Wigan Album
Cockrell family
5 CommentsPhoto: Dave Cockrell
Item #: 25546
Gentleman on the extreme right of the back row bears a remarkable resemblance to Gordon Innes, a New Zealander who played over 150 games for Wigan 1933 to 1938. He was also a schoolteacher at St Michaels School.
Keith, I'm sure you're right in saying that is Gordon Innes. He also played cricket for Standish while he was over here.
I always wondered whether Craig Innes, also a New Zealander, who played for Leeds in the nineties was any relation to Gordon Innes.
Can't answer that one I'm afraid John, but both were centres and of course from New Zealand, where Gordon returned to after his playing days - it would be entirely feasible that Gordon could have been Craig's grandfather or possibly his great uncle but I have no evidence either way. However, Gordon came from South Island while Craig was from North Island, but both represented the All Blacks.
Gordon Donald Innes (1910-1992) returned to New Zealand after playing for Castleford in 1938-39 when they won the Yorkshire Cup. Despite sharing the same surname, and both playing as centres, as well as representing the All Blacks and playing RL in this country, Craig came from North Island whereas Gordon came from the South Island, nevertheless it's entirely feasible he could have been Craig's grandfather or possibly his great uncle.