Wigan Album

Keith Austin,5th from the left, back row.
Geoff Aspinall, 2nd from the left, front row.
Billy Melling, 6th from the left, front row

kev farrell. back row. second from left

front row second from right..john hare(next to billy melling)

Rudi Gornik? 4th from the left, front row.

Come on Phil.........fill in the spaces.

It is indeed Rudy Gornik! Tommy More all rounder at sport, and an all round nice guy. Not seen you since school Rudy lad! Tony Topping

Team was , as far as I remember :- Back row L/R,Bailey,Farrell,Holp,Yates,Austin,Holland,Bennett,Hollinshead,Taylor .
Front row L/R,Sharrock,Aspinall,Appleton,Gornik,Winstanley,Melling,Hare,Cook, If I've got names mixed up you will have to excuse , it was nearly 40 years ago !!!!!

Ste cooke with an e on the end!

My dad ste there! E on the end! ha!

You got them all correct Phil,apart from Holp, it was Holt. Good days,great match at Hull and St Helens our great rivals.

Question to all, Do you rember what position you played ? I seem to remember that Cookey was my winger , I played outside threequarter (old school).
, Mr Hollinhead played fullback and the rest of you know
which position you played , Do you want tp respond ???

Sorry about the last comment,seemed a good idea after an afternoon in the pub, alcohol and common sense just don't mix !!!!

Did Ste Cooke marry Christine Young who lived next door to Alice Bretherton in Hind Rd. Marsh Green.

yes been married 35 years now. my dad says he remebers you well John.

Is coach Dennis McHugh still knocking around?

Yes, I'm still "knocking around". Don't do any coaching any more, I play golf, badly, at Gathurst. Great to see that picture and revive old memories. Remember Tommy More with great affection, a top school. Had similar successs with Billy Melling's team the following year, but then I left to go to Golborne Comprehensive. Stil live at Billinge and play darts and dominoes for the Rose & Crown in the Pemberton League. Say hello if you're in the pub anytime.

tony sharrock is first left front row

Great memories of a great rugby team, remember travellng to Hull on the train. We left Friday morning, stayed overnight and played Saturday - thanks for the photo Phil - are you still as big as you were?

Hi Geoff
Yes,I'm still as tall but a lot rounder than I was at 15 !!

come on lads lets get a reunion together, for a catch up and a pint. loads of good memories

lots of good memories, we should arrange a reunion for a chat and a pint, hope your ok big ben

hey John is that you

yes its me, sorry my memory is not as good as it used to be, whats your full name mate, best wishes

You were my rugby teacher at school Mr Mc Hugh. You always told me to eat more chips. You were the only teacher who ever said well done throughout all my entire school days. Surprised Jim Hormby was not in that team.

Bluesfan
Rudi Gornik all round nice guy??? Not as I remember. Bully big time. Pushed himself around at Tommy More like he was Gods gift. I remember him well. Nice guy, do me a favour- complete bully. Get out the way Rudi Gornik's coming through- that what was it was like with with that lump!! Rugby player my arse!!

Jimmy Hornby was younger than these lads thats why he's not in the team.

He was the same age as Billy Melling, he's in it?

CR
You are right,Jimmy Hornby & BIlly Melling were in the same year

Hi C Rad i am assuming you are Carl Radlinski, yes you are right i probably was a bully during the later years of my schooldays and as an adult i am embarassed about that time. Looking at your comments and the previous one it looks like you need counselling if you still carrying all of that after 40 years

Hi Rudi, Don't you know people never forget bullies. Counselling? Shows you are still not embarrassed enough. I've written a book about it- and yeah 40 years on. You should do some research and see the impact it has on peoples lives. Many poor kids top themselves. Sincerely hope that if you had kids they were never bullied at school. I would not wish that on my worst enemy. Took great offence at your counselling comment. Shows your complete and utter ignorance.

Hi C Rad,you obviously do not know about my first two years at St Thomas More or you would not be showing your ignorance, as you have written a book you should know the causes, perhaps you should obtain facts first before you judge people.
I still think you should get professional advice

Hi Rudi, Truth is always a painful thing.
Professional advice-me? Wasn't me who picked on smaller weaker guys. Stop running away from the truth Rudi..

Team was. Austin, Cooke, Yates, Appleton, Hare, Winstanly, Melling. That backline was pretty constant all season. The forwards which varied more. Baily, Aspinall, Gornik, Holland Holt, Farrel. John Taylor and Steve Bennett came in for both finals due to injuries to Austin and Farrel. As I remember Rose Bridge didn't have a team in the league that season. But Dennis brought the two very good Rose Bridge lads in for the final. Other players were used during the season.

C rad it's vinny Robinson I have had to change my email address r u still on here?

My cousin, Stephen Bennett, back row, third from right.

I have fond memories of playing rugby league at Golborne Comprehensive School, and Wigan Schools, coached by Dennis McHugh. Highlights include playing in the curtain raiser to the 1973 Lancashire Cup Final at Wilderspool

Neil Adams played Rugby League on the left wing for Wigan schools at Wilderspool in 1973 and he had a good game.

Wigan 9 St Helens 0.

Hello Neil.
This is your captain speaking.

Hello captain,
Yes I remember that afternoon well.We did play out of our skins.I think I scored a try diving over the line in the left corner.