Steve: in a league of his own

Steve Lynch: “amazing” sports mentor and coach

OLDHAM is mourning the loss of a sports organiser who gave thousands of local youngsters the chance to play football.

The former Chadderton Park FC secretary and coach Steve Lynch — described as “an amazing man” — lost his battle with cancer aged 56.

He was a driving force at the Chadderton Fold club, helping to transform it from only four teams to a hugely successful outfit with more than 40 teams.

He also created the Oldham Primary Schools League, helped save a faltering Oldham and Rochdale Sunday youth league and girls’ league, and pressed for better sports facilities. The retired policeman was named Unsung Hero of the Year at the One Future Oldham Sports Awards in June.

He was too ill to attend the Queen Elizabeth Hall ceremony where Chaddy Park was also a runner up in the Club of the Year category.

Vice chairman Terry Jennings said: “Steve was the sort of fellow who never wanted any praise.

“He was actually handed Chadderton Park in a carrier bag nine years ago. Inside the carrier bag there was about £90 and from that we have gone to having a substantial amount of money behind the club.

“We have now got 90 volunteers and Steve is going to be missed by us all.

“He also changed school football completely and made an incredible contribution to girls’ football. He was an incredible man.”

Steve, who died on Friday, leaves his wife, Mary, three sons — two of whom coach at Chaddy Park— and two grandchildren.


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