Murphy was outstanding, and always shone out.

Yep, they just used to 'wind him up' and Big Jim seemed to fall for it every time.



Folk used to bet on, not if, but when he would get sent off.

Ernie Ashcroft the great Wigan and GB centre it was widely rumoured wouldn't pass the ball to Nordgren(noggy).According to the rumour he said "He gets more money than me !"



Lots of women used to drool over 'noggy' by all accounts.

Brian Nordgren came with Cec Mountford from NZ.

Just asked my old Dad, and he really rated Lionel Cooper who was "class" to use his word. He also rated the 'Headingley Express' Eric Harris.

Harris was very fast, but Cooper was better, according to my old Dad.

My mam now 91 years of age was one of them.

Was told Brian Nordgren came to us from Union.
Was it NZRU or is it not true?

Ellery Hanley in the cup against us in 85. Every Wigan fan was scared to death whenever he got the ball. We sneaked home 7-6, still don't know how.

Yes I did watch Lionel Cooper play although the match I best remember is one in which he failed to shine. It was the Championship Final at Maine Road in 1950. Wigan went into that match minus 8 players who were in the Great Britain squad on their way to Australia. Huddersfield were largely unaffected by international calls and as a few weeks earlier they had beaten a full strength Wigan team they were considered nailed on certs to win. Among the A team players coach Jim Sullivan was forced to play was a young 2nd row forward by the name of Nat Silcock. Sullivan put him on the wing opposing Cooper and not only did he completely bottle him up but he scored the first try into the bargain. Wigan went on to win 20 points to 2 and in my humble opinion that was the greatest achievement in our club's glorious history. On the other wing for Wigan that day was Brian Nordgren who until Billy Boston came on the scene was the best winger I had ever seen.

Mal Meninga

No he came from A Rugby League club. I think it was called Ponsonby.

Thanks SW.

My Dad played wing as a young man and always rated these two.

Of the players I have seen Paul Newlove was one of the best opposition centres I have seen and another was Paul Sccofiled (pity since he retired he's gone the way he has).

As a Leeds fan Jamie Lyon, Andy Farrell and Kieran Cunningham. All players who would walk into any side at any time they've played. I used to love seeing Moz smashing up the aussies when he played for the roosters as well.