Latest news with #MickMartindale
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Further murder arrests over former rugby league player's death
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a former rugby league player was found dead at a suspects, aged 50 and 52, were detained by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on Tuesday after officers discovered Mick Martindale's body at a property on Eldon Street on 28 May. A 64-year-old man who was previously held on suspicion of the same offence has been bailed. Det Ch Insp Zahid Latif said detectives were working "to provide key answers" for the family and friends of the former Oldham Rugby League Football Club. Alongside the two men, a 42-year-old woman was also arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting an offender, and all three have since been bailed, the force said."We have now made four arrests as part of this investigation, and are continuing at pace with our enquiries as we work to establish the full circumstances of this man's death," said Det Ch Insp Latif. Mr Martindale was described as a "a larger-than-life character" in a tribute from his former club, where he played in the late have urged anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area last week to get in touch, including those who may have CCTV or dashcam footage. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
"I haven't been home in four days" - Oldham Athletic fans celebrate promotion to Football League
Thousands of Oldham Athletic faithfuls were in full voice as they celebrated the club's return to the Football League. Just over 8,000 fans were at Boundary Park for their play-off final win parade this evening (June 2). Yesterday, The Latics booked their spot in League 2 in a 3-2 victory over Southend United at Wembley in the final of the National League play-offs. The win means promotion to League 2, after three years away. In 2022 the club claimed the unwanted honour of becoming the first former Premier League side to drop into non-league football. READ MORE: Two Brit gangsters shot dead outside Costa del Sol bar READ MORE: 'RIP Tricky': Tributes to Mick Martindale flood in as popular ex-rugby player named as man at centre of Oldham murder investigation The win caps a remarkable turnaround in fortunes under their new owner, charismatic local businessman Frank Rothwell, who took over the club in the summer of 2022. Around 21,000 Oldham fans made the trip to Wembley for what was their first visit to the national stadium for over 30 years, since their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester United in 1994. Following the heroics, a free party was held at Boundary Park where supporters showered the players with adoration as they made a lap around the pitch, reciprocating the love. Phil Harrop, 50, was at Wembley on Sunday, and despite being back in Oldham and at Boundary Park with his wife Nicola for the parade, he hasn't been home yet. "I bought this t-shirt on Wednesday, and I thought I better wear it because I might never wear it again after Sunday. I've had it on for four days now." He explained to the M.E.N. "I went to London, stayed in Watford, went to the game, drove back from Watford, went to the Fox and Pine in Oldham and then I came straight here. "This means so much to the town. It means so much for anybody who bothers to support Oldham Athletic." Adam Kershaw was also at Wembley with his family, he told the M.E.N: "I just wanted to have a day out at Wembley. I just wanted to experience that with my son and wife. "It was the best feeling in the world walking down Wembley Way with your eight-year-old lad, honestly, the best feeling in the world. "He's only ever known us in non-league so it felt special. It was kind of a big two fingers up to his mates who support United and City. "He went into school this morning with a scarf, bragging about how he's been to Wembley." Jack Lusty, 29 and his mate Liam Paull, 30, could barely speak with their voices still recovering from the weekend. Nonetheless, they stressed how important the win was for the town. Liam said: "We've been nothing since I've started supporting Oldham, it's been thirty years of misery. "I didn't cry when my child was born, but I shed a few tears. When we won, I was full of tears! "What's massive about the win is, if you look around, it's the amount of children. All they know is that Oldham have just done that. These children will be coming here now instead of City or United." "No one will understand the journey we've been on to get that moment." Added Jack. "That's what makes it so special. "Hopeful it's the first of many now and we're back on our way up."
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Former rugby league star, 50, named as 'murder victim' after he was found dead at a flat in a Manchester estate
A former rugby league star has been named as a 'murder victim' after he was found dead at a flat in a Manchester estate. The body of Mick Martindale, 50, was discovered at the property on May 28 with police arresting a 64-year-old man, who was later bailed, on suspicion of murder. A murder inquiry was launched immediately with the cause of the popular ex Oldham player's death 'undetermined' but being treated as 'suspicious' by Greater Manchester Police. An inquest will be opened into the loose forward's death in due course, a spokesperson for Rochdale Coroners' Court confirmed. Mr Martindale's family is currently being given support by specially-trained officers, Manchester Evening News reports. Meanwhile, police have been going door-to-door on the estate to make enquiries and offer 'community reassurance' to those living there. Detective Inspector Andrew Barrett, from Oldham CID, said on Saturday: 'We are working hard to understand what has happened and get the answers his family deserve. 'At the moment, the man's cause of death is undetermined, but enquiries are ongoing, and we have made an arrest to progress this investigation forward. 'We have already spoken to several people living in the area, but house to house enquiries are continuing throughout the day. 'We would ask anyone who may have any information about the incident to please pass this onto officers, as it could be of great assistance.' MailOnline has approached Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Coroners' Court for comment. Mr Martindale played for Oldham Rugby League Football Club in the late 90s and the team's Heritage Trust said he started out for Halifax Panthers as a teenager, before heading to Wakefield and then Oldham and Rochdale. The star lifted the National Cup while at Oldham St Anne's, who he later coached after retiring as a player. Tributes soon started pouring in for the sportstar, known as 'Tricky', following the tragic news. Oldham RLFC said: 'We are saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Mick Martindale. 'Mick wore the Oldham shirt with pride in the late 90s, and was a well-known face throughout our community game, as well as in his coaching roles at Oldham St Anne's. The club sends its condolences to Mick's family and friends. RIP Tricky.' Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust gave a biography of his career in an emotional Facebook post and added that Mick was a 'larger than life character gone far too soon', and recalled that he had 'remained a popular and well known figure in the amateur game'. Meanwhile, Waterhead Warriors ARLC posted: 'Waterhead are saddened to hear the passing of Mick Martindale. Sending condolences to Mick's family and everyone at St Anne's rugby club.' His boyhood club Halifax Panthers added: 'Halifax Panthers are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Mick Martindale over the weekend. 'Mick made his debut for Halifax as a teenager back in 1994, going on to make 7 first team appearances in blue and white Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time. RIP' Saddleworth Rangers posted: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mick Martindale. 'We send our condolences to all his family, friends and to all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.' Former player Mickii Edwards said: 'Absolutely loved Mick Martindale and what a player he was. Much loved by everyone... you will be greatly missed.'
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ex-Oldham rugby league player found dead was 'larger than life'
A former rugby league player whose death has prompted a murder investigation was "a well-known face throughout the community game", according to one of the clubs he played body of a man, named locally as 50-year-old Mick Martindale, was discovered at a property in Eldon Street, Oldham, at about 19:50 BST on Saturday, said Greater Manchester Police (GMP). In a tribute posted on social media, Oldham Rugby League Football Club said he wore the Roughyeds' shirt "with pride" in the late said it had arrested a 64-year-old man on suspicion of murder and that he remained in custody. GMP said Mr Martindale's cause of death had not yet been family are being supported by specialist officers, said a force Roughyeds said their former player, who also coached at Oldham St Annes, was a popular face within the Rugby League Heritage Trust said Mr Martindale was part of the Roughyeds squad when the club said his "powerful frame and skilful hands saw him pose an attacking threat every time he had the ball". 'Larger than life' The trust said Mr Martindale made his debut as a teenager at Halifax Panthers and then had a spell at Wakefield before arriving at Oldham in time for the second competitive match of the 1998 season against Widnes Martindale played 26 games for Oldham that year, including in the final of the Trans-Pennine Cup against Batley, and scored seven tries before moving to Rochdale."He later helped Oldham St Annes to win the National Cup and has remained popular and a well-known figure in the amateur game," the trust added."A larger-than-life character gone far too soon."Det Insp Andrew Barrett, from Oldham CID, has urged anyone with any information about Mr Martindale's death to contact GMP. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
