W.R.L.C Linesman

Would anyone know of a linesman at Wigan Rugby in the late 1950's?( I think). His name was Nathan Winstanley and was there at the same time as Eric Ashton, Billy Boston, McTigue etc. He was my great uncle, part of the Winstanley family from Upholland. THANKS

If he was from Wigan? He wouldn't have been involved in any of Wigan's games. He may have trained at the ground though? Try contacting the Rugby League headquarters. http://www.rfl.uk.com
They may be able to give you details of the games he was involved in?

i think your great uncle Nat worked at HJ HEINZ at the same time as i did, he was a foreman cleaner, as i remember he had been a rugby league referee at some time in the past& although in his 60s he remained quite fit during his time at HJ HEINZ i hope this helps a little.

I worked at Heinz In 1959 for a short time when I was over on a visit.
Did you know Stan Morley he was a foreman at the time ,Finished up In charge at Goose Green,he was my cousin of mine.

The name stan morley certanly rings a bell but can·t quite place him,i worked there from 1960-68.i think you mean to say that he was in charge at Kitt Green & not Goose Green Keno

Hi. Ron and Ferdy, Yes Uncle Nat. was from Orrell. I Will try what you said Ron. Ferdy Yes Uncle Nat. did work at Heinz although I only remembered when you mentioned it!!!!! THANKS to you both.

wiganyankeeron,
Re linesmen and rugby league
linesmen from Wigan were allowed to officiate at Wigan games at Central Park in those days but referees from Wigan could not officiate games that involved Wigan at Central Park or anywhere else.
I think Colin Clapham a Wigan touchjudge
actually got the great Alex Murphy sent of at Central Park.

Your right Ferdy ,I mix up the two Greens ,It his Kitt Green.When I visited Wigan In 1984 I went and saw Stan at Kitt Green,he offered my Son A job at the Factory.
When I was at Heinz In 1959 the Queen Officially opened Kitt Green ,we got a free feed at the Standish Factory.I liked the staff sales they where quite cheap.Seeya later mate.

Hi Christi,somehow i think that your uncle Nat was related to the hilton bro·s bill & ralph who both worked at heinz in the electrical department in the 1960s are you in any way connected to the hilton family ?

Hi. Ferdy, Yes I am. Nat was my great uncle and Bill and Ralph my uncles. Uncle bill, sadly, passed away quite some time ago but Uncle Ralph is alive, well, and living in Southport. There are now only 4 of the Hilton brothers and sisters left.

Christi, sorry to learn of Bill·s death when i started work at H J Heinz he was a instrument mechanic & ralph was in the electrical dept, i seem to remember that Ralph spent some time working abroad in south africa ,i think. but it was all such a long time ago.

Hi. Ferdy, Uncle Raplh spent a long time in different parts of Africa. He was once Boss of a Copper Mine. He used to tell me such funny tales sometimes, like the one when Oxfam had delivered some clothes for the locals the next day he saw a youth riding his bike wearing pyjamas!! He thought it was a Summer suit!! Uncle Ralph wanted me to out to Africa when my marriage broke up to be the telephonist. He said I would have a good life there with my 4 children, servants, swimming pool etc. I chickened out!!!!!!!

Christy, it·s never too late to make a move ,you will never know whats around the corner if don·t go round it.regards to Ralph from spark on D shift, covering the filling & labeling lines 1960-68