The First Season
Having been successfully elected into the Third Division North one of the club's earliest games was a charity match on 15th April 1921. Borough took on a Football League team at Springfield Park in aid of Earl Haig's Fund for Distressed ex-Servicemen. The game was played during a torrential downpour and the game was witnessed by 'four or five thousand' paying spectators and surprisingly the vast majority of players that had agreed to represent the Football League actually turned up. A brass band was playing prior to kick off and the referee was Mr E Walker.
The Borough team, complete with a few guest players wore 'cherry and white' and lined up as follows: Haughton Ackroyd, John Kershaw, Broadhurst (Preston North End), Unsworth, Jones (Oldham Athletic), Gutteridge, Joe Kearslake, McQuarrie, JE Blair (Everton, who had represented England at amateur level), George Brodie and Edward Brown. The Football League team resplendent in 'blue shirts and white knickers' was represented by: Taylor (Oldham Athletic), Greatorex (Preston North End), Frank Brett (Manchester United), Schofield (Southport), Fay (Bolton Wanderers), Gray (Manchester City), Donnachie (Blackpool), Frank Hodges (Manchester United), Marquise (Preston North End and Billy Semple (Southport).
The Borough team, complete with a few guest players wore 'cherry and white' and lined up as follows: Haughton Ackroyd, John Kershaw, Broadhurst (Preston North End), Unsworth, Jones (Oldham Athletic), Gutteridge, Joe Kearslake, McQuarrie, JE Blair (Everton, who had represented England at amateur level), George Brodie and Edward Brown. The Football League team resplendent in 'blue shirts and white knickers' was represented by: Taylor (Oldham Athletic), Greatorex (Preston North End), Frank Brett (Manchester United), Schofield (Southport), Fay (Bolton Wanderers), Gray (Manchester City), Donnachie (Blackpool), Frank Hodges (Manchester United), Marquise (Preston North End and Billy Semple (Southport).
The game was kicked off by the mayor Alderman Edwin Yates JP and an entertaining game ensued despite the horrible weather with the Football League team winning by 1-0 courtesy of a goal scored by Preston North End's Marquise. Playing for the Football League team was Frank Hodges who later became a Wigan Borough player. The original referee penciled in for the game was Mr Herbert Bamlett, but he couldn't keep the appointment. Little did anybody know then that he would become the club's first ever Football League manager!
Wigan Borough also played another prestige friendly game prior to making their Football League debut, the visitors to Springfield Park on 4th May 1921 was Woolwich Arsenal. Borough lined up, Haughton Ackroyd, Jack Kershaw, AN Other, Harry Baron, John Hobson, Gutteridge, Joe Kearslake, McQuarrie, O'Doherty, Elliott and Edward Brown. The Arsenal lined up, Dunn, Shaw, Hodges, Whittaker, Pattison, McKinnon, Smith, Burgess, Blyth, Hopkins and Toner. The visitors took the lead courtesy of a thunderous shot by Burgess, but the home side rallied and ran out 2-1 victors courtesy of strikes from Jack Kershaw and O'Doherty.
Two weeks prior to the season's commencement the club decided to play another charity game but this time it was also crucial to the club as the manager put the finishing touches to what would hopefully be his first team squad. The entire squad would be cut in half and the 'Probables' would take on the 'Possibles' at Springfield Park. Admission was sixpence for the stand and tuppence for the ground; all proceeds were to be donated to the Wigan Infirmary.
The 'Probables’, who played in red and white, lined up: William Bromilow, Joe Bibby, Bill Jenkinson, Fred Woodward, Dick Carlisle,Owen Williams, Joe Campbell, Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss, George Brodie and John Knight. The 'Possibles', playing in an all white strip, were: Haughton Ackroyd, Jack Kershaw, Tom Scully, Geoff Bamforth, John Hobson, Gutteridge, Lucas, Bill Hornby, Carney (a trialist from Bolton Wanderers), HC Smith and Edward Brown. The result of the game was not recorded, but what is known is that 2,000 people witnessed the game and a grand total of 28 players were actually involved in it.
Of course given past history, no season involving the association code would be complete without a simmering row with the Wigan Rugby Club and this one was no exception. Apparently in the weeks leading up to the new campaign there were rumours that Wigan Borough had actually signed 'prominent' member of the rugby club! Club officials insisted that there was no way any of that was happening and manager Herbert Bamlett held a meeting with the rugby club secretary, a Mr George Taylor to clarify the situation. Wigan Borough also issued the following statement, "The Boro officials state that no players on the register of Wigan Rugby Club have been secured, nor will any of them be signed on as long as they are on the Central Park club's list. We are asked to state that the Boro management are most anxious to work in complete harmony with the directors of the rugby club and are desirous that nothing shall be done that will cause the slightest ill feeling".
Club officials had completed the construction of new dressing rooms in time for the start of the historic season and a temporary stand was constructed between the trotting track and the pitch on the Woodhouse Lane side which could hold up to a thousand spectators. Barriers were installed around the pitch and there were to be fourteen turnstiles in use during the season. Season tickets had sold well according the club offices which were situated at 60a Wallgate, Wigan. The cost of a season ticket for the stand was fifteen shillings while the central area of the stand, encompassing 200 seats, were reserved and cost fifty shillings. The club had also acquired the services of former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Sunderland full back Joseph Blackett as the first team trainer. The new chairman of the club was Richard Walsh and the club adopted a kit consisting of red and white halved shirts and white shorts.
Borough’s first game in the Third Division North was on 27th August 1921, against Nelson at Seedhill. Nelson scored a goal within a few seconds of the game commencing and became the first ever team to score a goal in the newly formed League at Borough’s expense. Still, goals from Frank Hodges and Jimmy Twiss made sure that Borough ran out winners by 2-1 sending the travelling contingent of the 10,000 crowd home very happy indeed. The first Wigan Borough team, which was in fact the first team from the town to play in the Football League lined up as follows,
William Bromilow, Joe Bibby, Bill Jenkinson, Fred Woodward, John Hobson, Owen Williams, Joe Campbell, Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss, George Brodie and John Knight.
This is how the season panned out...
27/08/21 ------Nelson 1-2 Wigan Borough - (Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss) - unknown -
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Woodward, Hobson, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Twiss, Brodie, Knight
31/08/21------Wigan Borough 1-1 Southport (Lancashire Senior Cup, first qualifying round) - (Jimmy Twiss) - 10,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Twiss, Brodie, Brown
The visitors brought around 1,000 spectators and a special train was chartered from Southport. The gate receipts were a 'gratifying' four hundred and eighty pounds.
03/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-4 Nelson - (Bill Hornby) - 10,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Bamforth (debut), Carlisle (debut), Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Hornby (debut), Brodie, Brown (debut)
Almost immediately after this game the manager signed William Herbert from Bolton Wanderers. The fee although undisclosed was said to be a record for any transfer involving a Third Division North club at the time. Mr Bamlett also secured the services of a Frank Barlow of Hindley Green on amateur forms following an impressive debut for the reserves at Frodsham on the same day that this game was played.
06.09/21------Southport 1-4 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, first qualifying round replay) - (HC Smith 2, Dick Carlisle, George Brodie) - unknown
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully, Parry, Carlisle, Woodward, Cummings, Hodges, Herbert, Smith, Brodie
10/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 0-1 Stockport County
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully (debut), Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Chesser (debut), Herbert (debut), Brodie
After this game Mr Bamlett acquired the services of John Houghton from Fulham. Born in Prescot he started his career at Prescot Town before moving on to St Helens Town and Norwich City. Throughout the war he had guested for Watford and Glasgow Rangers before signing professional forms for the Scottish outfit and then Fulham.
17/09/21 ------StockportCounty 3-0 Wigan Borough
Bromilow, Houghton (debut), Scully, Hobson, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Chesser, Herbert, Knight
21/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 2-2 Stockport County (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round) - (Dick Carlisle, Parry) - unknown
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Parry, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, MacDonald, Brodie, Knight
Mr Bamlett was busy in the transfer market the following week and he secured the services of Thomas MacDonald from Rossington Main of the South Yorkshire League and John'Jack' Broster from Rochdale.
24/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-1 Grimsby Town - (Dick Carlisle (pen) - 10,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster (debut), Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, MacDonald (debut), Brodie, Knight
The following Tuesday saw Mr Bamlett complete the signing of Bert Freeman. He had been released by Burnley at the end of the previous season, he was an ex England internatuiional and held the current record of 38 goals in one season, whilst with Everton in season 1908/09. The record was held jointly with Bolton Wanderer's centre half Joe Smith who had equalled the total the prvious season. However Bert's total came in 37 games as opposed to Joe's 41.
01/10/21 ------Grimsby Town 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Billy Herbert) - 10,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman (debut), Brodie, Knight
08/10/21 ------Wigan Borough 4-2 Walsall - (Billy Herbert 2, Frank Hodges, Bert Freeman) - unknown
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
15/10/21------ Walsall 4-1 Wigan Borough- (Frank Hodges) - unknown
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
This was the last game that Mr Richard Walsh witnessed in his capacity of club chairman. He resigned citing personal reasons and indicated that there was no friction on the boardroom.
22/10/21 ------Wigan Borough 4-3 Halifax - (Bert Freeman 2, Dick Carlisle, Bill Chesser - 2,500
Bromilow, Kershaw (debut), Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
29/10/21 ------Halifax 1-2 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman 2) - 7,500
Bromilow, Kershaw Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
Mr Bamlett signed two of the Mercer brothers a few days later. Arthur and Richard whose brother was the Sheffield United ace David, both signed amateur forms. Arthur was signed up from Parr St Peter's whilst his brothers was snapped up from Parr Wesleyans. The manager also brought aboard Southport Tramways captain and centre half Thomas Jackson.
05/11/21 ------Tranmere 0-0 Wigan Borough - 8,000
Bromilow, Kershaw Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
12/11/21 ------Wigan Borough 0-2 Tranmere - 8,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
19/11/21 ------Stockport County 2-2 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round, replay) - (Dick Carlisle, Bert Freeman) - 9,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Baron, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Brodie, Knight
26/11/21 ------Stalybridge Celtic 0-0 Wigan Borough - 6,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Scully, Broster, Carlisle, Baron (debut), Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Brodie
10/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 3-2 Rochdale - (John Broster, Bert Freeman, George Brodie) - 6,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Brodie
17/12/21 ------Hartlepools United 0-0 Wigan Borough - 6,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby (debut), Chesser, Eatock (debut)
24/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-0 Hartlepools United - (George Brodie- 4,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Chesser, Brodie
26/12/21 ------Wrexham 3-2 Wigan Borough - (Billy Herbert, Bill Rigby) - 7,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby , Freeman, Brodie
31/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 3-2 Southport - (Bill Rigby 2, Billy Herbert) - unknown
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby , Freeman, Brodie
02/01/22 ------Stockport County 1-0 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round, second replay) - 7,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Bamforth, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Woodward, Br
07/01/22------ Wigan Borough 0-2 Stalybridge - 8,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Brodie
14/01/22 ------Southport 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
21/01/22 ------Chesterfield 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Dick Carlisle (pen)) - unknown
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
04/02/22 ------Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman) - 2,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
11/02/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-0 Crewe Alexandra - (Billy Herbert, Bill Rigby) - 10,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
18/02/22 ------Accrington Stanley 4-0 Wigan Borough - 5,120
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Eatock
25/02/22 ------Wigan Borough 0-1 Accrington Stanley
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Eatock
28/02/22 ------Stockport County - 2-0 Wigan Borough - (Manchester Senior Cup, first round) - 2,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully, Broster, Carlisle, Collins, Worswick, Baron, Ashurst, Chesser, Brodie
04/03/22 ------Darlington 3-0 Wigan Borough - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Baron, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Broster, Ashurst (debut), Freeman, Eatock
13/03/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-2 Chesterfield - (John Broster) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Ashurst, Chesser, Brodie
Mr Bamlett was a busy man after this game acquiring the services of Ernie Kidd from Bolton Wanderers and Chris Harrington from South Liverpool.
18/03/22 ------Wigan Borough 3-1 Lincoln - (John Broster, Bert Freeman, Ward (og)) - 7,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd (debut), Hodges, Rigby, Freeman, Harrington (debut)
25/03/22 ------Lincoln 3-0 Wigan Borough - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Collins (debut) Kidd, Hodges, Rigby, Freeman, Harrington
The Wigan Borough Supporters Club came into being on this day after a meeting at the Hope Street Schools. The meeting was chaired by Mr F Sowter after ex Mayor Alderman E Yates was unable to attend. Also present were Messrs Halsall, Travis and JH Mann from the Southport Supporters to give advice to the men whose intention was to form the Supporters Club committee later in the meeting. Also in taking part in proceedings were Messrs W Latham. L Thomas, T Darbyshire and T Presst
In the event Mr W Latham was appointed chairman and Mr T Presst who resided in Buckley Street, became the club secretary and Mr L Thomas became the treasurer. Other committee members elected were Messrs F Sowter, Morley, Nicholson, Jeffreys, Topping Asson and Dean. All agreed to fortnightly meetings at the Clarence Hotel.
There had been a good response from men willing to be members of the club, the subscriptions to which would be a shilling per season.
29/03/22------ Wigan Borough 3-3 Darlington - (Bert Freeman 2, Bill Rigby) - 7,000
Ackroyd (debut), Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Collins, Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Rigby, Harrington
01/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-1 Ashington - (Bill Rigby - 9,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Hobson, Collins , Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Rigby, Harrington
08/04/22 ------Ashington 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Jimmy Harrington) - 5,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Hobson, Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Eatock, Harrington
Quite an adventure was undertaken for Borough's trip to this famous colliery town. The team left Wigan at quarter to three in the afternoon before arriving in Newcastle at half past eight where they spent the night at the 'Royal Turks Head'. The following morning saw the team change train three times within twenty miles and the weather was 'bright, sunny and breezy with a crisp wind blowing from the North Sea'. The ground was 'miles from anywhere' and the team that Ashington put out consisted mainly of hard miners not afraid to put the boot in and 'take risks' and the result was hardly a surprise.
14/04/22 ------Rochdale 4-2 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman 2) - 500
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd, Twiss, Freeman, Ashurst, Harrington
15/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-2 Barrow - (Jimmy Twiss) - 5,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd, Twiss, Freeman, Ashurst, Harrington
17/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-1 Wrexham - (Jimmy Twiss, Frank Hodges) - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Broster, Sedgewick (debut), Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Twiss, Ashurst, Harrington
22/04/22 ------Barrow 2-0 Wigan Borough - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Thomas (debut), Sedgewick Williams,Campbell, Mercer (debut), Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
29/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-0 Durham City - (Tom Eatock, Frank Hodges) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Broster, Sedgewick, Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
06/05/22 ------Durham City 6-0 Wigan Borough - 2,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Collins, Sedgewick, Williams, Kidd, Mercer, Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
1921/22 – 38 11 9 18 46 72 31 17th
The season was blighted by injuries to many key players and the fact that Mr Bamlett had to use no fewer than 34 players during the campaign didn't help their cause. The pitch was also in very poor condition and all those factors meant that the club almost had to apply for re election. Happily this was not the case as the club rallied to finish in seventeenth place in the table. The manager vowed to rebuild for the following season.
The players to feature throughout the season were...
Haughton Ackroyd, William Ashurst, Geoffrey Bamforth, Harold Baron, Joseph Bibby, George Brodie, William Bromilow, John Broster, Edward Brown, Joe Campbell, Dick Carlisle, Billy Chesser, Leigh Collins, Tommy Eatock, Bert Freeman, Chris Harrington, Billy Herbert, John Hobson, Frank Hodges, William Hornby, John Houghton, Bill Jenkison, Jack Kershaw, Ernie Kidd, John Knight, Thomas MacDonald, Arthur Mercer, William Rigby, Tom Scully, Peter Sedgewick, Jimmy Thomas, Jimmy Twiss, Owen Williams and Fred Woodward.
Known amateurs and reserves...
G Mather, J Glover (goalkeepers), T Taylor, R West, Alfred Abrahams, HC Smith, E Brown, T Kerfoot, JE Ball, R Gibson
More information on these players can be found in the 'Players A to Z' section/s of this site. Photographs can be found in the 'Historical Photographs' section ...
Copyright © 2012 - This Northern Soul. All rights reserved
Wigan Borough also played another prestige friendly game prior to making their Football League debut, the visitors to Springfield Park on 4th May 1921 was Woolwich Arsenal. Borough lined up, Haughton Ackroyd, Jack Kershaw, AN Other, Harry Baron, John Hobson, Gutteridge, Joe Kearslake, McQuarrie, O'Doherty, Elliott and Edward Brown. The Arsenal lined up, Dunn, Shaw, Hodges, Whittaker, Pattison, McKinnon, Smith, Burgess, Blyth, Hopkins and Toner. The visitors took the lead courtesy of a thunderous shot by Burgess, but the home side rallied and ran out 2-1 victors courtesy of strikes from Jack Kershaw and O'Doherty.
Two weeks prior to the season's commencement the club decided to play another charity game but this time it was also crucial to the club as the manager put the finishing touches to what would hopefully be his first team squad. The entire squad would be cut in half and the 'Probables' would take on the 'Possibles' at Springfield Park. Admission was sixpence for the stand and tuppence for the ground; all proceeds were to be donated to the Wigan Infirmary.
The 'Probables’, who played in red and white, lined up: William Bromilow, Joe Bibby, Bill Jenkinson, Fred Woodward, Dick Carlisle,Owen Williams, Joe Campbell, Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss, George Brodie and John Knight. The 'Possibles', playing in an all white strip, were: Haughton Ackroyd, Jack Kershaw, Tom Scully, Geoff Bamforth, John Hobson, Gutteridge, Lucas, Bill Hornby, Carney (a trialist from Bolton Wanderers), HC Smith and Edward Brown. The result of the game was not recorded, but what is known is that 2,000 people witnessed the game and a grand total of 28 players were actually involved in it.
Of course given past history, no season involving the association code would be complete without a simmering row with the Wigan Rugby Club and this one was no exception. Apparently in the weeks leading up to the new campaign there were rumours that Wigan Borough had actually signed 'prominent' member of the rugby club! Club officials insisted that there was no way any of that was happening and manager Herbert Bamlett held a meeting with the rugby club secretary, a Mr George Taylor to clarify the situation. Wigan Borough also issued the following statement, "The Boro officials state that no players on the register of Wigan Rugby Club have been secured, nor will any of them be signed on as long as they are on the Central Park club's list. We are asked to state that the Boro management are most anxious to work in complete harmony with the directors of the rugby club and are desirous that nothing shall be done that will cause the slightest ill feeling".
Club officials had completed the construction of new dressing rooms in time for the start of the historic season and a temporary stand was constructed between the trotting track and the pitch on the Woodhouse Lane side which could hold up to a thousand spectators. Barriers were installed around the pitch and there were to be fourteen turnstiles in use during the season. Season tickets had sold well according the club offices which were situated at 60a Wallgate, Wigan. The cost of a season ticket for the stand was fifteen shillings while the central area of the stand, encompassing 200 seats, were reserved and cost fifty shillings. The club had also acquired the services of former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Sunderland full back Joseph Blackett as the first team trainer. The new chairman of the club was Richard Walsh and the club adopted a kit consisting of red and white halved shirts and white shorts.
Borough’s first game in the Third Division North was on 27th August 1921, against Nelson at Seedhill. Nelson scored a goal within a few seconds of the game commencing and became the first ever team to score a goal in the newly formed League at Borough’s expense. Still, goals from Frank Hodges and Jimmy Twiss made sure that Borough ran out winners by 2-1 sending the travelling contingent of the 10,000 crowd home very happy indeed. The first Wigan Borough team, which was in fact the first team from the town to play in the Football League lined up as follows,
William Bromilow, Joe Bibby, Bill Jenkinson, Fred Woodward, John Hobson, Owen Williams, Joe Campbell, Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss, George Brodie and John Knight.
This is how the season panned out...
27/08/21 ------Nelson 1-2 Wigan Borough - (Frank Hodges, Jimmy Twiss) - unknown -
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Woodward, Hobson, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Twiss, Brodie, Knight
31/08/21------Wigan Borough 1-1 Southport (Lancashire Senior Cup, first qualifying round) - (Jimmy Twiss) - 10,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Twiss, Brodie, Brown
The visitors brought around 1,000 spectators and a special train was chartered from Southport. The gate receipts were a 'gratifying' four hundred and eighty pounds.
03/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-4 Nelson - (Bill Hornby) - 10,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Jenkinson, Bamforth (debut), Carlisle (debut), Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Hornby (debut), Brodie, Brown (debut)
Almost immediately after this game the manager signed William Herbert from Bolton Wanderers. The fee although undisclosed was said to be a record for any transfer involving a Third Division North club at the time. Mr Bamlett also secured the services of a Frank Barlow of Hindley Green on amateur forms following an impressive debut for the reserves at Frodsham on the same day that this game was played.
06.09/21------Southport 1-4 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, first qualifying round replay) - (HC Smith 2, Dick Carlisle, George Brodie) - unknown
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully, Parry, Carlisle, Woodward, Cummings, Hodges, Herbert, Smith, Brodie
10/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 0-1 Stockport County
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully (debut), Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Chesser (debut), Herbert (debut), Brodie
After this game Mr Bamlett acquired the services of John Houghton from Fulham. Born in Prescot he started his career at Prescot Town before moving on to St Helens Town and Norwich City. Throughout the war he had guested for Watford and Glasgow Rangers before signing professional forms for the Scottish outfit and then Fulham.
17/09/21 ------StockportCounty 3-0 Wigan Borough
Bromilow, Houghton (debut), Scully, Hobson, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Hodges, Chesser, Herbert, Knight
21/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 2-2 Stockport County (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round) - (Dick Carlisle, Parry) - unknown
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Parry, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, MacDonald, Brodie, Knight
Mr Bamlett was busy in the transfer market the following week and he secured the services of Thomas MacDonald from Rossington Main of the South Yorkshire League and John'Jack' Broster from Rochdale.
24/09/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-1 Grimsby Town - (Dick Carlisle (pen) - 10,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster (debut), Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, MacDonald (debut), Brodie, Knight
The following Tuesday saw Mr Bamlett complete the signing of Bert Freeman. He had been released by Burnley at the end of the previous season, he was an ex England internatuiional and held the current record of 38 goals in one season, whilst with Everton in season 1908/09. The record was held jointly with Bolton Wanderer's centre half Joe Smith who had equalled the total the prvious season. However Bert's total came in 37 games as opposed to Joe's 41.
01/10/21 ------Grimsby Town 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Billy Herbert) - 10,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman (debut), Brodie, Knight
08/10/21 ------Wigan Borough 4-2 Walsall - (Billy Herbert 2, Frank Hodges, Bert Freeman) - unknown
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Woodward, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
15/10/21------ Walsall 4-1 Wigan Borough- (Frank Hodges) - unknown
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
This was the last game that Mr Richard Walsh witnessed in his capacity of club chairman. He resigned citing personal reasons and indicated that there was no friction on the boardroom.
22/10/21 ------Wigan Borough 4-3 Halifax - (Bert Freeman 2, Dick Carlisle, Bill Chesser - 2,500
Bromilow, Kershaw (debut), Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
29/10/21 ------Halifax 1-2 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman 2) - 7,500
Bromilow, Kershaw Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
Mr Bamlett signed two of the Mercer brothers a few days later. Arthur and Richard whose brother was the Sheffield United ace David, both signed amateur forms. Arthur was signed up from Parr St Peter's whilst his brothers was snapped up from Parr Wesleyans. The manager also brought aboard Southport Tramways captain and centre half Thomas Jackson.
05/11/21 ------Tranmere 0-0 Wigan Borough - 8,000
Bromilow, Kershaw Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
12/11/21 ------Wigan Borough 0-2 Tranmere - 8,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Knight
19/11/21 ------Stockport County 2-2 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round, replay) - (Dick Carlisle, Bert Freeman) - 9,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Jenkinson, Baron, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Brodie, Knight
26/11/21 ------Stalybridge Celtic 0-0 Wigan Borough - 6,000
Bromilow, Houghton, Scully, Broster, Carlisle, Baron (debut), Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Brodie
10/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 3-2 Rochdale - (John Broster, Bert Freeman, George Brodie) - 6,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Freeman, Chesser, Brodie
17/12/21 ------Hartlepools United 0-0 Wigan Borough - 6,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby (debut), Chesser, Eatock (debut)
24/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 1-0 Hartlepools United - (George Brodie- 4,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Chesser, Brodie
26/12/21 ------Wrexham 3-2 Wigan Borough - (Billy Herbert, Bill Rigby) - 7,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby , Freeman, Brodie
31/12/21 ------Wigan Borough 3-2 Southport - (Bill Rigby 2, Billy Herbert) - unknown
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Baron, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby , Freeman, Brodie
02/01/22 ------Stockport County 1-0 Wigan Borough (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round, second replay) - 7,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Bamforth, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Woodward, Br
07/01/22------ Wigan Borough 0-2 Stalybridge - 8,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Campbell, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Brodie
14/01/22 ------Southport 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
21/01/22 ------Chesterfield 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Dick Carlisle (pen)) - unknown
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
04/02/22 ------Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman) - 2,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
11/02/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-0 Crewe Alexandra - (Billy Herbert, Bill Rigby) - 10,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Knight
18/02/22 ------Accrington Stanley 4-0 Wigan Borough - 5,120
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Eatock
25/02/22 ------Wigan Borough 0-1 Accrington Stanley
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Rigby, Freeman, Eatock
28/02/22 ------Stockport County - 2-0 Wigan Borough - (Manchester Senior Cup, first round) - 2,000
Bromilow, Bibby, Scully, Broster, Carlisle, Collins, Worswick, Baron, Ashurst, Chesser, Brodie
04/03/22 ------Darlington 3-0 Wigan Borough - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Baron, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Broster, Ashurst (debut), Freeman, Eatock
13/03/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-2 Chesterfield - (John Broster) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Hodges, Herbert, Ashurst, Chesser, Brodie
Mr Bamlett was a busy man after this game acquiring the services of Ernie Kidd from Bolton Wanderers and Chris Harrington from South Liverpool.
18/03/22 ------Wigan Borough 3-1 Lincoln - (John Broster, Bert Freeman, Ward (og)) - 7,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd (debut), Hodges, Rigby, Freeman, Harrington (debut)
25/03/22 ------Lincoln 3-0 Wigan Borough - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Collins (debut) Kidd, Hodges, Rigby, Freeman, Harrington
The Wigan Borough Supporters Club came into being on this day after a meeting at the Hope Street Schools. The meeting was chaired by Mr F Sowter after ex Mayor Alderman E Yates was unable to attend. Also present were Messrs Halsall, Travis and JH Mann from the Southport Supporters to give advice to the men whose intention was to form the Supporters Club committee later in the meeting. Also in taking part in proceedings were Messrs W Latham. L Thomas, T Darbyshire and T Presst
In the event Mr W Latham was appointed chairman and Mr T Presst who resided in Buckley Street, became the club secretary and Mr L Thomas became the treasurer. Other committee members elected were Messrs F Sowter, Morley, Nicholson, Jeffreys, Topping Asson and Dean. All agreed to fortnightly meetings at the Clarence Hotel.
There had been a good response from men willing to be members of the club, the subscriptions to which would be a shilling per season.
29/03/22------ Wigan Borough 3-3 Darlington - (Bert Freeman 2, Bill Rigby) - 7,000
Ackroyd (debut), Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Collins, Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Rigby, Harrington
01/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-1 Ashington - (Bill Rigby - 9,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Hobson, Collins , Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Rigby, Harrington
08/04/22 ------Ashington 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Jimmy Harrington) - 5,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Hobson, Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Freeman, Eatock, Harrington
Quite an adventure was undertaken for Borough's trip to this famous colliery town. The team left Wigan at quarter to three in the afternoon before arriving in Newcastle at half past eight where they spent the night at the 'Royal Turks Head'. The following morning saw the team change train three times within twenty miles and the weather was 'bright, sunny and breezy with a crisp wind blowing from the North Sea'. The ground was 'miles from anywhere' and the team that Ashington put out consisted mainly of hard miners not afraid to put the boot in and 'take risks' and the result was hardly a surprise.
14/04/22 ------Rochdale 4-2 Wigan Borough - (Bert Freeman 2) - 500
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd, Twiss, Freeman, Ashurst, Harrington
15/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 1-2 Barrow - (Jimmy Twiss) - 5,000
Ackroyd, Kershaw, Houghton, Broster, Carlisle, Williams, Kidd, Twiss, Freeman, Ashurst, Harrington
17/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-1 Wrexham - (Jimmy Twiss, Frank Hodges) - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Broster, Sedgewick (debut), Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Twiss, Ashurst, Harrington
22/04/22 ------Barrow 2-0 Wigan Borough - 4,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Jenkinson, Thomas (debut), Sedgewick Williams,Campbell, Mercer (debut), Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
29/04/22 ------Wigan Borough 2-0 Durham City - (Tom Eatock, Frank Hodges) - 5,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Broster, Sedgewick, Williams, Kidd, Hodges, Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
06/05/22 ------Durham City 6-0 Wigan Borough - 2,000
Bromilow, Kershaw, Scully, Collins, Sedgewick, Williams, Kidd, Mercer, Twiss, Eatock, Harrington
1921/22 – 38 11 9 18 46 72 31 17th
The season was blighted by injuries to many key players and the fact that Mr Bamlett had to use no fewer than 34 players during the campaign didn't help their cause. The pitch was also in very poor condition and all those factors meant that the club almost had to apply for re election. Happily this was not the case as the club rallied to finish in seventeenth place in the table. The manager vowed to rebuild for the following season.
The players to feature throughout the season were...
Haughton Ackroyd, William Ashurst, Geoffrey Bamforth, Harold Baron, Joseph Bibby, George Brodie, William Bromilow, John Broster, Edward Brown, Joe Campbell, Dick Carlisle, Billy Chesser, Leigh Collins, Tommy Eatock, Bert Freeman, Chris Harrington, Billy Herbert, John Hobson, Frank Hodges, William Hornby, John Houghton, Bill Jenkison, Jack Kershaw, Ernie Kidd, John Knight, Thomas MacDonald, Arthur Mercer, William Rigby, Tom Scully, Peter Sedgewick, Jimmy Thomas, Jimmy Twiss, Owen Williams and Fred Woodward.
Known amateurs and reserves...
G Mather, J Glover (goalkeepers), T Taylor, R West, Alfred Abrahams, HC Smith, E Brown, T Kerfoot, JE Ball, R Gibson
More information on these players can be found in the 'Players A to Z' section/s of this site. Photographs can be found in the 'Historical Photographs' section ...
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