Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby Players
14 CommentsPhoto: Scholes Malc
Item #: 19624
Roy Williams and Ken Broome either side of Brian McTigue and David Bolton and I think Johnny Alty either side of Ernie Ashcroft.
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 !!!!
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.
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.
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.
I remember watching Blackpool v St.helens at Squires Gate in the 60's
Ronnie Mather First L back row Frank Griffen and Tommy Parr First L front row, I think.
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.
The player in the picture is Jack Broome. Ken Broome was the Chairman for a spell
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.
Ken Broome made his money with Kenco, a fixed odds pools coupon.I'm not him by the way.Haha.
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.
back row 2nd from the right is my Grandfather Ken Hill :)
Can confront back row 2nd from the right my Is my Dad Ken Hill and 3rd from the right is John Broome.