The Wigan club were going well after the summer of 1894. Interest was growing in the club at their Prescott Street ground not only from local supporters but from players wanting to play for Wigan. A few years earlier, New Zealand entertained 7,000 supporters in Wigan with a team that was the first Colonial side to visit England. Their native mats and head dresses captured the imaginations of the Wigan public which only helped to fuel their interest in rugby all over Yorkshire, Lancashire and along the coast of Cumberland.
Not all was well behind the scenes though. Club chairmen across the North were quietly and secretely talking to each other about the way the game was being run. There seemed to be a clear North/South divide where the administration and player differences were so polarised that it started to become difficult for Northern clubs to keep listening to what Twickenham was telling them, especially when rules favoured the Southern gentry. It was hard, for example, that a player had to earn their daily wage down a coal pit and then find the time to train and play for a rugby club. Sometimes they had to miss out of part of their pay packet to leave early to attend a rugby match in a different county. The Southern rugby clubs didn't really have this problem as a whole, members and players were quite well-to-do and could afford to play and live like normal. There was a feeling that something had to come or happen to change the way the game was being run. The Rugby Football Union outlawed professionalism, or payments to players, and wanted to keep the game an amateur sport. The working classes started to find this amateur status increasingly hard to sustain. Some working class players up North were lucky in that they were allowed to leave work early on a saturday to attend a game but as a whole there were ethical and equality issues continuously being raised.
The popularity of the game of rugby in Yorkshire and Lancashire was huge. It was popular for the working classes to attend a game cheaply for entertainment and with crowds sometimes dwarfing international matches at Twickenham it was clear that clubs could stand on their own two feet financially and not be told or helped from London. With money pouring in through the turnstiles all seemed to be well. What the money was spent on is trivial. The club owners took their slice of course, ground improvements, steward payments or rent are the obvious things... so too were payments to the RFU. As the popularity grew of course, clubs wanted to be the best, and to do that you needed the best players. So how can you go about doing that freely? Not all mills and pits in, Featherstone, for example have the bets players in them, they are spread all over the North. The only way to attract players is to lure them somehow, and with all this money piling up... well, you can see where this is going!
With the steady stream of money coming into clubs and the now newly formed league's the game took off. The sport was becoming more serious as clubs could afford to spend money on dieticians, physical trainers and the opinions and help from quality doctors. The Southern clubs looked at this... and did nothing on the whole. Be it jealousy or inclusiveness there was no doubt that the North and South were running at two different levels, with the Rugby Football Union in the middle, apparently running it all. Pit boys would have a special dinner on a friday night in preparation for a game whilst a Southern accountant in Richmond would end his night drinking Pimms and eating medium-rare veal. Stereotypical? Yes. Apologies, but you get the drift. The Northerns would still down eleven pints of Boddingtons after their healthy lunch but ah well, you see what was happening in this instance of how clubs were being run. The North had the crowds and money to try and be the best whereas the South (although having the money from benefactors) were just Old Etonian-types having a game of rugger at the weekend.
By around 1892, there were reports that players were commonly being paid to play for a club. Club chairmen would have openly known this to themselves as it is obviously clear that one club was doing it on their own. The popularity of the new Northern league's in Yorkshire and Lancashire meant that monthly and annual board league meetings behind closed doors meant for interesting debate... on and off the record. Cries of hypocrisy were being thrown around when representatives from Lancs and Yorks travelled to Twickenham for meetings. The RFU openly turned a blind eye on a number of occasions when southern clubs tried to lure players with cash incentives, with strong evidence backing up the case. In 1893 however the idea of "professionalism" was still something that representatives from the north and south wanted to avoid but tensions were growing towards a breaking point. A player could be paid by a club, for example, for out of pocket expenses, such as train fare or accomodation at a local hotel if the situation suited. Grey areas started to creep in and it was becoming harder to determine what was an expense paid and what was effectively a wage. "Broken time" it seemed had to be paid for in the eyes of the Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs whereas the southern clubs treated this as "veiled professionalism". Manningham and Leeds, in 1892, were charged with professionalism after they had compensated players for missing work to play for their team. It didn't help when the RFU insisted that their meetings were always held in London. The north it seemed, was misrepresented due to the problems of transport at short notice and such like. Another problem was the lack of numbers when northern clubs did manage to send representatives down to Twickenham as the vast majority who attended were from the southern teams.
This next part focuses on Wigan's involvement in professionalism and payments made to an individual regarding this matter. Most of the information and text comes from History of Wigan R.F.C. by J.W. Robinson and F.C. Dove (1946), some of the text is word for word as there isn't a better way to describe events that happened. Thought it would be good to share as copies are rare (I only know of two, I possess one of them, another can be found at The History Shop) and probably forgotten about.
The RFU then went on a spree of banning players and clubs almost at will and sometimes without evidence. This brings us nicely to 1894 and a dispute between the Salford club and Wigan over a player called Miles. In November 1984, there was a charge brought against Wigan for a breach of terms over matters involving a Salford player, Miles. The County Committee who governed rugby in Lancashire met at the Grand Hotel in Manchester (left) on Tuesday 13th November to hear the case. Salford had summoned charges against several clubs, including Wigan in this case, over charging them with professionalism during July. Those present at the meeting were a Mr. F. Glover (presiding), Mr J MacLaren, Mr. J. Saville (Oldham), Mr. G. Poysen (Broughton Rangers), Mr. J. Robertson (Broughton Rangers), Mr. J. E. Warren (Warrington), Mr. E. Healy (Rochdale Hornets), Mr. S. E. Wilson (Liverpool), Mr. J. H. Payne (hon. treasurer) and a Mr. A. M. Crook (hon. secretary). In the defence, Wigan were represented by a Mr. J. W. Clegg, Mr. T. Aspinall and Mr. J. Knowles (president). On the attack by Salford were a Mr. Higson and Mr. Whiteley.
You have to remember at this point, the case is only concerning prominent Lancashire clubs who play their rugby in the Lancashire leagues and does not include any southern team. The charges in this hearing were that Mr Higson (Salford) accused Wigan of paying said player Miles to play for them. In July, Mr. E. Wardle, secretary to the Wigan Football Club, wrote to Mr. Miles saying that he heard he was out of a situation (needed a job), and asking him if it was correct. Miles said it was so. They had a meeeting in Wigan, and it was arranged that Miles should have 30s. per week, and receive it weekly from July to the beginning of the football season. There was also a charge against Mr. E. H. Flowers. Mr Higson said that in the first place, although he had been accused of having vindictive motives, that was the furthest thought in his head, and considering the trouble the whole of the labour of getting together the evidence, one could hardly accuse him of having personal motives. There was nothing personal against the Wigan club so far as he was concerned, nor was there anything vindictive. But so long has that matter had come to the front (payments) and things had come this far, Mr Higson wanted to know or ask if the time was right when something must be done. Either they must get rid of the veiled professional and 'not cheat' - or - they must declare for professionalism and do the thing in an open manner. He explained his reasonings and thoughts and told the committee that Wigan (and others) could be suspended. "You are all as guilty as we are. Now what are you going to do. Are you prepared to say that you will have professionalism, or go on in the old sweet way of taking players from one club to another and offering them money?".
Salford's Mr Higson didn't have a problem as such with Wigan. Miles wasn't a brilliant player or crowd-puller but it was the circumstance and principle that had edged the Salford club to do something like this. Most other clubs had done the same thing in trying to lure players for their own game. it was a secret game, a way of bending the rules. Mr Higson it seemed had had enough and was fed up of the tip-toeing and secret handshaking between clubs and players. It was time to ask the question about going professional or not. But at this meeting, Wigan were in the dock and matters had to be resolved before a possible foundation of a new sport. So, back to the Grand Hotel, Manchester but first, this picture shows the Wigan team of 1889/90 with Ellis Wardle (middle second left) being an old boy, Wigan had the West Lancs Championship and Wigan Union Cup....
Mr. Clegg (Wigan) objected to what Mr Higson had said on the grounds that it was a mere report of a meeting (between Wigan and Mr. Miles), and was not pertinent to the case before them. The Chairman held that as Mr Higson had been attacked and defended in the press, it was only fair that he should be allowed an explanation from Wigan as to why and what happened between club and player. Clegg stated that he was unaware of any hounding in the press towards Mr Higson before the Chair of this meeting decided that the hearing should go ahead leading to Mr Higson's evidence.
Mr. Clegg said that he would like to raise a technical objection under the rules of professionalism. The laws of the union required that in a charge of professionalism the person concerned should be a member of the club affected. Miles might have been in negotiation for a place in the Wigan team, still his transfer was never applied for, and he was never a member of the Wigan club.
The Chairman said that a note would be taken of the objection, but it seemed to him that if the committee thought there was anything approaching veiled or open professionalism they were bound to investigate it. There was no doubt about it that there was a prima fancie case made out, and he thought they ought to go on with the inquiry. Mr Higson continued, saying that in July last, Mr. E. Wardle wrote to Miles saying that he had heard that Miles was not going to play for the Salford club and was out of a situation, and he asked him to write and let him know if that was the case. Miles replied that this was the case. Mr. Wardle in reply asked to meet with Miles, to which Miles and a second person travelled to Wigan a few days later to meet with the Finance Committee of the club. They had agreed to give him 30s. per week, a sum which was sent every week since July to the beginning of the football season, when Miles decided to play for Salford.
The Chairmen then read a letter sent from Mr Wardle of Wigan to Mr Higson for consent to Miles' transfer. Mr Higson replying stated that he would let the application lie over until the next committee meeting before concluding in his letter "If rumour is true, I would advise you to be careful". In reply from the Wigan club, Mr Wardle's letter was brief but stated that "As far as rumours are concerned, my club has nothing to fear". In reply to Wigan's statement, Mr Higson told the committee that Mr Miles wanted to play with Salford and there would be no need for Wigan to apply for his transfer. He then asked whether the Wigan Club admitted they were guilty or not?
"I want you to prove your case" interrupted Mr Clegg. After a hint of hate in the tone of their verbal exchange, Mr Higson continued: "I want to epxlain the difficulties that have cropped up. Until friday last I was not aware that Miles had any intention of not turning up here, but I have received this letter from him:-"
Wigan President Mr. Knowles had kept quiet for long enough during the meeting and proceeded to ask if Mr. Higson had read the letter through? The Chairmen then re-read the letter, the same just read by Higson, only for one difference. One of the sentences read "I think if you considered me at all you would have brought the other club first and given Barrett and Rangeley a chance". Was Mr. Higson trying to keep something from everyone else here? Who knows. Mr. Higson continued "the day before the Swinton match, [Salford] had a committee meeting at which most of the members were present, along with Miles, Barrett and Smith." Having an idea that the worst might happen, Higson asked those men to give their statements before the committee that they had before given him personally. He would prove the statement he had made by calling committee-men who would say that what he told them was what he (Mr. Higson) had told the County Committee that night. To this, Mr. Clegg asked Mr. Higson what steps he had taken to get Miles there that night - sensing a possible bit of hypocrisy.
Mr. Higson replied and said he had written a letter to Miles: "I need hardly tell you that the Wigan inquiry will take place on Tuesday next, at the Grand Hotel. I trust you will be present to give evidence. I am told that you are doubtful whether to turn up or not. This would be suicidal on your part, as no doubt the Wigan people will swear all sorts of things in your absence, and it is to your ersonal interest to be present". Mr Clegg sarcastically in reply (or outburst): "That is not vindictive". The first witness was then called, a Mr. Walmesley who was in attendance in that committee meeting on the 12th October the day before the Swinton match. He said that it was put to Miles whether he was prepared to give the Wigan club away. He said 'yes' and that he had received 30s. a week during summer, and that he had met Mr. Wardle and several other men in Wigan.
Wigan's Clegg, feeling a bit cross, piped up: "What do you mean by saying that he was asked to give the Wigan club away?" Mr Crook, the secretary, asked the witness whether Mr. Higson had asked Miles, he said it was. Crook asked whether those words were used [to give away...] with Walmesley replying "I could not say. I could not give you the words he used, but they were words to that effect" The witness then confirmed it was indeed 30s. per week that Miles was given. At this point, speaking for the witness and to further his argument, Mr. Higson stated that he [Mr. Walmesley] had met miles on many occasions, and he had expressed himself in a confidential manner to him, and he would rather not say as to whether Miles had told him on any other occasion that he was getting 30s. a week. But it was commonly known in Salford and Wigan as well. Mr. Greenhalgh, ground secretary to the Salford club, backed up the witness statement of Mr. Walmesley.
After Mr. Higson reported to the County Committee that Miles had received payment via postal orders from Wigan's Mr. Wardle, Clegg (feeling more and more weight on his shoulders) said "Mr. Higson asked Miles whether he had anything to say respecting this connection with the Wigan club. It was a meeting to consider the subject of professionalism, and to consider the course of action they should take. Miles was a member of the committee. He could not say whether Mr. Higson said to Miles 'Are you prepared to give Wigan away?'". Higson immediately denied that he said those words to Miles and that Mr. Walmesley had misunderstood him. Another member at the Salford committee meeting on the 12th October, a Mr. Rowse, also gave corroborative evidence when asked. Trying to tie things up in simple terms, the County Committee honorary treasurer Mr. Payne, who had been taking it all in, tried to summarise the past few minutes of talk: "The rumour that money was being paid to Miles by Wigan was in everyone's mouth. About July it assumed definite shape. They got to know the specific sum on 12th October". Plenty of silent nods in the room, with the stiff necks from the Wigan trio at this point.
Following it? To this point, Wigan had denied any wrong-doing whereas the evidence was stacking up against them. A sip of Whiskey and a cigar later it was time for the next witness. A Mr. Robert Hoare Collier said he was not a member of the Salford club, and had only seen them play once. About July last he was playing bowls with Miles at the Waggon and Horses, Patricroft, and he asked him if he would go to Wigan that afternoon. Miles first went to Pendleton, where he drew some "divi" (cash) out of the Co-operative stores. They went together, and he could not say whether they got off at Ince or Wigan (an easy mistake). They had some refreshments and then went to meet Ellis Wardle. They met him and also another person, and then they went to headquarters. Miles was then taken away from witness, who was left by himself. When he came back he told witness that they had offered him 30s. a week during the close season, and in the winter they were either to give him the money or its equivalent, which he understood to mean finding him a situation (job). The Chairman stated for the record that Miles paid for his own rail fare, tea and everything else, hence drawing out some "divi".
Mr Higson carried on the story "Witness and Miles were taken to the station, and in the train Miles said that he must not forget to go on Thursday to Wigan to appear before the Finance Committee. Witness did not go with him on Thursday, but when he came home he said it was all right, and that he would play for Wigan next season. On the Saturday morning following he received a letter, and there was money inside it, but the amount he could not tell exactly." Mr Knowles (Wigan president) asked if Miles had shown the witness the letter, which he had. Mr. Warren of Warrington, eager to be involved, asked the witness who summoned him to give evidence. Witness Collier stated that it was Mr. Higson. Warren kept on grilling, "What is your object in coming here to split on a "pal"?.. Miles was a great friend of yours... you allowed him to pay your expenses... you object to that?.. nowt else?". To be fair, the questioning from the Warrington member was a bit pointless, The witness Collier simply went to Wigan as a friend with costs covered, nothing untoward. Warren must now have been happy to be involved after being silent for a few hours. Collier stated at the end that Miles did not owe him any money and they were no longer friends after an unrelated episode. The Salford case was then closed. Mr. Clegg asked whether it was necessary on the evidence (against Wigan) called by Mr. Higson to produce any for the defence.
The Chairman, in defence and trying his best to sum up events so far, said it was perfectly true that Miles was written to and asked whether he had severed his connections with the Salford club, and if so would he join Wigan. He wrote back saying that was so, and that if he could get a place in the Wigan team he would quickly take it. Miles came over to Wigan and saw Wardle, and the latter would say what took place. He (Mr. Clegg) thought it was perhaps true what Collier said about going to Wigan, because he believed that several of the players met together that night and two or three of the committee. Miles was then asked whether he would play for Wigan, and he rpelied that he would, but wanted to know whether there was any chance of his being found a situation. He was distinctly told that to promise him a situation would be against the laws of the game, and that they could not make any such terms with him. If he liked to look out for himself he would be at perfect liberty to do so, and probably when he got known he would easily find a situation. The wigan committee offered him no inducement to Miles to leave the Salford club. As soon as they heard that Salford had noobjection and that Miles had decided to stay with them, they dropped the matter and made no further application for his transfer. The present case was not brought from any vindictiveness on the part of Mr. Higson. He was a sort of football Judas who went about betraying everyone.
Mr Clegg, finding the higher ground, said " it was only after the Radcliffe case was brought up, and Salford found themselves in a hole that they decided to pull everyone down with them. If there was any truth in Mr. Higson's statement he would be willing to lie low, because they got Miles back, and it was all they wanted. But, according to a witness, he asked Miles straight whether he was prepared to give Wigan away... Mr Higson at this point was surely shaking his head at this now infamous question. Did they think that proper conduct on the part of a club secretary who wished to get at the truth, and do nothing but justice? To Clegg it showed that there was nothing in Mr. Higson's desire that justice should be done to everybody. He thought the best thing the County Committee could do was no evidence proved against Wigan. He would also ask for their consideration of his technical objection. Still feeling a bit unsure about his witness statement, Mr. Walmesley said he wished to make an explanation of his statement. He felt that he could not tie himself to the words used by Mr. Higson and that he did not carry the exact words in his head.
Trying to push things forward, Mr. Payne, the Committee treasurer, asked if Salford could explain what the 'intercourse' was between them and Miles in August; also what interviews took place between Miles and the Salford Committee at the time the application of Wigan was withdrawn. Mr. Walmesley replied that there were rumours flying around that Miles was to join Wigan and that he himself felt anxious regarding the matter. Walmesley went to Patricoft to see Miles, and the latter made a similar statement to the one made to the committee. He talked to Miles, and told him that if he went it would mean that they would get him into trouble. The Chairman then asked Walmesley whether Miles had refunded Wigan their money. Walmesley said that he had, and he helped him to do it as he was in financial difficulties. An unhappy looking Mr. Wardle, the Wigan secretary, was then called, and denied that they had paid any money to Miles. Mr. higson - probably staring at Mr Wardle, said "he [Wardle] had no private conversation with Miles whilst Collier was present. Miles said he would come to Wigan if they would give him a place in the team. He gave Miles 5s. as expenses. He did not promise to find him a situation. He denied sending any postal orders to Miles".
Wigan produced their 'books' for inspection to the Committee. John Armstrong, the Wigan treasurer, was called and denied that he had ever sent money to Miles, nor had he any knowledge of money being sent. He was asked by Mr. Knowles whether anyone else was paid money, to which Armstrong replied 'No', an answer backed up by Mr. S. Swift, the chairman of the Wigan Committee... of course, the Wiganers were denying everything thrown at them at this point. The end was nye, Mr. Higson, probably with a dry mouth and feeling parched, made a few final remarks regarding the case and the Wigan evidence. Mr. Clegg then mentioned that he spoke to Mr. Whiteley, of Salford, on the day of the Salford match at Wigan, and that Mr. Whiteley had said that the reason Miles did not play was that he was afraid to come to Wigan. He replied that it was the first time he knew that Miles was not a favourite with the Wigan crowd, and he was sure, if Miles had come, he would have been treated with every respect, as all other players were who came on the Wigan ground. Mr whiteley in reply: "It does not alter the fact that he refused to come". Mr. Clegg wondered why miles had not refused to come before (in previous games) and suggested that he always played against Wigan because Wigan didn't approach him then.
The room fell silent, probably, as any more talk would be repetition. The committee went off for deliberation, a cigar or two and weighed up the evidence. The Chairman announced their decision upon their return:
The Committee decalre Miles a professional; (2) the committee are satisfied that Wigan paid Miles money as an inducement to transfer his services to Wigan, and are guilty of professionalism, and they are suspended till 1st February; and (3) that Wigan be struck out of the Cup Competition under Rule 21.
And that was it. Wigan had been found guilty of professionalism and suspended for three months. Salford's Mr. Higson was not vindictive at all, just going after principle and code. There is evidence to suggest that Higson wanted to use this Wigan hearing to further argue a case for going professional or discussing why payments should be allowed. Wigan were guilty, it is obvious. Many other clubs were too, even Salford and Leigh for the same 'crime' as Manningham and Leeds were a few years earlier. Despite Wigan denying everything, and the actions of Mr. Miles by, for example, not turning up for a game against Wigan despite doing so in previous seasons, the Wigan club were punished. Yes they were guilty but on evidence it seemed like a Kangaroo court. Mr Higson asked Miles whether he was willing to bring Wigan down. Witnesses said this was so but later thought about it and changed their wording. Salford were in the bother at that moment too, involving a player called Radcliffe, and as Mr. Clegg stated, Salford wanted to bring everyone down with them. Was there enough time to pick on Warrington, Liverpool, Broughton Rangers or Rochdale or was it the fact that Salford had a ready homemade story to produce with a guaranteed hearing at the end of it. Even though the Committee at the hearing were meant to be unbiased, and represented by many Lancashire league clubs, it did seem that Salford were now unpopular in openly holding a gun to their own heads, as well as everyone elses. This information would obviously not be kept from Twickenham, but it could have done so if Salford had took their punishment of the Radcliffe affair well, like Leigh had done. No, they wanted to take others down with them. Privately and off the record, the Lancashire clubs would be backed up by Yorkshire if they wanted to progress payments to players, like compensating a player for 'broken time' or paying one club a fee for the services of a player.
It may not be official, or even thought upon in meetings, but it seemed like it was time to break away from Twickenham and go it alone once and for all. For information, Mr. Clegg tendered his resignation to the County Committee, but in the long run it didn't matter. Less than a year later, a meeting of club secretaries at the Spread Eagle Hotel, Manchester, apparently decided to form a professional code breaking away from the Rugby Football Union, and the meeting was convened for the purpose of arranging fixtures for the first professional season. The fixture list was not completed at this first meeting on 3rd September 1895 and it was two days later at the George Hotel, Huddersfield (left), when the fixtures arranged were submitted and ratified and a list of referees was also chosen.
Wigan's first match was to play Broughton Rangers on 7th September at Wheater's Field in the first weekend of fixtures in this breakaway code, with Wigan winning 9-0 with Billy Yates (right) having the honour of being Wigan's first try scorer in the Northern Union. The Northern Union was formed. The Wigan Observer stated that "The recent developments in the matter of Rugby football authority have excited no little interest in Wigan. All along the feeling has been expressed that freedom from the thraldom of the Southern gentry was the best thing that could happen... The new state of affairs will prove a veritable source of joy to many clubs in the North and Lancashire in particular. Wigan will quickly feel the benefit and spectators will see football played as it ought to be." The Wigan spectators had to wait until the 28th September to see this new code. They did not see football 'as it ought to be' in a 0-0 draw with local side Tyldesley at Prescott Street. Salford did not join the Northern Union as they remained loyal to Twickenham and the Rugby Union. Perhaps feeling a bit cold with a poor quality of opponent, they eventually joined the Northern Union in 1896 - with only three members opposing the move. Mr. Higson perhaps? who knows.
The original teams were (from wikipedia): The 22 clubs and their years of foundation were: Batley FC 1880, Bradford FC 1863, Brighouse Rovers FC 1878, Broughton Rangers FC 1877, Halifax FC 1873, Huddersfield FC 1864, Hull 1865, Hunslet FC 1883, Leeds FC 1864, Leigh FC 1878, Liversedge FC 1877, Manningham F.C. 1876, Oldham FC 1876, Rochdale Hornets FC 1871, Runcorn 1895, Stockport 1895, St Helens FC 1873, Tyldesley FC 1879, Wakefield Trinity FC 1873, Warrington FC 1876, Widnes FC 1875, Wigan FC 1872. Dewsbury felt unable to comply with the new code but eventually joined in 1898 as a new club with help from rivals Batley 9who simply wanted to play debry matches again).
Sources:
The Great Schism: http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/Schism.html
History of Wigan R.F.C. 1872-1946, J. W. Robinson and F.C. Dove (1946)
The Wigan Observer, numerous editions 1893-1896
Myself.
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