Wigan St Judes was formed in 1981 to provide a much needed sporting facility in the Worsley Mesnes and Poolstock area of Wigan. It began with 20 children and now has over 300 players from age 7 through to adults both men and women. On average 250 children and adults play each week attracting up to 700 spectators in total. The club has developed over the years and in 1991 moved to its present site with 4 pitches and a clubhouse and in recent year the club has added a GYM and a 3G all weather pitch to the site which not only supports the club but also the local community. Over a number of years Wigan St Judes have produced talented players who have progressed through our junior and youth ranks to play at the highest professional Rugby League level and international level. The club as also provided a long list players who has gone on to play at the highest level of the Amateur game either for BARLA or Great Britain Community Lions. This gives a source of great local pride and an inspiration to our younger players. The president is councillor Brian Baldwin C.B.E who has supported the club from its foundation. The motto of the club is "GOING FORWARD" and everyone at the club is committed to this. It is reflected in the professional attitude the club shows to everything it undertakes from playing to coaching to administration. We have a wide support network in the community with our local MP, ward councillors and churches all supportive of the club. The founder members of the club secretary Joe Fitzsimmons and rugby manager Tommy Martindale who as still involved with the Club to this day. We initially played in the North West Counties League and progressed to the Premier Division where we stayed for 3 seasons before applying for the new Conference League. We commenced our membership of the Conference League and won the Division Two title at the very first attempt. The following season we failed by just one point to secure promotion to the Premier League, finishing third in Division One. As noted earlier, many of our ex members have gone on to become professional - such names as Kris Radlinski, Mick Cassidy, Sean Long, Craig Makin, Wes Davies and Mark Smith and in recent years Paul Prescott, Gareth Hock, Jack Hughes, Tommy Makinson and Liam Bent we are rightly proud of this. However, we see our real strength as being our youth system. This produces talented players who can go on to professional clubs but more importantly, gives our local youngsters a positive outlet. The professional attitude referred to above is instilled at an early age. This discipline is carried forward into other areas of lives, not just sport. |