Wigan Album

Did you colour it in John

Not guilty, the photo belonged to my wife's parents Syd and Marian Stokes both avid Wigan fans. Can't say who couloured it in though.

Noggy as he was known was a high scoring winger who scored over 60 tries in one season.He was also a goalkicker and famously missed four attempted conversions at Wembley in the 1946 Cup Final against Wakefield Trinity.One attempt was shown in various newspapers to have been successful but it was not given. As a result Wakefield won 13 12 in the old scoring system, 3 points for a try, 2 points for a goal.When he returned to New Zealand he became a barrister and I believe he died in Auckland a few years ago.

My mum remembers neighbours gathering in back yard of her mum and dads house in Herbert Street to listen to the 1946 final. They listened to a wireless powered by an accumulator which was recharged at the corner shop. She remembers shouts of "come on, Noggy"!

Noggy as he was called played with my Father for Wigan and spent many W/e at our home,he adored my Sister and wanted her to go back to New Zealand when he finished playing,Father wouldn't allow it sadly.

I was at Central Park the day he arrived and aged 11 I got his autograph.I revere him still.