"The Roughyed's Kitbag" - New Book From the Heritage Trust - LAUNCHES THIS SATURDAY

[sheddingswasus]

NEW BOOK LAUNCHES THIS SATURDAY

 

OLDHAM RUGBY LEAGUE HERITAGE TRUST 

Announce the launch date for their new publication.

“THE ROUGHYEDS’ KITBAG”

OLDHAM RLFC - During World War One 1914-1918

 

Priced £20, this is a LIMITED EDITION of 500 copies, packed with facts, figures and images, the book, 192 pages and in full colour is a chronological review of the running of the club during one of the darkest periods in the history of the country.

 

Read how just finding 13 players to pull on the jersey became a major struggle with so many of the club’s personnel away in the services.

 

The poignant letters home from players and officials writing from the trenches some filled with hope and some with despair!

 

How the mood of the country changed as the ‘home before Christmas’attitude gave way to the realisation that the conflict would endure for years.

 

The bravery and sadness as some players were honoured and others were lost.

 

There is also a detailed report, by the Oldham player Dave Holland, of the famous 1914 tour deciding Great Britain v Australia “Rorke’s Drift” test match, played in Sydney on the eve of the war. Written just hours after the conclusion of the game, little did Dave realise that by the time he returned home the heroics of himself and his team-mates would have become the stuff of legend and the country would be at war!

 

 

All are welcome to the launch event which will be held in the foyer at Gallery Oldham onSaturday October 13thbetween 10am and 2pm. The Heritage Trust trustees will be in attendance including the author Michael Turner who will be signing copies of the book. Information boards relating to significant developments at the club during the World War One period will be on display.

 

[Hopping Mad]

Looks good. I enjoyed Watersheddings Memories. What a shame a print run of just 500 will be large enough to cope with demand from Oldham's few remaining supporters.

[sheddingswasus]

We have only ordered 500 as it was a specialist subject. To some degree a history book. But from the Heritage Trust point of view we felt it was a period that needed covering. 

It has taken years of research, in fact we started the project back in July 2014. 

Michael Turner is the clubs historian and his attention to detail comes out in the book. 

We have the option to reprint if demand is there. 

The book launched on Saturday and so far about 150 have sold. 

If you go to the Oldham forum Dave Baylor has posted a twitter video flicking through the book  

 

 

[robins up north]

Looking forward to receiving it