I found this incredibly difficult as I’ve played at Oldershaw across 3 different decades. However, after nearly two weeks’ worth of deliberation, my best Oldershaw XV is as follows:

1. Jonny Pritchard – Jonny just gets the nod over Geoff “House” Ord. JP had the rare ability to not just dominate opposing props, but to destroy them. He also had an abnormal burst of speed for a prop.

2. Daniel Atherton – A proper pitbull of a hooker. Took a while to find his true position on the pitch, but when he found it he was like an extra back row on the pitch.

3. Steve Clarke – On his day, could be the most influential player on the pitch. It could take up to half the opposing team to stop him on his day and he could read the game better than most of the backs on the pitch.

4. Adam Meyerhoff – “Ronseal” does exactly what it says on the tin. Does all the hard ‘donkey work’ every single game. Always gives 100% and a true leader by example.

5. John Barrowcliff – Although young and not played a huge amount of 1st XV rugby, this lad will end up being one of the best players Oldershaw have produced in the last decade. A true gentleman, on and off the pitch.

6. Lewis Williams – Again, like John, didn’t have a long career at Oldershaw but had a massive influence on the game when he played. A hard running ball carrier and a big destructive tackler.

7. Robbie Andrews – How this fella was not snapped up by another club is still beyond me. Must have only been due to his little legs! An awesome reader of the game and knew the ‘dark arts’ better than anyone. Many a time he popped up from a ruck with the ball in hand when he had no right to do so. Matty Blackmore also gets a mention, however his body was made of far too much glass to be considered.

8. Ian Stead – not much more to say other than that he was the complete player. Eddie McCullouch was very close and would probably get in most peoples team, if it wasn’t for the legendary status of Ian.

9. Paul Morton – Best all-round scrum-half I ever played with. Awesome fitness levels and was like another back row when needed. John Atherton was also up there and Josh Stead and Mike Warren have shown early signs of making it to Morty’s consistent high standard.

10. Will Gardner – pure class, the James Bond of rugby.

11. Jon Roberts – On his day would ghost past anyone and looked like he was gliding across the grass. Matty Williams pushes him close as he is one of the only wingers I’ve seen who would get involved in the messy forwards stuff when necessary.

12. Mark Hallam – Steve Meyerhoff maybe unfortunate to miss out as he could play in a number of positions, but Sparky makes it due to his huge influence on games as he carries the team. Makes line breaks as well as big hits in defence. Sparky is one of the small number of players who would have made it back in the era when we were higher up the leagues.

13. Danny Coburn – Did the work of three men and showed every time he stepped on the field what an asset being incredibly fit is. Mark ‘Wish’ Wilson came close as a big hitter with an without the ball but in the battle of the injury prone 13’s – DC just gets it.

14. Rob Williams – the surprise selection of my team perhaps due to his short time spent with Oldershaw so far. Has shown that he is an all-round game to match anyone and has shown in his short time that he can put in big hits. Has also shown the pace and finishing ability to potentially match Sutty in his prime.

15. Martin Sutton – The best finisher I ever played with and when he captained, he did so with his heart on his sleeve.