LIFELONG Roughyeds fan George Cheetham got a couple of surprise birthday presents on his 100th birthday - flowers from the mayor of Oldham Cllr Ginny Alexander and a 2019 promotion-season Oldham RLFC shirt from club chairman Chris Hamilton.
The mayor couldn't visit George on his special day because of Covid regulations, but club-chairman Chris, a good friend of the borough's leading citizen, was there to chat with the sprightly centenarian and to present him with his promotion shirt.
In his younger days George was in the 25th Army Tank Brigade and saw service in North Africa and Italy.
His passion was always in watching Oldham Rugby home and away and he is still an avid rugby league spectator, watching Super League on television.
For much of his life, he was so keen that, as well as watching all Roughyeds' matches, he would attend training sessions at Watersheddings on Tuesday and Thursday nights. His favourite player was Bernard Ganley.
George married his first wife Ida in 1946. She passed away in 1975. Five years later he married Doris and they had 37 happy years together before Doris also died.
George has two daughters, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
His recipe for a long life is to have patience, never give up and do everything in moderation.
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