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15 Comments

Wigan N.U. 1920's
Wigan N.U. 1920's
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,922
Item #: 30255
Trade postcard given with the PALS comic? showing the Wigan N.U. Rugby team 1920's

Comment by: John on 4th March 2018 at 15:42

This photo of Wigan was probably taken before the first match of the 1922-23 season. The name "Northern Union" for the sport was officialy changed to "rugby league" in 1922, but people carried on using the expression "Northern Union" for many years - "t' best (whatever) i' t' Northerm Union"

Comment by: Ben on 10th March 2018 at 14:54

The background doesn’t remind me of Central Park, this same team played Wigan Highfield away on September 2nd 1922. They won with Jim Sullivan kicking 8 goals. It was also only the second appearance for Wigan of the legendary Johnny Ring.

Comment by: John on 11th March 2018 at 19:00

Ben, on a closer look at the background I think you're right.

Comment by: John on 12th March 2018 at 18:02

By the way Ben, just a thought, but you wouldn't by any chance be the Ben who lived in Pool Street and who I went to school and to Wigan matches with in the 1950s ?

Comment by: Ben on 13th March 2018 at 12:27

Hi John, I did attend Wigan matches in the late 50's and early 60's but I'm "another" Ben who attended WGS.

Comment by: Keith on 13th March 2018 at 13:12

A sign of the times in the 1920's and 30's was the numerous signings of Welshmen by the Wigan club. There are at least 9 Welshmen in this side, perhaps 10. There would have been one more if Jerram had his old RU partner George ("Dodger") Owens playing alongside him (Hesketh took his place that day) - they had been inseparable on the field of play when playing for Swansea. It caused a sensation at the time when they signed for Wigan in September 1913 at the Bush Hotel, Swansea - both received £180 each - paid in gold. Owens was noted for his famous ankle tap whilst Jerram could "sell a dummy" with astonishing cunning, apparently.

Comment by: John on 13th March 2018 at 14:09

Thanks Ben, you're obviously a bit younger than me and the other Ben!

Comment by: Keith on 13th March 2018 at 16:59

Younger? Well I'm a '41 baby so you tell me - my first ever viewing of a Wigan match was '47 when we played the NZ Tourists but since I was only 5 at the time I can't remember much about it, except that my father Jack Bowen, played loose forward for Wigan.

Comment by: Ben on 13th March 2018 at 17:08

Just in case you're confused John, I have 3 names, Ben(jamin), John and Keith - I blame my parents!

Comment by: tom on 13th March 2018 at 22:39

I know danny hurcombe lived in bolton st scholes and he came from kent.

Comment by: John on 14th March 2018 at 17:46

Ben/Keith, you did confuse me for a moment, and I misread your previous post thinking it said you were at school in the 60s. Apologies, you are my senior by 2 years!

Comment by: Keith on 14th March 2018 at 19:38

Hi tom, your info' that Danny lived in Bolton Street, Scholes is in line with his home in 1939 which was Ellis Street not too far away. However he was a Welshman, born in Abersychan, Monmouthshire (2 miles north of Pontypool) which is close to Talywain the first club he played for.

Comment by: tom on 15th March 2018 at 19:19

Hi keith danny hurcombe and his family in bolton st,we lived across across the road he was married at st catherines 14/2/1931.and it says he was from orpington kent, i also knew david and ann his children .

Comment by: Keith on 25th March 2018 at 23:42

You first posted this Ron in 2009, it was/is a better photo.

Comment by: Marc Selby on 24th November 2023 at 11:59

This photo was taken before the Highfield match, Johnny Rings second game, and Highfield first game at their home ground with over 21,000 in attendance!

Just working on Johnny Ring and looked on WW to see if this photo is elsewhere other than the Wigan observer - glad to know this is a clearer photograph!

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