Wigan Album

Good picture Jimmy, a lot of local lads on you cant beat Wiganers.

Keith, the son of Jack Bowen who is stood in the centre at the back put a similar photo on recently.

That's true and the Wigan team after the war was built up on great local talent which had been developing throughout those war years. But there are 3 Welshman, Jim Sullivan (coach), Ted Ward, Jack Bowen, and 2 New Zealanders Cec Mountford and Brian Nordgren all of whom are pictured here in the post Wembley win of 1948.

Ashly, there were 9 wiganers 1 from nz 1 from wales 2 yorkshire men in the 1948 Bradford final team

wigan team 1948 finalRyan, Ratcliffe,Ted Ward,Ascroft,Hilton,Mountford,Bradshaw,Gee,Egan(capt)Barton,White,W.Blan,Hudson. Wigan 8 Bradford N 3.

ttd.
Just out of interest, who were the 9 Wiganers in the Bradford Northern team beaten by Wigan in the 1948 R.L. final

The Wigan squad members were Jim Sullivan (Welsh coach), who is standing third in from left, if you then ignore the two gentlemen standing behind him, the fifth person along to Jim's left, on the back row is Jack Hilton (local), Jack Bowen (Welsh), Jack Cunliffe (local), -?-, Ted Ward (Welsh), the row crouching below this one, left to right, Cec Mountford (New Zealand), Bill Hudson (Yorkshire), Martyn Ryan (local) directly above him is Johnny Lawrenson (local), Les White (Yorks?), Frank Barton (local), the row below George Banks (Yorkshire), Joe Egan (local) he's sitting behind cup and was captain, seated on ground the row below, Gordon Ratcliffe (local), Tommy Bradshaw (local), Jack Blan (local), Ken Gee (local) and Brian Nordgren (New Zealand).

Brian of jimmy team the none wiganers were Ted Ward welsh Ces Mountford N Z Hudson&White yorkshire rest are the local lads.

Thats Ernie Ashcroft next to Jack Hilton.

That's Ernie alright, another local product and a very good player, sorry for missing him out. There were 9 local lads in that final a welcome change to the days when before the War it was said that Wigan could have fielded a full team of Welshmen. I don't think they ever did but for the 1922 Rugby League Championship when Wigan beat Oldham they fielded 9 Welshmen, mind you it would be nice to see todays team made up of more local talent.

Just looking at the picture does anyone have any more pictures or information of Les White,second row (he is my uncle and I am trying to trace him if he is still alive)