Wigan Album

Ron: Only info I can find is Dai Rees, was a player for Wigan in league 1920/30 but he was also in Union,and then became a coach in Union.

John where did you get the information from, as there are only two REES's listed in Ian Morrisons book 'WIGAN R.L.F.C. 1895-1986' one played in 1903 and the other in 1910

Hi Ron: Looked on Wikipedia his name came up and stated that he played for Wigan, but was more in to Union.

It "looks like" a 1920's photo but no Dai Rees, according to records ever played for Wigan BUT from 1921 onwards a certain Dai Rees (2nd row) played for Halifax and Wales (in a team Jim Sullivan played in). If so the question is did this Dai Rees "move on" from Wigan to Halifax (he played 269 games for them) before he had the chance to play for the first team, he later coached Bradford Northern 1932 to 1960. In 1920 Wigan signed no fewer than 4 Ebbw Vale players and since Abertillery, Dai's RU club is a mere 7 miles away perhaps they "picked him up" on the way, just a thought.

IF and I have to admit it's a big IF, this is the same Dai Rees who went on to play for Halifax, a highlight must have been when he captained Halifax to their Challenge Cup victory at Wembley in 1931, he was also described as the tactical brain behind the Halifax team.

There's another possibility and perhaps more credible - since the Halifax and Wigan jerseys have similar designs (different colours of course) could this be a simple case of incorrect labelling, Halifax and not Wigan perhaps should have been written - pure conjecture again.

Ron: Like you I've gone from 1895 on the Wigan list and found only 1905 1910 for this name, Kieth is correct he did play for Halifax and was put in there hall of fame. When I first looked at the site it stated Wigan then Halifax and for Wales but coached Rugby Union.

Keith: Sorry I may have missed spelt your name.

I've been thinking on the same lines myself, Keith; the Wigan inscription may have been added in error. Adding to the confusion: Dai Rees belonging to the Halifax club had previously played for Abertillery (green and white) and subsequently Great Britain (red and white - occasionally during the 1920s). If the photo is from a set of cig' cards, and its issuer found, then this might go some way in identifying Ron's mystery player.

Definitely a Wigan player, as it is a postcard issued by Will Smith from Wigan, who regularly produced similar cards of Wigan players.

Thanks for that, Ron. It may be that we can now rule out cig' cards.

Dai Rees my Grandfather I can tell you played for Halifax then managed Bradford Northern. Never played in any capacity played for Wigan. Can only say with it being a Black and white photo that is where the confusion comes about. Dai and Rees pretty common names in Wales also adds to the confusion. He was born in Abertillery.

A.R..have you a photo of your grandfather? is this him? If it isn't? It would appear the photographer has put the wrong name on the photo? But as I said it was a Will Smith card So I'm 100% sure it would be a Wigan player.

Just been checking through the some older images and I'm now sure that this photo is the Dai Rees who played in 1910. Another postcard, with similar writing and style of Lewis Bradley is from around 1911