One for the older fans here.
A friend of mine is adamant that whilst playing for Hull KR 'A' in the early 80's, he played against one of the famous WWF 'British Bulldogs who was trialling for Wigan 'A' at the time.
He thinks it was Davey 'Boy' Smith, but it could have been Tom Billington (Dynamite Kid).
Having done some research, it appears both cousins were from Goldborne and, indeed, wheelchair-bound Billington still lives in the town.
I seem to remember once reading an interview with Smith just before he died saying how RL was his favourite sport, but there was no mention of him ever playing the game.
Can anybody shed any light?

Davey Boy Smith was from Golborne.

Not a RL player that I can remember though.

I THINK I remember a photo shoot of him "training" with the team. This might over the years have led to the story he played.

Once met him in the Turnkey.

Showing my age now!

I knew David Personally and can confirm that apart from school he never played rugby at all, let alone at semi pro/pro level. He was though, a massive Wigan fan. I cannot speak for Tom though

Several times when he was fighting on TV, Dave Boy Smith gave Wigan RL a plug. He was definitely a fan, but I don't think he ever played.

Tom 'Dynamite Kid' Billington did not play Rugby for Wigan, he played in School, but never for Wigan, in any capacity. Certainly not in the 80s as he was in Calgary, Canada by 1978, And didn't return to live in England until 1994.

Davey Boy Smith didn't play for Wigan either, he went straight into Pro wrestling from Leaving school, making his debut in 1978 and going over to Canada in 1980.

Didn't he get into the ring once wearing a Wigan shirt?

Well i met my wife in Scots...

Classy

That was Jake The Snake Roberts for some weird reason.

I don;t recall that, there is a video online of Jake 'The Snake' Roberts wrestling for an Indy promotion in a Blue & White Ellergen Wigan jersey. Bizarre.

The only wrestler I recall playing for Wigan was Bert 'the spaniel' Terrible, he played twice, both times leaving the field early, once with haemorrhoid problems, and once, due to a broken flask. He represented Platt Bridge Formation Drinking Team in the Commonwealth Games but was banned for passing, not failing, a drugs test. Famously he once met the Queen Mother who referred to him as, " a shyster". He was killed during the 2nd World War, not in action, but got knocked down by a bus outside the King Billy, he is buried in a pauper's grave in Lower Ince.

Yes i have the entire match on dvd Jake The Snake Roberts "wrestles" in a 1990 Wigan Away shirt

Think it's on youtube.

He would pop down and watch Parkside a few times, surprisingly short bloke.

Seperate issue do any of you guys recall a Maurice Platt playing for Wigan, he's a course lecturer at the college i'm at in Willesden says he played for Wigan when i went in with my Wire top on, don't recall him though ?

I think he may have played for Ince one or two times, but it was a long time ago

There you go.
Always trust Bilko
[urlhttp://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=810[/url

Cheers RG (and Bilko), what happened to him, injury or released ?

One pro wrestler who did play for Wigan was big Ste Breheny. Think he went under the name Buffalo Breheny or something.

im pretty sure thomas billington did .but all i can remember is david had a few photos with golborne parkside

just asked his brother and he said he had a trial at wigan and they offerd him a contract but he turned it down and carried on wrestling

I need to see this.

I played for Parkside and Dave came down during a game v Normanton knights.

Tommy never played for Wigan, it's my best mate's dad. I've read his Autobiography, Thomas Billington aka Dynamite kid never played for Wigan lol

Anybody got the link for Jake Roberts wearing a Wigan shirt?