Wigan Album

could anyone tell me what R Ramsdale`s 1st name is.

forgot to ask on my last comment if anyone knows what date this is, thanks

His first name was Richard but he was always called Dick Ramsdale. That photo is 1910-11 I think.

I believe this was November 19th 1910, played at Central Park against Leeds, Wigan won by 10 points to 6.

Back row 4th from left is my grandfather Charlie''Bronco'' Seeling.He was a member of the 1905 ''Originals''All Black New Zealand rugby squad which toured the British Isles with such distinction and put the ''Black'' into New Zealand sport.He signed for Wigan and was Mine Host at the old Roebuck Hotel[now McDonalds] in Standishgate.Check him out!

Bernard you have every right to feel proud of your grandfather. It's always gratifying when you can read what others have written about you in unsolicited journalism. Here's what Robinson and Dove thought about him in their "History of Wigan RFC" some 36 years after this photo was taken.
"Charlie Seeling was probably the greatest forward in the history of the game" - not bad for starters!…..they continue…."...he had built up a considerable reputation in New Zealand having played for them in Australia and New Zealand"….as you say he played for the famous 1905 All Blacks touring side over here and…."he made a great impression, playing in 26 of the 32 matches played by the Tourists". In February 1910 he made his first team appearance and scored a magnificent try that day, a hallmark of the type of play he made so familiar to the Wigan public.
A certain Sydney Hill, a writer with the Wigan Observer, although put in a rather patronising style, wrote ""Seeling is a Colonial working man of stamp, we regret to say, not too frequently met with at home. Ability and modesty go hand in hand with him. He is looked upon as one of Nature's gentlemen."
Comments that reflect a truly great player in my opinion.