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Wigan v Oldham Lancs Cup Round 2 1958?
Wigan v Oldham Lancs Cup Round 2 1958?
Photo: Keith
Views: 3,222
Item #: 28248
A guess, but I believe this may be Wigan v Oldham, a Round 2, Lancashire Cup match at Central Park on September 16th 1958 but I stand to be corrected.
However, if I’m right then this match saw Billy Boston play at stand off with R Chisnall playing right wing - again I may be mistaken but is that Chisnall on the ground with the number 2 on his back?
To me I think I can “see” Billy and Eric Ashton, coming up to R. Chisnall but Billy is almost totally obscured by the Oldham players on the left. I saw the match against Oldham when Billy played stand off, the Oldham stand off was Frank Daley who lived opposite us in Beech Hill but again I stand to be corrected since I cannot be 100% sure this was the match.
I know I left the ground very disappointed, Oldham won 19 points to 7. The Oldham team of the 1950’s was a great team and I remember leaving with the memory of their rapid fire passing and inter passing which took my breath away.
In summary I think it could be said in general that Swinton were the team of the 20’s, Salford the team of the 30’s, Wigan the team of the 40’s and Oldham the team of the 50’s - they might have a different view in Yorkshire.

Comment by: John on 19th August 2016 at 00:00

Keith, I agree entirely with your opinion of the rugby the Oldham team of the 50s played, but I think that particular Lancs Cup tie in 1958 was played at Watersheddings.

Comment by: Roy on 19th August 2016 at 00:42

Whatever game it was, that is definately Central Park.

Comment by: Keith on 19th August 2016 at 07:12

Quite right John, that match was played at Oldham, so perhaps this was the match played on November 29th 1958 at Central Park which ended in the same score 19 - 7, but with Wigan winning. If correct then the player on the ground might be Keith Holden wearing the number 4 rather than 2.

Comment by: dannyboy1948 on 19th August 2016 at 08:01

Looks very much like Central Park deffo

Comment by: Albert. on 19th August 2016 at 09:56

When support was King. I was probably on duty at that particular match.

Comment by: Alan Wright on 19th August 2016 at 10:41

Great photo of Central Park bursting at the seams! It always amazed me that those spectators seated on the Ringside weren't injured during the game!

Comment by: John on 19th August 2016 at 13:20

Keith, yes the Nov 1958 league match sounds right, as it's obviously at Central Park with Wigan playing Oldham, and the September 1958 Lancs Cup match was played at Watersheddings as we agree. I remember going to Oldham the previous season when Wigan finally beat them 8-0, thus ending a losing run of about 13 consecutive matches against Oldham. It was a Challenge Cup 3rd round match watched by over 22,000 packed in like sardines.

Comment by: Keith on 19th August 2016 at 14:32

Again that sounds right John, those were the days, just 1 year later we were watching (or trying to watch) along with 47,000+ others at Central Park, Wigan beating St Helens, one year further on we were watching (rather more comfortably) with 83,000 others Wigan beat Wakefield in the Championship play-off final at Odsal, and yet another year later in 1961 along with 93,000 others we saw Wigan lose to Saints at Wembley.

Comment by: John on 19th August 2016 at 15:33

I was lucky enough go to all those matches, Keith. Also the cup tie at Halifax in 1959 where Wigan won 26-0 with 29,000 packed into the little Thrum Hall ground and two ties at Wakefield in 1961 and 62 with over 28,000 on - hard to believe when you go to Wakefield these days. When you think about it we're very lucky to have been born Wigan fans but it'd be nice to have crowds like that again!

Comment by: alan on 19th August 2016 at 16:15

DON'T WANT TO UPSET ANYONE BUT IF US OWD UNS CANT TELL THAT'S CENTRAL PARK ,, WELL I'LL 8 MI HAT .
I WAS SAT ON THOSE BOARDS CALLED RINDSIDE TICKETS 4/6 FOUR SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE TO SIT ON THOSE ROUND THE PITCH 3 SIDES NONE ALONG RIVERSIDE I CAN SMELL THE STUFF THEY USED SAT SO CLOSE TO THE PLAY FANTASTIC ,

Comment by: j on 19th August 2016 at 17:33

Alan, I don't think anyone has said this is not Central Park. I was just saying that the Lancs cup match against Oldham in 1958 that Keith mentioned at the top, was played at Watersheddings, so this photo couldn't be a photo of that match (as this is clearly at Central Park). Apologies if I worded it badly!

Comment by: Albert. on 20th August 2016 at 10:45

I remember one year Keith, in 1959/60. I was on duty at Central Park, and it was a Bank Holiday. Wigan played St Helens. The ground was filled to capacity. Spectators' were clambering on the far end stand, as it was easy access to get on. I had to go on the stand to clear them off, as the drop on the ground side was about fifty foot. One chap said "I cant get off, I've a wooden leg." I told him. "You b----- well got on, now b----- well get off." Which he did.

Comment by: Jarvo on 20th August 2016 at 13:43

Great days indeed at Central Park and packed crowds. What a great place it must have been with those fine, fine, players. I remember similar scenes at Molineux in the late sixties: 53,500 against Man Utd on 30/12/67; and the day I first visited the shrine of Wolverhampton Wanderers, 4/11/67, 37,000 against arch rivals Coventry City whom we beat by 2-0 with Peter Knowles getting a brace. Big characters in Rugby and Football, and big crowds to appreciate them...

Comment by: Keith on 21st August 2016 at 20:30

Just to add more detail, the Oldham players left to right are :- John Noon, Vince Nestor (no 5), Geoff Robinson (no 13), Roger Dufty and Bernard Ganley - info' from Michael Turner (Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust).

Comment by: Colin Barnes on 31st August 2016 at 13:09

Just to add more confusion .According to the Official Wigan records this game was played at Watersheddings .Yes. I know it looks like the popular stand but records in official books don't lie.Wigan lost the tie 19-7 with Bill Sayer scoring the try and Cunliffe kicking 2 goals .

Comment by: Alan Wright on 31st August 2016 at 17:38

Hi Colin, old mate! I'm not bothered what records say, that is most definitely Central Park! I'll run naked round Wigan if it isn't! Besides, Watersheddings didn't have a stand that big.

Comment by: Kevin Faricy on 7th November 2016 at 08:06

The game was played Wigan.The reason I know the home team played in there Change gear if there colours clashed& Oldham was the only Lancashire team that wore black shorts.

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