Whitehaven rugby league club’s oldest supporter Ernie Rothery has just celebrated his 100th birthday.
He was at the very first professional games for both Whitehaven and Workington in 1948 and 1945 respectively – and there’s not many who can say that.
Former Whitehaven chairman Tom Todd was invited by the family to attend his birthday celebrations when he was wearing his Haven scarf and keen to show people the very first Whitehaven programme.
“It was a real privilege to attend the celebrations because Ernie really is a bit special. I’m sure there won’t be many, if any, who can boast to have seen both Haven and Town’s first games over 70 years ago.
“I remember the local newspaper ran a feature seven years ago when he was 93 telling of his time as a Whitehaven supporter and here we are seven years down the line and he’s still a fan.
“When I asked him what he remembered about our first game in 1948 he said ‘oh the rain.’ I gather it was pretty wet.
“After we all sang happy birthday Ernie opened his telegram from the Queen and I think it’s fair to say there was hardly a dry eye in the house,
“Ernie then gave us a few songs and at 100 years of age, he still has a clear, strong voice finishing with Gracie Fields’ Sally.
“He even had the last for after his last song he announced ‘there’s life in the old dog yet.’
“I left wishing him a very happy birthday from all the fans at Whitehaven Rugby League Club who all recognise his wonderful support over the years.”
Ernie, of Tomlin Avenue, Mirehouse, has only missed a handful of home games since 1948.
Yet it might have been different – he could have ended up following Town on a regular basis as he’s from Ellenborough in Maryport and started watching them when they joined the Rugby Football League in 1945.
However, family circumstances meant a move to Whitehaven in 1947, and his loyalty to Whitehaven has been unshakeable since then.
In the first Haven game against Hull in 1948, Haven’s only try at the Recreation Ground came from Joe Fearon – who was also from Ellenborough and a former school chum of Ernie’s.
There were 9,000 spectators at that first game, and there would have been more if the weather had been better – “oh that rain.”
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