I think it's written in a book somewhere that the signing of Birts was one of the things that led Lindsay, Robinson and co to decide that Maurice Bamford wasn't the man to take Wigan forward.

My only real memory of Birts is that he looked incredibly frail compared to all the other players. For a professional rugby player, he really was stick-thin.

It's in ' The Best Years Of Our Lives' by Paul Wilson.............................. On the day Bamford left Jack Robinson asked him " If you had your time at Wigan again would you do it all exactly the same" " Yes " replied Bamford, " What, even Jimmy Birts ! " said Robinson, " Especially Jimmy Birts " he replied, I knew then we had made the right decision ( to sack Bamford ) thought Robinson.

p.s. A great book if anyone out there hasn't read it.

and gleeson didnt do TOO badly in that game

David Hodgson against Saints when they kicked for a 40/20 in the dying seconds(I think), it was going out on the full and he tried to keep it in and made a mess of it. Tommy Martyn took advantage and scored.

Wonder if Leneghan will ever have the same conversation with noble re: mathers?

Cracking read

At least Jimmy could say he has pulled on the cherry & white. Very dark days those.

Can't recall the game exactly but back in the mid 80's, Rocket Ronnie Braithwate, after a lifetime in the A-team got his break in the first team. After a couple of half decent performances away from home he got his big break at Central Park. I remember the player pen picture from that days programme was an interview with Ronnie who, as well as telling us all his favourite colour was green and his favourite food was Chinese etc told us that his nickname was 'People's Champion', I think on account of the sympathy he perceived the Wigan public felt towards him

How ironic that nickname proved to be. I've never seen a more inept display from any player, ever. Knock-ons, missed tackles, dropped bombs, running into touch without even being tackled. The lot. The crowds reaction was akin to that feeling you get when driving past a terrible road accident. You daren't take your eyes of it. It's compulsive viewing, horrific and you're just glad it's happened to someone else and not you.

He didn't play in the first team again