Wigan Album

It's a good job Baileys wasn't on offer at Tesco or Malc would have been AWOL for this photo !!

Is that Dave Regan who went on to play Rugby for Wigan and later Leigh?

yes - same Dave Regan - can't recollect him playing at Leigh though - Wigan & St. Pats yes - brilliant player who should have gone a lot further in the professional game but circumstances, and coaches, always seem to be against him.

Hello Malc, where have you got this one from. Thanks for the comment I tend not to divulge the problems I had which were numerous. As for this team there are quite a few other players who could have gone a lot further if they had carried on. The best part of these lads were they were all good mates pity we cant geta reunion set.

All the best and see you at some matches

Dave Regan

Malc I did a spell at Leigh on loan. It was some of the happiest times I had playong pro. The 1st team coach (no names mentioned) got sacked at the end of the season and my mate P. Smethurst resigned I missed out on signing.

Thanks Malc. Great to see this. I met with Jim Southworth recently and reminded him about one of the best "Hand off's" I ever saw. He got sent off...age 12! Interested to hear from any or all of the lads in this picture.

A sad today today boys as I attended the funeral of Alec Hurst, our first rugby coach at John Rigby
Alec had been ill for a number of years but typically put up a brave fight to the end
It was great to meet up, after many years, with Frank Littler (our coach at the time of this photo –what a classy centre he was!)
Frank has been battling cancer and last ended treatment eighteen months ago – he still looks only 50! He was asking if I ever saw any of you lot as he would love to meet up again.


link to Alec on this message board here

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f3&opt2=&msd=756468&offset=0&subject=ALEC HURST, PE TEACHER

RIP SIR!

PS other teachers in attendance today were Mr. Finch, Mr. Lockett and Mr. Hilton (Sticks!)

PPS nice to hear from you Tony – saw Dave Regan walking by the canal on Tuesday with his misses whilst I was out jogging. Well when I say jogging lets just say I was going that slow the barges were overtaking me!

Frank Littler. What a good man and a very classy player. Malc, get in contact and next time I'm up..lets meet him for a chat.

Tony - I sent you an e mail a couple of weeks ago to the e-mail address in your last posting

Hi
I am just wondering whether anyone knows how I can contact Dave Regan by email or phone number. He coached us a few years ago at Orrell RUFC and won us a cup probably the best coach I have ever been trained by.
If anyone could help it will be much appreciated as I want to contact him.

Josh Grant

What a grand bunch of lads. I remember not being able to sleep with excitement on Friday nights before we played on Saturday. Great to see the comments from Tony, Malc and Dave. Tony had the best pair of rugby hands I have ever seen, Malc had an unmatched and untouchable sidestep and Dave could score six tries in any match he played in. Thanks for the memories.

Alec Hurst told me off for wearing white shorts they were supposed to be navy blue! I remember Dave Regan destroyed us playing for Orrell colts against the first xv at Orrell RUFC 1973 my last game for John Rigby school. When they got older Jimmy, Tony, Malc and Dave used to play for the school first xv in the morning then Orrell colts in the afternoon that was dedication! Happy memories

Hello all, Thanks for the comments but rugby was a team game and all these great comments give credit to a great set of schoolmates and teammates that we all had. Anyone wants to get in touch my e-mail is daveregan8@hotmail.com tel no 01942 742108 thanks for the memories hopefully we can arrange a reunion for school and colts teams and friends.

I remember most of these lads even though I was in the year above with kev swan, ken hindley, Alan Thorpe! Alec Hurst was my rugby coach as well didn't realise he'd passed away good bloke!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jeff Slevin yesterday at a players reunion at Aspull RUFC yesterday
He has not changed one bit – instantly recognisable & likeable
not seen him what must be for over thirty years!
I had forgotten about this photo until Jeff reminded me about in yesterday and its great to see the recent comments
(Nice to hear from you Jimmy – remember going to your house on Stanley Road years ago
Does your Alan still live there?)

Likewise Malcolm you made me feel really welcome thank you. Four of the above team went on to play for Aspull, me, Malcolm, Joe Wilson and Jimmy Southworth. Moving away from the area makes me realise how great Wiganer's are.

Just realised Tom Nolan played soccer with me for Billinge Dynamos! Team was set up by Brian Sharples and the following John Rigby lads played; Robin Harrison, Geoff Clarke, Ken Hindley, Steve Rudd, John Connell, John Taylor

Slev! What a great character. Steve Taylor… nice runner. Paul Wayne, very quick, Malc could step in and out of neighbouring post codes, Dave Regan… terrified many teams with his power, Fred Tinsley could play as well. Good side that!

Just come across this photo. I was in the same school year as the boys but was never good enough for the first team. Hope all are well - saw Malc a few years ago but not seen any of the others since leaving school

Yes Mike I remember you well. I have seen Jimmy Southworth and Malc Holland recently. I live in the Midlands now I hope you are well.

Cheers Jeff I am well and good to hear from you. I live in Rochdale these days