Wigan & The Challenge Cup: 1897-1923

Wigan hold many records when it comes to the Challenge Cup. The Warriors have seen success in it 18 times since 1924 including the infamous 8 wins in a row from 1988 to 1995. For such a successful club, it took some time for Wigan to get the ball rolling - 28 years in fact!

1897-1923 - Near yet so far

Wigan started their Challenge Cup quest back in March 1897 against the now defunct side Radcliffe. The Prescott Street men triumphed in a close 3-0 win in Round 1. A week later, Round 2 was upon the Wigan club as they welcomed Bradford side Manningham again winning the game 7-0. The next week, the quarter final tie came around and local rivals St Helens welcomed Wigan to Knowsley Road. This time Wigan's luck ran out as the Saints beat Wigan 11-0. And so that was the first season of the Challenge Cup as quick as that! Back in 1897 the Challenge Cup was a competition stuck onto the end of the regular winter season, starting mid March 1897 and finally finishing in April. At this point in Rugby League's timeline, the Northern Union was newly formed back in 1895 so a cup competition didn't really have enough time to develop and be integrated within a league structure, especially during times where communication was slow (compared to today). There weren't many teams involved either! Round 1 started life with thirty-two teams which were mainly the breakaway Northern Union clubs and local Lancashire and Yorkshire amateur sides like Radcliffe. But back to 1897, for curiosities sake, St Helens went on to the Final of the Cup after beating Wigan and eventually lost to Batley 10-3 played in Leeds. At least we gave the Saints a head start!

The next year saw Wigan fall at the first hurdle. This time Round 1 was staged at the end of February 1898 with the Northern Union having the time for the Cup competition to integrate smoothly into the playing calendar. Wigan travelled across the Pennines to Castleford but lost in an 18-2 loss. Over the next couple of years Wigan didn't do anything remarkable in the Cup falling at the first and second rounds.Wigan were now establishing themselves in the game. The picture (above) shows the fashion of the day and Wigan players were usually donning moustaches. A legend of the earlier Wigan days, Jim Slevin is shown (top, middle) as captain with his team proudly displaying the West Lancashire Championship and Wigan Union Charity Cup which they won in the 1889/90 season. They reached the quarter finals in 1905 but Wilderspool proved to be a round too far as Warrington triumphed 13-0 on home turf, that team is seen in the picture (left) with only really Jimmy Leytham and Billy Hector being standout scorers in the season. If it was any conselation, Warrington eventually won the Cup beating Hull K.R. 6-0 in the final at Leeds.

It wasn't until the 1908-09 campaign that Wigan finally got a true sniff at a Final appearance. In the League, Wigan were firing on all cylinders and were dominating the Lancashire Cups (which Wigan won). It was Saturday 10th April 1909 that Wigan, top of the league, faced Wakefield at a neutral venue in Broughton in their first semi-final. Earlier in the competition Wigan had beaten York 20-7, Keighley 47-0 (who beat Pemberton 41-6 in round 1) and eventually beat Huddersfield 16-13 at Central Park in a quarter-final replay after the sides drew 10 a piece at Fartown. But when the semi's came Wigan were fancied to do over Wakefield purely due to their season's form. In the end, Wakefield beat the Wiganers 14-2 after a bit of bad-judgement from Wigan Captain Jimmy Leytham on the wing led to an easy score for Wakefields second try which ultimately put the result beyond doubt. And as luck would have it, Wigan fell to the eventual winners as Wakefield went on to beat Hull FC 17-0 in the Final. If only we'd shown some League form Wigan may have notched their first Cup success given the poor form of Hull FC that day... we'd be on 19! The team is shown above in 1908/09 with the Lancashire Cup, Rugby League Championship, Lancashire League Championship and West Lancs League. In the picture are: S. Wood, W. Hargreaves, H. Bouchier (vice-chairmen), A. Laing, John H. Prescott, William Counsell; Jack Hesketh (trainer), S. Latham (treasurer), Jack Brown, Tom Whittaker, Howell Francis, Massa Johnston, Dick Ramsdale, Jimmy Blears, Walter Cheetham, Jack Barton, J. Henderson, George Taylor (secretary); Ned Jones, Johnny Thomas, Joe Millar, Lance Todd (vc), John Counsell (chairman), Jimmy Leytham (c), Bert Jenkins, Fred Gleave, Jim Sharrock, Dr Monks (hon. surgeon). This was a cracking team and a successful one. The only ommission in the photograph is the Challenge Cup. The illusive Challenge Cup! This season saw Wigan score freely, with Joe Miller scoring 47 times, Jimmy Leytham (36), Lance Todd (22, Bert Jenkins (21) and Johnny Thomas (15). These were the fullback and three quarter lineup that today seems to be one of the best the game and Wigan club have ever seen. They devastated defences and the trophies show it. If only they could have shown their try scoring freedom against Wakefield in the semi final!

By now, the Challenge Cup competition had taken to the hearts of Wigan folk. gates of over 12,000 regularly turned up for home matches at Central Park and was already beginning to capture the imagination of the public. Their imagination however was put on hold in the 1909-10 season when, after beating locals Swinton 16-5 with tries from Lance Todd, Jimmy Leytham and Joe Miller, Wigan fell at the next hurdle somewhat disappointingly when they lost to Salford 12-5 in Round 2. Another year had to pass with the Wigan faithful thinking that they'd never reach a Cup Final even with the riches in talent they had on the pitch.

But lo and behold, Wigan eventually reached a Challenge Cup Final in 1911 (picture, left). Their campaign started midway through February away in Fartown against Huddersfield with a good 18-3 win. Wigan warmed up for Round 2 with a comfortable 30-0 against Barrow in the League and that gave Wigan confidence ahead of their game against Warrington at Central Park. Wigan won 21-12 thanks to a delightful display by captain Jimmy Leytham who scored twice, Bert Jenkins, Joe Miller and Johnny Thomas scoring the other tries. Wigan were drawn away in the quarter finals against the Loiners of Leeds. Leeds had already been victorious in the Cup the previous season and were the holders after seeing off Hull FC in a replay in 1910. Wigan progressed to a semi-final date with Batley courtesy of a 13-4 win... and for good measure, Wigan returned to Headingley the following week in a League game and beat Leeds again 20-2! By now Wigan were in form and going neck and neck with Oldham in the League. The semi-final with Batley was a close affair given the stakes but Wigan edged out 4-2 winners in their second success at Fartown. Wigan by this time were on a good spell in League and Cup. Their Round 1 tie against Huddersfield was the start of an unbeaten run which brought 14 wins and a draw. Sod's Law came into as something that can go wrong, will go wrong. The fifteenth match in the run was the Challenge Cup Final against Broughton Rangers. Wigan were favourites in their first appearance in the Final after defeating Oldham in a Championship 1st Place Playoff to claim top spot in the league and Widnes in the Championship semi final a week earlier. Wigan were on fire! The law of misfortune shone over Wigan in the Final, played at Salford as Broughton won 4-0. Wigan's first Final ended in defeat and not only was it a bad day, it turned into a bad week as Wigan lost the Championship Final against Oldham AT Broughton's Wheater's Field ground. The picture (above, left) shows the runners-up that year: Fred Myers, James Shallcross, Dick Ramsdale, Charlie Seeling, Tom Whittaker, George Holding; Edmund jones, Joe Miller, Lance todd, Jimmy Leytham (c), Jim Sharrock, Johnny Thomas and Bert Jenkins.
It was to be another nine years before Wigan graced a Final again. After being runners-up in 1911, Wigan fell in Round 2 in 1912, at the quarter final stages in 1913 and 1914 and got another sniff at a final in 1915 but sadly lost in the semi to Huddersfield 27-2, a demolition. After the humiliating defeat to Huddersfield in 1915 it would seem like Wigan would never win the Cup for many a year as World War One came around. The War meant that League and Cup competitions were put aside until the 1919-20 season as most players were called up for national duty. Sadly many men fell. Wigan by this time were a big name in the game. Welsh rugby union players were attracted to the North and Wigan especially were a big successful club that had some of the best players. Their new(ish) Central Park ground was state of the art for the time, an arena purpose built for sport (even without changing facilities) and it seemed that the only thorn in Wigan's side was the Challenge Cup. Since the dawn of the Cup in 1897, Wigan were already lagging behind teams such as Batley (three times winners), Warrington, Broughton Rangers, Huddersfield and Halifax (twice winners).
After the War ended Wigan were again trying to get an elusive Cup win. Their league form was average at best and ended the 1919/20 season in 13th place. Luckily however, Wigan did manage to get to the Final for the second time. Huddersfield were the opposition and were in their Golden Era - they themselves eventually finished top of the League by seven clear points. Healey Street Adults (who?) were Wigan's opposition in Round 1 and a close game ensued. Wigan won 64-6. After beating York and Bramley in the next rounds Wigan faced Hull in the semi-final which was played at Salford. This was Wigan's first big test in the Cup competition as York and Bramley finished lower in the league than Wigan so were inferior in class. Hull however were going well at the top (behind Huddersfield) eventually finishing clear in second and also ended up winning their first Championship against Huddersfield 3-2. They were a good side that boasted current Rugby League Hall of Famer Billy Batten in their lineup. Despite being billed as underdogs, Wigan defeated Hull FC 12-5 at The Willows. A Final tie would be against Huddersfield on the 10th April at Headingley. The stronger side won on the day as Wigan were crushed 27-2 to give Huddersfield their third title in four years (technically, minus the War) and Cup success seemed even further away for the Cherry and White fans.

The 1921 campaign was a disaster, Wigan being beaten by St Helens Recs in Round 1. The Recs finished 15th in the league, Wigan 4th - so it was a true Cup shock of sorts but the fact remained that Wigan had to wait another year for success. 1922 was a good year I suppose. Wigan were fired up in the Cup scoring 112 points and conceeding only 12 in the first three rounds. They narrowly beat Wakefield 15-6 and then battered Hunslet and Keighley 52-6 and 45-0 respectively. A certain Welshman named Jim Sullivan was now a key figure at Central Park and was a goal kicking sensation. He cost £750 and was the best £750 anyone, anywhere has ever spent. With Sullivan in the side, Wigan had a dependable goal kicker and converted tries were now the norm for Wigan. What would have been previously close matches were now quite comfortable wins. You get the drift... thats for another topic! So, it came to Saturday 8th April and Hull were the semi-final opponents once more. Still hurting from their loss two years previous to Wigan, Hull got revenge with an 18-5 win at Headingley. Out of the Cup again for Wigan but their consolation was winning the Championship in an 13-2 win over Oldham after beating Hull in the semi final. Hull of course reached their Final but lost narrowly to Rochdale 10-9 which was to be their fifth failure to win in 6 Final appearances (one was a replay after a 7-7 draw in 1910 versus Leeds) .

Wigan now went round again by the time 1923 came about. Jim Sullivan was already an established fullback and points machine and in his own way changing the way the game was being played as rugby league evolved more rapidly since the North Union was formed in 1895. Another Welshman Johnny Ring finished the 1922-23 season with 41 tries and it seemed that finally Wigan had a winning team that seemed to have deserted them for almost a decade since the likes of Jimmy Leytham, Joe Miller and Lance Todd graced Central Park. The War didn't help of course. Wigan started their Cup campaign as newly crowned Lancashire Cup winners. Bramley came to Central Park in hope, more than anything being the poorest side in the League, and went away back to South Leeds with 0 smiles and 47 frowns (47-0 to Wigan). A close encounter with Featherstone Rovers at Post Office Road saw Wigan walk into the quarter finals with a 13-14 win over the Flatcappers in early March before Wigan again defeating another West Yorkshire club in Dewsbury at Central Park in the quarter final 20-12. The only thing that stood in the way of a final appearance were Hull FC. Billy Batten by now a rugby league legend was nearing his end for Hull but despite his Darren Lockyer-esque longevity at the top level, Hull were steaming ahead at the top of the League table and eventually finished top. Saturday 7th April saw Wigan warm up for the semi final with an easy and morale boosting 41-10 win over inaugrial finalists and bitter rivals St Helens at Central Park in the league. The following Saturday Wigan travelled to the neutral venue at Fartown, Huddersfield for their encounter with favourites Hull FC. They say lightning doesn't strike twice - yet this time, for Wigan it did. They lost in a close affair 13-9. For hull however, lightning didn't strike twice in the Final against Leeds, it struck yet again for the losing side. Leeds won their third title as Hull lost yet again in a Final. Hull's season worsened as they lost to City rivals Hull K.R. in the Championship semi final in a season that mirrored Wigan's 1911 season: finishing top and losing in the two most important games one after another inside a week!

So we are now stood in Spring 1923. Wigan were still Cupless and clinging on to the title of being one of the games most famous and biggest names. Wigan had been to two finals and lost them both. They had lost in four other semi finals also. Success in the Championship and Lancashire competitions were not being reflected in the Challenge Cup. Great names like James Leytham, Jimmy Sharrock, Fred Gleave, Lance Todd, Massa Johnston, Johnny Ring and Jim Sullivan had yet to conjure up their first win. Local borough rivals Leigh had even managed a win in the competition in 1921. By 1923 the Challenge Cup was becoming more and more popular. More teams were taking part in the lesser rounds and crowds were booming after the end of the War. Attendances were attracting huge numbers which in turn boosted the coffers of clubs. Finals were regularly attracting more than 25,000 and growing. The Cup was now important to the culture of rugby league and already some teams were fading into legendary status such as Huddersfield with Harold Wagstaff and Albert Rosenfeld; and Batley being the Gallant Youths with Wattie Davies. Wigan were being laughed at.