The Tenth Season
Season 1930/31 arrived despite all the odds against it and there was a new man in the manager's seat, although he wasn't a complete stranger to the club. The new man was Mr Leslie Aldred who had previously been the club secretary. He had no footballing experience whatsoever and he lived in Park Road just a short walk from Springfield Park.
Recognising that his own experience of actually coaching players was somewhat limited to say the least, Mr Aldred promoted Arthur Brinkman form his post of physiotherapist to that of first team trainer. Based in Warrington Road, Arthur was an accomplished cyclist, winning a considerable amount of titles, most notably the ten mile amateur championship in 1911, the Salford Harriers five mile championship the next year and in 1913 Vaughton Shield. He was a qualified masseur and was an expert in violet ray and electric treatment. He had cared for the injured players toward the latter end of the previous and a record of players returning from injury in the clubs last nine games of the previous season resulted in 6 wins, 2 draw and just one defeat. The team also won the Manchester Senior Cup and Mr Aldred was confident that he was the man for the job.
Recognising that his own experience of actually coaching players was somewhat limited to say the least, Mr Aldred promoted Arthur Brinkman form his post of physiotherapist to that of first team trainer. Based in Warrington Road, Arthur was an accomplished cyclist, winning a considerable amount of titles, most notably the ten mile amateur championship in 1911, the Salford Harriers five mile championship the next year and in 1913 Vaughton Shield. He was a qualified masseur and was an expert in violet ray and electric treatment. He had cared for the injured players toward the latter end of the previous and a record of players returning from injury in the clubs last nine games of the previous season resulted in 6 wins, 2 draw and just one defeat. The team also won the Manchester Senior Cup and Mr Aldred was confident that he was the man for the job.
Mr Aldred, with chairman John Greenhough's blessing, also wasted little time in bringing new faces to Springfield Park, starting with centre forward Tommy Wilson from Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer. Anxious to secure a partner for Jack Moran, he secured the services of George Lewins from Manchester City's Central League player. The left sidced full back although aged just 23 had considerable experience with Newcastle United, Reading and Rochdale.
Next on the scene appeared London born half back Cecil White who also joined the club on a free transfer from Torquay United. Outside right Michael Murray was snapped up from Carnarvon and inside forward Joe Johnson was picked up from Walsall. His recruitments were almost completed with the arrivals of goalkeeper William Fairhurst, Stan Horrocks a right half from Queens Hall, Robert Collins from Prescot Cables, Jimmy Scullion from Crewe Alexandra, Mick Kilhoury a bustling inside right who stepped up from the reserves and Joe Jepson who was snapped up from Accrington Stanley.
Howveer, without doubt the stand out signing was that of former England, Aston Villa and Manchester United centre half Frank Barson from Hartlepools United for whom he had been player/coach, he arrived at Springfield Park on a free transfer and this legendary player had huge hopes pinned upon him with regards to actually enticing more people of the town to turn up at Springfield Park to support their local team.
Outgoing players included goalkeeper Jimmy Mittell who signed for Connahs Quay along with centre back Harry Green.David Robb was signed by Chesterfield whilst John Berry depsrted for pastures new at Burscough Rangers. William Dennis found his way to Stalybridge Celtic but Ernie Cockle, Harry Codd and Tommy Mandy had failed to find new clubs after being released.
A stormy ninth AGM had revealed the fact that Borough did not make public transfer fees received for their players as all monies were sent directly to the Football League who then oversaw the paying of outstanding transfer fees to other clubs which included Everton, Fulham, Preston North End and Bury. This also prevented other creditors approaching the club for money owed to them! However, the chairman was pleased to report that debts owed to the Football League had been virtually paid in full. The meeting had also seen the three remaining directors re elected namely Mr John Greenhough, chairman and Messrs Jack Culshaw and H Anderton.
This is how the season panned out...
30/08/30 -----Darlington 2-3 Wigan Borough - (Johnson 2, Jepson) - 5,370
Fairhurst (debut), Moran, Lewins (debut), White (debut), Barson (debut), Bimson (debut), Murray (debut), Scullion, Jepson (debut), Johnson (debut), Welsby
01/09/30 -----Lincoln City 2-0 Wigan Borough - 6,398
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
06/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Halifax Town - (Welsby (pen), Johnson, Jepson)- 8,379
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
10/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-2 Hartlepools United - (Jepson 2, Scullion) - 7,852
Fairhurst, Horrocks, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
13/09/30 -----New Brighton 0-2 Wigan Borough - (Scullion, Jepson) - 3,317
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
20/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 2-1 Stockport County - (Scullion 2) - 12,156
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
22/09/30 -----Barrow 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Lancashire Senior Cup, first round) - (Jepson (pen)) - unknown
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Kilhoury, Welsby
27/09/30----- South Shields 4-2 Wigan Borough - (Johnson, Jepson (pen)) - 7,085
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
04/10/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Doncaster Rovers - (Jepson 2, Murray) - 8,548
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
11/10/30 -----Hull City 0-0 Wigan Borough - 9,335
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
18/10/30 -----Rochdale 0-4 Wigan Borough - (Jepson 4 (1 pen)) - 6,975
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
25/10/30 -----Wigan Borough 1-0 Southport - (Welsby) 7,834
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
01/11/30 -----Wrexham 2-0 Wigan Borough - 7,822
Fairhurst, Moran, Crewe, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
08/11/30 -----Wigan Borough 4-3 Tranmere Rovers - (Welsby 2, Johnson, Scullion) - 12,042
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
15/11/30 -----Carlisle United 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Welsby) 7,243
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Flanagan (debut), Scullion, Johnson, Welsby
22/11/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 York City - (Scullion 2, Jepson (pen)) - 4,671
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
29/11/30 -----Wrexham 2-0 Wigan Borough - (FA Cup, first round) - 12,171
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Scullion, Wilson, Collins, Dorrans,, Welsby
06/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 1-5 Chesterfield - (Johnson) - 6,589
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Collins, Johnson, Welsby
13/12/30----- Barrow 4-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson (pen)) - 3,971
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Kelly (debut), Jepson, Welsby
20/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 6-0 Crewe Alexandra - (Jepson 2, Crewe 2, Scullion, Bimson) - 3,408
Down (debut), Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson
25/12/30 -----Accrington Stanley 3-0 Wigan Borough - 4,155
Down, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
26/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-2 Accrington Stanley - (Scullion, Crewe, Welsby) - 5,597
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Jepson, Scullion, Johnson
27/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 2-0 Darlington - (Wilson, Crewe) - 5,140
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Jepson, Scullion, Johnson
01/01/31 -----Hartlepools United 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Johnson) - 5,397
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
03/01/31 -----Halifax Town 0-1 Wigan Borough - (Murray) - 4,148
Fairhurst, Moran, Russell (debut), White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Jepson, Welsby
Frank Barson, the most fearsome centre-half of the era (and the man who was sent off more times than any other player) played his last game for the club.
10/01/31 -----Rotherham United 5-2 Wigan Borough - (Collins, Whitworth (og)) - 5,289
Fairhurst, Moran, Russell, White, Scullion, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Collins, Wilson, Welsby
Former goalkeeper Jackie Mittell was signed from Connah's Quay following this game.
17/01/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 New Brighton - (Scullion) - 3,896
Mittell, Moran, Russell, White, Entwistle (debut), Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Dorrans (debut), Welsby
24/01/31 -----Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Dorrans) - 7,798
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
31/01/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-3 South Shields - (Scullion 2, Jepson) - 982
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
07/02/31 -----Doncaster Rovers 5-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 3,241
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
14/02/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 Hull City - (Welsby, Johnson, Dorrans) - 4,913
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Scullion, Dorrans, Johnson
21/02/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Rochdale - (Jepson 3) - 3,364
Mittell, Lewins, Moran, Hallam, White, Bimson, Welsby, Kilhoury, Jepson, Dorrans, Johnson
25.02.31 -----Wigan Borough 1-3 Manchester United (Manchester Senior Cup, third round) - (Wilson) - 2,000
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
07/03/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 Wrexham - (Jepson) - 3,047
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby (debut), Wilson, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
14/03/31 -----Tranmere Rovers 5-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 8,029
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
21/03/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-2 Carlisle United - (Jepson) - 3,529
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, Entwistle, Bimson, Rigby, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
28/03/31 -----York City 2-3 Wigan Borough - (Welsby 2, Jepson) - 2,678
Mittell, Hartley (debut), Russell, Moran, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
03/04/31 -----Nelson 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Johnson) - 1,666
Mittell, Hartley, Russell, Moran, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
04/04/31 -----Wigan Borough 0-0 Rotherham United - 3,891
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby, Dorran, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
06/04/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 Nelson - (Jepson 2, Welsby) - 2,943
Mittell, Moram Russell, Hallam, Seabrook (debut), Horrocks, Johnson, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
11/04/31 -----Chesterfield 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 3,759
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Hallam, Seabrook, Bimson, Kilhoury, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
18/04/31-----Wigan Borough 2-1 Barrow - (Dorrans, Rigby) - 1,738
Mittell, Moran, Rusell, Horrocks, Seabrook, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Scullion, Johnson, Welsby
21/04/31 -----Southport 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Wilson) - 2,764
Mittell, Moran, Rusell, Horrocks, Seabrook, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Wilson, Johnson, Welsby
26/04/31 -----Crewe Alexandra 3-2 Wigan Borough - (Welsby, Dorrans) - 2,028
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Kilhoury, Wison, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
02/05/31 -----Wigan Borough 0-1 Lincoln City - 2,878
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Hallam, White, Bimson, Dorrans, Horrocks, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
1930/31 – 42 19 5 18 76 86 43 10th
The Reserve team finished in their customary third from bottom placing in the Lancashire Combination
1930/31 -- 38 10 2 26 63 120 22 18th
Immediately following the last game of the season bailiffs were at Springfield Park demanded payment for local tradesmen. They then took the entire gate receipts which just about covered the debts. Within a week the players themselves had an 'acrimonious' meeting with the directors with regards to monies owed to them. The matter was then taken up by the Players Union and they in turn would take the matter to the Lancashire FA.
The chairman and the manager went cap in hand to the local Council pleading for help in a desperate effort to save the club, but no support was forthcoming. They had offered Springfield Park for sale to the Council but there was no decision to made with regards to that issue. The Mayor and Town clerk stated that they did not want the club to die, but they felt they couldn't justify pouring money into the club given the resulting demise of previous association clubs in the town, who apparently had received Council help.
At a shareholders meeting held on 25th May 1931 a furious row erupted with the news of a proposed sale of Springfield Park and shareholders insisted this move could only mean that the club was virtually broke. Once again a club director appealed for each shareholder to two pounds each which would put the club back in favour with the FA, but this was met with refusals citing the fact that not many shareholders were at this moment in time actually supporting the club, whilst others had invested shares elsewhere. There were 12,000 shares available in the club at the time but nobody was taking up the offer to won them.
Mr Greenough then revealed he had even approached Everton and Liverpool FC's with a scheme that would make Wigan Borough their feeder club in exchange for a 'grant'. Defiant as ever Mr Jack Culshaw insisted he would find five men with ten pounds immediately seeing as the public of the town were not supporting him. He also insinuated that there were no men present who could do likewise. An irate shareholder exclaimed,
"What chance have I of getting ten pounds? If I asked a chap for a tenner he'd say, 'Has't gone daft?'" (much laughter)
Mr Greenough - "I could get it tomorrow"
A Mr Hodson - "Well, get it then!"
Mr Greenough - "What will it cost?"
Mr Hodson ' "A day off!" (much hilarity).
Mr Leather insisted that the common man couldn't just ask badly hit tradesmen for money, Wigan was just a working class town and most of the people in it could not afford such sums, all they could do was support the club through match attendance and joining the Supporters Club.
A Mr Binnall - "What is the strength of the Supporters Club?"
A Mr Thomas - "You can't rely on the Supporters Club. I think the membership last season was 200 but I don't think it is so many now. They are only working man. There are men here tonight who can do what the Supporters Club has done in the past".
One shareholder, a Mr Perry asked the chairman why it had taken the club directors so long to take the shareholders into their confidence given the state that the club was now in. He replied that he had truly made a mistake in not doing so, but it was hardly a secret that Wigan Borough players were not getting paid. He insisted that the wage bill was one hundred pounds a week and that missing a few of them could soon escalate. Mr Perry retorted that the shareholders had been kept in the dark and such 'doings' were a secret to him, at least.
The chairman then revealed that every player that the club wanted to retain had not signed new terms because they all wanted summer pay and on that sad note the meeting was adjourned for the following Thursday with a public meeting held the following evening.
The players to feature throughout the season were ...
Frank Barson, Jimmy Bimson, Ernie Cockle, Robert Collins, Billy Crewe, Owen Dorrans, Billy Down, Henry Entwistle, Bill Fairhurst, Jack Flanagan, Jack Hallam, Atrthur Hartley, Stan Horrock, John Jepson, Thomas Jobe, Joe Johnson, Tom Kelly, Mick Kilhoury, George Lewins, Jackie Mittell, Jack Moran, Michael Murray, Tom Pearson, Will Rigby, Leslie Russell, James Scullion, Ted Seabrook, Arthur Welsby, Cecil White, Tom Wilson.
Known amateur and reserve team players were...
J Riley, goalkeeper, W Holt, W Perkins, C Horrock, J Banks, A Rimmer, W Smith, J Dean, AV Affleck, E Berry, R Mosley, R Marsh, S Wilde, AE Warrington, A Edwards, J Bond, J Simmons, T Brown, HG Peterson, J Grice, J Winnard and JT Whittle
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
Next on the scene appeared London born half back Cecil White who also joined the club on a free transfer from Torquay United. Outside right Michael Murray was snapped up from Carnarvon and inside forward Joe Johnson was picked up from Walsall. His recruitments were almost completed with the arrivals of goalkeeper William Fairhurst, Stan Horrocks a right half from Queens Hall, Robert Collins from Prescot Cables, Jimmy Scullion from Crewe Alexandra, Mick Kilhoury a bustling inside right who stepped up from the reserves and Joe Jepson who was snapped up from Accrington Stanley.
Howveer, without doubt the stand out signing was that of former England, Aston Villa and Manchester United centre half Frank Barson from Hartlepools United for whom he had been player/coach, he arrived at Springfield Park on a free transfer and this legendary player had huge hopes pinned upon him with regards to actually enticing more people of the town to turn up at Springfield Park to support their local team.
Outgoing players included goalkeeper Jimmy Mittell who signed for Connahs Quay along with centre back Harry Green.David Robb was signed by Chesterfield whilst John Berry depsrted for pastures new at Burscough Rangers. William Dennis found his way to Stalybridge Celtic but Ernie Cockle, Harry Codd and Tommy Mandy had failed to find new clubs after being released.
A stormy ninth AGM had revealed the fact that Borough did not make public transfer fees received for their players as all monies were sent directly to the Football League who then oversaw the paying of outstanding transfer fees to other clubs which included Everton, Fulham, Preston North End and Bury. This also prevented other creditors approaching the club for money owed to them! However, the chairman was pleased to report that debts owed to the Football League had been virtually paid in full. The meeting had also seen the three remaining directors re elected namely Mr John Greenhough, chairman and Messrs Jack Culshaw and H Anderton.
This is how the season panned out...
30/08/30 -----Darlington 2-3 Wigan Borough - (Johnson 2, Jepson) - 5,370
Fairhurst (debut), Moran, Lewins (debut), White (debut), Barson (debut), Bimson (debut), Murray (debut), Scullion, Jepson (debut), Johnson (debut), Welsby
01/09/30 -----Lincoln City 2-0 Wigan Borough - 6,398
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
06/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Halifax Town - (Welsby (pen), Johnson, Jepson)- 8,379
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
10/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-2 Hartlepools United - (Jepson 2, Scullion) - 7,852
Fairhurst, Horrocks, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
13/09/30 -----New Brighton 0-2 Wigan Borough - (Scullion, Jepson) - 3,317
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
20/09/30 -----Wigan Borough 2-1 Stockport County - (Scullion 2) - 12,156
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
22/09/30 -----Barrow 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Lancashire Senior Cup, first round) - (Jepson (pen)) - unknown
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Kilhoury, Welsby
27/09/30----- South Shields 4-2 Wigan Borough - (Johnson, Jepson (pen)) - 7,085
Fairhurst, Crewe, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
04/10/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Doncaster Rovers - (Jepson 2, Murray) - 8,548
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
11/10/30 -----Hull City 0-0 Wigan Borough - 9,335
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
18/10/30 -----Rochdale 0-4 Wigan Borough - (Jepson 4 (1 pen)) - 6,975
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
25/10/30 -----Wigan Borough 1-0 Southport - (Welsby) 7,834
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
01/11/30 -----Wrexham 2-0 Wigan Borough - 7,822
Fairhurst, Moran, Crewe, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
08/11/30 -----Wigan Borough 4-3 Tranmere Rovers - (Welsby 2, Johnson, Scullion) - 12,042
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
15/11/30 -----Carlisle United 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Welsby) 7,243
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Flanagan (debut), Scullion, Johnson, Welsby
22/11/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 York City - (Scullion 2, Jepson (pen)) - 4,671
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
29/11/30 -----Wrexham 2-0 Wigan Borough - (FA Cup, first round) - 12,171
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Scullion, Wilson, Collins, Dorrans,, Welsby
06/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 1-5 Chesterfield - (Johnson) - 6,589
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Crewe, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Collins, Johnson, Welsby
13/12/30----- Barrow 4-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson (pen)) - 3,971
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Kelly (debut), Jepson, Welsby
20/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 6-0 Crewe Alexandra - (Jepson 2, Crewe 2, Scullion, Bimson) - 3,408
Down (debut), Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson
25/12/30 -----Accrington Stanley 3-0 Wigan Borough - 4,155
Down, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
26/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 3-2 Accrington Stanley - (Scullion, Crewe, Welsby) - 5,597
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Jepson, Scullion, Johnson
27/12/30 -----Wigan Borough 2-0 Darlington - (Wilson, Crewe) - 5,140
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Jepson, Scullion, Johnson
01/01/31 -----Hartlepools United 6-1 Wigan Borough - (Johnson) - 5,397
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
03/01/31 -----Halifax Town 0-1 Wigan Borough - (Murray) - 4,148
Fairhurst, Moran, Russell (debut), White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Jepson, Welsby
Frank Barson, the most fearsome centre-half of the era (and the man who was sent off more times than any other player) played his last game for the club.
10/01/31 -----Rotherham United 5-2 Wigan Borough - (Collins, Whitworth (og)) - 5,289
Fairhurst, Moran, Russell, White, Scullion, Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Collins, Wilson, Welsby
Former goalkeeper Jackie Mittell was signed from Connah's Quay following this game.
17/01/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 New Brighton - (Scullion) - 3,896
Mittell, Moran, Russell, White, Entwistle (debut), Bimson, Murray, Crewe, Scullion, Dorrans (debut), Welsby
24/01/31 -----Stockport County 1-1 Wigan Borough - (Dorrans) - 7,798
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
31/01/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-3 South Shields - (Scullion 2, Jepson) - 982
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
07/02/31 -----Doncaster Rovers 5-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 3,241
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Crewe, White, Bimson, Murray, Scullion, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
14/02/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 Hull City - (Welsby, Johnson, Dorrans) - 4,913
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Welsby, Crewe, Scullion, Dorrans, Johnson
21/02/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-0 Rochdale - (Jepson 3) - 3,364
Mittell, Lewins, Moran, Hallam, White, Bimson, Welsby, Kilhoury, Jepson, Dorrans, Johnson
25.02.31 -----Wigan Borough 1-3 Manchester United (Manchester Senior Cup, third round) - (Wilson) - 2,000
Fairhurst, Moran, Lewins, White, Barson, Bimson, Murray, Johnson, Scullion, Jepson, Welsby
07/03/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-1 Wrexham - (Jepson) - 3,047
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby (debut), Wilson, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
14/03/31 -----Tranmere Rovers 5-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 8,029
Mittell, Lewins, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
21/03/31 -----Wigan Borough 1-2 Carlisle United - (Jepson) - 3,529
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, Entwistle, Bimson, Rigby, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
28/03/31 -----York City 2-3 Wigan Borough - (Welsby 2, Jepson) - 2,678
Mittell, Hartley (debut), Russell, Moran, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
03/04/31 -----Nelson 2-1 Wigan Borough - (Johnson) - 1,666
Mittell, Hartley, Russell, Moran, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
04/04/31 -----Wigan Borough 0-0 Rotherham United - 3,891
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Rigby, Dorran, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
06/04/31 -----Wigan Borough 3-1 Nelson - (Jepson 2, Welsby) - 2,943
Mittell, Moram Russell, Hallam, Seabrook (debut), Horrocks, Johnson, Crewe, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
11/04/31 -----Chesterfield 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Jepson) - 3,759
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Hallam, Seabrook, Bimson, Kilhoury, Scullion, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
18/04/31-----Wigan Borough 2-1 Barrow - (Dorrans, Rigby) - 1,738
Mittell, Moran, Rusell, Horrocks, Seabrook, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Scullion, Johnson, Welsby
21/04/31 -----Southport 3-1 Wigan Borough - (Wilson) - 2,764
Mittell, Moran, Rusell, Horrocks, Seabrook, Bimson, Rigby, Dorrans, Wilson, Johnson, Welsby
26/04/31 -----Crewe Alexandra 3-2 Wigan Borough - (Welsby, Dorrans) - 2,028
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Horrocks, White, Bimson, Kilhoury, Wison, Jepson, Dorrans, Welsby
02/05/31 -----Wigan Borough 0-1 Lincoln City - 2,878
Mittell, Moran, Russell, Hallam, White, Bimson, Dorrans, Horrocks, Jepson, Johnson, Welsby
1930/31 – 42 19 5 18 76 86 43 10th
The Reserve team finished in their customary third from bottom placing in the Lancashire Combination
1930/31 -- 38 10 2 26 63 120 22 18th
Immediately following the last game of the season bailiffs were at Springfield Park demanded payment for local tradesmen. They then took the entire gate receipts which just about covered the debts. Within a week the players themselves had an 'acrimonious' meeting with the directors with regards to monies owed to them. The matter was then taken up by the Players Union and they in turn would take the matter to the Lancashire FA.
The chairman and the manager went cap in hand to the local Council pleading for help in a desperate effort to save the club, but no support was forthcoming. They had offered Springfield Park for sale to the Council but there was no decision to made with regards to that issue. The Mayor and Town clerk stated that they did not want the club to die, but they felt they couldn't justify pouring money into the club given the resulting demise of previous association clubs in the town, who apparently had received Council help.
At a shareholders meeting held on 25th May 1931 a furious row erupted with the news of a proposed sale of Springfield Park and shareholders insisted this move could only mean that the club was virtually broke. Once again a club director appealed for each shareholder to two pounds each which would put the club back in favour with the FA, but this was met with refusals citing the fact that not many shareholders were at this moment in time actually supporting the club, whilst others had invested shares elsewhere. There were 12,000 shares available in the club at the time but nobody was taking up the offer to won them.
Mr Greenough then revealed he had even approached Everton and Liverpool FC's with a scheme that would make Wigan Borough their feeder club in exchange for a 'grant'. Defiant as ever Mr Jack Culshaw insisted he would find five men with ten pounds immediately seeing as the public of the town were not supporting him. He also insinuated that there were no men present who could do likewise. An irate shareholder exclaimed,
"What chance have I of getting ten pounds? If I asked a chap for a tenner he'd say, 'Has't gone daft?'" (much laughter)
Mr Greenough - "I could get it tomorrow"
A Mr Hodson - "Well, get it then!"
Mr Greenough - "What will it cost?"
Mr Hodson ' "A day off!" (much hilarity).
Mr Leather insisted that the common man couldn't just ask badly hit tradesmen for money, Wigan was just a working class town and most of the people in it could not afford such sums, all they could do was support the club through match attendance and joining the Supporters Club.
A Mr Binnall - "What is the strength of the Supporters Club?"
A Mr Thomas - "You can't rely on the Supporters Club. I think the membership last season was 200 but I don't think it is so many now. They are only working man. There are men here tonight who can do what the Supporters Club has done in the past".
One shareholder, a Mr Perry asked the chairman why it had taken the club directors so long to take the shareholders into their confidence given the state that the club was now in. He replied that he had truly made a mistake in not doing so, but it was hardly a secret that Wigan Borough players were not getting paid. He insisted that the wage bill was one hundred pounds a week and that missing a few of them could soon escalate. Mr Perry retorted that the shareholders had been kept in the dark and such 'doings' were a secret to him, at least.
The chairman then revealed that every player that the club wanted to retain had not signed new terms because they all wanted summer pay and on that sad note the meeting was adjourned for the following Thursday with a public meeting held the following evening.
The players to feature throughout the season were ...
Frank Barson, Jimmy Bimson, Ernie Cockle, Robert Collins, Billy Crewe, Owen Dorrans, Billy Down, Henry Entwistle, Bill Fairhurst, Jack Flanagan, Jack Hallam, Atrthur Hartley, Stan Horrock, John Jepson, Thomas Jobe, Joe Johnson, Tom Kelly, Mick Kilhoury, George Lewins, Jackie Mittell, Jack Moran, Michael Murray, Tom Pearson, Will Rigby, Leslie Russell, James Scullion, Ted Seabrook, Arthur Welsby, Cecil White, Tom Wilson.
Known amateur and reserve team players were...
J Riley, goalkeeper, W Holt, W Perkins, C Horrock, J Banks, A Rimmer, W Smith, J Dean, AV Affleck, E Berry, R Mosley, R Marsh, S Wilde, AE Warrington, A Edwards, J Bond, J Simmons, T Brown, HG Peterson, J Grice, J Winnard and JT Whittle
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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