Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
@ancientandloyal.com
Website dedicated to the rich history of the Wigan Rugby League Football Club
Sharing pre-War material and beyond… daily. Also following my x2 daughters Rugby journey with Leigh Miners Rangers ⛏️🖤💛. Just a proud dad
Sharing pre-War material and beyond… daily. Also following my x2 daughters Rugby journey with Leigh Miners Rangers ⛏️🖤💛. Just a proud dad
Bugger
National Track Cycling Championships are on the same night as Wigans first game at home v Hull FC in Feb.
I came second on the interactive Quiz in 2025 at the velodrome - I need to avenge this! Tickets already bought in prime seats!
National Track Cycling Championships are on the same night as Wigans first game at home v Hull FC in Feb.
I came second on the interactive Quiz in 2025 at the velodrome - I need to avenge this! Tickets already bought in prime seats!
December 11, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Bugger
National Track Cycling Championships are on the same night as Wigans first game at home v Hull FC in Feb.
I came second on the interactive Quiz in 2025 at the velodrome - I need to avenge this! Tickets already bought in prime seats!
National Track Cycling Championships are on the same night as Wigans first game at home v Hull FC in Feb.
I came second on the interactive Quiz in 2025 at the velodrome - I need to avenge this! Tickets already bought in prime seats!
Bert Jenkins
Wigans Welsh Centre
His only peer in the centre position was Eric Ashton
On this Day, 10th December 1904 made his debut.
Wigans Welsh Centre
His only peer in the centre position was Eric Ashton
On this Day, 10th December 1904 made his debut.
December 11, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Bert Jenkins
Wigans Welsh Centre
His only peer in the centre position was Eric Ashton
On this Day, 10th December 1904 made his debut.
Wigans Welsh Centre
His only peer in the centre position was Eric Ashton
On this Day, 10th December 1904 made his debut.
Write. Edit. Research. Change. Carry on. Delete. New format. Write… dear me it’s meant to be a basic, Brexit style book for my first crap attempt 😂 that will end up for 10p on download websites.
At least I’m trying lol
#JohnCounsellDiary
At least I’m trying lol
#JohnCounsellDiary
December 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Write. Edit. Research. Change. Carry on. Delete. New format. Write… dear me it’s meant to be a basic, Brexit style book for my first crap attempt 😂 that will end up for 10p on download websites.
At least I’m trying lol
#JohnCounsellDiary
At least I’m trying lol
#JohnCounsellDiary
On This Day 📅
9th December 1939
Jack Cunliffe makes his Wigan debut
🙋🏻♂️ ❓❗️
But what is the age old Pub Quiz Question you’d associate with Jack Cunliffe?
9th December 1939
Jack Cunliffe makes his Wigan debut
🙋🏻♂️ ❓❗️
But what is the age old Pub Quiz Question you’d associate with Jack Cunliffe?
December 9, 2025 at 8:17 AM
On This Day 📅
9th December 1939
Jack Cunliffe makes his Wigan debut
🙋🏻♂️ ❓❗️
But what is the age old Pub Quiz Question you’d associate with Jack Cunliffe?
9th December 1939
Jack Cunliffe makes his Wigan debut
🙋🏻♂️ ❓❗️
But what is the age old Pub Quiz Question you’d associate with Jack Cunliffe?
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
If you want to find out more about Roy Francis, race, and #RugbyLeague I'm talking about my new book on the Progressive Rugby League podcast, which you can listen to here: shows.acast.com/the-progress...
PRL BOOK CLUB - Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader by Tony Collins | The Progressive Rugby League Podcast
Professor Tony Collins steps us through the life and times of Roy Francis, one of the most significant figures in British Rugby League history
shows.acast.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
If you want to find out more about Roy Francis, race, and #RugbyLeague I'm talking about my new book on the Progressive Rugby League podcast, which you can listen to here: shows.acast.com/the-progress...
If one could go to any game from the past, hands down:
Swinton v Wigan, New Years Day, 1890
The day Slevin lowered Valentines colours and three trains full left Wigan Wallgate to witness Slevins high-watermark
Swinton v Wigan, New Years Day, 1890
The day Slevin lowered Valentines colours and three trains full left Wigan Wallgate to witness Slevins high-watermark
December 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
If one could go to any game from the past, hands down:
Swinton v Wigan, New Years Day, 1890
The day Slevin lowered Valentines colours and three trains full left Wigan Wallgate to witness Slevins high-watermark
Swinton v Wigan, New Years Day, 1890
The day Slevin lowered Valentines colours and three trains full left Wigan Wallgate to witness Slevins high-watermark
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
Ancient & Loyal - Rochdale Tragedy: 1939 share.google/095WediJWUkm...
Death in Rochdale 😱
Death in Rochdale 😱
Ancient & Loyal - Rochdale Tragedy: 1939
Hillsborough in 1989, Burnden Park in 1948 and Valley Parade in 1985. These are just three memorable stadium disasters that tragically killed dozens of spectators at a football match. Here, we look in...
share.google
December 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Ancient & Loyal - Rochdale Tragedy: 1939 share.google/095WediJWUkm...
Death in Rochdale 😱
Death in Rochdale 😱
Take me to the early days of the Northern Union or Union days…
If I could time travel, the one player I’d love to see would be Jim Leytham.
They came from all over the north to watch him play.
Imagine: Boston on one side, Leytham on the other
If I could time travel, the one player I’d love to see would be Jim Leytham.
They came from all over the north to watch him play.
Imagine: Boston on one side, Leytham on the other
December 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Take me to the early days of the Northern Union or Union days…
If I could time travel, the one player I’d love to see would be Jim Leytham.
They came from all over the north to watch him play.
Imagine: Boston on one side, Leytham on the other
If I could time travel, the one player I’d love to see would be Jim Leytham.
They came from all over the north to watch him play.
Imagine: Boston on one side, Leytham on the other
Infantino the ultimate ass kisser
Take note RFL
Take note RFL
December 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Infantino the ultimate ass kisser
Take note RFL
Take note RFL
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
After yesterday's sad news about Salford's winding up order I thought I would post an article I wrote in 2009 about happier times at the club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
David Watkins
I had watched David Watkins on television playing rugby union for Wales and the British Lions and when he changed codes in October 1967 I thought, as I am sure many other people did, that his signing ...
www.dropkickbooks.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
After yesterday's sad news about Salford's winding up order I thought I would post an article I wrote in 2009 about happier times at the club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
The Club of Tom Kent, Harry Eagles and Gus Risman as we know it has ceased today.
Salford is one of the greatest clubs in our sport. I hope they return soon. 152 years of history can’t be forgotten
Come of Rugby League… be competent all round.
Salford is one of the greatest clubs in our sport. I hope they return soon. 152 years of history can’t be forgotten
Come of Rugby League… be competent all round.
December 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The Club of Tom Kent, Harry Eagles and Gus Risman as we know it has ceased today.
Salford is one of the greatest clubs in our sport. I hope they return soon. 152 years of history can’t be forgotten
Come of Rugby League… be competent all round.
Salford is one of the greatest clubs in our sport. I hope they return soon. 152 years of history can’t be forgotten
Come of Rugby League… be competent all round.
📅 On This Day
1st December - 1883
Wigan batter Southport Olympic by 1 Goal 5 tries and 13 minor points to 1 minor point at Upper Dicconson Street.
1st December - 1883
Wigan batter Southport Olympic by 1 Goal 5 tries and 13 minor points to 1 minor point at Upper Dicconson Street.
December 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
📅 On This Day
1st December - 1883
Wigan batter Southport Olympic by 1 Goal 5 tries and 13 minor points to 1 minor point at Upper Dicconson Street.
1st December - 1883
Wigan batter Southport Olympic by 1 Goal 5 tries and 13 minor points to 1 minor point at Upper Dicconson Street.
Richard “Dick” Seddon
Here as Captain of one of the Greatest rugby teams in the country pre-1895: the “Dark Blues” of Aspull
1887 with the Wigan Charity Cup and the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Trophy
He joined the colours of Jim Slevin at Wigan a year later
My fave Baines Card
Here as Captain of one of the Greatest rugby teams in the country pre-1895: the “Dark Blues” of Aspull
1887 with the Wigan Charity Cup and the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Trophy
He joined the colours of Jim Slevin at Wigan a year later
My fave Baines Card
November 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Richard “Dick” Seddon
Here as Captain of one of the Greatest rugby teams in the country pre-1895: the “Dark Blues” of Aspull
1887 with the Wigan Charity Cup and the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Trophy
He joined the colours of Jim Slevin at Wigan a year later
My fave Baines Card
Here as Captain of one of the Greatest rugby teams in the country pre-1895: the “Dark Blues” of Aspull
1887 with the Wigan Charity Cup and the West Lancashire and Border Towns Union Trophy
He joined the colours of Jim Slevin at Wigan a year later
My fave Baines Card
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
If you haven’t yet read “Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader” a certain major online retailer is offering the hardback for just £6.99 - it also makes a great Xmas gift (or so I’ve been told).
November 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
If you haven’t yet read “Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader” a certain major online retailer is offering the hardback for just £6.99 - it also makes a great Xmas gift (or so I’ve been told).
New Saints away jersey
November 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New Saints away jersey
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
Challenge Cup giant killers.
In 1909 Ebbw Vale NUFC was knocked out of the Cup by Beverley Beavers. 86 years would elapse before another professional club was knocked out of the Challenge Cup by an amateur club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
#rugby-league
In 1909 Ebbw Vale NUFC was knocked out of the Cup by Beverley Beavers. 86 years would elapse before another professional club was knocked out of the Challenge Cup by an amateur club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
#rugby-league
Ebbw Vale Northern Union Football Club
Ebbw Vale was one of six Welsh clubs that played in the Northern Union in the early years of the Twentieth Century.
www.dropkickbooks.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Challenge Cup giant killers.
In 1909 Ebbw Vale NUFC was knocked out of the Cup by Beverley Beavers. 86 years would elapse before another professional club was knocked out of the Challenge Cup by an amateur club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
#rugby-league
In 1909 Ebbw Vale NUFC was knocked out of the Cup by Beverley Beavers. 86 years would elapse before another professional club was knocked out of the Challenge Cup by an amateur club.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
#rugby-league
First game for us in 2026 seems to be:
An away trip to 1920s Yorkshire
Cas v Wigan Feb 15
Ffs
An away trip to 1920s Yorkshire
Cas v Wigan Feb 15
Ffs
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
First game for us in 2026 seems to be:
An away trip to 1920s Yorkshire
Cas v Wigan Feb 15
Ffs
An away trip to 1920s Yorkshire
Cas v Wigan Feb 15
Ffs
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
The draw for the 1st Round of the Rugby League Challenge Cup takes place today. Uno's Dabs, Twelve Apostles & Healey Street Adults won't be in the draw, but were in the past.
Read about the junior clubs that played in the Cup in
'Making Up The Numbers'. Available from dropkickbooks.com
Read about the junior clubs that played in the Cup in
'Making Up The Numbers'. Available from dropkickbooks.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The draw for the 1st Round of the Rugby League Challenge Cup takes place today. Uno's Dabs, Twelve Apostles & Healey Street Adults won't be in the draw, but were in the past.
Read about the junior clubs that played in the Cup in
'Making Up The Numbers'. Available from dropkickbooks.com
Read about the junior clubs that played in the Cup in
'Making Up The Numbers'. Available from dropkickbooks.com
Now to add the stories lol.
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Now to add the stories lol.
The original Diary was lost in a fire at Central Park. Luckily some have kept records of it.
The bones are nearly done on my first project just need to add the meat, photos, context, stories etc.
The bones are nearly done on my first project just need to add the meat, photos, context, stories etc.
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The original Diary was lost in a fire at Central Park. Luckily some have kept records of it.
The bones are nearly done on my first project just need to add the meat, photos, context, stories etc.
The bones are nearly done on my first project just need to add the meat, photos, context, stories etc.
Sunday morning reading 📕
November 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Sunday morning reading 📕
George H. Sowter
Also played in the 1872 Wigan Football Clubs first match against Warrington in January 1873
Also played in the 1872 Wigan Football Clubs first match against Warrington in January 1873
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
George H. Sowter
Also played in the 1872 Wigan Football Clubs first match against Warrington in January 1873
Also played in the 1872 Wigan Football Clubs first match against Warrington in January 1873