Wigan Album
Wigan Schoolboys FC
12 CommentsPhoto: Roger Roper
Item #: 4417
My father is back row, 2nd (player) from left. Harold Roper
The guy on the back row left,looks like the old Wigan Ath.defender Tom Hitchens
I remember Harold when he played at Wigan Rovers,with Arther Shaw,Jimmy Crank.When Eddie Brown(ex Birmingham City) was manager.That was fun football.Eckersley Arms was our meeting place, before and after games.
Thanks for the info JP, I will pass this on.
Regards
Roger
The guy on the back row is TREVOR Hitchens not Tom.(sorry about that)
Trevor Hitchen only played for Wigan Athyletic in the 57/8 season.Therefore this team could be Latics Colts team who won the Excelsior Cup in 57/8,which may be the trophy in the picture.
Hi Roger (and J.P.)
I remember your dad well, Harold played alongside me at Wigan Rovers in the 60s together with Arthur Shaw, Jimmy Crank, Kenny Miller, Derek and Jackie Robinson, David Crompton, Malc Green, Geoff Eastham (goalie), Joe Lundy and Barry Crookall, just to mention a few! Eddie Brown was our Manager and Laurie Coutts was Chairman. We had some really good times and won quite a lot as well! In fact, I got a trophy presented to me from Jimmy Armfield when we played Blackpool Mechanics away, it was for 500 appearances. Happy days!
Thanks for the comment, just check back on the photo to see the new comments. i will pass this on to harold.
regards
roger
Hi, I'm looking for more information and possibly pictures of an ex player for wigan, played in the 60s as goalie, called Geoff eastham (my amazing grandad
Just sent you an email
I remember Harold Roper playing for Latics. Wing half? Jimmy Crank at left back, John Higgins centre half and captain. Frank Briars right back. Billy O'Loughlin on the wing. What year would that have been? 1961 maybe?? I remember my dad telling me Harold lived in Darlington St East. Not sure how true that was.
Hi Tony, very late to the party on this reply! Correct Darlington St East, Ropers had a greengrocer shop which is long gone. Year has to be prior to or close 1958 as he was Wigan athletic mainly from 59-65.
Dad passed April this year on the Isle of Wight
Regards
Roger
freddy aspey, 2nd left front row.