At West Park school Ossie Litler had played rugby union but while working as a wages clerk at a Lancashire Colliery he was playing, as a part-time professional footballer, for Third North Rochdale. Southampton ventured, in May 1929, to offer him full-time football in the Second Division, but the Lancashire FA had taken a dim view of his recently turning out for a church-league team and duly suspended him until October. This threatened to put an end to a move but the suspension was lifted on appeal and Ossie signed in August, on a trial basis, and was soon given a contract.

Breaking into the first-team in September, at inside-right, he had a run of 12 games. But that was his lot and he duly left for Southern League football at Guildford before returning to Division III(N) with Southport.

When he had signed for Southport the Lancashire Daily Post Football Guide was full of enthusiasm announcing he

“comes from Southampton with good credentials, a reliable marksman and an alert opportunist. Considered to be one of the most important close season transfers”.

Archie Waterson’s arrival limited his chances at Haig Avenue and he moved onto Barrow. After retiring from football, he worked as a transport clerk on the Ribble buses for 25 years and then had six years with St Helens County Borough Council. He was a special constable during WW2. His son played Rugby Union for Orrell.