Late this afternoon, Leopards announced on "X" that the home game against The Pies was a complete sell-out. Yes there are mitigating factors to this. The AB Sundecks stage reduces capacity (does anyone on here know what capacity that leaves?) It is also a match against a team a mere cockstride away (wearing "three league boots" as Ol' Gramps Bongser used to say). But The Pies aren't known for their travelling support (barring the Plastic Pies from Atherton). Then again, whilst they belittle the League Leaders' Shield, they haven't won anything yet this season...

...AS LITTLE OLD LEIGH WON THE CHALLENGE CUP!

Bongser is told that attendances before his time used to be higher, but he is struggling to think of a sell-out in that (his) time, be it at Hilton Park or LSV; don't remember it being too packed for the visit of the Touring Aussies (feat. Mal Maninga); not for the Under 23s (?) GB vs France game (feat. John Woods) and not for any of the World Cup (Matabeleland vs Greenland!) internationals. Pretty sure the "Fling Wide the Gates" game against Batley in the 2016(?) Middle Eights didn't get close.

The point that Bongser wishes to make, is that Derek's re-brand and the team's success has, once again, got us noticed and followed in a way that IMG cannot ignore,

Thrice "Huzzay" and rum below!

10308 tickets sold

Does Bongser not remember the Challenge Cup tie in 2002 when just short of 10000 were on?

Obviously. Bongser is a lot younger than I thought he is, as there were 2 huge attendances in the late 60’s and early 70’s in challenge cup ties against Wiggin,
The first was in February 1968, when an amazing all ticket crowd of 22,660 crammed into Hilton Park to see an agonising 6-4 defeat (No tries). Then 2 years later in March 1970, 18,500 turned up to see a more comprehensive defeat by 20 points to 2, both of course coming in the first era of Alexander the Great.

I think we can assume that Wigan would have travelled in greater numbers if tickets had been available.

In February 1968, Chayders, Bongser was 19 months old. He did say that he was informed of greater attendances in yesteryear.

His first awakening to Leigh RLFC not much later, though, was mucking about on a Saturday afternoon in his grandparents' yard (just over the main drag from Hilton Park). He asked why he could hear so many people shouting and was told that they were cheering on Leigh playing rugby. For the sound to be not just audible but noticeable a few hundred yards away, there must have been a good few throats open!

As to Stanfax's question; no - wasn't there. Lost the spark for a few years when working down in the South East. Just about the only RL that was entertained on the pubs' teles then was the first leg of Wigan vs Bath.

Glad to be back!

When wigans allocation went, their fans started buying into Leigh’s sections in the east stand - which may not go down very well

I remember those two Wigan cup ties with the big crowds (however my dad told me of a match in the 50’s with over 30,000). I recall the 6-4 loss was in 1970 when Wigan scored two tries. Murphy missed both the cup games because of injury. When he was playing we did quite well against Wigan, such as the Floodlit trophy win at Central Park in 1969. In 1970 some 15,000 saw Leigh beat Wigan in the league at Hilton Park. Those were the days. I’d be interested to see the average attendance this year, somewhere between 7-8,000?

Bongser bows to the wise wizened.

Mike Lathom interviewing some of you would make good footage on the website in the close season - loved Chayders' memoir (on this forum) a few years back!

I was in those 2 huge crowds at Hilton Park. As a teenager In 1968, I answered the call to help clear the straw from the pitch which we stored underneath the supporters stand. Talk about a fire hazard as fans could smoke in the ground in those days. We were crammed like sardines into the Railway End. Absolutely brilliant atmosphere. I can remember seeing Eric Ashton breaking away to feed Billy Boston. I also remember seeing Billy Boston running over our players like a runaway train. He just trampled over them We unfortunately lost both games but got our revenge in the BBC2 Floodlit Final at Central Park. I hitched a lift there and back with no concern if I would get back home. We had an Australian winger who "could catch pigeons". Can't remember his name but I'm sure he scored a try on the right wing to win the match. Brilliant memories!

The fast Australian winger was Graeme Lawson but he scored in the 5-0 Floodlit trophy win over Widnes at Central Park in 1972. I remember being at Central Park for the 1969 Floodlit trophy victory over Wigan when Rod Tickle scored the winning try. I was in the stand with my Dad but someone told me that when Murphy worked the opening for Tickle he gave him a look as if to say ‘don’t you dare drop this’!

Thanks for the info, Essex. My memory's confusing both games I used to love watching the Floodlit comp. We had a good reputation in it.

Liam Moore born Billinge, Wigan, will be officiating the Battle of the Borough. No bias there then.

It will be the slowest game in living memory with Wigan getting away with murder !!

The last sell out I remember was the 2002 Challenge cup game which was limited to a 9700 capacity due to H&S. Adrian Lam remembers that game well as it was 16-16 with 10 to go !!

Not as old as some of my elder friends on here, but the one big crowd I remember was the one in Sept 1986 v Wigan when just under 13000 crammed into Hilton Park. Absolutely miles more than the crowd announced (12300) as hundreds climbed over instead of queuing (me being one of them) !! Happy Days. We lost 35-0 !! Wigan beat Manly soon after.

Think I remember that because it was Dean Bell's debut. And a certain Mr. Cottrell getting quite feisty.