Wigan County
TRANSFER OF A PROMINENT WIGAN FOOTBALLER
It was reported on Tuesday morning that Peter McIntyre, of Wigan County, formerly of the Celtic and earlier still of North End, was signed for the Preston club again. McIntyre was without exception the best player in the Wigan team all through the season just closed, and has improved out of recognition since he left Preston. He can play anywhere, but particularly at right half or on the right wing.
Wigan Examiner: May 7 1898: Page 3, column 1
FOOTBALL
WIGAN COUNTY AFC
The Wigan County Club are now in full swing, and practice is going on steadily. On Saturday I large number witnessed a test game in broiling weather. The teams were the Reserve men and a few of the first team. This game enables the committee to choose a suitable team to do battle for the head of the list in the Wigan and District League. On Wednesday, a grand test match will be played, and the first team will be opposed by the pick of the reserve players. A good game is anticipated, and as the entrance is free, a large crowd should assemble. Kick off at 6 o'clock.
Wigan Examiner: August 24 1898: Page 4, column 3
WIGAN COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB
This club, which is now entering on the second year of its existence, had a special test match last week on the Springfield Park ground. The teams were selected from the clubs Lancashire league eleven, the reserve team, and the local amateurs. About three thousand spectators assembled and the exhibition was considered highly satisfactory, and vigorous game resulting in a draw, no goals being scored. It was evident at the outset that the players would improve by acquaintance and as the game preceded better football was the order, smart play being quickly recognised by the crowd. The new men are a young and promising a lot, Mellars, the two Fitzsimons, Clibborn, and Otty giving early evidence of their ability to play football of the first order. Mackay in goal again proved reliable, and Topping, who was between the sticks at the other end, saved smartly on several occasions, and was ably assisted by his backs, Brown and Leigh. It was satisfactory to note the reserve team will be quite up to last year's standard, and the committee need not hesitate in giving some of them a trial in the league matches, should an opportunity of doing so occur. All that is now required is support from the public, and it is evident from the interest displayed in the club that this will be forthcoming, and in the ensuing season prove a very successful one.
Wigan Examiner: August 31 1898: Page 4, column 2
Wigan County 0-v-3 Bolton Wanderers : Friendly
1 September 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: McKay, Hunter, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimmons, Limond, Fielding, Gara, Tangye, T. Fitzsimmons, Otty
Bolton Wanderers: Lee, Davis, Sommerville, Fitchel, Brown, Freebairn, Thomson, Miller, Nichol, Wright, Jack
Wigan County 0-v-4 Southport Central : League [1]
3 September 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: McKay, Brown, Mellors, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimmons, J. Limond, Fielding, Gara, Tangye, T. Fitzsimmons, Otty
Southport Central: Abram, Spink, Sellars, Cunliffe, J. Smith, Tattersall, Hallows, Lawson, Lang, Sinclair, J. Wilmington
Att. 1500
Wigan County 3-v-1 Nelson : League [2ex]
10 September 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 3-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: McKay, Brown, Mellars, Latham, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Salisbury, Fielding, T. Fitzsimons, Otty, Gara (2)
Nelson: Horsfall, Cunliffe, Smith, Harvey, Sherrington, Bradshaw, Henderson, Dole, Ashworth, Mee, Radcliffe
Wigan County 1-v-1 Crewe Alexandra : League [3]
24 September 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: H. Mackay, H. Brown, W. Mellars, Limond, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, J. Fielding, A. Gara, J. Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons, W. Otty
Crewe Alexandra: Coventry, J.R. Jones, Bennett, H.O. Jones, Timmins, Batho, Brookfield, Brash, Trevor-Owen, Draycott, Lispham
Att. 3000
Nelson 2-v-2 Wigan County : League [4ex]
1 October 1898 : The Park Ground (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Nelson: Harvey, Sherrington, Bradshaw, Dale, Ashworth, Ratcliffe, McDonald
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Brown, Clibborn, Whitehouse, T. Fitzsimons, Cassidy, Otty, Gara
Att. 3000
Halliwell Rovers 1-v-1 Wigan County : League [5]
5 October 1898 : Bennetts Lane (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Halliwell Rovers: Shuttleworth, A. Edge, Clinch, B. Edge, Valentine, J. Settle, Brown, Smith, Lydon, Grundy, T. Settle
Wigan County: Mackey, Brown, Mellars, Limond, D. Fitzsimons, Clifford, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons, Otty
Wigan County 2-v-2 Glossop North End : Friendly
12 October 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Whitehouse, Cassidy, Gara, T. Fitzsimmons
Glossop North End: Lumsden, Paton, Price
Wigan County 4-v-0 Horwich : League [6]
15 October 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 4-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Whitehouse, Gara (3), T. Fizsimons, Otty
Horwich: Briscoe, Fletcher, Birtwistle, Mayoh, Dakin, Barker, Leigh, Leach, Jones, Langton, Hopkins
Wigan County 0-v-2 St. Helens Recreation : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
19 October 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Latham, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Fielding, Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons, Whitehouse
St. Helens Recreation: Viner, Woodward, Bell, Hunter, Preston, Ellaby, Smith, Jones, Bains, Hunter, Jackson
Wigan County 3-v-2 Horwich : Lancashire Senior Cup, 2nd Qualifying Round
22 October 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 2-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Downie, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimmons, Otty
Horwich: Briscoe, Fletcher, Greenhalgh, Mayoh, Dakin, Barker, Leigh, Leach, Hopkins, Langton, Jones
Att. 500
Referee: Mr. Roberts (Crewe)
Darwen 1-v-5 Wigan County : English Cup, 3rd Qualifying Round
29 October 1898 : Barley Brook (ht 1-2)
Teams:
Darwen: Whitley, Woolfall, Edmonson, Moore, Grier, Kenyon, Sugden, Hargreaves, Wright, Pilkington, Bleasdale,
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, T. Fitzsimons (2), Gara, Otty, Cassidy
Att. 2000
Wigan County 6-v-1 South Shore : League [7]
5 November 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 3-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Latham, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton (2), Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons, Otty
South Shore: Griffiths, Barrow, Smith, Higgins, Bagot, Whitham, Porter, Lightbown, Thompson, Jones, Arrandale
Att. 2000
THE WIGAN COUNTY CLUB: A PROPOSED FLOTATION
The Wigan County Football Club have issued a prospectus preparatory to turning the club into a limited liability company. The capital to be subscribed for is a £1000 in £1 shares. The club is achieving considerable success this year and stands well in the Lancashire League. A good association club in a populous district like that of Wigan has every chance of proving remunerative, and several prominent townsmen have signified their intention of participating in the flotation of the new company.
Wigan Examiner: November 5 1898: Page 3, column 2
Wigan County 4-v-1 Rock Ferry : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
12 November 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons (3), Otty
Rock Ferry: Moore, Astbury, Pugh, Cornett, Farrell, Gaskell, Barnes, Spencer, Brown, Murray, Deighton
Southport Central 3-v-1 Wigan County : English Cup, 4th Qualifying Round
19 November 1898 : Scarisbrick New Road (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Southport Central: Abram, Spink, Sellars, Cunliffe, H. Hallows, Tattersall, C. Hallows, Lawson, Lang (2), Sinclair, Wilmington
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, Otty, T. Fitzsimons
Referee: Mr. Cooper (Blackburn)
Att. 4000
Wigan County 0-v-0 Chorley : League [8]
26 November 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, Otty, T. Fitzsimons
Chorley: Wolstenholme, Parker, Green, Morton, Doherty, Thornborough, Pooley, Cunliffe, Jones, Tierney, Ashton
Att. 4000
Horwich 3-v-0 Wigan County : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
10 December 1898 : The Old Racecourse (ht 0-0)
Teams:
Horwich: Briscoe, Leigh, Calderbank, Massey, Barker, Leigh, Nelson,
Wigan County: Mackay, Fielding, Clibborn, Greenhalgh, Atherton, Cassidy, Lathom, Gara, Fitzsimons, Otty
Att. 1000
Stockport County 1-v-4 Wigan County : Lancashire Senior Cup, 1st Round Proper
19 December 1898 : Green Lane (ht 1-2)
Teams:
Stockport County: Lomas, Johnston, Wainwright, Hall, Mann, Bolton, Goddard, T. Henshaw, Heyes, Foster, Lee
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellor, Brown, T. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, Fielding
Referee: Mr. Hammond (Heywood)
Att. 250
Rochdale 3-v-2 Wigan County : League [9]
24 December 1898 : The Athletic Grounds (ht 2-1)
Teams:
Rochdale: Copeland, Whitehead, Waters, Fairhurst, Booth, Wallwork, Fletcher (2), Garside, Edwards, Hendran, Brearley
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellars, Latham, D. Fitzsimmons, Clibborn, Atherton, T. Fitzsimons, Cassidy, Gara, Otty.
Southport Central 2-v-2 Wigan County : League [10]
26 December 1898 : Scarisbrick New Road (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Southport Central: Abram, T. Smith, Sellars, Cunliffe, Hallows, Tattersall, Wilmington (2), Sinclair, Lang, Lawson, C. Hallows
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellars, Limond, D. Fitzsimons, Brown, Atherton, Gara, Cassidy, T. Fitzsimons, Otty
Referee: Mr. J. Smith (Heywood)
Wigan County 1-v-2 Rock Ferry : League [11]
31 December 1898 : Springfield Park (ht 0-2)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Holmes, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Hunter, Atherton, Cassidy, Gara, Otty.
Rock Ferry: Moore, Astbury, T. Pugh, Platt, Farrall, Gaskell, Barnes, Spencer, J. Pugh, Brown, Deighton
Att. 2000
Wigan County 0-v-1 Ashton North End : League [12ab]
2 January 1899 : Springfield Park (Abandoned after 30 minutes due to bad weather, replayed 3 April)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Atherton, Smith, Gara, T. Fitzsimons, Hunter, Otty
Asthon North End: Bradbury, McBride
Wigan County 2-v-8 Preston North End : Friendly
3 January 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 1-2)
Teams:
Wigan County: Topping, Wilde, Mellars, Brown, Cassidy, Fielding, Atherton, Hunter, Gara, Fitzsimons, Otty.
Preston North End: McBride, Howarth, Tait, Sanders, McIntyre, Russell, Green, Pratt, Pierce, Hargreaves, Drummond.
Referee: Mr. W. C. Gee
Crewe Alexandra 2-v-2 Wigan County : League [13]
7 January 1899 : Earle Street (ht 1-1)
Teams:
Crewe Alexandra: Coventry, Smith, Steele, Grierson, Timmis, Batho, Brash, Hales, Brookfield, Trevor-Owen, Howard.
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Gara, Fielding, Atherton, Hunter, Otty.
South Shore 5-v-1 Wigan County : League [14]
14 January 1899 : Cow Gap Lane (ht 3-0)
Teams:
South Shore: Griffiths, Baron, Porteous, Higgins, Bennett, Whittam, Speight, Thompson, Lightbown, Jones (3), Arrandale.
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Brown, Clibborn, Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Hunter, Gara, Fielding, Otty.
Stalybridge Rovers 0-v-3 Wigan County : League [15]
21 January 1899 : Crookbottom (ht 0-3)
Teams:
Stalybridge Rovers: Bartley, Leach (og), Brooks (og)
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Hunter, Atherton, Otty.
(With adverse weather conditions and a poor pitch, following the referee's decision, the match commenced 30 minutes late, the players being withdrawn for 10 minutes during the first half due to heavy rain).
Wigan County 1-v-1 Middleton : League [16]
28 January 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Clibborn, Brown, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Gara, T. Fitzsimons, Fielding, Atherton, Otty.
Middleton: Garvey, McKay, Roylance, Carman, Green, Drummond, Richards, Graham, Wood, Todd, Hargreaves.
Wigan County 5-v-1 Stalybridge Rovers : League [17]
4 February 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Limond, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Atherton (2), Gordon, T. Fitzsimmons, Gara, Otty.
Stalybridge Rovers: Whitley, Leach, Walton, Lockwood, Bartley, Yates, Hesham, Crook, Green, Johnstone, Dunn.
(Nelson and Rock Ferry played their final games on 4 February and consequently left the League. Nelson's results were expunged while Rock Ferry were replaced by Haydock)
Stockport County 2-v-2 Wigan County : League [18]
11 February 1899 : Green Lane (ht 2-1)
Teams:
Stockport County: Morrow (og), Johnston, Wainwright, Lomas, Chesworth, Foster, Goddard, Axon.
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, T. Fitzsimons, Atherton
Referee: Mr Furness
Att: 4000
Wigan County 2-v-0 South Shore : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
15 February 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Clibborn, T. Fitzsimons, D. Fitzsimons, Gordon, Gara, Otty.
South Shore: Griffiths, Porteous, Higgins, Birch, Hartley, Speight, Jones.
Wigan County 4-v-1 Rochdale : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
18 February 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Hunter, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Atherton, Gordon, Gara (2), Otty, T. Fitzsimons.
Rochdale: Armstrong, Whitehead, Waters, Fairhurst, Wallwork, Booth, Jones, Hendren, Gilford, Edwards, Wilson.
WIGAN COUNTY PLAYER FOR PRESTON NORTH END
Negotiations for the transfer of Andrew Gara from Wigan County to Preston North End were completed on Saturday night. It was stated Wigan asked £100 for the transfer, but the amount of consideration money has not been made known. Gara is a local youth, and is 21 years of age. Formerly he played with Ashton-in Makerfield and Park Lane clubs, and joined Wigan County on its formation. He has hitherto appeared inside right forward
Wigan Examiner: February 22 1899: Page 4, column 2
Wigan County 2-v-2 Halliwell Rovers : League [19]
25 February 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 1-2)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Clibborn, Atherton, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, Brown (2), Otty .
Halliwell Rovers: Shuttleworth, Brown, Edge, Bridge, Smith, J. Settle, J. Fletcher, Hall, Clinch, Wilcock, Grundy.
Att. 3000
Wigan County 0-v-3 Chorley : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
1 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Limond, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Atherton, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, Brown, Otty.
Chorley: Wolstenholme, Green, Ostick, Whittle, Doherty, Cunliffe, Ashton, Tierney, Jones.
Southport Central 0-v-1 Wigan County : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
4 March 1899 : Scarisbrick New Road (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Southport Central: Abram, Spink, Sellers, Cunliffe, H. Hallows, Tattersall, C. Hallows, Lawton, Sinclair, Wilmington.
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Clibborn, Evans, Limond, Brown, P. Gordon, Nightingale, T. Fitzsimmons, Otty.
​
Wigan County 1-v-0 Preston North End: Friendly
8 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht x-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Brown, Limond, Hunter, Gordon
Preston North End: Trainer, Gara
Wigan County 7-v-0 Dumfries : Friendly
11 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Clibborn, Evans, Limond, Atherton, Gordon (3), T. Fitzsimons D. Fitzsimons (3), Otty
Dumfries: Thom, Halliday, Anderson, W. Kennedy, Wilson, Johnson, Morley, Graham, Cowen, C. Kennedy, Chicken.
Att. 5000
Referee: Mr Gee
Wigan County 3-v-0 Halliwell Rovers : Rawcliffe (Chorley) Charity Cup
15 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 2-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Limond, Fielding, Whitehouse, T. Fitzsimons (2)
Halliwell Rovers: Settle, Hodgkiss
Middleton 1-v-2 Wigan County : League [20]
18 March 1899 : Hollin Lane (ht 1-0)
Teams:
Middleton: Garvey, Blakeley, Hargreaves, Leigh, Richards, Drummond
Wigan County: Mackay, Mellars, Hunter, Wilde
Wigan Examiner 1-v-1 Wigan Observer : Pressmen's Match
20 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 0-0)
Teams:
Wigan Examiner: Leech, Mitton, Roger
Wigan Observer: Arrowsmith, Prescott
Referee: Mr Jack Point
(This was the second of two matches played by the Wigan's rival publications, the first also resulting in a draw. Scorer for the Examiner was Joe Leech, then a cub reporter, later to become editor of the paper for many years)
Ashton North End 1-v-2 Wigan County : League [21]
21 March 1899 : Manchester Road (ht 0-1)
Teams:
Ashton North End: Wharton, Pangborn, Monks, Bradbury, Smith
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Atherton, Gordon, Otty
Wigan County 3-v-1 Stockport County: League [22]
25 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 3-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Macky, Wilde, Mellars, Clibborn, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Atherton, Hunter, P. Gordon, T. Fitzsimmons, Otty.
Stockport County: Moores, Wright, Hall, Chesworth, Foster.
​
Wigan County 14-v-0 Rochdale: Friendly
31 March 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 4-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, D. Fitzsimons, Limond, Alker, Atherton, Gordon (3), Alker (2), T. Fitzsimons (6), Otty (2)
Rochdale: Armstrong, Topper, Walker, Smethurst, Gilford, Lord, Personage, Keats, Wright, Royle, McCourt.
Att. 5000
(This was County's biggest victory against the then amateur side Rochdale)
​
Chorley 3-v-0 Wigan County : League [23]
1 April 1899 : Dole Lane (ht 1-0)
Teams:
Chorley: Wolstenholme, Ostick, Green, Thornborough, Morton, Dougherty, Cunliffe, Whittle, Pooley , Tierney, Ashton
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellors, Clibborn, Evans, Limond (ret. 45), Atherton, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, D. Fitzsimons, Otty.
Att. 5000
Referee: Mr. Hammond.
(Limond was injured badly after 10 minutes and retired at half-time. County played with 10 men for the whole of the second half)
Wigan County 4-v-1 Ashton North End : League [12]
3 April 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 1-1) (Replayed from 2 January)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Brown, Mellars, Clibborn, T. Fitzsimons, Gordon, Atherton, Fielding, Otty (2).
Ashton North End: Wharton, Greenhalgh, Yates, Bradbury, Blake.
Dumfries 2-v-1 Wigan County : Friendly
8 April 1899 : Cresswell Park (ht 1-1)
Teams:
Dumfries: Short, Grierson, Charteries, Kennedy, Craven, Johnstone, Morley, Graham, McGeorge, Ireland, Chicken.
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Brown, D. Fitzsimons, Evans, Atherton, Fielding, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, Otty.
Celtic 0-v-2 Wigan County : Friendly
10 April 1899 : Celtic Park (ht x-x)
Teams:
Celtic:
Wigan County:
Haydock 1-v-0 Wigan County : League [24]
15 April 1899 : The Recreation Ground (ht 1-0)
Teams:
Haydock: Lowe, Astbury, Deighton, Summer, Askin.
Wigan County: Mackay, Atherton, Fielding, Otty.
Wigan County 3-v-2 Chorley : Rawcliffe Charity Cup Semi-Final
22 April 1899 : Springfield Park (ht 1-1)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Evans, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Atherton, Fielding, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, Otty (2).
Chorley: Monks, Ostick, Green, Thornborough, Dougherty, Bennison, Pooley, Cunliffe, Whittle, Tierney, Ashton.
Att. 6000
Wigan County 0-v-3 Preston North End : Friendly
26 April 1899 : Springfield Park (ht x-x)
Teams:
Wigan County:
Preston North End:
Wigan County 2-v-0 St. Helens Recreation : Rawcliffe Charity Cup Final
29 April 1899 : Dole Lane (ht 1-0)
Teams:
Wigan County: Mackay, Wilde, Mellars, Evans, D. Fitzsimons, Clibborn, Atherton, Fielding, Gordon, T. Fitzsimons, Otty
St. Helens Recreation: Hoy, Woodward, Monk, Hunter, Preston, Helsby, Dumbell, Brown, Baines, Jackson, Davies.
Att. 4000