I was brought up in New Springs in the 50’s and rugby was the only choice. My dad used to take me(when he could get time off from his two shitty jobs as a window cleaner and a milkman, horse drawn cart here, fckin tough for him)
In those days and the 60’s watching the likes of Boston, Ashton, Murphy etc was awesome for a young lad.(Cue grief from the folk who went to Goole).
I remember whacking school from John Rigby GS to see Latics v Doncaster in the cup when Harry Lyon scored 3. I would be about 13.(1965 I think)
We moved house to Springfield in 1968 and watching Latics became much easier. I coupled this with watching rugby and 1st Div. football at any of the six clubs in Lancs. Bolton, Burnley, City, Utd, Everton and Liverpool. In those days(1960’s) you could turn up and buy a ticket. About 3 shillings or 15p for kids to see George Best, Law, Charton, Alan Ball etc. Burnley became my favourite team,Willie Morgan, Ralph Coates, Willie Irvine, Lochhead etc. Then Leighton James, Ray Hankin and Martin Dobson. But really we just went to see great players. I was lucky enough to see all the 1966 world cup winning team in the flesh bar George Cohen.Bobby Moore was fkin awesome every time I saw him.Best defender ever to play the game imo.
In 1971 I was at City to Latics lose 1-0 to a great City team.
Gradually as I got older and more independant, I started to watch Latics more and more, especially when they got into the 4th division. I gave up on the rugby during this time as well, occasional cup games. I last paid to watch rugby in 1985 and it’s fair to assume I will never pay again.
I have no problem referring to my time as a rugby fan, I had no choice. It was a great game back then, played part time by men who worked in the mines or factories. Crowds of 47000 would turn up at Central park to watch Wigan v Saints (not now eh).
So here I am now. Latics in the prem. Turn the clock back?
Watching N’Zog, Nani or Best.
Bosseli(sp) Berbatov or Law.
Caldwell, Upson or Moore.
Thomas, Rodwell or Ball.
Now I would need to think about that one…….. for 30 secs.
