Wigan Album

Earlier than the fifties, John Alan. I'd say 1920s.

I agree with Mick - the bowler hats are a give away.

I've colourised a lot of old football pictures and would date this from end of War to about 1930. Earlier pictures tended to have the trainer etc with flat caps, and later shirts had collars.

Sorry I can't help with who the team are though :(

Thanks for the comments although the boy front left is dressed in a similar fashion to lads of my age I was born in 1948 which as he looks to be 8 or 9 which would put it in the 40s or 50s. Look at the shorts as well which are not that long. Hope someone can identify the team etc.

John Alan – further to my brief comment above:-
You remark on the length of the shorts worn by the players. If you look at those standing on the back row, they are knee length – as were those worn by 1920s players. A quick look at Google images will confirm this.
The players’ shirts have lace up necks – as worn in the 1920s.
The observations by Maggie K and George Chilvers regarding the dress of the trainers are also extremely valid.
You mention the fact that the small boy seated is dressed in similar style to children of your generation. This is true to a certain extent, but children also dressed like that in the 1920s. A quick glance at the illustrations by Thomas Henry for the post WWI ‘Just William’ books will show that.
I have been analysing/dating photographs for genealogical groups for almost 20 years, and would put my mortgage on this photo having been taken all around 90 years ago.