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Wigan's hunt for a fourth Championship had ended in April 1933. A crowd of 21,400 witnessed league leaders Salford claim a comfortable 14-2 win over Jim Sullivan's men, and with it the Lancashire League Trophy and a place in the Championship Final. Gus Risman made sure of his 100th goal of the season with his last kick as Salford got over the line by defeating local rivals Swinton 15-5 at Central Park in the Championship decider.
Wigan's problem and failure to win any honours in 1932/33 didn't come from the boot of Jim Sullivan. Despite missing the first five games of the season due to being on Tour in Australia, Jim still managed to kick over 100 goals for the twelfth successive season, indeed, kicking 146 goals in all. He also kicked 107 goals whilst on Tour. The failure also didn't come from Jackie Morley, the Wigan wing three-quarter who crossed the line 47 times despite lacking in service off his centre partner for most of the season.
Wigan's issue lay in the pack, and in particular during scrimmaging. Wigan were far below par.
In the off season, Wigan stalwart Harry Lowe had decided to call it a day in the Directors Box and resign as Chairman after 24 years service, and quite a time before that as a player making his debut in September 1903. Wigan had decided to make Lowe a Life Member and was to be replaced by Alderman James Walkden as Chairman. In other news, Jim Sullivan had decided to blow the dust off his baseball bat and play baseball for St. Margarets, Liverpool, after a two-season absence. In the 1930 season, Sullivan captained St. Margarets to three Cups. Dick Ramsdale sadly passed away in June. The former Wigan and British tourist was famed for his role in the Rorke's Drift Test of 1914.
Wigan's first capture for the 1933/34 campaign was a New Zealand winger named Bill Merritt. The 24 year old was recommended to Wigan by a 'well-known New Zealand sportsman', and on his arrival in England, Wigan signed him up before he had chance to play Cricket for Rishton. Albert Davies was a second row forward who also signed with Wigan. He appeared as the old A.N. Other during a trial period around Christmas time the previous season for Wigan A and was a reserve International for Wales Rugby Union and hailed from the Mountain Ash club. Just what Wigan needed, a forward. Gordon Innes, the Canterbury and New Zealand centre, was also reported to have boarded the ship S.S. Rangitiki for England, with Wigan his destination.
Gordon Innes
Gordon Innes
Albert Davies
Albert Davies
Bill Merritt
Bill Merritt
As Wigan Highfield flirted with upping sticks and relocating to London (whilst the reserves would still play at Tunstall Lane), and Leigh were suffering with financial difficulties, Wigan were preparing for the forthcoming season by putting several players on the transfer list. Sol Oakley (£75 fee) didn't really have a chance at Wigan, not when a Mr. Sullivan was the first choice fullback. He was a splendid fullback in his own right and a good goalkicker, but, you know... G.O.A.T. and all that. Also, a bit of sad news. Syd Abram (£200 fee) was also put on the transfer list and was snapped up by Bramley. Abram was famed for being the first try scorer at Wembley stadium in 1929. Robert Ilsley followed Wigan Highfield to the newly renamed London Highfield for an undisclosed sum.
"Serious Training" commenced, according to the Wigan Examiner, on July 18th just a week before Jim Sullivan agreed new terms with Wigan. The Wigan team at the start of the season comprised of 8 Welshmen, 2 Australians, 3 New Zealanders, a Yicker (from Haydock), 4 St Helens born player, a Leyther, 15 Wiganers, a Broughtonite and a Scotman... of the principle players. As the practice matches grew in stature, and trials were given out, Wiganers were feeling optimistic for the season ahead. Hunslet's hooker Henry Lennard was trialled and impressed the committee so much that he was signed on. Meanwhile, the Touring Australians were busy entertaining the Leeds public at Headingley ahead of their Tests. 40,000 were admitted free of charge to watch a seven a side competition.
The 26th August was D-Day, or Christmas Day for rugby supporters 'up North as this comic strip shows us. For Wigan, that meant a trip to Wilderspool. Despite being hyped up for the match, new signing Leonard was missing from the starting team as he was suffering from pleurisy! Albert Davies made his debut in the forward pack and... that was where the good news ended for Wigan. The problems of the previous season came to a head as Warrington outplayed Wigan in the forwards, especially in the scrums. Wigan were overwhelmed and limped to a 22-6 defeat.
Supporters were feeling unhappy and made their opinions felt towards the Directors. "Our team is as good as any in the league, and yet the once formidable Wigan is now becoming a joke on the Rugby field," said a Mr Berry in the local press. "Until team spirit and co-operation are fostered by encouraging each player to give of his best, the Wigan team will fail to win trophies."
Another wrote, "It must be admitted that the captures of the last few seasons have not come up to the required standard... so buck up your ideas Directors, you are losing the confidence of your supporters," wrote another.
Wigan would quickly have the chance to right their wrongs and get their season going in the next match against London Highfield. The Wigan Wanderers now donned their new colours of blue and gold and would play under floodlights at White City, London, on Wednesday evenings. This was London Highfield's first match after moving from the Wigan district in the summer. News also came good in Wigan as Jack Morley re-signed for the club on August 30th, agreeing new terms after his "little indifference" with the Wigan club. When asked by the Wigan Observer on the matter, Wigan secretary George Taylor said "the matter is too delicate to be discussed publicly." It was about money, of course.
After starting his season with three goals against Warrington, Jim Sullivan filled his boots against London Highfield. The newly re-signed Jack Morley (now on better money), and young half-back George Bennett were instrumental in seven of Wigan's nine tries, as Sullivan managed to kick eight goals, bringing his season tally, after two matches, to 11. Morley grabbed four tries as Bennett crossed for a hat-trick himself. Joe Welsby (photo) made his debut as a poor crowd of 6,000 turned out at Central Park to see a convincing 43-11 win.
Now for a typical Wigan supporter. Nothing changes. The previous week, a Mr. Berry was scathing on the current predicament the Wigan club was in. This week however, after a nice victory over Highfield, Mr Berry wrote in saying "After being foremost as a critic, may I now be allowed to take the opposite role and congratulate our team... (we supporters are) unanimous in saying "Who cares if we win or lose?"" after seeing Rugby played like that." Of course, being Wiganers, when we lose it's the end of the world, and if we win all is good with the world.
Gordon Innes, the New Zealand centre was due to arrive in England ahead of the St. Helens Recreation match, but too late to play in the first team. New chairman Alderman Walkden went to London along with stalwart John Counsell and J. Entwistle to pick up Gordon and bring him up North where he was greeted by Jim Sullivan and the rest of the Wigan directors upon arrival. Innes' arrival was further welcomed by Sullivan signing a new five-year contract with Wigan, to add to his 12 year one he signed in June 1921.
This photo shows Gordon Innes being welcomed to Wigan by club directors and Jim Sullivan. John Counsell is to the left of Sullivan. Counsell wrote in his famous diary the following: Sept. 6th - Met Gordon Innes at King George V. dock, London. Arrived with him in Wigan at 6-50. Took him to ground and after a long wrangle he signed on for the Wigan club
The fun didn't last however. A loss to St. Helens Recreation (12-11) after a last minute penalty miss by Sullivan dampened spirits somewhat despite a positive display from Australian halfback Hector Gee. Gordon Innes and Will Merritt made their debuts for Wigan A and the former was ready to make his debut against Hunslet the following Saturday. A trip to Rochdale on the Tuesday inbetween again proved fruitless with a 15-5 loss.
A hat-trick debut. That's what we like to see isn't it? Innes had the fortune to claim that prize against the Parksiders at Central Park, and could have had a fourth try had he not unselfishly passed Davies. Despite losing three of their first five matches, Wigan found themselves as leading scorers of the league. 53-5 helped that statistic as Sullivan kicked ten goals and Wigan crossed for 11 tries, one of which was from a wingman!
In mid-September, Wigan found themselves mid-table. Sullivan found himself on 26 goals after five matches and well on his way to another season of a century of goals. The Touring Australian team had by now several matches under their belts as they entertained a Lancashire team without any Wigan players, such was the state of Wigan's homegrown talent at this time. Lancashire lost 33-7. The Press were in awe, and up in arms at the same time. They had painted this particular Australian team as one of the finest ever assembled, and the quality of both Lancashire and Yorkshire as dire. Many in the Press agreed that of course, Jim Sullivan was a sure pick for the Test matches as fullback and captain, but some questions arose whether Jack Morley or Alf Ellaby, of St Helens, would be on the wing. Ellaby would get a fine chance to turn heads of the selectors as he was to play in a Lancashire v Yorkshire match. Morley had to have a stormer against Australia to catch the selectors eyes, him being Welsh of course.
Wigan were preparing themselves for the visit of the Aussies to Central Park. The same team that defeated Hunslet was selected and a large crowd was expected to witness the Australians taste their first defeat, as had happened twice before on previous Tours at Central Park.
Being a Tour side, Wigan have a tradition of welcoming any party with no expense spared. A civic reception greeted the Aussies at Wigan Town Hall. Jim Sullivan of course was part of the Welcoming Party and the Mayor of Wigan said, "You have played eight matches, and you have won every one...Our interest today centres round Central Park. At the Grand National, favourites often come down at Bechers Brook, You may find a Bechers Brook at Wigan today."
17,500 crammed into Central Park to witness the contest. Strangely, this wasn't the highest "gate" of the weekend as bottom side Broughton Rangers hosted Salford in front of 20,000. As mentioned, Wigan were the first side to beat the Aussies, in 1907 and 1911. 1933 was different thanks to Jim Sullivan's boot and uncharacteristic missed chances! As a spectacle, the game wasn't exciting by any means in a hard-fought tackle-a-thon. Australian Hector Gee was the pick for Wigan but after leading 4-2 at half-time, Wigan succumbed to a 10-4 loss. Sullivan missed seven shots at goal which may be due to the fact that he was wearing a new pair of boots. Harry Sunderland, the Australian manager, said after the match that he was glad Sullivan had not got his goal kicking boots on. Gordon Innes would remember the match, after receiving a black eye and the Australians had cleared Bechers Brook succesfully. Matters for Wigan now turned to the Lancashire Cup against Barrow the following weekend.
Only once before had Wigan and Barrow met in the Lancashire Cup in it's long history but Wigan had nothing to fear of the visit of the Barrovians. Barrow had never won at Central Park and it stayed that way (for a little while longer at least). Sullivan had found his kicking boots again, kicking his 34th goal already with seven more months to go of the season, as Wigan entered the second round 21-2 winners. It could have been more had the wing and centre combinations not dropped chance after chance. As it turned out, Wigan received a bye into the semi finals.
A mid-week Wednesday (afternoon 5:30) clash against Swinton gave Wigan a valuable two points. Jim Sullivan was missing as he was on Test duty the following weekend which meant Gordon Innes took over goal kicking duties and didn't disappoint. Wigan failed to trouble the scoreboard operator in the first half, going in 0-2 but a second half rally meant Wigan ran out 12-2 winners. A trip to the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Hull, was in store for Wigan next.
An estimated 35,000 punters turned up to Belle Vue, Manchester, in early October to witness Jim Sullivan kick England to a 4-0 victory of the Australians. Sullivan was the subject of headlines and cartoons. But for Wigan, their trip to Hull was fruitless. Third placed Hull triumphed 15-11 as the lead changed hand five times in a closely fought contest. This was Wigan's fourth loss on the road and October had just began. One bit of news worthy of note, apart from the absences of Sullivan's boot, was that of Tom Moss. Moss was a famous Lancashire comedian and star of theatres. He was a keen Wigan supporter and followed them home and away but as he was performing in Grimsby that evening, he chartered a special aeroplane to fly to Hull to watch the game! He later recalled that he could possibly be the first person to fly to a rugby match.
The Yorkshire Cup took hold in mid-October, which meant that Wigan could at least make headway up the League table. Widnes had won four of their eight league matches up to now. Wigan made a change at fullback, Sullivan was injured and his stand-in deputy Billy Howarth had another chance to shine in Jim's absence. In the end, it turned out to be a good move by the selectors. Widnes received their first home loss of the season whilst the Wiganers won away for the first time. Howarth played a brilliant game and scored a corker of a try when he picked the ball up in his own quarter and ran through the Widnes team to score. Although Wigan missed Sullivan's boot, a 14-7 victory was most welcome. The Chemic supporters weren't too happy about the officiating. When the referee was leaving the field of play, the 'hooting' crowd rushed barriers and hit referee Greenwood with their umbrellas and fists. Wigan forward Lew Houghton along with two policemen did their best to protect Mr. Greenwood and around 200 youths carried on their threats outside the ground.
Despite arriving in Wigan under much fanfare, Bill Merritt still had not registered an appearance for the first team. The New Zealander appeared regularly for the A team and was awaiting his chance. Jim Sullivan missed the trip to Widnes due to injury and after a three game absence was fit enough to resume his place at fullback against Warrington. This meant that Billy Howarth, who had deputised splendidly for him, was dropped from the team - and an outpouring of disgust from Wigan supporters. "It is the most scandalous treatment in my twenty-five years as a follower to relegate a player to the second team after the brilliant displays he has given us for the past few weeks", wrote one unhappy 'shareholder' in the Press. We know how he felt when Jack Farrimond left the squad when Big Bevan French returned in 2024. You cannot unseat Jim Sullivan. Warrington were next to visit Central Park in mid-October. The Wire had just beaten the Australians mid-week at Wilderspool and were sure to prove to be a tough test for Wigan.
In the Lancashire Cup, Wigan were drawn to face Oldham at the semi final stage after recieving a bye in the last round. The other semi final would see St. Helens Recs or Swinton face St. Helens. For Wigan on October 21st, Warrington came to town high over their win over Australia (who had by now also lost to Salford). Howarth was 'dropped' to the A team but failed to turn out. The following Monday, the Wigan directors announced that they had suspended Howarth but stated no reason why or length of his suspension. Billy must have been aggrieved at his relegation. It didn't matter, Wigan lost to Warrington 6-9. At the start of the season, the Wigan forwards were under pressure to perform. Arguably, the forwards were playing much better and now the fault now seems to be laid on the backs. As for tries scored, Morley was stuck on ten tries with not another Wigan back scoring more than four. The try scoring charts made for grim reading. Despite the best efforts of George Bennett and Gwyn Davies, Warrington edged a hard fought game and left Wigan with their fifth loss out of nine. Wigan lay in 17th spot in the table, a place behind London Highfield.
As October drew to a close, Oldham awaited Wigan in the semi final of the Lancashire Cup at Central Park on a Wednesday evening. In short, Oldham were superior. 6,500 supporters troubled the turnstile operators as the men from Spindledom won by 21 points to 15. It was seen as a surprise defeat for Wigan. Dicky Twose was named as wingman to partner Davies but he hardly made an impact. The whole team were under par which was by now becoming a thing so familiar to Wigan supporters. Little revenue by means of gate money was acquired at Central Park due to having a bye in the previous round and whimpering out against Oldham. The issues that plagued the previous season came to a head in that Oldham dominated the Wigan scrummages.
Jack Morley with the ball trying to hand off Lewis, of Oldham in the Lancashire Cup semi final. Wigan were defeated 21-15. Wigan would have to wait longer for their eighth Lancashire Cup success.
Broughton Rangers, for so long propping up the league table, would play host to Wigan the following Saturday and gave Wigan a perfect chance to get back to winning ways. Bill Merritt had by now come to the end of his trial period with Wigan but had failed to show any sort of quality due to the A team's poor form themselves. It was now his chance to play in the first team against Broughton and he had no room for error. Merritt partnered Innes on the right flank for his debut.
Wigan lost 7-6 and for the second league match in a row, had failed to score a try. With four wins and now six losses (another away loss), Wiganers were starting to get angry on the terraces. Jim Sullivan was still kicking over the goals but by now was scoring less frequently due to the lack of attack.
More changes duly came for the tie against Castleford. Henry Leonard would make his debut after being ill and Bob Gaskell, a local forward, were called up. The suspension of Billy Howarth was now lifted a few days before the Castleford match, just at the same time that England had called up Sullivan for the second test match on November 11th. Perhaps the Wigan directors needed a quality fullback to stand in for Jim whilst he was on international duty. Perhaps Wigan desperately needed to improve on their league position of nineteenth. 5,000 supporters at Central Park on November 4th would tell you of Wigan's plight.
Sixth placed Castleford were fancied to give wigan their fourth straight loss but Jackie Morley had other ideas. Six goals from Sullivan along with a brace of tries from Morley and one from Wilson gave Wigan a 21-9 victory. This elevated Wigan up two places to 17th in the table, far behind pace setters Hull and Gus Risman's Salford. Elevation also for Sullivan who by now had passed 50 goals for the season with Jack Morley placed second in the charts on 14 tries, one behind York's Lou Brown.
Jack Morley and Joe Wilson had been ever present to this point in the back division. Chopping and changing was still seen on the other side of the field however. Gordon Innes was starting to show signs of fatigue and poor form whilst Bill Merritt wasn't showing any kind of quality whatsoever. Dicky Twose had unceremoniously been dropped from the Wigan line-up since early September and quite a few commentators were wondering why Twose, who had scored 20 tries the previous season, was playing second fiddle to antipodeans.
The powers that be at Headingley, Leeds, were hoping for a 40,000 crowd for the Second Test between England and Australia. Wigan were hoping for a win against Halifax at Thrum Hall. Sullivan-less Wigan welcomed back Howarth at fullback, much to the delight of supporters. In Leeds, an official crowd of 29,618 in the end turned out to see captain Jim Sullivan be the difference in a close-fought 7-5 victory for England after a last minute try by Barrow's J.T. Wood. England retained the Ashes.
Wigan lost at Halifax. Bill Merritt, however, finally found form by scoring a try and kicking two goals but it wasn't enough to overcome 'fax. His try by all accounts was a spectacular one. Billy Howarth managed to lose his shorts ten minutes from time but carried on playing in the mud, hoping nobody would notice. At a meeting of directors on the Monday, Wigan had offered terms with Merritt, but he declined them. Wigan now had no option but to release Merritt just as he showed promise. Halfiax and London Highfield were keen on Merritt's signature but Merritt opted to go to London and have trials at White City. It also gave him an opportunity to face the Australians in the capital. Wigan were back to square one in regards a wingman. For now, Howarth would deputise in the next match against Barrow on November 18th whilst Wigan would try and look for answers in how to turn their fortunes around.
Wigan by mid-November were rooted to the bottom half of the table, Central Park had seen dwindling "gates", and supporters becoming increasingly frustrated by the Wigan forwards lack of fight, the Wigan backs failing to capitalise on handling the ball correctly and the lack of change with the Wigan directors. The only light was Jim Sullivan's boot. Could Wigan turn their season around?
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