Mike Ratu

[Anita Bath]

A post on the Dale board says that Mike Ratu has passed away. 

[BUZZYBEE]

Yes sadly we at Rochdale Hornets have lost two of the clubs stalwarts Firstly Brian Belfield ,lifetime supporter,ex Director of Hornets reformed 2009 club, Lottery ambassador and collector ,present day kit man and a great supporter of the club 

Mike Ratu one of our Fijian rugby players who choose to make Rochdale his second home ,making lifelong links between Hornets and Fiji A true ambassador for the club and rugby league here and in and I'm sure as I have you will great memories of the World Cup at Spotland ,and the beautiful welcome at the town hall 

May they both rest in peace 

[Anita Bath]

my memories of mike are as a flying winger in the late 1960s hornets team, never a great team but always capable of upsetting the big boys. Wigan away, saints at home, knocking Murphys strong Leigh side out of the cup at Hilton Park.

 

Yes it all seems like fantasy now, but it actually happened. Hard to see it ever happening again given the way RL has been transformed.

 

To Mike’s family and wider community, legend doesnt do him justice, he was more than that.

[Excolt 1]

Very sad. RIP Mike , great player and great man. My condolences to his family and thanks Mike for many happy days watching you play for the nets.

[ArthurDaley]

Forum | NFR: Mike Ratu - RIP by RAFCBLUE | RochdaleAFC.com (fansnetwork.co.uk) 

[ArthurDaley]

Oppppppp nearly forgot RIP Mike

[ArthurDaley]

Found this on youtube Mike and Emon.

 

[RIGGY]

Very sad news  RIP

[Brummie Hornet]

RIP a true Hornet Legend. Enjoyed many entertaining conversations with Mike who was truly passionate about Hornets and the connection with Fiji.

My thoughts are with his family and hope he gets a try Fijian send off 

[The Hornet]

Another sad loss. RIP Mike

[ornit4ever]

Mike has been a wonderful ambassador for Hornets, Fiji and local rugby league due to his love and passion for the game. As well as being a flying winger for Hornets he continued his love of the game by coaching  in the local  amateur league which is a tribute to him that he gave something back to the game. 
Our thoughts go out to all his family.

RIP MIKE

[Big Doug]

Mike was a legend. One of the nicest guys i have ever met. The Fiji family in Rochdale has lost its leader.

Has anyone any information on the funeral arrangement please. If it is possible i want to pay my respects to the great man. 

[DaveButt]

The funeral will take place on Thursday the 20th January 2022.

1pm – Service at Dearnley Methodist Church, OL15 8PL. OPEN TO ALL

3pm – Rochdale Crematorium, OL11 4DG. PRIVATE - The family have asked that the service remains private to family only.

3pm Onwards - Wake at Rochdale Mayfield RLFC, OL11 3DF. OPEN TO ALL

Family flowers only, but in leui of flowers, if you wish to make a donation, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to support Mikes Village in Fiji.

[Anita Bath]

Jet been watching TV coverage of the devastating tsunami in the South Pacific. They were showing the damage at a local Fijian school which was  named the Ratu school. I wondered if there was a connection with Mike’s family. The whole Fijian community in Rochdale will be heartbroken at the news coming on top of Mike’s passing.

[Anita Bath]

Doesn't appear to be connected to Mike's family.  According to tinternet:

 

Ratu Kadavulevu School is a school in Lodoni, Fiji. It has some 900 students and is one of the largest boarding schools in the country. Its students are  predominantly Indigenous Fijians.

The school was founded in 1924 as the Provincial School Eastern by high chief Ratu Penaia Kadavulevu and was later renamed in his honor.

[Big Doug]

A tremendous turn out yesterday for MIke's funeral. It was a tribute to the high regard that he was held in. Also well done to St Andrews church who stepped in at the last moment when the venue for the service had to be changed due to a power cut at the Methodist church.