Wigan Album

Bill Francis, front row second from left...Bert Jukes, front row, second from right...

Peter Smethurst back row extreme right. Geoff Fletcher (with hair!)3rd from right back row

This is a rare pic Malc. Whilst I can recognise a few of the players like Francis, Hill Cassidy, Nulty on the front row and Geoff Fletcher and Peter Smethurst on the back row.
I cant place the kit I cant remember other than (Wembley)when the kit had a badge on it.

Vigo Green, fourth from left, back row...Or is it Green Vigo? Kieron O'Loughlin on his left?

Terry Cassidy middle front,Is it John Gray and a bearded Kevin O'Loughlin at either end of front row ?
Bob Irving (top player) 2nd left on back row

Back row second right Terry Holingsworth

Third from left back row, Tony Karalius.
Fifth from left front row, Dave Robinson.

Third left back row, Tony Karalius?

3 not named gents....

back row
1st left: local lad
4th right: Yorkshire lad

front row
2nd right: Widnes lad

?, Bob Irving, Tony Karalius,Green Vigo, Kieron O'Loughlin, Geoff Hinchcliffe, Geoff Fletcher, Terry Hollingsworth, Peter Smethurst.
Front Row: John Gray, Bill Francis, Jimmy Nulty, Terry Cassidy, Dave Robinson, Taylor, Kevin O'Loughlin.
(Karalius, Nulty and Taylor were all signed together from Widnes RU Colts team.)

Alan Bence 1 left b row Laurie Hinchcliffe 6 left b row.

almost there
it is Laurie Hinchcliffe who was signed from Bradford
can't believe the only one NOT yet named is a local lad back row on left - where are you 1934granada????

I'm here Malc!
I should have recognised him straight away!
Dennis Ashcroft!

Denis Ashcroft.

Is 1st back row Dennis Boyd.

1st on back row is Alan Bence, he was signed at the same time as Laurie Hinchcliffe to form a new front row pairing.

well boys I am calling a stewards enquiry!!!
in the photo it lists the player on the extreme left as 'A. Bailey' but is it Dennis Ashcroft????
tommorow night I am out with a bloke who played with them both who will confirm.....but what do you think?

Dennis Ashcroft not in this picture.

Not Dennis Ashcroft he left soon after 1970 cup final, Don't think its Alan Bence although it looks like him,Alan Bailey a St Helens Lad came later and was a bit slimmer,My guess is Dennis Boyd next time your in Last Orders in Hindley ask him.

Colin – Dennis Ashcroft played for Wigan until 1976 – I have had it confirmed that the player is indeed Alan Bailey who Wigan signed from UGB in 1974

I agree with Colin sure its Denis Boyd, went to Rose Bridge school with him.

Denis Boyd was playing for Leigh at the time of this photo.

thanks YT
It IS Alan Bailey, who died a few years ago

My this pic has caused some confusion. I think that the player thought to be Dave Robinson is in fact Brian(?)Gregory (Not Mike obviously) a second rower and a Wiganner me thinks who we signed from the Wires. Didn't play too long for us from memory. I think the guy with the beard is Hinchcliffe and Bence isn't on the photo. First left looks like Alan Baily a bit on the large side for Dennis Boyd (another 100% player), stumped at the second right bottom row. I've never heard of Jukes. Was Hogan still playing for us at this time? Not on the phot though is he he palyed alongside "Piggy" Fletcher for some time in the front row. Is that Tony Karalius the younger? Could be as he played at this time. remember him giving Jimmy Nulty a nice reverse pass towards the Kop end and Jimmy waltzed under the sticks.