Wigan Album

Wigan has been described as the capital of 20th century wrestling due to a string of high ranking Wigan born participants (these are two of them) and I came across this fascinating photo on a website https://springfieldparkmemorial.weebly.com/1946-1968-the-lancashire-combination.html. I’ve colourisedthe photo and used some of the information included on the website.
This photo is apparently one of about 50 glass plate images rescued from a skip when Lancashire Publications were moving to Preston in 1951, by the one and only Frank Orrell. The bout took place on 5 July 1919 at Springfield Park with 5,000 spectators.
The two wrestlers are Tom Rose, (3rd in from the right), who was lightweight champion of the world, and winner of a Lonsdale Belt. The other wrestler is Joe Daley (3rd in from the left) 10st. 6lb. champion of England, from Standish Lower Ground, (but was based in Bolton) before their challenge match at Springfield Park. The referee was the rather imposing referee, Abber Waggs (in the middle).
The houses behind Joe Daley are Newman Avenue, the spectators are sat on the cycle track and the pitch was in bad condition. This would have been about the time that Wigan United started playing at Springfield Park. Daley was declared the winner although it was said Rose was in the twilight of his career.
More interesting information added “Rose now lives in Blackpool, and although born at Bottling Wood, spent much of his time in Bolton. He covered the 100-yards in 10 1/2secs., won the Talbot Bowling Handicap, had a perfect physique, toured the music halls before the 1914-18 War, and lost only about six matches in the whole of his career. A fine boxer, he regularly went 15 rounds with good-class opponents at Manchester's Free Trade Hall. He was an exceptionally clever wrestler.
He began work as a collier, as did Daley, who also defeated all the best men in Britain, including Billy Moores and Walter Mooney. “Wigan Examiner: July 8 1919”