An inquest has recorded an open conclusion into the death of former professional rugby league player Michael Martindale, who was found dead with a number of injuries at his flat in Oldham.
Mr Martindale, 50, who played for Halifax, Wakefield, Oldham and Rochdale, was found dead on a sofa inside his flat on Eldon Street on May 28, 2025. Four people were arrested - three men on suspicion of murder and a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender - but all were released without any further action following a police investigation.
Background and discovery
The inquest at Rochdale Coroners' Court on Tuesday heard that Mr Martindale, a father-of-four who was working as a labourer at the time, had battled alcoholism. He had successfully completed long periods of sobriety after rehab stays, but there were relapses.
A gifted boxer as a youngster, Mr Martindale signed for Wigan's academy aged 16, played rugby league for England at under-16 level and went on to play for Oldham side St Anne's after his professional career. The court heard he had relapsed weeks before his death. His body was found after relatives grew concerned for his welfare as he was not answering calls or replying to messages.
Police investigation
Detective Inspector Andy Barrett detailed an extensive police investigation. The front door to his flat was unlocked, a small table had been knocked over and Mr Martindale's phone and bank cards were found at the scene. The four suspects had not been in communication with him and none of their DNA was found at the scene.
The day before he died, Mr Martindale was said to have purchased bottles of red wine and a bottle of whiskey from a nearby shop. Det Insp Barrett also referred to 'fifth hand' reports that other people had been drinking at his flat, which were investigated but could not be proven, and said there was no evidence that any of the identified suspects had committed any offence.
Post-mortem findings
Pathologist Dr Jamie Robinson, who conducted a post-mortem examination, pointed to a series of injuries, including multiple bruises and grazes to his forehead, bruising to his collarbone and chest and a serious neck injury. Mr Martindale also had a ruptured spleen.
Dr Robinson said the injuries could be associated with a heavy fall, a series of falls or a blunt force assault, but he could not say on the balance of probability what exactly happened. The neck injury, he added, was the 'central factor' in the death. Toxicology tests proved he had drunk alcohol before he died, but was only just over the drink-drive limit.
Tributes and conclusion
Tributes to Mr Martindale, a well-known and respected figure in local rugby circles, flooded in after his death. The former loose forward was known as 'Tricky'. In a statement read out at the inquest, his son Finbarr Martindale said his father was known for his 'witty one-liners' and his 'infectious laugh'.
Coroner Michael Salt said: "It is quite obvious that he was a much-loved relative, son and father, and also a hugely talented sportsman. Clearly he had had alcohol problems. He had successfully dealt with those periods, but circumstances continued to affect him."
Mr Salt called the police investigation 'wide-ranging' but one that 'led to no clear conclusion'. The pathologist, he added, 'leaves open the prospect' of an altercation, but nothing could be determined for sure. Recording an open conclusion, he said: "It remains unclear how these injuries came to be sustained."
