Wigan Album
Central Park
13 CommentsPhoto: RON HUNT
Item #: 21386
Not an architectural beauty of a building though so it wouldn't have become listed, the rugby ball at Tesco blends in with the background so isn't very noticeable.
I remember the fool of a manager of the councils pest control in the 1990s sending an invoice to the leisure department for work done at Central Park, he actually thought it was a public park, the idiot came from Prestwich so it wasn't surprising.
Nobody refused to sign..... indicative of players who participated in the hardest physically demanding game yet devised but conducted themselves as gentlemen. A great tribute to Rugby League players and a lesson for all sportsmen, particularly our present day overpaid footballers.
I always thought there were 3 boards Ron
2 showing the honours won and the other showing the players who represented Wigan on tour
there was talk at the time of them being displayed in Billy B's Griffin but nothing became of it..so where did they end up?
So sadly missed, nearly 100 years of history and generations of shared highs and lows. Remember the feeling of awe when first taken. Now the team has to take second best every time. Can't beat having your own ground.
In fact, Cyril, it blends in so well that I have never noticed it. Whereabouts is it please?
Tricia, drive up past the petrol-station and the road bears right and there is a zebra crossing. The rugby ball is on your left just before the zebra crossing.
Thanks, Irene, will look for it next visit.
I remember a "Sevens" tournament in the late 60s at Central Park.I must have been about 11, and St.Helens got beat in the final.
I ran on the pitch with my autograph book and handed it to Alex Murphy who took it ,ripped it in half , threw it in the mud and stamped on it.
Who shpos at Tesco? They [pinched our rugby ground.
My abiding memory of this place was the appearance of the Oldham Tinkers in autumn, 1972, at the Rugby Club...No other memories...Zilch...
Talking of memories, my abiding one was of entering this building as a 5 year old, by the front door in 1947 (I was with my father who was on Wigan's books at the time) and after a few yards noticing right at the other end of the long corridor what I instantly picked up on was a very "menacing" figure bustling right towards me, I was alarmed but equally relieved a few seconds later, to find this burly figure had "disappeared" into what I now know was probably the boot room. I suspect my feelings were shared by many of his opponents, the man was Jim Sullivan. Funny what little kids pick up on.
Jarvo - Is that because Wolves never played there?
This photo should be saved forever as for me it depicts all that was central park, with all the mutterings going on and that's when Whelan saw a chance to erect a stadium to himself, obvious he pulled the wool over the other's eye's unless they were adequately reimbursed the end soon followed, That club should have denied him and WE should still be at our beloved CENTRAL PARK. FAST FORWARD TO 15/05/2015 WIGAN DRAWN AT HOME IN R.L.C.C.F. Vs HU.K.R.
VENUE LEIGH SPORTS ARENA * REST IN PEACE!