Wigan Album
Up Holland Grammar School
4 Comments
Photo: Philip Gormley
Item #: 4744
Front row (l to r): Harold Abbott, Anthony Jones, Philip Gormley, Kevin Mousdell, David Hitchen.
Upon starting our ‘new school’, thoughts centered on the rumours that we could possibly be having a 1st. Year Football team ensured that 1960-61 would be an exciting time.
Indeed, we hadn’t long to wait before finding ourselves playing properly organised football matches for the first time; everyone donning the same-coloured jerseys emblazoned with school badge of Phoenix In Flames and eagerly awaiting news of our next opponents.
Our new Sportsmaster Mr. Peet had given us twelve-year-olds every encouragement from the outset and despite the team securing its only point in the last match of the season - away to Abraham Guest, had also continued to impart his knowledge of health, fitness and general well-being onto us - he had indeed represented Marine A.F.C.
Mr. Peet’s expertise had benefited Anthony Jones in particular as Tony was probably the best all-round athlete among us; running, jumping, throwing – he could do just about anything!
I also vividly recall how nervous I became during the pre-match kickabout of our last
match of the season when recognising that Abraham Guest Schoolteacher
Mr. Magnall was to take charge.
The reason being was that some weeks beforehand both Mr. Magnall and my own Headmaster Mr. Clarke had given me a deserved ticking-off for a schoolboy prank (snowballing) gone wrong.
I needn’t have worried, Mr. Magnall came directly over to me and, preceded by a hearty smile and brisk hand shake, wished me well for the match.
Mr. Magnall’s warm welcome and understanding had certainly helped to put me at ease – I went on to score a hat-trick in the three-all draw.
The photo above includes seven Billinge lads – and may even have been eight if Malcolm Green’s boast during one of our lessons had held sway.
Malcolm’s claim was that while his living-room was in Orrell; his kitchen was in Billinge!
is that the same malcolm green what worked at hj heinz until a few yrs ago?
It certainly looks like Malc from H J Heinz.
I remember how Peter Draper became the first lad in the school to own a pair of 'real' Manchester United socks. He told me that he had them knitted specially for him and that he wouldn't part with them at any cost.I think that Peter was our Left-half.
i was at upholland sec modern ..1956/57 and played for the football team ..david peet was sportsmaster then .a terrific teacher and a terrific man..4 members of the team at the time played for wigan boys who reached the 7th round of the english schools trophy in 1957..myself .john barton .colin jones,and keith phillipson..david peet was involved with the wigan team at the time and his coaching and encouragement was part of the 4 of us making it to the wigan team ..if anyone has any pics of the school team or the wigan boys team from that time i would love to see them ..