Wigan Album

I believe the man sitting to the left of the Mayor is John Counsell. Here is a bit of information on this devoted servant of the Wigan Club.
He was a director and chairman of Wigan Rugby League Football Club and a prominent Rugby Football legislator; he was chairman of the Rugby League Council 1922-1923. Between 1898 and 1938 he kept a diary with ‘meticulous care’ ; this represents a record which is ‘probably unique in Rugby Football history.’
A year before this photo was taken, one of his entries read…… 27 March 1908: ‘Made sandwiches at home for Wigan team travelling to London.’
I believe the Mayor was Alderman S Wood.

Additional info' on John Counsell might be of interest, for example in June 1909, the year this photo was taken, the Wigan directors went to see the ‘dressing accommodation’ at Liverpool and Everton soccer clubs and a month later a ‘new brick pavilion’ was under construction at Central Park, the ‘new dressing rooms and baths’ being used on 2 September. Mr Counsell later negotiated with the Great Central Railway Company for extensions of the lease of the world famous stadium.

One more insight....
In February 1938 Mr Counsell ‘addressed the players at Central Park prior to their starting special training. They went for a long walk with R Hough and Jim Sullivan in charge. They dined at the Grill Room.’ On the following day the directors and players went by train to Southport as part of the training for the cup tie at Leeds. The party dined at the Scarisbrick Hotel. On arrival back in Wigan ‘we all went to the Hippodrome first house.
These are extracted from an article on John Counsell from "Past Forward" Issue 32 in 2002, by Alan Miller from Orrell.

Does anyone know where I might get a decent copy of this photo, or one that can be fixed up. I believe the man centre back between the mayor and the other suited chap is my Gt. Granddad.

James Walkden is my Great Great Grandad. His eldest son, Jim was my grandfather. I would love to hear any more information about this family.
Thank you!

James Walkden was my great grandfather, his youngest son Victor Walkden was my grandfather! @shelaghrothero - I know some bits and bobs about the family if you want to get in touch.

According to the Wigan records, James (Jimmy) Walkden played between 1895 and 1898 seasons and represented the first team on 75 occasions, scoring a try and kicking 18 goals.