Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby
13 Comments![Bramley v Wigan 1953](/album/7/f84b14ci.jpg)
Photo: RON HUNT
Item #: 26632
I recognise Jack Cunliffe I think the one in a scull cap is Frank Griffin and could be Nat Silcock next to him
Jackie Cunliffe played for Wigan in four decades thirties forties fifties and sixties i think the only one to do this.
Wigan player extreme right is Alan Armstrong.
Passing the ball George Roughley ???
Jackie Cunliffe's son jeff was at Wigan Grammar Schol in the 1960's and a hell of a player in the School side at the time (other code though).
Jack Cunliffe played for Wigan 447 times from 1939 to 1959, scoring 85 tries and kicking 371 goals, according to the Wigan Warriors official handbook.
Jack Cunliffe's last game for Wigan was on 9th Jan 1960 v. Workington at home when he kicked 2 goals. His first game was 9 Dec 1939 when he played scrum-half against Leigh at home. So as Dave said correctly above he played in 4 decades, (just!).The Wigan handbook might have listed the seasons by the first number i.e. 1959 might mean season 1959-60.
Could be so John.
Did Jackie get a deserved testimonial?
There was a Jeff Cunliffe in my year at WGS (62 - -68). He had ginger hair. If he was Jackie's lad then he never cracked on. Could have been another Jeff I suppose.
Dave. I stand, or more accurately sit, to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure he was Jackie's son. And of course at the same time WGS had John Hilton (who everybody there must remember) playing for them who surely was the son of John "Jack" Hilton who also played for Wigan. But the again perhaps these are just schoolboy myths.
Dave and Carolaen I'm sure you are both correct. In particular I knew Jeff Cunliffe well while at WGS, both he and his brother Dave were excellent sportsmen, inherited no doubt from their dad. I'm pretty sure John Hilton's dad played for Wigan as well.
You'll see both Jeff Cunliffe and John Hilton on a photo elsewhere on this site entitled "1st XV 1968/9" under schools/WGS (sorry, don't know how to do a link). Looks like Jeff is captain.