In the 80's and early 90's there were several strong junior Rugby clubs in the Wigan district, and it was largely from these organisations that the premier club recruited their players. Mr. James Walkden, who is now a successful businessman, a member of the Wigan Town Council, and the deputy Mayor of the borough, was one who played a prominent part with one of those teams, viz., Wigan Recreation. It is a very interesting fact that the ground on which the Recreation fulfilled their home fixtures now contains property erected by Mr. Walkden, and that the field used by the Woodman Rovers, where he assisted his club to win the Wigan Union Charity Cup, is now the Monument Park Estate, which has been opened out by him, and forms one of the residential parts of Wigan.

"Wigan Recreation, my first club of note," said Mr. Walkden to a representative of the "Examiner," "had a very strong team, and we played the passing game practically throughout the match; we never thought of kicking the ball, except from a penalty, or when having a drop at goal. One season we won the Wigan Union Charity Cup without having a point scored against us - beating Wigan St. Clement's in the final - while we held an unbeaten record for two seasons. I played centre three-quarter, and my brother Jack was on the wing with me, but he got crocked soon after joining Wigan "A," and did not play again. I might say that I undertook the duties of both secretary and treasurer, and at one time acted as captain as well. "Dick Lowe, however, was the captain for a long time, and another good player who was turned out by the Recreation was Peter Foster. One interesting thing I have been reminded of lately in connection with those days is worth recording. We were unable to secure a ground one season, and we approached Mr. John Prescott, the present member of the Wigan Committee, who was heart and soul in the club called Wigan Temperance, to see if we could play on their ground, which as situated in the Pottery. He said, "Yes, with pleasure," and we were allowed to play there on alternate Saturdays. I well remember playing against the Temperance that season, for I dropped three goals. Mr. Prescott played against us in the forwards, and his son, Elijah, was on the wing. When I went to pay the 35s. for the rent of the ground Mr. Prescott gave us the money back."

"When our unbeaten record was broken we finished our career, and I joined Aspull. I went on tour with them to South Wales, and you will perhaps be surprised to hear that we took only fifteen players - not a single reserve. We paid our own expenses, but we had guarantees from the clubs we had arranged fixtures with, and we divided the proceeds amongst us. So much for amateurism! Two of our men were injured during the tour, and when we went to play Neath we borrowed one of the Swansea players, and he got hurt in the match. He received 10s. to assist us. I played for Aspull one season, and then joined Standish South End, along with my brother. We, however, only played in one match - against Wigan St. Joseph's - and I won the game with a drop goal. That was the only defeat St. Joseph's sustained during the season."

"Jack Halliwell, who was then captain of Wigan "A," asked me to join Wigan, and I jumped into the first team after playing in the trial game. I had to follow such a fine player as "Dicky" Seddon, and I had some doubt as to whether I should be able to retain my place in the "fifteen," But I don't think I missed six matches during my career. It was rather remarkable that the first match I should play in was against my old team, Aspull, and I scored a try by jumping over the full-back's head."

"Is there any match that stands out in your memory?"

"I shall never forget the Oldham match on Good Friday, when we beat them in no uncertain fashion, at a period of our existence when it was expected they would run away with us. Oldham had begun to import Welshmen, and were right on the top of their form. I should think McCutcheon and Gwyn were as fine a wing pair as Oldham ever had. We, however, had them beaten from the start of the game. We laid ourselves out just, I suppose, as Widnes do when they oppose such clubs as Wigan and Oldham now. I played half-back with Peter Foster, and I dropped a goal. Charlie Wilding scored a great try that day, and we simply overwhelmed Oldham. There was a tremendous 'gate' for those days, and owing to the great crush in front of the entrances people began climbing over the boards. The players were thus called upon to do duty as checkers, though a great many persons gained admission without paying."

The writer well remembers getting on to the Frog-lane ground for that match without going through the gates in the usual manner. The two entrances were totally inadequate for the occasion, and the crush as so great that the yard wall, over which boys' tickets were sold, was pushed over. A great many people saw little or nothing of that memorable game, which is often the subject of discussion even yet. Another fine couple of Wlsh three-quarters, mentioned by Mr. Walkden, who came north about that time were Williams and Hoskins, who played for Salford.

James Walkden during "Billy" Atkinsons benefit game (i believe, stood far right arms folded)