Wigan Album

i played for wigan super league at the griffin & played for the pub when billy had it & was part of the team that won the wigan observer comp in 1988 .

A very sad state of affairs to see such a beautiful building rotting away for the want of some care. Idiots abroad that cause ruin and disorder and no respect.

I am told there used to be a photo on the wall in The Griffin of my Auntie Sally, showing her walking down a ramp at the end of her shift as a pit-brow lass; I have a copy of the same photo on my wall at home and there is a copy of it on The Album under "people", (Griffiths) and in the book "Images of Wigan".

The council should buy it and convert it into a hotel. They will be expecting a lot of visitors when the new monstrosity is built. A stay could include a trip to see a similar council criminal decision in St Helens.

It’s a hotel already. Just needs a few ‘ tweaks’ inside better than any newly built one. Nobody could complain staying in that building (as they do in some!). Ah but…! The Grand Hotel was wrecked wasn’t it?

Yet another of architect George Heaton’s masterpieces left to rack and ruin. Criminal!

I was stood in a bar in Waikiki ( Moose McGillicuddys) a few years ago and got talking to an Aussie. Quickly the talk turned to rugby and it transpired that when he toured GB he went into the Griffin when Billy was the landlord. A small world.

I agree, it's depressing to see this grand old Wigan hostelry in such a state of dereliction. I remember having a drink out of the Challenge Cup there in 1985 after Wigan's victory over Hull in the days when Billy B was the landlord.

I remember being in the Griffin one night chatting to Billy. Somehow the conversation got round to cup games, and I said to Billy that I remember him having a try disallowed in the cup semi-final against Leeds in 1968 at Swinton.
Billy: "I never played in a cup semi-final in 1968!"
Me: "You did Billy. You had a try disallowed by Fred Lindop after you touched down in the corner."
Billy (insistent): "I never played in a rugby league semi-final in 1968!"
Me: "Billy. I was there."
Billy: Well I bloody wasn't!"
After much to-ing and fro-ing, we agreed on a small bet (£5) and he placed the money under the till. I went in the following week and Billy called me over and put the two fivers on the bar.
Billy: "Here. Colin Tyrer was in earlier in the week and I asked him about playing in a cup semi-final in 1968. He told me I did, had a try disallowed by Fred Lindop!"
I gave Billy his fiver back. Just couldn't take his money.