West Lancs Cup 1887

Tragedy is the running theme to this particular phase of Wigan's journey. All week, the town and district of Wigan were buzzing with the news that rivals Aspull and Wigan would face each other for the West Lancashire Cup, that was being played for at Fairfield, Liverpool.

On the afternoon of the Final, 26th March, hundreds of Wigan supporters (and Aspull too) gathered at the London and North-Western station to take advantage of cheap train tickets and journey to Liverpool. The platform was soon filled by around 1,600 excited people, and the efforts of the officials of the rail company proved insufficient to keep the impatient crowd in order. Two trains had been organised. When the first train started slowing to a halt, there was a tremendous rush forward. Even when the train was still in motion each door was assailed by the struggling combatants for seats. A loud cry was then raised that a man was under the train.

So great was the noise that the train could not be stopped at once, but as soon as it was brought to a standstill it was seen that this was the case. The deceased was a young man named John Killis, from New Springs and lived on Cale Lane, home of Aspull. His body was frightfully mangled and that's all that is to be said. Ellis was looking to journey to Liverpool and witness the Cup Final. It ended in tragedy. Employed by the Wigan Waggon Works, he intended to return down south (according to close family) and settle down with relatives near London.

Aspull travelled to the Final in the morning. Wigan, however, were travelling in the afternoon and the whole of the Wigan Rugby Football Club were at the station when the tragedy occurred. Of course, witnessing such horror had an impact on the game, which I shall let you know now, Wigan lost heavily. Wigan travelled quietly in the carriages, with the talk not about how to beat Aspull but of the death of the supporter. It was gloomy. Aspull would have had no idea at all, unless the news were to be wired to them.

In short, 5,000 spectators turned up to witness the Final tie, almost all hailing from the Wigan borough. The crowd could have easily been four-times that if it was staged at Wigan, or St Helens' ground. Aspull outshone Wigan in every department. Their backline included Pilkington at fullback, Johnny Roberts, Dick Seddon and Ned Bullough. All these men would later play for and captain Wigan but for now, in 1887, they were very much only thinking about their pit village. Daff Hulme and Cartwright were their half-backs, said to be one of the best pairings in the pre-Northern Union days whereas their forwards included the Lindsay brothers, Monks, Haydock and Baxendale.

For Wigan, Slevin played at fullback with Anderton, Hunter and Samuels in the backline. Jack Mitchinson partnered Tommy Morris in the halves. It was a mis-match. Mitchinson was still young and learning his trade, but made a good account of himself, being noted that he was the best player on the field. Wigan were outplayed in every department overall though.

Richard Seddon, the future Wiganer who would answer to Slevin raised the trophy for Aspull and was carried off shoulder high to the delight of the Aspull travelling support. In Wigan, the news of the Aspull victory was received with mingled feelings. Hundreds of persons stood before the Observer office awaiting the result, and when a telegram arrived a little before six o'clock saying that Aspull had won by 20 points to one the sympathisers of the Wigan team unhesitatingly declared that someone was practicing a joke upon them. Fifteen minutes later, another telegram arrived from CrossBar of the Wigan Observer stating it to be true and this eventually convinced the crowd of the result. The Aspull contingent within the mass huddle cheered and hastily travelled north to greet their heroes home. The Wiganers slumped off into the early evening.

In Aspull, the news of victory was greeted with "utmost enthusiasm". When the train containing the players arrived at Dicconson Lane station (now defunct on the Westhoughton border), about half-past nine, a large crowd had assembled, and the victors were received with every demonstration of delight. The Hindley All Saints' Brass Band rushed up Hall Lane and was present, and headed the procession to the Aspull Headquarters at the Hare & Hounds pub. Dick Seddon was carried shoulder high, holding the cup in his hands, and a couple of lamps were borne on each side of the trophy in order that it might be seen by those standing on the roadside.

There has been no greater sporting moment in the village of Aspull than that. As for Wigan, we would have our day of course. Aspull did the Cup double, a month later, they defeated Wigan again in the Wigan Union Cup. If you cant beat them, sign them! Isn't that Wigans motto of recent times? Aspull's fortunes slowly declined over politics and this that and another. Richard Seddon would throw his lot in with Wigan eventually to fall under the command of Jim Slevin. Ned Bullough, who at the time was playing three-quarter back would eventually find himself in the Wigan ranks playing as a forward. He would excel and represent England RU. Johnny Roberts would pick up the captaincy left by Dick seddon and again carried Aspull to more success before joining Wigan in the early to mid 1890s when Wigan needed to replace Slevin, Anderton, and eventually Seddon himself.

It is hard to believe how good Aspull were. As the reader, who knew about Aspull before this website? earlyWIGANrugby cannot just be about Wigan RLFC it is unfair as all the clubs in the district are interlinked.

Tragedy then in 1887. But it is one fine story! But not for Aspull and their Cup glory (below) Dick Seddon stood middle, three medals behind the smaller Wigan Union Cup.