RETRO: 30 photographs of Wigan RLFC stars in action 1980-1985

By Michelle Adamson

Published 8th Jan 2023, 12:30 BST

Here’s a wonderful flashback to the Wigan RL team of the early 1980s in action.

They have been randomly selected from our extensive photographic archives, having been captured on film by our former photographer Frank Orrell.

Wigan prop Brian Case battles through the St. Helens defence in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on 1st of April 1983 which Wigan won 13-6.

. 1983

Wigan prop Brian Case battles through the St. Helens defence in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on 1st of April 1983 which Wigan won 13-6. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan fans at the league game against St. Helens at Central Park on Boxing Day Thursday 26th of December 1985. Wigan won the match 38-14.

. 1985

Wigan fans at the league game against St. Helens at Central Park on Boxing Day Thursday 26th of December 1985. Wigan won the match 38-14. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan centre Trevor Stockley races in for a try with Barry Williams alongside in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981.
Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2.

. 1981

Wigan centre Trevor Stockley races in for a try with Barry Williams alongside in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981. Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan loose-forward Eddie Hunter on a break against Fulham in a league match at Central Park on Easter Monday 12th of April 1982.
Wigan won 19-4.

. W1982

Wigan loose-forward Eddie Hunter on a break against Fulham in a league match at Central Park on Easter Monday 12th of April 1982. Wigan won 19-4. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan scrum-half Gary Stephens plunges over for his very first try for the club in the Division 2 match against Dewsbury on Sunday 22nd of February 1981.
Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2.

. 1981

Wigan scrum-half Gary Stephens plunges over for his very first try for the club in the Division 2 match against Dewsbury on Sunday 22nd of February 1981. Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan forward Nick Du Toit battling through against Featherstone Rovers in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 21st of April 1985. Wigan won the match 12-10.

. 1985

Wigan forward Nick Du Toit battling through against Featherstone Rovers in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 21st of April 1985. Wigan won the match 12-10. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan forward Nick Du Toit on his way to a try against Dewsbury in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 20th of October 1985. Wigan won 58-8.

. 1985

Wigan forward Nick Du Toit on his way to a try against Dewsbury in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 20th of October 1985. Wigan won 58-8. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan forward Alan Hodkinson battles through in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981.
Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2.

. 1981

Wigan forward Alan Hodkinson battles through in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981. Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan forward Mick Scott takes on the Bradford Northern defence in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 10th of October 1982.
Wigan won 12-4.

. 1982

Wigan forward Mick Scott takes on the Bradford Northern defence in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 10th of October 1982. Wigan won 12-4. Photo: Frank Orrell

Mud caked Wigan players celebrate after beating St. Helens 16-7 in the Challenge Cup quarter-final at Knowsley Road on Sunday 11th of March 1984.

. 1984

Mud caked Wigan players celebrate after beating St. Helens 16-7 in the Challenge Cup quarter-final at Knowsley Road on Sunday 11th of March 1984. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss is happy with his try against Leeds in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 30th of September 1984.
Wigan won 30-14.

. 1984

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss is happy with his try against Leeds in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 30th of September 1984. Wigan won 30-14. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan forward Graeme West on a powerful charge against Featherstone Rovers with Mike Ford and Nick Du Toit backing up in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 21st of April 1985. Wigan won the match 12-10.

. 1985

Wigan forward Graeme West on a powerful charge against Featherstone Rovers with Mike Ford and Nick Du Toit backing up in a league match at Central Park on Sunday 21st of April 1985. Wigan won the match 12-10. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss makes a break against St. Helens in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on the 5th of April 1985. Wigan lost the match 19-30.

. 1985

Wigan hooker Nicky Kiss makes a break against St. Helens in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on the 5th of April 1985. Wigan lost the match 19-30. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan centre David Stephenson scores one of his two tries on debut in the Challenge Cup Round 1 match at Knowsley Road on Saturday 13th of February 1982.
Wigan won 20-12.

. 1982

Wigan centre David Stephenson scores one of his two tries on debut in the Challenge Cup Round 1 match at Knowsley Road on Saturday 13th of February 1982. Wigan won 20-12. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan prop Brian Case battles through the St. Helens defence in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on 1st of April 1983 which Wigan won 13-6.

1. 1983

Wigan prop Brian Case battles through the St. Helens defence in the Good Friday league clash at Central Park on 1st of April 1983 which Wigan won 13-6. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan fans at the league game against St. Helens at Central Park on Boxing Day Thursday 26th of December 1985. Wigan won the match 38-14.

2. 1985

Wigan fans at the league game against St. Helens at Central Park on Boxing Day Thursday 26th of December 1985. Wigan won the match 38-14. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan centre Trevor Stockley races in for a try with Barry Williams alongside in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981.
Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2.

3. 1981

Wigan centre Trevor Stockley races in for a try with Barry Williams alongside in the 2nd Division match against Dewsbury at Central Park on Sunday 22nd of February 1981. Wigan won 35-11 in their one and only season in Division 2. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan loose-forward Eddie Hunter on a break against Fulham in a league match at Central Park on Easter Monday 12th of April 1982.
Wigan won 19-4.

4. W1982

Wigan loose-forward Eddie Hunter on a break against Fulham in a league match at Central Park on Easter Monday 12th of April 1982. Wigan won 19-4. Photo: Frank Orrell