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The funeral of former Oldham winger Norman Hodgkinson took place at St Thomas's Church, Moorside yesterday (Wednesday), followed by committal at Oldham Crematorium.
 
Through his grown-up children, Norman had connections with Boarshurst Silver Band, who were present in Church to play several pieces, including Eventide as entry music and Slaidburn as the cortege left Church for the Crematorium.
 
Former Oldham players Ray Clark, Mike Elliott, Dave Walker and Joe Collins were there to pay their respects to an ex-Watersheddings colleague, as was Graham Starkey, coach of the Oldham team in seasons 1971-72 and 1972-73 when Norman scored 32 tries in 64 appearances and was twice picked for Lancashire in matches against Yorkshire and Cumbria.
 
Former Oldham Chronicle rugby league writer Roger Halstead, now representing Oldham RLFC (1997) Ltd, was also in Church.
 
A moving eulogy was presented by Norman's son Craig, who paid tribute to his father's passion for rugby, of both codes, and to his hard work and determination in graduating with a degree from Salford University as a mature student when he was turned 50.
 
Norman, who died at the age of 59 after collapsing in a shop near his home in Moorside, won England Schoolboys and Cheshire County honours in rugby union before he turned professional for Oldham after trials.
 
He was playing rugby union in the London area when a player for London Welsh, Tony Phillips, contacted the then Oldham team boss Graham Starkey, an old college friend, to tip him off about a tall, fast winger who would go well in rugby league. Another member of the London Welsh side, Welsh international back-row forward John Taylor, endorsed the recommendation.
 
Starkey followed up the tip, Norman impressed in Oldham trials and he signed to enjoy two excellent seasons at Watersheddings as a tall, rangy runner with an unorthodox style and an uncanny knack of getting to the try line to score.