Wigan Album

Wembley 1948 Cup Final Wigan v Bradford Northern. The Wigan "reserves".

Back row, left to right Jack Bowen, George Banks, Brian Nordgren
Front Jack Cunliffe and Johnny Lawrenson.

I recently wrote to Ces Mountford who now lives in Australia (he's now well into his eighties). His wife replied saying that Ces was well but has recently given up playing golf. She also mentioned Brian Nordgren and told me that he is the oldest practising Solicitor in New Zealand. George Banks, the story goes, was an early exponent of Grecian 2000, although I don't suppose it was called that in those days. It certainly wasn't vanity, it was hard economics, as we all know a footballer's career is short even allowing for an injury free existence. George was careful to keep the grey hair masked, except that one especially rainy day resulted in George emerging from the field of play with what looked like runny mascara streaming down his face. If another club was interested in signing you then your age was always a very important factor. My father found this out when after completing his career with a final season with Leigh in 1949 (he was 34 and had played for Wales that season) the Leeds coach informed him that they were very keen on signing him (dad always looked a little younger than his years). Unfortunately before a deal could be clinched the news that he had "played before the war" emerged and this knocked the deal on the head. Of the five players in this photo I know that three are very much with us, sadly Jack Cunliffe passed away quite a few years ago but I'm unaware as to whether George is still around. I believe he lived in Yorkshire.