There’s a rivalry that stretches as far back as the English Civil War, more than 400 years ago, although the battle between Wigan and neighbouring town Leigh is now mainly confined to the rugby league field.
In the conflict, also known as the Great Rebellion, the people of Leigh reputedly supported Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads – or Parliamentarians – while Wigan backed the attempts by King Charles 1st to hold onto absolute power.
Zoe Unsworth jokingly apologised about being from Leigh
Rising country singer Zoe Unsworth recently wowed the crowds at an outdoor event in Parbold – just over the Wigan border – and took time out from her barnstorming set to apologise for being from Leigh.
That prompted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) to investigate the reasons for the lingering antipathy between the two towns, which are, after all, in the same borough in Greater Manchester – Wigan.
Following her performance, Zoe, 26, explained:
It [the rivalry] always comes up, especially when I’m performing in Wigan. I don’t know if it comes mainly from rugby [Super League teams Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards].
I’ve had people tell me ‘you’re from Leigh. It’s just a bus stop in Wigan’. But we are our own place. My dad is from Wigan and he moved to Leigh to be with my mum. So you could say I’m half a Wiganer and half Leyther [the Leigh nickname].
It’s not just Wigan and Leigh, it’s also Wigan and St Helens, but that is also probably to do with rugby.
Wiganers talk about the rivalry and rugby
In Wigan town centre ex-army veteran Dave Thompson, 56, likens it to the rivaly between people from Salford and those from Swinton.
I think it’s mainly sport-related. There’s a bit of a difference in the accent between Wigan and Leigh, which contributes towards it, I think. I’m from Salford and people tell me I sound like I’m from Coronation Street.
William Pritchard, 75, also compared the rivalry to the football-related antagonism between Liverpool and Manchester.
But between Wigan and Leigh, it’s rugby league. I’m originally from Liverpool, but I’ve lived around here for a long time – since I was 18. Personally, I don’t feel badly towards anyone, no matter where they are from.
The owner of Wigan town centre’s Krumbs Cafe, Danielle Stephens, 38, said:
I think people in Leigh get fed up because Wigan’s a bigger town, but I don’t think there’s any harm in it. I think a lot of it is friendly rivalry.
Senior Wigan councillor Sue Gambles alluded to the English Civil War saying:
It’s well-knwon that Leigh supported the Roundheads and Wigan backed the Cavaliers.
When Wigan and Leigh came together under one borough [in 1974], there was resistance to that.
But I support any sporting team from the Wigan area. In fact, I am a director at Leigh Sports Village. It’s great that Leigh Leopards are in the super league. But we’re also doing a lot to help Wigan Athletic develop their women’s football team.
Leythers seem to feel stronger about the rivalry
However, for some in Leigh, the resentment against the bigger neighbouring town runs deep.
Leigh market stall holder Janette Saunders said:
There’s a big difference between Wigan and Leigh. We don’t get the same as what Wigan gets because they are bigger. People in Leigh don’t feel they get a fair crack of the whip, especially from the council.
Paul Eckersley, 59, said:
It’s been going on since time immemorial. I think it’s got something to do with football and rugby. I remember in the 1980s I was a special constable and when Leigh Centurions [as they were known then] and Wigan Warriors played, it always kicked off.
I absolutely agree with people in Leigh that it feels like we get crumbs off Wigan’s table.
We’ve got a shopping centre which opened in 1991, and that’s it. Wigan have had three or four since then. Whatever Wigan wants, Wigan gets. There has been a move to split Leigh away from Wigan, and I can understand it.
Alfred Hilton, 82, was unequivocal in his views. He said:
Wiganers have their ways and we have ours. I know people who live in Wigan. Even my friends from Wigan don’t associate themselves with Leigh. Wiganers think we’re backward and that they are above everyone.
Not everyone feels bad about it
But Emily Kelly, 26, was full of affection for everyone in the Wigan borough. She said:
I don’t feel any hostility towards Wigan or anyone who is from the town. I used to live in a hotel off the East Lancs Road when I was made homeless with my two children. People have been very kind to me and I’m back on my feet now.
Andy Fox, 51, felt similar when he said:
It’s only on rugby days when there’s rivalry. It’s nothing serious – just sporting banter.
