Rugby duo honoured at national awards

TONY MARTIN confessed to being surprised as he was honoured in the Rugby Football League Community Awards.

Yet the award bestowed on the 59-year-old from Grasscroft has nothing to do with his exploits in the professional game – Tony has been a touch judge in the final of the World Cup, Super League Grand Final and World Club Championship.

Tony was handed the community official of the year award for his contribution to the game at grassroots level over the last 27 years.

“I have had a few awards, but I was not expecting this one which was a complete surprise,” he explained.

Though Tony is a Super League touch judge, he is just as happy refereeing in the National Conference and Pennine League and he even officiates at under-11 junior games such is his love for the game.

“I take charge of games when players pay to play, and I can relate to them,” he continued.

Tony added one of his biggest thrills has been seeing the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Barry McDermott and Paul Sculthorpe starting their career at amateur level for either Saddleworth Rangers or Waterhead before turning professional and achieving great things in the sport.

“There have been so many players who have gone on to become professionals which shows just how important the amateur game is in this area,” he said.

In his younger days, it was football which was Tony’s passion as he played for Chamber, a well-known Oldham team which is no longer in existence.

Tony added he then had an “urge” to play RL and he appeared for Fitton Hill, a team that is now also defunct.

That was 37 years ago and his passion for the sport burns as brightly as ever, though he has yet to decide whether to continue as a Super League touch judge given his age saying he will make a decision this month.

“If I carry on in the Super League, it will be subject to me passing the fitness test which officials have to take each year, but I will definitely be continuing in the amateur game,” he said.

Tony, who is married to Marie and who has three grown-up children and four grandchildren, took early retirement from British Aerospace and now works part time delivering medications and prescriptions for a local pharmacy.

Meanwhile there was double delight for a father and son as they scooped a pair of top Rugby League accolades within days of each other.

Terry Flanagan, former chairman of Saddleworth Rangers, was honoured with the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award last month for his charity work with Rugby League Cares.

Then just three days later, his son Mark was part of the St Helens side that clinched victory in the Super League’s Grand Final against Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.

And Terry admitted his own award was even more of an honour and delight as it came as a real surprise at the annual end-of-season Steve Prescott Man of Steel Awards dinner.

He explained: “I was at the dinner and out of the blue they started talking about a man who was very committed to the game and then I realised it was me. I was gobsmacked.

“They gave excellent references to my time with Saddleworth Rangers and Oldham. I am delighted and honoured and just chuffed to bits.

“I am really proud and pleased for myself and everyone who played a part in it.”

The award is named in memory of the former Great Britain and Warrington captain Mike Gregory, who passed away in 2007 aged 43 after a four-year battle with a neurological disease.

Former Oldham and Great Britain forward Terry was presented with the award for his leading role in the foundation of Rugby League Cares, which supports and enriches the lives of the rugby community through the sport.

Then just three days later, there was more success for the family as Terry watched his son Mark help St Helens defeat Wigan Warriors in Super League’s Grand Final.

Mark, a former Saddleworth Rangers player, spent time playing in Sydney in 2010/11 before returning to England.

Terry added: “It was a great week for the Flanagan household. On Wednesday I was collecting an award and then on Saturday I watched Mark win with St Helens.

“He was injured throughout the 2013 season but came back strongly in 2014 and had a great season.

“He’s proud to be a Saddleworth Rangers lad and I’m not sure when the last time is that a Rangers player had their hands on the Grand Final trophy.”