Wigan Album

A photo I took of Central Park, around 1960. I think the opponents are possibly Huddersfield, judging by the shirts, but the attendance looks quite low, so I am not sure.
I’ve “highlighted” the advertising boards by repeating them in a larger format so that they are hopefully legible. I’ve also marked St George’s School and Hill Cottage.
Hill Cottage was the home of one of the spearheads of the development of Central Park, he was John Prescott who was a member of the Committee, the “Cottage” still exists today situated off Great Acre.
The field itself was owned by a Railway company with a view to developing a line to the coast which didn’t happen. When the club learned the rent at Springfield Park was due to be increased considerably the Club earmarked the field as a possible new ground.
The field itself was known as “Joe Hill’s field” after a local Butcher of the same name who used to graze his animals there. Whether he had any connection to Hill Cottage I’m not sure.
The first match was played here on September 6th 1902 when Wigan played Batley and won by 14 points to 8.
I notice a paper seller amongst the spectators, so it was probably the last 10 minutes of the game, I also wonder what building that might be to the right of St George’s school on the horizon.