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Who is the greatest rugby legend you’ve ever
seen play for one of the borough’s home teams?
That’s the question Wigan’s heritage service are posing as part of a
unique exhibition dedicated to the history of the borough.
From June 10th - for four weeks - Wigan and Leigh folk will have a
chance to settle one of the great sporting debates……and vote for the
greatest rugby player to have ever played in Wigan and Leigh.
The winner will earn their place in a new Wigan exhibition being planned
when The History Shop’s £1.6m refurbishment is complete next year.
From the Romans to Wigan at War, visitors will be able to gain an
understanding of just what made Wigan Borough the place it is today.
The exhibition section “Our Champions” will celebrate the achievements
of local people. From entertainers and sports people, to leaders and
those who have committed acts of bravery. Whoever is voted greatest
rugby player of all time will feature in this section of the new
exhibition.
On Thursday two powerhouses of rugby league, Wigan’s Billy Boston and
Leigh’s Tommy Sale posted their votes in front of the other great
powerhouse of the borough - the Trencherfield Mill steam engine.
Unable to vote for themselves Tommy, honorary life president for Leigh
Centurions, had no hesitation who he thought was the greatest to have
played in Wigan Borough.
He said: “It was a treat to watch Jim Sullivan kick the ball. After the
war there are quite a few others I could mention but he sticks out in my
mind. He was a great coach as well.”
Billy added: “I would have to say Brian McTigue, Wigan’s Prop Forward
during the 1960s was the greatest ball player I have ever seen.”
Union or league, the rules couldn’t be simpler.
Just write, email, text or vote via the ballot box the name of your
favourite player.
Whether they were born in Swansea or Swinley it doesn’t matter but they
do have to have played for one of Wigan Borough’s home teams at
professional level or for a significant part of their career. They must
also have contributed to putting Wigan Borough on the map or wider Wigan
life outside of rugby.
You can vote for anyone who has played at any of the rugby clubs in the
borough, past or present. The History Shop will announce the winner with
the most votes later this year.
Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions and Asda are all supporting the vote.
Carole Tyldesley, Head of Heritage Services for Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust, said: “To gather a view on who is seen to be our most
prolific player over time we thought it would be fun to open this up to
public vote.
“This choice will be included in the permanent exhibition at the History
Shop, with scope for other community exhibitions and activities around
this or other sporting themes to be developed in the future.”
Voting starts on June 10 and ends on July 8.
There are a variety of ways to vote. Ballot boxes are available in all
libraries in Wigan and Leigh and Asda Wigan and Leigh. Ballot boxes can
also be found in Wigan Warriors Club shop and Leigh Centurions
reception.
People can email in their vote to
rugbyplayer@wlct.org or text LEGEND followed by the name of the
player to 07624810462. Or simply write down the name of the person you’d
like to see at the exhibition to David Taylor, WLCT, Elizabeth House,
Pottery Road, Wigan, WN3 4BD.
-ends-
Notes to Editors: For further information on this press release please
contact David Taylor, PR Manager 01942 486 937 or email
david.taylor@wlct.org
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
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Billy Boston and Carole Tyldesley
Tommy Sale posting his vote |