The guests were four generations of Wiganers there to talk about playing for the club: Billy Boston, Bill Ashurst, Shaun Wane and Sean O’Loughlin. Yes, I know Billy came from Wales but all the rest of us have accepted him as a proper Wiganer by now – with the exception of Bill Ashurst, who insists he’s still just a “Taffyâ€.
The discussions were wide-ranging, including getting all four to summarise how they started playing rugby and how they progressed to the stage where they signed for the club. Billy reminded us of the true tale of how he didn’t want to come to Wigan and his Mum said she’d get shut of the directors who visited their home to tempt him North by asking for sully money. Trouble was, the Wigan directors agreed! Billy says it was the best mistake he’s ever made. He also revealed he was so scared when he was driven towards central park that first time to see posters says “Billy Boston playing today†he asked them to turn the car around and drive away. As we all know, he managed to make a success of it all!
Anyone who has ever been to a Riversiders meeting or other occasion involved Bill Ashurst will know that the bloke has a fund of anecdotes – all of them hilarious. The discussions last night turned to refs, given the current carry-on in Super League, and Bill told a tale of the famous “Sergeant-Major†Eric Clay. Legendary jack-of-all-trades at Wigan, Keith Mills, was still playing in those days and though he was mainly an A-teamer he got a go in the first team on this occasion. Bill says Keith gave somebody “a slap†and was promptly called out by Clay. “What’s your name, lad?†asked Clay. “Keith Mills†said Keith. “Never heard of you,†said the Sergeant-Major…. “and no one else will have, either, if you ever do that on my pitch again!â€
Talking of refs, Shaun as a coach and Sean as a current player had to be a bit PC about the modern-day refs, though both admitted that they wanted to see them use a bit more judgment on when to give technical penalties; but Billy and Bill could be a bit freer in their assessment. “Crapâ€, I think it was. They thought the refs were too egotistical – the game should be about what the players do not the refs, who seem to want to hog the limelight.
Speaking of which, the news that Saturday’s ref is Ganson was greeted with groans around the room.
All four guests were upbeat about prospects for that game and for the rest of the season. Sean and Shaun were both sure that the team will click and really make an impact. Billy and Bill’s assessment was the, while taking nothing away from Leeds as a very good team, they think the weather and state of the pitches at the moment suit Leeds’ forward power game down to the ground, and once pitches dry up Wigan, with faster more mobile forwards, will come into their own.
Sam Tomkins and Chris Tuson came along to the meeting as well, to claim their Man of the Match awards for recent game. Sam was MOM against Stains (I don't know, my typing!
) and Chris has won twice, for the games against Warrington and Wakefield.
