I’m sure that most of you, probably nearly all of you, reading this issue of the new Wigan Rugby League fanzine will be diehard Wigan fans. Please let me remind you and hopefully inform you of some of the more unusual facts and history about our glorious rugby league club.
The origins of our rugby league club began in November 1872 and was formed by members of Wigan Cricket Club. The first Wigan rugby club was called Wigan F.C. and played their home matches at Folly Field by Upper Dicconson Street, barely a stones throw about away from Central Park (more about Central Park later in the piece).
In September 1879 after financial problems, does it sound familiar?, Wigan F.C. rebranded themselves as Wigan Wasps. They played in, now hold your breathe, BLUE and white hooped shirts!!!
In September 1895 Wigan joined a number of other clubs based in the north of England and broke away from the governing body (can’t we break away from the RFL?) which didn’t allow clubs to compensate their players for the time off work required to play rugby. They formed the Northern Union, contradictory to rumours Stevo wasn’t chairman at that time.
The new version of rugby was an instant hit and in 1901 Wigan moved grounds again to Springfield Park, even before Wigan Athletic ever existed, and they became Lancashire League Champions. The owners of Springfield Park requested a large increase in rent in 1902 so the club moved again!
In 1902 the club purchased a long term lease on a plot of land known locally as ‘Joe Hill’s Field’ as Joe Hill, a local butcher, used the land to graze his animals on. The land was owned by the Great Central Railway Company and thus Central Park was born!
When Central Park first opened there weren’t any dressing rooms (not sheds Stevo, dressing rooms, we are English, not Australian) so the players had to get changed in the Prince of Wales public house in Greenough Street.
During World War II Central Park was used a training centre for Wigan's own Dads Army, the Home Guard, Air Training Corps and the Territorial Army. The pitch was used as a drill ground, the soldiers barracks was located under the Douglas Stand, the away dressing room was used as a jail and anti-aircraft guns were stationed on the Kop.
On 27th March 1959 (Good Friday) the visit of St. Helens, in which Wigan won 19 - 14, produced Central Parks all time record attendance of 47,747. This is still a record for any league game in this country.
In 1996 the Rugby Football League switched the season from winter to summer and rebranded the competition Super League after a lucrative contract from BSkyB owned by Rupert Murdoch, money talks I suppose. Clubs also rebranded themselves and Wigan Rugby League Football Club changed they name to Wigan Warriors, I know which one I prefer!
The last ever game at Central Park was played on Sunday 5th September 1999 against the old enemy St. Helens, or as I like to call them Stains. The game was a 18,179 sell out won by Wigan 28 - 20.
Due to financial difficulty (and other factors which I’ll save for another issue) Wigan Warriors moved into a newly built stadium in Newtown in 1999 which they share with Wigan Athletic Football Club. The first ever game at the JJB Stadium (later to become the DW Stadium) was played on Sunday 19th September 1999 against Castleford Tigers. Dennis Betts scored Wigan's first try but unfortunately we lost 10 - 14.
Wigan Warriors is still the most famous and successful rugby league club in the world, winning an unprecedented 19 League Championships and an unparalleled 18 Challenge Cups.
Ancient and Loyal.
***This article first appeared in issue 1 of Cherry & White (a Wigan Warriors Fanzine). You can follow Cherry & White on twitter @CherryWhiteZine and purchase the fanzine here :- cherrywhite.bigcartel.com ***
Great facts! I didn't know some of them & I was reminded by the others.
ReplyDelete