Following the tremendous success of the Latics League players A to Z, which first appeared on the world wide web in 1995, I have decided to 'bite the bullet' and go for a COMPLETE A to Z of EVERY player to play a Football League game for Wigan. This then, brings us on to the 'Amber and Blacks', Wigan Borough.

As the title suggests, it is hoped that I have covered the careers of every 'Boro player. I wouldn't be surprised, if in the near future, I am expected to add names to this list. But for now this is the DEFINITIVE guide to every player to play for the club. I have also included in the list a few known trialists and some players that have only appeared in cup games for the club. Hours and hours of research have gone into ensuring that the facts stated are correct. In several cases, different sources give differing views on players' playing records. As far as I am aware the figures that I have finally settled on, and quoted, are accurate. To avoid confusion with regard to appearances I have only included LEAGUE GAMES and LEAGUE GOALS in the players' pen pics. Some of these players went on to manage other clubs when they finished playing, but for the purposes of this project, I have decided to concentrate SOLELY on their playing careers.

I would also like to point out that Boro used 19 players in that ill fated 1931/32 season when the club went into liquidation. Although all records of this incomplete season were wiped from the Football League record books, I have included the said players' goals and appearances totals in their records for the purposes of this project.

Wigan Borough have had 5 International players in their ranks, quite a few played representative games for the English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish Football Leagues. One Boro player scored Leeds United's first ever league goal. Another played in West Ham United's first ever Football League game. There are FA Cup winners, League winners, a player who was promised a pub to sign for Manchester United and there are instances when Boro also had former Wigan County, Wigan United and future Wigan Athletic players on their books. There is the goalkeeper, who whilst playing for Boro, conceded the first ever Division Three North goal as well! The reader will marvel at some of the players' careers and be frustrated as information on others is not forthcoming, I am constantly working on trying to rectify this though. Wigan does indeed have a legacy and tradition second to none.

Eventually, I hope to complete the set and produce the A to Z on EVERY Wigan Athletic non-league player. But for now, settle down, relax and relive the exploits, the laughter and the tears of those great Wigan players who (which I hope to ensure through this work), are not completely forgotten and ignored anymore. With just two decades short of a century of anonymity behind them, let's applaud the forerunners to the current team that we all love so much. So much time has passed since these players turned out for their town that it occurred to me that I was, in actual fact, writing an obituary of Wigan Boro. However, I will not let the club or the players be forgotten. They deserve better.

As we arrive in the Premier League, let us not forget our heritage.

Bernard Ramsdale (2005)

(In March 2006, Radio Lancashire's Rugby League correspondent, Mike Latham (also a huge sports fanatic), got in touch with me and he assisted in helping me fill in a few gaps with regards to this project. I am hugely indebted to him for his kind gesture)