The Eighth Season
Angus McKinnon made a shrewd signing in July 1928 when he acquired the services of former Bury and Newcastle United star William Hibbert as first team player. In addition the former England international signed amateur playing forms.
Players signed during the summer were inside left Ernie Cockle from Northampton Town, Goalkeeper Charles Preedy was signed from McKinnon's old club Charlton Athletic left full back William Dennis was recruited from Chesterfield and the best signing of them all was that of centre forward Wilfred Lievesley from Exeter City who proved that there was life after the wonderful Billy Dickinson who had been transferred to Nottingham Forest for a fee of three hundred and fifty pounds during the close season. In addition McKinnon also acquired the services of inside left Tommy Harris from Manchester United and outside left Tommy Lindsay from Rochdale and a third centre forward was signed in the form of Cecil Smith from Wrexham.
Players signed during the summer were inside left Ernie Cockle from Northampton Town, Goalkeeper Charles Preedy was signed from McKinnon's old club Charlton Athletic left full back William Dennis was recruited from Chesterfield and the best signing of them all was that of centre forward Wilfred Lievesley from Exeter City who proved that there was life after the wonderful Billy Dickinson who had been transferred to Nottingham Forest for a fee of three hundred and fifty pounds during the close season. In addition McKinnon also acquired the services of inside left Tommy Harris from Manchester United and outside left Tommy Lindsay from Rochdale and a third centre forward was signed in the form of Cecil Smith from Wrexham.
Also arriving at Springfield Park was former England centre forward Billy Hibbert as a fitness coach. Golborne born he had a great career in the game, bypassing Wigan Borough after starting at Bryn Central, he was signed by Bury making 178 appearances and scoring 99 goals and it was whilst at Gigg Lane he picked up his solitary England cap. Next up was Newcastle United for whom he scored 46 goals in 139 appearances before the outbreak of the First World War during which he guested for Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds City. After the hostilities he finished his English career at Oldham Athletic via Bradford City.
He then went to America signing for the Fall River Marksmen before a three season spell at J and P Coats (now called Pawtucket Rangers). Not yet finishing his roaming he then moved to Spain via, wait for it, Burscough Rangers, to join Real Gimnastico in 1927. After spending a season learning the coaching craft in Spain and the club being disbanded by a 'military upheaval', he finally arrived in a professional capacity on home soil!
This is how the season panned out...
25/08/28 -----Lincoln City 1-3 Wigan Borough - (Lindsay, Lievesley, Cockle) - 7,913
Preedy (debut), Moran, Dennis (debut), Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Lievesley (debut), Cockle, Harris (debut), Lindsay (debut)
29/08/28 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 Halifax Town - (Cockle) - 8,820
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Lievesley, Cockle, Harris, Lindsay
01/09/28----- Wigan Borough 2-0 Bradford City - (Harris, Smith) - 12,646
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Cockle, Smith (debut), Harris, Lindsay
05/09/28 -----Wigan Borough 2-0 Nelson - (Lancashire Senior Cup, first round) - (Smith, Lievesley) - 5,287
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Lievesley, Lindsay
08/09/28 -----Accrington Stanley 2-0 Wigan Borough - 5,133
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Lievesley, Lindsay
15/09/28 -----Wigan Borough 2-0 Hartlepools United - (Lindsay, Smith) - 7,132
Preedy, Dennis, Potter, Humpish, Wison, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
17/09/28 -----Halifax Town 1-0 Wigan Borough - 5,170
Preedy, Dennis, Potter, Humpish, Wison, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Cickle, Harris, Lindsay
22/09/28 -----Carlisle United 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Harris Smith) - 9,529
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
24/09/28 ----- Barrow 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round) - (Smith) - 3,000
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Harris, Smith, Cockle, Lindsay 29/09/28 -----Wigan Borough 1-0 Rotherham United - (Cickle) - 6,631
Preedy, Potter, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
03/10/28 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Barrow - (Lancashire Senior Cup, second round replay) - (Smith Lindsay, Harris) - 2,314
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Harris, Smith, Cockle, Lindsay
06/10/28 -----Rochdale 0-0 Wigan Borough - 5,527
Preedy, Potter, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
13/10/28 -----Crewe Alexandra 0-4 Wigan Borough - (Humpish 2, Wilson, Harris) - 4,739
Preedy, Potter, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
20/10/28 -----Wigan Borough 1-0 Southport - (Humpish) 9,899
Preedy, Potter, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Smith, Harris, Lindsay
27/10/28 -----Darlington 3-0 Wigan Borough - 3,763
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Lievesley,, Harris, Lindsay
31/01/28 -----Manchester United 4-4 Wigan Borough - (Lancashire Senior Cup, third round) - (Lindsay 2, Lievesley, Hughes) - 3,577
Preedy, Welsby, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Harris, Smith, Cockle, Lindsay
03/11/28 -----Wigan Borough 1-0 Nelson - (Lindsay) -6,928
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Cockle, Lievesley,, Harris, Lindsay
07/11/28 -----Manchester United 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Lancashire Senior Cup, third round replay) - (Lievesley) - 3,000
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Harris, Lievesley, Cockle, Lindsay
10/11/28 -----South Shields 2-2 Wigan Borough - (Cockle, Hughes) - 5,450
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Mandy, Cockle, Lindsay
17/11/28 -----Wigan Borough 5-1 Ashington - (Cockle, Mandy, Potter, Lievesley, Lindsay) - 4,599
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Mandy, Cockle, Lindsay
24/11/28 ----- Wigan Borough 2-0 Ashington - (FA Cup, first round) - (Lievesley, Mandy) - 3,946
Preedy, moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Mandy, Cockle, Lindsay
01/12/28 -----Wigan Borough 2-1 Barrow - (Mandy 2) - 5,427
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Mandy, Cockle, Lindsay
08/12/28 -----Wigan Borough 2-1 Grantham - (FA Cup, second round) - (Lievesley, Hughes) - 7,363
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Mandy, Cockle, Lindsay
Wigan Borough were then drawn against the mighty Sheffield Wednesday in the next round and from that moment on Springfield Park became a hive of activity. The directors worked on the assumption of a 40,000 gate and for this to happen the ground needed bringing right up to scratch. Volunteers and tradesmen worked at banking uip the 'top goal' end whilst new turnstiles were also being installed. Thirteen were installed in total and twelve doors were constructed on the club buildings so that ticket sales could be completed without throngs of people hanging around the ground too long in order to purchase match day tickets.
Special entrances were allotted to ticket holders on the 'left hand hand side of the main entrance', extra crush barriers were installed and special 'doors' were erected at the top of Springfield Road for motor vehicles to go straight into the ground rather than having to bypass the crowds queueing at all other ground entrances. A chrge of one shilling per vehicle was charged and all vehicle occupiers had to have a match ticket. The club had issued an earlier statement that there was sufficient parking for 'several hundred' vehicles. The gates would be opened at twelve noon on the day of the game.
12/01/29 -----Wigan Borough 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday - (FA Cup, third round) - (Lievesley) - 30,443
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Welsh, Lievesley, Cockle, Lindsay
What follows now is a most humorous re telling of the story of the game by somebody who wrote the 'Association' column for the Wigan Examiner. Here it is in its entireity (please note the differing attendances) ...
The Boro are to be complimented on putting up a plucky fight against a cleverer and speedier team, whom they made go all the way for victory.
Wigan had as much of the play as Wednesday but the latter outclassed Boro in craft and skill.
The game was characterised by scenes of enthusiasm which had not been witnessed at Springfield Park since the visit of Queens Park Rangers.
Everybody had the cup tie spirit, the favours of both clubs being displayed in great profusion.
Sellers of 'cups and favours' were in town from 9.00am.
The Wednesday's mascot, a little boy, followed the team onto the field and attracted a great deal of attention. He wore a suit of blue and white, the team's colours-and a top hat of the same hue, while he carried a balloon suitably coloured.
It was an impressive sight when the male section of the crowd bared their heads during the playing of the National Anthem-a fine tribute of loyalty by sportsmen.
The youngsters behind one of the goalposts gave a special performance of 'fun in the straw' for the benefit of a press photographer.
"Hello Garge, haew ar't lakn?" asked a Sheffielder of another. "I'm aw reet Bill, hest browt a pack o cards?".
Whilst Wigan rugby enthusiasts went to see the game at St Helens, there were large crowds of St Helens soccer followers who came to Springfield Park.
On all hands one heard complimentary remarks about the hard game in which Boro' had played.
One Sheffielder put the situation thus, "Boro's in t' third standard and Wednesday's in't top class wi' a seat in't front row".
Play was getting lively at one period in the second half and there were several free kicks in succession for foul play. The referee however, had the situation well in hand.
When one of the Sheffield players cam a cropper, he was anything but pleased and he threw mud off his hands at a Boro' player.
Wilson who worked tremendously hard, looked like a nigger when the final solo was sounded.
Thanks to the scheming of the Boro' backs, the Wednesday forwards were pulled up on six occasions for offside in the first half.
One outstanding feature of the Wednesday;s football was their teamwork, there was a wonderful understanding and the positional play was delightful to watch.
What a tremendous roar went up when the Boro' scored their first goal. Hats and sticks went up into the air and the enthusiasm was unbounded. Boro-ites then begun to revive their hopes of a draw at least.
There were still rumblings of the cheering when play resumed, but the noise faded away when Sheffield took up the attack again and Hooper was given a gilt edged chance but with only Preedy to beat he failed with a low shot.
Lievesley's goal was the most spectacular one of the game. It was a pretty movement from the right and Lievesley completely beat the defence with a beautiful header.
The sounds of rattles and bells-evidence of cup tie enthusiasm-were frequently heard coming from the direction of the 'popular side'.
A man sporting the colours of the Yorkshire club in the shape of a suit of pyjamas and a top hat reaped a rich harvest for his dancing to the strains of the band.
Six special trains were run from Sheffield, while a great many came by road, some of whom covered the distance on push bicycles.
It is estimated that between four or five thousand supporters of the Yorkshire club were on the ground.
Many sat on chairs around the enclosure while boys were accommodated behind each goalpost were straw had been put down for them to sit on.
The Boro's share of the gate which numbered 30,651-a record for the ground-should be a great compensation for their defeat. The Directors must be highly gratified by the financial result.
The Chief Constable (Mr T Pey) and his staff are to be complimented for the efficient manner in which they handled this huge crowd. Their arrangements worked out very smoothly indeed.
Mr CA Hopkins, tramways manager and the traffic staff deserve great praise for the efficient way in which they controlled the motor bus arrangements. There were buses every ten or twelve seconds.
Lievesley was a dashing and fearless raider. He was responsible for the most praiseworthy scoring efforts. In the first half he was hardly a yard wide with a great shot-the best Wigan attempt of the opening period.
Although Lindsay sustained two hard knocks he played gamely until the end.
Allen, who scored tow of Wednesday's goals, was a forceful and skillful leader, being exceedingly dangerous when within shooting range. He is one of the leading marksmen in the First Division.
At the end of the game several delighted Sheffield followers gripped the centre forward by the hand.
15/12/28 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 Wrexham - (Cockle) - 8,523
Collier, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Cockle, Harris, Lindsay
22/12/28 -----New Brighton 2-2 Wigan Borough - (Cockle, Lievesley) - 2,616
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Cockle, Harris, Lindsay
25/12/28 -----Wigan Borough 0-1 Tranmere Rovers - 9,183
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Lievesley, Cockle, Welsh, Lindsay
29/12/28 -----Wigan Borough 4-0 Lincoln City - (Lievesley, Lindsay, Welsh, Worthy (og)) - 7,517
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Potter, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Cockle, Welsh, Lindsay
01/01/29 -----Stockport County 2-1 Wigan Borough - Potter) - 18,744
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Potter, Hughes, Lievesley, Welsh, Cockle, Lindsay
05/01/29 -----Bradford City 1-0 Wigan Borough - 15,180
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Hughes, Lievesley, Welsh, Cockle, Lindsay
19/01/28 -----Wigan Borough 5-2 Accrington Stanley - (Lievesley 3, Welsby, Robb) - 5,245
Preedy, Dennis, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Cockle, Hughes
26/01/29 -----Hartlepools United 1-3 Wigan Borough - (Harris, Robb, Welsh) - 2,848
Preedy, Dennis, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Harris, Cockle
02/02/29 -----Wigan Borough 2-2 Carlisle United - (Lievesley, Welsh) - 4,707
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Harris, Hughes
09/02/29 -----Rotherham United 4-2 Wigan Borough - (Harris 2) - 4,034
Preedy, Dennis, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Cockle, Hughes
16/02/29 -----Wigan Borough 4-1 Rochdale - (Lievesley 2, Welsh, Welsby) - 3,940
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Harris, Hughes
23/02/29 -----Wigan Borough 4-2 Crewe Alexandra - (Lievesley, Cockle, Harris, Hughes) - 5,319
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Cockle, Welsh, Lievesley, Harris, Hughes
02/03/29 -----Southport 3-0 Wigan Borough - 6,169
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Cockle, Welsh, Lievesley, Harris, Hughes
06/03/29 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 Oldham Athletic - (Manchester Senior Cup, first round) - (Welsby, Smith, Cockle (pen)) - 1,747
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Cockle, Hughes
09/03/29 -----Wigan Borough 2-0 Darlington - (Lievesley, Welsby) - 6,194
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Cockle, Hughes
16/03/29 -----Nelson 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Hughes) - 3,903
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Lievesley, Wakefioeld (debut), Hughes
23/10/29 -----Wigan Borough 4-0 South Shields - (Welsby 2, Welsh, Smith) - 5,223
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Green H (debut), Cockle. Welsby. Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
29/03/29 -----Tranmere Rovers 3-2 Wigan Borough - (Welsby, Smith) - 9,122
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Green H, Cockle. Welsby. Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
30/03/29 -----Ashington 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Smith) - 1,226
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Green H, Cockle. Welsby. Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
01/04/29 -----Wigan Borough 4-0 Stockport County - (Lievesley, Welsh, Smith, Cockle (pen)) - 15,162
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Lievesley, Hughes
This game was played in hurricane conditions but that didn't deter the supporters who braved the adverse elements and set up an all time record attendance for an association football game game at Springfield Park. The visitors lined up: Crowther, Booking, Wilson, W Newton, Vincent, Turner, Boardman, Burgess, F Newton, Smith and Fielding. The referee was Mr WE Forshaw from Liverpool.
06/04/29 -----Wigan Borough 4-2 Doncaster Rovers - (Hughes 2, Smith, Cockle (pen)) - 6,741
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Wilson, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Lievesley, Hughes
08/04/29 -----Chesterfield 0-0 Wigan Borough - 2,143
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Potter, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Lievesley, Hughes
13/04/29 -----Barrow 1-0 Wigan Borough - 5,081
Preedy, Moran, Potter, Humpish, Finney, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
20/04/29 -----Wigan Borough 5-1 Chesterfield - (Smith 3, Welsh, Harris) - 3,5,34
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Finney, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
24/04/29 -----Wigan Borough 0-1 Manchester City - Manchester Senior Cup, SEMI FINAL) - 4,000
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Wilson, Cockle, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Harris, Hughes
27/04/29 -----Wrexham 1-3 Wigan Borough - (Hughes, Welsby, Smith) - 5,173
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Cockle, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Finney, Hughes
01/05/29 -----Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Wigan Borough - (Welsby, Smith) - 2,242
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Cockle, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Finney, Hughes
04/05/29 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 New Brighton - (Smith) - 4,372
Preedy, Moran, Dennis, Humpish, Cockle, Robb, Welsby, Welsh, Smith, Finney, Hughes
1928/29 – 42 21 9 12 82 49 51 4th
The Reserve team reverted back to normality, finishing third from bottom of the Lancashire Combination.
1928/29 -- 38 9 6 23 69 99 24 17th
The players to feature throughout the season were ...
Ernie Cockle, Sam Collier, Billy Dennis, James Finney, Henry Green, Tommy Harris, Jim Holmes, Bobby Hughes, Wilf Lievesley, Tommy Lindsay, Tom Mandy, Jack Moran, Albert Potter, Charles Preedy, David Robb, Cecil Smith, John Wakefield, Arthur Welsby, Billy Welsh, Tom Wilson
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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