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
It’s the Eve-Eve of the Wigan Rugby Clubs Greatest ever rugby match before we played the New Zealanders in Jimmy Leythams Day…
New Years Day, 1890… my annual homage… Wigans greatest pre-Northern Match…
Oh to be there!
New Years Day, 1890… my annual homage… Wigans greatest pre-Northern Match…
Oh to be there!
December 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
It’s the Eve-Eve of the Wigan Rugby Clubs Greatest ever rugby match before we played the New Zealanders in Jimmy Leythams Day…
New Years Day, 1890… my annual homage… Wigans greatest pre-Northern Match…
Oh to be there!
New Years Day, 1890… my annual homage… Wigans greatest pre-Northern Match…
Oh to be there!
Scot Lane Council School RFC, Marsh Green, Wigan
C. 1903
My great grandad back row second from right, the smallest lad. Kinda looks like George Williams
Marsh Green turned out to be the Amalfi of Wigan
C. 1903
My great grandad back row second from right, the smallest lad. Kinda looks like George Williams
Marsh Green turned out to be the Amalfi of Wigan
December 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Scot Lane Council School RFC, Marsh Green, Wigan
C. 1903
My great grandad back row second from right, the smallest lad. Kinda looks like George Williams
Marsh Green turned out to be the Amalfi of Wigan
C. 1903
My great grandad back row second from right, the smallest lad. Kinda looks like George Williams
Marsh Green turned out to be the Amalfi of Wigan
A Belgian beer and catch up on Cyclo-cross 🚴♂️ on the telly.
A break from scrapbooking.
Don’t know the result but it’s all about one man… MvdP
A break from scrapbooking.
Don’t know the result but it’s all about one man… MvdP
December 26, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A Belgian beer and catch up on Cyclo-cross 🚴♂️ on the telly.
A break from scrapbooking.
Don’t know the result but it’s all about one man… MvdP
A break from scrapbooking.
Don’t know the result but it’s all about one man… MvdP
📅 On This Day
25th December, 1886
Wigan face Warrington at Prescott Street for their first ever Christmas Day match.
1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ saw Jim Slevins men draw in a match that finished Wigan 6 minor points to Warrington 3 minors
25th December, 1886
Wigan face Warrington at Prescott Street for their first ever Christmas Day match.
1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ saw Jim Slevins men draw in a match that finished Wigan 6 minor points to Warrington 3 minors
December 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
📅 On This Day
25th December, 1886
Wigan face Warrington at Prescott Street for their first ever Christmas Day match.
1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ saw Jim Slevins men draw in a match that finished Wigan 6 minor points to Warrington 3 minors
25th December, 1886
Wigan face Warrington at Prescott Street for their first ever Christmas Day match.
1️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ saw Jim Slevins men draw in a match that finished Wigan 6 minor points to Warrington 3 minors
Merry Christmas!
But not for this kid…
But not for this kid…
December 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Merry Christmas!
But not for this kid…
But not for this kid…
The Committee wish you A Merry Christmas and A Happy and Prosperous New Year
To all my followers, have a good un… Jim Slevin and the boys thank you for your interest in the Wigan Clubs early past.
History matters
To all my followers, have a good un… Jim Slevin and the boys thank you for your interest in the Wigan Clubs early past.
History matters
December 25, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The Committee wish you A Merry Christmas and A Happy and Prosperous New Year
To all my followers, have a good un… Jim Slevin and the boys thank you for your interest in the Wigan Clubs early past.
History matters
To all my followers, have a good un… Jim Slevin and the boys thank you for your interest in the Wigan Clubs early past.
History matters
Johnny Ring loved a good Christmas Day match
December 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Johnny Ring loved a good Christmas Day match
WE SHOULD HAVE CHRISTMAS DAY RUGBY LEAGUE AGAIN!
December 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
WE SHOULD HAVE CHRISTMAS DAY RUGBY LEAGUE AGAIN!
On This Day 📅
20th December 1987
This chap 👇🏻 made his Wigan debut… can you name him?
20th December 1987
This chap 👇🏻 made his Wigan debut… can you name him?
December 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
On This Day 📅
20th December 1987
This chap 👇🏻 made his Wigan debut… can you name him?
20th December 1987
This chap 👇🏻 made his Wigan debut… can you name him?
To a Wiganer, this is like seeing Jordan, Pippin and Rodman in their prime 🥧
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
To a Wiganer, this is like seeing Jordan, Pippin and Rodman in their prime 🥧
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mr Callaghan: “no lubricants" policy:
“I will not allow gravy and I won't allow any lubricants, don't come to the competition if that's what you want.
"I think it's wrong - you eat a pie as it is, you don't stick in a bowl of gravy, that's for Southerners."
Mr Callaghan: “no lubricants" policy:
“I will not allow gravy and I won't allow any lubricants, don't come to the competition if that's what you want.
"I think it's wrong - you eat a pie as it is, you don't stick in a bowl of gravy, that's for Southerners."
Wigan pie-eating champion polishes off pie in 64 seconds
Tom O'Neil is crowned pie-eating champion after the annual contest in Wigan, Greater Manchester.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 6:54 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mr Callaghan: “no lubricants" policy:
“I will not allow gravy and I won't allow any lubricants, don't come to the competition if that's what you want.
"I think it's wrong - you eat a pie as it is, you don't stick in a bowl of gravy, that's for Southerners."
Mr Callaghan: “no lubricants" policy:
“I will not allow gravy and I won't allow any lubricants, don't come to the competition if that's what you want.
"I think it's wrong - you eat a pie as it is, you don't stick in a bowl of gravy, that's for Southerners."
On This Day 📅
18th December 1926
Lewis Perkins plays his last game for Wigan. He later died of cancer
18th December 1926
Lewis Perkins plays his last game for Wigan. He later died of cancer
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
On This Day 📅
18th December 1926
Lewis Perkins plays his last game for Wigan. He later died of cancer
18th December 1926
Lewis Perkins plays his last game for Wigan. He later died of cancer
I’m sorry but celebrating our 5th anniversary of our 2020 grand final loss is crap.
A lot going wrong with the Wigan club currently. Piss poor all round and the jersey is a reflection of that
A lot going wrong with the Wigan club currently. Piss poor all round and the jersey is a reflection of that
December 16, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I’m sorry but celebrating our 5th anniversary of our 2020 grand final loss is crap.
A lot going wrong with the Wigan club currently. Piss poor all round and the jersey is a reflection of that
A lot going wrong with the Wigan club currently. Piss poor all round and the jersey is a reflection of that
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
Read the story of when Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
Askern Welfare v Wigan
The day that Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup
www.dropkickbooks.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Read the story of when Askern Welfare played Wigan in the Rugby League Challenge Cup.
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
www.dropkickbooks.com/blog/post.ph...
Reposted by Ancient & Loyal 🏉 Wigan R.L.
The Scots revolutionised football, but did Scotland invent soccer? It's complicated... The new episode of 'Rugby Reloaded' unravels the tangled origins of the round-ball game north and south of the border: on.soundcloud.com/jfgUfdyTeFiE...
209. Did Scotland Invent Football?
This week's episode looks at how soccer emerged in Scotland in the mid-1800s. By the early 1880s not only was Glasgow the world capital of football, but Scottish players playing for English clubs had
soundcloud.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
The Scots revolutionised football, but did Scotland invent soccer? It's complicated... The new episode of 'Rugby Reloaded' unravels the tangled origins of the round-ball game north and south of the border: on.soundcloud.com/jfgUfdyTeFiE...
On This Day 📅
12th December, 1903
Wigans first Superstar and AnL’s all-time 1-13 member James Leytham made his debut.
He would be my teams captain.
They came from all over the North to watch Jim play
12th December, 1903
Wigans first Superstar and AnL’s all-time 1-13 member James Leytham made his debut.
He would be my teams captain.
They came from all over the North to watch Jim play
December 12, 2025 at 9:18 AM
On This Day 📅
12th December, 1903
Wigans first Superstar and AnL’s all-time 1-13 member James Leytham made his debut.
He would be my teams captain.
They came from all over the North to watch Jim play
12th December, 1903
Wigans first Superstar and AnL’s all-time 1-13 member James Leytham made his debut.
He would be my teams captain.
They came from all over the North to watch Jim play
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 😱