Wigan Album
Cricket Team unknown
22 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 28160
I think it may be a Billinge team or Bispham?
The man 2nd from left on the back row looks like Roy Banks who was my manager at Bispham football club.
Eric Winstanley - I think you may be right. A few of the players look like those I've seen on other old photos of Bispham teams, and it looks as though the photo may have been taken on 'the meadow', behind UpHolland Road and Crank Road.
I it is Bispham.A young looking Horace Liptrot 1st right middle row. Started playing his cricket at Bispham, before moving to Orrell RT. A great bowler and a gentleman who sadly died a few years ago.
I am pretty sure that this photo is of Bispham Methodist Cricket team. Extreme right, back row is Edward (Ted) Wiles. 3rd from left is ? Melling, I think. I was at school with his daughter Elaine.
My Dad also played cricket for this eleven, but is not on this photo.
It's Bispham and Roy Banks sure enough, Eric, and maybe a young Roy Lowe shown to the left of Roy. I'll go along with Mick in identifying The Meadow, as well; soccer pitch on the left, pavilion and cricket pitch behind the photographer. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these lads appear in David Young's book One Man's Pitch.
Further to Philip's comments - could the player seated centre, wearing a cap, be David Young?
Not sure about that Mick, but based on a photo on the Billinge web site, I think the man on the right of the front row could be Humphrey Harrison?
Hi Mick think your right about the meadow.
I'm inclined to agree with you, Eric; the player you've pointed out does resemble player Harrison on the 'Billinge Cricket Team 1950' photo.
BACKROW L TO R ? ROY BANKS RICHARD UNSWORTH ? EDDIE WILES MIDDLE ROW L TO R BILL THOMPSON ? TOM MELLING DAVID YOUNG SYD LOWE HORACE LIPTROT FRONT L TO R RODNEY DOWNHAM HUMPHREY HARRISON .THE YOUNG GIRL COULD BE TOM MELLINGS DAUGHTER ELAINE .MY FRIEND RICHARD UNSWORTH WILL KNOW THE REST WHEN I SHOW HIM THE PHOTO WHICH WAS TAKEN IN THE EARLY FIFTYS.n
Helen - Is the young girl shown here not your school friend Elaine Melling? I've managed to get a copy of David Young's book One Man's Pitch and found it contains several photos from down the years of Bispham C.C. The 1953 line-up includes a certain Elaine Melling, who's not only of a similar age to the young girl shown here, but looks very much like her.
Mike - The player whom you suspect of being David Young is easily recognisable on other photos of Bispham C.C. You get the money!
Philip,
Yes, on close inspection the little girl is definitely Elaine. Where did you find David Young's book?
I have uploaded my own contribution of some of the team, apologies for the bad definition.
Helen - Glad you've identified your friend Elaine. I borrowed David Young's book from Billinge Library yesterday and have more or less dealt with the parts that interest me. I'll be returning the book tomorrow morning, and can't see you having much trouble in reserving it. No need to apologise for the clarity of your recently uploaded photo - it's 'gin clear'.
Philip,
Not sure that I would qualify for membership of Billinge Library now. I haven't lived in Billinge since 1961.
I have searched on line for info about the book, but haven't been able to find anything.
Helen - The book 'seems' to be available online, but you'll probably have to do a bit more 'ferreting' until you find a copy - good luck! There's been some big changes down here since 1961 i.e. Peggy's chippy has been long gone and the Uproaders no longer fight the Downroaders (not suggesting you took part in any of those skirmishes, of course, - I didn't). Regards.
Helen, google "one man's pitch" and there are books available.
Eric & Philip,
Thanks, I found the book on line.
Philip,
I still get to visit from time to time, as I still have family in Billinge. I do remember a fair bit of rivalry between the 2 Primary schools on St James' Road when I lived 'on the Moss'!
THE THREE MISSING NAMES ARE ROY LOWE TOP ROWE LEFT,FRED BIRCHALL NEXT TO THE END AND STANLEY MOYERS SECOND LEFT TO RIGHT MIDDLE ROW,STANLEY DIED IN A TRAGIC MINING ACCIDENT AT PARKSIDE COLLIERY WHEN STILL QUITE YOUNG.
I remember playing cricket against Bispham Meths (circa 1963 ish) on the top field behind the Holts Arms (aka ' The Fooot ' ). Was this field known as the ' The Meadow ' ?.
The current Vicar at the Church, the Reverend Shimmin was a member of the team at this time.
The Lower Field was a football pitch used by Clowes Meths FC who played there for a few years.
jcf IT CERTAINLY WAS CALLED 'THE MEADOW,I PLAYED FOOTBALL IN THE FIFTIES FOR BISPHAM METHS ON THE LOWER FIELD BUT DIDNT KNOW CLOWES METHS PLAYED THERE.
My brother was at the side of Stan Moyers when he fell to his death from the top of the skip. Stan was using a spade which proved the contact switch, allowing the skip to pull away from the bunker side Stan fell through the gap and plunged to the bottom of the shaft. What a tragedy!!
Stan was my uncle his sister was Dorothy (my mother) I never knew him so tragic my mum never got over it