Had a printer/scanner bought for me as a birthday present over the weekend, I also have a stack of old Wigan pictures (my dad used to take his camera to games throughout the 80's/90's).

Will add them as I go on, got loads of Wembley 84, Wembley 85....even one of Rocket Ronnie Brathwaite in full flight.



First up is Wigan versus Castleford (around 1983) - Gary Stephens scoring for Wigan. Notice the lack of Cherry & White paint along the top of the Douglas Stand, in addition - No Sponsors.

This was my 2nd season watching Wigan.

Another thing that alarmed me was the padding on the posts.....imagine Amos hitting those buggers last season.......ouch!!!




Has anyone else got any old pics knocking about?

[uWigan v Yorkshire. (Friendly)[/u

Rocket Ronnie showing his skills.

[uSalford v Wigan (Early 80's).[/u


Wigan in Blue with white stripe.
With regards to the Willows, nothing much has changed in that photo in nearly thirty years.

[uBramley v Wigan - Challenge Cup Rd 1.[/u

[uSunday 12th Feb 1984[/u


Drew 10-10........Wigan were VERY lucky to scrape a draw, however battered them 34-4 in the replay.

Lovely little stand, yes I was one of the 3,968 there that day. Will have to try and dig out some actual photo's of the game.

Good pictures, can't believe how low the crowd is as well! Not often you see pictures of central park like that, most pictures in 'Central Park Memories' show the ground either jam packed or empty without a match on.

Quality pics. Can I add them to the Central Park page on the site?

I did have another pic of the same game (Cas game), the Popular & Douglas stand was pretty well attended....still think there was 6-7k on that day.

Of course. No problem at all.

Have many more, will get them on over the next few hours.

So in that case the cas fans didn't turn up



Shows just how poor some crowds were during that poor era, even if it is right at the end. Its madness that the 2 years after that they were at wembley and became world champs 4 years later!

Great pics! Keep them coming! Nice to see some fresh ones, only last night I was looking through all my books of Wigans history.

I bet there is some crackers from the 85 final

Halfback combination was Edwards and Holden IIRC

Oh yes!

Probably common in those days. The Late 70s/Early 80s crowds were dire pretty much everywhere. The sport was seemingly dying, that was until they increased the points for a try from three to four and it all seemed to lift from there. Perhaps Wigan being good again helped that? I'm too young to answer that one.

Can't wait! Get um up!

I remember Alex Murphy hiding his face in the dug out as Bramley had a late penalty (or we had one - it missed anyway). I also remember getting completely lost driving to the game and then following a car with a cherry and white scarf in the back window. The scarf was a complete coincidence as it pulled into a drive on an estate in Bramley. As we did a 3 point turn we noticed about 5 cars of Wigan fans had been following us.

Cracking pics btw. Keep them coming

Personally I would love to know the story of RL popularity! It has dipped and turned and done backflips so many times!

We used to see massive crowds on a regular basis and the international game used to be massive even in the sky era! I just can't get my head around it all.... I can't help but feel RL could have been huge if managed correctly but instead we will always be a minority sport but I do think the sport can maximise potential if all clubs can get in modern stadia.

[uSaints v Wigan - Challenge Cup QF[/u


[uSunday 11th March 1984[/u

Wigan won 16-07, Attendance - 20,007

I remember the Kop going beserk when Pengy scored the winner!!!!

Was there a nicer place in the world than Central Park on a warm summers day?

probably being a bit soppy but that photo has made me a little damp around the eyes.

Two weeks later, the Challenge Cup Semi Final.

[uWigan v York[/u

[uSaturday 24th March 1984 - Elland Road, Leeds[/u

Wigan beat York 14-8 to take us to Wembley for the first time in 14 years, attendance 17,156









[uMick Scott scoring the winner for Wigan.[/u

That York game was played in March and look at the state of the pitch.

IIRC - That Semi Final was in doubt right up until 9am that morning due to a waterlogged pitch.


Thought you'd enjoy these pics Brian.

Am i right in saying that Wigan changed into St Helens second strip for the 2nd half?

[uChallenge Cup Final - 1984[/u

[uWigan v Widnes[/u

We lost, didn't play well......unfortunately Joe Lydon did.

Again, think I have more somewhere, will need to dig out.

The main event:

[uWigan v Hull - 1985 Challenge Cup Final[/u




[uThe Entrance.[/u




[uThe National Anthem.[/u



[uThe one and only John Ferguson - Legend.[/u



[uAbout to Kick Off[/u




[uEdwards Try[/u






[uHenderson Gill Conversion[/u



[uWigan Fans[/u



[uThe winners walk[/u



[uChallenge Cup Winners!![/u

Mate i was just thinking the very same thing.

Miss the old girl

I remember that Murphy was desperate for someone to play stand off in the replay, when Mark Cannon stuck his hand up to declare that he could play in that position (he actually was a stand off but Murphy didn't know!). Did a good job for us over the rest of the season - until he encountered Lockers' Dad in the final at Wembley!