Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby Players
4 Comments
Photo: Ron Hunt
Item #: 34241
Jack was born in Ince and went to Spring View school before learning his trade as an upholsterer. Although a very capable footballer, rugby was his first love, and he signed for Wigan RLFC and played his first game in December 1939. A very promising career went on hold when he joined the RAF and went off to serve in the Second World War in India and Burma. Having missed 4 years of his prime he returned to Wigan in 1946 and played in the R L Cup Final defeat at Wembley.
Jack was at home in, and played for Wigan in, every position in the backs and his undoubted talent was soon recognised. He was selected to play for Lancashire and England and was a member of the Great Britain sides that toured Australia and New Zealand in 1950 and 1954. In 1951 - the season he captained Wigan - he captained Great Britain in a victory against New Zealand and the following year, 1952, he was selected to represent The British Empire in the match against New Zealand.
A true son of Wigan, he brought many honours to his town and club from his prowess and versatility in Rugby League from 1939 until he retired - still a star - in 1960.
He remains the only player to have played for Wigan in 4 decades.
Known as 'Gentleman Jack' to all RL supporters, Jack Cunliffe fully earned the title. He was one of the most successful and talented backs Wigan has ever possessed, yet he was a modest man with a very likeable personality.
Another great son of Wigan, Shaun Edwards OBE, recently wrote: ''....with great respect....of the legend that was Jack Cunliffe. My father told me he was world class in three positions, as he could play ANY position in the backs to a very high level. His achievement to play in four different decades is a credit to his fitness and dedication. I am told that the only thing better than Jack as a rugby player was him as a person, a true gentleman and a true rugby man''.
Jack was just 51 when he died and left a wife, Kathleen, who remained devoted to him until her own death in 2006, sons David (deceased 2013) and Jeff, and a daughter Jacqueline.
:
I have a very fond memory of Jack. My father, who was a playing colleague of his at Wigan for 10 years, and I, were watching Wigan playing at Central Park, (can’t remember the opponents). As was usual the gates were opened 10 or 15 minutes before the end of the game to allow anyone in to watch. After some 5 or so minutes I became aware of ‘someone’ new standing quite close to the pair of us but dad had not noticed him. Another few minutes elapsed before Jack spoke up with a few words and dad acknowledged him. A great player, with an incredible side step and possibly the quietest and most modest player ever.
I was at WGS in the mid 1960s with his son Jeff Cunliffe and he also was a very good Rugby player in those days. More importantly he was a really great bloke and a real credit to his dad,
It makes me so proud to hear how well respected my dad was and what a great player he was. Of course my memories are of “my dad” as he had stopped playing rugby when I was born but I always remember wherever we went people would know him and would stop to chat. Greatly missed and loved Jackie xxx
Went to W.G.S. with Jack's eldest son David,now sadly deceased,late 50's to late 60's.Played rugby together for school teams and later on for the Stork and St. Thomas's.