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Central Park

13 Comments

Central Park
Central Park
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,892
Item #: 21386
What ever happened to the two honours boards which were on the front of the building? Why was the top of the building, showing the name and date of construction, not kept ? It would have been a much better memorial than the Rugby ball on Tesco's car park. I have waited for hours outside that entrance, after the game, to collect the Away teams autographs as they came out. Can't ever remember anybody refusing to sign.

Comment by: Cyril on 31st August 2012 at 13:18

Not an architectural beauty of a building though so it wouldn't have become listed, the rugby ball at Tesco blends in with the background so isn't very noticeable.
I remember the fool of a manager of the councils pest control in the 1990s sending an invoice to the leisure department for work done at Central Park, he actually thought it was a public park, the idiot came from Prestwich so it wasn't surprising.

Comment by: Frank on 31st August 2012 at 13:19

Nobody refused to sign..... indicative of players who participated in the hardest physically demanding game yet devised but conducted themselves as gentlemen. A great tribute to Rugby League players and a lesson for all sportsmen, particularly our present day overpaid footballers.

Comment by: Scholes Malc on 31st August 2012 at 15:01

I always thought there were 3 boards Ron
2 showing the honours won and the other showing the players who represented Wigan on tour
there was talk at the time of them being displayed in Billy B's Griffin but nothing became of it..so where did they end up?

Comment by: Neil Cain on 31st August 2012 at 15:26

So sadly missed, nearly 100 years of history and generations of shared highs and lows. Remember the feeling of awe when first taken. Now the team has to take second best every time. Can't beat having your own ground.

Comment by: tricia on 31st August 2012 at 20:23

In fact, Cyril, it blends in so well that I have never noticed it. Whereabouts is it please?

Comment by: irene roberts on 31st August 2012 at 21:31

Tricia, drive up past the petrol-station and the road bears right and there is a zebra crossing. The rugby ball is on your left just before the zebra crossing.

Comment by: tricia on 31st August 2012 at 22:35

Thanks, Irene, will look for it next visit.

Comment by: mark conroy on 1st September 2012 at 23:48

I remember a "Sevens" tournament in the late 60s at Central Park.I must have been about 11, and St.Helens got beat in the final.
I ran on the pitch with my autograph book and handed it to Alex Murphy who took it ,ripped it in half , threw it in the mud and stamped on it.

Comment by: fran on 2nd September 2012 at 17:47

Who shpos at Tesco? They [pinched our rugby ground.

Comment by: Jarvo on 2nd September 2012 at 21:28

My abiding memory of this place was the appearance of the Oldham Tinkers in autumn, 1972, at the Rugby Club...No other memories...Zilch...

Comment by: Keith on 4th September 2012 at 18:03

Talking of memories, my abiding one was of entering this building as a 5 year old, by the front door in 1947 (I was with my father who was on Wigan's books at the time) and after a few yards noticing right at the other end of the long corridor what I instantly picked up on was a very "menacing" figure bustling right towards me, I was alarmed but equally relieved a few seconds later, to find this burly figure had "disappeared" into what I now know was probably the boot room. I suspect my feelings were shared by many of his opponents, the man was Jim Sullivan. Funny what little kids pick up on.

Comment by: Jono on 9th September 2012 at 11:57

Jarvo - Is that because Wolves never played there?

Comment by: alan winstanley on 14th May 2015 at 19:41

This photo should be saved forever as for me it depicts all that was central park, with all the mutterings going on and that's when Whelan saw a chance to erect a stadium to himself, obvious he pulled the wool over the other's eye's unless they were adequately reimbursed the end soon followed, That club should have denied him and WE should still be at our beloved CENTRAL PARK. FAST FORWARD TO 15/05/2015 WIGAN DRAWN AT HOME IN R.L.C.C.F. Vs HU.K.R.
VENUE LEIGH SPORTS ARENA * REST IN PEACE!

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