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Wigan V Blackpool Borough 23 Aug 1955
Wigan V Blackpool Borough 23 Aug 1955
Photo: Scholes Malc
Views: 4,626
Item #: 19624
Unusual photo in that the game at Blackpool was played at ‘Squires Gate’ Anyone any recollection of Blackpool playing there before Borough Park? The only players I recognise are Ashton, McTigue, Cunliffe, Ashcroft and Boston, but I am sure others on here will add to this list.

Comment by: Bill on 16th January 2012 at 09:21

Roy Williams and Ken Broome either side of Brian McTigue and David Bolton and I think Johnny Alty either side of Ernie Ashcroft.

Comment by: dave c on 16th January 2012 at 10:48

I went there with my Dad once in the mid/late 1950's As I recall they had a Yank Football player in the Blackpoool side, "Chuck" Wiseman. Anyone else remember that or am I drifting into old age. No comments please Malc !!!!

Comment by: Keith on 16th January 2012 at 11:41

Roy Williams, back row, third in from left. Roy, like my father, was Welsh and similarly had played for Llanelli RU before joining Wigan. When he first came to Wigan in the early 50's I remember him staying with us for a short while at the Crispin Arms which we tenanted. He became a Wigan solicitor but sadly he passed away far too soon, leaving a young family.

Comment by: Keith on 16th January 2012 at 11:45

Wigan won this match 31 - 6. Full team that day, Cunliffe, Boston, Broome, Ashcroft, Ashton, Bolton, Parr, Armstrong, Mather, McTigue, Hill, Williams and Griffin. Boston scored 4 of the tries.

Comment by: 1934granada on 16th January 2012 at 12:06

Third from the right front row, David Bolton. Yes Malc they did play at the St Annes greyhound stadium when they were first formed in 1954 until they moved to a new stadium (Borough Park) in 1962. St Annes wasn't a vast stadium but it suited their needs. On the odd occasion they had a big game ie when they played Leigh in the quarter final of the RLCC in 1957 they would shift it to Bloomfield Road. That game attracted over 20,000 spectators.

Comment by: brian brown on 16th January 2012 at 12:17

I remember watching Blackpool v St.helens at Squires Gate in the 60's

Comment by: ken on 16th January 2012 at 13:56

Ronnie Mather First L back row Frank Griffen and Tommy Parr First L front row, I think.

Comment by: Roy on 16th January 2012 at 16:34

If i remember correctly 'Chuck' Wiseman came over from America and first played union at Wigan Old Boys at Prospect Park Standish. I,m sure he went to Wigan but never played and was moved on, he was a flying machine.

Comment by: ken on 17th January 2012 at 20:51

The player in the picture is Jack Broome. Ken Broome was the Chairman for a spell

Comment by: JohnB on 17th January 2012 at 21:36

Ken Broome was a bookmaker wasn't he? I might be wrong but I believe he had a connection with Maurice Lindsey who had been a greyhound bookmaker, at least that's the garbled information I have but can't swear to it.

Comment by: ken on 17th January 2012 at 23:38

Ken Broome made his money with Kenco, a fixed odds pools coupon.I'm not him by the way.Haha.

Comment by: alan barker on 11th February 2012 at 10:03

I remember Wigan wanted to sign him after a trial but he wanted too much. He went to play for Blackpool as he said he liked the town. It reminded him of Atlantic City in the USA. Atlantic City is in the news at the moment as they are planning to reintroduce horse and rider jumps from a 40 foot high platform into water in an attempt to attract people and breathe life into the faded town.

Comment by: Sven Hill on 17th August 2020 at 08:42

back row 2nd from the right is my Grandfather Ken Hill :)

Comment by: Steve Hill on 17th August 2020 at 09:24

Can confront back row 2nd from the right my Is my Dad Ken Hill and 3rd from the right is John Broome.

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