Flimby & Fothergill eh? Who's that or what is it? It sounds like an accountancy firm or a solicitors. In fact to many Wiganers, Flimby & Fothergill lies in our hearts, minds... and record books. Many will know of Flimby & Fothergill by hear say, or glanced upon their name scouring record sheets. They have the honour of being the victims to Wigan's highest ever score: 116-0. Other records were broken that day and still stand the test of time. Jim Sullivan, Wigan's epic captain and goal kicker set a new club record of 22 goals in a match and also a points scoring record for a single game with 44. Johnny Ring crossed for 7 tries as Wigan put the sword to the Cumberland Champions in the Challenge Cup.
It was a one-sided affair in the end. The Cumberland League was amateur compared to playing the likes of Hull FC, Wigan and Hunslet. Wigan's team that day were: Jim Sullivan, Johnny Ring, Tommy Howley, Danny Hurcombe, Attie Van Heerden: George Owens, David Booysen, Tommy Beetham, Carl Burger, William Banks, George Van Rooyen, Frederick Roffey and Jack Price. The most famous name coming out of this tie was of course Jim Sullivan who kicked an amazing 22 goals from 24 tries. At the time, Wigan's last match in the Challenge Cup was the Final played at Rochdale where Wigan defeated Oldham 21-4. I guess Flimby & Fothergill didn't really have a chance once their name was pulled out of the hat and drawn against Wigan.
Wigan at the time boasted some very talented players. Johnny Ring scored for fun and the picture (left) show's Wigans 1924 tourists who travelled to New Zealand and Australia and include (from top left to right) Danny Hurcombe, Johnny Ring, Tommy Howley, Jack Price and Jim Sullivan.
116-0! Back then you have to remember that 3 points were awarded for a try not 4. If we give it a modern day scoreline it would be 140-0. As the match report suggests, it was a farcical game. Wigan kept getting the ball and running upto the other end and scoring. These days you'd think that such games are terrible or pointless. On the other hand history can be made. Sullivan's accuracy was phenominal... 22 goals from 24 attempts - it doesn't matter about the opposition when you kick for goal, he was lethal that day. His personal haul of 44 points has never been bettered. Pat Richards, in 2010, came close with 38 points - scoring 5 tries and landing 9 goals in a league demolition match against Catalans Dragons. Shaun Edwards and Martin Offiah accumulated 40 points both in 1992, scoring 10 tries each against Swinton and Leeds respectively. Johnny Ring broke a try scoring record for tries in a match with 7... he later equalled it 2 months later in a league match against Salford so it is safe to say he had confidence on his side at that period.
We shall go back to Valentines Day, 1925. This is the match report from that game. You can download a pdf file of this and save it for yourself if you like - just follow the link by clicking on the image.
Wigan's Easy Entry to Second Round
The Cumberland Champions Badly Beaten
WIGAN v FLIMBY AND FOTHERGILL116 POINTS TO NOTHING
RAPID SCORING
Wigan's entry into the second round of the League Cup proved very easy, in fact, too easy. Flimby and Fothergill came to Central Park with a very fine reputation. They are the champions of the Cumberland League and winners of several cups, and no doubt this was the cause of a very excellent crowd who thoroughly enjoyed the game, although Wigan did put up such a huge score. To put it mildly, the visitors had not a ghost of a chance. They knew they were up against a stiff proposition. They also knew what brilliant players they had to face. They came on the field in a very sprightly manner, but after all the chasing of the Wigan players it was plainly seen that they were absolutely tired out. The home team scored so rapidly that it was one continual procession of the visitors to behind the posts while Sullivan kicked the goals. One player was so tired of this that he got behind the touch judge and Van Rooyen, a move which caused a roar of laughter. Then the referee noticed him, and after Sullivan had kicked the goal this official went to him and shook him by the hand. This caused another roar of laughter.Regarding the game there was only one team in it, as and time went on play became more or less a comedy. Wigan’s combination simply baffled the visitors: they threw the ball about in such a manner that at times the Cumberland team were lost.
They had a fair number of supporters and as points were piled up they were always cheerful. The visitors started in fine style, and that was all. It might have been an exhibition game as far as Wigan were concerned. The home team simply showed the visitors how football should be played, and we are sure this will be a topic of conversation by the team for a long time. Some brilliant movements were executed by the home backs, in fact, many times practically all the team handled the ball previous to a score. There is one consolation for the visitors, and it is a good one. There was an excellent attendance, and their share of the gate will recompense them for the heavy defeat. Some records were put up. This was the highest score that Wigan have ever made, although not quite a record for a Rugby match. Ring registered 7 tries, Van Heerden 4, Booysen, Price and Hurcombe 3 each. Van Rooyen 2, and Howley and Beetham 1 each, while Sullivan put up a record for one match by kicking 22 goals out of the 24 tries.
The teams were as follows:-Wigan - Sullivan: Ring, Howley, Hurcombe, Van Heerden: Owens, Booysen, Beetham, Burger, W. Banks, Van Rooyen, Roffey and Price.Flimby - Risson: Peel, H. Atkinson, D. Ackersley, Robley: J. Ackersley, B. Atkinson, Richardson, Lewis, Holliday, Davidson, Irving and Little.Referee: R.H. Cooper, Hull.
THE SCORING SOON BEGINSThe visitors won the toss and Price set the ball going. The visitors soon made an attack on the home line, when Sullivan picked up and broke through the opposition and passed out to Howley. The centre ran some distance before passing to Ring. The wingman put on top speed and scored under the posts, for Sullivan to have an easy kick at goal. Five points were thus scored in the first two minutes. The game had no sooner re-started than Owens got away from the scrummage, the backs taking part in a passing movement which ended in Ring being well collared almost on the line. When the ball came loose it travelled right across to Van Heerden, and the South African made tracks for the line and scored, Sullivan goaling. Wigan were now showing some of their most brilliant form, their passing movements being very fine. The forwards were also getting possession of the ball whenever they liked. This supporters would like them to do against stronger combinations. From a scrummage Booysen got away and passed to Ring, who made a bold bid for the line, and was only just pushed into touch at the corner.
MORE AND MORE POINTS
Wigan now began to settle down, and points were added very rapidly. The home backs indulged in a splendid passing movement and Van Heerden was able to score again. Several attempts were made to stop the winger's carry, all of which failed. Sullivan did not kick the goal. On re-starting Wigan again went to the attack and Beetham did some fine work. The forward picked up smartly, and after beating several opponents gave Van Heerden a wide pass: the winger took the pass in fine style and scored, Sullivan adding the goal points. The play continued to be in Wigan's favour, and from a scrummage, Hurcombe broke through in good style, and when faced by the fullback gave to Howley, who added more points by crossing under the posts, Sullivan converting. A little later, Van Rooyen made a fine run and looked like scoring when he was well tackled. The player who stopped him was on the small side and this caused a roar of laughter. Very soon after Van Heerden was able to register his fourth try, again did Sullivan kick the goal. Try as they would, Flimby and Fothergill could not get going at all, being beaten for possession and slow in their movements.
Owens got penalised for offside, and the visitors were now near the Wigan 25 line. The Central Park men gradually worked their way down the field, and Ring scored again, for Sullivan to goal. Play had not been re-started more than a minute when Van Rooyen scored, Sullivan having an easy shot at goal. Scoring by Wigan continued very rapidly. From a scrummage Booysen beat all opposition and scored. Sullivan kicking the goal. The visitors made a raid on the home line, but were very soon repulsed. Forward passes by Wigan backs spoiled several chances, and these placed the visitors on the attack, and a mistake by Ring almost proved successful to the Flimby team. Every effort that was made by the visitors received some applause, and a score to them would have added more interest to the game. A fine breakaway by Van Rooyen ended in another score. The burley forward placed Hurcombe in a good position, and scored under the posts, Sullivan again goaling.
NOT DOWNHEARTED
Although the visitors were now a well beaten team, they were not downhearted. Ring again crossed, and Sullivan was again successful with the goal kick. Just before half-time the Cumberland champions made a bold dash for the Wigan line, but all their efforts proved futile, and at half-time the scores were:--
Wigan 10 11 53 pointsFlimby and Fothergill Nil.
POINTS GALORE IN THE SECOND HALF.
The second half had not been in progress long before Hurcombe broke away and gave to Van Rooyen who scored, Sullivan goaling. Another score was soon added, as from a scrummage Owen got away and gave to the Wigan full back, who passed to Van Heerden. The winger returned the pass to Sullivan who sent to Price, who scored, Sullivan goaling. It was only a rare occasion the visitors made any show at all, being beaten for speed and stamina all the way through. Wigan had been scoring when they liked, and the game was practically a farce. Further tries were added by Ring 4, Booysen 2, Hurcombe 2, Price 2 and Beetham, Sullivan adding 10 more goals.
Final result:WIGAN 22 24 116 points
FLIMBY AND FOTHERGILL.. Nil.
The gate receipts were £525
Records are always there to be broken, but not yet it seems. Wigan have only gone over 100 points once since 1925 when they beat Whitehaven 106-8 in 2008. In 2012, North Wales Crusaders threatened to fling Flimby & Fothergill from the record books during a Challenge Cup game at the DW Stadium. Wigan looked set to beat 116-0 but some silly errors cost certain tries, and with Crusaders rallying before their sole try it wasn't to be. Wigan winger Josh Charnley ended up missing a decisive conversion that would have put up three figures but with a total of 18 tries, it wasn't to be.
Perhaps the spirit of Flimby & Fothergill will always live on.
So where is Flimby and Fothergill? Cumbria is the short answer. Flimby is a coastal village south of Maryport
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