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Wigan colts or Wigan under 19s 1967 or 1968
Wigan colts or Wigan under 19s 1967 or 1968
Photo: Derek Halliwell
Views: 7,796
Item #: 25834
This team i played for was the Wigan colts or under 19s, the photo was taken on the old traning ground at the back of the cop at Central Park.
The cup we won is on the photo but i can't remember what the trophy was for, some of the lads on the photo could have a better memory than me so could fill in a few blank spaces in my head. On the photo there are 3 lads that went on to play for Wigan.
They are Alan Farrington. Phlip Eastham. and Dennis Boyd. It would be good if any of the lads could comment on the cup winning event.

Comment by: Dave Thomas on 6th January 2015 at 09:41

Cliff Darbyshire right of the cup holder and next but one right of Cliff is Laurence Keef along with Dennis Boyd all Higher Ince lads.

Comment by: Giovanni on 6th January 2015 at 12:20

I knew most lads in Wigan at that time but none of these. They must have kept out of the clubs and pubs!! LOL

Comment by: whups on 6th January 2015 at 12:46

can anyone name them all.

Comment by: graff on 6th January 2015 at 17:53

the lad second left is tony o"malley. {front row}

Comment by: davey on 6th January 2015 at 19:37

Alan Farrington 1st on back row leaft hand side, he is also on the Shevy sharks photo (In Sports Section) about 20 odd years later.

Comment by: Colin. on 6th January 2015 at 20:43

Third from right front row Mick Regan.

Comment by: Colin. on 6th January 2015 at 20:44

Third from right front row Mick Regan.

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 6th January 2015 at 21:26

To Dave Thomas the lads you know on the photo,is it possible for you to tell them about the photo so they can comment on the trophy we won and what it was for. I'm on back row far right.

Comment by: Roy on 7th January 2015 at 08:25

Phil Eastham, back row, 4th from left.

Comment by: Dave Thomas on 7th January 2015 at 10:56

Derek sadly Cliff Darbyshire passed away about four years ago and last time i saw Dennis Boyd was at his funeral Laury Keef sometimes see round town if i see any of them will mention the picture gladly.

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 7th January 2015 at 15:45

Sorry to hear that Cliff passed away, was he a window cleaner and did he have a round at pemberton or have I got it wrong. Not seen any of then since the late sixties after I finished playing, moved away to Colne near Burnley. But it would be good to know what the trophy was for.

Comment by: Alan Farrington on 9th January 2015 at 08:19

Hi Derek
I can name a few side of me is Francis ? is older brother played for Wigan and Salford good player international anway just lived a few doors up from you on Lamberhead road, next John Brown all saints, Phil Eastam all saints, Len Myers all saints next played on wing ?, next came from St Helens, then yourself we are about the same height now Bottom Dennis Rose Bridge, Tony O Malley next came from St Helens Hooker, Holding the cup ? but I remember him getting his front 2 teeth knocked out against Widnes, then Cliff I used to see nim regular on a Friday night around Wigan next Mick Regan next Laurie o Keefe and the last I should know him he was a Joiner he ended up emigrating to Australia

Comment by: Alan Farrington on 9th January 2015 at 09:59

Derek
Got the Joiner Steve Calder

Comment by: tony o on 9th January 2015 at 17:32

Steve calder far right0

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 9th January 2015 at 17:39

Alan the lad next to Len, I think it is Brian Thornton?, and Steve did go to Australia, he married the landlords daughter from the Travelers Rest.The lad next to you is called Hesketh his brother is Chris Hesketh. So do you know what the trophy was for.

Comment by: Tony O Malley on 10th January 2015 at 06:51

How are things Derek? Continuation cup was the name of the trophy. We played Ditton who were I think widnes colts. Butch was the name of St.Helens lad next to me on the photo.

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 10th January 2015 at 12:15

Hi Tony it's good to know your ok,thanks for the info I didn't have a clue what the trophy was for, was it the colts team or under 19s memory not as good, now I'm an old codger. Do you see any of the lads in the photo or the Kitt Greeners, is it wright you moved to London, if so are you still there. all the best and thanks for the info. Derek P.s do you know him on back row next to me.

Comment by: Denis Boyd on 10th January 2015 at 12:17

Top row Left to Right ,Alan Farrington,Jackie Melling, John Brown, Phil Eastham, M Myers,Brian Thornton, next unknown, Derek Halliwell,.
Front Row L to R , Denis Boyd, Tony O malley, next from St Helens are unknown but one was hooker and one was centre. Cliff Derbyshire, unknown, Laurence Keefe, and finally unknown. Hope this info helps would be great to fill in the gaps. Cheers Denis

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 10th January 2015 at 14:38

Denis the lad next to Alan Farrington is Francis Hesketh his brother played for Wigan then moved to Salford he also played for Great Britton. The lad on front row is Steve Calder he left Wigan to live in Australia. All the best Denis.

Comment by: pat on 10th January 2015 at 21:10

Is that Brian Thornton who went to Edmund Arrowsmith?

I think he went to Austrilia

Comment by: Steve Calder on 10th January 2015 at 22:05

Great photo good to see a lot of old faces all the best from Steve Calder from Austrailia Sydney Penrith .Just let you all know I coming home to Wigan in September wood like to get in touch with you all

Comment by: Steve calder on 12th January 2015 at 02:58

We won the cup against Widnes colts score was 5 to 3 one try each plus one convershion I think

Comment by: Derek Halliwell on 12th January 2015 at 17:21

Steve the next question is who scored the try and who kicked the goal, if you answer it I will be well impressed. Do you remember when we went to the Isle of Man me you Frances Hesketh Tony O'Mally and the Kitt Greeners. all the best Derek

Comment by: Steve calder on 13th January 2015 at 11:50

Derek I can't think who scored was it F Hesketh or D Boyd with F Hesketh kicking the goal .

Comment by: Steve Calder on 13th January 2015 at 12:02

Derek I can remember our trip to the Isle of Man. I can't tell the stores on hear all the best Steve

Comment by: tony o malley on 14th January 2015 at 11:16

Dont know his name derek, just that he wasbfrom st. Helens. I see phil now and again at wigan old boys. Last saw dennis at a rose bridge game, didnt chat much, he was rushing to get to wetherspoons.

Comment by: Frank (Franny) Hesketh on 9th February 2015 at 14:20

Hi all,the Trophy was the Continuation Cup 1965-66,it was the under 17s Town Team made up from Wigan Colts, we played Widnes under 17s at Naughton Park, their team was made up from Ditton YC and Golden Wonder, the score was 5-3.I'm almost certain the Try Scorer was Cliff Derby after a great move with Laurie Keefe ( Sorry Laurie if it was you who scored ), I kicked the Goal,( how did I get the kicking role with Phil Eastham in the Team!!).The photo was taken at Colinfield Training Ground behind Central Park,we were playing a curtain raiser against ST Helens Colts I think. There was another Team Photo taken at Naughton Park after the Game but it's been lost in time. The Player with the Cup is,I think, Johnny O'Grady from Peasley Cross in St Helens Played mostly at Stand off.Good to see Tony O'Malley with his hair cut.Hope you are all well and look forward to seeing Steve Calder from Australia in September.

Comment by: Stephen calder on 17th February 2015 at 04:21

Great to hear from you Franny I had the wright score and team plus you kicking the goal all the best my email stephencalder13@hotmail.com

Comment by: Lawrence on 30th August 2022 at 14:00

Yes franny it was me

Comment by: Ian on 30th August 2022 at 19:24

Sorry to say, I don't know any of these players, because they are much older than me. But, I thought that I would post some information about the place to possibly help some of you in remembering the time - I hope that you do not mind?

The players are on a small hill, virtually under the pear tree and next to the old (farm) house; close to one of the large gateways to the ground. This gateway was at the bottom of Colin Street, which was off Douglas Road. There were two gateways: one at the bottom of Colin Street and one at the bottom of Douglas Road.
These gates were open on match days for access to the car park and access to the ground. There were ticket cabins about 100m further along the dirt/gravel road from the Colin Street gateway.
The ground floor of part of the old (farm) house was used as changing rooms and the Wigan players would use these when they had practice/training sessions, because they would use the Colinfield pitch - probably, to keep the main pitch in some kind of reasonable condition.
Behind the players, at this time, is Wigan Girl's High School - later, to become Mab's Cross County Primary.

Hope this helps to jog your memories and bring you happy thoughts of those teenage years.

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