Joker ‘Jud’ passes away at 100

George Whitehead

Oldham rugby league fans are mourning former international George Whitehead.

The player entertained Higginshaw crowds in the 1930s.

George - affectionately known as Jud - died peacefully at home last Friday at the age of 100. He had represented England as an amateur in 1938 and his professional papers for Dewsbury were left unsigned following the outbreak of World War Two.

Born and raised in Watersheddings, George worked on munitions production at Platts during the war, and later as a reserve in the fire service.

He leaves his wife Clarice, to whom he had been married for 71 years children Stuart and Susan, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral is at Oldham Crematorium on Thursday, 1pm.