big fire at the moment road blocked,best to avoid the area.

used to call in on the way home from Plank Lane pit

Been a sorry sight for years. Shame to see them rot, then burn.

Similarly with the Seven Stars, Wigan.

Not the first fire at this place,there was one a couple of years ago on the day the Lobbies played a Wigan Xlll in a pre season friendly.Remember that because we were diverted down Kirkhall Lane and Nel pan Lane 'cos the Twist Lane/Wigan Road junction was closed off.

As you approach that junction (facing pub), you can still see those wartime EWS letters on a wall, on a sidestreet to your left.

*Emergency Water Supply

Still some in Wigan..I saw them, ergo I must be a wiganer, not a leyther banned from leigh for miscreancy.

Are you calling me a Leyther?

I may visit from time to time but I never 'overnight'.

EWS

Almost on topic.

Well, dostaf, you've taught me something there, never knew the significance of those letters !

I remember this pub was the landmark for my dad's directions for picking him up from Plank Lane pit - "Right at the Sportsman's" !!

Shame to see it go, more houses there now before long I expect.

Just been to see it all the roof has gone and it's still smouldering with a couple of fire bobbys milling around .I would imagine that before the week is out it will be razed to the ground, but knowing our absolutely useless Wigan council it will probably fall down first, end of an era for me as I had my wedding reception there in 1965, same day as the miners gala held on the Marshes playing field ,with celebrities including Harold wilson, Joe Gormley and Syd vincent present. plus I won £63 quid on the Horses that day,I'll go back this aft and let you know the latest

probably that bitch thatcher started it

well nicko I wouldn't be at all surprised at anything that Bitch does

i do hope no one has been burned or worse

dam eyesore should have been demolished ages ago,same as the old tax office in Atherton rd.

I knew a dam good brassband player that frequented that pub years ago Charlie Rushworth a fantastic cornet player.

went to his funeral earlier this year veteran ,they had a brass band in Church for his send off.Charlie played cornet for Bickershaw colliery band when they made a record "Blaze away" also a bloody good darts player

'Hundreds of people took to the streets tonight in the Twist Lane, Firs Lane and Wigan Road areas of Leigh as flames from the boarded-up former Sportsman pub shot over the rooftops

Four fire engines attended as firemen fought to control the blaze at the derlict building which has been targeted by arsonists.

The back wall and the pub roof had begun to collapse with slates falling from the pub which was once the pride of the town and hosted top crown green bowling tournaments.

Police had blocked the roads from the Atherleigh Way roundabout and up to Austin Street off Firs Lane.'

The Bolton News (Tues 23rd Oct)

More fire in the sky.

Maxine, this is a good place to learn knowledge.

(WW, not Leigh)

well the developers will be happy, another fire means house building yippee,the housing crises will soon be over if fires keep ,erm happening.

Dennis Stanton was Landlord when I used to go in. Probably around 35 years ago. Good pub then. I think it was Greenall's but I can't be sure.

it was indeed Greenalls ,former Landlords include Griff Jenkins (Salford and Wales, and a good Coach,and the panel Bowler Brian Duncan)

You'd know if it was Greenalls

peawapp,
Did Griff Jenkins not coach Wigan at some time???

Greenalls had a bad name at one time but, as with other ales, if it was looked after properly it was fine.

Taken this afternoon ..



photo bucket been revamped couldnt get them on sorted now

Nice pics, Dave.

Unfortunately.

An acquaintance of mine, Tommy C., had that pub too!

Thanks dostaf was going my brothers today took the camera heard about fire last night.

broady
You may be correct about griff coaching wigan it rings a bell but I wouldn't like to say one way or the other

He did indeed coach Wigan for two years in the early sixties

just came past the sportsman and they have started to demolish it.

Thanks Wigvet.

Shame about that,don't build em like that anymore, but only went in there a couple of times

how are you doing utt not seen or heard from you for a while.

Alreet spectre,how's yourself???

still flying round early mornings