Wigan Album

Great photograph Jim. I recognised Brady first - I think he was a friend of the boy next to him my brother Jimmy Kenyon. I have never seen this photograph before. Sadly Jimmy died suddenly in November so thank you very much for putting this photo on.

sorry to hear about jimmy

Are these lads stood in front of the huts, just by the sports field? It looks like it, but I don't remember them being so basic(i.e.tin roofs) I was at the school 1961 - 1965 but don't recognise any of these lads. . . me brain-cells must be dying off faster than I thought !!

Is that Brian Brady in the photo who signed for Warrington? It has a look of him.

I played against you men. We were from Highfield School and Brian Brady (Who went on to play professionaly wth Warrington)copped me in an innocent tackle and his full body weight turned over my ankle the wrong way. There were no showers and I couldn't put my foot on the ground. Filthy, I went hopping to Wallgate to catch the rush hour bus in the pouring rain. They were packed and I was in agony. The ankle had balloned to about twice the size. I eventually caught my bus but no one offered a seat. I was in a right mess. I some how hopped home in excruciating pain only to be taken out in my dad's van to Wigan Infirmary for and x-ray. The found a small broken bone but the twisted ankle became an unbelievable size and the bruising - the colours of the rainbow. I went back to school having only lost one day of classes. I was still able to ride my bike and used a crutch to hop around for a few weeks. Then I went back to playing school boy RL again - I just luvved it!

Played football with Ronny Higson and Dick Tickle in Wigan premier league for Heinz two other lads on this pic worked for Heinz Jeff Yates and David Alder.Must have played rugby against them for Rose Bridge.

Played football with Ronny Higson and Dick Tickle in Wigan premier league for Heinz two other lads on this pic worked for Heinz Jeff Yates and David Alder.Must have played rugby against them for Rose Bridge.

I remember some of the lads, I was at All Saint's 61 to 64 (then onto Wigan Grammar School 64 and 65 via the 13+ when Thomas Linacre joined the Grammar School). Sure Jeffrey was head Boy when I was there and was in St Andrew's House as I was. I played in the intermediate team with Brian Brady's brother Jimmy and Brian Darbyshire's brother Clifford. I still see Brian Darbyshire in Wigan. Phil Eastham (ex Wigan and Salford)was also in the team. I have a photo of us playing at Central Park and will upload when I can find it. Derek Hurst (Hursty) trained us and we played home games on the pitch at the back of the school. I think the posts had two crossbars, the second for football games. Great school then, Jack Gilliett was a real stern and strict headmaster and Ernie Griffiths too was a terror. Used to get the cane a lot then.

Hello John - the boy next to Brian Brady is my brother Jimmy Kenyon. Remember I was on the St Catherine's photo with you and Christine Hawthorn. I passed the +14 and went to the Girls High School and joined up with Christine. I suspect it was the same exam as that you passed. I think we went to the Grammar School to take it. I am so pleased to see this photograph as I have never seen it before. In 1961, my brother would have been 15 but these boys don't look that age. Margaret

Hi Margaret, yeh I remember are comments on the school photo and I do remeber Jimmy now you mention it. Yeh it might have been the 14+ and I attended the Grammar School for two years 64 and 65 and am on the school photo for 1965. See if you can find me it takes patience due the numbers at the school. We were going to chat about a reunion for St Cats. I was talking to Pauline Cheers on Wednesday in town. She hasn't changed much. Kathleen died some years ago. Pauline was in the same year as my wife also Pauline (nee Stokes). Saw Brenda Carter last year too in Morrisons Ince. I am in touch with Susan Kinsey and Janet Houghton via Susan and can contact Joyce Lowe who I see in town. June Greenall also lives in Whelley. Not seen any of the lads for years though. Harold Mercer was the most recent but that was in the 1980s. Wait a mo I was chatting to Ronald MacDonald in Aspull a few months ago. I can get in touch with Clifford darbyshire through Brian too. I see Tom Fowler (I think) in town too on occasions but not confident enough to approach him. Let me know what you and Christine think. We could put the photo in the Observer and ask for people to get in touch.

Great photo Jeff. Are you at the front of the huts or was it an away game. Sad about Jim - I remember him coming into the senior team when he was in year 3 it was always a bit daunting playing with the seasond pros I can remember when we did it and it was a prety good team we had then. I have a newspaper cutting of the league table and we were third after six games having played one game less than the two above us - Tommy Moore and the very good Highfield side with Jack Melling and Parry Gordon. We held Highfield to a draw at ours. What about Higson - is he on every picture taken at All Saints I'll swear he is on some taken at Pem Senior and John Fisher . Ive not seen me old mate Bob Robey since 1985 at Central Park. I have bumped into Brian Derbyshire a few times - once at Murrayfield on Cup Final Day Wigan v Saints. Look forward to our reunion in August

Good idea John - Christine and I would come along.

Griff is the bob robey you mentioned the one who worked at walmsleys boilermaker plater and lived in Aspull ,if so he died back end of last year

Bill 7 Im sorry to say Bob did live in Aspul and that was his job.I didnt have any idea where he worked. It only seems a few weeks ago I was talking to an old friend in Wigan who told me he had just seen Bob walking through town but obviously it was late 2011. . Its very sad news .

Front row r/h side Curly Heyes.
Heinz's crew Ron Higson,Dick Tickle,Dave Alder,Dud Lyon (not picked )my thing was science.Big Brian at the back,cracking pic.