Rugby League has lost a true giant with the passing of Martin Roddy MBE following a 20-month battle with cancer. He was 63.

A police officer by profession, Roddy provided help and encouragement to rugby players across Gloucestershire and beyond as well as playing key roles in the All Golds and Oxford rugby league clubs. Latterly he was a board member of the Wales Rugby League.

His widow Tessa made the following announcement on Facebook on Wednesday morning: “Poppet Martin Roddy passed away peacefully at 22:06 on Monday 2nd July 2018. It was how we had hoped it would be – no pain, calm and just the two of us.

“He really did kick cancer's backside and confound every single expert opinion, living with glioblastoma for over 20 months. I am so thankful that he never had any pain throughout his illness.

“I'm so proud of being Mrs Roddy and for having the most amazing life with Martin. Of course I'm very sad but I have plenty to smile about too. We achieved so much during those precious months that we never thought we would have. I know we are soulmates and our love is eternal.

“The service will take place on Wednesday 25th July at 2.30pm at Cheltenham Crematorium. At a later date I will be taking Martin to the family church in Ireland for a private family Mass; his ashes will be buried there.

“I will be posting full details of the service, Martin's wishes for dress code and donations once they are finalised as well as the venue for after. I've no doubt that so many of you will wish to come and send my Poppet on his way and you are all welcome.”

Martin Roscommon Roddy retired as an Executive Support officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2010 after 30 years with the force, having begun his working life as a labourer, a salesman and a teacher of history and PE at schools in London and in Kent.

In 2000, he was recognised by HRH the Prince of Wales for charity work and he was both overwhelmed and honoured to be awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2003 for his services to the police.

Originally from Manchester, Roddy was a big Warrington Wolves fan and made regular trips with Tessa to watch Super League matches at the Halliwell Jones stadium. He was also a rugby union fan and, thanks to his Irish roots, was a regular at London Irish matches.

Prior to his retirement from the police force, Roddy had no hesitation in supporting and funding the 1908 Cup for local schools: “I’m really happy to be able to provide financial and other help for the schools element of the Festival. Rugby League has a great future in the county of Gloucestershire,” he said at the time and over much of the next decade worked tirelessly to help realise that future.

He coached the rugby league sides at the University of Gloucestershire and at community side Gloucestershire Warriors, helping them to an unbeaten season in the West of England league in 2011.

The success of both clubs owed much to his coaching skills, his personality endeared him to those he coached and he was held in high regard by all those who came into contact with him.

He also took a young player, Tyrone McCarthy, under his wing and followed his career from Warrington to Hull KR and Salford via two spells in Australia and Martin was justifiably proud when McCarthy captained Hull KR in the 2015 Challenge Cup Final after being vice-captain for the Ireland Rugby League World Cup squad in 2013.

A regular at South Wales Scorpions games in their early years, Roddy presented a trophy for outstanding achievement at their first awards nights in 2010 and 2011 and, along with Matt Pritchard, founded the organisation that eventually became the North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League Club.

He joined newly-formed semi-professional club Oxford RL in 2013 as assistant coach, remaining there for two seasons, before transferring his support and expert advice to his local club, the Cheltenham-based University of Gloucestershire All Golds.

However, this was far from his only input into the management of the 13-man game as he served on the Wales Rugby League (WRL) board from 2010, only recently resigning when his health started to suffer.

When the WRL achieved a Level 3 safeguarding award in early 2017, this was dedicated to Roddy, who had been the long-time stalwart of safeguarding within the organisation and the main instigator in ensuring that it was of the highest priority.

Roddy was always on hand to aid his friends and when Cheltenham Phoenix rugby league player Zac France was badly injured in a match he offered to ferry Zac’s family to and from the hospital for visits. In return, Zac raised money for the Sue Ryder Trust by staging both rugby and boxing events, following Roddy’s diagnosis with brain cancer, when he was given just half a dozen months’ grace.

Further afield, Roddy donated the trophy played for annually by Devon and Cornwall county rugby league sides, the Martin Roddy MBE trophy.

Everyone at the University of Gloucestershire rugby league, the All Golds and Gloucestershire Warriors send their heartfelt condolences to Tessa, the Roddy family and their many, many friends for their loss.

A minute’s silence will be held prior to the All Golds’ West of England League fixture with Oxford Cavaliers at North Hinksey this Saturday in memory of an inspirational man whose presence will be felt long after his passing.


Martin Roscommon Roddy, police officer, charity fundraiser and rugby supporter, born 2nd December 1954; died 2nd July 2018