History of players

[Penkvik]

Actually I'm sure you're right and that I misremembered.

Just checked the list of brothers that I put together for an article in a programme a few years ago and I had Vin and Derek, no mention of Tom.

Here's the list. I think I've discovered a few more since then so I will update it sometime in the future.

Aspey (George & Sam), Bate (Ron & Eric), Bowden (Reg & Fred), Bradley (Walter & Frank), Butler (Stan and Roy), Cleal (Noel & Les), Davies (Tommy & Percy), Evans (Arthur & Alan), Eyres (Richard & Andy), Faimalo (Esene & Joe), Hansen (Lee & Sam), Higgins (Jack, Alec & Fred), Hoey (Jimmy & Billy), Hughes (Arthur & Eric), Hulme (David & Paul), Karalius (Vin & Tony), Laughton (Jerry & Harry), Long (Sean & Karl), Lowe (Ged & Tom), Middlehurst (Charlie & Chris), Myler (Jack & Eddie), Myler (John & Tony), Naughton (Johnny, Dan & Ally), O'Garra (Jack & Henry), O'Neill (Dennis & Jim), O'Neill (Mike & Steve), Owen (Harry Jnr & Ray), Peters (Arthur & Harry), Platt (Duncan & Andy), Roberts (Mick & Peter), Ruane (Andy & David), Sale (Tommy & John), Smith (Ged & John), Smith (Vin & Derek), Taylor (Billy, Ike, Alf & Harry), Thompson (Bill & John), Wood (John & Eddie), Woodward (Jack & Norman).

I knew a Tommy Davies from West Bank who played, wasn't Percy's brother though, maybe he's a different one.There was
also Dougie Davies, another West Banker. Some great names from the past, well done Steve
 

[Steve Fox]

I knew a Tommy Davies from West Bank who played, wasn't Percy's brother though, maybe he's a different one.There was
also Dougie Davies, another West Banker. Some great names from the past, well done Steve
 

To be fair a lot of those names came from research by Mike Flynn and the late Len Hunt.

I'm 99% certain that Tommy Davies and Percy were brothers - I've got a cutting of a Weekly News article from 2004 in which a Widnes fan Alan Davies (who used to use this messageboard, not sure if he still does) was referring to his dad, Tommy, and Uncle Percy.

Tommy played first team 1957/58 - 1959/60 and Percy 1949/51 - 1957/58. Percy lived at Cross St then later Coronation Drive. Tommy lived at Cholmondley St. There've been two other Tommy Davieses played first team for Widnes post-1895, one in the 1920s the other in the 70s.

[Penkvik]

To be fair a lot of those names came from research by Mike Flynn and the late Len Hunt.

I'm 99% certain that Tommy Davies and Percy were brothers - I've got a cutting of a Weekly News article from 2004 in which a Widnes fan Alan Davies (who used to use this messageboard, not sure if he still does) was referring to his dad, Tommy, and Uncle Percy.

Tommy played first team 1957/58 - 1959/60 and Percy 1949/51 - 1957/58. Percy lived at Cross St then later Coronation Drive. Tommy lived at Cholmondley St. There've been two other Tommy Davieses played first team for Widnes post-1895, one in the 1920s the other in the 70s.

Tommy Davies from Cholmondley st is the one I was thinking about, his brother Jackie used to be a barman in my dads pub.

You'll see pictures of him in BB parade on West Bank heritage site, a different build to Percy,p'raps I'm wrong though.

[Steve Fox]

Tommy Davies from Cholmondley st is the one I was thinking about, his brother Jackie used to be a barman in my dads pub.

You'll see pictures of him in BB parade on West Bank heritage site, a different build to Percy,p'raps I'm wrong though.

Penvik,

Here's a link to the photo that appeared in the Weekly News.

The caption is wrong in that it should say "Alan Davies' father" rather than "son".

http://i25.tinypic.com/a4msfp.jpg

[the voice]

Their was Vin ,Brian and Derek but I dont Know their playing history though. Thanks for the interest .

[Penkvik]

Penvik,

Here's a link to the photo that appeared in the Weekly News.

The caption is wrong in that it should say "Alan Davies' father" rather than "son".

http://i25.tinypic.com/a4msfp.jpg

Lol Tomlinson captain, he was a great character, on subject of brothers does the name Lamb ring a bell? I seem to recall
             Abbie Lamb having a brother playing but he may not have been on our books.

[the voice]

Sorry to say Vin Smith passed away last friday his funeral is at St Bedes wk tues as far as I know Will post details when known for any one who wants to know .Marge Smith  would love to lay him to rest in a Widnes RLFC tie does any one know were I might get one?any idears would be appreicated thanks.

[Steve Fox]

Sorry to say Vin Smith passed away last friday his funeral is at St Bedes wk tues as far as I know Will post details when known for any one who wants to know .Marge Smith  would love to lay him to rest in a Widnes RLFC tie does any one know were I might get one?any idears would be appreicated thanks.

I have a Widnes Vikings tie (red/blue, quite tasteful) that you'd be welcome to but if it was a traditional one with a club crest you were after it might be best asking on the main messageboard here where more people will see.

RIP Vin.

[the voice]

Thanks steve but I think Marge has located one of the old type you describe via one of the old Widnes management but thanks for the offer well appriciated.

[Steve Fox]

Thanks steve but I think Marge has located one of the old type you describe via one of the old Widnes management but thanks for the offer well appriciated.

No problem, glad it's sorted.

[Penkvik]

Sorry to say Vin Smith passed away last friday his funeral is at St Bedes wk tues as far as I know Will post details when known for any one who wants to know .Marge Smith  would love to lay him to rest in a Widnes RLFC tie does any one know were I might get one?any idears would be appreicated thanks.

I was sorry to hear of Vins passing, my abiding memory of him was standing in the cowshed with school-mates seeing him spot a gap
in the opposing defence and galloping over the line to score. He had a spell when was scoring more tries from second row than the
backs were! I think he may have held a club record for a try scoring forward for a while. Vin was a standout name in the forwards at the time and I'm just trying to recall who would've been packing down with him. There's a few names to conjure with, Jackie Hayes,
hooker, Ron Rowbottom and Charlie Wilcox props, possibly Fred Higgins or Freddie Leigh I'm not sure.

                                                                                   RIP VIN 

[zagalo]

maybe this will help with players history
have a look at Saints Heritage Society on the internet its Saints official site
 a brilliant site this might be of use to whoever is doing the widnes site best of luck its a big job

[Peter]

Got yer "thanks" It was Vin Smith .

I was in the same class at St Maries as Vin Smith. We both came from Moss Bank. When Vin first played for St Maries at age 11 he was tried on the wing as he was very fast, but to the despair of Joe Ludden and Jim Quinn he kept coming inside and eventually they gave in and played him in the second row. He could have played for Widnes longer, but work got in the way.

[Peter]

Have checked the playing registers and looks like you're right about Derek and Vin being brothers.

I've been told in the past that Tom Smith was another brother but I don't know if that's true.

No, Steve, Tom was not a brother. The family lived at the top end of Moss Bank Road. Their was Vin, Derek, and the younger brother Brian, and a sister Pauline, who used to take me to school when I was four or five, as she was a couple of years older than me.
I think Tom Smith [prop forward and later club secretary] married Peggy O'Neill [who also lived in Moss Bank] and who I think was the Aunt of the O'Neill brothers who also played for Widnes.

[Peter]

Sorry to say Vin Smith passed away last friday his funeral is at St Bedes wk tues as far as I know Will post details when known for any one who wants to know .Marge Smith  would love to lay him to rest in a Widnes RLFC tie does any one know were I might get one?any idears would be appreicated thanks.

So sorry to hear that. I have been away from Widnes now for 40 years. Please pass on my condolences.