Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby Unionists
22 CommentsPhoto: Kevan Taylor
Item #: 6938
There is someone on that photo who has a look of a young Jimmy Lowe who used to have the fish and chip shop on Earl Street Swinley. I may be wrong. I'll see if I can find out any details.
I recgnise some of the faces in the picture as I started playing for the Unionists some years later (1958)
2nd left back row is Ken Prescott (now lives in blackrod)
2nd left middle row his brother Mike Prescott (now in shevington)
3rd left middle row Harold Dyke
3rd left front row Charlie Henry
4th left front row George Houghton 9 (now near Brisbane)
I think 2nd right back row in blazer is Tommy Rushton
It was George Haughton who gave the photo to my dad to stimulate his memory when dad was diagnosed with Alzheimers a couple of years ago.
3rd left back row is Ernie Fairhurst.
5th left back row is Dave Markland.
8th left back row is Syd Myers.
5th left front row is Norman Pendlebury
Showed this photo to Ken Prescott who confirmed previously named and added:- exteme right back row is David Walsh,3rd from right is Chris Webster, and fourth is Norman McGowans, extreme left in a mac' is George Jones; first from right middle row is Keith Green and second from left front row is ? Ball. Ken referred to Alan as 'Aggy' and commented that he was a 'flyer'
Dave Markland was big for a lad of six or seven at the time
Jimmy Lowe is definately not on this photo,Jimmy was too young to be on this team,he played his rugby at Wigan Old Boys anyway.
Syd Myers was my uncle great to see a picture with him on. I was also told a few weeks ago that my Dad his brother Bob also played.
I played for this club around 1953/54 before I went into Nat Service. This is a later group than the ones I played beside. I can confirm the names given as Charles Henry (capt and flyhalf/standoff) Ernie Fairhurst (centre) Norman Pendlebury (full back) Syd Prescott (wing forward (flanker)
Syd Myers Wing forward (flanker). In those days we were known as Wigan Unionists and we played on Little Lane Field before it became the Duke of Edinburgh playing fields. We got changed in a pub, could have been the New Inn in Goose Green and walked half a mile to the ground to play. I was the youngest at that time. Happy memories of that age.I can also confirm that James father, Bob Myers played. We were 2nd row partners.
Tell you what Mark you don't half look like him....us Myers's are a handsome bunch.
I hope your including me in that comment James! I am Lily Myers son,she was your grandad Myers sister,your dads aunty Lily, I knew Syd and Mark well as I lived in Shevington,I knew your dad when he was a lad when my mum used to take me up Little Lane to see my aunty and uncle,your gran and grandad.Unfortunately I dont know you.
Alright Roy, Well thats two people who I have got to know because of this site and I'm sure we can include you on the hansome stakes. Do you still live in shevington?
Hi James,sorry for the delay in replying but i've been on holiday. No i've gone full circle back to where I was born and bred,Standish.I lived in Shevvy for 31 years.You seem to have been given the Myers family christian name,I cant remember your grandads name but your great,great great and great great great grandads were all named James.
Hello Roy, that's very interesting I didn't know that. Between you and me I always hated it when I was growing up.
Hi James, what was your grandad Myers christian name?
Hi Roy, James and i are related as my dad and james dad are brothers, our grandad was sydney who my dad was named after, our great grandad and great great grandad was called james like you say, i have only managed to get back to 1861 on my dads tree. regards mark
Everyones doing these family trees I better start branching out LOL!
AGGY Taylor was one of my best mates up to going to Australia.Ken Prescott persuaded me to guest for the Unionists when we at Orrell had no game.Afew weeks later we (Orrell) WERE playing the Unionists at Little lane.After scoring a try against !!! the Unionists i was dumped and battered behind the try line When i came too i said WHO DID THAT? The answer was HIM OVER THERE I said HIM It was of course my mate Ken Prescott!Enough said Regards to all my old Unionist pals You were gteat chums Does anyone remember the tragic accident at Scholes crossing on the Friday night when we were on our way to Wemblet to Watch WIGAN play Barrow in the blistering rain Regards to all .BRAD.(Derek Bradley)
Hi. Sorry for the late posting, I have only just seen this photo. My dad, David Walsh, is in the middle row, second from the left. (He is the first one kneeling.) Judging by his age in the picture, I would guess this was taken in about 1956. Sadly, he died in 1995, but I know he enjoyed his days with the Wigan Rugby Unionists, and he would have loved to have seen this picture.
Paul Walsh
Brill photo...my dad is Norman Pendlebury who is first from the right on front row....I will have to print this piccy off for him...he'll be quite amused !!
I am looking for a William Hague who played for Wigan Old Boys; has anyone got any recollections of him? I would be very grateful for information, and photos.