliver his address about the life of the tough-as-teak and brilliant rugby league centre who became, when his playing days were over, a committed Jehovah's Witness and preacher.