Golf day in memory of former Hartlepool player

A golf day got into full swing to raise cash for charity.
Friends and relatives of former Hartlepool United footballer Normal Oakley (left to right) Darryl Messham, sons Colin, Terry and Keith, Graham Hind and grandson Steven Brown before the start of a golf day at Castle Eden Golf Club.Friends and relatives of former Hartlepool United footballer Normal Oakley (left to right) Darryl Messham, sons Colin, Terry and Keith, Graham Hind and grandson Steven Brown before the start of a golf day at Castle Eden Golf Club.
Friends and relatives of former Hartlepool United footballer Normal Oakley (left to right) Darryl Messham, sons Colin, Terry and Keith, Graham Hind and grandson Steven Brown before the start of a golf day at Castle Eden Golf Club.

The golfing event was held in memory of a former Hartlepool United player.

Family and friends of Norman Oakley, who was a goalkeeper for Pools in the late 1950s to mid 1960s, teed off at Castle Eden Golf Club on Friday morning.

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All the proceeds from the event will be donated to Parkinson’s UK.

Norman died in December 2016 aged 77, having suffered with the disease for a number of years.

This was the second time the family had organised the event in his memory and said around 50 people turned up to take part in the friendly competition.

Graham Hind, whose late mum Jean was Norman’s cousin, said they hoped to have raised at least £500 for the charity.

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He said: “This was the second year it has taken place and the weather was just as good for us this year as last.

“It was a really good day, it was great.”

Graham said the golf day is a great way for everyone to come together and remember Norman.

He said: “He was a lovely man, everyone loved him to bits.”

Norman’s sons Terry, Colin and Keith all took part in playing golf and his widow Margaret and daughter Janet were also involved in the event.

The footballer, who lived in Peterlee, made 193 appearances for Hartlepool during his six years with the club from 1958 and was their number one goalkeeper for much of his time at the Victoria Ground.

After his career ended following a broken leg he went on to manage sides including Horden Colliery Welfare and Peterlee New Town.