Vernon retired as groundsman in 1961 after 25 years.
The event was reported in the Oldham Chronicle and was headlined 'Latics Groundsman has retired after 25 years' :

'Mr. Vernon Hanley, Oldham Athletics' groundsman for 25 years, retired at the end of the season. On Tuesday he was presented with a cheque by the club chairman, Mr. George Howarth. (on behalf of the Athletic directors)
It is Mr Hanley's proud boast that in his 25 years at Boundary Park only three first-team games have been postponed because of unfit ground conditions – a record equalled by few if any other league clubs'.
The article was accompanied by the photograph of Mr George Howarth (left of picture) presenting the cheque to Vernon.'

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Contributed by Phil Howell