Anita Bath Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 A post on the Dale board says that Mike Ratu has passed away. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUZZYBEE Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 2 Wendy Rochdale Hornets and Proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Bath Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excolt 1 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDaley Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Forum | NFR: Mike Ratu - RIP by RAFCBLUE | RochdaleAFC.com (fansnetwork.co.uk) A large VAT Dave please. Allso known as Teodozjusz Matuschanskavasky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDaley Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Oppppppp nearly forgot RIP Mike 1 A large VAT Dave please. Allso known as Teodozjusz Matuschanskavasky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurDaley Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Found this on youtube Mike and Emon. 1 A large VAT Dave please. Allso known as Teodozjusz Matuschanskavasky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIGGY Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Very sad news RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummie Hornet Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hornet Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Another sad loss. RIP Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ornit4ever Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 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 1 RUGBY LEAGUE WITHOUT ROCHDALE HORNETS IS LIKE AN UNSHARPENED PENCIL, THERES NO POINT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Doug Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 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. I HAVE NEVER GONE TO BED WITH AN UGLY WOMAN. BUT I HAVE WOKEN UP WITH A FEW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveButt Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Bath Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anita Bath Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Doug Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 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. I HAVE NEVER GONE TO BED WITH AN UGLY WOMAN. BUT I HAVE WOKEN UP WITH A FEW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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