Wigan Album

Hi Dave. I remember with great fondness reading your Uncle Jack's reports in the "Wigan Observer" through much of the sixties. His great love of the game came through his reports, and he was indeed a great writer. I recall one report - of the Wigan v Swinton 1st Round Challenge Cup in 1964 [final score 15-15]. At one stage George Parkinson, the Swinton half-back, gave Eric Ashton a crack, so Boston made sure he got him next time. Your uncle reported that Boston was 'using Parkinson's head as a tent-peg'!

One year Jack presented trophies at the old Spring View Cricket Club. In his opening speech he said the last time he was in the room it was the 6.15 to Euston!

Dave, why six in the car? Three of them lived in Ilford didn't they? It wouldn't carry six anyway. I am of an age to remember Jack and his work very well.

Cheers Jonno. Miscounted. Must be an age thing. Five must have been a squeeze. Jack also wrote a book in the sixties. The Billy Boston Story. He used to take me with him when he went to interview all the new signings. I remember particularly Trevor Lake cos I think he got a job at Timberlake's selling cars. I was mad keen on rugby up until England won the world cup in 66. Then I started watching the Latics. Only seen 6 or so live rugby games since.

I was bought a book "A history of Wigan Rugby League club" by Jack Winstanley in 1946 for 2/6 ( 12.5.P) and which treasured for years and sadly lost it. When I spoke to Jack in the Nineties and mentioned this, he was rather embarrassed saying it was his early work and amateurishly done He was a proud professional journalist

AB are you sure on the dates? Jack would only have been 15 or 16 then and if the book was available then he would have had to have written it whilst still at Wigan Grammar. He is 8 years younger than my mum who was born in 1923.

The book was a soft backed issue , and was headed Wigan R F C !8?? to 1946 so it could have been 47/48 . I was a schoolboy when I Bought it from Roscoe's in Hardybutts
It could be one of Jack's first efforts and explains his explanation as amatuerish

Hello I am just enquiring about Jack Winstanley and Elsie his wife did they live on beech hill ave on the right going up to the cross roads, if so do they recall a john bennet calling every Tuesday and Friday with a butcher's mobile shop name on side " J.MORRIS& SONS"" in 1962 onwards, If they are im the butcher's lad who was with John Bennet, on Friday's we went into her house nearly every Friday morn for a "BREW" IN winter it was bloomin great so I am wondering how they are? I know it's a very log time ago but you never know? I used to like Jack especially for his WIGAN RUGBY WRITING'S hope they are O.K.

Jack & Elsie are both doing fine. They live off Boars Head Avenue. Next time I call round I'll mention you

Thank you very much dave ,I forgot to give you my name is Alan Winstanley, I am doing or attempting to do a family tree life story sort of thing and I am finding looking back very fascinating indeed ,I do hope they remember me again many thank's.

AB - I think the book you are referring to is 'A History of Wigan RFC 1872 to 1946'.
The authors of this book were JW Robinson and FC Dove. It was published in 1947, by Thomas Wall and Son, of Wigan.

Mick Sounds right! Jack was not very complimentary about it and judging from the age he would be in 1946 I could be mistakenly attaching his name to it.

Yes a great man Jack Winstanley, More photos and comments of Jack in Printers.