Wigan Album
JIM SULLIVAN
7 Comments
Photo: Keith Bowen
Item #: 18624
He had signed as a 17 year old in 1921, for £750, = £30,000 in today's terms (he had asked for £1,000 =£40,000). It is arguably Wigan's best ever signing but perhaps another Welshman, Billy Boston, may have equal claim to that. Ted Ward, seen here, was the Wigan manager at the time Billy signed. Roy Francis also went on to have a great career as a player and manager was also a Wigan player at the time, as was my father who was in his first season.
Joe Hill whose house is shown on the photo, was the Wigan butcher whose cows grazed what was to become Central Park in 1902, I believe the house is still there.
The land belonged to the Great Central Railway Company but the Wigan Observer commented "there is no denying the fact that it is splendidly situated for commanding large gatherings of spectators" - a view no doubt endorsed by Tesco.
Doing a little bit of detective work, I think you might be right. Joe Hill's house looks as if it might be off Great Acre in Wynyard Avenue, an unmade road. Of course I could be mistaken.
the reason the land belonged to the great central railway,was that it was the proposed route from wigan central station for the proposed blackpool line extension ,think the great war put a stop to it,and after the war the gcr was amalgamated into the new lner company in 1922,the plan was then forgotten/layed to one side until funds became available which of course never happened
Thanks for clearing that up micky, I knew the Railway Company had something to do with it.
Just in case there's any confusion, the CENTRAL, in Central Park, came from the Great CENTRAL Railway Company who owned the land and never developed the line, as was intended, to take customers to Blackpool.
"Joe Hill's House" may have been "Hill Cottage" (still might be) and confusingly was owned not by Joe Hill who grazed his cattle on what was to become Central Park, but by John Prescott, a Wigan Club Committee Member. Apparently it was John who had the idea that Wigan RL could build their home there. Perhaps Prescott Stadium might have been an alternative name?
Just to confirm the above, I've come across this on wiganworld.
From Obituary in the Wigan Observer dated 22nd Aug 1925
John Harrison Prescott 1847 - 1925
"Formerly Mr Prescott resided at Hill cottage, Wigan, and during this period he took a prominent part in Rugby League work. He was a member of the committee and director of Wigan Rugby club for 20 years or more and he laid out the present ground at Central Park, the work being done by local labour under his personal supervision."
Looks as if my caption for "Joe Hill's House" should have read "Hill Cottage - home of John Prescott", the "founder" and constructor of Central Park.