Mid 20th Century
Jim Sullivan's last game as a player was at Mount Pleasant, Batley, on 23 February 1946. He remained at Central Park for a further six seasons as coach.
In 1948 Wigan took part in the first televised rugby league match when its 8–3 Challenge Cup Final victory over Bradford Northern was broadcast to the Midlands. This was the first rugby league match to be attended by the reigning monarch, King George VI, who presented the trophy.
On Saturday 27 October 1951 33,230 spectators saw Wigan beat Leigh 14–6 in the final of the Lancashire Cup at Station Road, Swinton. In 1952 Wigan won its sixth consecutive Lancashire Cup.
Wigan featured in the first league match to be broadcast on television, a clash with Wakefield Trinity at Central Park on 12 January 1952.
In 1953 Wigan signed Billy Boston for £150. 8,000 fans saw Boston make his début for Wigan in the 'A' team. He became one of the most successful and famous Wigan players of all time. Eric Ashton signed for Wigan for £150 in 1955. Wigan went to Wembley six times in the Boston/Ashton era and won three times.
The visit of St. Helens on 27 March 1959 produced Central Park's all-time record attendance of 47,747 which is a record for any rugby league game in Lancashire. Wigan won the game 19–14 after holding off a Saints comeback.
Joe Egan coached Wigan and during his time the club won the Championship play-off final in 1960 defeating Wakefield Trinity 21–5, the Challenge Cup in 1958, 1959, 13–9 against Workington Town and 30–13 against Hull respectively before losing in 12–6 to St. Helens in 1961 which was to be his last game in charge.
Wigan had regular success in both league and cup competitions until 1974 when Wigan went 8 seasons without winning any leagues or cups.
Eric Ashton coached Wigan from 1963 to 1973. In 1966, Wigan locked television cameras out of its ground in the belief that they affected attendances. They were fined £500 by the Rugby Football League. Wigan beat Oldham 16–13 in the 1966 Lancashire Cup Final. Billy Boston played his last match in the cherry and white, against Wakefield Trinity]at the end of April 1968.
Read more about this topic: History Of Wigan Warriors
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