Re: WIGAN HARDMEN PAST AND PRESENT

[j658]

Too young to have seen him play but my dad would say his mate Bill Ashurst - here's a classic story I found at http://www.eraofthebiff.com/-

FURTHER MEMORIES AND COMMENTS FROM CHRIS HILL, ST.HELENS - ENGLAND - Posted 29/04/2006

With reference to M47 and Bill Ashurst, never saw the guy play but was flicking through the sky channels recently as you do and came across him giving an interview on a Christian TV Channel.

He spoke about his time in Australia when he was signed for a world record fee by Penrith for £17,000.

He made his debut and wanted to make an impression and to give the fans their moneys worth as he cost a lot of money back in 1973.

The only problem was his hooker would not pass the ball to him and this only got Bill more and more aggravated. It came to a head when Bill decided enough was enough, at the next scrum he knocked out his own hooker inside the scrum.

The referee didn't know who'd done it and the player was carried off and replaced.

Bill proceeded to play a blinder and Penrith won the match.

When his coach realised what Bill had done after the match he told him to do it again in the future if it meant Penrith won the game....

the unfortunate hooker was 'Stevo' Mike Stephenson the Sky TV commentator who unfortunately UK viewers have to put up with every week !!!

[cpwigan]

It is well known that a feud developed between Stevo and Bill and to be fair there are 2 sides to any story. Stevo would argue the Bill was unprofessional with regard to his training/conduct. Bill would argue that Stevo was jealous of his ability and the fact he stole the limelight from Stevo. The feud and the refusal of Stevo to pass to Bill is substantiated by Penrith teammates. Bill and Stevo came to blows off the field as well as on it. To this day Bill and Stevo continue the feud.

Bill was the player who made way to put an end to the problems Penrith had.

Bill was named in the all time Penrith XIII last year.

[j658]

It is well known that a feud developed between Stevo and Bill and to be fair there are 2 sides to any story. Stevo would argue the Bill was unprofessional with regard to his training/conduct. Bill would argue that Stevo was jealous of his ability and the fact he stole the limelight from Stevo. The feud and the refusal of Stevo to pass to Bill is substantiated by Penrith teammates. Bill and Stevo came to blows off the field as well as on it. To this day Bill and Stevo continue the feud.

Bill was the player who made way to put an end to the problems Penrith had.

Bill was named in the all time Penrith XIII last year.

Yeah Stevo made his feelings for Bill clear in his autobiography.
We saw Bill outside the ground (think it was Saints game) last year and he was having a chat with my dad, and Bill wasn't happy that he had to pay to see his grandson play at half time. As you say he's a legend at Penrith, and is treated very well at Wakefield when he goes there, but is a bit of a forgotten man at Wigan which is a real shame considering he broke the transfer record both times he left! Top bloke as well.

[cpwigan]

Wigan are very poor re ex players. They have been for a long time. Personally, I think any ex player meeting a certain criteria should be afforded a free season ticket for life. An ex players lounge/box would be nice too.

[binxterboy]

bob blackwood , remember him ? big gangly cumbrian, either a prop or second row in the 70 s. always dishing it out also brian hogan from the same period

[bobbyb]

BRIAN Mctigue was a gentleman off the pitch unless you were playing 3 card bragg he loved to play cards in the old appley bridge legion and the alison arms.

[jammie]

greg'the wall' dowling was pretty hard,or dean bell.and brett dallas for coming back after getting hammered on a number of occasions.

[ancientnloyal]

if we are on about 'wigan hardmen', count me in that. I am infamous for punching a zebra