League leads the tributes to founder Frank

THE Rochdale Sunday League family is extremely saddened to learn of the death of former member Frank Williams at the age of 79.

Frank, a figurehead in the Sunday League’s establishment in 1971, was the chairman from its inception.

He also took on the role of merging The Rochdale Sunday League with The Littleborough Sunday league in 1975, which formed the basis of The Rochdale and District Sunday League.

Williams subsequently became the first president of the new organisation in the same year.

Upon relinquishing his role of chairman in 1976, Frank was appointed president of the league. He continued to fulfil this role until the year 2000, whereupon he was appointed a Life Vice-President of the RDSFL.

Frank continued to support the league through sponsorship, regular attendance at cup finals and presentation functions right up until his death on Monday, December 5.

Frank’s presence will be sadly missed and the Committee and members of the Rochdale & District Sunday League would like to extend their sincere condolences to his family.

His work has no doubt inspired the surrounding community and we are thankful for his kind service.

Meanwhile, Broadway Celtic took a 2-1 win over strong outfit Avenue in The Sun Chemical Division One.

Broadway controlled the first twenty minutes of the game and created three good chances, rattling the bar in the process.

Avenue then took control of the first and they soon took the lead too.

Broadway regrouped at half time and immediately levelled through Dan Javed, who before long doubled his tally with a chip.

It went down to tense final 10 minutes but Broadway dug in to secure the result.

“Two good teams and a great game to watch, nice to get some players back and show we can compete.

“Full credit to Avenue who kept going you the end,” said manager Mark Heath.

Limeside King George ran out winners with a 4-3 win over Rochdale Nomads in The Newbold Tyres Premier Division.

LKG started slowly and they soon found themselves behind, after losing possession on the halfway line.

After 20 minutes, they fell 2-0 down. Rochdale Nomads looked in control early in the first half.

Nomads made it 3-0 on the half hour as a Nomads player headed in from a corner.

LKG gradually gained control and created several chances but were still unable to pick out the back of the net.

However, Limeside finally got a goal back on 50 minutes, as Dave Wilson swept the ball home following a fine run from skipper Anthony Santoro.

The score remained 3-1 until eight minutes from time when Eddie Crossley scored with a header from a corner.

With only two minutes LKG were level as Santoro headed in Blundell’s cross from the left-hand side.

LKG scored a late winner in the last minute as Wilson met a cross from the right and converted the ball easily.

After a stalemate in the first half Heyside won 1-0 against Littleborough Second XI in the Sun Chemical Division Two.

The only goal of the encounter came from Rob Christie who popped up with a great header from a corner.

A late onslaught saw Littleborough 2nds nearly draw level but Heyside managed keep a clean sheet for first time in 2 seasons.

Heyside manager Paul Shea, said; “It was a great game with two evenly matched teams but Heyside just clinched the points.”