FRED Halliwell ensured Oldham finished with a second end of season honour following the Roughyeds’ League One promotion win over Newcastle Thunder.
As thousands of fans gathered at Old Trafford before St Helens’ Grand Final win over Salford, Fred took to the pitch to receive the Betfred super fan of the year.
His reward is a cheque for £10,000 – just a month after he celebrated his 80th birthday with a surprise party.
Fred beat nine other finalists to the prize to become the game’s number one supporter.
At least half the money is going to Hollinwood ARLFC, where he has spent his lifetime.
The players can expect a new kit, the ancient tractor used to keep the pitch in good order will be getting much need parts and the fund for a new dressing room kitchen area will be getting a boost.
Fred said: “With all my efforts over the years down at the club my house has got a bit neglected.
“So, I have been told some of the money will be going on decorating and sorting out my steamed up windows. ”
Bookie boss Fred Done said: “I’m chuffed to bits for Fred, a very worthy winner who is dedicated to grassroots rugby league.”
Straight-talking Fred, of Brook Lane, Glodwick, lost his daughter Janet to a brain haemorrhage 14 years ago at just 42 years old, and son-in-law David to liver disease a year later.
So, he and his wife Anita brought up four granddaughters – Logan, 22, Jordan, 27, Bekki, 29 and Lauren, 32 – trying to juggle their commitment to Hollinwood ARLFC with the needs of the girls all living in their cosy three-bedroom end terraced family home.
The pair maintained their devotion to rugby league and particularly the amateur structure BARLA where Anita is on the discipline committee.
His long-suffering wife, 79, added: “There’s no chance of me getting some jewellery or something nice, that’s for sure. He thinks more of his tractor, and certainly that club, than me!
“That club is his life’s work, and I knew exactly what he’d say he was going to spend the money on.”
Of the current Betfred Super League players, Fred is a big fan of St Helens captain James Roby – but his all-time favourite player was two-time Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner Paul Sculthorpe, closely followed by his brother Danny.
He said: “Danny was the best player, but the worst trainer, in my opinion. I was always trying to get him on the same wavelength as me.
“As for me, I played full-back from when I was about 25 year of age to 55 – but not very well at all!”
Oldham-born RL Legend Paul Sculthorpe said: “Bookie boss Fred Done could not have picked a more deserving winner than this fella.
“He’s an absolute salt of the earth bloke, a typical no-nonsense Oldhamer.
“I am not at all surprised he is giving the money straight to Hollinwood ARLFC and I’m sure his wife Anita – and the four girls understand that there are not just five but six loves in his life.”