Spanish yobs steal Ernie tribute flag

Former Dale hero Ernie Cooksey.

Oldham Athletic fans are determined that the memory of former Latics and Rochdale player Ernie Cooksey will live on despite having a giant tribute flag stolen.

The flag was taken when a group of Oldham fans, including Richard Atwood and Mark Winterbottom, were attacked in Spain.

They were having their photograph taken outside the ground in Seville where England played Spain on Wednesday night when they were set upon and had the flag taken.

The giant flag of St George bearing the name “Ernie Cooksey 1980/2008” has become a feature at Oldham games as well as other major sporting events.

The fans made it in memory of Cooksey as well as to promote the fight against skin cancer after Cooksey’s life was cruelly cut short by the illness last July at the age of 28.

Athletic fan Mike Harpham, who did not make the trip to Spain, was informed of the attack by text.

He said: “The lads were having their photograph taken outside the ground with the flag, as they have done many times previously without any trouble, when they were attacked and the flag stolen.

“Fortunately nobody was hurt, but they arrived home last night without the flag which had been to every game this season.”

The fans are hurriedly trying to get a new flag made in time for Oldham's trip to Yeovil a week tomorrow.

Cooksey became a cult figure with both Oldham and Rochdale supporters and made more than 100 appearances during his time at Dale.

The jovial midfield player, who quit his job as a builder and took a pay cut to become a professional footballer, always played with a smile on his face and put his all into every game he played for the club.

He later played league football for Boston United before joining Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic where his career ended after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Anybody wishing to find out more about Ernie and who would like to donate to the fight against skin cancer can do so by visiting the web site www.ernieflag.co.uk